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Easter

Celebrating Easter, Quick Hollandaise, Upcoming Classes

This post is a fun one about some Easter eggs around the world.  Also included is a recipe for a quick and easy hollandaise sauce, and some of our upcoming classes.  Enjoy!

Regardless of how you celebrate Easter, you’re likely aware of some traditions surrounding the use of eggs. Common American practices include hiding eggs, coloring eggs, and eating delicious chocolate eggs! But did you know that eggs feature in other ways for Easter traditions in different cultures? Here are a few of my favorites:

Giant Omelets

In southern France, there is a giant omelet festival put on by the Knights of the Giant Omelet.  Unbelievably, using over 15,000 eggs, cooks create a gigantic omelet to serve to the folks who participate in the festival free of charge (feeding around 1,000 people)! And if you want a taste of France that’s not a gigantic omelette, consider making hollandaise to jazz your eggs up (see recipe below)! 

A Whimsical Way to go Egging

In Mexico, cascarones are

Cascarones

used as a form of celebration. These treats are hollowed-out eggs that have been decorated on the outside, filled with confetti, then closed up with tissue paper over the opening. Cascarones can be used as colorful centerpieces or to add playful whimsy to your meal, as it’s great fun to break these eggs over your peers or children’s heads and shower them in the brightly colored confetti. While traditionally, these eggs are more likely to appear during Mardi Gras, they’ve been a big hit at Easter celebrations and egg hunts in more modern times.

Decorate Eggs with Beeswax

Pysanky

A Ukrainian egg tradition takes the form of decorating eggs using dyes and beeswax. Called pysanky, these eggs become beautiful art pieces for your table. While it can take more time to accomplish, it’s a more upscale way of having decorated eggs at your table than the more standard version of dipping eggs in vinegar + dye.

The world is a beautiful place filled with wonderful food traditions, and here at Art of Cookery, we appreciate such creative ways to celebrate! Check out our current classes if you want to improve your cooking skills for a special Easter meal. And if you’d like us to handle the cooking for you, we’ve got you covered!

Print Recipe

Quick and Easy Hollandaise

Here's a quick no-fuss way to make hollandaise sauce that doesn't split on you.
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time2 mins
Course: Breakfast
Keyword: Hollandaise

Equipment

  • 1 blender

Ingredients

  • 3 egg yolks Be sure they are pasteurized and properly refrigerated as this recipe isn't cooking the eggs.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp fresh thyme optional
  • 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/16 tsp salt
  • 1/32 tsp white pepper black is fine too
  • 1/2 c unsalted butter melted

Instructions

  • Place yolks, lemon juice, cayenne, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper in blender.
  • Run blender until fully mixed.
  • While blender is running, open pour spout and slowly pour the melted butter in.
  • Blend until fully emulsified.
  • taste and adjust lemon juice, salt and pepper to your liking. SERVE!

Notes

Alternatively, use a double boiler with gently simmering water and whisk the eggs and lemon juice together over it.  When mixture is doubled in volume, whisk in the butter until thickened.  Remove from heat and add thyme, salt & pepper.

Upcoming Classes that Have Available Tickets.

This is not a comprehensive list of upcoming classes, it is simply a few that have a ticket or two still available.  To see them all, including ones that have no one registered (and are open for you to book) and ones that are fully booked (but help you see some of the topics Art of Cookery offers, click here.  That link works well to register for one of the classes below online.  Don’t see anything you are interested in or at a time/date that works?  Just ask! ICan@artcookery.com 

March 30 @ 5:15 pm – Mother Sauces: Bechamel – $24

April 4 @ 5:00 pm – Lasagna (making the fresh pasta and the dish) – $38

April 7 @ 1:00 pm – Pate a Choux Pastry (cream puffs) – $20

April 11 @ 12:00 noon – Pressure canning (this is a how to can safely class and product to be canned is meat, think venison or abundance of roast on sale, etc.) – $45

April 18 @ 5:00 pm – Tamales (flavor will be green chili chicken and we will also be making the salsa verde) – $42

April 20 @ 12:00 noon – Traditional bread baking and Butter Churning – $29

April 22 @ 1:00 pm – Fermenting – $24

Cooking Away the Winter Blues with Seasonal Produce

As the winter months drag on, it’s easy to start feeling a bit down. The lack of sunshine, chilly temperatures, snow, mud, rain, and shorter days can all take a toll on so many of us. But one way to combat the winter blues is by focusing on the bright side: winter produce. Squash, potatoes, apples, and carrots are all in season during the winter, and they’re packed with nutrients and flavor. They are some of the latest fall harvests and store well for delicious and nutritious use all winter.

Here are some ideas for how to use these ingredients to create warm and comforting meals that will lift your spirits.

Squash: Winter squash is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Try roasting a butternut squash and using the flesh to make a creamy soup or slicing an acorn squash into wedges and roasting it with a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet and savory side dish. It also makes a fabulous ravioli stuffing when combined with parmesan, gruyere and sage (Serve with browned butter…to die for).  You can also stuff a spaghetti squash with your favorite meat and veggies for a hearty and healthy meal (heck it’s even keto friendly!).

Potatoes: Potatoes are a staple ingredient in many winter comfort foods. You can’t go wrong with a classic baked potato, topped with butter and sour cream. But if you’re looking for something a bit more interesting, try making a potato gratin with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, cream, and cheese (don’t forget the salt and if you can, freshly cracked black pepper). Or, whip up a batch of potato soup with bacon and cheddar for a warming and filling meal.

Apples: Apples are a fall fruit that can be enjoyed well into the winter months. Try making a spiced apple cider on the stovetop to fill your home with a warm and inviting aroma. Or bake some cinnamon-spiced apple slices for a sweet and comforting dessert. You can also add chopped apples to a winter salad for a crisp and refreshing crunch.  And who doesn’t enjoy a wintertime apple crisp?!

