Zucchini Pappardelle with Tomato Sauce

My early mornings are brightened by Clinton Kelley's wonderful and charismatic narratives on abc's The Chew. He continued to delight with this light summer recipe for zucchini pappardelle with tomato sauce. Gushing that he makes it every weekend in the summer, I admit I may do the same after trying loving it! Good thing it's super easy to make! 

zucchini ribbons + olive oil + salt & pepper

Zucchini Pappardelle adapted from The Chew

• INGREDIENTS
• 
  
• 12 tomatoes
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (sliced)
• crushed red pepper flakes 
• 4 medium zucchini
• 1/4 cup olive oil 
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup basil (torn)
• Asiago Cheese 


• 
  

zucchini pappardelle + tomato sauce

INSTRUCTIONS: 
Using a vegetable peeler, shave the zucchini into long ribbons.  Toss the ribbons with olive oil. 

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and add the ribbons of zucchini. Season with salt and pepper and sauté until tender.

Dice the tomatoes and gently crush with a fork to release their juices. 

In another large sauté pan over medium heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and sweat the onion for 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and the garlic. Cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add the tomatoes and stir together. Here I added a splash of red wine, which I always like to do when making tomato based sauces. Cook the tomatoes down for about 10 minutes and check the seasonings. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Adjust if necessary, then finish the sauce with the freshly torn basil.

When ready to serve, top a serving of zucchini ribbons with a spoonful of tomato sauce. Serve with a good bit of freshly grated asiago cheese, and enjoy! 

hibiscus mint tea + frozen berries

My latest obsession: Hibiscus Mint Tea (like this one), cooled with frozen mixed berries. The berries chill the tea without diluting its flavor, plus turn this drink into a light afternoon snack. 

A Spooky Night on Alcatraz

The island of Alcatraz. Formerly a prison (until 1963,) this abandoned edifice now hosts hundreds of visitors a day, seeking to relive the horror and isolation that the prisoners experienced. (I can't help but think of The Prisoner of Azkaban - major Harry Potter fan!)

The Ferry to Alcatraz

The best way to see Alcatraz is through the night tour. It is about five times more scary and cold than the day tour(!) but well worth it for the eery ambiance. 

As you watch the ferry abandon you, feeling isolated on the dreary island, you feel as though you will never again connect to the world away from Alcatraz. It is no surprise so many prisoners are famed for their desperate escape attempts. 

Bleak, abandoned buildings + fog

As you walk through the cell blocks, hearing, through the audio tour, about the insane inmates and of the isolation they endured, you become connected with the island, and it feels as though you, too, are its prisoner.

Lighthouse 

There are two ferries that take you back to San Francisco. One that leaves at 8:40 and one that leaves at 9:30. Words of wisdom from the tour guide: if you want to make the 8:40 ferry, don't be late. 

This can be problematic if you have dinner reservations at 9 for the most anticipated restaurant experience of your trip, at The Slanted Door, which, in our case, we had. We had also worked up quite a large appetite, wandering the mystic island.  

This can also be problematic when your dad and sister decide to abandon you and your mom among the dark premises of the island just moments before the 8:40 ferry departs. 

So we were waiting and waiting and waiting, as 8:40 was quickly approaching, and we called and called and called, and no one answered. Finally its 8:35 and we can't wait any longer, so we make a run for the ferry landing. Calling my dad's cell and hearing the ferry blow its horn to signify its final boarding call, we run down the dank hills to make it on time. As my mom and I arrive, flustered and out of breath, we find the two culprits comfortably settled into warm chairs. Really?... Really?  

Finally leaving isolation

A great dinner is exactly what we need to get over this cold, spooky experience on Alcatraz. We head to the Ferry Building to make it to our reservation on time. Let me just say, looking back, there could not have been a better end to the night.

Vegetarian Spring Rolls

First: the tea. The wonderful green peony tea, beautifully presented in wine glasses, each adorned with a pom-pom-shaped bundle of tea leaves. 

Second: the food. My choice, the Crab Cellophane Noodles, were a hit. Great balance of flavor and not too heavy. Another favorite was the Caramelized Wild Gulf Shrimp, which was slightly sweet, but balanced with a spicy kick. 

Cellophane Noodles, Broccoli with Tofu, and Brown Rice

Third: the dessert. Oh the dessert. I absolutely could not leave this restaurant without getting their famous cotton candy. The flavor - Bergamot Orange. The verdict - life-changing cotton candy. This is not your typical county fair sugary treat. In fact, it hardly tasted like sugar at all. While devouring gracefully eating this treat, occasionally, a burst of orange bergamot would grace my tongue, making for a very well balanced dessert, that was definitely not too sweet, but incredibly satisfying. 

Bergamot Orange Cotton Candy. Pure Bliss. 

Six Things

Sometimes, the little things, like iced tea in the hot afternoon, can be the best part of an otherwise dull week. Lazy summer days in Dallas can be pretty boring, so to add a little delight to the week, we have made a ritual of eating lunch at our favorite restaurants and then cooking light summer meals at home for dinner. Some of my favorites this week involve bright pink iced tea, the best fish tacos, and an icy bubble drink. 

Hibiscus Tea with Orange and Mint

Fish Tacos from Dive (Dallas, TX)

Refreshing Green Juice

Potato Flautas from Zuzu's (Dallas, TX)

Almond Bubble Tea

Chlorophyll Water "Shot" at Asian Mint (Dallas, TX)

Little Peach Cobbler Cakes

Little Peach Cobbler Cakes 

These sweet little cakes are the perfect treat for a summer picnic and pair wonderfully with an afternoon cup of strong english tea. They are reminiscent of nights spent by the campfire roasting marshmallows and baking peach cobbler over the hot coals. These individual cakes are pleasantly sweet, moist, and fresh... they are truly a delight. 

Butter Browning on the Stove

Recipe adapted from Joy the Baker Cookbook 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

7 tablespoons butter 

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1/3 cup whole milk

1 cup diced peaches

Topping:

3 Tablespoons cold butter

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Whisking Away

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

To brown the butter: place butter in small saucepan and melt over medium heat. Simmer until the butter has browned. Remove from heat and cool slightly. 

In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, yolk, milk, and vanilla. While whisking, slowly drizzle the browned butter into the egg mixture. 

Add milk mixture to the flour, and fold together with a spatula until completely incorporated. Then, fold in the diced peaches.

Batter + Peaches 

Divide evenly into 12 muffin cups.

For the topping: blend all the ingredients together with a spatula until completely incorporated. 

Bake muffins approximately 30 minutes. Let Cool. Enjoy.

Perfect Portions 

Slice of Tea

'Slice of Tea' (Tranche de Thé) designed by Anne Ouellette for a student project. This is a genius idea. 

Just slice off the perfect amount of tea, add to a hot cup of water, and enjoy...

Hot Ginger Tea + Honey + Lemon

Catching a cold in the middle of winter seems to be inevitable. My worst enemy (in the world of sickness) is by far the Common Cold - the least significant yet more intolerable than nearly deadly illnesses. My day consisted of laying in bed covered in pink polka-dot sheets, pinning images to pinterest, and drinking lots and lots of Hot Ginger Tea. 

Hot Ginger Tea is the best medicine for a cold. It's slightly spicy flavor is both invigorating and soothing. Lemon juice and honey help along the soothing process and make this hot drink sweet and fresh.  

This remedy couldn't be easier: simply simmer a pot of water with a bunch of sliced up ginger for 20 minutes. Once its nice and spicy, ladle some into a tea cup, add a splash of lemon juice and a spoonful of honey 

Bon Appetit!