Baked Ricotta
Summer Soirée Menu
Grilled Lamb Steak over Baby Arugula
Grilled Corn on the Cob
with Mayonnaise, Cayenne, and Parmesan
Baked Ricotta
Salvadorian Red Beans with Herbs and Hazelnut Oil
Grilled Ciabatta
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Vanilla Ice Cream, Rhubarb Jam Parfait
Amaretti Cookies dipped in Chocolate with Cashews
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Vertical Tasting Wild Horse Pinot Noir, 2006 and 2007
Grilled Lamb Steaks with Herbs de Napa recipe by Michael Chiarello can be found here. Herbs de Napa is a combination of dried rosemary, lavender, fennel, thyme, savory, and bay - an amazing combination with lamb steaks!
"Lamb steaks aren’t in many supermarket meat cases, so you’ll need a friendly butcher to make this dish. But every butcher will know what you mean if you ask to have steaks cut from the top of the leg, using the band saw. It’s the same cut as a ham steak, and like a ham steak, it has a bit of the leg bone in it. Grilled until crusty and medium-rare, these thick steaks make much more satisfying eating than a butterflied boneless leg of lamb. I like to serve them with undressed greens and let the flavorful juices from the meat dress the greens," Michael Chiarello.
Pour accumulated juices over the steak and arugula.
Father Adam grilling by candelabra light...
Tom's excellent idea was to grill corn on the cob, then brush hot corn with mayonnaise, dust with cayenne pepper, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Chef Allison
The baked ricotta recipe is from Suzanne Goin's Sunday Suppers at Lucques. You can read the recipe straight from this fabulous cookbook, page 186, at Amazon here. The baked ricotta is from her Summer Menu collection made with fresh whole milk ricotta, olive oil, and herbs.
Salvadorian Red Beans are cooked until tender with a couple bay leaves and smashed garlic cloves. Drain off any water. Sauté a generous amount of minced garlic and shallot in olive oil. After about a minute or two, add the beans and heat through. Add lots of minced fresh herbs; we used parsley, basil, chives and a minced jalapeño pepper. Finish with a drizzle of hazelnut oil and sea salt to taste.
Wild Horse Winery & Vineyard
2006 and 2007 Central Coast
California Pinot Noir
2006
Aromas of seasoned wood, rose petals, dried cherry, and alpine forest floor, with flavors of pomegranate and Asian spices, with a rich lingering mouthfeel. A versatile wine, this Pinot Noir complements meals of salmon, lamb, poultry and grilled vegetables. $25
2007
2007
Aromas and flavors of bright raspberry, ripe strawberry, and dusty spices leading to a rich, juicy, well-balanced mouthfeel. A food friendly and very approachable wine, enjoy this Pinot Noir with baked penne, roasted vegetables or pork short ribs. $25
Consensus: We all found the 2007 to be a more lively, bright, fruity, and overall a more enjoyable wine paired with our summer meal. Thank you to Father Adam and Kirk for bringing the wines!
"I like this baked ricotta warm and slightly underbaked to a soft, creamy consistency. Avoid the grainy, flavorless commercial ricottas from the supermarket, and seek out a fresh artisanal version. Bake the cheese in a Spanish style cazuela or small attractive casserole and serve it at the table so your guests can help themselves," Suzanne Goin.
Dessert
Layer vanilla ice cream and confiture de rhubarbe in small clear parfait glasses. This delightful complex green jam was one of my souvenirs from our trip to Paris. Having fallen in love with rhubarb jam, it is now on our list to make from scratch. Perhaps you have a recipe to share?
Lauren dipped amaretti cookies in melted chocolate and chopped cashews, which were served with the parfaits.
Consensus: We all agreed that this was one super summer meal!
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Thank you to my dear friends and excellent cooks:
Father Adam, Allison, Kirk, Tom, and Lauren
It is always an adventure and great fun to cook with you!