Carrots/Parsnips: Carrots and parsnips are root vegetables that can be used in a variety of ways. Roast them in the oven with a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory side dish. Or make a carrot and ginger soup for a warming and comforting meal. You can also add shredded carrots to a winter slaw for a crunchy and colorful salad.  Did I mention carrot cake?  Add parsnips to your potatoes for an upgrade to mashed potatoes….the flavor is amazing.

Incorporating these seasonal ingredients into your meals can help you feel more connected to the season, feed your soul, and lift your spirits. So, the next time you’re feeling a bit down, head to the kitchen and cook up some delicious winter comfort food. Your taste buds, your family, and your mood will thank you!

AND….Spring is nearly here!

Print Recipe

Butternut Squash Soup

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Course: Comfort Food
Keyword: butternut squash, Soup
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven Pan
  • 1 immersion blender or blender

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil (olive, vegetable, butter, bacon drippings...)
  • 1 medium butternut squash peeled and cubed
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tsp dried sage or 1 T fresh
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup gruyere cheese (or parmesan) shredded
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the fat over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic and sage and sauté for 30 more seconds.
  • Add the cubed squash and sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and let cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is soft and easily pierced with a fork.
  • Blend the soup until smooth using immersion blender or by batches in a blender.
  • Add the heavy cream and cheese and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

If you happen to have pine nuts one hand, toast some for a few minutes in a skillet.  Garnish soup with toasted pine nuts and a swirl or heavy cream.

Winter Comfort Cooking

Aside

Cooking Classes – Not a Lot of Thyme

Not a Lot of Thyme

Hello friend!  It has been a while since I reached out with a blog post.  This one will be fairly short and here’s why: Art of Cookery is busier than it has ever been since opening in 2009.  Cooking classes are occurring more often and are bigger than ever.  People are coming from further away than ever too.

WOW that is humbling

It is also winter, and I miss my fresh herb garden.  Thus, the title (Not a lot of thyme).  See what I did there?  🙂

Upcoming Classes

Many upcoming classes are booked out, but here are some with space still available:

Click on the class title to read more about it and book online.

We are shut down for our yearly re-set and R&R between mid-Feb through mid-March.

Retail Food Menu

We’ve been doing retail food orders for a bit over 1 year now.  Below is the menu for 1/16 – 1/31.  Feel free to order now for pick-up during that time frame.  Ordering early helps me schedule things.  As we start the new year, I’ve made a few diets conscious menu choices.  Keto seems to be the big thing.

Feel free to contact me privately and ask for a food/diet meal that is not on the menu, but know it isn’t likely to occur for pick-up the same day, but you never know.  I am some people’s apparent private chef who take advantage of this.

Did you Know?

  1. We take private cooking classes and they don’t need to be on my class listings.  For example, your group wants to learn about cooking with herbs; or, how to use a Tagine.
  2. We do Murder Mystery dinners, called Delicious Demise, by private request.  Minimum of 6 people.
  3. We do about 4-5 small catering events each year.  Inquire if you are curious about your event.
  4. You can order off our menu for a hot and ready to eat meal, we just need a heads-up.
  5. We do Bachelorette/Bridal Party events.

Class Suggestions?

We are always open to suggestions for class topics.  Just reach out via email at ICan@artcookery.com.

Winter Wanderland

I know I said this would be short.  Here’s the last item… Winter Wanderland 2023 is coming up.  John and I are founding members and very involved in this weekend event.  Click HERE for the events/times/locations occuring for the 2/3 through 2/5 weekend event.

National Lasagna Day!

Lasagna!

July 29, 2022 is National Lasagna Day.  It repeats on this day every year.  So, I am compelled delighted to give up my free time compose this post for you.  I’m just going to have a glass or three of wine while writing fun with this post.  It is all real information, but I thought I would do something annoying entertaining for you via strikeouts.

While mining the internet desperately researching this blog, I was quite surprised to discover the history of lasagna.  Allow me to bore inform you regarding this delicious dish known around the world.

Fun Facts:

  • The word comes from the Latin word lasanum, which means chamber pot.  I am not sh1tting you!  I’m guessing it transitioned to the food meaning due to using new hopefully clean chamber pots to cook the pasta dish.  It makes sense to me.
  • The plural for lasagna is lasagne.  Who knew?
  • The earliest known lasagna recorded was in the 13th century and would not have contained love apples tomatoes as they were thought to be poisonous due to their close relationship to the deadly nightshade plant.
  • How does one wish another a happy lasagna day?  Like this:

Here’s some lasagna, enjoy.  We send you lots of love on the delightful celebration of National Lasagna Day…. may each and every day of the coming year be blessed with delicious comfort foods like lasagna….. Have a tasteful day!!!

There are zillions of lasagna recipes out there and some are pretty crappy sounding more than 100 different versions of lasagne.  Most contain tomatoes, noodles, and ricotta; but, some are based on béchamel sauces and contain lots of different veggies, like eggplant or zucchini instead of noodles.  The meat may or may not be present but ranges from ground beef, pork, poultry, lamb to bacon and chopped steaks.  Mushrooms are the most common replacement for meat.

Moving on

There’s a lot more to share but you have already jumped to the recipe and won’t see this but I will move on in this post.  I have included my recipe for lasagna at the bottom of this post.

To celebrate this odd yet fun under-appreciated holiday, Art of Cookery is making up a couple of batches of lasagna for our retail branch, Cookery Creations.  They will be available for free sale while supplies last in 16-ounce and 8-ounce portions.  Watch our facebook page for the announcement that there is some in the Magic front fridge.

Never heard of our Cookery Creations?

You probably know Art of Cookery is a world-renowned cooking school (I wish!).  But do you know that we also have a retail food license and sell meals?  You can order for a specific item or items on our menu and name a convenient pick-up day/time.  Or you can take a chance on what is in the Grab n Go Fridge inside the front door.  You can even order and pay online. Just come on in and snag a meal or two.  They are very convenient for not wanting to cook evenings, it’s too hot to cook and for work lunches.  Not to mention, its yummy and nearly free reasonably priced and you get a lot in a 16-ounce bowl.  Check out our menu here.

