Our Favorite Kind of April Fool!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/strawberry-rhubarb-greek-yogurt-fool.html
Bobby Flay's Strawberry Rhubarb Fool

HOP HOP HOP OVER TO POPOVERS!

Always super delicious, eggy popovers are easy to make and are sure to wow the crowd. Great with confectioners sugar (dusted or drizzled frosting), butter or just on their own, hot from the oven. 

We used our favorite packaged mix, from the famous Jordan Pond in Maine. Tip: Order more than one 'cause you'll want to make them more than once!

Here's the link. Jordan Pond Popover Mix

Summertime Zucchini Bake a la Provence

August. Time to take advantage of all that fresh, local produce available at your grocer, or maybe in your own back yard. Here's a recipe that takes its lead from the savory summertime dishes of Provence or Tuscany.

Very easy to prepare, it's a side dish that takes literally minutes from garden to table. You can make it spicy, cheesy, crunchy or herb-filled. Or all of the above! Put your imagination cap on, and get our your sharpest knives and best French salt. You'll find yourself making this wonderful dish over and over again, trying variations on flavor as your mood and heart desire. An excellent accompaniment to steaks, chops, and sandwiches, or serve it over fresh linguine for a marvelous meatless entrée.

Ingredients
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. butter
1-2 medium to large green or yellow zucchini, cut in 1" cubes
1 medium Vidalia or other sweet onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 tsp. Fleur de Sel (French salt, available at specialty food stores)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, or Panko breadcrumbs
2-3 sprigs each of fresh parsley, thyme and basil, chopped finely
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Optional:
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. hot sauce
2 ripe tomatoes, cubed
1 cup eggplant, skin removed and cubed

Process
Preheat oven to 400 F.
1. Sauté garlic and onion gently in oil and 1 tbsp. of the butter until translucent.

2. Add zucchini, tomato and eggplant (if using), seasonings and fresh herbs and desired options.
Sauté, stirring occasionally, until just tender and slightly browned and crispy, about five minutes.

3. Pour into an oven-proof casserole.

4. Top with seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko. If using seasoned breadcrumbs, mix with the grated cheese and sprinkle over all. Dot with other tbsp. of butter, cut into small bits.
5. If making ahead, cover with aluminum foil and set aside. Can be made up to five hours in advance of serving.
6. Bake at 400F for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and let set five minutes before serving.

Mussels Marinara

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Muscle your way into his (or her) heart with this spicy Italian favorite. It takes no time at all to pull it together and is a satisfying meal for two with very little effort.

Ingredients
1-1/4 lb. mussels, scrubbed and washed
1  28-oz. can San Marzano tomatoes
2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1/2 bottle/jar store-bought tomato sauce
2 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. crushed hot red pepper flakes
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/2 cup Chianti wine

Eric's Touch
Serve with buccatini, perciatelli, fetuccini, linguine, or other hearty sauce-grabbing pasta


Optional
Italian bread, served warm and crusty
Salad of arugula with lemon basil dressing


Process
Chop garlic and sauté lightly in olive oil in large dutch oven or casserole until translucent and oil is fully fragrant with the garlic.  Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, oregano, salt and pepper, Chianti, hot red pepper flakes, and basil. Allow to simmer, covered, stirring often, adjusting seasonings as needed, for 1/2 hour or more.

Add mussels to broth. Simmer, covered, for 5-7 minutes, or until mussels are opened. Discard any unopened mussels.  Serve with Italian bread and an arugula salad.  Thanks to my neighbor, Eric, the super cook, for adding just the right touch -- he coupled the mussels with a hearty pasta, giving this dish wonderful depth and heft. Bravo!

Early Summer's Bounty

Farmer's Market Antipasto

Now is the time to prepare your table laden with the fresh produce and other products you take home from the Farmer's Market -- grilled eggplant, sweet basil, tomato and garlic salad, rosemary ciabatta rolls and rich provolone cheese. 

Remember to support your local Farmer's Market! 

FAMILY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Our son is celebrating 

his birthday this week, 

so we baked our

"traditional" family 

birthday cake -- 

butter cake, fresh 

strawberries and 

sweetened whipped cream.

Nice in springtime, 

and whenever 

strawberries are in season.

The Galette Takes the Cake!

It's almost too easy to make this delightful, light and flavorful apple galette. And it takes less than an hour, start to finish. Using less sugar and pastry than a traditional apple pie, an added bonus is fewer carbs, with no loss of flavor.

Ingredients

2 Granny Smith Apples
2 T granulated sugar
1/2 t ground cinnamon
Sprinkling of lemon juice
1-2 T butter, cut in small dice
1 refrigerated pie crust 
1 egg and t milk or half and half for egg wash

Process

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Roll out pie crust onto parchment-lined cookie sheet.
3. Core and slice apples super thin and place in circle around crust, leaving about 1" rim on outer edge.

4. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and cinnamon, fresh lemon juice and dot with butter.

5. Brush outer rim of crust with egg wash (1 egg + 1 t milk or half and half, beaten slightly with fork).

6. Fold over outer edges in decorative fashion, and brush with egg wash.

7. Bake @ 425F for 30 minutes. Turn once for even browning, reduce heat to 375F. Bake for 10 minutes. If needed, reduce heat toe 350F and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool on rack.

Serve warm or cool. We love it topped with vanilla bean ice cream!

Bon Appetit!