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Tag Archives: appetizer

Home Sweet Home & Tomato Salad with Basil Vin

13 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Nicole Small in appetizer, brunch, dairy free, gluten free, healthy recipe, salad, salad dressing, summer, travel, vegetarian/vegan

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

appetizer, dairy free, europe, gluten free, healthy recipe, recipe, summer, travel, vegan, vegetarian

A little story about traveling the world + a recipe for a refreshing Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette.

Hi Hello! Wow, it has been a while, hasn’t it?! I took a break from blogging because I’ve been very busy this year! After leaving Israel I came home for a week to visit with family and friends before packing up again and traveling across some of Europe, an adventure that changed how I view life. Now I’m home and employed and super happy to be back in my kitchen. While I was traveling I experienced new foods and cultures and a crazy new way of life, and I’m excited to share a little bit about that chapter with you (and a recipe, of course!).

Fresh Summer Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

I initially went to Europe as an au pair. I arrived in Rome on an unseasonably warm and sunny day for February in Italy. 1/4 of my host family met me at the airport; a man named Mario. I was full of excitement and nerves, but I was mainly really happy to finally be in Italy. I had dreamt of visiting Italy my whole life; my parents and I lived there when I was a baby so I grew up hearing stories of small towns and gelato and pizza.

I was instantly mesmerized by the land; Italy is unlike any place I’ve ever been. The endless green and stark white of snow capped mountains with a wildly blue sky will forever be stamped into my memories.

Tsiporah Blog in Italy

A Scenic View in Italy

The events that followed both broke me and strengthened me, and they led to my greatest adventure so far: two months of solo travel through Europe. The au pair job didn’t work out. I’d love to say that the host family and I simply weren’t a match, but it was more than that. It’s quite a long story but more important is what followed, a magically transformative and healing time in my life.

With an enormous amount of support and love from friends and family near and far, I held my head high, booked a train ticket and packed my bags. In a span of two months I traveled through 20 cities in 8 different countries, an opportunity that may never have come my way had things worked out with the au pair family.

A lot of people along my path made me feel better about my circumstances. One man in Cinque Terre said it best; he was traveling with a companion from home who went to the same university as my sister, which sparked a two-hour long afternoon conversation overlooking the ocean, enjoying locally made white wine. He said to me “sometimes bad things happen in order to lead us to the good things in life,” and he was right.

Tsiporah Blog Travels to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre: I came here to heal

I met dozens of people along the way who helped me and taught me, I saw sights and sat on beaches and experienced new cultures and different people. I struggled and grew and laughed and cried. And I experienced some of the best food of my life.

I’m happy to be back in the kitchen and I’m really looking forward to using some of my food knowledge and inspirations that came from my time abroad. I’ve gained a new appreciation of my home and its local offerings, though I’ll always dream of the colorful outdoor markets across Europe and in Israel. Even though summer temperatures in Phoenix average 100+, our farmers markets are still lively in the early morning, and they’re a welcome reminder of the markets from my travels. Eating abroad made me really respect eating locally, which I intend to carry on into my new life at home.

Mercato Centrale - Florence, Italy

Mercato Centrale – Florence, Italy

A good family friend gave me these tomatoes. They are gorgeous little gems bursting with sweetness and they were locally grown here in Arizona. All tomatoes should taste like this: so full of flavor and goodness, like summer dancing along your taste buds. I knew instantly what I wanted to make with them; a fresh and light tomato salad that I can’t get enough of, dressed with a simple basil vinaigrette that’s easy to whip up in a blender. I used three types of basil in my recipe so that I didn’t pick too many from any one plant in my garden, but you can use any type/combination of basil that you like.

Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Garden Fresh Basil + a recipe for Tomato Salad with Basil Vin | via Tsiporah Blog

Ingredients

1/2 lb local heirloom tomatoes
1 large handful of fresh basil
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Scant 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, grated on a microplane or very finely chopped
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Fresh pepper, to taste

Directions

Cut your beautiful heirloom tomatoes into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients to your blender and blend on high until the basil pieces are as small as they’ll get (or until they’re completely blended into the dressing, my blender is just not that cool). Taste the basil vinaigrette for salt and pepper, and adjust to your preferences if you think it needs more/less acidity.

Lightly toss the tomatoes with the dressing. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!

This dressing keeps in the refrigerator for a week and is also great as a salad dressing. I imagine it would be delicious as a chicken marinade as well.