Poll (Just cuz I’m curious):

6
Created on By vkhanson

Lasagna Post Query

Will you take a minute to click on a couple of poll answers?  I really appreciate your time.  Thank you!

1 / 3

My favorite style is (select all that you fit):

2 / 3

Do you love lasagna?

3 / 3

Did you like the writing stye I used in this post (using the strikeout feature)?

Your score is

The average score is 0%

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter VKontakte
0%

The recipe (You skipped the blog and just jumped to it didn’t you?):

Print Recipe

Chef Valerie's Lasagna

A meaty lasagna that hits the marks of a great comfort food and a beautiful Italian dish.
Prep Time1 hr
Cook Time1 hr
Resting time30 mins
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Lasagna, pasta
Servings: 16 servings
Author: vkhanson
Cost: $26.50

Equipment

  • 1 13x9 or deeper greased lasagna pan Deeper is better.
  • 1 Sheet aluminum foil for covering greased to prevent cheese stickage
  • 1 Large Saucepan
  • 2 Stirring and Scraping utensils Wooden spoon and rubber scraper
  • 2 Small bowls

Ingredients

Noodle Layer

  • 1 16 oz box of Lasagna noodles In reality, I make the noodles myself but offering you a shortcut here.

Meaty Tomato layer

  • 3/4 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 1/2 lb lean ground beef
  • 1.5 c diced onion
  • 1/2 c finely diced celery
  • 1/2 t red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 t salt just a pinch
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 t Italian seasoning
  • 2 t fennel seed
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 2 28 oz cans San Marzano tomatoes crushed after opening
  • 2 c water can substitute some or all water for your favorite wine
  • 2 T sugar
  • 1.5 t fresh oregano
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 T fresh basil

Cheese Layer

  • 30 oz ricotta cheese, whole milk can substitute small curd cottage cheese
  • 1.5 c shredded parmigiano reggiano cheese
  • 1 lg egg
  • 1/2 c minced fresh parsley
  • 3/4 t salt
  • 1/2 t garlic powder
  • 1/2 t freshly cracked black pepper

Yet Another Cheese Layer

  • 3 c shredded mozzarella cheese whole milk version
  • 1/2 c shredded parmigiano reggiano cheese

Garnish

  • plenty of vivid green herb like basil, green onion, and/or parsley

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles per box instructions (or make your own).

Assemble Meat Layer

  • In saucepan, cook meats, onion, celery, and pepper flakes with a pinch of salt.
  • Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel, and tomato paste when the meat is barely browned and cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Add tomatoes, water/wine, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer gently for at least 30 minutes.
  • Right before assembling lasagna, add the basil.

Assemble Cheese Layer

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • In small bowl mix together the two cheeses, egg, parsley, and black pepper.

Assemble Yet Another Cheese Layer

  • In a small bowl blend the mozzarella and the parmigiano-reggiano cheeses.

Pulling it all together

  • In the greased pan, spread 1 c of the meat sauce and then add a layer of the cooked noodles.
  • Layer 1/3 of the cheese egg parsley mixture over noodles.
  • Spread 1 1/4 c of the meaty sauce over the cheese mixture.
  • Add another layer of noodles, followed by one half of the remaining cheese mixture.
  • Spread 1 1/2 c of the meaty sauce over the cheese mixture.
  • Add another layer of noodles, followed by the remaining cheese mixture.
  • Spread 2 c of the meaty sauce.
  • OPTIONAL: If your pan is tall enough and you have extra, add another layer of noodles and meaty sauce.
  • Top with the bowl of mozzarella and parm cheese blend.
  • Cover with greased foil, greased side down.
  • Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes. When fully cooked the center should reach 160 degrees F.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 15 to 30 minutes. 30 is best.
  • Garnish and serve!

Notes

Quality ingredients make a difference.  Buy the best if you can.
The lasagna can be refrigerated for a day, or, wrapped and frozen prior to baking.  To bake, remove from fridge or freezer and uncover 60 minutes prior to placing in oven.  Recover and bake first for 55 minutes instead of 45.
July 29 of each year is National Lasagna Day.  🙂

A Spare Gus

A Spare Gus

It is finally THAT time of the year, ASPARAGUS is up!  

As a child we had a lot of acres of it and had to pick it all ourselves.  Sometimes we had to get up at 4 am to get some picked before school (and then consequently missed the bus and had to walk to school, uphill both ways, in the snow, barefoot) 🙂 But really, depending on which school it was 2 to 6 miles.  

I hated asparagus as a child.

Now, I love everything about it.  It is delicious, healthy, and beautiful.  Also, it is fun to grow.

When we moved to our current location 3 years ago, I dug up some that I had planted at our previous place and a friend gave me some they were planting that spring on their farm.  At age 3 the stalks are coming up fat and happy.  

I thought I would include a little tutorial.

In case you didn’t know, when planting young asparagus roots, you don’t pick the little stalks that come up the next year.  The second year you can take a couple of early pickings.  The third year and after you can pick the whole season.  My season cut-off date is June 20.

After June 20 I let the stalks (which are actually sprouts) grow into mature plants.  A mature plant is about 6 feet tall and is graced with flowing ferning branches.

They enjoy a 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 for fertilizer.   They prefer a light sandy soil and their roots grow large and deep.  Fertilize when the soil starts warming, usually some time in April.  I fertilize again when I stop picking. 

If you want to plant a few crowns (roots) for yourself get on over to Tri-County Feeds in Montague as they are selling baby asparagus roots.

P.S. White asparagus is just green asparagus that never saw the sun or other nurturing light.  Purple asparagus is a real line of plants.  Its color comes from the high levels of anthocyanins in the spears.

Every June, go to Michigan’s Oceana County and enjoy the National Asparagus Festival.  It is a fun, quirky festival.  The mascot of the festival used to be (guess who?) Gus (as in A Spare Gus)

See bottom for an easy roasted asparagus recipe.

