Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I just watched "Ratatouille" and that scene when Ego tastes the ratatouille made me try to make it for myself. As seems to be the case with lots of french recipes - you get great results from the simplest recipes - just fresh ingredients prepared exactly right and there's a transformation. I prefer it hot though, and with a crust sounds amazing.

just delicious ham and wonderful bread - a little bit of mustard. chew it slowly.

right now, brie

NY STRIP

dijon, roast asparagus, brie, salty french ham, some bitter greens

re: the pizza..
anyone planning on making it soon? I was going to but I just found out that I'm going to be out most of the weekend. If anyone does try it, please post to say how it is :)

I just got No-Roll Pizza Bianca. The only "toppings" on this is olive oil, salt, and rosemary. Sounds like the tomato and parm one might be tastier!

I just got my first one .. Crunchy oven baked fish .. today.

That's interesting, Brooke -- I just got a recipe for No-Roll Pizza Bianca with Tomatoes and Parmesan! I wish I'd gotten the one you got, frankly.

I just made the dough, and it's a sticky mess; I think the technique as described is overly complicated and a waste of time. I'll bake the pizza later today and see what's what. I'll be interested to hear how yours turns out.

V.

Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup from Cooks Illustrated:

2 Tbs. EVOO
1 small onion, chopped
3 med. garlic cloves minced
1/8 t. hot red pepper flakes (optional --- and I used more)
1 bay leaf
2 (28oz) cans whole tomatoes
2 t. sugar
2 large slices good quality white sandwich bread, torn into 1 in. pieces
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
table salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1. Heat oil in Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add onion, garlic and red pepper, stirring, until onions are translucent. Add bay leaf and tomatoes. Using spoon, press tomatoes against sid of pot to release juices. Stir in sugar and bread. Cook, stirring constantly, until bread starts to break down (5 min).
2. Transfer soup to blender and blend until smooth and creamy (I used a hand blender). Return soup to pot and stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil and season with S&P. Serve in bowls and sprinkle with black pepper, chives, and a drizzle of olive oil.