Need a little inspiration? You don’t have

to look far—it’s all around you. Just follow

your senses and let your palate be your guide.

WHAT'S IN YOUR PANTRY?

The best chefs believe that the quality of cuisine can be measured by the quality of what’s in the pantry. Using the freshest oils and high quality staple ingredients will do more for your cooking than any fancy gadget.

IMPECCABLE INGREDIENTs

The fewer ingredients a dish has, the more important their quality. Just compare fresh basil to dried basil and the difference is clear. For the best ingredients, get to know what’s available at your local market—ask your grocer what’s good. And don’t be afraid to change your menu to take advantage of an unexpected find.

 
 

 


RECIPES

Inspiration is everywhere. From books, music and movies to travel, dining and shopping, there’s an unlimited supply of imagery, aroma and taste to get your creative juices flowing. The following recipes are easy enough for every day dining and elegant enough for guests. And while delicious in their own right, think of them as a springboard to further exploration. The possibilities are endless and you should taste every one.

Grated Carrot Salad
Inspired by: L'Oeillade, Paris
Ingredients: carrots, garlic, salt, Moulin
Fortuné Arizzi olive oil

A classic bistro salad made sublime. Mash one or two garlic cloves to a paste with coarse salt. Coarsely shred a handful of carrots and add them to the bowl. Just before serving, toss with a generous amount of fruity, fragrant olive oil and sprinkle with a flaky sea salt.  Superb.
 

Walnut Pasta
Inspired by: A fine fall day
Ingredients: pasta, walnuts, thyme, parmigianno,
J LeBlanc walnut oil

This recipe will work with any pasta you have on hand. While pasta cooks, coarsely chop toasted walnuts with the leaves from several sprigs of fresh thyme. Season with salt and stir in enough walnut oil to create a rough paste. Top warm pasta with walnut sauce, parmesan cheese shavings and finish with an additional drizzle of walnut oil. You’ll be happy you did.

Roasted Tomato Lasagne
Inspired by: Winter tomatoes
Ingredients: tomatoes, lasagne, thyme, Disisa olive oil

Roasting tomatoes is a delicious way to concentrate flavors. Slice tomatoes in half and toss with olive oil, thyme and salt. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast in a 425 degree oven until caramelized. Boil lasagne noodles and drain. Alternate layers of lasagne with layers of tomatoes and olive oil. Garnish with sprigs of thyme. Enjoy.
 

Feta with Olive Oil
Inspired by: Pure Luck Goat Dairy, Wimberley, TX
Ingredients: feta cheese,  rosemary, Galiga e Vetrice olive oil

Crumble feta cheese in a serving dish, drizzle with olive oil and chopped fresh rosemary. The grassy notes in feta will be echoed in the olive oil, excellent with bread and an aperitif.