END OF SUMMER PANZANELLA

Originally, panzanella was a Tuscan salad made of day-old bread, fresh tomatoes, olive oil, salt and vinegar. Over the years, there have been renditions with fall vegetables, sweet fruits, grilled versions and more. The 'crouton' being the only ingredient that stands strong in all circumstances.

This seasonal panzanella takes all of about 20 minutes to throw together. If you have time, you can roast your own peppers, boil your own chickpeas and blend your own pesto. However, if you need to save yourself a few steps, these items are available, pre-made at a grocery or health food store. If you have a local farmers market, especially in California, tomatoes, peppers and greens are plenty. This recipe is a starting point, but use this as an opportunity to use your fresh produce or appropriate leftovers.

END OF SUMMER PANZANELLA // Serves 4 as a side

3 Cups Whole Grain Bread, in 1’ Cubes

½ Cup Roasted Red Peppers (make your own or use a jar)

2 Medium Heirloom Tomatoes

½ Medium Sized Red Onion

1 Cup Garbanzo Beans, fresh or canned

1 Cup Basil, Roughly Chopped

1 Cup Arugula

¼ Cup Toasted Pine Nuts

1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper

PESTO DRESSING // Pesto recipe found (here)

3 tbsp. Pesto

2 tbsp. Lemon Juice

Oven to 400’

Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet, drizzle with the tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and toss them around in the baking pan. Give a generous sploosh of salt and pepper and toast in the top rack of the oven for ten minutes. Toss them around half way through baking time.

Prepare your veggies. Give a rough chop to the roasted red peppers. Slice the tomato into cubes, leave them seeded. Slice the red onion as thin as possible either with your amazing knife skills or a mandolin.

In a large bowl, combine the bread, tomatoes (and some of their juices), red onion, red peppers, garbanzo beans, arugula, half of the basil and pine nuts.

Combine the pesto ingredients together with a small whisk. Drizzle desired amount onto the panzanella and toss. Serve immediately once tossed, soggy croutons aren't so good.

RUSTIC FIG AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

I’m not sure why I’ve been so intimidated to make my own pizza dough. It has a quick list of about 4 stand by ingredients and reaped a priceless amount of self accomplishment. I watched the dough ball slowly expand and immediately texted Hugh to mark my success. I used a combination of unbleached flour and whole wheat, resulting in a hearty yet pliable dough.

The attractive thing about pizza to any home cook, is that it is a blank canvas for flavors. You can use whatever cheese you have, maybe some leftover shredded chicken, marinara sauce or pesto. I wanted to wish my beloved figs a fond farewell this season, so a savory flatbread was just the place for final enjoyment. At some point this holiday weekend, I'm sure you'll be eating outside, and likely with other people. I've YET to meet someone who does not like pizza. Unless you're some low carb, gluten free, fat free diner, in which case Hugh will gladly consume your portion.

RUSTIC FIG AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA // Makes 2 large, or 4 small pizzas

Dough //

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 to 1 1/4 Cup Water

1 tsp./ Half Packet Quick Rise Yeast

2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tsp. Sea Salt

3 tbsp. Fresh Chopped Chives

Goodies //

12 Fresh Figs, Sliced

½ Cup Soft Goat Cheese

½ Cup Fresh Shaved Parmesan Reggiano

¼ Cup Red Onion, VERY thinly sliced

¼ Cup Fresh Chives

2 Cups Organic Mache (Lambs Lettuce)

2 tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper

Turn your grill to medium high heat.

1. Make the dough according to instructions on Mark Bitten's blog. Please note I used 2 Cups Unbleached Flour and 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour which provided both a chewy and crispy texture when pulled thin enough, I also added fresh chives for a bit of color and zing. This needs to be done 2 hrs. in advance.

2. Once you've made your dough, divide it and pull it out to desired size. With your hands, rub a little bit of oil on one side, and put the oiled side down on the grill. Close the lid and grill for about 3 minutes.

3. Flip the dough over and push the dough down with a spatula to create a thinner flatbread (if you desire... I desired). Evenly distribute the sliced figs, goat cheese, parmesan, chives and sliced red onion across the dough. Give it all a generous grind of pepper and sprinkle of salt. Close the lid and grill for another 6 to 8 minutes untill all toppings are melted and there are grill marks on the bottom of the dough.

4. In the meantime, toss the mache lettuce with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper.

5. Remove the flatbreads and top with a hefty handful of the dressed mache. Chomp away while its hot!

LEMON FISH AND GRILLED CORN POLENTA

In a dream world, money grows from a branching tree somewhere in my expansive and flourishing vegetable garden. It comes out in hundred dollar bills and blooms year round. From that tree, I'd make dinner for people all the time. There would be a long wooden table with bench seats and I would get to watch people savor fresh foods and enjoy each other’s company. Lots of candles, mason jars, big white roses and lilies. I’d host brunch after church on Sundays, and kids would chase the chickens that laid the eggs we were eating. People would be real. We would talk about how we’re really doing and eat slow. Something I certainly need to practice before this fantasy plays out.

Bringing it back. This week I started cooking for a family and have a dinner party tomorrow. Intimidating, yes, but I think the flavors I have going on below are crowd pleasers. As mentioned, I like feeding people and Hugh likes being the test bunny (what?), so these side jobs are a pleasure. If you find yourself in a position of feeding a group of people, and I hope you do, this recipe is affordable, and can be easily doubled or tripled. The colors contrast beautifully with a crispy green salad.

My mom has always been good with plants, I'll be working on that tree.

Love by giving.

GRILLED CORN POLENTA AND LEMON FISH (Serves 2)

I used Pacific Cod as the fish, which is easier to find at a fish market than a grocery store. Remember that polenta expands like rice, so use a big pot for ample stirring.

3/4 Cup Polenta/Corn Meal

3 Cups Organic, Low Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Stock

1/2 Cup Good Quality Parmesan Cheese

1 Cup Organic Whole Milk

2 Ears of Corn

1 Large Yellow Onion, sliced thin

1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)

Juice and zest of a Lemon

Handful of Fresh Chives, Chopped

Garlic Salt and Fresh Pepper

2 6oz. Pieces of Pacific Cod (or what is sustainable and available near you)

1/4 Cup Good Quality Feta Cheese

3 Tbsp. Cup Lowfat Greek Yogurt (sour cream or mayo work as well)

1/3 Cup Chopped Parsley, divided

1 Lemon, Sliced VERY Thin and a bit of juice

Fresh Pepper

Turn on the grill and oven to 475’.

1. Peel back the husk and silk of the corn, discard. Give it a little drizzle ½ tbsp. olive oil and a bit of garlic salt and put on the high heat of the grill. Continue to rotate, cook for ten minutes. Remove to cool. Cut the kernels off.

2. Heat the other ½ tbsp. olive oil. Add the sliced onion and sauté on medium until light brown in color, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat.

3. Prepare the fish topping. In a small bowl, mix the feta cheese, yogurt, garlic salt, lots of pepper, lil lemon juice and 2 tbsp of the chopped parsley. Mix.

4. Coat with cooking spray either a small baking dish or baking pan, put the fish skin side down.

5. Sprinkle fish with pepper and a pinch of salt. Divide the feta topping on top of both fish pieces and lay a few slices of lemon on top, slightly overlapping. Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil. Put in on the top rack of the oven and keep an eye on it while you proceed with the polenta. Fish should take about 12-15 minutes depending on thickness.

6. Continue with the polenta while fish is baking (if you read recipes prior, start heating the stock while prepping the fish). Bring the stock to a simmer. Slowly add in the milk. Pour in the polenta and continue to whisk until it begins to thicken, this should take about 15-20 minutes, you want it a bit thinner than mashed potatoes. Take off the heat. Gently fold in the caramelized onions, grilled corn kernels, juice of half a lemon, handful of chives and salt and pepper to taste. Lastly, fold in the 1/2 cup of feta cheese.

7. To serve, put a good portion of polenta on the plate, top it with the lemon fish and sprinkle with a generous amount of parsley.