-
Roasted Pineapple Salsa
Fresh salsa is so much tastier than canned varieties that you will wonder why you haven’t been making it all along. You’ll also wonder why you’ve never used a pineapple as a salsa bowl. Fortunately, there is a bit of time to ponder such things while you watch the oven for signs of caramelization on the pineapple slices and blistered skin on all those juicy tomatoes that make up the base of this homemade salsa. Once the ingredients have cooled, use a blender to pulse them a few times, and then make good use of the hollowed out pineapple by transforming it into a serving bowl. Save the lid as…
-
Pickled Cherry Pico de Gallo
If you made last week’s cherries, I hope you reserved some. As promised, I am sharing this Mexican recipe as another way for you to enjoy your quick pickled treats. Beyond tapas and charcuterie boards, give your meal a delicious twist by adding a pickled flavor to your pico. Whether you prefer carnitas or a vegetarian taco, this topping works incredible well with traditional Mexican flavors. Also known as salsa fresca, pico de gallo is a combination of chopped tomatoes, onions, peppers, and seasoning that can be layered on tacos or enjoyed with tortilla chips. As the word fresca suggests, it is a salsa made from the freshest ingredients left…
-
Summer Bruschetta
As we head into summer, everything takes sweeter and brighter. Now is the perfect time for bruschetta, simply dressed toasts that highlight the chopped produce piled on top. Classic bruschetta features chopped tomatoes, garlic, and basil, but I take it one step further by adding strawberries into the mix. Marinated with the rest of the ingredients, they contribute sweetness without lending a strong strawberry flavor. This is a savory appetizer, so don’t let the berries fool you into serving it for dessert. If you serve this bruschetta without mentioning the strawberries, you will find guests asking where you found such deliciously sweet tomatoes. Rather than highlighting the contrast between the…
-
Roasted Asparagus with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Now that April is well underway, bunches of tall asparagus have begun to appear at the market. Crisp and vibrant green, asparagus stands up to a variety of cooking methods, giving you choices of whether to grill or roast – use the stovetop or oven – and so many other decisions. It’s hard to go wrong, since asparagus can even be eaten raw, but it becomes sweeter and richer when roasted with sun-dried tomatoes. Beyond cooking methods, asparagus stands up equally well to a variety of ingredients from garlic to cured meats such as prosciutto and Serrano ham. With an intense concentration of tomato flavor, chopped pieces of the sun-dried…
-
Raisin Bread Panzanella
Raisins are tiny yet divisive. During my childhood, the love them or hate them discussion generally arose when discussing meatballs. For my Neapolitan grandfather, the ideal version included raisins (and pine nuts), but he rarely convinced my grandmother to prepare them this way. In honor of his preference, I created a raisin bread panzanella, an update to the classic Italian dish.
cooking classes + wholesome recipes + mindful living
