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Ingredients
16 ounces fresh ricotta 3 tablespoons good-quality extra-virgin olive oil juice of one lemon 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 10 large leaves fresh basil, rinsed, patted dry and chiffonaded 4 large ripe summer squash, trimmed and sliced into 1 1/2-inch rounds Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and basil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the squash without overcrowding the pan and cook in batches, flipping after about 3 minutes, until both sides are golden brown and squash is just cooked through. Don't overcook or you'll end up with soggy sandwiches. 3. Remove from pan and transfer to a plate covered with a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Allow to cool to at least room temperature. You shouldn't feel any heat or see steam rising from them. If they are too warm, the ricotta stuffing will melt. 4. Make your "oreos" by placing the ricotta mixture on top of one squash round and topping with another squash rouund. 5. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
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This recipe compliments of Taste of Home.
Ingredients
Directions
Ingredients
Ingredients
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 shallot 2 tablespoons chopped basil 2 tablespoons chopped mint 2 tablespoons chopped chives 1 medium zucchini 1 medium yellow squash ¼ cup white wine vinegar ¼ cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Directions
Ingredients
NOTE: Can be made ahead, left 24 hours to chill. Keeps 3-4 days in the fridge. Ingredients
Directions
 Serves 4
Crust:* 1¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting and rolling out ¼ teaspoon salt 8 tablespoons very cold butter, (1 stick), cut into ¼ “ small pieces 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water Caramelized Onions: large Spanish or yellow onions, sliced stem to root in ¼ inch thick 3 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon good green olive oil 1 tablespoon brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon of water Tart: 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon cold water ½ to ¾ cup soft goat cheese, room temperature 2½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 lbs heirloom tomatoes, sliced ½ inch thick, if using cherries, halve. 12 large and 24 small fresh basil leaves, whole 9 inch tart pan with removable rim Caramelized Onions:
 Ardian Gill Serves: 6
3 large bell peppers 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 large onions, sliced 6 large garlic cloves, chopped 3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, sliced ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 10 large eggs 7 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil 6 ounces thickly sliced ham, cut crosswise into strips Country-style bread slices toasted
 Serves 4
1 pound dried capellini ½ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup chicken broth 2 teaspoon fresh chopped basil ¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus additional for finishing ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus additional for finishing 1 cup baby arugula ½ cup chopped fresh parsley ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ½ lemon
 Note: This is a double batch and will easily feed 35-40 people.
Ingredients Olive oil 3 Cups Chopped Onions 12-15 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped 3 Cups Chopped Carrots 3 Cups Chopped Celery 1/2 Head Green Cabbage, cut into coarse chunks 2 28 oz. cans of chopped tomatoes 2 cans stewed tomatoes 2 cans pureed tomatoes ½ can tomato paste 4 containers vegetable broth 3 cups Northern white beans, cooked 4 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 4 Tbsp. Basil 2 Tbsp. Oregano 2 Tbsp. ground Thyme 2 Tbsp. dried Rosemary 4 whole Bay Leaves Salt & Pepper to taste 1 to 2 Tbsp. Red Pepper flakes Directions
You can also add meat or shrimp to make the soup a little more robust. 
