Posts for September 2nd 2009

salads

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

From Ina GartenSun-Dried Tomato Pasta SaladIngredients1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta Kosher salt Olive oil 1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced 3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced 1 pound fresh mozzarella, medium-diced 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped For the dressing: 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 6 tablespoons good olive oil 1 garlic clove, diced 1 teaspoon capers, drained 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan 1 cup packed basil leaves, julienned Directions Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together.

From Ina Garten

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Barefoot Contessa's Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe 2009-09-02 16:58:20

Ingredients

1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
Kosher salt
Olive oil
1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
1 pound fresh mozzarella, medium-diced
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
For the dressing:
5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1 garlic clove, diced
1 teaspoon capers, drained
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup packed basil leaves, julienned

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool.
  2. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
  3. For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and basil, and toss well.

Serves 6-8.

sandwiches

'Wich of the Week: Pan Bagnat

Nicoise salad buffs, meet the pan bagnat.


Nicoise salad buffs, meet the pan bagnat. This classic French sandwich also hails from Nice and features the same signature olives, plus oil-packed tuna (I prefer Genova), hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, and anchovies, among other yummy ingredients.

Since I've been somewhat obsessed with all things French, I recently lunched at San Francisco's Cafe Claude to satisfy my pan bagnat craving. Learn how to replicate the recipe now.

recipes

Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails

From Food & WineLate-Harvest Wine and Campari CocktailsIngredients3 3/4 cups sweet late-harvest white wine, such as Riesling 2 1/4 cups fresh orange juice 1 cup Campari Ice, for serving Directions In a large pitcher, mix the white wine with the fresh orange juice and Campari.

From Food & Wine

Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails

Campari Cocktail Recipe for a Crowd 2009-09-02 16:14:04

Ingredients

3 3/4 cups sweet late-harvest white wine, such as Riesling
2 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup Campari
Ice, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large pitcher, mix the white wine with the fresh orange juice and Campari. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
  2. Fill tall glasses with ice, pour the cocktail over the ice and serve.

Serves 10.

Vegan

Vegan Burger

Modified from The Nest Vegan BurgerIngredients1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon very finely chopped garlic Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 large portobello mushrooms, 31/2 to 4 inches in diameter 1 pound fat zucchini (about 2 inches in diameter), preferably both yellow and green ones, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds 1 pound plum tomatoes, thickly sliced 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch-wide strips 1 large (about 1 pound) purple eggplant cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (about 8 slices) 4 large handfuls arugula About 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar About 1/3 cup Pesto (Store bought or homemade) Directions Build a medium-hot fire in a barbecue.

Modified from The Nest

Vegan Burger

Fast and Easy Vegan Burger Recipe 2009-09-02 15:15:29

Ingredients

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon very finely chopped garlic
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 large portobello mushrooms, 31/2 to 4 inches in diameter
1 pound fat zucchini (about 2 inches in diameter), preferably both yellow and green ones, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds
1 pound plum tomatoes, thickly sliced
2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch-wide strips
1 large (about 1 pound) purple eggplant cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (about 8 slices)
4 large handfuls arugula
About 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
About 1/3 cup Pesto (Store bought or homemade)

Directions

  1. Build a medium-hot fire in a barbecue. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of olive oil, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Scrape the gills from the portobellos and arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplant to the baking sheet. Brush all the vegetables with the herbed oil.
  3. Brush the grill rack with olive oil, transfer the vegetables to the grill, and cook, turning as needed and being careful not to let the olive oil flame up, until tender. The zucchini and tomatoes will be done first, needing just 2 to 3 minutes per side. The peppers will be done next. If you have been careful to just brown them, they will not need to be peeled. The mushrooms and fresh eggplant will need about 5 minutes per side.
  4. In a medium bowl, toss the arugula with some of the remaining herbed olive oil and the balsamic vinegar. Taste for seasoning and set aside.
  5. To build the burgers, generously spread the gill side of 4 mushrooms with pesto. Top with yellow zucchini, several tomato slices, green zucchini, eggplant slices, and several strips of bell pepper. Drizzle another small spoonful of pesto over all and close with another mushroom. Arrange some of the arugula salad on the side and serve immediately.