Menu

I’ve slightly changed our grab n go foods menu.  Each menu will run for two weeks, rather than one.  You can also order online through our shop.  Of course, cash is welcome, as is venmo, zelle, paypal.  There is a sign on the wall above the grab n go refrigerator describing the pay options.  Ordering ahead is recommended to ensure you get what you want, but there are usually extras made and placed in front refrigerator for pick-up 24-7. However, there are no guarantees that everything on the menu will be present if you randomly stop in for something.  There is always bread, mustard, and cookies.  Jams are coming soon.  Always check the menu dates at the bottom.  Here is the current menu (and below that, the menu that starts May 30):

Upcoming Classes

Gluten Free Vegan Doughnuts, 5/26/22 @5 pm  $24

Pickled Asparagus, 6/2/22 @12 noon   $38

To see all upcoming classes Click here and then on the red “Calendar of Classes” button.

Print Recipe

Roasted Asparagus

This quick and easy asparagus recipe is delicious, healthy, and beautiful as a side.
Prep Time1 min
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Asparagus
Servings: 2 people
Author: vkhanson
Cost: 4.00

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet greased

Ingredients

  • 1 lb asparagus get the fresh, thick stuff, the size of your thumb or more. If it came from more than 2 states away, skip it. You want fresh in-season stalks.
  • 3 tbsp oil or fat I prefer bacon grease, followed by butter & then olive oil if I don't have bacon drippings.
  • 1/4 t garlic powder
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/4 t black pepper or to taste. You can adjust after roasting.
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, small hole shredded if you must, use the pre-grated canister, but it is so much better shredded from a block of the real cheese.
  • 2 eggs, poached super optional, yet super delicious. See notes for how to poach.
  • 1/2 lemon, squeezed
  • 1 pinch paprika optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425F
  • Wash and trim the asparagus. To trim: break the cut/broken end by hand. It will naturally break where the tough butt ends.
  • Whisk the oil/fat, salt, pepper, garlic powder together in a small bowl.
  • Lay the washed, trimmed spears on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Rub the whisked mixture onto the stalks.
  • Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes. The time will vary by the thickness of the asparagus. It should be easily cut but not mushy and slightly browned.
  • Remove from oven and plate. Sprinkle cheese & lemon juice over.
  • Optional: top with a 4-minute poached egg, cut in half at the moment of serving.

Notes

Poached Egg:
Heat 4 c water and 1 T white vinegar to simmering.  You do not want a boil.
Meanwhile crack 2 eggs into 2 teacups or small vessels.  Have a slotted spoon and a plate with paper toweling on it.
Once the water is simmering, set a timer for 4 minutes and gently pour each egg into the simmering water's surface.
After about 40 seconds, nudge each egg to be sure it didn't secure to the bottom or the pan.
When the timer rings, use the slotted spoon to remove the eggs.  Place over asparagus. (for a much runnier yolk do a 3 minute egg)
ENJOY!
An even easier roasted asparagus recipe is to have a small loaf pan of melted salted butter, hotdog forks, and a bonfire.  Light the fire, put the spears on the forks, dip in butter, and roast like marshmallows.  Have a shaker of garlic salt for those who want to use it.

Derby Delicious

Derby Delicious Day!

Today is the running of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.  YAY!!  My husband John and I are taking some foods and going to a local brewery with friends to enjoy it.  Food is a very important part of the derby, per the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs.

Early in 2021, my husband and I got stir crazy to escape our home as the pandemic continued.  We didn’t feel safe flying at that point, and, we were traveling with our parrot, Bobbie.  So….road trip.

We decided to do a loop to the east coast of the US and down to Savannah, then west to Atlanta and up through Kentucky and back to Michigan.  One of my favorite stops was Churchill Downs.  It was a bit surreal as was being used as a mass vaccination center with no races, but we did get to visit the museum there.  It was fascinating!

I have always loved watching the triple crown races, especially the Kentucky Derby.

But I digress.  In our Southern loop we enjoyed some foods not too common in our home state of Michigan.  One in particular stood out, Pimento Cheese.

My take on it

When we got home, I researched the cheese.  Apparently, there’s a different version for every restaurant and family unit in the South!  I made several versions and then set out to create a flavor I liked most.  So, at the bottom of this blog post is my favorite.  Enjoy!  Take it and make your own version.

Menu for May 9 – 14

Upcoming Classes

Click to see a calendar of upcoming classes.  In addition to the on-site classes that are on the calendar, I am working on developing a few online versions that can be accesses from anywhere.  Stay tuned for that!

Book Now

Pimento Cheese

Print Recipe

Pimento Cheese

A yummy Southern cheese that is great on sammies, as a veggy dip, on crackers, and more. Easy to make and always a hit!
Prep Time10 mins
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Cheese, Pimento
Servings: 12
Calories: 210kcal
Author: vkhanson

Equipment

  • 1 Stand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded small
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 c mayonnaise ideally Duke's is the brand used
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 T onion finely minced
  • 4 oz jarred pimento drained and chopped
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t black pepper
  • 1/2 jalapeno optional, deseeded & finely minced
  • 8 green olives optional, finely chopped
  • 1/4 t cayenne powder optional

Instructions

  • Place everything in stand mixer and beat at medium until blended.
    Makes about two cups.

Notes

I like to make this in two styles.  To do that, I make a full batch with just the first eight ingredients.  Then, remove half.  This is your mild version.  I then add half of the remining ingredients to the remaining cheese in the mixer bowl, blend and you have a version that bites a bit and with the saltier, umami flavor that olives bring, which I prefer.
Remember to use only half:
4 olives, 1/4 jalapeno, 1/8 t cayenne
If you decide to add extra olives than noted, keep in mind that they will bring extra saltiness to the cheese.

I would love it if you let me know if you change it and how.  The variations are truly endless.  Please share your adaptations in the comments.

Get LIT!

