Summer is here and I love having a break from travel to enjoy being at home for a while. I’m getting ready to teach some classes in my San Francisco kitchen. First up is my week-long Summer in San Francisco cooking course, and I was getting hungry just reviewing all the menus and recipes for the week! Since basil is abounding right now, we’ll make Chicken Rolled with Pesto - excellent for a summer picnic or tailgate. And speaking of basil, I’ve got a ton of basil recipes featured in the July issue of Cooking Light magazine. The Basil Parmesan Dip with Pita Chips and Purple Basil Lemonade are perfect for entertaining!

My TEQUILA Weekend Cooking Course is going to be a lot of fun, especially with some special guest bartenders. I’ve been shaking up a few tequila cocktails myself – check out the Cherry Margarita recipe I posted on my blog. It’s not to late to join the Tequila class! And while you’re sipping the margarita you could make my Grilled Potato Salad with Green Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Mint and Basil.

Since I’ve been home I’ve been writing a lot of stories for magazines, and of course my blog. I have to admit it’s a great creative outlet and I’m never without my camera in the kitchen, at the farmer’s market, or at restaurants! You can sign up to receive my blog updates via email – just enter your email address where it says “NEVER MISS A POST!”

I’ve been reading emails from fans of my Cooking Class TV series, and there have been lots of requests for recipes – especially my Pineapple Sorbet with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fleur de Sel and Warm Olive and Caramelized Onion Tart – so enjoy!