Autumn has officially arrived and I love the idea of a warm, cozy sip that uses locally grown apples with bourbon and smoky mezcal. This one is delicious for a swanky cocktail party but also works just fine in a red solo cup next to a bonfire or on a hayride.
The dog days of summer require something cool, strong, and slightly sweet - this one is just the ticket. Quick and easy to whip up…but impressive as a pre-dinner cocktail or for just sippin’ on the back porch. Feel free to increase the amount of vodka depending on your day -
Something magical happens when goat cheese is paired with summer tomatoes and juicy ripe peaches. This super quick salad works well as a starter course, but also equally impresses as an appetizer when served with our firecrackers or buttery grilled toast. We especially love the bright green nuance of fresh basil and mint from the garden, even though added bits of zesty arugula or watercress would make this the summer salad to end all summer salads….
Nothing on the planet is more delicious than fresh tomatoes steeped in olive oil, basil, and fresh garlic. Our SUMMER TOMATO TOAST is simple, but promises to be the belle of this year’s Fourth of July pool, lake, or river party. The tomatoes gain sweet complexity the longer they sit…so prep about an hour before guest arrival to ensure maximum flavor…and guest adoration.
This is a great last minute appetizer idea, but is sure to be a favorite of your family because it’s so delicious. It doesn’t take long, and chances are you already have what you need in your fridge and pantry. Feel free to substitute whatever herbs you have on hand, but this combination is pretty damned good.
I grew up eating pancakes, but only once a week as an important part of watching Saturday morning cartoons,. My working mother taking an extra bit of time to prepare breakfast on Saturdays, the house filled with the fragrances of brown butter, coffee, and maple or blueberry syrup. I still love pancakes, and so do my daughters; in fact, this recipe is a staple in our house, and there is ALWAYS batter in our fridge, and those same smells permeate our home at least three days a week. I’ve added toppings of fresh blueberries and granola to give it a bit of fresh, sweet crunch, but feel free to omit either and add your favorite ingredient…chocolate chips are also delicious when added to the batter just after it hits the griddle or pan.
The quintessential British picnic food is now a popular item here in the United States; and what’s not to love? Eggs, sausage, and bread all wrapped up in an adorable, delicious bundle. I’ve even added Cornflakes to my recipe in an attempt to include as many breakfast staples as possible. Actually, the addition of Cornflakes give my Scotch Eggs a delightful sweetness and crunch. This recipe was originally published in the Food and Drink issue of IDLE CLASS magazine last year, celebrating the holidays with a Mid Century vibe, but they’re just as enjoyable during the Spring and Summer months; either right out of the fridge or as a protein packed snack while social distance hiking.
This dip is great with fresh vegetables and toasted pita; but we like it with homemade potato chips; the salty, crunchy potatoes are fabulous when dunked into the creamy, earthiness of the dip. We may not be ready to host a cocktail party at home just yet; but I guarantee your family will love and appreciate this “Italian Hummus.”
One of the great virtues of this garden, pantry soup is that it takes under an hour to prepare; but it’s still chock full of fresh vegetables, herbs, and greens. This version is completely vegetarian, but following this year’s Easter I made the same soup using leftover braised lamb to give it a meatier, heartier twist.