Get Lit UP with Grilling

Spring is here (well on the calendar anyways)!  That means warmer weather and the beginning of grilling season.  Quite honestly most Michigan grillers are die-hard and will shovel snow out to the grill for a winter meal of ribs.  One of the joys of life is enjoying a late spring afternoon hanging out in the yard, grilling up delicious food for your family and friends. 

But wait, you don’t know how to grill, you don’t even have a grill, or have you tried before but failed?  Well, keep on reading for some basic tips and advice that will give you the basic knowledge and confidence to get out grilling this spring.

First Thing First, the Grill.

So, what is the perfect grill to start off with?  The answer depends on your needs and your level of comfort.  The first question is gas or charcoal?  While charcoal gives extra flavor and makes all the neighbors mouths start to water, they do need more time and attention.  You need to fire up the coals, get the grill to the right height for what you are cooking, and even adjust this as you cook.  Flare-ups are also more of a problem with charcoal. You’ll need a water bottle close by to keep those flames down while cooking fatty meats.  A much better option for a beginner is gas.  You still get great flavor and setting, adjusting, and maintaining the temperature is a breeze.  If you clean the grill properly, flare-ups are rare on a gas grill.  Over the years, we have bounced between gas (for it’s ease) and charcoal (flavor!)

The next question is how many people do you plan on grilling for?  Yes, the big fancy bar-b-que island looks awesome, but it is just overkill if you are only grilling occasionally on weekends for one or two people.  Start by figuring out how many square inches you will need.  This is how they measure the cooking surface.  You want about 70-80 inches per person that you are grilling for.  Most small gas grills start out at 430 square inches.  That is perfect for a family of four or even newlyweds that are just getting started grilling.  If you have a bigger family or plan on hosting big get-togethers often, you’ll want something bigger.  Just keep in mind that the correct size grill will be for the majority of your use.  You can cook for as many people as you want on any size grill, it will just take more time to get everyone fed, which means you get to chill outside by your grill longer. 

We have settled on a Weber Performer and adore it.  (That wasn’t a paid ad.  Just letting you know what we’ve come to love.)

Got the Grill. Now, What to Cook?

Let’s start with the meat.  Hamburgers and hotdogs are a great and affordable way to learn to grill.  You’ll find your hot and cool spots and how to move your meat around to get consistent doneness.  Don’t forget to toast the buns on that top rack if you have one!  Once you practice a few times, step it up to steaks that have good marbling.  Just ask the butcher what he has that is good to grill if you’re not sure.  Turn up the heat or use the searing station on the grill for a quick sear, about two minutes per side.  Then turn it down and grill each side for another five minutes per side, or until the desired doneness is reached.  One great tip for steak is to set it out before grilling and let it come to room temperature.  

A great alternative protein to beef that works well for beginners is salmon.  Buying a fish grilling basket makes life much easier.  However, you can grill right on the bars, or even use a cast iron pan set on the grill.  Salmon goes with all types of seasonings, so choose your favorite or just add salt and pepper.  Put it on the grill (or CI skillet) skin side down over medium-high heat until you see the white fat start to bubble up on top and the color of the meat turns light pink and flip it over for a couple of minutes to char the top a little.  The skin will pull away from the meat easily so you can plate it up with or without skin.  

Now for sides.  A great side dish for salmon is grilled asparagus.  Put one bunch in a plastic bag with oil, soy sauce, and garlic powder.  Let it marinate for an hour or just shake it up for a few minutes.  Grill on low until tender.  Another great side dish for the grill is sweet peppers.  Once again, a veggie grill basket makes cooking these much easier.  Potatoes and corn on the cob reach an entirely new level when you finish them on the grill.  Cook them in the kitchen like you normally do but put them on the grill with some olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Turn them often until they crisp up evenly.  They are always a hit.  Once you get comfortable cooking on your grill, experiment.  There is no limit to flavor when you start using different herbs, spices, and marinades. 

One more thing….think outside of normal.  Make a pizza on that grill!

Need More Help?

The best way to learn tips and tricks to grilling is to ask friends and family.  If you know someone who loves to grill, it’s a safe bet that they also love to talk about grilling.  The internet is full of information on everything grilling. 

Just remember to keep it simple in the beginning, online grilling sites can be a little overwhelming. 

Upcoming Classes

We are pretty booked for a little bit.  But here are the next classes that have availability:

HOW TO SERIES:  Mother Sauces – Tomato Sauce 4/14 @1 pm, $24

HOW TO SERIES:  Mother Sauces – Espagnole 4/19 @5:15 pm, $24

Lasagna (complete with making your own noodles) 4/21 @11/15 am, $38

Pickle Party (learning to can pickles) 4/28 @5:30 pm, $29

You can book online using the clickable titles above, or send me an email ICan@artcookery.com

Food Menu

Order ahead, please.  If I have extra, I will post on facebook.

Herbs or Erbs?

How is it pronounced?

In the USA we skip the “H” and say Erbs.  In the UK it is pronounced herbs with the h-sound.  How is it pronounced where you are?

Herbs are Vital for Cooking

What would dining be like if we didn’t have herbs? Before the first humans decided to throw some rosemary or sage on their venison, I am sure it was mighty bland. The addition of herbs can be a powerful tool in cooking that can really make or break a dish. So, how to use them?

Cooking with Herbs can make all the Difference in a Dish

Some truly delicious meals are made when a combination of herbs are added at different times in the same dish. For instance,

New Mexican Posole

a truly divine posole (a New Mexican stew – Recipe at bottom of the post) may have dried coriander added to the pot at the beginning of it’s simmering time, then finished off with some glorious fresh cilantro after you’ve added a good-sized ladle to your bowl.  (Did you know that cilantro and coriander are the same plant?  In the US we refer to the plant as cilantro and its seeds as coriander.  In Europe it is all called coriander.)  Another option is to let someone else (like Art of Cookery) do all the hard work, then add your own pizzazz at home. Give us a call and we will reserve our yummy meals for you (see this week’s menu below), then you can pick it up and discover that we use a 

lot of herbs to brighten it up a bit. Could there be anything better?

