I was once invited to bring a soup to a soup potluck and I readily agreed, because I love soup and getting together with friends to eat soup is a great idea. But I forgot that I had agreed to it, until the hostess called a day before to ask what soup I was bringing. For reasons I cannot fathom, I blurted out “Italian Sausage and White Bean.” I had no recipe for such a soup; … [Read more...] about Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup with Orecchiette
Soup and Salads
Cinnamon Apple Salad
Easy and good. Maybe two of the best words ever for busy cooks. This is a great little recipe for a simple, crispy salad that highlights autumn’s goodness. I make this for myself throughout the season. I love it beside a peanut butter sandwich, but I have also put it in a pita with a few spinach leaves. I’ve made this for kids and it’s always a big hit. You can serve it on … [Read more...] about Cinnamon Apple Salad
Simple Watermelon Feta Salad
This is hardly a recipe, more like a set of instructions, but I wanted to share it before this long weekend of picnics and cookouts and gatherings, because it is so good and so simple and so perfect for this last official weekend of summer. I first had this in South Africa several years ago, as part of a big beautiful lunch spread at a safari camp. I was impressed by its … [Read more...] about Simple Watermelon Feta Salad
White Gazpacho with Parsley Picada
The first time I ever heard about ajo blanco, or white gazpacho, was on a family vacation to southern Spain. We were having lunch at the lovely parador San Francisco on the grounds of the famous Alhambra in Granada. When I saw the menu description of creamy garlic and almond soup with grapes, I had to try it and I have been glad I did ever since. I only knew about classic … [Read more...] about White Gazpacho with Parsley Picada
Tomato Soup Base
I love tomato soup, love, love, love it. All kinds, all flavors, hot or cold, even from a can. But it’s so easy to make it yourself. I love to whip up a big pot, and stash away servings in the freezer to have on hand whenever the mood strikes. In the winter months, I make it with good canned Italian tomatoes, but in the summer when local tomatoes are in abundance I go fresh … [Read more...] about Tomato Soup Base
