Welcome!

by Nancy Newcomer on August 11, 2011

 

I love sharing a good meal with family & friends. The more the merrier, in fact, I enjoy squeezing extra guests in at the table. If you arrive early, you’ll likely be recruited into chopping or table setting duty. Of course, I’ll offer you a glass of wine first. My meals are typically organic and simple made from farmer’s market bounty.  I’m a believer in using what’s in season, on hand, and readily available. We’re talkin’ REAL food. Welcome. We’ll cook. We’ll Talk. And we will be merry.

Nancy Newcomer, Founder B2K

About Nancy:  Nancy Newcomer, is a food blogger, radio personality and an accomplished cook & creator of simple, healthy meals made from fresh, organic  ingredients. With an emphasis on local farmer’s market bounty, her Facebook blog, “Back to the Kitchen: Healthy Living with Real Food” is followed by people in more than 25 countries. She is a contributor to several publications, radio stations, websites, and newsletters including Santa Barbara Dining & Destinations, Today’s Innovative Woman, Empoweradio.com, and HealthRadio.net.  She has recently signed on as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, part of the Feeding America network. Nancy lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and daughter. Her son attends college in southern California and visits often for a home cooked meal.  Nancy is featured on:

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Walnut Pesto

by Nancy Newcomer on January 25, 2012

2 cloves garlic

2 cups basil

1/2 cup walnut halves

3 TB grated Pecorino cheese

1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/3 cup high quality olive oil

1/2 to 1 tsp sea salt

Place garlic cloves in food processor and pulse until garlic is chopped finely, about 30 seconds. Add basil, walnuts and Pecorino cheese and pulse until chopped. Add lemon juice, then with the food processor running on low, slowly pour olive oil in. Add salt to taste.

Fabulous over roasted veggies, pasta, or wonderful for dipping. Makes a great spread for panini as well.

 

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Curve Balls & The 4 Agreements

January 6, 2012
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Dear Darlings, You may have noticed I’ve been semi “off the grid”  for the last a couple of weeks. With the holidays, life always gets busy, but for some reason this Christmas was even crazier. I don’t know about you, but over the last several months, life has thrown me a couple of curve balls.  [...]

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“Are You Ready For Xmas?” and other annoying questions.

December 22, 2011
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**Before you read any further, please note the photograph. Our pool table becomes a gift wrapping station over the holidays…this is a nuisance, an eye sore, and it will never change no matter how much I protest. Okay, keep calm and carry on. I lied. There won’t be any other annoying questions discussed here today [...]

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“Caliente Cocoa” aka Hot Chocolate w/ Chili Pepper!

December 17, 2011
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Ask Nancy~ Lisa from Atlanta, Georgia asks: “Nancy, I’m looking for a hot non-alcoholic beverage for the holidays that is festive and appealing to adults. No eggnog recipes please!” Lisa, thanks for making me think out of the box. Non-alcoholic eggnog and mulled cider are good old standbys for our non-drinking guests, but I’m thinking [...]

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My Picks: 10 Best Holiday Gifts for Foodie in Your Life

December 17, 2011
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I know we are closing in on the gift giving window this holiday season, but I thought I’d give you my picks on some fun ideas for the cooks and foodies in your life…or perhaps just for you!  FYI, I am not being paid or compensated by any of these vendors…I just LOVE this stuff!  [...]

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Braised Green Beans & Fennel

December 13, 2011
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Braised Green Beans & Fennel Serves 6 Ingredients 1 TB olive oil 3 slices bacon, diced -you may also use pancetta cubes (omit if going vegan) 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced fennel bulb 6  cloves sliced garlic 2 pounds green beans, rinsed, ends trimmed 1 cup chicken stock (veggie stock if going vegan) 1 tsp [...]

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Herb Crusted Beef Loin Roast

December 13, 2011
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I always like to have something very special for Christmas Eve dinner, but somehow keep it manageable on prep so that I have time to enjoy the festivities with the family. If I can put it in the oven and walk away, that’s my kind of entree!  A few years ago, my sister in law [...]

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Champagne Pom Cocktail

December 13, 2011
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Champagne Pom Cocktail serves 1 5 oz Champagne or Sparkling Wine ½ oz Pomegranate Juice 5-8 Pomegranate “arils” (the little fruity jewels) OPTIONAL: 1 sugar cube Pour sparkling wine into a champagne flute. When bubbles subside, add pomegranate juice. Garnish with pomegranate “arils” or fruit. This is a tart and tangy cocktail. If you desire [...]

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Herbes de Provence

December 12, 2011
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During the holiday season, we all give and receive an abundant supply of cookies, breads, candies, liqueurs and other goodies. As much as I love the sweet stuff, especially it it’s homemade, I decided last year to try something new. Since I am a lover of herbs and spices, I decided to gift our friends [...]

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Turkey Meatballs ~ Gluten Free

December 11, 2011
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There’s nothing better than homemade meatballs and they’re perfect as an appetizer or a main dish. I made this recipe up through trial and error and I am very happy with the results. My husband grew up on traditional Italian meatballs made by his father and is VERY picky and critical of meatballs in general. [...]

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