Here’s a great herb guide

Rules of Thumb

A general rule of thumb is that dried herbs are added at the beginning of cooking to help them soften and release their flavors, and fresh herbs should be added at or near the end to bring out their fresh and delicate flavor in the finished dish.

Another thing to keep in mind is that dried herbs typically have a more intense flavor than fresh herbs. So keep this in mind when making substitutions, or when you feel like winging it and not following a recipe.  A good ratio to use is 3:1 fresh to dried (1 TBSP fresh is 1 tsp dried). Say you’re using a recipe for a marinara that calls for a teaspoon dried basil, but you happen to have found a gorgeous bunch of fresh basil on your trip to the store. No problem! Just omit the basil when the directions say to add it at the beginning, then stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil into the pasta right before serving. 

Save a little of it to sprinkle over your plated pasta for a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Here at Art of Cookery we love to create artful and delicious food, and to show you how to do so as well, so be sure to scroll through more of our blog for lots of ideas and recipes that you can make your own. Also check out our classes and register for some to really up your food game.  See you soon!

Menu for this Week

Please order ahead if you can, it helps so much with planning.  I do try to make more than what is ordered and keep it in ‘fridge at the front of Art of Cookery for quick grabs (pay via Venmo or Cash).  My venmo address is on the front of the refrigerator.

Upcoming Classes

Old Fashioned Donuts – 3/22 @5:15 pm, $24

Sourdough Bread – 3/29 @12 noon, $40

Print Recipe

New Mexican Posole

This is a perfect taste of New Mexico
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time2 hrs 10 mins
Using Pressure cooker30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mex-Tex
Keyword: Posole, Soup, Stew
Servings: 4 quarts
Cost: $20

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven Or, an electric pressure cooker
  • 1 wooden spoon to stir
  • 1 mesh strainer
  • 1 blender
  • 1 rubber spatula to press the chilies through the strainer

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil divided
  • 5 guajillo chilis stems removed and cut into three large pieces
  • 2 roma tomatoes quartered
  • 2.5 c boiling water
  • 2 lb boneless pork roast cut into 1" chunks
  • 3 tsp coriander seed
  • 1 1/2 lg onion chopped
  • 8 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 tbsp corn starch optional, only if you want it thick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Mexican oregano
  • 4 15 oz cans white hominy or garbanzo beans drained and rinsed, a blend of half and half is nice.
  • 5 c chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt Or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp sugar optional
  • 1/2 c chopped cilantro plus extra for garnish
  • Garnish Suggestions: radish, avocado, red onion, lime wedges, tortilla chips, cherry tomatoes, basil

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven, sauté chilies in 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until heated through, don't brown. Transfer chilies to a bowl; add boiling water. Soak them while you do the next step.
  • In the Dutch oven, brown pork in remaining oil in batches, sauteing coriander seed, onion, and garlic with the last batch of pork. Return all pork to pan and add broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until meat is tender, 30 minutes.
  • Transfer chilies and their liquid and Roma tomatoes to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Press through a mesh strainer, reserving pulp and discarding skins/seeds. Add pulp to pork mixture. Stir in the hominy (or garbanzo), bay leaves, oregano and salt. Cover and simmer, 30 minutes.
  • Stir in lime juice and cilantro.
  • To serve, ladle into bowls. Optional: to garnish, spread a row of radishes around the curve of the bowl. Sprinkle red onions and cilantro on top. Place lime or lemon wedges and tortilla on plate next to the bowl.

Using an Electric Pressure Cooker

  • Place oil in cooker and press saute. Add the peppers and sauté 2 minutes.
  • Pour 2.5 c hot water over peppers and bring to a simmer. Press Cancel. Put on cover.
  • Pressure cook at high for 2 minutes. Quick Release. (At this point you can skip the release and turn it off and just let it sit overnight and you can proceed the next day.) Pour contents into a blender, add tomatoes and puree. Pour into a mesh strainer set over a container. Push with rubber spatula until only skin/seeds remain in strainer.
  • Meanwhile, in cooker, add more oil and cook pork in batches over a high temp sauté. When the last batch is no longer pink, add the coriander, onions and garlic. Cook 2 minutes.
  • Add cornstarch and stir to coat everything. Add all other ingredients, EXCEPT the lime juice and cilantro. Stir, cover, and pressure cook at high for 5 minutes. Natural release for 15 minutes.
  • Open and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Garnish and serve.

Notes

NOTE: If the stew is too thick, add additional broth or water. If too thin, break out an additional can of hominy or white beans, puree in blender and add to the posole. Bring back to a simmer.
A good alternative to hominy are garbanzo beans.

Goulash. Comfort Food at its Best.

I Loves Me Some Goulash

It’s still the depths of winter here in Michigan.  This is my least favorite time of the year.  Winter has drug on and on and we just want a bit of spring.  March is depressing as it is a bleak,

Traditional Hungarian Style Goulash

muddy, dirty snow, cold month, prolonging winter (at least that is my opinion).  My recipe is below.

Comfort food is my response to my serious case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Goulash is a favorite remedy.  In wintry weather, a hearty meal always hits the spot.   I was wondering about goulash recently. 

I know the version I make is different from a traditional Hungarian dish.  So here is a little in-depth look at one of my favorite foods. 

Goulash, a traditional Hungarian stew, has risen in popularity in the United States in recent years. Originally made with beef, tomatoes, onion, green peppers, and paprika, it was a filling meal for farmers to make quickly on the go. 

In America

Goulash Served with Rice

Goulash in America is quite different from the traditional Hungarian stew. The original is quite basic, and sometimes served with a starch such as carrots or potatoes. American goulash is essentially a meat sauce, almost always served over elbow macaroni. Other variations include using ground beef, or serving it over rice or egg noodles.

Twists on a Classic

If you’re interested in goulash and want to make it your own, try one of these substitutions!

