the arugula files

Minestra di Pasta e Piselli From The Glorious Pasta of Italy

You know how they say, you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover?  Well, when it comes to cookbooks, I have a hard time following that adage.  I just love pretty cookbooks, and, call me shallow, but I often buy them completely based on looks.  There's obviously a reason for that saying, and, yes, I often end up with cookbooks that are pretty to look at, but don't deliver any substance.  They sit on my shelf, trophies for people to admire. My one night stands that won't go away.  But sometimes I find a cookbook that has it all.  Domenica Marchetti's newest book, The Glorious Pasta of Italy, is such a cookbook: gorgeous on the inside and out, full of recipes that I've marked off to try, a companion I could spend a life time with.

Summer's Favorite Cheese: Grilled Halloumi

The "Shepherds of Cyprus"bring you halloumi, "the cheese that grills."  How can you resist a tag line like that?  I mean, seriously, who are the Shepherds of Cyprus?  Are they gorgeous, brawny men that raise goats (or cows, or sheep, where ever halloumi milk comes from)?    They sure sound like it.  Do they look like Russel Crowe in the Gladiator (not Russel Crowe in The Insider)?  Makes you want to buy some, doesn't it?

Putting aside the brilliant marketing, grilled halloumi is summer's favorite cheese.  It cooks up quickly.  It's perfectly salty.  It balances vegetables without adding meat to the grill, so your veg friends will love it.

Asparagus and Proscuitto Pizza with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts

I suppose asparagus season in the Chesapeake region is over.  Sigh.  I made this pizza quite a few times recently and while it's quite simple, I think it's worth sharing. Just in case you run into some asparagus, here are some quick instructions.

Start by pre-heating your oven to 450 degrees. For toppings, you'll need a bunch of asparagus (fat or skinny is fine), about 4 ounces of prosciutto (one package, usually), about 3 ounces of goat cheese, a handful of freshly grated parmesan or asiago, a tablespoon of pine nuts, and some olive oil.  You can roll out your favorite pizza dough recipe or pick some up from Trader Joe's.  The crust at TJ's is delicious and if you prefer whole wheat, they offer it.  Brush the dough with olive oil. 

Then add the toppings. Start with the asparagus (read below first) and then add the rest of the toppings. 

A note about the asparagus:

The key to this pizza is to blanch the asparagus and then shred the stalks into ribbons. I borrowed the idea from everyone's favorite food blogger.  What you end up with is a deep earthy flavors that are balanced by the saltiness of the prosciutto and goat cheese 

Cook in the oven at 450 degrees for about 15-18 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. 

Strawberry Picking at Wegmeyer Farm

If you haven't yet been strawberry picking this season, there is still time.  Just make sure to call ahead and ask the farmer if ripe strawberries are available.  Metrocurean has an excellent guide to local farms if you are not sure where to pick.

A few weekends ago, we headed to Wegmeyer Farm, a small strawberry patch near Leesburg. 

Whisked! @ 14th and U Street Farmers Market (Delicious Seasonal Pies)

Every year for Marcus' birthday, at his request, I make him a rhubarb pie.  So when the Whisked newsletter arrived in my email box announcing rhubarb and strawberry pies would be available at the farmers market, I thought what a two-fer! I can give Marcus a rhubarb pie and try out Whisked baked treats at the same time (not to mention I could lie in bed and read the New Yorker, instead of making a pie).

London: Borough Market, Plus Fish and Chips

After we visited every tourist location in Paris, Marcus and I hopped on the Eurostar for a short, comfortable train ride to London.  $58 bucks and two hours later we were among the commoners, dashing in and out of trains in downtown London.  If Paris is an old school European city, then London  is a modern day metropolis.

We spent most of the time visiting with our lovely friends, Lesley, Rob, and Caroline, but we did enjoy a pint, some fish and chips, and then hop on a double decker bus for a comfortable view of the biggies: the London Eye, Big Ben, House of Parliment, and London Bridge.  We got off at Notting Hill and walked through Portabello Market, which, if you are traveling to London any time soon, is not to be missed.