Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Za'atar Crusted Steak with Spicy Shatta Chimichurri

Grilled steak, crusted with za'atar and served with a spicy herb and garlic sauce.

I'm always experimenting with steak sauces that enhance but don't overpower the meat. As much as I love barbecue sauce, once I put it on, it's pretty much all I can taste. And it's a shame to buy good quality beef and spend time cooking it well only to not get the flavor.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Frozen Coconut Blue Hawaiian

Frozen rum cocktail flavored with pineapple juice, blue curacao and coconut ice cream.

Late August is usually when I feel some cooler breezes in the air, autumn catalogs begin to arrive in the mail and, much as I hate to rush the seasons, I start to think about baking with pumpkin. The key word here is usually because this year, it's still hot as hell, my air conditioner is working overtime and all I can think about is cold drinks. And ice cream. I think about ice cream.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Sparkling Peach and Thyme Rose' Cocktail

Sparkling gin and rose wine cocktail with peach and thyme.

This was my summer of discovering all my favorite rose' wines. I have nothing against reds and whites but rose' has my heart. Extra points if the weather is hot and the rose' is bubbly.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Peach Shortcakes with Honey Basil Syrup

Individual peach shortcakes with sweet buttermilk biscuits and peaches in a honey basil syrup.

And...it's finally peach season. Oh, sure, there have been peaches in the market for the last couple of months but they were just hard orbs with no fresh peach aroma. And I know from sad experience that they will never ripen. But now that it's August, the peaches are tender and fragrant, juicy and delicious.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Savory Zucchini Pie with Fontina Cheese and Walnut Crust

Savory zucchini tart with fontina cheese in a buttery walnut crust.

Based on what I'm seeing at the farmer's market these days, zucchini is taking over the planet. OK, maybe not but I'm eating so much of the stuff that I'm about to turn green. Fortunately, I love it.