Savory Inspiration

Be inspired by what you find when you shop for fresh produce. When I saw this package of mini heirloom tomatoes at my local Trader Joe's, I was inspired by the colors to make a fresh spring salad as a main course for a special lunch.

Letting the tomatoes be the star, I just added some thinly sliced red onion, mache lettuce, avocado and just a bit crumbled goat cheese. 

I used the same simple vinaigrette I described in this post which I like to assemble in a glass storage jar with a tight lid. It makes mixing it easy as well as storing any leftovers.

My very favorite way to eat salad is to add a cup of warm steamed rice just before serving. Not only does it make a more complete meal, but it is so delicious. I use jasmine rice, but you can use any rice you like. It's an especially great way to use leftover rice. To re-steam cold rice, just place in a microwave safe bowl with a damp paper towel covering it and heat for 1 to 2 minutes.

I am not a big kitchen gadget person, I still use a hand mixer (!) but I'm really glad I invested in a rice cooker. I use and highly recommend this low tech and fairly inexpensive Panasonic version. 

 

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Whole Hog...

My favorite combintation of all time has to be tomato soup and grilled cheese. Recently I had some bacon on hand and decided to add it to the mix. The real killer twist was using the bacon fat to fry it up.   

The bacon fat made the bread extra crispy and extra tasty.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

You Say Tomato

Though summer has past, my passion for tomatoes remains and luckily I can indulge with one of my favorite uses for this versatile veggie or is it a fruit? Time for soup!

Curry Tomato & Sausage Soup

The soup above is easy to throw together and perfect for a cold fall day or winter day. In a sauce pan you will saute some chopped onion in a little olive oil then add your sausage, chopped to the thickness you prefer. I used chicken & sundried tomato sausage from Trader Joe's. Saute this till cooked through and starting to brown. Then I add about  a 1/4 cup of TJ's "Curry Simmer Sauce", if you do not have that, you can use curry powder. Stir till well combined then I add my tomato soup (I like TJ's organic tomato that comes in a carton) and let this all simmer till soup begins to boil, stirring often. I season with bay seasoning, garlic salt, Sriracha and S&P. Top it with a little non-fat yogurt or sour cream.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol