Heirlooms

Tonight was the first pick of the season (possibly the first of two; Something has happened to my tomato plants this year... very disappointing).  

Anyhow, after a long three weeks of work (including weekends!) I made it to the light at the end of the tunnel, and celebrated myself with the first of the heirlooms this year, mozzarella (not home made yet) and basil.  Topped with sea salt, pepper, and an outstanding finishing olive oil we picked up in Los Olivos (an amaaazing little town in Santa Ynez wine country).  Perhaps a bit more of a generous pour than the pros, but I just love it.

Also a very happy birthday to the most amazing mother in the world, who I can't wait to visit with in 2 weeks!

The Absentee Blogger.

While I began this blog more as a hobby for myself and an outlet for my passion du fromage (and food in general) I did mean to post far more often than I have.  Goal for 2012.  


Since my last post I've experienced the most incredible event in my cheese-loving history:  I. Made. Cheese.  I was so excited during the entire process, I stretched the damn mozzarella into more of a rubber ball, but I enjoyed it just the same.  Paired with fresh garden heirloom tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil.

A Lotta Burrata

Burrata is one of my favorite cheeses - in the mozzarella family, actually developed from mozzarella and cream. The outside "pouch" is made of mozzarella, then filled with mozzarella bits and cream before it's knotted closed. Once cut open, the thickened cream oozes out into a gooey, buttery heaven.
When I ever get around to learning to make cheese. . . creating this will be a priority.

I serve burrata split open in the middle of a cheese board, drizzled with a nice olive oil, sprinkled with freshly ground pepper and surrounded by extra thin slices of prosciutto di parma and/or heirloom tomatoes... It happens far more often than it should.