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Summer Meal to Beat the Heat: Sausage and Peppers Sandwich, Burrata with Tomato, Grilled Nectarines

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Menu:

Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches with Red Pepper and Basil Mayo

  • Saute Sliced Onions + Red Bell Pepper + Yellow Bell Pepper + 2 cloves smashed garlic till softened (about 30 minutes)
  • Grill 3 Sausages till warmed through (for 4 servings).  Slice on the diagonal
  • Puree roasted red peppers, garlic, basil, combine with Mayo + Red Wine Vinegar + Salt & Pepper
  • Toast Ciabatta Bread
  • To build sandwich:  Spread Mayo, then spoon sausage and veggies

Heirloom Tomato Caprese with Burrata

  • Slice tomatoes 1/3 inch thick.  Season with salt, pepper and olive oil.  Let marinade about 20 minutes
  • Arrange tomatoes on platter and tuck burrata around the tomatoes
  • Sprinkle basil and finish with more olive oil, salt and pepper and perhaps clear vinegar (I don’t like the cheese getting dark from balsamic)

Grilled Nectarines with Cinnamon Sugar or Herbed Balsamic Reduction

  • For balsamic reduction: reduce 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar with chosen herb (rosemary or thyme) to about 4 tablespoons.  Add brown sugar and salt to taste
  • Brush nectarine halves with oil, place cut-side down on grill set on high till cooked through and slightly soft
  • Drizzle with the balsamic reduction or
    • Spoon mixture of melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Place in grill to melt sugar
  • Serve with ice cream and granola

Thai-inspired fish soup

cooking

We had left over pompano from our CNY celebration the night before, so I decided to try a tom yum style soup. Although traditionally the soup base is made with a seafood base, I used water and chicken and waited to add the fish at the last moment to ensure tender meat.

SOUP BASE
Water
Chicken broth
Fish Sauce
Salt
Thai Chili to taste
Galangal, sliced
Garlic, smashed
Kaffir lime leaves
Shallot, thinly sliced
Lemongrass, sliced
Chili sauce cooked in oil (prepared in a jar)
Limes and Lemons, juice and rind – added towards the end

OTHER INGREDIENTS
Pampano added at the end of cooking
Mushrooms
Cilantro for garnish