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Fresh Peach Caprese

Fresh Peach Caprese

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  There is only one authentic Insalata Caprese and it originated in Capri, Italy. Traditionally, tomatoes are used in the infamous dish. Since it is peach season and I have…
Ricotta Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Ricotta Blueberry Breakfast Cake

  Sometimes I’ll make scones and occasionally I’ll whip up a batch of muffins or biscuits but, as a rule, if I want to serve something sweet in the morning, especially…
Roasted Peaches & Gelato

Roasted Peaches & Ice Cream

  Pesche arrostite e gelati is a great solution when you have more peaches than you can eat and they are all ripening at the same time! Roast a few…
Peach & Prosciutto Bruschetta

Peach & Prosciutto Bruschetta

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  My inspiration for this bruschetta (singular) comes from the “small bites” of Italy, known as merenda. The nourishing small meals are defined by the season and since July is…

Brown Butter Fig Biscotti

  Toasting the almonds and browning the butter is the key to what gives these nutty, buttery cookies their depth of flavor and richness. Sometimes I add a smear of…

Poached Figs with Ricotta

  I have said many times that dishes do not have to be difficult to prepare nor costly to be delicious. A simple bowl of poached dried figs nestled on…

Blueberry Ice Cubes

  Last summer, an unexpected trip out of town, found me with a refrigerator full of fruits and vegetables that I did not want to go to waste. So, I…

Blackberry Balsamic Crostata

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  Seasonal fresh fruits are nutritious and delicious any time of the year but, I find the berries of summer to be a special treat. They can be added to…

Watermelon Pizza

  Watermelon seems to be the quintessential fruit of summer for many folks. In Italy, there is a proliferation of fruit stands selling this thirst-quenching fruit, by the slice and…

Orange Marmalade

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  I feel quite blessed to have several citrus trees in the yard. There is one prolific lemon tree directly out the kitchen French doors, literally within arm’s reach, bearing…

Italian Prune Preserves

  Once upon a time, Santa Clara County was the largest fruit district in California. In 1919, 98,152 acres were planted in fruit trees. The majority were prune trees (7,652,000),…

Raspberry Ricotta Tart

  If you need another reason to make the fresh raspberry preserves, this is it. There are many times I need to come up with a last-minute dish for guests…

Fresh Cherries

  Fresh, ripe seasonal fruit is the perfect snack or dessert. My place of choice to find the season’s best is at one of those country roadside stands or a…

Chilled Summer Spa Soup

  After making a batch of my flavored ice cubes, I got the idea to make a cold soup. I didn’t really want a hearty gazpacho, rather a light, cool…

Raspberry Preserves

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  I haven’t done traditional canning in years. I much prefer recipes that do not require special equipment, take very little time to prepare and no hot-water-bath for the jars…

Frullato

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  Frullati (plural) are smoothies, “Italian-style.” During the summer in Italy, you can get this refreshing, cold and creamy drink in any espresso bar. The barista will skillfully make this…

Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce

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  Baskets of bright, fresh sweet raspberries from “Bountiful Baskets,” (a grassroots, all volunteer, food Co-op that distributes produce baskets at a substantial savings) led to more than a few…