My Swiss chard is growing like crazy. I think it’s in a perfect spot. Must. Remember. This. A dark, leafy green rich in vitamins and minerals, I use it as a substitute for spinach, although the flavor is stronger and more robust than spinach. We eat it raw, as salad greens. Sometimes I chop it […]
They say necessity is the mother of invention. That was the case with this Black Bean Dip. I wanted to have something healthy around for snacking and spreading on sandwiches – my mind went immediately to a bean dip – but I didn’t want to go to the grocery store. I opened the pantry and […]
We love everything about watermelon – crunchy, juicy, sweet and incredibly low in calories. Not to mention that color! It’s the perfect summer snack anytime time of day. This recipe takes watermelon and makes it really something special. Sweet and savory, the delicate flavors of watermelon and cucumber really shine. Cool, healthy and refreshing, this soup is sophisticated enough to start a meal or serve in shot glasses as an appetizer. I also find myself drinking it from a glass like a smoothie.
Yesterday, we spent the day at the SB Fermentation Festival. In addition to catching up with old friedns and enjoying the beautiful day at Fairview Gardens, we tasted fresh kefir (and learned how to make it!) and kombucha too. We also learned about cheese- and salumi-making from our friends at C’est Cheese. We sampled delicious breads from Crazy Good Bread Company – our future neighbor at the Santa Barbara Public Market. Lucky us.
For links to recipes for Lemon Herb Cheese and “Quickled” Vegetables, read more…
There’s a lot to love about a gallette (an open-faced, rustic tart). Sweet or savory, gallettes are forgiving in that the more rustic they are, the better! Chunks of fruit or vegetables take center stage in a gallette, literally. In this glorious version, cherry tomatoes are “burst” in hot oil before being sautéed with zucchini and corn. Served with a mixed green salad, it tastes a lot like summer!
Our friends just returned from Alaska and brought over some wild caught silver salmon for dinner. Oh my! I wanted the flavor of the fish to really shine, so I simply brushed it with olive oil, salt and white pepper before grilling. I served it with a cool, herb-y yogurt sauce I made using the fresh herbs running rampant in our garden.
Grilling fish is a simple, healthy and delicious choice for meals at home. Some people are intimidated by the idea of grilling fish. Don’t be! This method of using direct and then indirect heat to cook fish on the grill works every time. I’ve written specific instructions for using both charcoal and gas grills. Enjoy!
A visit from my parents-in-law yielded pounds of Roma, Early Girl and Purple Prince tomatoes. Organic, fresh and home grown, they don’t get better than this. In celebration, I wanted to make a light and summery sauce for pasta, so I turned to Pim’s Super Quick and Fantastic Tomato Sauce. I used fresh basil, red pepper flakes and sherry vinegar to boost the flavor of the tomatoes. It is indeed fantastic!
Read more for links to other great recipes featuring fresh tomatoes that will deliver the taste of summer to your table. Enjoy!
More often than not, I mess with ingredients in recipes. I substitute this or change that. Sometimes I change things because I want to use what I have on hand instead of buying something new. Often, I make substitutes in order to make healthier choices. But not with this recipe. Nope. I like it just the way it is.
Here is what I love about this recipe. In combination, the grilled polenta, balsamic mushrooms and arugula make a delightful meal. Individually, the methods for preparing the polenta and mushrooms can be used over and over again in a variety of ways. For instance, the balsamic mushrooms are nice sliced over grilled steak. Serve the grilled polenta on its own as a side dish for any grilled vegetables or meats. Make the polenta ahead of time so it has time to chill before grilling. Enjoy!
My summer salad obsession continues. The best part about this recipe is the Mango Sesame Dressing. I’ve been making it for years. I use it on mixed greens, as a dipping sauce for chicken, or as glaze for on the grill. Udon, traditional Japanese noodles, can be found in the most grocery stores or at World Market. They cook in about 4 minutes and are delicious served hot or cold. If you can’t find udon noodles, use whole wheat spaghetti as a substitute. This is a great summer-time meal!
