Wednesday, October 07, 2009

OCTOBER EVE ~ (SIMPLE ONE PLATE SUPPER) FUSILLI with FRESH TOMATO & FETA / BAKED PARMESAN BREAD

"Listen, the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
Now for October eves!"
~ Humbert Wolfe



OCTOBER EVE
(Hubbard Lake)
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FUSILLI with FRESH TOMATO & FETA
~ A 'simple' family favorite, perfect for the fresh tomato and basil harvest
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2-3 lbs. ripe Italian plum tomatoes
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
6-8 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 coarsely chopped red onion
1 tsp. coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lb. good fusilli (whole wheat pasta is also great)
6-8 oz. crumbled feta
  • Seed and dice tomatoes. Place in large bowl.
  • Add vinegar, olive oil, basil, parsley, onion, salt & pepper. Toss with tomatoes and let marinate at room temperature at least 1 hour.
  • Cook fusilli in large pot of boiling salted water according to directions (tender but still firm). Drain well.
  • Toss fusilli with 1/2 of fresh tomato sauce. Serve topped with remaining sauce, crumbled feta, and PARMESAN BREAD (4 servings)
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BAKED PARMESAN BREAD
Loaf of good Italian bread or French baguette
3/4 cup unsalted room temperature butter
1 cup loosely packed chopped parsley
freshly cracked pepper to taste
1/2 -3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Slice loaf of bread lengthwise. Combine butter, parsley, pepper and grated Parmesan cheese. Spread evenly over each half. Bake until golden brown.
  • Slice and serve.

OCTOBER SUNSET
(Hubbard Lake)

23 comments:

  1. Tomato and feta caught my eye !
    Then I saw the pic....that is one amazing picture...great capture.

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  2. Joey, Your photos are so beautiful~~I would love to be sitting by the fire, looking out over the lake, talking with you and thinking about that fusilli, feta and tomato dinner! gail

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  3. These recipes are amazing! Do you cook and bake ALL the time? :-) You really have a special way of selecting yummy recipes.

    That sunset is amazing, too. Is that the view from your kitchen window -- while you slave over your gourmet creations?

    Cameron

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  4. From one who also also loves her camera, thanks dear Patsi! And yes, we must eat so, why not ... tomato & feta ... a great combo!

    Well, then you MUST come, Gail! How fun ... (don't forget your camera)!

    Thanks sweet Cameron ... indeed, my passions run wild, both in the kitchen and out :) I'm blessed to live in a Yin & Yang world ... this sunset is my world and view at the lake, very different from my beautiful world and gardens here (perhaps a good post). I 'slave' in the kitchen at both places because I love to ...

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  5. Joey, these photos of the lake are gorgeous. What delightful views you have there.

    The Fusilli(whole wheat pasta for us) sounds delicious. Just the thing for a cold fall night and will be very healthy for hubby.

    I could eat pasta everyday and always make enough to have leftovers. Thanks for another great recipe.

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  6. Ok, I'm fixing this! Mr D will love it. Anything tomatoes and cheese tops his list.

    Big smoochie hugs to ya!

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  7. Images are breathtaking, and the recipe... I love everything that has tomatoes in it.

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  8. spectacular sunsets over the lake. what is it about water and the sun setting...it is exceptional. these recipes sound perfect together and oh so good.
    happy october days.

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  9. Such soothing photos for a rainy, windy night here. Thank you as always for sharing, dear Joey.

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  10. Indeed we have stunning views, Beckie, (the equinox sets directly in front) ~ the main reason we wrapped our arms around the spot when we found it 10 years ago. Yes, made with whole wheat pasta this is perfect for your hubby. I too make extra but a huge temptation for Mr. Ho-Hum to eat seconds. Luckily, he has one of those marvelous metabolisms and can eat like a goat and not gain weight!

    Big smoochie hugs returned, dear Anna. Do give this a try ... it's my daughter's favorite recipe ~ a request for her Oct 7 birthday dinner (fresh basil a must). Serve warm or at room temp ~ delicious!

    Thank you, Tatyana. Both the lake and tomatoes are 2 of my favorite things ~ healthy for both mind and body :)

    Thanks Marmee. Yes, sunsets over the water are amazing ... each season, each evening ~ unique.

    We must have the same weather, jodi (I tried to calm it down a bit before it headed your way). The wind & rain makes it hard to work outside plus everyone seems to be stuffed up/sneezing, suffering from allergies!

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  11. Hi Joey, wish I had such spectacular views of sunsets from my home. I have to walk down the road a ways to get a clear view of the sunsets over the fields.
    Marnie

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  12. Hi Marnie ~ always a dream to have a home with a view, I have never gotten over the joy of each sunset. Here in The Village, I can't see the sunset over the horizon either ... (unless I sit on the roof)!

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  13. Joey, your Hubbard lake images are spectacular! What a joy it must be to see such sights from your home. Water, sky, and the sun....deadly combination! Your photos say so!

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  14. Joey! Autumn is percolating at the Village Voice! Suddenly I could see myself in your kitchen smelling that delicious bread in the oven! Glad to see you back in our kitchens, my dear. Big hugs!

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  15. You're a doll, Kanak, and thank you from a fan of yours viewing your'pieces of Heaven'!

    Dearest Kathryn ~ having just returned from your stellar 'huckleberry' post, I'm honored. A day in your kitchen beside you would be a dream!

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  16. Hi Joey, I love your views of the lake and, having felt compelled to make this last night ..... I adore your recipes!!!
    I love to cook and feed a brood of hungry people and all the recipes of yours that I've tried have always been a success. If you ever come to the UK, lets cook together!:)

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  17. Thanks dear Nutty. We are lucky, indeed, to have this awesome view. Delighted you are enjoying my favorite recipes. I can think of nothing lovelier than cooking beside you ... put the kettle on ... I'm on the way!

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  18. The bread sounds yummy. I'll have to pass on the pasta as my significant other makes such faces when I even mention feta or bleu cheese. Personnally, I love both of them. (He's out of town this week so I made Iceberg Wedge salad with tomato, bacon and BLEU CHEESE. Yum!

    I love your photo of Hubbard Lake. I'm familiar with the area as we have stayed up at Lost Lake.

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  19. It is indeed tomato and basil time and pasta is the perfect foil!

    Now those beautiful shots of lake Hubbard make me want to take a row boat out and go fishing. Whatever I catch, you cook it Joey.

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  20. If he likes pasta and tomatoes, Lindalou, try it with Parmesan, equally tasty. I agree, Iceberg Wedge Salad with tomato/bacon/blue cheese is a good thing! I am very familiar with nearby Lost Lake Woods! Then you know the area and how lovely Hubbard Lake is. I've been going there for eons, since I was 4. My family owns 4 places, scattered around the almost 30 mile shoreline. Blessed, we also have dear friends with cottages/summer homes there. Family from across the miles vacation/reunion with us each summmer ... a pure joy!

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  21. Hi Rob ~ Oh yes, Hubbard Lake is not only a beautiful spring-fed lake but a great fishing lake as well ... walleye, perch, bass, whitefish, muskie, etc. My grandson caught a 22 1/2 in.(over 5lbs.) small mouth bass ... my sister's neighbor caught a 43 in. pike (not my favorite to eat). Do come and fish and count me in for the cookin' (have you ever tasted pan fried perch ... nothing better)!

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  22. Pristine shots of Hubbard lake Joey... Gorgeous... to follow the golden and lavender path of the sun into the horizon ... dreamy peaceful... lovely poem too.

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  23. Thank you, Carol. Very photogenic, it's hard to shoot a bad picture of Hubbard Lake :)

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