Lemon Vinaigrette

Adapted from Perla Meyers' "The Seasonal Kitchen."  Published in Hartford Courant, March 2012

Leah Eskin is a Tribune Newspapers special contributor. 

"I've been relying on the same vinaigrette since middle school, and it hasn't failed me yet. It's the sort of bedrock basic that can carry you through the single salad, the family meal or the sumptuous dinner party. With only six ingredients and one bowl."

Lemon Vinaigrette
Prep: 10 minutes
Makes: 3/4 cup, enough to dress a salad for 6-8
Ingredients:
1 lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons snipped chives
Juice:
Squeeze lemon. Measure out 3 tablespoons juice.
Stir:
Measure juice, mustard, sugar and salt into a small bowl.
Emulsify:
Slowly drizzle in oil, whisking constantly.
Chill:
Stir in chives. Cover and chill.
Provenance:

Zucchini Patties

by Buddy Valastro

INGREDIENTS

2	medium zucchini
1	teaspoon kosher salt
1	tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
1‑1/2	tablespoons chopped mint
2	tablespoons minced shallot
2	cloves garlic, minced
big pinch	red pepper flakes
1/2	cup crumbled ricotta salata
2	tablespoons grated pecorino, plus additional for garnish
2	large eggs, beaten
3	tablespoons all purpose flour
olive oil for frying

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Trim ends from zucchini and grate on the large holes of a grater. Toss with the salt and let drain in a colander while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
3. In a bowl, combine the parsley, mint, shallot, garlic, red pepper, ricotta, and pecorino. Squeeze the zucchini dry in a towel and combine with the ingredients in the bowl. Stir in the beaten eggs and flour.
4. Heat a large skillet and pour in oil to 1/4". Drop scant 1/4 cups of batter in to the oil and fry until golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels. Plate and finish with a grating of pecorino.

This recipe appears in: Italian

Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule Recipe

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Mix up this Moscow Mule drink—perfect for your next camping trip!

Servings: Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 tsp. sugar syrup
• Fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup ginger beer
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• 1 slice of lime

Directions

In a copper mug, pour vodka over ice. Add sugar syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Moscow-Mule-Recipe_1#ixzz21OixzAHr

Tyler Florence's pizza dough

Recipe found on food network

Giada  DeLaurentis recipe - larger quantity but very similar

Ingredients: 1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon kosher salt (impt - not regular salt)
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups 00 flour, plus more for dusting

1. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium; stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour - 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 500 degrees F.
4. Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.
5. Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Watermelon Mojitos

What a great spring or summer drink.  Refreshing and beautiful.  It is a Barefoot Contessa recipe, but I've added the mint-infused simple syrup.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Mint infused simple syrup:

• 20 fresh mint leaves
• 1 C. sugar
• 1 C. water

Mojitos:

• 6 C. of cubed watermelon
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1 ½ C. light rum
• ½ C. mint-infused simple syrup
• 3 limes, freshly squeezed

Directions:

1. Heat the water and sugar until it comes to a boil
2. Mix well and turn off the heat
3. Add the mint and cover
4. Let the mixture steep for at least 1 hour
5. In a food processer, add the seedless watermelon and the mint
6. Puree until fine
7. Pour the watermelon mixture through a strainer to remove the big pulpy pieces
8. In a large pitcher, mix the watermelon puree, rum, fresh lime juice, and mint-infused simple syrup
9. Serve over ice

 Tips and Tricks:

• Seedless watermelon is great for this recipe. 
• This is a drink best served in a short, shallow, clear glass.  The color of the drink is so pretty.  You will want to show it off.