A Small Feast...

Yesterday I was inspired by some simple ingredients to invite people over and cook a dinner...

first there was this amazing olive oil that my sister, girlies and I discovered in Gustine.  If you are there please go into The Olive Branch and do some tasting.  The owner is so friendly and the olive oils and vinegars are delicious! We learned a lot and I can't wait to go back and get some of the other flavors.  For locals they are also at the Merced Thursday Night Farmer's Market...and for those of you out of the area...you can order online!

This fresh tasting oil made me want to create something light and healthy...capellini pasta seemed just right - not too heavy...and some fresh sugar snap peas.

We blanched the peas...so they were still nice and crispy...added the zest of one lemon...threw in the cooked pasta, some of our precious lemon olive oil and salt to taste...Viola! Fresh and light and yummy!

I love cauliflower and got a tasty recipe from my good buddy....

butter, spices and some roasting and another wonderful dish is born.

Here is the recipe - so simple, but the flavor is amazing.

Look at all that goodness just waiting to be roasted.

Fresh mango is always a treat....I just cut them away from the pit then score each half with a knife and flip them inside out.  It's easy from there to cut off the little cubes and toss them into a bowl.

Brian had roasted a pork (in tons of garlic - which turned out to be fantastic) so we served that cold and added a caprese salad using some of our fresh basil.  Instead of drizzling our caprese with olive oil we use balsamic and some sea salt.

I added some funky table decorations, set the places with my fiestaware (assorted colours of course!) and we all enjoyed a fresh, healthy dinner made with simple ingredients and a lot of love!

So, go to The Olive Branch and get some olive oil, put a few leaves in your table and call some people that love to eat and see what you can come up with!

Don't forget the tapioca for dessert!

xoxo      Elizabeth