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 to 3 shallots, minced 2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed ½ bell pepper, diced 15 to 20 shredded basil leaves, or 6 tablespoons basil sprouts ½ cup chicken broth or dry white wine 6 small sprigs of basil or a few sprouts for garnish
 Makes 1 omelet
½ teaspoon unsalted butter 3 large eggs ⅛ teaspoon sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon shredded basil ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
 Serves: 6
1 tablespoon fruity olive oil 1 medium sweet onion, diced 2 cups corn kernels, raw 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil plus a couple of leaves for garnish ⅓ cup fresh poblano or jalepeno chile, diced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 1½ tablespoons lime juice Salt to taste
ADVANCE PREP: This recipe can be made through step 5, adding the lime juice. It can then be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Add the tomatoes half an hour before serving. VARIATIONS: Try cilantro instead of the basil, a red onion or scallions instead of the sweet onions, add a mango or an apple.  Serves: 4
5 to 6 ripe meaty tomatoes, Roma or plum tomatoes are best 1 small clove of garlic, mince or pressed 3 cups broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, green beans, snow peas, or sugar snaps. ¼ to ½ cup good green olive oil Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 1½ cups basil leaves 2 cups halved Sungold tomatoes 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
 Serves: 6 – 8 as an appetizer
1 prepared pie crust 8 ounces softened goat cheese , at room temperature 1 -8 oz. package unflavored gelatin softened in 1½ tablespoons of water ½ cup heavy cream 1 medium red onion, cut into thin wedges and oven roasted & cooled ½ cup diced tomatoes 1½ teaspoon sugar 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves, save the smallest for garnishing ½ teaspoon ground white pepper ½ teaspoon of salt 16 pitted kalamata olives, divided into 8 & 8 8 to 10 cherry tomatoes, halved Fresh salad greens and a good Italian bread, sliced Equipment: spring-form baking pan
 Serves 4
1 lb. linguine 4 tablespoons good green olive oil 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 - 1½ cup half & half, fat free is fine ½ cup ricotta cheese 2 cups snow peas, sliced lengthwise, ¼ inch wide 2 teaspoons lemon zest ¼ cup chives, minced 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1 cup basil, shredded or cut with a scissors 1 cup reserved pasta water Salt & fresh pepper to taste
NOTE: Because many of the ingredients come together quickly in the last few minutes, it is best to have all the mincing, cutting and zesting done in advance. VARIATIONS: Try adding a few pea shoots or fennel/rainbow/beet sprouts.  Recipe by Anna Gill
Serves: 4 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 1 cup light cream, ricotta or plain Greek yogurt (non-fat is okay) 2-3 small firm zucchini, ends trimmed and julienned* 1 teaspoon fine kosher salt ½ cup freshly shredded basil leaves 1. Combine the first three ingredients in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well and set aside. 2. Place the julienned zucchini in a colander over the sink or a mixing bowl. Toss with the kosher salt. 3. Place a paper towel over the zucchini. Place a plate or wide bowl on top of the paper towel and weight the plate or bowl with your pie weights or a pound of dried beans or rice. Let the weighted zucchini stand for 20 to 30 minutes, until the majority of moisture has been pressed from the vegetable strips. 4. Pat the zucchini with a dry paper towel. Transfer the zucchini to a serving bowl. Pour the lemon basil sauce over the zucchini, toss and serve. * - A kitchen mandolin is worth ten times its weight in vegetables for this purpose alone. Recipe by Anna Gill
Serves 8 as appetizer 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ¼ cup olive oil 6 large tomatoes, cut into small wedges 6 figs, cut into quarters 3 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled 1/3 cup calamata olives, pitted and sliced Handful of basil, torn 4 cups fresh lettuce greens, torn into pieces 2 cups young tender arugula, stems removed Salt and pepper to taste. 1. Put balsamic vinegar in a salad bowl, and whisk oil into it. 2. Toss remaining ingredients with dressing. Adjust seasoning and serve. Recipe by Anna Gill
Serves: 5 20-25 fat ripe plum tomatoes (plums are best for this because they are meatier) ½ to 1 cup good green olive oil 2 large cloves crushed garlic 1 fully packed cup shredded basil 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced ½ cup pignoli nuts, optional salt & pepper freshly grated cheese 1 lb linguini 1 large lemon 1. Boil 8 - 10 quarts of salted water in a large pasta pot. Blanch the tomatoes for 1 to 3 minutes to loosen the skin. Remove the tomatoes from water, place under cool running water. Reduce the level of heat under the water and cover temporarily. 2. Peel and core the tomatoes, chop them very coarsely and place in large mixing bowl. (I place the whole peeled tomatoes in a bowl and cut with a pair of kitchen shears.) 3. Add oil, basil, garlic, ginger, and pignoli nuts if desired to tomatoes. Mix. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze fresh lemon into mixture. Mix well. 5. Turn up the heat under the water until it reaches a good rolling boil a second time. When boiling, place linguini into water and separate. Cook according to pasta used. Drain the pasta. 6. Mix a medium amount of the sauce with the pasta. Let sit minute. Add enough sauce to cover and flavor the pasta. Taste. If not moist enough, add more olive oil. 7. Serve with additional sauce and freshly grated cheese. Recipe by Anna Gill