Tomato Salad + Basil Vin | via Tsiporah Blog

Happy summer everyone, I’m so happy to be back in the blogging world. If you want to read more about my travels and see some photos I took, head on over to my travel blog here: Nicoblossom Travels. If you want to connect with me in other ways, check out the links below…

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Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

03 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by Nicole Small in Autumn/Fall, dairy free, dessert recipe, gluten free, Holidays, Thanksgiving, vegetarian/vegan

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Tags

appetizer, appetizer recipe, autumn, dairy free, dessert, dessert recipe, food, food blog, gluten free, holidays, recipe, thanksgiving recipe, vegetarian

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I don’t know about you but I like to start looking for Thanksgiving recipes and inspiration early on. If you are still creating your menu, I hope this Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup will help you find one or two new recipes to add to your table! I gathered some delicious recipes from Tsiporah Blog, as well as my family’s very favorite stuffing recipe from Sunset Magazine for you to pour over to create your perfect Thanksgiving 2013 menu.

Thanksgiving Recipe Round Up

This year has gone by so fast. I wish I could be home to celebrate with my family; Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I love spending time together and cooking for everyone. This year, Jewish Americans will probably also be celebrating Thanksgivukkah, as the first night of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving. For that reason, I have included a few Thanksgivukkah-inspired recipes as well!

Breakfast

If you have family coming in town, you might want to create special but simple breakfasts for them during their visit. These recipes are relatively easy and great for entertaining. The apple butter can be used for anything from topping english muffins to making Apple Butter Challah, which you can then use for french toast!

Thanksgiving Breakfast Recipes via Tsiporah Blog

1. Apple Butter
2. Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Pancakes
3. Wild Mushroom & Leek Quiche
4. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Appetizers and Starters

A simple appetizer can really wow your guests. Here I have included two no-fuss Thanksgiving appetizers as well as a soup and a salad that are both super yummy and hearty for the season.

Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes via Tsiporah Blog

1. Apple, Brie and Fig Crostini
2. Roasted Grapes
3. Perfect Autumn Salad
4. Roasted Cauliflower Soup & Parmesan Dijon Croutons

Sides

Lets admit it: side dishes really are the backbone of Thanksgiving. Sure, you’re excited for the turkey, but what are you really excited for? I am always more excited for the sides, like roasted butternut squash. I also love sweet potato latkes, and they would be perfect for Thanksgivukkah!

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes via Tsiporah Blog

1. Roasted Butternut Squash
2. Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Brussels
3. Sweet Potato Latkes for Thanksgivukkah!
4. Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary
5. Artichoke Parmesan Sourdough Stuffing (via Sunset Magazine)

Desserts

Last but not least, the sweets! Break out of your same-old Thanksgiving routine with some of these special desserts, like Derby Pie Bars or Buttery Vanilla Bean Cookies.

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes via Tsiporah Blog

1. Derby Pie Bars
2. Vanilla Bean Cookies
3. Criss Cross Apple Pies
4. Apple Pie Bars
5. Hanukkah Butter Cookies for Thanksgivukkah!

I hope that you all have a wonderful and fulfilling Thanksgiving. Keep your eyes out for a post in my new Food for Thought series all about being grateful – suiting for this month, don’t you think? Happy Holidays & Happy Cooking!

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St. Francis – Restaurant Review

28 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by Nicole Small in restaurant review

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Tags

appetizer, food, food blog, gluten free, happy hour, Phoenix, restaurant review

St. Francis has become one of my favorite places in Phoenix, especially for happy hour. They have happy hour every day! That means Saturday and Sunday too! Plus St. Francis’ patio is gorgeous even during the summer.

St. Francis Restaurant Review | via Tsiporah Blog

SANTA ROSA

Start out your dining experience with a cool and refreshing Santa Rosa. During happy hour all of St. Francis’ cocktails are $5, and they are all pure works of art. The Santa Rosa is no exception; pink grapefruit juice and fresh basil are expertly combined with elder flower and vodka to create a drink that is perfect during the warm summer months.

St. Francis Restaurant Review | Santa Rosa Cocktail | via Tsiporah Blog

Clockwise from the top: Dark and Stormy, Cucumber Cooler, Santa Rosa

Fingerling Potatoes

You can’t come to St. Francis without getting their Fingerling Potatoes. Don’t make the mistake of ordering the “side” of Fingerling Potatoes – the appetizer order comes with crispy fried herbs and parmesan cheese on top, which elevates the dish from good to out of this world! I don’t think I can explain my obsession with these potatoes; I tried to make them at home but nothing can compare.

St. Francis Restaurant Review | Fingerling Potatoes | via Tsiporah Blog

Fingerling Potatoes topped with Parmesan and crispy herbs along with lemon aioli and Mexican ketchup

Pork Chili Verde

My 2nd favorite dish at St. Francis is their Pork Chili Verde. St. Francis has a wood burning oven in which they make many of their specialties, this one included. The pork is fall-apart-tender with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, etc that I imagine have been cooked down so long that the vegetables are hardly identifiable anymore, they only compose one thing: the stew that anchors the entire dish. Topped with a charred chili, fresh cilantro and jack cheese, and accompanied by a small side of corn bread, this is one that you don’t want to pass up.

