I woke up with a craving for Little City’s almond encrusted portobello mushroom and spinach salad. With balsamic vinaigrette, shaved Parmesan and a balsamic glaze it is so delicious that it melts in your mouth. The mushrooms are roasted and cooled and can then be coated and refrigerated. Ten minutes before you are ready to compose the salad you cook the mushrooms for a second time. It’s easy to make, it looks beautiful and there is very little last minute preparation.
Bacon is one of those wonderful foods that make everything taste a little bit better. This hors d’oeuvre is fast and easy and it isn’t greasy because the bacon is par cooked before you put it together. You’ll love this recipe because when your guests arrive you can put it in the oven and it will be ready in twelve minutes and it is delicious.
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Guacamole is one of our absolute favorite snacks. We are always searching for new ways to enjoy it, whether we eat it on chips or rice crackers or right from the spoon! Guacamole peppers are the new favorite, they contain all the delicious guacamole flavor with a nice flavorful crunch created by the pepper. If you are looking for a low calorie way to eat guacamole or a just a new way to serve the snack guacamole peppers are perfect for you!
Fresh figs are in the marketplace again. The most delicious figs are perfectly ripe, juicy figs. Look for plump or slightly wrinkled flesh and the stem should have a soft curve. The bottom of the fig has a small opening called an eye or “ostiole.” A drop of moisture from the eye confirms that the fig will be sweet. I try to avoid figs that are weeping with moisture.
One of my favorite recipes using fresh figs is Mascarpone Stuffed Figs. I first tasted this appetizer at a wedding catered by Claudia Portaro, of Claudia’s Catering Service in Montreal. This is my version. It’s quick, easy and delicious.
Mom and I had a wonderful morning yesterday. We turned on FaceTime and spent over two hours cooking together. It took a little planning, but it was excellent! We made Tabouli and Brie and Caramel Sauce. In between we sat down and ate our Tabouli and gabbed! With over 3,000 miles in between us it is so important that we find the time to get together and enjoy each others company.
We chose those two dishes because they are very representive of our relationship with each other and our friends and family. Tabouli is home. It is a beautiful salad that warms our hearts and minds. We could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Brie and Caramel Sauce is warm, rich, and inviting. It makes me picture Christmas Eve with our huge family or book club with our girlfriends and a bottle of wine. The best part of both dishes is that you can prepare them ahead of time to serve at a later time. This makes both dish perfect for the smallest or biggest occasion!
