summer dinners

Last night was a perfect late August night...golden sunshine, a slight breeze. We enjoyed a light dinner on the deck, savoring the evening. Heirloom tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and olive oil all combine to make a lovely salad, mmm...summer.

The gentle breeze soon became a cool wind, I awoke to a chilly morning. I bundled up and headed up to market for 6:30. The cooler temps had me thinking about comfort food; something warm, hearty. Everywhere I looked, there were eggplants. I decided it would be a good night for eggplant parmesan. The day has been cool and grey, with temps in the 50's, lows into the 40's tonight (did I mention that it is August?). I bought Juilet tomatoes to make the sauce, 2 medium eggplants, basil and fresh mozzarella. When I got home I started the tomato sauce, and sliced and broiled the eggplant. I do a lighter version of eggplant parmesan, adapted from a Deborah Madison recipe. Instead of breading and frying the eggplant, I brush it with oil and broil it (sometimes I grill it). It is then layered in the dish with the cheese, bread crumbs, chopped basil, and sauce. I guess it is more of a gratin. The freshness of the ingredients shines through. It is one of my favorite dishes.

Okra was also at the market. Tomorrow night's supper: Gumbo with chicken and sausage. I love shopping like this. Seeing what is available and designing meals around seasonal produce. I read cookbooks like novels, there is usually one at my bedside. Reading cookbooks has made me a more intuitive cook. Over time you start to see patterns of flavors and combinations. That knowledge, along with a well stocked pantry and local seasonal produce leads to incredible meals. A few of my favorite cookbooks: Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison; Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet and Mangoes and Curry Leaves by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid.