fresh gem lettuce caesar salad

The Caesar is one of my favorite salads, rich and creamy dressing, chunky romaine leaves and crunchy croutons---delicious but perhaps not a salad you can eat everyday.  I came up with my own light and modern version, fresh, crisp and lemony and so easy I have been eating it every day.
I started with little gem lettuces, and separated out the smallest leaves (Trader Joe's sells the gem lettuces--3 heads for only $1.99).  I then made a Caesar dressing and thinned it with the juice of a lemon.  You can do this with your favorite bottled dressing if you like, the result should be lemony and thin enough to drizzle.  I tossed the leaves with crispy turkey bacon lardons, my substitute for croutons, shaved on good parm and drizzled with the dressing.  Cracked black pepper and you are good to go.  Restaurant worthy result!

homemade ricotta cheese

I made my own cheese last weekend.  No really, I made delicious ricotta cheese and it couldn't have been easier!  I saw it in the April 2014 Bon Appetit, the recipe inspired by the house made cheese served at Rich Table in San Francisco.  Here is the simple recipe--give it a try, and add your own touch--I could see it mixed with fresh herbs, dill, nuts, chives or even drizzled with honey.  Toss with pasta and olive oil, put it in desserts--the possibilities are endless.  Enjoy!

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp (or more to taste) kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or distilled white vinegar

In a heavy pot, bring the milk, cream and salt just to a boil.  Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice or vinegar. Stir gently till mixture starts to curdle.  Let stand for 5 minutes.

Pour mixture over 2 layers of cheesecloth set in a fine mesh sieve placed over a medium bowl .  Refrigerate for 20 minutes till spreadable or several hours for a firmer cheese.  Cover and chill cheese for up to 3 days.

thanksgiving dinner

 

 

This year I cooked Thanksgiving dinner at my house--something that hasn't happened in many years.  Usually I go to a friend's or out to dinner.  I was all set to do a traditional turkey when Joseph suggested we do something different--had I ever done a crown roast of lamb?  Well, no.  But hey, how hard could it be?  Turns out it is one of the easiest roasts, as long as you have the butcher french the bones and tie up the roast.  ( I did two 7 bone racks). Then, season well and roast at 425 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Let it rest 10 minutes and slice into chops.  I served it with a wild mushroom stuffing and a cherry relish thanks to my dear friend Troy Huff's homemade cherry jam. Pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese filling was a decadent finish.