Summer isn't over yet...

Banana Mango Daiquiris 

These were delicious!  It was a perfect summer drink to enjoy on the patio.  

Gazpacho

This healthy summer dish is chunky with fresh vegetables and tastes like a garden.  The pecorino adds a nice nutty flavor to the chilled soup.  I'll definitely be making this classic again!

Coleslaw


If you have a food processor this coleslaw is super easy to make. It's classic in that it has a mayo base, but the apple cider vinegar cuts through the mayo and gives a nice bite and flavor.  This is perfect for any summer bbq.

oven roasted fruit

Roasting the fruit is a nice way to change it up for dessert.  Something about it just feels fancy.  And you can't mess it up!  A little ice cream or frozen yogurt doesn't hurt either.

The Day is Here...

It's been a year since I started working on Barely Contessa!  Wow! It's been a lot of fun and definitely a learning experience.  There're some recipes that I have not yet completed, but I'm going to continue to work on those, and I'll post as I get them finished.  For the most part, if it hasn't been seen on Barely Contessa it's because I already made the recipe prior to starting the blog, I have a strong aversion to making it (chopped liver, etc.), or it was too expensive to justify making (seafood salad, etc.).


Hope you've enjoyed! Here are some things that I've worked on this past week.

steak au poivre 

Mm mm mmmm.  So good.  This is just awesome pan seared steak with a great sauce with shallots and deep flavor.  Are you proud that I served it with zucchini and not mashed potatoes?! Don't be.  Mac ran out and got some McDonald's fries so we could do the whole "steak and frites" thing.  I think it was the right choice in the end - so good to dip those fries in the sauce from the steak!

zucchini with parmesan

I've made this so many times and it never disappoints.  It's a little bit time consuming for a veggie because the onions saute before you add the zucchini,  probably 25 minutes of saute time total, but it's worth it! And parmesan makes almost anything better! 

confetti corn

This is a repeat recipe as well.  It's great for summer because you can use fresh corn and basil and it puts such pretty colors on your plate!  

baked potatoes with yogurt and sour cream

I think of my friend Jamie when I look at this picture of the potato with sour cream and yogurt goodness basically eclipsing the starchy little nugget. About a sandwich and it's relationship to mayonnaise she says, mid-dip into her container of extra mayo, "I mean, it's basically just a vehicle to eat the mayonnaise...right?" I think the same thing was going on here with the potato!

elephant ears

Okay. Why didn't I make these sooner? They are so fun and easy to make!  You take a puff pastry, put sugar all over it, fold it up, cut it up and bake. Light, sweet, and crunchy = addictive and delicious.  

orzo with roasted vegetables

I will be making this again before the summer is over.  It's a wonderful salad to have for lunch or as a side.  The roasted vegetables are sweet and feta gives a nice bite of saltiness.  The dressing has lemon and olive oil and is just enough to coat the orzo.  Try it!

tomato feta salad

This salad has already been repeated!  So easy and tasty and perfect for all of the summer tomatoes and herbs.  

Hi Ina! XO, Christine

My sister Maggie is in the Hamptons doing an internship for the website guestofaguest.com, a guide to what's happening in the area and local news regarding all that is fabulous about the Hamptons.  She is covering a charity event on Saturday hosted by the Barefoot Contessa herself!  I can't wait to hear all about it!

tomato and goat cheese tart and roasted vegetables

What a delicious summer dinner this was!  The roasted vegetables were perfect; sweet, smokey, with a hint of garlic.  The tart is definitely something I'll make again!  It looks so special, but was so easy to make.  You use a puff pastry and fill the middle with some sauteed onions and herbs topped with tomato and goat cheese.  My friend Molly loved it as well!