Stacked Apple Salad

Stacked Apple Salad with Arugula Avocado Goat Cheese and Red Onion. Sometimes it’s just fun to change up the presentation, slicing the Apple thinly and adding the ingredients between the slices then dressing the whole thing with a bit of a simple olive oil vinaigrette. I like doing this with different colored apples and it’s especially great in the fall...

Dinner Table For Six

Dinner Table For Six...As is my usual method around here, when it comes to a dinner party or just a simple dinner for a few friends, I enjoy using what I have. Mixing and matching things that I own, maybe adding a new piece here and there but always changing it up and making things look a little different each time. 

Using things in ways different than what they might be intended for... lace curtains from Italy as a table runner, or a decorative brandy snifter as a water glass anything different. 

Of course fresh flowers are always in order. I especially like simple, uncontrived arrangements. I often use decanters as vases, running down the length of the table, or a single arrangement if I’m setting a round table. Always keeping the season in mind and adding seasonal touches....

A Beautiful Boule

It’s hard to beat the aroma of fresh bread baking in the oven. I don’t care that it’s 90° outside I’m still going to turn my oven on and bake some bread, and I do several times a week. I love how so few ingredients can come together to make something so delicious. Flour, Yeast, sugar, salt, and water, A little time, and some love is all it takes. The good thing is that my garage is so hot in this weather that it becomes my proofing room..

Brie Cheesecake

Brie “Cheesecake” ... three different Bries , perfect for a starter, served with Caramelized Onion, and Fig Jam...Three of my most favorite cheeses! .

Patate, Riso e Cozze

Patate, Riso e Cozze...Translation, Potatoes, Rice and Black Mussels. A much loved dish, very typical in my home town of Mola di Bari and the whole region if Puglia. Layers of sliced potatoes and Arborio Rice, flavored with torn, peeled tomatoes, sliced onion, garlic, chopped,fresh picked italian parsley, Pecorino Romano Cheese, EVOO, S&P and, fresh from the Adriatic Sea, (or fresh from whichever sea you can get them Black Mussels layered between the above delicious ingredients. Italian, comfort food goodness!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Ganache Tart

Easter Sweet Bread