NOURISH HEALTH + TASTE + STYLE

Lusting Over :: Baked Lemon Ricotta with Strawberries

Sometimes I'll taste something so beyond incredible, I feel like I've won the lottery (well, a slight exaggeration, but still).  I'm currently crushing over the baked lemon ricotta cheese from Bedford Cheese Shop.  Imagine the amazingness of a creamy Italian ricotta + bright lemony notes + a light cake-like texture.  Paired with some fresh summer strawberries and a glass Prosecco and you'll transport yourself smack in the middle of a lemon grover on the Amalfi Coast in no time.  

Back, and Blogging from the Beach

I'm not sure how it always happens, but August-which is supposed to be one of the quietest months of the year-turns out to be one of my busiest.  Planning for September and all that comes with fall is in full effect right now.  Thankfully, I'm able to take mini breaks here and there so I don't burn the candle on both ends.  I often head to the beach for relaxation...and then to the kitchen.  Cooking can surprisingly be a fantastic stress reliever.  Tuning the rest of the world out and tuning into a few ingredients, zoning out and letting your creative juices flow.  So here's a peek at what my good friend Lauren and I whipped up last night...sourcing fresh ingredients from some of our favorite farmstands and a little seafood shop on the East End.  Lobster's certainly not something I purchase often given the hefty price tag, but at least once a summer, it's a nice indulgence, without a ton of calories.  And while summer herbs are still kicking, there's nothing better than a light summery pasta to pair with seafood.  So, if you're looking for an inspiring meal as summer starts coming to a close, here it is...quick and simple enough that it won't keep you in the kitchen all weekend long.

Irene’s Aftermath…Beach Dreaming

With a very ominous, wet and windy weekend behind us, Irene taught me how to successfully ride out a serious storm.  I ended up hunkering down at home--steeping some fresh peaches in Tito's vodka (see below) for a cure-all hurricane cocktail, simmering up some fresh tomato sauce (you'll have to wait for the next Rue issue for the recipe!) and escaping the elements by daydreaming about the beach.  I figured we've all had enough dark and stormy clouds for a while, so here's a bit of bright, lively color...the lobster salad above is the aftermath of that luscious lobster from my last post while I was out east in the Hamptons a few weeks back.  Lobster is certainly not something one lets go to waste and this quick, light lunch screams summer...or at least what's left of it with red and yellow watermelon, crisp lettuce, a touch of feta and a squeeze of lime.  

And if you're lucky enough to be spending the final unofficial weekend of the summer out east for Labor Day, consider heading over to the Fish Farm in Amagansett, by far the most off-the-beaten-path, whole-in-the-wall, disco-ball-decorated old school fish shack you'll ever lay your eyes on.  But also one of the best lobster sandwiches (sans mayo and made on freshly baked brioche) you'll ever sink your teeth in!

Amagansett’s Fish Farm

fresh peaches in vodka