Serves: 6 1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups tomato juice 2½ cups chicken stock or broth 1½ cups Aborio rice 2 medium shallots, minced 1 cup dry white wine 1 lb. assorted Sungold and read pear tomatoes halved or quartered if large Salt and freshly ground pepper 1/3 cup shredded basil 2 tablespoons freshly grated Romano cheese 1. Preheat the oven to 375o. 2. On a baking sheet, toss the onion with 1 teaspoon of the oil; spread out on the sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes, stirring until lightly browned. 3. In a medium non reactive saucepan, bring the tomato juice and the chicken broth to a boil over moderately high heat; keep warm. 4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large non reactive saucepan. 5. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat, stirring until translucent, about 2 minutes. 6. Add the rice and cook, stirring , for 1 minute. 7. Add the wine and cook, stirring, constantly, until almost all of the broth s absorbed, about 7 minutes. 8. Add 1 cup of the hot tomato broth to the rice and simmer over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until most of the broth is absorbed. 9. Add 1 more cup of broth and stir until it is absorbed, stirring constantly. 10. Continue adding 1 cup at a time and stirring constantly, until all the broth has been added and absorbed. The rice is done when it is chewy and lightly bound with creamy cooking liquid, about 25 minutes. 11. Stir in tomatoes and roasted onions until heated through. Season the risotto with salt and pepper, garnish with basil and cheese. Serve at once. Recipe by Anna Gill
6 yellow, orange and or red bell peppers * 1 large red onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 2 tablespoons good green olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon for finish 8 tomatoes, coarsely chopped ¼ cup fresh basil, finely shredded 1. Cut peppers into approximately 1” by 1” pieces. (Don’t get carried away, nobody at the table is going to have a tape measure.) 2. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes. 3. Layer the cut peppers on top of the garlic and onion mixture. 4. Then add the tomatoes in another layer on top of the peppers. Cover tightly and cook over medium to low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until just soft. 5. Remove the cover and stir the mixture gently. Continue to cook uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until all the veggies are soft and the liquid is absorbed. 6. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the basil. Recipe by Anna Gill
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves plus 8 to 10 sprigs ¾ cup sugar ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 1 cup cold water One 11.5 ounce cans peach nectar 1 bottle chilled dry white wine, Sauvignon Blanc works well 2 large peaches, peeled and diced 1. Put basil leaves, sugar, and lemon juice into a small saucepan and bruise leaves by mashing with a wooden spoon. 2. Add nectar and water, bring just to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. 3. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then pour through a medium-mesh sieve into a heatproof pitcher, discarding basil leaves. Cool completely. 4. Stir in wine, peach, and basil sprigs. 5. Chill, covered, at least 1 hour and up to 24. 6. Serve over ice. Serves: 4
For the vinaigrette: ¼ cup good-quality white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ cup good green olive oil 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Freshly ground black pepper For the salad: Olive oil cooking spray 2 cups cubed Italian or peasant bread 2 large ripe tomatoes ½ green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into ½ inch slices ½ yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced into ½ inch slices ½ small red onion, thinly sliced 1 to 2 cups fresh salad greens 20 to 30 basil leaves shredded 1 tablespoon capers, drained Salt & pepper to taste For the vinaigrette: 1. In a blender or a mini processor, pulse the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey and the kosher salt until they are well blended. 2. With motor running, slowly add oil. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside. For the salad: 1. Turn on the oven broiler and place the top rack at least 10 inches from the flame or heating element. 2. Spread the cubed bread out on a cookie sheet and spray very lightly with the vegetable oil spray. 3. Lightly toast the bread under the broiler, watching carefully. 4. Turn the bread cubes, spray again, even more lightly and return the cookie sheet to the oven/broiler. When both sides are a light golden brown, remove from the oven and let come to room temperature. 5. In a large bowl, mix the salt tomatoes, cucumber, green and yellow peppers, red onion, basil, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the half the vinaigrette. Tasting as you go, season with salt and pepper (the capers will add a certain amount of saltiness). Allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend. 6. Portion the salad greens out onto four plates and top with the bread and tomato mixture. 7. Serve the salad with the remaining vinaigrette on the side. Recipe by Alicia Ghio the "Natural Princess"
1 cup quinoa, uncooked 2 cups vegetable stock (or any kind of stock you have on hand) 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 cup zucchini, chopped 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced on an angle 1/4 cup basil, chopped 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper (to taste) 1. Rinse quinoa. Pour stock and quinoa into a medium pot. Over medium-high heat bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook 15-20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. 2. Pour the cooked quinoa into a bowl and set aside to cool. 3. In a large bowl combine: chopped garlic cloves, chopped zucchini, quartered cherry tomatoes, sliced scallions and chopped basil. 4. Stir in the cooled quinoa to the vegetables. 5. Pour on the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. 6. Add salt and pepper to taste. 7. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. |