The Kitchen Window

The Kitchen Window
Antique Milk Bottles with Herbs and Flowers

Welcome!

Welcome to the Frog Hollow Farm blog! I've been blogging since January 2010 and have switched from Blogger to Word Press, but I'm back to Blogger because, for me, it's easier to use. My husband and I live on a little farm in Northwest New Jersey. We have some chickens and a very large vegetable garden with asparagus and raspberries, and rows and rows of sunflowers, snapdragons and zinnias. Traveling, entertaining, gardening, spending time with family, studying Italian, blogging and reading keep us busy and happy. With all of this going on, moving towards a simpler life seems almost impossible but it's definitely a daily goal.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Frog Hollow Farm Caprese Salad

We were invited over to our friends for an afternoon of catching up, drinking great wine and of course, eating.  I'm bringing my version of the Insalata Caprese Salad - I'm calling it the Frog Hollow Farm Caprese Salad because it's made with goat cheese -  that's what I have in the house today.  My friend Stephanie ate Caprese Salad every day we were in Italy this fall - and we would all laugh about it because even with so many other delicious menu choices, Stephanie just couldn't get enough Caprese Salad! 

The Frog Hollow Farm Caprese Salad is a super-simple appetizer to make, and was inspired by a goat cheese appetizer from Martha Stewart's website which I can't find on-line any longer. Here's how to put together the Frog Hollow Farm Caprese Salad: 

The ingredients are:
 a small log of goat cheese (plain or herbed)
fresh chives
fresh basil
fresh grape or cherry tomatoes
extra virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
salt
pepper

Slice the goat cheese into 1/4 inch rounds - I use this wire type of cheese cutter - it's great for soft cheeses.

Lay the goat cheese rounds on a platter, any way you like.


Cut the tomatoes in half...



Drop the tomato pieces directly on top of the goat cheese...

Chop the chives.....

Scatter the chives on top of the tomatoes....


Tear off about 5 basil leaves and chop them into julienned pieces...



gently drop the slivers of basil onto your salad....



Grate some fresh pepper and coarse salt over top of the salad...


Make a simple vinaigrette of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vineger - sprinkle all over the salad...

Ciao, bella!!!
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10 comments:

  1. SarahApril 12, 2010 at 9:40 AM

    WOW! It is only 8:30 in the morning and my mouth is watering!! Your photos are amazing!! YUM!!!

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  2. TracyApril 12, 2010 at 8:29 PM

    That sounds delicious. I love the tang of goat cheese with the bursting flavor of tomato. Such a great combo. :)

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  3. KarenApril 12, 2010 at 11:36 PM

    This looks soooo delicious. I love goat cheese. Definitely a recipe I'm writing down!

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  4. Small BurstApril 13, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    Oh my. That looks deeelish. Making my mouth water so early in the morning. BTW, love your porch. It's perfect for early morning coffee.

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  5. CatApril 13, 2010 at 1:09 PM

    Yumm...this looks amazingly yummy and refreshing :)

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  6. Peter @ italyMONDO!April 13, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    MMMMM.... That looks fantastic!! Red, white and green SCREAMS freshness :-) Love it...

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  7. My Farmhouse KitchenApril 13, 2010 at 9:37 PM

    you sure know how to do it right

    looks so good...wish i had that here tonight with my bbqed steak..............

    ReplyDelete
  8. bunny, The Paris HouseApril 14, 2010 at 11:07 AM

    Ann Marie, this is one of my favorite things to eat, We made it last week and I can eat the entire salad. Your pictures look great and are making me ravenous. What a lovely day it is, enjoy!
    xoxo

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  9. AnonymousApril 14, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    Hi! it's so nice to meet another italian girl...i grew up on a farm....
    and started my first blog in January 2010 as well....

    i just started another one to suppliment! because I'm crazy mad in love with blogging!

    Looking at your food makes me feel like I'm at home! there's just something about the culture you grow up in, right!

    and, I always end my correspondance with

    you guessed it,
    ciao bella
    creative carmelina was here

    do come see my two blogs sometime !!!!!!

    baci!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Swimmin'April 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    I love all of this! The salad will be refreshing
    during the hot summer days ahead!

    ReplyDelete

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