UC Santa Cruz Botanical Garden Funhappytime:

I have the extreme good fortune to live in one of five Mediterranean Climate regions of the world...California!  BUT...if I didn't live in this sun-kissed, natural wonderland, and had to pick one other region of the world to live in, it would be South or Western Australia.

Protea magnifica, South Africa

Or South Africa.

...or maybe the central coast of Chile...

...or maybe somewhere along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea...

All incredible places on this planet!

By definition, these "Mediterranean Climate" regions are characterized by warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool wet winters. (Wikipedia has an excellent description of Mediterranean climates:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_climate

In short, in California we can grow lots of beautiful plants from regions of the world that share our climate.

Banksia, Australia

Recently, some friends and I did the next best thing to a world tour of the Mediterranean regions- we went to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, an invaluable treasure in Santa Cruz, California.  The UCSC Arboretum houses the largest collection of Australian and South African plants outside of their native countries and is home to a world-class living collection of fauna from California, Australia, South Africa,  New Zealand and Chile.   The regal Proteas and Banksias alone are reason enough to visit the arboretum. Go if you ever have the chance!
http://arboretum.ucsc.edu/

Caesar: King of Salads

My friend Dana is one of the best chefs I know.  She used to work for a caterer and- lucky for me- snagged this recipe for Caesar Salad Dressing, which I now make by the gallon.  The recipe below makes a lot, and should last for a while in the fridge.  It's the real deal and contains raw eggs and anchovies....It also makes a great dip for crudités.

CAESAR SALAD:

I came.  I saw.  I conquered. Then I ate salad.

1 head of organic hearts of Romaine lettuce, torn
1/2 cup Dana's Caesar Dressing (below)
1 cup garlic croutons (below)
1/4 cup shaved asiago or parmesan
black pepper to taste

Dana's Delicious Caesar Salad Dressing:
6-8 cloves of fresh garlic
ground black pepper to taste
2 oz canned anchovies
3/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
2.5 tbs dijon mustard
3/4 c. grated parmesan or asiago
1.5 tsp worcestershire sauce
juice of 1 lemon

2 raw eggs
1.5 c. extra virgin olive oil
1 c. vegetable oil (canola is good)

In a cuisinart, blend all ingredients except for eggs and oils.  When well blended, add oils and then eggs to emulsify.  Let cuisinart run until dressing becomes thick (milkshake consistency).  Refrigerate to store- keeps for at least 2 weeks.

Garlic Croutons:
6 cups cubed sourdough (or another white bread)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 fresh garlic cloves, chopped

Preheat oven to 350. Toss everything to coat bread evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until golden.  Cool.

Compose salad.  Toss lettuce with cooled croutons and shaved asiago or parmesan and dressing.  Serve!