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Fast & Easy Dinner: Ricotta Roll
Sometimes the most satisfying meals are the most simple. Look at the grilled cheese. The ingredients — toasted bread, sliced cheese, a pat of butter — are humble, but the completed sandwich is a classic culinary masterpiece.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Tomato Bisque With Mozzarella Crostini
When the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is delightful, there's nothing I crave more than a bowl of steaming hot soup. Tomato soup is the ultimate comfort soup and this rendition is super creamy, but not loaded with fattening ingredients.
In fact, there's no cream, milk, or half-and-half in this recipe; the rich, smooth texture comes from the addition of silken tofu.
Monday's Leftovers: Pork Cutlets With Cranberry Port Sauce
I just found the perfect use for my leftover cranberry sauce and boneless pork chops: this balanced dinner of sautéed pork cutlets.
I'll pan-fry some pork chops, then deglaze the pan with a combination of cranberries and port wine, for a sauce that's both sweet and tart.
The result?
Monday's Leftovers: Lamb and Polenta "Lasagne"
With a little leftover ground lamb and even less time, you can make a layered lamb and polenta dish that rivals anything you could order at a restaurant.
The key to speedy success is to take smart shortcuts. Use already-stewed tomatoes, grated mozzarella, and ready-made polenta for easy layering.
Summer of Salads: Caprese Salad
Here on the West Coast, we haven't been hard-hit by the year's devastating tomato blight, so I've been taking advantage of my good fortune by supporting growers of heirloom tomatoes (perhaps a little too much; the other day I bought $21 worth of them!). As a salad fanatic, I had to make my favorite type of tomato salad.
The insalata Caprese, which literally translates to "salad from Capri," is composed of three main ingredients: fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, and basil leaves.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Steak With Fennel, Lemon, and Mozzarella
If you're sick and tired of the average steak dinner, consider giving this creative recipe a whirl. The preparation is simple and straightforward grilling, but the combination of ingredients — tri-tip, fennel, lemons, and mozzarella — is out of the ordinary and unexpected. Each element serves a purpose: the hearty, charred steak is juicy, the anise-flavored fennel is crunchy, the soft, melted cheese is creamy, and the tangy, caramelized lemon is sour.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Tomato and Grilled Veggie Stack
When the weather is incredibly hot, I crave crunchy, cool vegetables and flavorful salads. However, after a month and a half of Summer, the same old salad can get boring. This recipe takes the salad concept and translates it into a fork and knife meal.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Gazpacho With Mozzarella Sandwiches
In terms of classic culinary combinations, there is nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of tomato soup paired with a crisp grilled cheese sandwich. This satisfying duo is a staple during colder months and now, with this recipe, it can translate to Summer.
Chunks of tomatoes are pureed with red wine vinegar and tomato juice to create a simple and pure gazpacho.
Happy Hour: Tomato Water Martini
When the Summer's in full swing, I pretty much live on tomatoes. I eat them out of hand and in salads, drink them in gazpacho — and now, thanks to Michael Chiarello, I can swim in them! In addition to making fresh mozzarella on the spot and singing the virtues of sustainable agriculture, chef Chiarello also introduced the audience to a savory martini made from tomato water, a clear liquid with a delicate, acidic flavor that's produced when tomatoes are strained of their juices.
Come Party With Me: High School Graduation — Menu
This week I'm planning the ultimate high school graduation party. Most high schools host a grad night after the ceremony where students get to celebrate together one last time. To ensure that they won't miss the festivities at either the grad night or their family's gathering, throw the personal party in the days following the graduation.
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