St. Francis Restaurant Review | Pork Chili Verde | via Tsiporah Blog

Pork Chili Verde

Baked Goat Cheese

St. Francis Restaurant Review | Baked Goat Cheese | via Tsiporah Blog

Baked Goat Cheese with house-made Baguette

Goat cheese is amazing to begin with, but when it is baked into a gooey mess composed of fresh goat cheese, tomatoes and herb pesto and served alongside a fresh baguette… no one can resit. It is one of my favorite appetizers; it is so incredibly simple and satisfying.

Pumpkin Soup

St. Francis Restaurant Review | Pumpkin Soup | via Tsiporah Blog

Pumpkin Soup

St. Francis features numerous seasonal soups during the year. In the fall, St. Francis sometimes has a pumpkin soup decorated with creme fresh and pomegranate jewels. Keep your eyes open for it this fall – this smooth and creamy soup is comforting and cozy during the chilly fall and winter days!

Bone-in New York Strip

St. Francis Restaurant Review | NY Strip | via Tsiporah Blog

New York Strip Steak

This steak blew me away. It was perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth tender, and the sauce was a suiting accompaniment for the velvety potatoes underneath. This may be one of the best steaks I have ever had.

White Fish

St. Francis Restaurant Review | White Fish | via Tsiporah Blog

White Fish

This White Fish embodies summer; it is light, flavorful and the mixed bean and corn salad underneath is beautifully refreshing. The fish itself is flaky, tender and moist, topped with mixed herbs that brighten the already vibrant dish.

St. Francis also serves some very popular flatbreads, salads, sandwiches and burgers.

St. Francis tRestaurant Information

Website: http://stfrancisaz.com/
Hours: M-Th 11am-10pm, F 11am-11pm, Sat. 9am-11pm & Sun. 9am-9pm (brunch on the weekends 9-2:30, happy hour every day 3-6)
Location: 111 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 200-8111
Pricing: Happy Hour $5-10, Lunch & Dinner $10-30

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Apple, Brie and Fig Crostini

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Nicole Small in appetizer, Holidays, recipe, Thanksgiving

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

appetizer, appetizer recipe, apple, autumn, brie, cheese, fall, fig, food, food blog, food blogger, holiday, holidays, recipe, recipe blog, thanksgiving, thanksgiving recipe

My favorite time of the year is Autumn, with the promise of brisk mornings, crackling fires, and dinner parties. It means Thanksgiving is growing near, my favorite holiday spent among loved ones from near and far. I adore having the whole family together in the kitchen, sharing, laughing, cooking. I am so grateful that this year most of my Dad’s family can travel to Arizona to celebrate the holiday with us.

My family typically enjoys many of the same Thanksgiving dishes every year, but we often like to shake it up a bit- especially with the appetizers. Sunset Magazine is our favorite source of inspiration, but we often draw insight from other origins as well, including restaurants and favorite dishes.

Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer

One of my most favorite appetizers is the crostini. Similar to bruschetta in style, a crostini can don any topping, and the possibilities are endless. One of my favorite places in Phoenix has the best bruschetta with a myriad of toppings to choose from, and the most inspiring to me is their brie with apples and fig preserves. My family also adores it, so I decided to bring it home, into our kitchen, to share with our out of town guests.

The idea behind this sweet and satisfying appetizer is simple, but the flavors are huge. It can be made for a festive dinner appetizer or as a weekday snack; either way it is equally special and delicious. These disappear very quickly in our home, especially with family and friends hanging around on the holidays. I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy just as much as we do!

Apple, Brie and Fig Crostini

Makes 18-25 Crostinis, Depending on length of baguette

Ingredients

1 baguette
2 Granny smith apples
1/2 a small round of soft brie (we like Alouette Baby Brie)
Fig Preserves
Olive oil
Fresh black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices, brush with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven, turning once, until lightly golden brown. Remove toasts from the oven and let cool.

Thinly slice the apples and set aside. Slice the brie into pieces to fit each toast. When the toasts have cooled enough to handle, spread each one with fig jam, layer on a slice or two of brie, and one to two slices of apple to cover. Drizzle each one with a small amount of olive oil, and finish with freshly cracked pepper.

Apple Brie Fig Crostini

Enjoy! Expect more Autumn and Thanksgiving-inspired recipes to follow as the season and holiday approach us.

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