Wednesday, June 23, 2010

My Favorite Summer Dish.


When the heat sets in, I love to have light dishes that scream "summer." In Nashville, there are several fruit and veggie stands that pop up all over the city. One happens to be right across the street from me, and I love it! Fresh and locally grown produce is the way to go during the summer. I always know that means home-grown tomatoes...which are among my top favorite foods! You can't beat one sliced with salt & pepper! I love to make caprese salads, which consists of fresh tomato sliced with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Any good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar will work, but last summer in Seattle I found the perfect duo! Each time I would visit, I would head down to Pike's Place Market. One my last trip I discovered Sotto Voce oils and vinegars. I instantly fell in love with not only all the flavors they had - but the owner as well. He was so sweet and helpful. We tasted everything they made, and believe me - I wanted it all! However, when I travel, I pack everything in my closet for my trips (bad, I know) so I knew that buying  more than 2 would cause me great trouble and $$ at the Southwest check in :)

I settled on the two that stuck with me the most: Olio Dorato and Aceto Balsamico. The Olio Dorate is a lemon infused oil combines dried lemons with sun-dried tomatoes, cinnamon sticks & mulling spices in a 'golden' garlic olive oil. The Aceto Balsamico is a Modenaceti Balsamic Vinegar infused with whole garlic cloves, crushed red peppers & whole red chilis. I thought the two of them together would be very unique and tasty, and boy I was right! I LOVE this combo, but they are also amazing on their own as well. I use these two products when making my caprese salads at home. I also use the oil when roasting veggies or cooking chicken. I use the balsamic on salads, and it adds a bit of "pop" to the whole thing! Check out the website...I'm sure you'll be as hooked as I was!

Obsessed.


My ingredients. Got the fresh mozzarella cheese from a woman here in Nashville
that makes her own cheeses! Check her out here





What are some of your favorite summer dishes?

19 comments:

  1. Now you have me craving a Caprese salad!
    Looks great!
    www.poolovesboo.blogspot.com

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  2. That looks so delicious! I love fresh tomato.
    xx

    www.summersdaughter.blogspot.com

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  3. That is def one of my favorites-or a nice greek salad! YUM!
    <3 cara
    PS. Come check out the fabulous giveaway on my blog!
    http://www.lilacandgrey.com

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  4. Looks soo good!! I love olive oil, garlic, and pesto with mozzarella on flatbeard - it's like 1 of 3 things I can almost cook haha

    http://jammer10am.blogspot.com/

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  5. That looks amazing!

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  6. Oooh, this looks DELECTABLE, my dear! Fresh fruit and veggies are easily two of my favorite things about summer!
    xo Josie
    http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

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  7. Love this dish! Fresh mozzarella is my favorite!


    xo Marcie

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  8. ahh looks delish!! I love caprese!!

    one of my favorite summer dishes is actually just some home made quacamole and salsa with chips and a margarita :) sucker for mexican food!!

    xox Vicky
    Bikinis & Passports

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  9. This looks fan-tastic, Lindsay! I've gotta try this! :)

    I have a fave appetizer for summer parties..it's a family fave..real easy...but not the healthiest...great paired w/ a beer or a glass of wine though :)

    Bacon Puffs
    White or Wheat bread, each slice cut into thirds
    Spread Philly Cream Cheese (chive) on each piece of bread (before you cut into thirds)
    Roll a piece of bacon up in the bread and secure with toothpick
    bake for 350 until golden brown and crispy

    SO SO good! :)

    xx
    Jen

    http://belledecouture.blogspot.com

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  10. Love it! Looks delicious and like a yummy food to eat at the lake!!

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  11. that salad looks amazing! i definitely want to have one for dinner tonight!

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  12. So I have never been to your blog before and the reason I did was because your LINDSAY with an "A". So am i! I now spell it LYNZY, but thats a longer story :)

    xo Lynzy
    http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

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  13. Love these pictures, they're making me hungry!!

    -Ashley
    http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

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  14. That looks AMAZEBALLS. I love cheeeese! Also looove a good summer fruit salad...melons, berries and mint leaves. Yumm

    xx

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  15. you did a great job! looks so professional! I love Caprese!!! xo

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  16. my boyfriends mother makes something just like this! it is sooo delish and perfect for summer as well!

    x

    landofcuteseas.blogspot.com

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  17. totally yummy! I have a hang up on tomatoes, basil and mozarella aswell!!:) your blog is cute!

    feel free to stop by sometime!

    xx T

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