A Good Roast Beef Sandwich

There's nothing like a plain roast beef sandwich for a summer lunch or dinner. It's the easiest to make .It's also the easiest to serve. Best of all it's easy to tote to the beach or the office. A roast beef sandwich is a no brainer idea for what to eat during these hot days.

As far as the filling you can easily make a roast in this weather. A better method is cooking it with just a brush of olive oil on the e grill. Cooking roast beef leaves it tender and that makes for a melt in your mouth slice. It also has an added smokiness that's brought out by just a simple sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.If it's too hot to cook, then go to your local deli or deli counter at your grocery store.I've found that the butchers there always give you the pinkest, tenderest slices, perfect for the best sandwich. Stay away from the prepackaged stuff. It tends to be overly salty and sometimes slimy.

A good sandwich demands a good bread. Italian or French bread is the perfect foil. They're both crunchy and chewy, absorbing any leftover juice. Another good choice is a simple hearty white like Pepperidge Farm 's sandiwch bread. This has a soft yet textured crumb to it and its mild,yeasty taste goes well with the meat's robust flavor. Avoid kaiser or any other kind of rol.s There's almost too much bread which overcomes the roast beef's flavor. Hamburger buns are too squishy . Avoid them too.

Nothing beats a simple roast beef sandwich on a summer's day. It's just two ingredients simple enough but layered with richness. It's easy perfection with the best flavors!

Pumpkin Goodness

This is the high season for pumpkins. People are gleefully picking them in pumpkin patches around the US, gathering up big ones and little ones, perfectly round one and lumpy bumpy ones. Yet the pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins and beta carotene as well. It;s also a versatile gourd that can be use din everything from savory to sweet.



For savory dishes the gourd is versatile . One of my favorite recipes (as fans already know) is pumpkin soup. The recipe is my great grandmother's and is a staple of the Val Susa in western Piedmonte (on the French border)It is a rich creamy bisque like soup; redolent with pumpkin

onion and chicken broth. Another pumpkin savory dish is curry fritters. these are a fiery spicy dish , perfect fo r your Halloween party or even as a Thanksgiving appetizer.You can also use pumpkin as a filling for ravioli and lasagna. However if you do this go easy on the tomato sauce. I prefer pumpkin filled ravioli with a light sage and butter sauce.



Of course pumpkin is phenomenal in sweet dishes. Nothing beats a fresh made pumpkin bread, or muffins. These are staples of fall brunches and go well when topped with cream cheese. Pumpkin mousse is another yummy treat and it's a spin on the famous pie It;s made like pie filling yet without a heavy crust.It's usually served with whip cream and maybe a splash of brandy on top. Are there pumpkin cookies? Yes!!!! I found two recipes, one like gingerbread and th e other with an oatmeal base.



Go wild in the pumpkin patch. Don't just buy the gourds for decoration. Buy a few extra for some savory and sweet dishes. They are the perfect source of vitamins as well as being one of the most versatile fall vegetables!

Summer Foodie Check List

Summer 2010 is officially here. It's a time when you should be cooking and eating lighter fare. Summer is also a time to clean out the fridge and just pare everything down to basics. I always find that it's best to keep the things you 'll need like eggs and milk along with some other foodstuffs.

What to have in your fridge/ pantry:
Bottled water/ soda. / juice - you'll need cooling thirst quenchers for these hot days.Also good to have cold bottles ready for trips
Eggs - you can always make an easy frittata or even scrambled ones for an easy hot meal
Milk - for iced coffees or you can make an iced milk dessert
Bread - us e this for sandwiches again-or simple toast for breakfast
Cold cuts. These are versatile. make for a quick lunch sandwich or julienned for a chef salad.
Mixed salad greens, This is a no brainer. The base for any salads
Tomatoes, broccoli, peppers - not only good in a salad and omelet but also makes for good snacks.
Mayo - for sandwiches , and a base for salad dressings
Barbecue sauce You can use this straight onto grilled meat s or as a marinade.
Any fresh fruit. Use s a snack, part of a salad or crushed and infused with a vinegar.

These are what a summer kitchen should hold. Live off the basics until the cooler weather sets in . It makes for easy and simple meals and an uncomplicated diet.

