winter — Blog — Pear & Pecorino

Sautéed Pear, Arugula and Ricotta Salad (+ finding inspiration in the seasons)

In California, February is the in-between. Days just barely begin to lengthen, telling me we're almost out of winter. Seasonal produce slightly shifts, hinting at spring approaching. Arugula, artichokes, tender little greens like sprouts and watercress - all sorts of green veggies come to fruition. Our citrus trees are fully covered in lemons and limes, while we savor the dwindling pears of winter. And, as we plan our garden for March, the first of the plum blossoms begin to bloom: the first sign of spring.

I first picked up a bag of beautifully colored pears, with a few days left to ripen, thinking I would plan out one last wintry dessert or preserve. Something along the lines of baked pears soaked in mulling spices, yet the season had passed me by and it felt out of place. Searching for inspiration, I looked up a list of in-season produce and felt excited by the prospect of a salad that merged the seasons.

Breakfast and Brunch, Side DishIsabellaFebruary 21, 2020winter, spring, salad, pear, pear salad, ricottaComment

Honey Apricot Hazelnut Granola

Today I wanted to share with you another of my pantry essentials - homemade granola! Nutty, toasty, and lightly sweetened, my Honey Apricot Hazelnut Granola brings a bit of homemade comfort to your morning meal. It's a simple recipe that keeps on the shelf and wonderfully compliments these winter mornings.

As seasons change and weather shifts, I find that my flavorings and methods begin to shift. Autumn calls for pumpkin seeds, pecans, and cinnamon, while summer suggests lighter flavors like coconut and sunflower seeds. This particular iteration of homemade granola embraces roasted hazelnuts and dried apricot, with the soft sweetness of honey. A little less heavy than early winter flavors, yet still full of coziness and warmth.

Breakfast and Brunch, PantryIsabellaFebruary 5, 2020granola, breakfast, pantry, winter, homemadeComment

Creamy Mushroom Linguini

Creamy Mushroom Linguini - an ode to the farmers' market, embodying seasonal markets and winter comfort. These baby shiitakes sparked memories of simple mushroom pasta, made for quiet nights and farm-to-table meals.

I left the littlest mushrooms whole and cut the rest in half so they would be bite-sized and blend in with a twirl of linguine. The mushrooms soak up flavors of garlic and shallot, flavoring the cream wonderfully. I went for the old-style pasta water thickener, using the starchy water to create a richer sauce.

Main DishIsabellaJanuary 25, 2020pasta, mushrooms, winter, farmers marketComment

Roasted Sunchokes and Turnips with Creamy Honey Mustard

This month, I decided that I would embrace the freedom of the month, letting winter and seasonal produce guide my cooking. One late night, I pulled up a list of in-season fruits and veggies. I scrawled a handful of ideas and set them aside to linger in my mind. Then, I set off for the farmers' market.

Market days are slower this time of year, yet the produce is vibrant and unique to the season. Radishes, cauliflower, and carrots in shades of yellow, purple and white, baskets of shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, and blood oranges at their peak, as well as dark leafy greens, were among the most common.

Side DishIsabellaJanuary 16, 2020winter, root vegetables, roasted vegetables, turnips, sunchokesComment

Blood Orange Ricotta and Olive Oil Cake (+ a very happy new year!)

I celebrated New Year's Eve by making this Blood Orange Ricotta and Olive Oil Bundt Cake, decorated with a single sparkler to ring in the new year. I based it on one of my favorite loaves - Orange Ricotta Cake from Giada De Laurentiis - made instead with blood oranges and olive oil. I'm thankful for the blood oranges I spotted in the store for the bit of beauty and vibrant color they add to this cake. Olive oil and ricotta make this cake extra moist and lighter than the usual bundt. The blood orange juice makes for a pretty pink glaze or syrup top of the crisp, caramel-colored cake.

Non's Meatball and Swiss Chard Soup

Otherwise known as the soup my grandma makes on Christmas day.

Happy Christmas Eve! I hope you all are having a relaxing and peaceful holiday. Today I wanted to share one of our traditional Christmas day dishes. A comforting soup made with mini meatballs and Swiss chard, making a beautiful broth as the greens cook. Usually served with pieces of toast, alongside pasta with sausages and tomato sauce as well as salad with tomato, avocado, and balsamic vinegar. It’s been our Christmas supper stretching as far back as my memory goes, and serves as yummy leftovers for the rest of the year.

Main DishIsabellaDecember 24, 2019soup, winter, winter recipes, meatball soupComment

Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

So, I'm running behind this holiday season. Frankly, my whole family is. Well, maybe not my dad - he's a speed shopper. I have a feeling my grandma and I are on track to repeat last year's mad dash for Christmas presents. The late Thanksgiving threw me off! We still have leftover cranberry sauce in the middle of December! Regardless, the week before Christmas is cookie time in this house, and that holiday tradition is well on its way.

Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup

As a sneak peek at my plans for 2020, I'm sharing the first in a new branch of recipes, a series I'm calling "pantry". Pantry is a timeless notion of cooking and food prep, encompassing everything from pasta sauce and veggie stock to pickles and jam - those homemade household staples we often overlook in favor of store-bought alternatives. They can be the savior of a half-empty fridge and an uninspired evening. Once the farmers' markets begin to flourish in spring, I assure you we'll be seeing lots of preserves in our kitchen. For now, I'll let winter be winter and share a soothing sweetener for sore throats and cozy evenings alike.

PantryIsabellaDecember 11, 2019lemon ginger simple syrup, lemon, ginger, simple syrup, drinks, winterComment

Pear and Brie Panini with Caramelized Shallots and Walnuts

Happy December everyone! Just popping in to wish you all a very happy start of the month and share with you a quick and tasty lunch recipe. Maybe you're are out of leftovers and searching for something easy and satisfying. Or just looking for a yummy meal to quell your winter cravings. A little melty cheese, sweet pear, and crunchy bread should do the trick!

Breakfast and BrunchIsabellaDecember 3, 2019pear and brie panini, panini, quick meals, december, winter, autumnComment