cloves and cream's Profile

This bourbon-y tomato bacon soup is just right for January chills. http://www.clovesandcream.com/2009/10/tomato-bacon-soup-with-gouda-chive.html

I first started brining when the kitchn mentioned it earlier this spring. I never would have guessed, but it makes a world of difference. Here's my favorite brining method: http://www.clovesandcream.com/2009/03/quick-brined-rosemary-pork-chops.html

I've been digging this BBLT, that is, Basil, Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato spread with tangy goat cheese. Teamed up with cool gazpacho they're pretty hard to beat. Here's the recipe: http://www.clovesandcream.com/2009/08/simple-supper-basil-blts-quick-roasted.html

I've been digging this uber quick roasted red pepper & tomato gazpacho. Best of all, it only takes about 5 minutes to make! Yep, that's right only 5 minutes. We've all got time for that, right?

Can't beat St. Germain!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy tomatoes is slow roasted. In fact, I've got a batch in the oven right now. Just set your oven to a low temperature (250F or so), quarter your tomatoes, drizzle 'em with olive oil, s & p, & pop them in. Let them cook for 4 hours or so & you've got some seriously yummy tomatoes.

I'm loving this idea! Looks like a Mad Men cocktail party is on.

So so many delicious spots in Austin. As a terribly homesick Austinite, I've got more than a few favorites, here are a few:

Quacks Bakery - they supply a fair majority of Austin coffee shops with creamy cheese danishes, crumbly blueberry muffins & just about the best coffee cake I've come across

Mother's - a home-y all vegetarian restaurant with killer homemade veggie burgers & enchiladas

The Good Knight - relatively new to Austin, this east side gem serves up a small menu of modest French fusion & old fashioned cocktails. a really great spot for an early dinner

East Side Pies - this joint only delivers to east Austinites, but if you not lucky enough to live east of I-35 you can pick up a pie or order by the slice & sit on the back porch with a sixer from the corner store.

El Chile - killer margaritas & Mexican Martinis (an Austin classic that any out-of-towner should consider a must while visiting)

Amy's Ice Cream - (as mentioned above) the best ice cream ever. period. with 16% butter fat, how could it not be? their Mexican vanilla is not to be missed

Real Ale Brewery - their brews are sold at most convenience stores, grocery stores & lots of restaurants in the area

Here are some of my favorite ways to use mint: Chevre Mint Cream Pasta with Eggplant, Garlic Mint Grilled Chicken & Grapefruit Basil Mint Salad. Mint is great with deserts too. Try melting some dark chocolate & dipping the leaves in. Let them harden for a bit & voila, dessert!

Mmm, Stroganoff is so satisfying. I like to swap out the traditional egg noodles for pappardelle (a long flat egg noodle). Here's my vegetarian twist on classic stroganoff: http://www.clovesandcream.com/2009/05/mushroom-sweet-pea-parpadelle.html