Stretching Thanksgiving

American holidays are awfully short. They're usually one day and then they're over with. This definitely applies to Thanksgiving. We can't wait to zip through the holiday and concentrate on today - Black Friday. Well, you can stretch the holiday out thanks to leftovers and extending some dishes. It;s just a quick trip to the grocery store for some extras to recreate a smaller version of yesterday's feast.

The first things to usually go are the turkey, stuffing and gravy. These are parcelled out to less fortunate relatives who had to go home to empty fridges. Not to worry if you're hankering for more. Just head over to store's deli section for some fresh sliced turkey breast. Then bounce over a few aisles to pick up some tinned gravy and Stove top stuffing. OK, these are not as good as the fresh homemade kinds but at least they're still something. As for veggies, there's always microwavable squash and turnip dishes along with creamed spinach. These are easy to make sides that just require little effort and prep time.

Desserts are another hot ticket item. If you find yourself mooning over an empty pie plate then again head back to the grocery where you can still buy leftover pies. An even better choice are the half and quarter pies that some supermarkets sell. Also consider getting soem fresh fruits. You're probably in need of something fresh and wholesome after all that high calorie gorging. A nice dessert is cut orange s sprinkled with dried cranberries.

Even though Thanksgiving is officially over , you can still celebrate it. Justextend your leftovers with some additions for a second round of holiday eating. It's a nice way of hanging onto another day of good cooking.

Pizza The Old Fashioned Way

Mention pizza and images of bubbling hot mozzarella cheese come into mind. Yet the original or old fashioned pizza does not have this topping. In fact most southern Italian homes make theirs with out cheese. this is a recipe started by many ad handed down for generations.



Every one's usual concept of this Neapolitan treat is a large , flat circular pie covered with cheese with a thin layer of tomato sauce underneath.Yes, that's true in some cases but in some homes as well a s as in restaurants old fashioned pizza is made with a two inch bread topped with a thick , savory layer of tomatoes onions, olive oil and oregano baked until the crust is lightly brown. This squares are usually five by five or four by four inches. Sometimes olives are added for more flavor. The slices could also be served with a sprinkling of hot pepper and Parmesan for added kick. Usually the best way is piping hot form the oven with just the tomato sauce on it.



There is a phenomenal restaurant near me called Trattoria Napoli ( I reviewed them when I was s till a part time critic for The NY Times) . The owner and chef, John makes a mean old fashioned that has a chewy, bready middle layered with a vibrant tomato sauce . He mixes tomato chunks along with tomato paste and huge bits of onion to create a slice that's still delicious but not overwhelming in its' flavor. The old fashioned has scores of fans (including John's wife, Connie) and it's probably destined for a throw down with Bobby Flay sometime soon. Anyone can make their own old fashioned using a brownie tin, for baking, a thicker dough and a good half home made and half store bought sauce


An old fashioned pizza is the way to go. never mind with this honey crusted,new toppings on them. Stick with this one for flavor and texture . It's the perfect pizza.

Atlanta Bread Comapny

I recently discovered Atlanta Bread Company on a trip to one of New Jersey's most beautiful towns, Madison, New Jersey. Madison already boasts an amazing restaurant row , full of chain and privately owned eateries.I was just looking for a quick place to eat and found this gem.

Atlanta Bread Company or ABC is sort of like a larger sized Au Bon Pain. However, unlike the former , it specializes in all sorts of homey, baked goodies. I couldn't resist the cinnamon raisin loaf which was promptly torn into upon arrival home. It is chock full of cinnamon and light on the raisins (which to me is a perfect mix). I love the fact that it was lightly dusted with confectioner's sugar. ABC also sells banana nut , and cranberry (not listed on their on line bread list) Of course they also sell regular breads such as crusty baguettes, sourdoughs and ryes.These looked fresh and wonderful. I bought their shortbread and chocolate chip cookies too. They looked too scrumptious to pass up.

Ah, yes, and the real reason I went into ABC was to have a light dinner.The restaurant has a wide array of soups , salads and paninis. There is a choice of five soups and I chose the vegetarian vegetable. This was a satisfying and hearty blend of different veggies in a vegetable broth. There was also onion soup, and chili amongst others to chose from. ABC also has a good selection of sandwiches (a definite must try on my next visit) along with paninis and a pretty good kid's menu.

I was already in love with the town of Madison but eating at the Atlanta Bread Company really cinched the deal. I will be back in the Rose City for Christmas shopping. My restaurant of choice? The Atlanta Bread Company!

go to www.atlantabread.com to see more about it.