Posted on 07/26/2016 4:47:11 PM PDT by Jamestown1630
I attended a buffet-style party recently where the food reminded me of the classic Italian appetizer/starter ‘antipasto’ - which literally means ‘before the meal’, or before the main course. And given the temperatures we’ve had here during the past week, it seems that a nice antipasto platter, along with a good bread and a round red wine would be a perfect meal in itself, for an unbearably hot evening - the kind where one would just like to ‘graze’ lazily on some cold, refreshing bites, and share a long conversation while the cicadas sing.
The offering classically consists of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and various fresh and marinated or pickled vegetables:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26694/antipasto-platter/
I’ve always liked the Marinated Mushrooms, and especially like this recipe from the website ‘Peas and Crayons’, because the mushrooms are first sauteed in olive oil, instead of blanched in water; and because it uses button mushrooms – a lot of recipes use Cremini, which tend to have slightly tougher surfaces. I just think it works better with buttons. Make them far enough ahead so that they can age at least a day or two, for more intense flavor:
http://peasandcrayons.com/2015/05/10-minute-marinated-mushrooms.html
Another nice addition is Marinated Mozzarella balls; but you can do it with slices of mozzarella too, if you can’t find or don't want to make the little balls:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/cheeserecipes/r/bldairy24.htm
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I was out shopping yesterday, when our heat index was near 105; and at the point where I was dying for something to drink, I found a ginger-flavored limeade in a drugstore. It reminded me of this recipe from ‘Yin and Yang Living’, which I want to try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cnuu6bEi8k
-JT
This week: Antipasto, and other things for horribly hot days!
(Quick and early again this week.)
If you would like to be on or off of this weekly cooking ping-list, please send a private message.
-JT
What I’ve been living on: fresh Jersey tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese with oil/balsamic dressing and either mint or basil leaves strewed on top. Not original, and I talked about it last week, but it is filling with some good Italian bread.
It sounds very good, and cool ;-)
(Is that the Rutgers tomato? We bought some seeds for them for my FIL, when he was alive. They grew very well! and he mailed some to us, as he always did with his first eating tomatoes. I really miss that...)
-JT
Rinse a can of black beans, cut the kernels off a cob or two of corn, chop up a cup of parseley and maybe some cilantro, a bit of red onion, maybe some cherry tomatoes, and toss.with lime juice and olive oil.
No heat in the kitchen.
Yesterday we made Moroccan chicken in the slow cooker. Put it in the porch or garage to cook. No heat in the house.
Both of your posts are making me hungry! I tried growing the Rutgers tomatoes a few years ago, but a neighbor’s chickens pecked & ate them : (
My husband is out of town & last night I made my yearly tuna casserole because he hates it. I am getting ready to reheat in the oven. Heaven, cheers!
Both of your posts are making me hungry! I tried growing the Rutgers tomatoes a few years ago, but a neighbor’s chickens pecked & ate them : (
My husband is out of town & last night I made my yearly tuna casserole because he hates it. I am getting ready to reheat in the oven. Heaven, cheers!
I meant to put you on that message, but I forgot to put your name at the top. Duh!
LOL! I think my husband only eats his favorite Tuna Casserole when he visits his mom, because I’m not crazy about it.
But it’s ok; when he’s gone, I make all my favorites that HE won’t eat!
(I guess a good marriage requires at least a little bit of surreptitious maneuvering ;-)
-JT
Your pic looks like what I had laid out for sandwiches a few minutes ago. Made homemade Schlotzskys with homemade sourdough buns. Started the buns late in the day so not so “sour” but still good. I was going yum-yum at every bite.
I love this thread!
I like any kind of corn-and-bean salad/salsa. One of my really guilty pleasures is the ‘Frito Salad’, which I think needs some black beans added:
http://www.food.com/recipe/frito-corn-salad-88251
I’m Glad!
Me too, I look forward to it like some crazed thread stalker!
LOL!
You’re definitely the kind of ‘stalker’ that I don’t mind :-)
-JT
Have you heard from Aliska? She’s been MIA
I live on that every summer!! With a touch of minced garlic.
Off topic...Does anyone have a good recipe for salmon. People over for dinner this weekend and one is not much of meat eater but loves fish. I’m addicted to smoked salmon but have never cooked fresh!
Also, FR use to have it’s own cookbook. Anyone know how to find it?
A hint of ginger seemed to be in the mix.
on a regular basis I indulge in marinated mushrooms and marinated artichokes lol - two of my fav foods
I’ve never had them, but I looked it up and there are so many VERY different recipes, that I’ll have to defer to someone here who may have had what you’re referring to.
I have a similar experience - last week I got lunch from a grocery store ‘salad bar’, and they had something wonderful they called ‘Korean BBQ Salad’. I hunted all over for a recipe, but have found nothing that really seems like it. It was a little crunchy and mildly sweet, mildly spicy...I know there was cabbage in there....but I’m still looking.
-JT
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