GWSmith

Thanks Brac for the comment on the salad! There is a billboard that we have gone by a couple days in a row due to our work travels. Its for a high end restaurant in Worcester MA. It is called 'Via' and I was SHOCKED to see the next day (after I made that salad) the EXACT caprese salad on the billboard ! There are so many arrangements for this, but its the same slices and such as you saw here. SO, I will get a photo of the billboard and post it here soon [Y] Meanwhile, I have coming up NEXT: A FRESH saute of WILD Porcini mushrooms added to the mushroom pasta dish LEFTOVER from the other night as you saw in the photo essay... Stand by....

Thank you Rick as always...............always good to have you drop by to see whats 'cookin' [] Lets see who steps in next with a fine food dish (now there's an invite for you all) ......Gary

...........and the final photo.........a close up of my caprese salad....dressed with XVOO and a really nice FIG Balsamic Vinegar..... I really hope you all enjoyed this rather LONGish Italian tour...And the dish was VERY close to our local spagetti house and I highly recommend this simple dish to anyone who wants a rather authentic Italian pasta dish ... Thanks for stopping by. With that, get inventive, get cooking and take those photos, we ALL enjoy them [H] ..........Gary

Ahhhhh, the caprese is all ready to eat in this overhead shot...

Boxx...............you are NOT seeing double..............thats right...........1992 !!! It held up well after 20 years in storage and was a great accomp. to this evening's dinner [Y]

My plate..............closeup

Here is our usual overhead photo, the table setting....

Boxx, this shot is for YOU..............[]

The sauted mushrooms go on next..

Lets begin the plating.................sauce being added here as the first component...

The assorted garni are ready as well..... A fine sheeps milk cheese, organic broad leaf parsley...

Mushroom saute, DONE !

And now..........cooked...

Pasta, into the pan....

Now, some nice slices for the toaster.... A fine Italian Olive bread..

Now, how about some great artisian bread from Whole Foods ?

Ok, back to the shrooms, lets stir up the mixture....

Steve, I really am HAPPY to hear that, and I hope you DO return to your kitchen..............Now here is some info for you all.......I BOUGHT a brand new 5 burner GAS range TONIGHT!!!! FINALLY we are converting from a 30 year old electric on its last leg to a very nice gas range with convection oven! Will be delivered on May 5th... Chris is calling the plummer to run a new gas line to the kitchen! Later, I have to call MY contractor to install our STILL crated 1500 CFM professional hood with roof top blower! Things are moving right along for 2012 in the kitchen... []

Lets stir it up ! (add some XVOO)

The mushrooms go INTO the pan....

Back to the saute for the mushrooms.........here, some French sea salt is added to the garlic and XVOO....

Here, the Caprese salad has been composed and ready to be put aside as the final course to the dinner...

OK everyone.............multi-tasking here, and its time to start up the caprese salad .. Here are the fresh ingredients for that dish..

Boxx, I think you are correct about that.............seems to be nicely incorporated the second time around ...

Thanks for stopping by Steve. Good to see you..........Fast food tonight you say? Tell all []