I’ve always had a soft spot for Cinsault (also spelled Cinsaut), especially old-vine Cinsault. A native of Southern France, this black grape variety is similar to Grenache in that it delivers soft, fruity, aromatic reds. It’s most often used in blends or to make perfumed all-Cinsault rosés. But old-vine Cinsault […]
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Grilled vegetable napoléons with spicy scallion vinaigrette
Whenever we think of Asian ingredients like bok choy, we tend to think of Asian recipes. But I was actually interested in something quite different. I had two goals in mind – to create a completely original main course with bok choy, and to see what would happen if I […]
Spicy scallion vinaigrette
I created this vinaigrette to drizzle on these grilled vegetable napoleons. But once I tasted it, I knew it deserved its own spot on this blog. Not only is it fabulous with anything grilled, it turns out to be a great salad dressing too, especially with summer vegetables.
Bing cherry mojito
We all love eating seasonal fruits, especially when picked from a local farm or bought at the farmers’ market, but what about making cocktails with these succulent fruits?
Zucchini fritters with sweet basil
These little fritters are the quintessential summer appetizer or hors d’oeuvre. Adults love them, kids love them, even picky eaters love them. They’re as addictive as they are easy to prepare. The basil leaves become crispy as they fry, while the lemon zest adds a bit of zing to the […]
Tomato coulis with shallots and white wine
This flavorful coulis can be used as a dip for fritters, finger foods and grilled sandwiches, as a sauce for appetizers or main courses, or as a condiment. In the summer and fall, you can make it with vine-ripened tomatoes. In the winter and spring, use organic canned tomatoes. Either […]