Serves 4.

recipes

Shrimp Boil

From GourmetShrimp Boil Ingredients1 lemon, quartered 5 tablespoons Creole or Cajun seasoning 2 1/2 teaspoons cayenne, divided 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California 4 garlic cloves 8 small boiling potatoes (about 2 inches) 4 ears of corn, shucked and halved 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp in shell 1/3 cup ketchup 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 tablespoons bottled horseradish Directions Squeeze lemon juice into 4 qt water in a 6- to 8-quart pot, then stir in lemon quarters, Creole seasoning, 2 teaspoon cayenne, bay leaves, garlic, potatoes, and 2 tablespoons salt (omit salt if it is the first ingredient in seasoning).

From Gourmet

Shrimp Boil

Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe 2009-09-02 15:12:31

Ingredients

1 lemon, quartered
5 tablespoons Creole or Cajun seasoning
2 1/2 teaspoons cayenne, divided
2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California
4 garlic cloves
8 small boiling potatoes (about 2 inches)
4 ears of corn, shucked and halved
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp in shell
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons bottled horseradish

Directions

  1. Squeeze lemon juice into 4 qt water in a 6- to 8-quart pot, then stir in lemon quarters, Creole seasoning, 2 teaspoon cayenne, bay leaves, garlic, potatoes, and 2 tablespoons salt (omit salt if it is the first ingredient in seasoning).
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are almost tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
  3. Increase heat to high, then add corn and simmer, partially covered, 4 minutes. Stir in shrimp and cook until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, stir together ketchup, mayonnaise, horseradish, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cayenne.
  5. Drain shrimp, potatoes, and corn and serve with sauce.

Serves 4.

recipes

White Bean and Tuna Panzanella

From Real SimpleWhite Bean and Tuna PanzanellaIngredients1/2 baguette, torn into 2-inch pieces 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 19-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 pickles (preferably half-sour), cut into bite-size pieces 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar kosher salt and pepper 2 6-ounce cans tuna, drained Directions Heat broiler.

From Real Simple

White Bean and Tuna Panzanella

Tuna White Bean Panzanella Recipe 2009-09-02 15:09:01

Ingredients

1/2 baguette, torn into 2-inch pieces
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 19-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 pickles (preferably half-sour), cut into bite-size pieces
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
kosher salt and pepper
2 6-ounce cans tuna, drained

Directions

  1. Heat broiler. On a broiler-proof rimmed baking sheet, toss the baguette pieces with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Broil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the beans, pickles, onion, vinegar, the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Fold in the broiled baguette. Divide the mixture among bowls and top with the tuna.
Movies

Bitter Feast Teaser Leaves Something to Be Desired

The trailer's out for Bitter Feast, the upcoming comedic thriller featuring Italian food icon Mario Batali.

The trailer's out for Bitter Feast, the upcoming comedic thriller featuring Italian food icon Mario Batali. The movie, produced by Joe Maggio, follows a New York chef and culinary authority who avenges a food critic that shot down his restaurant in a review; molto Mario is set to play the role of the owner of the restaurant. To see the short teaser, which begins innocently enough with fiddlehead ferns and cippolini onions but soon turns, well, bitter, keep reading

Wine

Happy Hour: 2006 Huge Bear Cabernet Sauvignon

I'm a huge Zinfandel lover, but earlier this Summer, I decided to give another bold red a chance, and so I've been drinking — and enjoying — a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I'm a huge Zinfandel lover, but earlier this Summer, I decided to give another bold red a chance, and so I've been drinking — and enjoying — a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon. My latest favorite is Huge Bear's 2006 Cab Sav ($55). Although it's pricey, this luscious intense wine is worth the splurge. The grapes are grown in Sonoma and the wine ages for 18 months in new French Oak barrels resulting in a deep purple liquid that's full-bodied with a dark fruit aroma. It's a sophisticated strong wine with a smoky, long finish. I paired it with bacon and clam pizza, but it would work wonderfully with grilled steaks or dark chocolate. Have you tried Huge Bear's wine?