California is in the middle of 4 days of rain. A storm that is dumping so much rain that our yards and streets have turned into rivers. When it rains, I think of warm cookies. This past weekend, I made oatmeal (the old-fashioned way) and thought about making a few dozen cookies today. Here are two recipes: one, and you add chips or raisins into the batter. Enjoy!
Peanut Blossom Cookies 1957 Pillsbury Bake-off /
If one thinks about the Pillsbury Bake-off the cookie that comes to mind is the 1957 entry from Mrs. Chester Smith the Peanut Blossom. And it didnt win the grand prize! Shocking. This recipe you find during the holidays on cookie platters. Here is the recipe!
1957 Pillsbury Peanut Blossom Recipe
December 14th: FOX5 San Diego 30th Anniversary on TV Holiday Appetizers /
December 1993: 30 years ago this week. I worked at Disneyland as the Pastry Chef and the company decided to close the department two weeks before Christmas. I was watching the KHJ-9 morning show with Cyndy Garvey and Steve Edwards. A guy was making a pie, using a ready-made crust and a can of pie filling. I knew I could do better. I called and got hired for six months. I did everything from a wedding cake to the main dishes. Then I booked Mike and Maty Show, a national show for three years.
Meanwhile, the Food Network started up, and I crisscrossed the country with Robin Leech and talked about a new station on cable. Since 1993, I have been on every network every local national show except The Today Show. Currently, my home station is FOX5 in San Diego, and I pretape WGN-Chicago and Tampa NBC. Here are the holiday show recipes.
30th Anniversary Holiday Show FOX5 San Diego
1993 KHJ-9 TV Morning Show. The first show
November 20th: FOX5 San Diego Thanksgiving 2023 Desserts /
Tired of that Pumpkin Pie or that same dessert? Here are some new desserts that are so fast and easy to make that you will wonder why you had not taken the desert to dinner before. And a drink to help you deal with the family! All from my annual Thanksgiving Morning Segment
With Raoul Martinez at FOX5 San Diego on the Set.
Thanksgiving Desserts for FOX5 San Diego. Recipes Below.
Berry Holiday Spritzer so can handle the family! Recipe
Bourbon Pecan Pound Cake Recipe
Fast and Easy Chocolate Raspberry Pots de Creme: Recipe
Kaluha Cream Cheese Brownies: Recipe
Fast and Easy ALL-IN-ONE-BOWL Pumpkin Pecan Cheese Pie: Recipe
Pumpkin Nutmeg Bread Pudding: Recipe
Here is the entire show from today on FOX5. If you do not live in the San Diego area watch it here : Nov 20th Broadcast
Pumpkin Caramel Sea Salt Cookies /
A soft fall cookie for you to try. I used the new Trader Joe’s Caramel Sea Salt Baking Chips. If you don’t have a TJ close or the chips are not in season you can use any type of baking chips you desire.
Trader Joe’s Caramel Sea Salt Baking Chips
Tick Tock Tea Room Hollywood 1930-1988 /
An amazing tea room in the middle of Hollywood. Here is a morning favorite, Orange Buns.
1716 N. La Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
16 years ago today! The Complete Baking Cookbook was released /
On this day in 2007, My 4th book came out. The Complete Baking Cookbook. Some may not know, but we, as authors, do not have the last say in the titles of the books we write. I wanted it titled George Geary’s Big Ass Book of Baking. It was a no-go. The book is out of print, but my publisher says it is not (Go try finding a NEW copy). I have three copies for sale. Below is the link. All of the pictures in the book are my favorite baked goods.
