If you’ve ever visited the rural beauty that is Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, perhaps you’ve headed east on M-134 after passing St. Ignace and dropped into a small community on the northern coast of Lake Huron called Hessel. Facing the 36 Les Cheneaux Islands, you can’t visit Hessel without paying homage to Pickle Point, the local gift…
TOMATO CREAM SOUP
Tomato soup is probably my most nostalgic food from childhood. It was always my mom’s go-to comfort food in the kitchen when I was young, from sick days to snow days – or any day we needed a soothing bowl of soup at home. Full disclosure, it was always condensed Campbell’s Tomato Soup. From a…
GNOCCHI WITH 10-MINUTE TOMATO SAUCE
I recently wrote to my high school girlfriends, wanting to know what types of recipes they felt would make their lives easier in the kitchen. Amongst the varied responses (make-ahead appetizers, formula for a good charcuterie plate, ideas with leftovers), my friend Ashley’s husband, Steve, replied, “limited-mess dishes. For example, not having to brown multiple things…
PAPPA AL POMODORO
While most of us associate sun-ripened tomatoes with warm, summer days, I think they are best enjoyed in September. Pappa al Pomodoro, a Tuscan peasant soup made traditionally with tomatoes and stale bread, is a perfect meal for a cooler night. Part of my tomatoes and bread collection, I use croutons in place of stale bread, simmered with…
CAPRESE PLATTER
Here’s a twist on a tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. This platter is great for entertaining because it easily doubles or triples and is perfect when served at room temperature. Ingredients 1 baguette, about 12 inches 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, at room temperature 1 batch Simple Tomato Salad Preheat a…
SHEET PAN SAUSAGES AND STRING BEANS
Here’s an easy meal that requires little prep and is great with your favorite sausages – whether they are sausage links or a large coil. I like to serve this with Simple Tomato Salad or Panzanella. Sheet Pan Sausages and String Beans serves 4 Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for pan…
JALAPEÑO PESTO GNOCCHI WITH TOMATO AND NECTARINE SALAD
If you don’t have good quality, aged balsamic vinegar on hand it’s easy to reduce a less expensive vinegar. The balsamic reduction will thicken drastically once cooled, so if you make it in advance you will likely need to reheat it and add a bit of water to loosen. Gnocchi serves 4 Ingredients Kosher salt…
GRILLED BABY BACK RIBS WITH ZUCCHINI AND CORN SAUTÉ AND PANZANELLA
These are my simple weeknight ribs. You season the ribs the night before, or even first thing in the morning, then cook them quickly on the grill. Grill the ears of corn while you sear the ribs, then make the Zucchini and Corn Sauté while the ribs rest. Lastly, prepare the Panzanella. You can substitute…
SIMPLE TOMATO SALAD
This salad is one of the easiest dishes you can make all summer. No cooking is required. It’s delicious on its own but if you’d like to dress it up for entertaining add a platter of grilled baguette slices and some fresh mozzarella with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Simple Tomato Salad makes about 6…
PANZANELLA
Panzanella serves 4 Ingredients Simple Tomato Salad Simple Croutons Extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Fresh basil leaves Combine Simple Tomato Salad and Simple Croutons in a large bowl. Taste for seasoning and adjust how you see fit, adding more olive oil, salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with additional basil…