4 boneless, skinless chicken halves 1/8 cup good balsamic vinegar 1/8 cup plus 2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil one slice of a large red onion, minced one clove garlic, minced one ripe tomato, diced (and one ripe, fragrant peach, peeled and diced, if you have one) 1/4 cup fresh picked basil, chiffonade salt and pepper Mix vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic, olive oil, onion and garlic. Add tomato and … [Read more...]
My Classic – Blueberry-Peach Pie
1 recipe for double crust - I use Ina Garten's 2 pints blueberries 5 ripe and fragrant peaches, peeled, remove pit and sliced into 8 slices each 1/2 cup sugar 1/8 cup all purpose flour zest of one lemon juice of 1/2 lemon 2 tblsp butter Preheat oven to 400F. Prepare pie crust as directed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Roll out and place bottom crust in pie plate. In a large bowl, combine blueberries and … [Read more...]
I Beg to Differ; Getting Ready for 4th!!!!!
Now that's a Hydrangea! This plant is taller than me - 5', and is at least as wide. I have two, side by side that are just gorgeous - just wish it would cool off a little - these are in full sun and so the flowers tire earlier in the season than they could. Last Wednesday's NYT featured a beautiful presentation about Melissa Clark's Rose-Scented Tart. I have to say, I loved this recipe and while I was in the City at the New York Cake Co. … [Read more...]
Raspberry-Lemon Scones
3 cups all purpose flour 1 tblsp baking powder (fresh!) 2 large eggs 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup sugar 6 tblsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes zest of one large lemon 1/2 cup plus 2 tblsp well-shaken buttermilk 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/2 pint fresh raspberries egg wash: one egg with a little warm water Preheat oven to 400F or 375F (convection). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large shallow … [Read more...]
Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes – from Billy’s Bakery, NYC
Adapted from recipe from Billy's Bakery in The Plaza Food Hall publication - p.33 Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen FOR CUPCAKES: Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup cake flour 2 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 tblsp pink food coloring 1 1/2 cups strawberry puree, fresh or store bought 8 oz butter, room temp 2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup sour cream 4 eggs 1 quart … [Read more...]
“Desperate Days” Pancakes
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1 tblsp plus 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tblsp sugar with zest of one lemon "worked in" with fingertips 2 eggs 1 cup non-fat plain yogurt 3 tblsp butter, melted and cooled slightly 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/4 cup buttermilk, or more as needed 1 cup fresh blueberries or fruit of choice (or chocolate chips or chunks) so you can say you ingested antioxidants Real Maple Syrup Melt butter … [Read more...]
Berries with Fresh Mascarpone Cream
1/2 pint each, fresh raspberries, blueberries and blackberries 1 pint fresh strawberries, peak ripeness, sliced Mix berries in a medium bowl. Make Mascarpone cream. MASCARPONE CREAM: 12 oz. mascarpone 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup sugar zest of one lemon In a medium bowl, beat mascarpone until smooth. Add heavy cream and blend. Add sugar and lemon zest and blend until smooth and creamy. Dollop onto fresh berries and … [Read more...]
Crabmeat Frittata
1 large shallot 1 red bell pepper, small dice or julienne 3 tblsp extra virgin olive oil 8 eggs 1 cup shredded gruyere 1 8 oz container fresh lump crabmeat 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning 1/2 - 3/4 cup mixed fresh herbs, chopped Preheat oven to 375F. In an oven-proof saute pan (10") saute shallot and red pepper until tender, … [Read more...]
Quick Marinara Sauce
QUICK MARINARA SAUCE 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes - (Muir Glen) 2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil 2 lg cloves garlic, minced 1 tblsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade(ed?) In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until translucent - do not allow to brown. Add tomatoes, sugar, 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste) and stir. … [Read more...]
Raspberry-Cherry Pie, Mom and Ina
This recipe gives me occasion to rave about two of my very favorite cooks and bakers of all time - my Mom and Ina Garten. I could, and will go on about the influence of my Mom on my life in the kitchen as this blog continues, but suffice it to say she ignited my passion for cooking and baking when I was very young. My earliest memories of baking with her involve making copious dozens of cookies at Christmas-time in her small kitchen. The … [Read more...]