Indian Summer Orzo Salad

Orzo salad

Late Summer Tomatoes

“The afternoon was golden, for the yellow dust in the sky gilded the light.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The last shards of summer are heaped in a pile waiting for my attention. I have made excuses. Not enough time, out of town visitors, trips north and south along the coast, a migraine and it’s flattening aftermath. I could make a longer list; but truly it’s all about summer. The months of September and October are traditionally what we call our Indian Summer. The dismal grey fog disappears mid morning and we are blessed with the glorious warmth and sparkling light of sunny days. The fog stayed late this year and our Indian Summer was just a mirage the entire month of September. How can we be ready for fall when summer just arrived? I marvel at pounds of ripe tomatoes, harvested inland, in the heat. Like shards of broken pottery, I hold onto the remnants of a greater thing, a summer almost missed. READ MORE . . .

Roasted Tomatoes and Spaghetti with Pesto

Roasted Tomatoes and Spaghetti with Pesto

Summer Pesto and Pasta Series: Chapter One

“Why don’t you come up and have some supper with us?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

An abundance of tomatoes and basil seem to magically appear as the summer sun burns away the fog. Along the coast we wait in anticipation for the caressing warmth of summer. Like small children at Christmas who can’t wait any longer for Santa we wait for the bright glorious summer sunshine. Our spirits soar when there is no fog for a 5 day run and the temperature climbs into the high seventies. To celebrate summer I make fresh pesto and roast tomatoes for pasta. One of my favorites is Roasted Tomatoes and Spaghetti with Pesto. This is a great way to use ripe tomatoes and whirl up all that basil. READ MORE . . .