It ain’t pie…
September 7, 2014
but it’s close…it’s Crostata. A little late summer fruit and a single crust and you can have this rustic dessert complete…start to finish… within an hour. To keep it extra simple use a prepared crust to hold the nectarines or peaches, baking it in a pie dish instead of a flat baking tray. I’m not generally a fan of pie a la mode but my arm could be twisted here if there was some ginger ice cream involved.
The Ina Garten recipe found here: http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=171&S=0 ,will have you making these in any and all combinations of summer fruits and berries.
Over? Not yet
August 31, 2014
The afternoon shadows may be longer and more pronounced, but summer my friends is not over yet. While Labor Day may mark the “unofficial” end of summer I’m taking full advantage until Fall steps in on September 24…and, that’s a month away. Whether your’re staying in town or getting away for the long weekend, I recommend you do the same.
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We should all be so lucky to have a summertime courtyard space like the Brody house in LA photo via:http://midcenturia.tumblr.com/
What more is there to say? Local farmstand produce…get some, support your local farmers. photo: gp
Large body or small, being near the water on a holiday weekend just makes it more special. From a tiny cabin view -photo gp- to a broader shoreline view -photo via http://remash.tumblr.com/, try to get yourself some.
If you haven’t yet made this salad with your local summer corn you are missing something special. http://food52.com/recipes/17913-charred-corn-and-avocado-salad-with-lime-chili-and-tomato
A simplequietmodern nap could be good. Photo via: http://www.improvisedlife.com/
While I always prefer white, an armload of locally grown color will brighten things up should the clouds roll in. And, what could compliment those peaches better than these dahlias and celosia? iPhone snap: gp
All Set
August 24, 2014
And, ready for anything. Soups, pastas, salads…coffee, chai latte or warm cider. What more do you need? One large simple shallow bowl and an accomodating cup will take you from breakfast to dinner and back again. Add a handknit linen lapkin and you are ready to strap on that simplequietmodern feedbag. Think of how many cupboards you’ve emptied by bringing your dining experience back to what’s absolutely essential.
Quinoa, Kale and Pear Salad
August 6, 2014
How can you not be inspired when you spot a pear like this at the market? And, with that you have the start of a 5 ingredient / 5 minute salad, barely needs a recipe. Crunchy, protein packed, phytonutrient rich, slightly sweet and a little bit salty. The simplequietmodern way to pack a lunch. OK…who’s hungry?
I’ve tried to re-create here a similar salad that I love from Simply Good Kitchen. This is so good and so simple that I might just be dragging this into the Fall by adjusting it a bit. Adding a touch of walnut oil to the vinaigrette and swapping out the pistachios for toasted walnuts could be the ticket. A bit of blue cheese couldn’t hurt either.
Mc Wha?
July 19, 2014
OK…Maybe a Mc “don’t ask don’t tell”. It’s one way to dress my Black Bean and Quinoa burger. A homemade veggie patty never tasted this good. Some mushrooms, red pepper, a little cooked quinoa and black beans are the base with an egg, a little bread crumb and some parm…spooned into patties and sautéed in some olive oil. Add some “special” sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion and a sesame seed bun and you’ve gone Mc Meatless.
No need to choose,
July 1, 2014
because you’ll need them all. Rasperries, strawberries,blackberries and blueberries…what would a Summer Pudding be without them? Add a loaf of white bread and some sugar and you are on your way to an impressive ending to any summer meal. The hardest part to this seasonal classic is waiting for it to rest overnight, so plan accordingly.
I used this simple recipe from Merrill Stubbs at Food52. As recipes go it could not have been more simplequietmodern. http://food52.com/recipes/13392-berry-summer-pudding
Even happily ever after….
June 19, 2014
has its moments when only a boatload of peanut M&M’s …a quart of quacamole…or simply a big ‘ol mess of smashed potatoes will do. And, ready to hold the solutions to all life has to dish up, the Heath Large Serving Bowl, from the Chez Panisse Line. simplequietmodern…especially in opaque white…even when empty. If you’re needing a gift for a wedding, birthday or any other special occasion this summer, you might consider this.
http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/962/s/large-serving-bowl-16/category/3/#p149
Quite the Pickle
June 16, 2014
Let’s see. Some cauliflower and some cabbage, onions and yellow peppers. A little spice and a quick pickle and you’ve got Chow Chow. A relish of southern origin, I somehow remember it from my childhood in the Midwest, but with no Southern roots in sight. I tried to capture what my taste memory was holding on to but every recipe I saw looked like a miss even from the list of ingredients. Settling on this recipe, which started as my crock pickle brine with the addition of some sugar and turmeric, I think I hit a homer. And, it’s good for you… with the cruciferous vegetables providing vitamins, fiber and disease fighting phytochemicals, the natural fermentation promoting increased cardiovascular, digestive and immune health and the turmeric with its anti-inflamatory properties. Enjoy it on a sandwich, alongside some grilled meat or all by itself instead of a salad or coleslaw.
Festival Season
May 29, 2014
Nothing kicks off the festival season quite like The Artichoke Festival in Castroville, CA… artichoke capital of the world. Castroville…all artichokes all the time. While it’s peak season and they are being shipped to a green grocer near you, celebrate with Castroville and cook yourself up a simplequietmodern lunch of artichokes this weekend. Trim, boil and dip. It couldn’t be any more simple than that.
While the artichokes are cooking make a quick dip of melted butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. It’s the perfect accompaniment.
Reason to Celebrate
May 24, 2014
I thought they were going to be a “no-show”, but, after a couple of 70 degree days in a row this week I noticed a bit of activity on my Dogwoods. Excitedly I clipped a branch to bring inside and by the morning…well… we had bloom. To celebrate I decided a Mint Julep would play well into my Dogwood celebration. It all just seemed simple and modern and southern some how. Perfect.
The Garden & Gun video for this perfect modern take on the classic Mint Julep will have you making one for yourself and wondering why people don’t make these more often. http://gardenandgun.com/media/mint-julep
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