Showing posts with label tomato. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tomato. Show all posts

8.17.2010

Tomato-Goat Cheese Tart and A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen

I wish I could give you the recipe for this Tomato-Goat Cheese Tart. I really do. Its tangy goat cheese filling, juicy tomato topping, and fragrant rosemary crust are like summer in a perfectly sunny savory pastry. And to top it off, this might be the most effortless meal I've made all season. Really. But, alas, copyright laws exist, and that means that I must refrain from sharing the details with you. Instead, it's probably time for me to pay proper homage to the source of this gorgeous item - A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen by Jack Bishop.

I am not a vegetarian (I think that is obvious), but I love this book. And while not every recipe that I've tried has fit my particular style of cooking (both Spaghetti with Crispy Browned Artichokes and Red Lentil and Basmati Rice Croquettes with Romaine-Mango Salad and Cucumber Raita were good, but went well beyond my threshold of time and effort), enough have made it onto my repetoire to keep me trying more. And it's a good thing - after eighteen solid months of owning this book, I have just now gotten around to trying the tart. And it's good.

Also good is the Warm Greek Lentil Salad with Feta and Dill, which has not only satiated more than one group of staunch meat-eaters, but also triggered word-of-mouth recipe requests after I brought leftovers to the office for lunch. I like to serve it as a lettuce wrap in a cup of butter lettuce. And the Savory Corn Griddle Cakes, which are best made with fresh corn, but can easily be prepared with frozen corn as a fitting companion to a spicy vegetarian chili in the winter (increase the dairy and decrease the cooking temp for a richer, more custardy cake). Somehow the Soft Corn Tacos with Garlicky Greens manage to transcend their simplicity to become a filling meal. And the Spiced Red Lentils (Dal) is so savory that I would swear that there was chicken broth involved if I didn't know better, having prepared it.

In addition, honorable mentions go to both the Spinach and Pesto Risotto and the Winter Squash Risotto with Sage and Parmesan, as well as the Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Asparagus and Eggs, and Caribbean Black Beans with Sauteed Plantains. And, who knows? There are probably more. I am still working through the book and, if you are interested in eating more vegetarian meals, you should too! Consider picking up a copy - it's definitely worth its weight...

9.10.2009

Chicken and Corn Summer Chowder

This Chicken and Corn Summer Chowder is indulgent for sure - not only is it packed with richness (one word: bacon, followed by two words: heavy cream), it is not exactly your quick Tuesday night standby. But, it's good to splurge a little sometimes, and this soup is truly worth it. How do I know? Not only have I been waiting all year to make it again, once I did, coworkers literally followed their noses to my lunch.

I love how this soup not only utilizes fresh, ripe corn and tomatoes, but also capitalizes on garnish to balance out the richness of the cream. If the heavy cream scares you (don't let it), use just the minimum called for in the recipe - it will still be savory good. Another shortcut? Buy a rotisserie chicken in a pinch (but roast breasts on the bone if you have time).