Summer is the time for cold salads – potato and pasta salads being obvious front runners. And no wonder. They are easy to make ahead, packed with flavor and perfect beside a meal off the grill, cold sandwiches, fried chicken, or just a lovely buffet of several cold salads. I am always looking for interesting new ideas for cold summer salads, inspired often … [Read more...] about Rice, Pea and Feta Salad
mint
Savory Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with Watermelon Relish
One of the beautiful things about summer eating is simplicity. Sliced tomatoes, simply boiled corn, fresh fruit tumbled over a scoop of ice cream. There isn’t really much reason to undertake complicated cooking. But every once in a while, I want to use the lovely ingredients to make something more composed. I’ve been dancing around the idea of a savory panna cotta for awhile, … [Read more...] about Savory Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with Watermelon Relish
Herbed Farro Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
It’s still summer, but the hope of fall is in the air. We are still in the cold salad territory, but moving into something heartier. I love this robust grain salad – it’s a change up from a standard pasta salad, but the addition of fresh herbs and cucumbers freshens things up and it makes the most of the end of tomato season with bright baby tomatoes and a tangy fresh tomato … [Read more...] about Herbed Farro Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
Summer Herb Butter Shrimp
I’m always looking for simple, fresh meals in summer and shrimp is a real go to for me. I buy it peeled and deveined and ready to go, and it cooks so quickly without heating up the kitchen. And I love the versatility – it can take on so many flavors. And abundance of beautiful summery herbs makes for a light and sunny meal. This dish is really simple to prepare – a whir in the … [Read more...] about Summer Herb Butter Shrimp
Zucchini Pasta Bake with Mint Pesto
A few years ago, on a family trip to Italy, we had an amazing meal prepared by a local chef that included handmade ravioli with a zucchini mint pesto sauce. It was one of the culinary highlights of the trip for me. I asked the chef how it was made, but my lack of Italian and his lack of English didin’t make for very good instructions. I have wanted to recreate that dish since … [Read more...] about Zucchini Pasta Bake with Mint Pesto