Plating Up Blog Banner Back Issues Sign Up For Our Free eNewsletter Subscribe to Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine Plating Up Blog Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine Table of Contents Subscribe to Our Magazine About Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine Bits and Bites Press Page Send Email Plating Up Blog

November 28, 2011

Herbed Whole Wheat Peasant Bread

Try this bread cut into thick slices, topped with tomatoes and smoked cheese. Run under the broiler and serve with a favorite homemade soup. Yum…

nine-grain-whole-wheat-bread
image: veganbaking.net Continue reading “Herbed Whole Wheat Peasant Bread” »

August 3, 2011

Brown Sugar Fried Tomatoes

This tomato recipe is a delicious nod to summer. Makes a great side dish!

tomatoesripe
image: mybrownieswillmakeyoufat.wordpress.com

Continue reading “Brown Sugar Fried Tomatoes” »

July 10, 2011

Cheese Pinwheels

I love to serve these with my Fresh Pea and Roasted Tomato soups. They are perfect for dipping.

4358811752_9701637589
image: flickr.com

Continue reading “Cheese Pinwheels” »

June 22, 2011

Herb and Citrus Goat Cheese with Garlic Toasts

Make this delicious herb and citrus scented goat cheese and serve with homemade garlic baguette toasts for an impressive appetizer.

herbed goat cheese
image: pardonmycrumbs.blogspot.com Continue reading “Herb and Citrus Goat Cheese with Garlic Toasts” »

May 24, 2011

Fresh Tomato, Caramelized Onion, and Brie Cheese Galette

This is probably one of my most requested recipes. The variations on this are limited only by your imagination. I sometimes add prosciutto, crisp cooked pancetta, or even capicola (a hot Italian ham), provolone, bleu cheese, goat cheese, nicoise, or kalamata olives, shrimp, crab….

tomato-galette-sq-2
image:thecitysisters.com Continue reading “Fresh Tomato, Caramelized Onion, and Brie Cheese Galette” »

May 1, 2011

Lemon Sponge Puddings

These little desserts are pools of tart lemon pudding with light islands of lemon sponge cake floating on top.

lemonspongepudding

Continue reading “Lemon Sponge Puddings” »

April 15, 2011

Nested Eggs

The smell of the onions and garlic cooking slowly on the stove seems to get my guests up a bit earlier than usual. This hearty dish is good fortification for a day of hiking the Goat and Western Head trails in Acadia National Park.

egg nest

image:karrotbear.wordpress.com

Continue reading “Nested Eggs” »

January 5, 2011

Crab Stuffed Chicken

This crabmeat stuffing is easy to make, versatile, and tastes oh-so-good when paired with chicken. Also great with lobster, haddock, and shrimp. Try this crab stuffed chicken recipe; it will soon become a family favorite!

Crab-Stuffed-Chicken
image: companyscoming.com

Continue reading “Crab Stuffed Chicken” »

September 25, 2010

Halibut Steaks with Corn and Tomato Salad

Any fish lover knows halibut is arguably the filet mignon of the fish world. Meaty and wonderful grilled, the halibut in this recipe is perfect centerpiece for utilizing the last of the fresh, end-of-summer vegetables like corn and tomatoes.

halibut steaks

image: sundaypaper.com Continue reading “Halibut Steaks with Corn and Tomato Salad” »

August 20, 2010

Maine Blueberry Crisp

It’s Maine wild blueberry season, time for the Union Fair, and time to put those sweet berries to use in our favorite recipes. Here’s a great one, simple and oh-so-delicious. Hooray for Maine’s wild blueberries!

blueberry crisp Blueberry Crisp image by Robin Presta

Continue reading “Maine Blueberry Crisp” »

July 17, 2010

Blackberry Corn Muffins

I can’t think of a better way to glorify a corn muffin than to add some juicy ripe blackberries. These are wonderful served warm with a pot of honey butter alongside. I heat a smooth rock from Boom Beach here on Isle au Haut while the muffins are baking, wrap it with a kitchen towel, and place it in the bottom of the serving basket to keep the muffins toasty warm.