Here is the link to purchase the softcover book. LINK
SoCal Apple Country and 29 years ago! /
Twenty-nine years ago tomorrow (October 6th), I received a call from Joe Crea, the Food Editor at the time of the OC Register Newspaper. It was my first story with the newspaper since losing my job at Disneyland. He wanted to do a story about my tours of Oak Glen, CA, the Apple country, and a recipe for my apple pie with crust. Also, to include a picture. (This is before digital). He needed it the next day. I ran to the produce department of my local grocery store and, donned an apron, had the produce guy (who I didn’t know) snap one picture in the deli area (not sure why there). I ran to the 1-hr photo and hoped the picture turned out. Here it is:
Here is the story and recipes for the Spice Apple Pie and Crust. I even, 29 years later, taught it in North Dakota last week. OC Register Story Link
APPLE SPICE CRUST AND PIE
Robinsons Gardens Beverly Hills Event! October 11th /
Join the Friends of Robinson Gardens as we explore
LA’s Landmark Restaurants
In his latest book, award winning chef & best-selling author George Geary takes us on a tour of famous Los Angeles restaurants from throughout the 20th century. Hear the stories of how these classic restaurants – places where Angelenos rather than celebrities dine – got their start. George’s love letter to landmark restaurants will surely bring back memories to anyone who has dined at these fabled establishments.
Join us for this tribute to Los Angeles and its famous cuisine.
When: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
10:30 mimosas, 11:00 am lecture, 12:00 pm lunch
Where: VRG Pool Pavilion
Cost: $95 members / $105 non-members
To register: Click here or call the FRG office 310.550.2068 (space limited, register early!)
George will have books available for purchase.
Rose Petal Sauce /
If you love the aroma of Roses, you will love the flavor of this sauce. It is easy to make and store in the fridge for over a year. Uses: Drizzle on ice cream; use 1 cup for a batch of ice cream, brush a vanilla cake with the syrup or add 2 tablespoons to a glass of champagne.
Organic Pesticide Free Roses. I get mine at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Tuesday at Lilys Eggs @smlilyseggs
Bring 2 pounds of sugar and 2 pints of water to a boil.
Wash roses with cool water, pull petals apart, and place into boiling sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and stir.
Place lid on, fire off, and let seep for 2 hours.
Drain liquid off of petals.
Place into jars, cool before placing lids on top
The rose petal sauce will last up to one year if you do not contaminate the mixture. When you use it, please pour what you need into a bowl. Do not use anything like a spoon in the jar. Reseal. If you see mold forming on the top, use something you should not have. Enjoy!
Double Chocolate Sandwich Cookies /
Today Hurricane Hilary touched down here in Southern California. Some areas had damage, some like mine.. a little rain. I decided to make these cookies. Come on! Rain means cookie-baking time! Plus it has been over 100F for days and today in the 70s.
Sometimes you have to use a hand beater. You can see the ripples in the cream!
Happy 100th Birthday Estelle, Golden Girl Cheesecake /
Estelle Getty
July 25th, 1923
She was the 4th Golden Girl from the multi-Emmy award-winning show from the 1980s. Estelle was known as the eldest “girl” on the show, thou she was really the youngest. Many hours of the makeup chair to age her for the Friday night taping. Originally in the pilot, she was only going to be a recurring character, she was a hit with the audience, so Estelle was written into the show as a permanent cast member.
Before the Golden Girls, Estelle was a theatrical actress. Her career blossomed later in her life with the role of Sophia Petrillo. Estelle was one of the first actresses in Hollywood to advocate during the start of the AIDS epidemic when the government would not speak the words. Her nephew Steven Bruce Scher passed away at the young age of 29, and many of her fellow actors succumbed to the horrible disease. In his honor, Estelle helped open a hospice in Steven’s hometown in South Carolina. To this day, is is still helping people.
Estelle’s final resting place is in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, July 25th of this year would have been her 100th birthday.
Many would agree that the 5th character on the show was a cheesecake. Many evenings and sometimes in the middle of the night, the girls would tackle the days’ problems or celebrate while eating a cheesecake. I have posted this before, and here it is again, one of the recipes for the cheesecakes from the show. Besides the dessert, I also created several wedding cakes, sandwiches, pasta sauces, and various foods cooked in the kitchen. Have a slice for Estella’s Birthday!
