Caprese Summer Salad

To us, there is nothing more evocative of a great summer salad than this one.  Even better, there are few dishes easier to make.  There is a catch, of course.  Each of the ingredients need to be top notch for this to shine.  Do not bother creating this if you do not have the best of each – no rubbery mozzarella or off-season tomatoes, please!

• 2 large ripe heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes, red & yellow if possible
• 8 to 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (water packed)
• 20 to 30 fresh basil leaves
• a high quality extra virgin olive oil
• Pastamoré Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Cut the tomatoes into ¼ inch slices horizontally, and the cheese into large ¼ thick rounds.  Slice the basil into thin strips (a chiffonade).  Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella on a large, shallow platter.   Sprinkle on the basil.  Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Lastly, finish with a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar.

Serves 4.

Alternatively, this can be arranged on individual plates.  And yes, we do know that in the strictest sense this recipe, from Capri, this would not be served with balsamic.  But heck, we have one of the best balsamic vinegars in the world, and we love it on this salad!

Citrus Grilled Portabella Burgers

The inspiration for this recipe comes from Chef Jon, who grilled the portabella mushrooms in the same fashion with fig balsamic and used them in a spinach salad.  You can find that recipe here.  This recipe is simple to make and the result is a filling and satisfyingly ‘meaty’ burger.

Some day we will fire our food photographer and hire a good one!

• 4 large portabella mushrooms
• olive oil
• 4 tablespoons Pastamoré Citrus Balsamic Vinegar
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 ounces herbed goat cheese
• 1 small red onion, sliced and separated
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• salt & pepper to taste

Heat grill to medium high heat.

Remove stems from the portabella mushrooms and brush the ‘top’ of the cap with olive oil – this will be quickly absorbed by the mushroom.  Place caps gill side up on the grill.  Drizzle about a tablespoon Citrus Balsamic Vinegar into each cap, and season lightly with salt & pepper.  Leave on grill for 10 to 15 minutes until the mushroom is quite tender – you will not need to flip or move them.  The balsamic will sizzle and most will be absorbed into the mushroom as it cooks.

Toast the buns alongside until brown.  Assemble ‘mushroom burger’s’ with the onion and tomato.  Spread or crumble one ounce of the goat cheese on each burger and serve.

Serves 4 generously.

Thyme Roasted Red Potatoes with White Balsamic Reduction

This is a reconstruction on one of our most popular recipes.  Originally we used our White Balsamic Vinegar, but as is the case with our fabulous fan base, a suggestion came in to use our White Balsamic with Pear instead.  What was already and easy yet extravagant side dish was raised to a new level - the very subtle pear back note in fact brightened the dish.  What follows is the recipe revised with the use of the White Balsamic with Pear.  One last note, our Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar or any of our balsamic vinegars infused with fruit would also work well.

Joseph Phelps 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon is optional

• 1 1/2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed, halved
• olive oil-flavored nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• ¾ cup Pastamoré White Balsamic Vinegar with Pear
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Place potatoes in large bowl and generously spray with nonstick spray.  Toss to coat.  Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons thyme and all of the garlic salt.  Toss to coat.  Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.

Arrange potatoes cut side down on sheet.  Roast potatoes until tender and golden brown, turning every 15 minutes and roasting about 40 minutes total.

Meanwhile, boil vinegar and sugar in heavy small saucepan over medium high heat until liquid is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 10 minutes.  Mix in remaining 1 tablespoon thyme.

Transfer potatoes to plates.  Drizzle reduced balsamic syrup over potatoes.

Serves 4.

Oven Roasted Parsnips & Carrots with White Balsamic Vinegar

In our opinion parsnips have always been underrated.  Come to think of it so is roasting vegetables.  Both are healthy and easy choices, and along with ever popular carrots, these make for an attractive and tasty side dish.  And there is a benefit to the finished product looking like colorful French fries – kids will want to eat and love them!

• 1 pound medium parsnips, trimmed, peeled
• 1 pound medium carrots, trimmed, peeled
• 2 tablespoons Pastamoré Rosemary with Roasted Garlic Dipping Oil
• 1 tablespoon Pastamoré White Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Cut the parsnips and carrots into what will look like French fries – they should be about 3 inches by ½ inch by ½ inch.  Combine parsnips and carrots in a bowl.  Drizzle oil and white balsamic, sprinkle in the salt & pepper; toss to coat evenly.  Spread in even layer on baking sheet.  Roast until vegetables are tender and brown around edges, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.

Serves four.

Pasta Mix & Match #1

• 12 ounces Pastamoré Tomato Basil Fettuccine
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Pastamoré Rosemary with Roasted Garlic Dipping Oil
• ½ lb or so leftover skirt steak, marinated in Pastamoré Chardonnay & Roasted Garlic Marinade
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

A few hours before dinner, combine the tomatoes, garlic and Rosemary Garlic Dipping Oil in a small bowl.  Cover and allow flavors to meld in the fridge.  Slice the skirt steak into thin strips.  Cook the pasta to taste, drain and portion into serving bowls.  Top with skirt steak and marinated tomatoes as well as the leftover juices from each.  Garnish with green onions.

Remember, these "Pasta Serving Suggestion" recipes are just mix and match ideas.  Leftover grilled chicken would have worked just as well or even shrimp.  Pastamoré Basil Parmesan Dipping Oil or our Tomato Blend would have worked with the tomatoes.  And of course, a different fettuccine would be fun to try too, and may even be better!  Think Spinach Basil, Chipotle Fettuccine, or even Sweet Potato!  Let us know about what you try!

Serves four.

White Truffle Butter

Truffle butter is an indulgent but handy condiment for the gourmet household.  Use a pat of butter when sautéing vegetables or scallops.  In fact it will brighten any seafood.  Many of our Pastamoré pastas will be enhanced with a small amount.  Mashed potatoes go from ordinary to extraordinary when you add truffle butter.  Lastly, you can use truffle butter to wake up the flavor of omelets and scrambled eggs!

• 1 stick unsalted butter (4 ounces), softened
• Pastamoré White Truffle Oil, to taste
• Salt 
• Chopped fresh herbs, optional

In a small mixing bowl, combine the butter and white truffle oil.  Season with salt to taste. Spoon the butter onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a log, about 1 inch thick. Wrap the log tightly and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.