peach and goat cheese panzanella

September 18, 2013
somethin' on the side, the main event, the underwear diet
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This is more an idea than a recipe:

baguette, cubed
olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
green bell peppers
peaches
tomatoes
goat cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the baguette cubes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toast until golden brown, flipping halfway, about 10-15 minutes. Slice the peppers and cut the peaches and tomatoes into wedges. Toss with the toasted baguette cubes. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Top with goat cheese. Eat. Now. Before the peaches and tomatoes disappear for the winter.

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charred corn and zucchini

September 15, 2013
somethin' on the side, the underwear diet
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Couldn’t be simpler or more delicious. A perfect side dish for al fresco dining, especially when paired with grilled skirt steak with chimichurri.

3 ears of corn, shucked and silks removed
2 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, and then crosswise to make little half moons
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup cilantro, rough chop
kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

1. Place the corn directly on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until charred, about 10 minutes.
2. Heat 2 tsp of the olive oil in a pan over high heat. Add the zucchini and sautee until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Once the corn are cool enough to handle, remove the kernels from the cob.
4. Combine the corn kernels with the zucchini and toss with the remaining olive oil.
5. Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

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chimichurri

September 11, 2013
condiments
1 Comment

A very very loose recipe, which should be adapted to your taste.

2-3 cloves garlic
1 small bunch fresh oregano, rough chop
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, rough chop
1 bunch fresh parsley, rough chop
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
kosher salt, to taste

1. Combine herbs, red pepper flakes and red wine vinegar in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
2. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the olive oil.
3. Season with salt, to taste.

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Serve atop grilled skirt steak and you will be happy happy happy.

green bean, summer squash and red quinoa

September 8, 2013
somethin' on the side
2 Comments

Okay so, the wings aren’t healthy. BUT, it was the night of the Fantasy Football Draft, so the boys obviously deserved to treat themselves, what with all the strategy and mouse-clicks.

1/2 cup red quinoa, rinsed
kosher salt and black pepper
3/4 pound green beans
1 summer squash, very thinly sliced
1 small bunch mint, rough chop
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1. Prepare the quinoa according to the package directions, seasoning the water with a bit of salt and pepper. Cool.
2. In boiling salted water, blanch the green beans for 3-5 minutes, or until crisp tender. Drain and run under cold water. Cut in half on a bias.
3. Combine the quinoa, green beans, squash ribbons, mint, lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Gently toss to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.

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raspberry fool with cornbread croutons

September 7, 2013
sweet thang
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This is summer in a bowl, and I have a loose recipe to represent the season:

170 g (1 6-oz package) raspberries, 12 raspberries reserved for garnish
1/4 cup sugar
1 loaf store-bought cornbread, cubed
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
zest of 1 lemon
Mint sprigs, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine the raspberries (except for the 12 reserved raspberries) and the sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until the raspberries have broken down. Remove from heat and cool.
3. Place the cornbread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until toasted and light golden brown, about 5 minutes.
4. Whip the cream with powdered sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest until stiff peaks form.
5. Stir a third of the whipped cream into the raspberry compote. Gently fold the rest of the whipped cream into the raspberry mixture.
6. Divide the cornbread croutons among four bowls. Top with the raspberry fool and garnish with three raspberries and a mint sprig.

Serves 4

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