Posts tagged as:

Vegetarian

Midsummer’s Garden Vegetable Ratatouille

July 28, 2010
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Is there such a thing as too much zucchini?
Oh yes, there is.
We went away for a week and our garden went crazy. It was scorching hot while we were gone and the garden responded as if breathing its last breath; it pumped out extra vegetables in a last ditch effort to get all its children off a sinking ship.

So what to do with all this bounty? Well, besides cooking up many of the other garden inspired recipes I have, I like to make a simple and fresh ratatouille. This dish is not only versatile, but freezes well for later when all the fresh vegetables are gone. See the end of the post for some ideas on what to do with extra ratatouille.

The vegetables are cooked in stages in this recipe. I did it this way for two reasons; first because I could not fit everything in my pan all at once (even though I have a gigantic saute pan) and second, because cooking the vegetables separately keeps the first ones added from getting over cooked before everything else is done. This way the flavors remain fresh and distinct.

Go to the post for the recipe and more…

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Pesto Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes, Corn and Fresh Mozzarella

June 29, 2010
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My mother and I are a lot alike. People often confuse our voices on the phone, we’ve been known to (independently of one another) buy the same shoes, and we share the same Sicilian temper which flares up on occasion.

But I am not my mother and this is not her justifiably famous macaroni salad. I can’t compete, so I won’t even try. In fact, I still don’t know exactly what she puts in it, so I simply made up my own, and the two salads can stand proudly side by side, as individuals, just as we do.

This salad is a twist on the traditional, adding in some old world flavors and the sweetness of fresh corn so readily available in summer. It’s an easy side salad for a summer BBQ or picnic and makes enough for a crowd.

Tell me, do you have a family recipe which you’ve tweaked or updated?

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Zucchini and Arugula Salad with Lemon-Anchovy Dressing

June 21, 2010
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The last couple of times I’ve been to Rome I’ve had a wonderful salad made of a bitter green I’ve only seen there called puntarelle. You can see photos of it on my Favorite Rome Markets post. Typically this green is trimmed, pushed through a wire slicer, and then plunged into cold water so the leaves [...]

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Moroccan Garbanzo Bean Stew

May 24, 2010
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Most chefs, like fashion designers, are easily influenced and inspired by those who have gone before them and by the greater world around them. We learn, we adapt, we modify and improve upon the food we eat and even read about. We’re inspired by our environment, our location and even the weather. Basically, like fashion, there [...]

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Grilled Asparagus with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

April 13, 2010
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This fast and easy recipe exemplifies “spring” to me. There’s no story behind it, just a classic combination of fresh spring asparagus and sweet blood oranges. The flavors compliment each other and the colors are beautiful together on the plate. If you’re not familiar with blood oranges they have a dark red color and taste almost like [...]

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Roasted Potato and Leek Soup

March 29, 2010
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While it may technically be spring, I’m well aware that many parts of the country are still buried under snow or at least suffering with chilly temperatures. This recipe for Roasted Potato and Leek Soup should help banish any chill and fill the house with a savory aroma that will be sure to make everyone feel warm and toasty. The roasting of the main vegetables (potatoes, leeks and garlic) add a depth of flavor you just don’t get by simply boiling them.

For more, check out the post…

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