tuscan summer daydream

My daydream for today....... our family is sitting on the screen porch over looking the water- with our crispy tans- and glasses of vino- dressed in my casual Calypso cover up- we laugh and share memories.. maybe a bit cheesy but.. ummm.. next weekend i will make this a reality!! The Tuscan Summer daydream was inspired by this email from Carolyne Roehm...


Individual Pizzas (makes 2 pizzas)1lb

Pizza Dough (Fresh or Frozen)

-1/2 cup Grated Parmesan

-4 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

-1lb Fresh Mozzarella, sliced thinly

-2 cups Chopped Tomatoes

-1/4lb Sliced Proscuitto or Speck1

-1/2 cup Oregano Leaves

-1/2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

-3 cups Arugula

-1 tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice

-1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts heat oven to 450F.

Oil 2 pizza pans and divide dough into 2 balls. Stretch or roll each one until very thin. Drizzle with 1 tsp. olive oil and sprinkle with a little grated parmesan. Arrange mozzarella and tomatoes, add prosciutto (or speck), red pepper flakes and oregano leaves.

Bake at 450F for 12-15 minutes.Before serving drizzle remaining olive oil and lemon juice on the arugula, then place on top of pizza. Add remaining grated parmesan and top with pine nuts

Pecorino Cheese Baked with Honey and Walnuts

-1lb Young Pecorino Toscano

-1/2 cup Honey

-15 Walnut Halves

Pre-heat oven to 450F. Put honey and walnuts in a small bowl. Slice the percorino 1/2" thick and slightly overlap in baking dish, bake for 6 mins at 450F (until slightly runny). Pour honey and walnut mix over the cheese.

I hope you'll all enjoy these mouthwatering dishes - I certainly did! Ciao,
To hear more about my trip to Italy, please read my column, Conversations with Carolyne Roehm in the July-August issue of Veranda magazine. Their web site is veranda