more pressies from California....Tartine Cookbook

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this handsome addition to my library. It's still parked by my bedside at the moment, but will be debuting in the kitchen very soon.

The foreward is written by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, but the book belongs to the owners of this San Franscico bakery institution, Elisabeth Prueitt and her husband Chad Robertson. I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Tartine yet (it's only a matter of time), but have been told it always draws a long line from it's doors.

You can tell by the name that it draws inspiration from European baking traditions. Inside are Bavarian cakes, a Toasted Almond and Lavender Parfait and Clafoutis, as well as a definitive Brownie recipe. I've been told they also do a mean breakfast in their cafe.

Pressies from California

My lovely sister-in-law lives in San Francisco and has come home with her husband and 8 week old baby for the summer in Devon, laiden with tasty pressies.

Stonehouse California's "Extra Virgin Blood Orange" is a delicious treat made by pressing tree ripened blood oranges with late season olives. I've been drizzling it with abandon over salads and barbequed fish for the last few weeks.

They also do Lisbon Lemon, Persian Lime, Garlic and Chilli Oils.

http://www.stonehouseoliveoil.com/

Book Launch at the gorgeous Whitehouse in Chillington

This picture of the inside of the Whitehouse might look a little skewed, lop-sided even. It wasn't because I was completely sloshed before the party had truely kicked off, but was down to some crazy killer heels I was wearing that evening.

Tamara, at the Whitehouse made it all easy and relaxed and Emma's flowers, including exquisite little bottles of black dahlias, viburnum and the deepest darkest hellebores (emmavolwes.co.uk) vamped the Georgian house up a notch.

There was plenty of bubbly and book selling - my first customers were a glamourous couple called Cliff and Ash - and catching up with old friends (that's you Stefan), and meeting those who had been an integral part of the book making team: Salima, the recipe editor, Jane Beaton and Jane Aspden from Hardie Grant and Mary Bekhait from limelight Management.

Thank you to everyone who came.

Miranda x

P.S. Visit the Whitehouse (http://www.whitehousedevon.co.uk/) at any oportuntiy you have. It has a relaxed vibe (bowls of sweeties on the bar) but is also a seriously glamourous boutique hotel. They do one wedding a month and have 5 gorgeous rooms. Don't save it for a special occassion - go for lunch!