Makes 8 servings Persimmons are sweet and mild in flavor with a plump texture that pairs beautifully with ice cream and a crisp topping. If you like, crumble gingersnaps in place of the baked crisp topping. If you can’t find ripe persimmons, you can substitute apple, pear, quince, or virtually […]
Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone
Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]
Preserved Lemons
Makes 1 quart Use preserved lemons (flesh and rind!) in stews, soups, salad dressings, and even pastas. They will add an unexpected burst of brightness and a surprising savory element you don’t expect from lemon. 6 lemons 1/2 cup salt Juice of 6 lemons 1. Wash the lemons very well. […]
Raspberry Granita
Makes 2 pints Ingredients 1 1/4 cup raspberries 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh Directions Push the raspberries through a wire-mesh sieve into a small bowl to make a purée. Stir all of the ingredients until blended and the sugar has dissolved. Pour […]
Red Salad
Makes 8 portions Chef’s notes: The salad may be served on a bed of spinach or chiffonade Tuscan kale. For crunch, add a sprinkling of lightly toasted chopped pistachios, hazelnuts, or almonds. If you can’t find opal basil, you can substitute any type of sprout, such as pea shoots, broccoli […]
Refreshing Agua Frescas
Originating in Latin America, agua fresca is a refreshing nonalcoholic beverage based on fruits, hibiscus flowers, or, in some regions, cereals, along with sugar and water. Though some may be prepared using juice or tea, like lime or hibiscus (also known as agua de Jamaica), agua frescas are often made […]
Rhubarb Mini-Muffins
Makes 24 mini-muffins These tender mini-muffins are the perfect mix of sweet and tart, highlighting our spring favorite: rhubarb! Once rhubarb season has passed, you can use this recipe with raspberries, peaches, or any fruit that suits your fancy. Depending on the size of your muffin pan, you may have […]
Roasted Ginger Plum Tart with Nut Streusel
This tart makes the best of in-season plums, but you can substitute any stone fruit, like halved cherries, apricots, or nectarines. Makes one 9-inch tart Ingredients Vanilla Tart Dough, fitted into a 9-inch tart pan and chilled 1 1/2 lb plums (7 to 8 medium), rinsed, halved, and pitted 1/2 […]
Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer Produce
Every year, we try to avoid it, but it is inevitable: summer will end eventually—though luckily, only temporarily. Summer produce doesn’t leave quietly, and in its waning weeks, our gardens and farm stands explode with cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, eggplants! The mountains of produce are daunting, but irresistible, since in […]
Soft Fresh Mozzarella with Grilled Peach and Prosciutto
Makes 6 servings Note: When peaches aren’t in season, there are several good substitutes: melons, persimmon, or pears. One more suggestion, which is really out of the ordinary, is ripe mango. Mango pairs nicely with the saltiness of the prosciutto and the delicacy of the mozzarella.
Sour Cherry Pie
Makes one 9-inch pie Pie Filling All Butter Pie Crust Makes two 11-inch rounds Hand Method Food Processor Method Stand Mixer Method
Spicy Watermelon Refresher
Makes about 8 servings The key to this perfect summer refresher is great watermelon, so if your melon is a dud, you may want to try something else. Of course, you can also make the same mixture with cantaloupe or pineapple (or basically any other fruit!), so pick what’s tastiest […]