summer — Blog — Pear & Pecorino

Honey Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Sautéed Plums

As California endures the heatwave, and fire season makes the beloved landscape particularly apocalyptic, I stand in limbo, trying to savor the last of summer while slowly making the transition into earthy autumnal tones. Though I love the bright colors and strong sunlight that these months have pushed me towards, rustic neutrals, ruddy browns, and smoky greens feel more comforting. I'm still finding my footing, tentatively moving my way through the world of styling and photography, grasping at new techniques wherever I can. Stylistically, I'm drawn towards rustic settings that feel less staged, more welcoming and atmospheric. Snapshots of everyday life, with the beauty of fresh ingredients and mundane settings emphasized.

Rambling, I know, but all this to say I'm still honing in on a style, one that is much more clearly expressed in cooler seasons. Still, some of the warmth and atmosphere shines through, and I think I've managed to tiptoe between the seasons.

DessertsIsabellaAugust 23, 2020panna cotta, plums, summer, desserts, honey, vanilla bean Comments

Summer Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata

This dish was inspired by a recent farmers' market find: a bag of zucchini and stunning color-blocked summer squash. I was so mesmerized by the duo-tone veggies that I bought a bag without thinking of what I would make, knowing I wanted something to show off the beautiful colors. Sometimes the only inspiration you need is the subject itself.

Our garden is still a little way out; I suspect the combination of a shaded area in August heat causes the veggies stress. Yet, the blushing cherry tomatoes and first dry pole beans reassure me of our persistent little plants. I've been slowly harvesting the first cranberry beans, leaving them inside to collect until I have enough to store. Striped scarlet and off-white shells turned to light brown husks in a matter of weeks, but I snuck a peek at the beans inside. Like little quail eggs, the beans are mostly white, dappled with the most vibrant cranberry-colored speckles!

Main Dish, Breakfast and Brunch, Side DishIsabellaAugust 3, 2020summer squash, summer, goat cheese, basil, frittata, eggs, vegetarian, zucchiniComment

Pistachio Plum Cake (& saving our plum tree)

Today’s recipe showcases some of my favorite summer fruit: plums! I remember summers I would go to the farmers’ market with my family and fill up bags with peaches, apricots, and plums, savoring the stone fruit season while I still could. Sunday farmers’ market hauls would only last a few days, my mom and I devouring at least two each day. However, this year I’ve had trouble finding lots of ripe, sweet stone fruit, so when I finally spotted these deep purple plums, I went a little wild. With no one there to hold me back from filling my bag and memories of past summers I longed for flooding back to me, I came home with over 20 plums. This Pistachio Plum Cake is among the many creations I made with them.

Desserts, Baked GoodsIsabellaAugust 20, 2019cake, desserts, pistachio, plums, stonefriuit, summerComment

Cherry Cornbread Muffins

As cherry season reaches its end, and we enter this last month of summer, I wanted to share my recipe for Cherry Cornbread Muffins. It's an idea that's been bouncing around inside my head for a few months now; some remnant of a memory of a baked good. A lot of the time, cornbread is flavored with more savory flavors, such as jalapeño or cheddar. For some reason, the idea of cherries stuck with me. The cornbread is a little lighter and sweeter than usual, almost like a fluffy cake. These muffins are packed full of deep red cherries, and topped off with Orange Honey Butter!

Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts, Baked GoodsIsabellaAugust 8, 2019cherries, cornbread, desserts, summer Comment

Creamy Kale and Mushrooms with Pancetta

The idea for my Creamy Kale and Mushrooms with Pancetta first came up when reviewing the plan for Thanksgiving a few years back. On the menu was the usual turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, along with some annual side dishes like yams, Brussels sprouts, and cornbread. Not to mention two desserts... It seems like every year we attempt to cut back the number of dishes, yet somehow end up expanding our ever-growing list of favorites.

Back when we had a dozen guests crowded around our table, 10+ dishes seem perfect for us. Our guests have dwindled down over the years, so we've been cooking for six; close family members and a few hungry kitties looking for scraps. But a cozy Thanksgiving dinner means more leftovers!

Side DishIsabellaAugust 1, 2019autumn, comfort food, kale, mushrooms, summer, thanksgivingComment

Cherry Tomato and Baby Mozzarella Linguini

Mid-July means that the tomato plants are producing lots of little cherry tomatoes. Most nights, when I go out to harvest, handfuls get eaten before they get into the house. Some of them make it into a salad or are dressed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cherry tomatoes off the vine are super sweet and bursting with flavor. So, when they go into this Cherry Tomato and Baby Mozzarella Linguini, I like to leave them just barely cooked, so they are slightly soft and still have their sweetness. Super juicy and fresh!

Main DishIsabellaJuly 29, 2019italian, pasta, summerComment