Simplest Tomato and Eggplant Gratin

Sunday, August 25, 2013
Eggplant Gratin Main

It was nearly noon on Sunday.  I wanted to make a nice lunch for the three of us, but I also thought it would be more fun to play in the pool with Julia than to run to the market and work in the kitchen.  (She agreed.) This recipe is a late summer favorite of […]

Zucchini Pancakes with Brie

Sunday, August 11, 2013

It’s everywhere just now –piled high in the market, all over restaurant menus (usually as a seasonal side) and, if you planted it in your vegetable garden, probably literally underfoot.  Yes, it’s the season for zucchini –that tender, abundant summer vegetable that might just get to be too much of a good thing. Here’s my […]

Video: Creamy Pasta with Yogurt, Basil and Pine Nuts

Monday, August 5, 2013

  Recipe (adapted from “Conchiglie with yogurt, peas and chile” from Jerusalem, a Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tammimi, serves 6) Ingredients 2 cups (or 500g) Greek yogurt (2% is great, but nonfat works too) 2/3 cup olive oil 2 small (or 1 large) cloves garlic, crushed 1 lb (or 500g) frozen peas 1 […]

Summer Extravagance: Pavlova

Thursday, August 1, 2013

In spite of a name that suggests a complex confectionary achievement of tsarist Russia, Pavolva is an Australian dessert (and some would say the Australian national dessert) with distinctly Australian virtues — it’s fresh, unfussy and lots of fun. Named after a famous Russian ballerina who visited Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s, the […]

Video: Outdoor Centerpiece

Monday, July 29, 2013

Our outdoor dining table in Southampton was looking a little bare, so I quickly put together a long-lasting, neglect-proof centerpiece with pots from the garden center and some spiny cactus.  See how in my second video!

Video: Summer Cocktail Essentials

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

I enjoy a full bar (heaven knows), but if I had to choose just three bottles for summer, they would be Campari, sweet vermouth and London dry gin.  Check out the video below to learn why, and for three delicious, quick cocktails made from these three key ingredients. Thanks for watching!

Take Five: Navy

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Orlebar Brown Setter Swim Shorts.  Smartly cut swimmers that are nice enough to wear to lunch by the pool. Marimekko Rasymatto paper napkins.  For lunch on the patio (or to brighten up Julia’s lunchbox.) Gucci Bamboo Detail Leather Driving Shoes. Fancy with a summery sense of humor. Smith & Cross Navy Strength Jamaican Rum. Revive the traditional […]

Lemon Verbena Gelato

Monday, July 8, 2013

This past long weekend was hot and sunny, and Julia requested her favorite ice cream (and mine, I think) — lemon verbena gelato made from the fragrant herb growing in our kitchen garden.  I also made lavender gelato and whisked in about a third of a cup of good fruity olive oil before I froze […]

Painting our Outdoor Dining Chairs

Monday, July 1, 2013

The fresh sea air is one the nicest things about Southampton, but it takes its toll on outdoor fixtures and furniture.  When we set the table on the back porch for our first outdoor lunch of the season, we noticed that our dining chairs were looking pretty shabby.  Their powder-coated finish had faded, and rust […]

Saffron and Orange Chicken Salad with Herbs

Monday, June 24, 2013

In the heat of summer, I’m always looking for a light, fresh salad to feed to a houseful in Southampton for lunch.  Chicken salads are usually solid crowd-pleasers at our house, but this one breaks free of the usual formulas.  The chicken is coated in a unique and flavorful dressing that’s made from a boiled […]

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