basil

It's been raining incessantly in San Francisco, quite the departure from our stay in Florida, where we were in town for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

As a San Franciscan who'd never seen the staggering good looks of Miami Beach, I was more than happy to head back home to Fog City and be in my element.

However, now more than a week later, I'm longing to be back there. The image that keeps playing in my mind? The serenity of lying in the sun poolside at the classic Eden Roc, where I stayed, with a riveting book in one hand and an even more compelling cocktail in the other.
I can't replicate the sun, sand, and surf, but sipping on one of these warmer-weather libations puts me at least halfway there. I love the combination of strawberries and basil; it's a little earthier than mint. Gin, too, adds a bit of complexity that's not there with vodka. For a cheerful drink recipe to remind you of sunnier climes, keep reading.

I herald the potato in every form, but when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, mashed potatoes are a must. But as someone who's enjoyed basic mashed potatoes for the past several years, I'm ready to try something new. Enter a puree of potatoes, basil, and parmesan, courtesy of Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?, Ina Garten's new book.

If you're a pestophile, you won't be able to get enough of its intoxicating anise-like flavor and its impossibly airy texture, which is achieved not through one of those expensive potato ricers or food mills but rather a good ol' mixer — something most home cooks actually have. For an exceptionally flavorful twist on Thanksgiving's most nostalgic side dish, read on.

Although I love the flavor of corn, simply eating it off the cob can get a little boring. That's why I incorporate it in salads or quick and easy sautes. Upon reading this recipe in the current issue of Bon Appétit, I knew I would enjoy it.

It's an effortless dish; basically you take corn and saute it in butter, then throw in a bunch of herbs. It's uncomplicated, but wonderfully fresh with the pure flavors of Summer highlighted. I served it with grilled buttermilk chicken and it was the perfect side.

It's a pretty versatile recipe: the sautéed corn would be great over mixed greens, tossed in a warm tortilla and topped with crumbled cotija cheese, or on a crisp pizza dough with dollops of ricotta. Add the method to your repertoire now.

When I was new to the kitchen, one of my favorite dishes to make (and eat) was classic tomato bruschetta. Now that I come to think of it, tomato bruschetta is where my love affair with all things crostini started! Since it's nice to get back to our roots every now and then, for a recent party, I whipped up a sensational batch of bruschetta.

Although the recipe calls for roma tomatoes, the heirloom varieties were too pretty for me to pass up. That's what I love about this recipe, it's more of a suggestion than something set in stone.

Select the tomatoes and herbs you want to use. If you feel like adding in a layer of fresh mozzarella cheese between the toasts and tomatoes, do it. Want to stir crumbled feta in with the tomatoes? Why not? Just be sure to enjoy while the tomatoes are at their peak season, now! Here's the recipe.

Three things are making me bonkers about basil this August. First, this recipe is simple but tasty. Secondly, the Cap'n Jazz reunion tour means I get to hear Basil's Kite live. And finally, there's Sponge Gel Basiliko ($65) — which translates to either "sweet basil gel" or "heavenly scented godsend for acne-prone skin." Maybe both.

Sweet Basil Gel is an alternative to a traditional face cream, so it's bound to appeal to people who don't want to wear a heavy moisturizer in the hot hot heat. The lightweight formula incorporates summery plants like sweet basil, lime, and olive leaf — and now Sponge's skin care is paraben-free, in case you care. While it isn't a blemish-fighting product, I find its lightweight texture is excellent for oily, acne-prone skin. But really, the reason I swoon over this gel is the soft, fresh basil scent. It's unusual in skin care, but it smells so. good. Definitely a splurge-worthy item if you're similarly in love with basil.

Just because it's Summer doesn't mean you have to cut out your favorite cheesecake dessert; after all, today is National Cheesecake Day! My suggestion? Take a note from the Italians, who sub out cream cheese in favor of ricotta cheese for a lighter, more seasonally-appropriate cheesecake that isn't quite so rich. Go the traditional dessert route, dressing the top with a glamorous mixture of navel oranges and caramel. Or, if you're feeling daring, impress a crowd by composing a savory parmesan, basil, and ricotta "cheesecake" to spread atop an assortment of crackers. Take a slice out of either warm-weather favorite when you read more.

After thoroughly enjoying a cold pasta salad doused in pesto and dotted with cherry tomatoes, I wondered how the pairing would be warm. Thus, I created this easy recipe that combines hot linguine with homemade pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes. It's flavorful, rustic, and decadent — without being heavy. It's a perfect quick and simple Summer dinner. The thing that makes this pasta so special is the addition of toasted breadcrumbs. Their rich crispiness provides an unexpected but welcome layer of texture. Be sure to top with lots of parmesan cheese and pair with a glass of full-bodied white wine. Here's the straightforward recipe.

Last night I made an Eastern European-inspired ground sirloin stew with egg noodles, and tonight I'm going to use the leftover beef to make something on the opposite end of the spectrum! I'm craving takeout, but — inspired by my recent successes — I'm going to continue my pattern of preparing Asian foods at home.

Spice up the sirloin with the help of minced garlic, lime, and Asian fish sauce, and wake up your senses with freshly-torn basil and julienned chiles. Complement the fiery protein with a soothing side of milky coconut rice. The result, which is healthier and cheaper than takeout, after the break.