  • try pork or veal instead of beef
  • add root vegetables like sweet potato and parsnips for more flavor
  • go veggie by swapping cannellini or kidney beans for beef
  • save time and effort by making a baked goulash

As such a malleable dish, goulash can be adapted to a variety of diets. It can easily be made gluten-free, vegetarian (even vegan!), dairy-free, and more. 

Still Not Sure?

If cooking seems too intimidating or complex, not to worry. Art of Cookery has plenty of cooking classes to cover the basics and the complexities of the art of cooking!  Not local to Whitehall and surrounding areas?  You can also book a private online lesson anywhere in the U.S.A. I (Chef Valerie)  will help you grow and develop a deep sense of connection, both with cooking and the very food you make. 

My Goulash!

Life is hectic. If preparing a home-cooked meal is enticing, but you don’t have the time in your busy schedule, and you are local to Whitehall, check out our selection of retail food. Art of Cookery has a rotating weekly menu of both prepared foods and meal kits. We even have goulash! Whether you have a few minutes to cook a meal kit or just need to grab a quick bite, we’ve got you covered.  Watch for a weekly new menu on our website, (click here) and also pinned to the top Facebook post for each weekly menu and order right away.  The food is made per order and not in advance ideally.  Although when we do make a batch to fill an order, we make extra and place it in fridge at the front entry for last minute grab and go pick ups.

Upcoming Classes

We are closed for a bit of a break until March 10.  But, so you can plan, here are the next upcoming classes:

Click here to access our website and click the red Calendar Button to see all classes on the calendar.

Print Recipe

Magical Goulash

My version of this versatile comfort food. ONE PAN WONDER! Be sure to check out the notes at the bottom for ways to adapt it to your preferences. It is almost magical in how it always turns out. It can be as listed, vegan, vegetarian, keto....nearly anything.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Hungarian
Keyword: Goulash, Macaroni
Servings: 4 people
Author: vkhanson

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven w/lid
  • 1 Stirrer Spatula, Wooden spoon, Pancake turner
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Knife

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tbsp oil EVOO is nice but any fat will do.
  • 1/2 cup diced Onion
  • 1/2 cup diced Bell pepper Using green pepper adds visual color but any works.
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced Add a 3rd if you love garlic!
  • 1/2 lb ground beef See notes for alternatives.
  • 1 14-15 oz can diced Tomatoes
  • 8 oz water rinse can with it before adding. Can also use white wine or broth or a blend.
  • 1 tsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika Smoked, sweet, or regular.
  • Salt and Pepper to taste Start with 1 t salt and 1/2 t pepper and adjust at the end.
  • 3 oz Macaroni, dry or other small pasta (3/4 cup)
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh Basil Cilantro or Parsley work well too.
  • 1/2 c shredded Cheddar Or other favorite cheese. Skip if making Vegan.

Instructions

  • In Dutch oven over medium high heat, add oil. Once heated, add onion, bell pepper, and pinch of salt. Sauté for 1 minute to flavor the oil.
  • Add ground beef and garlic. Cook until meat is browned.
  • Stir in tomatoes, rinse can with water and add water.
  • Add chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a low boil.
  • Add macaroni. Stir and bring back to low boil. Cover but stir frequently.
  • Simmer for 15 minutes. Add additional water if the pasta needs more to cook through (different sized pasta require varying amounts of liquid.)
  • Add basil and cook one minute more. Check for salt and pepper to your liking. Top with cheese.

Notes

How to adjust.  (This is really a great tutorial on pantry cooking and substitutions)
Starch (Pasta) substitutions:
  • ¾ c. (3 oz) any small pasta like macaroni, uncooked
  • 3 oz dry spaghetti, broken into small lengths
  • ½ cup dry rice, cook an extra 5 minutes for white and 10 for brown
  • 1 large or 2 smaller potatoes, washed and small diced
  • 1 c. fresh or frozen gnocchi, or small pierogi
  • Small batch of spaetzle
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn (or 1 14oz can)
Protein substitutions:
  • ½ lb any ground or diced meat. 
  • 4 to 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 6 oz firm tofu (just add the salt, pepper, and half the chili powder with the tofu)
  • 1/3 cup dry quinoa (can be used as a starch also)
  • ½ cup bulgur
  • 1 14oz can of beans
  • ½ lb. any type of sausage (reduce the salt & pepper) (a strong chorizo would need you to reduce the chili powder also…taste and season at the end)
  • ¾ to 1 cup cooked lentil (or at least soaked in salt water for an hour)
Aromatics substitution examples (The onion, green pepper, and garlic in the above recipe are aromatics):
  • 1/2 c. of one, or a blend of, shallot, green onion, leek, red onion; OR use ½ TBSP onion powder; OR 2 oz pickled pearl onion
  • ½ c. of one, or a blend of, any color bell, poblano, jalapeno (will be hot), fine diced carrot, celery, fennel bulb; OR ¼ oz dried mild chilies; OR up to ½ tsp dry chili flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced: use of one, or a blend of, 1 ½ tsp pickled minced garlic, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder,1 ½ tsp minced dried garlic, 1 ½ tsp favorite seasoning
Tomato substitutions:
  • Use: 1 14 or15 oz. can of whole, diced or stewed tomatoes and increase water to achieve 23 oz, food process fresh tomatoes to achieve 2 cups
  • 8 oz tomato sauce and increase water/wine/broth to 15 oz
  • 4 oz tomato paste and increase water so the total of water and paste equal 22 oz
  • 15 oz (or close to that) jarred pasta sauce plus water to equal 23 oz
  • 23 oz tomato juice
  • 1 can tomato soup plus water/broth to total 23 oz
  • If no tomato options available use 23 oz of a blend of wine, stock/broth, canned soup of choice, and/or bouillon and water (you may wish to include some cumin and/or paprika to kick in some flavor)
Seasoning substitutions:
  • Instead of 1 tsp chili powder & 1/2 tsp paprika, consider one or a blend of up to 2 tsp: cumin, paprika, chipotle powder, chili powder, or steak seasoning/rub blend
  • ½ TBSP Italian seasoning, or skip all seasonings (including salt & pepper) and stir in half an envelope onion soup mix, or something similar, then taste at the end and adjust s & p.
 Herb substitutions:
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, cilantro, parsley; chopped
  • 1tsp of dried herb or herb combination like Italian seasoning
 Cheese substitutions:
  • Cheddar is very nice in this.
  • Switch the cheddar out for any cheese you have/enjoy.
  • In addition to the cheese, consider toping with other garnishes, like green onion tops, snipped fresh herbs, sesame seeds, everything seasoning, even bacon bits.

