Recipes and menu ideas: eggplant caponata, southern summer succotash, charred shishito peppers, summer squash gratin, peach glazed chicken thighs, roasted mackerel with garlic and paprika, and southwestern striped mullet. ~~~ Eggplant Caponata About a month ago, eggplants of all kinds and shapes appeared at the farmers market. When I first saw a display of them, …
Recipes and menu ideas: fish with Thai coconut red curry sauce, blackened skipjack tuna, green beans with mushrooms and herbs, shrimp scampi, Southern tomato pie, and pork Milanese. ~~~ Ocean Isle Beach We spent a few days visiting cousins who were vacationing at our regular coastal haunt, Ocean Isle Beach—where I met my honey. Usually …
Recipes and menu ideas for a summer Indian dinner, yellowfin tuna, peach andouille basil flatbread and blackened amberjack (or other hearty fish). Fighting the heat with Indian food When the temps are in the 90s, I like meals with fresh, spicy, bold flavors like Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican or Indian. On a hot night recently I …
Sicilian-style roasted cauliflower with raisins, garlic, red pepper flakes, capers, lemon, breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley and more. Fabulous. ~~~ I love dishes that combine a bit of heat with a hint of sweet and a touch of tangy too. This cauliflower dish has it all. The first two times I made this I followed a recipe …
Ribbonfish puttanesca is a quick, boldly-flavored dish of tomatoes, garlic, red pepper, black olives, capers, anchovies and herbs. You can substitute cod, snapper or bass for the ribbonfish. ~~~ I had never heard of ribbonfish before buying it at Locals Seafoods. It’s a popular fish in Asian markets but you don’t often see it elsewhere. …
This Italian recipe features dogfish with tomato, fennel, pancetta and white wine, topped with a gremolata of parsley, pine nuts and lemon. Substitute cod, monkfish, shark or swordfish for dogfish. ~~~ In addition to our winter CSA share from In Good Heart Farm, we’re also getting a CSF (community supported fishery) share from Locals Seafoods. Every week …
This spaghetti squash, sausage and spinach lasagna recipe may cause you to never go back to regular lasagna again. It’s that good. ~~~ The gluten-free and paleo movements have brought a welcome burst of creativity into our kitchens. I follow neither diet but I love how GF or paleo recipe developers have found ways to substitute …
Homemade tomato or marinara sauce takes 30-plus minutes and is so worth the effort. It’s a good kitchen habit to develop. ~~~ For someone who spent years and years working (and eating) in Italian restaurants, I am a latecomer to homemade marinara sauce. Until just a few years ago, I would grab a jar in …
Do you have a Trader Joe’s list? It’s a list of those items that you always and only buy at Trader Joe’s. My list includes nuts, dried fruit, parmesan and gorgonzola cheese, nut butters, lip balm and whatever frozen items catch my fancy—like frozen croissants. Swoon. However, I live about 30 minutes away from the …
Blue cheese is one of those love it or hate it ingredients. I’m in the love camp. If I’m having a salad before dinner, most likely it’s topped with some crumbled blue cheese. The Salemville brand has been on sale lately at Lowes Foods so I’ve been enjoying their Gorgonzola. So creamy with just the …
Grabbing the Gusto 