As August falls into the shadows and September brings us summer’s final lingering days, I find myself clinging to nature’s greatest gift during these hot and humid months, the tomato. And while I will happily indulge in an heirloom dressed in nothing more than its birthday suit, it is a perfectly crafted caprese salad that will leave me pinning for …
BLT with Horseradish Mayonnaise
In my hands I am holding an ample sandwich, the bread buttered and toasted, the bacon thick and salty and the tomatoes at the peak of ripeness. I open my mouth wide and take a bite, the lettuce crisp and refreshing against the bite of the horseradish-spiked mayonnaise. A BLT of this sort is one of summer’s most wonderful gifts …
Pasta with Mushrooms, Pancetta & Sun Dried Tomatoes
The people at the Fresh Market off Brownsboro Road must think I’m odd. I recently found myself walking slowly through their just-large-enough grocery, entirely caught up in my own thoughts. I had the rest of the week’s shopping complete, my meticulous list of recipes to test and ingredients to sample marked off, line by line, each item now tucked away …
Barcelona Inspiration: Pan de Tomate
Of all the food we tasted in Spain, I was most excited to try my hand at pan de tomate. And not just because it calls for only five ingredients found in almost every kitchen and is nearly fool-proof. It is one of those bites you take that instantly calms you. The simplicity needs no translation – we all know …
Caprese Panini
It is no accident – there isn’t much to this panini – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just delicate, distinct, delicious flavors. Flavors that bring comfort, warmth, happiness. For me, perfection is defined in a meeting of the Italian trinity – mozzarella, tomato, basil. The truest form of individual ingredients playing the part that nature intended, shining …
Caprese Toasts
I think it is important to have a go-to item for entertaining. Something that is easy, quick, and 99.9% of people will enjoy. One of my favorite meals is a caprese salad. It consists of ingredients that are staples in Italian cooking and which are all part of my pantry standards list: tomato, basil, mozzarella cheese, extra virgin olive oil …