3 navel oranges 1 Tbsp wine vinegar 1/4 tsp salt freshly ground pepper 4 tbsp olive oil 2 quarts baby spinach leaves, lightly packed 2 Tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted in a dry skillet Peel the oranges and cut off all the white pith. Slice between the membranes to release the sections. Place the vinegar […]
One of the best ways to keep an abundant basil harvest. Can be frozen for later use, too! 3 cups loosely packed, fresh basil leaves, washed and drained 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 3 large cloves of garlic (more if you love it!) 1/2 cup pine nuts (or pecan meats) 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan […]
This gratin, featuring summer’s burst of new-crop Brentwood. You can adjust this to your own taste meat. This should go especially well with chicken. 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil + more for greasing the baking dish 5 to 6 cups 1-inch cubed French baguette with crust 4 cups (about 1 1/2 pounds) ripe small […]
1/2 ounce dried wild mushrooms 1/2 cup boiling water 2 minced shallots 2 Tbsp butter 1/4 pound diced mushrooms 1/8 cup brandy 1 cup heavy cream hot pasta Soak wild mushrooms in boiling water until the mushrooms are soft. Remove the mushrooms and chop coarsely. Strain the soaking liquid through damp cheesecloth to remove sand […]
An old favorite that is perfect to served with barbecued meals on a hot day. 6 tomatoes, cut in thick wedges 1 large, sweet green (or red or yellow) pepper, sliced in rings 1 large onion, sliced in thin rings 1 cucumber, scored and sliced thin 1 Tbsp chopped parsley Dressing: 1/2 cup vinegar […]
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1/4 tsp curry powder 1/4 tsp salt or to taste 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 large ripe tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges 2 ripe peaches, pitted and each cut into 8 wedges Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and parsley […]
This is another of Stella’s specialties. If you are having a typical fiesta with lots of salsas, bean dips and chips, these mango slices will be a welcome relief to the palate. Strangely enough, a sprinkle of red chile brings out the sweetness of fresh fruit. 3 perfectly ripe but firm mangoes juice of 2 […]
This salad is a celebration of the exhilarating taste sensations that can be achieved with a few simple ingredients. The trick, of course, is to use only the highest quality ingredients. Choose an extra-virgin, first cold-press olive oil and green French lentils. 1 1/2 cup green French lentils 5 cups water 1 bay leaf salt […]
This is a sprightly accompaniment to roast grilled meat or poultry; or it can be added to mixed greens and shrimp for a main-dish salad. 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro 2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced (about 2 cups) 3 small dried red chiles (such as arbol) stemmed, seeded 1/2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp light […]
4 pounds asparagus mustard vinaigrette (recipe follows) Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. In a 6 to 8-quart pan, bring about 3 quarts of water to a boil over high-heat. Add asparagus and cook, uncovered, until just tender when pierced, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and immediately immerse in ice water. When cool, […]
To add a smoky flavor, grill the mushrooms lightly after baking. Use in sandwiches, over polenta or serve as a side dish. 1/2 cup olive oil 4 garlic cloves, minced 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar chopped leaves from 1 bunch fresh thyme salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed Preheat oven to […]
8 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup olive oil 5 cloves garlic (thinly sliced) 4 cups zucchini or yellow squash (diced or grated) 1/2 cup white wine 1 lb. orzo 1/4 cup lemon juice 3 Tbsp lemon zest 1 1/2 cup feta cheese (mashed) feta crumbs spices (as desired – fennel, mint, dill) Heat broth. Saute […]
Warm some heavy cream with a generous lump of butter; and a dash of Pernod (or season with dill or anise seed). Stir in a little peeled, seeded and chopped tomato and heat through. Pour over cooked fettuccine and add flaked smoked salmon. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
12-oz linguine 8 slices smoked bacon, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced salt and pepper 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 2 cups diced tomatoes 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cook linguine according to directions on package. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet over moderate heat until crisp. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Drain linguine […]
Unlike many other pastas, orzo is best served as a side dish: It is not substantial enough to serve topped with a sauce as a separate course. Orzo cooks in a trice and can be dressed with various seasonings. Here, it is served with butter, fresh sage and a dusting of Parmesan, one of the […]
1 cup California Sun Dry Tomatoes (julienne cut or halves, sliced) 1/4 cup oil from California Sun Dry Tomatoes 1 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 8-oz feta cheese 8-oz uncooked fresh linguine red pepper flakes (optional) salt and pepper to taste Combine first 4 ingredients, including red pepper, if desired. Cook linguine according to directions. […]
3 tsp oil (olive and chili and/or toasted sesame) 1 small onion, chopped 1 carrot, julienne or chop 1 zucchini, julienne or chopped 1 tsp finely chopped garlic 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger chili flakes to taste 8 ounces penne, cooked Heat oil(s) in wok; add onions, carrots, stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add zucchini, garlic, […]
4-oz fettuccine or other pasta 1/4 cup butter or oil 1/2 cup sliced green onions 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup marinated dried tomatoes, drained and chopped 1 cup snow peas Cook pasta and drain. In a large pan, saute onions and mushrooms in butter until tender. Add dried tomatoes and snow peas. Cook and […]
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves 2 1/2 Tbsp minced dried tomatoes 2 medium cloves garlic 2 Tbsp grated Romano cheese 6 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup pine nuts 1/2 cup olive oil Combine basil, tomatoes, garlic, cheese and pine nuts in a food processor or blender. Process to mix. With the machine running […]
1 tsp olive oil 4 thick tomato slices 1 tsp olive oil 2 Tbsp bread crumbs 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp garlic powder salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp olive oil Rub a sheet pan with olive oil. Place tomato slices on pan and drizzle 1 tsp olive […]