blackberry cornmeal muffins
image courtesy of themodernapron.blogspot.com
Continue reading “Blackberry Corn Muffins” »

May 10, 2010

Pan Roasted Salmon with Peach-Blackberry Salsa

A flavorful springtime dinner, this recipe for salmon is delicious with fresh blackberries and peaches. The blackberries in Maine will soon be ripe on the bushes, and before they go by or the birds get to them first, it’s a good idea to have some recipes like this one on hand to take advantage of the fruit available in season. salmon 064

image: cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com

Continue reading “Pan Roasted Salmon with Peach-Blackberry Salsa” »

April 20, 2010

Sweet Potato Fans

These sweet spuds are so delicious, you’ll think you’re having dessert.sweetpotato291_20080910-154553

image: readersdigest.ca

Continue reading “Sweet Potato Fans” »

April 11, 2010

Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls

Vegetable Spring Rolls are a treat. Try making them yourself at home and serve with this tasty Garlic Wasabi Dipping Sauce.Veggie Spring Roll 1.5 ozsimage: chefscornerfoods.com

Continue reading “Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls” »

March 8, 2010

Maine Shrimp and Scallop Stew

While Maine shrimp is still in season, take advantage of it with this great recipe from Diana Santospago of the Inn at Isle au Haut.Shrimpscallchow

image: cephood.blogspot.com

Continue reading “Maine Shrimp and Scallop Stew” »

February 26, 2010

Roasted Red Pepper and Black Olive Hummus

I make this hummus for the appetizer table and serve it with my herb toasted pita chips (recipe follows). It also makes a great lunch, spread in a warm pita pocket with sliced tomatoes and cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.

hummus

(image: cookingdonelight.com)

Continue reading “Roasted Red Pepper and Black Olive Hummus” »

January 15, 2010

Pear-Plum Galette

I like to make galettes when I want to serve pie on a smaller scale. They are easy to make and offer the pie taste without the pie bulk.935984_com_plumtart1

Pear-Plum Galette
Diana Santospago, Inn at Isle au Haut Continue reading “Pear-Plum Galette” »

November 7, 2009

Fresh Tuna Steaks with Avocado Grape Salsa

Here is a fresh and delicious recipe for tuna steaks courtesy of Diana Santospago, chef and owner of the Inn at Isle au Haut.

Tuna-9015Fresh Tuna Steaks at Jess Market in Rockland, ME

Fresh Tuna Steaks with Avocado Grape Salsa
Diana Santospago, Inn at Isle au Haut Cookbook

2 ripe avocados, skinned, diced and sprinkled with the juice of 1 large lemon
1 shallot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoon snipped chives
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 1-inch-thick tuna steaks
Olive oil for brushing
Coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper

In a medium bowl toss the avocado, shallots, garlic, grapes, cilantro, chives, and red pepper flakes with the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the grill or a grill pan until very hot. Brush the tuna steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning once for 2 minutes per side for rare. Remove from the heat.

Slice the tuna across the grain and fan on a bed of Lemon Cous Cous. Top with a spoonful of the salsa and garnish with a grape cluster, lemon wedges and a small bundle of fresh chives.

Serves 4.

October 16, 2009

Smoked Salmon and Sweet Corn Chowder

This is a very hearty chowder that gets better with age, so make it a day ahead and reheat slowly over low heat. Some smoked salmon is saltier than others. Taste yours, if it is very salty, put half of it in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer, and then turn off the heat and drain. This will remove some of the excess salt. Proceed with the recipe. Continue reading “Smoked Salmon and Sweet Corn Chowder” »

October 8, 2009

Brown Butter Brandy Frosting

A sincere apology for the teasing omission of Diana Santospago’s frosting recipe from her recent Banana Cake post. We hope this will satisfy your sweet tooth! Continue reading “Brown Butter Brandy Frosting” »