A Taste of Italian Summer Recipes
Crafted from tender basil leaves, sweet pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, Grana-style cheese, fragrant garlic and a kiss of sea salt, classic Genovese pesto is a true taste of summer—and our weekly delivery comes complete with the ingredients to craft your own incredibly fresh version. Accompanied by imported orecchiette pasta and fresh Italian Rustica bread to pair with that glorious pesto, this summery lineup also includes farm-fresh eggs, heirloom tomatoes, a crisp rosé and beautifully ripe plums. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Classic Basil Pesto
Toss it on pasta, stir into salad dressings, drizzle over heirloom tomatoes—the possibilities are endless with this classic sauce!
Frisée Salad with Plums & Hazelnuts
Later in the fall, this salad is equally amazing with slices of crisp apple or juicy pear.
Slow-Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
Slow-roasting these beautiful tomatoes concentrates their unique flavor—try these with a drizzle of pesto!
Grilled Turnips with Mint & Lime
The bright combination of mint and lime adds summery appeal to these tender-crisp grilled turnips.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Honey & Lemon
Break out the barbecue for these flavorful cauliflower “steaks”!
Plum Compote
This delectable compote is delicious spooned over yogurt, ice cream, even waffles or pancakes!
Classic Basil Pesto
Toss it on pasta, add it to salad dressings, drizzle over heirloom tomatoes—the possibilities are endless with this classic sauce!
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh basil leaves (from about 3 large bunches)
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
⅓ cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
½ cup freshly grated Grana-style cheese
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Method:
1. Combine basil, pine nuts, cheese and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down any basil caught on the sides of the bowl. Then, with the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt, and then transfer to a small bowl.
Summer Stone Fruit Salad with Raspberry-Honey Vinaigrette
Adapted from a Gaby Dalkin recipe, this bright and lively salad is perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Ingredients:
2 heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut into wedges
1 cup cherry tomatoes
2 ripe but firm plums, cut into wedges
2 ripe but firm peaches, cut into wedges
½ small red onion, thinly diced
⅓ cup feta, crumbled
Fresh basil leaves
Fresh mint leaves
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper
For the vinaigrette:
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup raspberry wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1-2 teaspoons honey
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Arrange the tomatoes, peaches, plums and red onions on a large platter.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the salad ingredients with the vinaigrette and lightly toss to coat. Top with feta, basil and mint, and then season generously with salt and pepper.
Summer Splendor Recipes
The time is ripe—for just about everything! This week’s box features an all-star lineup of summer favorites, from cucumbers, fennel and sweet onions to a beautiful assortment of cherry and heirloom tomatoes, as well as Meyer lemons and apricots. Also included in this colorful roster: Fresh Pain au Levain bread, sweet and buttery Frescatrano olives, farm-fresh eggs and our signature cobbler crust mix to put that summer stone fruit to delicious use. Enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Greek Village Salad
This classic salad makes the best of summer heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil-Pesto Vinaigrette and Fresh Mozzarella
A beautiful twist on the classic Caprese salad!
Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted Pain au Levain bread as a starter!
Tomato Fritters
A favorite throughout the Mediterranean, these delightfully-crisp nibbles are a wonderful pairing for a summer salad.
Apricot Cobbler
It’s hard to beat this summery dessert—just add vanilla ice cream!
