Last Chance

Not much time left in fig season -- eat up! Here's the platter I featured in my last newsletter: halved figs, soft goat cheese, basil, prosciutto, and a drizzle of balsamic....YUM.

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Delicious Side Dish

Looking for a way to utilize the pile of tomatoes you picked up at the farmer's market? Or, have no idea what to bring to a summer potluck? Here's a quick, easy side dish (which you can alter depending on what ingredients you have lying around) that's beautifully presented, healthy, and delicious!


Sauteed Tomatoes

1 lb cherry tomatoes (2 pints)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced (garlic press works best here)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (a mild Mexican cheese that crumbles like feta)
1/4 tsp salt & dash of pepper

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet for 2-3 min over med-high heat. Add tomatoes, salt, & pepper and let cook for about 5-7 minutes or until tomatoes start to brown a little, wrinkle, and/or pop. Then add garlic, stir to distribute, cook an additional minute, then add the cilantro. Again stir to distribute, then pour tomatoes into a serving bowl and top with the crumbled Cotija cheese. Allow to cool for a few minutes before eating...the inside of the tomatoes will be very hot. Enjoy!

Other versions you can try:

• replace cilantro with basil, use feta cheese instead of Cotija
• replace cilantro with 1/4 cup fresh baby dill, use feta instead of Cotija
• replace cilantro with fresh parsley, use goat cheese instead of Cotija
  

Trip to Ubuntu

Last weekend I dined with my dear friends at Ubuntu, a vegetarian restaurant in the Napa Valley. In addition to being absolutely beautiful, our meal was delicious, hearty, and made from locally-grown produce. I had the carrot gnocchi (picture above), which came with a pesto made from the carrot tops -- who knew you could do this?!

Next time you're in wine country, I highly recommend this place!

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Looking for an alternative to the traditional calorie-laden potato salad that's so popular during the summer months? Try this Sweet Potato Salad -- it has fewer calories, less fat, and more nutrients -- not to mention it's flavor-packed and delicious!


Ingredients
3 lbs sweet potatoes
2 poblano peppers
4 scallions (aka green onions)
Big handful of Italian parsley
3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar, or white wine vinegar
squeeze of lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
salt & pepper

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into chunks (size is up to you, just make sure the pieces are about equal sized so they cook evenly). Cover a large baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place potatoes on baking sheet and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bake for about 30 min, or until potatoes are fork tender and edges have browned (toss potatoes 1/2 way through baking).

Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, remaining oil, lemon, mustard, & honey in a large bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Finely chop the scallions & Italian parsley and add to bowl. Then chop poblano peppers into 1/4 inch pieces and add.

When the sweet potatoes are ready, let them cool for about 5 minutes, then add them to the bowl with the veggies & vinaigrette and gently toss together. Serve warm or room temperature. Enjoy!

*adapted from a recipe by Bon Appetit magazine, July 2009