Culinary Delights

Basil, My First Love

Posted on by Ang Anderson

What is it about basil?  It is the herb I first fell in love with.  For me, the combination of basil with fresh tomato and pasta (or bread) is truly one of the most remarkable food marriages on Earth.  Red, white, and green.  Tomato, carb of your choice, and sweet basil.  The colors of the Italian flag are also red, white, and green.  Coincidence?  I think not.  Those Italians really know what they are doing.  Pasta alone is the greatest invention known to mankind.  My wanna-be-Italian heart still beats fervently.  My love for pasta still grows abundantly.  No recipe today.  You don’t need one.  Begin by boiling some pasta.  While the water strives to reach 100°C, cut up some cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes (or really any tomatoes will do).  Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.  Toss with some olive oil to coat and add heaps of fresh basil.  I like to tear mine up to release the flavor and aroma.  You could also cut it up or use whole leaves.  Let that all mesh together for a bit.  Once the pasta is cooked, drain and combine with the tomato mixture.  The heat of the pasta will warm the tomatoes and lend a beautiful sweetness.  Add some freshly grated parmesan or aged cheese of your choice.  If you are not in the mood for pasta (stranger things have happened), you could grace some heavenly bread with the tomato mixture.  (Yes, I am addicted to carbs.)

Pour yourself a glass of wine.  Grab your fork and spoon and start twirling, my friends.  Buon Appetito!

Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage

Posted on by Ang Anderson

I am a subscriber to the magazine Real Simple. I love reading the articles and pretending that my life could be that simple. I love the organizational ideas and decorating tips. I look at the photos and wish my house could look like that for just five minutes. I am also head over heels for the recipes. I have tried quite a few, with success and approval from my family. Deep in the recesses of my mind, I had filed away this ravioli with sage idea thinking someday I could try it. Well, I am happy (and blessed!) to report that I now have this lovely herb in my garden.

I’d like to introduce you to my new friend Sage. Isn’t she a beauty?

My recommendation is that if you have Sage in your garden, or can get your hands on some from a friend, family member, or local grocer, you should give this recipe a shot. It is easy and, of course, simple. After all, Real Simple would not have anything too terribly complicated. Check out the recipe…

Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage

Serves 4

Hands-On Time:  10m

Total Time:  25m

Ingredients

  • 16 to 18 ounces fresh or frozen cheese ravioli
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1⁄3 cup fresh sage leaves
  • kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

  1. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the pine nuts and sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sage is crisp and the butter and pine nuts are browned (but not burned), 6 to 8 minutes.
  4. Gently mix in the ravioli, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper

Ta-da! Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage. I must confess there was moaning on my part when I took my first bite. My husband said, “Are you kidding me?” after his first bite.  Then, he ate his plateful and went for seconds.

I had also decided that I wasn’t going to have wine with this meal. However, after the first bite, I had to open a bottle. Yes, that’s right, ‘had to’. Mandatory. This dish requires a wine accompaniment.

Okay, you don’t have to but if you need a push, a twist of the arm, here it is: *pushes* *twists*

The rest of you, I don’t even have to touch. I know you. You are my kind of people.

.

Just look at this. Totally deserves to be drunk in your stomach. (That came out wrong but you get the idea.)

In all seriousness, this was just a really nice, new pasta dish for me. Sweet little old Sage gave off the most glorious fragrance while she frolicked in the pan with the browning butter and toasting pine nuts.

Cheers to a new fave –
Ang

 

Garden Party

Posted on by Ang Anderson

I consider myself very blessed to have my own little ya-ya sisterhood with a group of ladies that get together on a regular basis.  This group consists of my mom, sister, aunts, cousins, and in-laws, along with friends we love to include.  We have enjoyed many wine and appetizer nights.  We have spent the afternoon at a bead store and made our own jewelry.  We have held swap parties, of which I promise to post more detail at a later date.  We go out for dinner and movies.  We have an annual cookie exchange.  Sometimes, we even do crafts!  Good food, drink, company, and conversation are sure to be found at each event.

A month ago, the event was a garden party.  It was graciously hosted by my aunt and God-Mother Pam.  We donned hats and sun dresses for the occasion, and shared delicious food and drink while discussing flowers and other lady-like subjects.  We all brought perennials to share with each guest.  We had a lovely time!

I love the detail – the cute sign, the print on the fabric, and the flanking of peonies and daisies.

Did you notice the Mimosas, Mojitos and Tea?  Yes, we like our beverages.

Here is a table setting, complete with gloves and scones.  It all felt very English.  Lovely.  Bloody lovely.

A summer event is not complete unless it includes fruit.  Yum!

A delicious (and addicting!) creamy bruschetta dip rests in her glass dome, waiting patiently to be consumed.

Refreshing little cucumber sandwiches on rye.  Very tasty!

To go along with my summer fruit fetish, I brought my Blueberry Tart to share.

Chocolate mousse garnished with blackberries and mint sprigs was the perfect finish to our luncheon.

The peonies decided to bless us with their bountiful blooms.  Gorgeous!

This was like having our own little landscape nursery to shop from right at our disposal.  There was Cilantro, Thyme, Parsley, Bleeding Hearts, Bee Balm, Coneflowers, and more.  If you have six people attending, you bring five of whatever you would like to bring and then everyone receives five new perennials/herbs/etc.  It is truly a wonderful way to share what you already have and receive new blooms in return.  I love it!

I look forward to many more garden adventures –

Ang