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.
I love braised octopus; and this recipe using BLUE ELEPHANT Red Curry sauce as a central player along with eggplant, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk will emit the most delicious and exotic fragrances of all time. Too often octopus can be tough and fishy, but this technique yields a wonderfully tender, ethereal dish that will appeal to just about everyone, including folks who generally dislike seafood.
Mushrooms when cooked properly are the epitome of umami; I love this recipe as a side dish, but it’s also killer as a vegetarian main course as the base for sliders…it’s also excellent as an accoutrement to pizza.
The high heat grill ensures a crispy mushroom, so be sure to keep the burners on high through the cooking process. Morels are a seasonal treat, but worth the addition to the mix during the Spring months if you can find them. Thump thump!
his recipe is not only a great homemade RANCH DRESSING for salads, dips, and pizza; but also one of my favorites as a marinade for seared or grilled chicken. The yogurt-based dressing is quick and easy to make, and feel free to use whatever fresh herbs you have from your garden.
The yogurt marinade ensures a super juicy, tender meat - but it’s also a great dip for the cooked chicken and fresh tomatoes we love to eat with this recipe.
