SOUPS, STEWS, and CHILIS
Caramelized onion soup with a brandy float, served with Gruyere cheese croutons.
Wild mushroom soup, flavored with leeks, shallots, garlic, and fresh wild mushrooms.
Cream of spring onion soup, the onion flavor of this soup is surprisingly delicate.
Butternut squash bisque; this is a fragrant, creamy, and delicately flavored bisque.
Cream of red pepper soup; grilling peppers gives them a sweet smoky flavor in this velvety soup.
Cream of spinach soup; a deliciously creamy soup.
Cream of leek and potato soup; try this flavorful soup with a spoonful of creme fraiche or sour cream and sprinkled with a few chives, or for special occasions, with a spoonful of caviar.
Carrot soup with ginger; the zing of fresh ginger is an ideal compliment to the sweetness of cooked carrots.
Minestrone with pesto; in Genoa, they often make minestrone like this, with fresh pesto stirred in towards the end of cooking. It is packed full of vegetables and has a strong, heady, flavor, making it an excellent vegetarian dish.
Beef chili soup; this is a hearty dish based on a traditional chili recipe. It is ideal served with fresh, crusty bread.
Fresh tomato and bean soup; this is a rich, chunky tomato soup, with beans and coriander.
Tuscan bean soup; there are many versions of this wonderful soup. This one uses cannelloni beans, leeks, cabbage, and good olive oil and tastes even better when it is reheated.
Provencal vegetable soup; this satisfying soup captures all the flavors of summer in Provence. The basil, garlic puree, pistou (the French version of pesto), gives it extra color and a wonderful aroma so don't leave it out.
Spicy black bean soup; a filling soup made with two kinds of beans and flavored with a combination of garlic and cumin.
Garlicky lentil soup; high in fiber and protein, lentils make a particularly tasty soup.
San Francisco style seafood stew; made with delicate white fish, tender shrimp, and plump sea scallops.
Roasted butternut squash soup with turkey croquettes; roasted golden butternut squash seasoned with sweet honey and garlic then topped with pan seared turkey croquettes.
Pasta and chickpea soup with pesto; this soup is packed full of healthy vegetables and has plenty of fiber, season it to taste at the table with homemade pesto and Parmesan cheese.
Cheddar Chicken Chowder; one you've tasted this recipe, you'll add it to your list of favorites. It combines the best of two all-time classics -- corn chowder and chicken soup.
Mexican black-bean chili; chili is one big melting pot of worldly influences, this one highlights the rudimentary south-of-the-border spices and traditional uses of black beans.
Tuscan chicken stew; boneless chicken breast slow braised with cannellini beans, garlic and rosemary.
Gazpacho with roasted peppers; it's worth the wait for summer to get vine-ripened tomatoes when they're at their peak flavor, juiciness, and texture.
Wild rice and mushroom soup; the chewy texure and earthy flavor of wild rice with a splash of sherry added at the end provides a richness that will make you think there is cream in the soup, but this is a heart healthy, and delicious, version.
Lentil and red pepper soup with sausage; this soup has a deep and rich spicy sausage flavor.
SALADS
Roasted, then chilled, beets and red onions are served with balsamic-dressed mixed greens.
Prosciutto with peaches, Zinfandel, and sweet Vidalia onions served on a bed of arugula and garnished with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Mixed baby greens served with goat cheese, caramelized red onion-merlot dressing and garnished with wine-glazed walnuts.
Crab, pink grapefruit, and blood orange (when available) salad served with an avocado buttermilk dressing.
Poached Dijon chicken on an apple, walnut, and blue cheese salad served with a honey-champagne dressing.
Arugula and fig salad with goat cheese served with a spicy cayenne dressing.
Cool cucumber seasoned with garlic, yogurt, lemon and dill on mixed greens.
Apple and chicory salad seasoned with celery, sour cream, horseradish, and topped with toasted walnuts.
Spinach and apple salad seasoned with Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, black olives, and topped with crispy bacon.
Tomatoes slices and seasoned with balsamic vinaigrette, freshly chopped basil, and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Spinach and orange salad with pine nuts; cold fresh orange slices with a slightly salty honey dressing and dark green spinach with pine nuts are visually striking and a wonderful flavor combination.