Recharge, Seasonings, and Ratatouille Recipe

Taking a Break

Recharge, Seasonings, and Ratatouille.  Here is the recharge part:  Art of Cookery is taking a break.  John and I are going to close our respective businesses (his is Gotta Go Tours) for a few weeks to recharge, deep clean, and organize.

We will be closed from February 12 to March 8.

You can expect a fresh menu the following week.  I will list below the classes in March.

At the bottom, you’ll discover a recipe that is great year round for different reasons, Ratatouille.

Next up, Seasonings.  Here is a little tutorial for you regarding spices and herbs:

Spice Up Your Cooking

Proper seasoning is the difference between an average meal and a restaurant-quality feast. As a home chef, learning what spices to add will elevate your cooking and impress family and friends alike! 

The Fundamentals

If you want to up your culinary game, start with the basics. Some good go-to spices include:

  • black pepper
  • cumin
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • turmeric
  • bay leaves
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • cinnamon
  • smoked paprika
  • oregano
  • ground mustard

With these basics, you can make thousands of combinations, adding the finishing touch to your delicious meal. If your food starts tasting flat, take a look at your herbs! Ground spices, such as paprika, lose their freshness after about 6 months. Take a quick whiff; if they’ve lost their scent, it’s time to go. Whole spices, like cloves, last up to 5 years. 

Tips and Tricks

  • When sauteing vegetables, add a bit of salt. Adding salt at the beginning of the cooking process allows time for it to penetrate the veggies, seasoning them throughout. 
  • Spice up your dishes with white pepper! Black pepper is made from dried, unripened berries, and white pepper is made from ripe fruit. This means black pepper has a hotter, more pungent taste, while white pepper is earthy and complex.
  • For a kick of spice and pine, pick up some juniper berries. They can be crushed and added to marinades and sauces, or in a rub for meat. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Seasonings are the spice of life. To get to the top of your cooking game, sign up for a cooking class with Art of Cookery! There, you learn how to use spices to amp up your meals. If you’re looking to cook at home, pick up one of our meal kits. With detailed instructions and fully prepped ingredients, our kits will give you the home-cooked meal in just minutes feel without the hassle.  

No time to cook at all?  Order from our menu of prepared retail meals. 

Just remember, there will be no classes, meal kits, or menu items until mid-March as per the first statement in this blog.  We are recharging and coming back to the Art of Cookery kitchen renewed and excited!

Classes

Sweet Pickled Beets (how to make them and how to safely can them) 3/10/22 @ 12 noon $38

Traditional Bread Baking 3/12/22 @1:00 PM $29

The Art of Pasta 3/20/22 @1:00 PM $19

Old Fashioned Doughnuts 3/22/22 @5:15 PM

Print Recipe

Ratatouille

There's a lot of different ways to make and serve this quintessential dish. Here's my take on it.
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French
Keyword: eggplant, pasta, zucchini
Servings: 4
Author: vkhanson

Equipment

  • 1 Skillet large
  • 1 Turner or wooden spoon to stir the sauté
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Saucepan to cook pasta
  • 1 Colander to drain pasta

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 cup Dry Pasta of choice (macaroni, noodles, medium penne)
  • 6 cup Hot water to cook pasta
  • 1/2 tbsp Salt to cook pasta

Ratatouille

  • 3 tbsp Fat (olive oil, butter, bacon drippings)
  • 1 small Eggplant small diced
  • 2 pinches Salt divided
  • 1 small Zucchini small diced
  • 1 Onion halved and sliced
  • 1 Bell pepper large dice
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup Dry white wine (using a sweet wine will work, but will result in a slightly sweeter dish, use what you drink) or, substitute broth and add 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cup Chopped tomato
  • 1/4 tsp Ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp Ground fennel seed (You can grind it in a coffee mill, mortar and pestle, or just use 1/3 tsp fennel seed)
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Mustard powder
  • 2 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Fresh oregano (or 1/3 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp Fresh thyme (or 1/3 tsp dried)
  • 1/4 c Fresh basil chiffonade
  • 12 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges
  • 1 sprig thyme you want the leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • In saucepan place water and salt to cook pasta according to package directions.
  • In skillet, heat fat over medium-high heat. Sauté eggplant and 1 pinch of salt for 1 minute.
  • Add Zucchini and another pinch of salt. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring often.
  • Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté 2 minutes more.
  • Stir in garlic. Wait 30 seconds and add wine, stirring to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add tomato, coriander, and fennel. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  • Once simmering, stir in salt, pepper, mustard, sugar, oregano, and thyme. Simmer 1 minute.
  • Stir in fresh basil.
  • The pasta should be done now, or soon. When it is cooked to your liking, reserve 1/2 c pasta water and drain the rest in the colander.
  • If the ratatouille is quite thick, thin with some or all of the reserved pasta water. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
  • SERVE! Place pasta on plates (or one serving bowl) top with ratatouille. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and fresh thyme leaves. Add halved cherry tomatoes and lemon wedges.

Notes

This is a great summer garden dish. Use what you have. No zucchini (is that even possible?), substitute yellow squash. No bell peppers? Substitute any kind you have, like poblano, mild Hungarian, banana pepper. The eggplant kind of makes the dish but if you don't have any use a couple portabella mushrooms or okra (yes okra).
It also makes a great cold weather comfort food. You just have to go to the store for your produce and not the garden.
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