Baked Strawberry Ricotta French Toast

Baked Strawberry Ricotta French Toast

If the reaction to the baked strawberry pancakes I posted last week is any indication, there's a blossoming passion for strawberries these days at least in those regions where the fresh local berries are just hitting the seasonal market. I know that I myself won't be without a pint or two around for the next month or so, so it seems like a good idea to share some other ideas for those extra strawberries that don't go straight into the bowl for snacking.

For that reason, I do hope that you try these baked French toast slices stuffed with creamy ricotta and loads of fresh strawberries for a remarkably easy but extraordinary breakfast, made even simpler by preparing them the night before for baking the next morning. If you're not sure you're hungry first thing, the heavenly fragrance of strawberries baking that wafts through the kitchen will definitely have you anxious for their arrival on the breakfast plate.

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Spiced Yogurt with Chickpeas and Tomatoes


Visit the Indian Food Glossary for information on the ingredients in this recipe
Spiced Yogurt with Chickpeas and Tomatoes

This cooling and refreshing dish is a perfect light patio lunch for warm weather on its own or a nice counterpoint to a spicy meal, such as when I served it with a very hot spiced urad dal rice. Even if not for the pleasing taste, the aroma of dry roasted ground cumin — which I substituted for whole seeds — is worth the very small effort of putting this together.

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Cherry Clafouti (Baked Cherry Pudding)

Cherry Clafouti (Baked Cherry Pudding)

My first attempt at clafouti, a French custardy delicacy, was savory. I danced with the season this time around and transformed some plump cherries into a naturally sweet indulgence. Yes, sugar is included in the mix, but the true sweetness is courtesy of the fresh cherries.

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Fried Halloumi Saganaki and Asparagus

Fried Halloumi Saganaki and Asparagus

Looking at the fresh local asparagus in the market this past weekend I was reminded that the end of the season must soon be at hand and with it my annual mad dash to incorporate asparagus into my recipes again after almost taking its availability for granted in just a little over a month.

This little lunchtime saganaki and asparagus plate is directly inspired both by the season and by the success of my recent saganaki with Greek tomato salad. Add on the fact that it was less than fifteen minutes between pulling the ingredients out of the refrigerator and putting the finished product on plates, and there's no question that this is now one of my favorite early summer salads.

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