Posts for August 30th 2008

fast and easy

Easy Weeknight Meal: Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

You'd be hard pressed to find a simpler dinner than these quesadillas served alongside melon.

You'd be hard pressed to find a simpler dinner than these quesadillas served alongside melon. The quesadillas, with their flour tortillas encasing oozy, gooey melted mozzarella, are inspired by Mexican and Italian cuisines. Next time, for even more of an Italian twist, I'll swap the ham for prosciutto to balance out the mozzarella, which is mild and doesn't contain much salt. The cantaloupe proves to be a sweet, aromatic complement to the prosciutto.

Although you can use any type of mozzarella, I recommend the fresh kind over the low-moisture variety because it melts differently. Since I had them on hand, I replaced the mozzarella with bocconcini, or small mozzarella balls. Regardless of what mozzarella you use, I recommend patting it dry with a cloth or paper towel, so your cheese doesn't seep moisture, resulting in a soggy quesadilla. To get the recipe, read more

Guess Who

Name That Dish!

You'll find a variation on the dish pictured below at Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli's (of The Cooking Loft) restaurant.
You'll find a variation on the dish pictured below at Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli's (of The Cooking Loft) restaurant. Do you know what it's called?

Name That Dish!

Gadgets

Pizza Pro Slicer: Love It or Hate It?

The first thing I thought when I came across this Pizza Pro pizza slicer ($19.99) was genius!


The first thing I thought when I came across this Pizza Pro pizza slicer ($19.99) was genius!

Then I imagined using it. The scissored spatula looks like it might be difficult to maneuver. Also, what happens when you prefer a larger piece of pizza? Or when it comes time to wash it?

Still, it's an interestingly designed product. Has anyone tried it?