No Recipe Minestrone

Pretty sure anyone who actually knows how to make Minestrone is going to cringe when they read this "no recipe" recipe. I used to follow Minestrone recipes, but at some point I figured out what I liked and went from there. I hope you enjoy the creativity of this recipe and give yourself permission to make it up as you go! This can be vegetarian or vegan.

Pizza

Here are two pizza recipes I've tried recently. The tomato one is definitely a keeper, I've been looking for excuses to make it more often than I ought to. Isn't it gorgeous? The BarBQ one is delish and a nice change from all the cheese often found on pizza. I usually keep the cheese to a minimum on my pizza anyway as I just find it too oily, clumpy and a coverup for a not so good pizza. I use a cornmeal crust from Nugget grocery store, I don't make my own crust. Use what works for you. Both recipes are vegetarian and the cauliflower one can be vegan.

Gazpacho Two Ways

This summer is overflowing with tomatoes and cucumbers. One way to use some of those luscious tomatoes is in gazpacho, a cold tomato soup. Do not make this unless you love love love tomatoes. I'm including two recipes. One is a chunky version. It is our favorite. Both Craig and I like to chew when we eat soup. It is also super easy, except for the chopping, and uses tomato juice. The other is a blended soup that I just tried this year and we really liked it. It does require digging out the blender, however. It is made with only fresh vegetables, no juice. I hope you try one or both of them, they are delightful!

Jammin'

I've been jamming' this month. This post has three jam recipes: spiced blackberry-nectarine, plum and green tomato-ginger. All of them turned out delicious. The nectarine gave some oomph to the blackberries and the spices added interest. And plum is just fabulous with nothing but plums. My neighbor decided to take out her tomato plants, so I asked if she planned to use the green ones, she said no. I said I can make a jam! Adding a little crystallized ginger perks up the old taste buds. Try one of them - they are easy and fun to make.

Fresh Bean Salad

I love a good farmers market. My love affair with them started way back in the 90's when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. The first one I went to was in Berkeley. Over the years I sampled many, including in El Cerrito, Richmond, San Rafael, Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento and of course San Francisco. Each one has its own charm. For example the one in San Rafael was held next to a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Richmond there were live chickens and ducks for sale and Berkeley had fresh butter beans late in the summer.