Golden Girls Cheesecake Cooling. Recipe
June 28th, 4th of July Picnic Celebration /
Here is my yearly 4th of July segment. Red White and Blue. Try these recipe for your celebration next week. Yearly, a few of us go to a “small town” America. We fly into an area and do a driving trip. This year is hot and humid Savannah Georgia. Follow on Instagram!
Watermelon Hibiscus Spritzer
A refreshing flavorful spritzer for you to enjoy. Recipe
Pulled Pork Sliders
Like I said in the segment, you can use any prepared folk pulled meat, even a prepared roasted chicken. Enjoy these flavorful sliders
Red, White and Blue Potato Salad
You can find the three colors of potatoes at your local grocery store.
Herb Roasted Corn
Try this flavorful corn, you wont even need butter!
4th of July Berries!
Retro Raspberry Butter Cookies /
Lately I have been looking at 1960s Food magazines and recipe for cookies. Life was simple and the cookies were part of Americana. I update the recipes to include butter instead of “oleo”. I also added vanilla extract for added flavor. Here are Raspberry Butter Cookies adapted from a 1959 Woman’s Day Magazine. I hope you enjoy!
Retro Raspberry Butter Cookies
Woman’s Day December 1959
Retro Dessert from 1966 Seven Layer Bars /
The first mention of Seven Layer Bars was in 1966. After the popularity of the bars being requested in every food section in America, The Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk place the recipe on their label soon after. Here is my version.
1966 Recipe from the Murphy Family Holiday Recipes.
George Geary Tours of France, New Orleans and Holiday Flower Market of LA /
I just announced my three most popular tours. France, New Orleans, and the Flower Markets of LA. Very limited room on my tours. Check them all out. Below are links to the brochures and information. If you need more information, email ggeary@aol.com Or check out the tour page LINK
LA's Landmark Restaurants on FOX5 San Diego ~ Recipes and Show! /
Today I was down at the station promoting my latest book LAs Landmark Restaurants. March 1st, I am doing a signing and talk in La Jolla, at Warwick’s Books. Below are the recipes and a link to watch the show.
Here is the complete segment: LINK
Little Joes’ Pasta Sauce Recipe
Here is the link for March 1st, in La Jolla LINK
February 13th, Valentine's Day Dinner for under $25 /
I love a challenge! Could I put together a Valentine’s dinner for two, Wine, Main, Sides and dessert for under $25. Also, it has to be worthy of a date and anyone could make without too many cooking skills. Plus I have to do it on camera in 4-5 minutes. I few of the items are purchased but “Doctored” up. If someone made this meal for you I am sure you would be in love!
Desert: Raspberry Chocolate Brownies: Recipe
Citrus Dill Salmon in Heart Parchment Paper: Recipe
Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Olive Oil : Recipe
Here is the recipe for Herbed Rice: Recipe
Cost Breakdown
LAs Landmark Restaurants ~ Celebrating the Legendary Locations Where Angelenos Have Dined for Generations /
Whew! After delays, I finally have in my hands my 15th book! LAs Landmark Restaurants. You can order it below the picture, and I will personalize it!
2018, LA’s Legendary Restaurant book was released, 60 restaurants with about 120 recipes. This book was initially called LA’s Golden Era Restaurants, focusing on places stars hung out in the 30s and 40s, most gone. Pictures were difficult to come by, and stories were boring or had hardly any information on them; I then opened the book's scope to include additional locations, but some were still open. You can still purchase one with the link below.
My newest book is not a “Part 2” per se, but a continuation of Restaurants of LA, another 60 locations, I focus more on the families that started them) and are still mainly in business. And Yes, I include recipes! Enjoy!
Melt in your Mouth Butter Cookies (Gale Gand) /
Who does not like a butter cookie? And one that melts in you mouth even better! Friend and Colleague Chef Gale Gand posted a recipe and I doubled it (hey you're making cookies you might as well make more) and added a little almond/vanilla flavorings. Enjoy!
Gale Gand’s Melt in your Mouth Butter Cookies Recipe
A little quick panning of the cookies prior to the oven
