Browsing Category Vegetarian

Pesto Pasta Salad

in Pasta Picnic Food Vegetarian on 0 31 Views

While this pasta salad has evolved over the years, it started as a means of using up leftover ingredients from a charcuterie plate. If I had to request a last meal, it would be a charcuterie plate with a bottle of Napa Cabernet. I just love a meat and cheese plate for dinner. It allows me to concoct several different permutations of meat, cheese, jam, honey, nuts, and fruit all in the same meal. The specialty crackers take it to the next level – with the charcoal, rosemary, and nut-laden crackers being among my favorites.

Read More

Truffle Potato Salad

in Picnic Food Sides Vegetarian on 1 113 Views

My husband loves anything truffle.  Truffle butter, truffle salt, truffle eggs, and my truffle potato salad.  He also doesn’t discriminate with his truffles.  He loves all truffles equally, even gleefully claiming that he would bath in anything truffle. Two of our favorite people, Marina and Dave, used to live on the same block as Urbani Truffles in New York City.  When we visited one December, during white truffle season, we made the oh-so-easy pilgrimage to Urbani.  We opened the doors and were immersed in truffle.  Everything smelled of truffle.  I think my husband’s glasses fogged over with truffle shavings.   It was his food heaven. 

Read More

Roasted Beet and Herbed Goat Cheese Salad

in Healthy Quick Weeknight Dinner Salads Vegetarian on 1 65 Views

The first meal my husband made for me was roasted root vegetables with goat cheese. He peeled beets, parsnips, and carrots, which he cut into bite sized chunks before coating in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A few hours in the oven were an ingenious way for him to lure me into conversation. He can talk to anyone – meaning we never have an uncomfortably quiet uber ride. The vegetables finished roasting as we laughed and exchanged stories of our childhood swim teams. He topped the warm vegetables with crumbled goat cheese and reassured me that it would taste good, despite my hesitation at the thought of eating beets. I was beyond pleasantly surprised at the flavors, of which the beet was the star.

Read More

Butternut Squash and Tomato Soup

in Soups Vegan Vegetarian on 1 33 Views

This is my lovingly adapted butternut squash soup. My father, mother, and husband ask for this soup every September. Recipes that are made year-after-year at the same time of year carry a level of nostalgia that just improves with time. I can no longer make this soup without thinking of my then two-year-old son licking the balsamic vinegar and olive oil from every unroasted tomato. The taste of the soup might be marvelous, but the memories are transcendent and priceless.

Read More

Creamed Corn

in Picnic Food Sides Vegetarian on 1 44 Views

This creamed corn is a perfect side dish for a picnic or backyard cookout or BBQ.  I struggle to find side dishes for BBQ chicken or pulled pork, aside from the traditional baked beans and coleslaw.  Why not try creamed corn?  Or why not serve the creamed corn alongside grilled head on shrimp?  The flavors are reminiscent of shrimp and grits without the tedious “tending to the grits”.  When you find the perfect square of grass to spread your picnic blanket on, I hope this creamed corn is in your picnic basket.  

Read More

Vegetable Lasagna

in Comfort Foods Italianish Make-in-Bulk & Freeze Vegetarian on 2 44 Views

There is no better time than August to open a cold beer and cozy up by the grill to enjoy the last days of summer.  My husband enjoys grilling anything and especially loves grilling vegetables.  Which is great for me because by August I am floundering for a creative dinner to use the abundance of zucchini and squash that I have purchased at the local farmer’s market.  

Read More