Tuscan Ribollita

Photo Credit: Stephen Lewis

I was lucky enough to have studied at a small cooking school in Florence. Our "text" was a hodge podge of documents comprised of basically an old Italian grandma telling some stories and doing her best to not be vague about cooking processes that are second nature to her. And from her lips, then translated by someone who is about a 3rd grade English level.

Beef Negimaki

I served this wonderful party food on New Year's Eve, for a small gathering of family and some visiting friends from London. The presentation was lovely and interesting, and the dish proved a real crowd-pleaser. If you've ever had one of those fouffy faux rolls of beef tenderloin at a sushi restaurant, it was likely a version of negi maki.

As finger foods go, this is straightforward and healthy, with a deep flavor. Too often hors d'oeuvres depend on puff pastry, butter, or loads of cheese. The greasy bits are bad for fancy clothes, and the goo just weighs you down too much prior to the meal. Leave it to the Japanese to simplify and beautify the humble hors d'oeuvres.

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

I've been on a soup kick lately, especially soups that taste way more decadent than they actually are. I've made 5 different butternut squash soups in the last 2 months, but the flavor profile here is the deepest and most balanced.

Curried Tuna Salad

My future mother-in-law has a talent. Regardless of when we arrive at their gorgeous lake cabin in Northern Minnesota, there is always food ready. Flights can be delayed, or early, we can drive in, we can get a ride in...it doesn't matter. There's always good food in the fridge, just waiting for our (hungry) arrival.

Her trick is make-ahead dishes that can be refrigerated and not loose any tastiness. This recipe is actually tastier if you make it ahead, she taught me. Like any mayo-based salad, it can be served on lettuce wraps, toast, crackers, whatever your heart desires. I happen to hate diesel mayo, aka full fat, so this uses just enough of the light stuff to keep the salad together.

What To Do With Bacon Jam

Bacon Jam and 15-spice Ketchup, ready for application.

A few weeks ago, I posted about Bacon Jam as I was making it for Christmas gifting. I enjoy project cooking, so the actual making of the jam was a great time. But the applications of this spread are far better and varied than I realized. 

Improved Eggplant Parmigiana

Eggplant is a sponge to oil and butter, but I've found that it often doesn't need as much as most people give it. My favorite mixologist, Kirk, at Cure in New Orleans, names cocktails that are riffs "improved," i.e. the "Improved Aviator." The new is sometimes nothing like the original, but flavor notes are similar.

Hungry for a new way to do eggplant, without breading, frying, and layering tons of cheese, I turned to the Bible of authentic Italian cuisine, The Silver Spoon.  The recipe is not in English anywhere online--until now! It Italy, this is called "Melanzane in Festa" or "Festive Eggplant" and it certainly lives up to the name. This is especially good when made one day ahead up til the point of baking, or reheated for leftovers the next day.

This could be a hearty side or a vegetarian maincourse.  The presentation is nice enough for company, and you can make a day ahead to save time and improve the flavor.

"Peasto" - Smashed Pea and Mint Pasta

Recently, a close friend living in London wrote to me:
"Can you post that recipe for the mint/pea and pasta deliciousness?? If you recall we made it in London, drunk on wedding champagne, I cut my finger and you burnt your hand... the recipe that you gave your bestfriend to make for her BF and now she gets sexed on the reg? you know the one..."


With an intro like that, you can't afford NOT to try this. Have your own requests? Feel free to email me at denise.gass@gmail.com