linenandlavender.net: ...And the livin' is easy

Côté Ouest Oct-Nov 2001, apple orchard edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Scroll down for a delicious recipe, perfect for a summer evening...

Côté Ouest Aout-Sept 2005, outdoor dining edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Juil-Aout 2001, mature gardens, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Aout-Sept 2005 stone bench, pillows edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Aout-Sept 2001 secret garden edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Aout-Sept 2003 garden bistro table edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Aout-Sept 2003 outdoor dining edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest Fev-Mar 2005 outdoor dining edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Est Mars-Mai 2002 garden edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud, stone table and bench, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Ouest, Aout-Sept 2001 garden, stone pillars edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud - long wood table and bench edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud - stacked stone wall, stone top table, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud - outdoor living, dining table, daybed edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Aout-Sept 2003, outdoor seating edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2005 , pebble ground cover, lounge edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2005 , vine covered lounge area edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2005 , vine covered lounge area shutter detail edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2005 , vine covered lounge area, lantern, interior edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Dec 08-Jan 09, pavers with grass edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Fev-Mar 2005, round stone table edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Fev-Mar 2005, outdoor dining edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Fev-Mar 2004, wood loggia, contemporary table edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud - pool, wood deck, countryside view edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2005 outdoor lounge, pool view edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Maison Madame Figaro October 2001, garden gate edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

The Private House by Rose Tarlow, stone table, wrought iron chairs edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

The Private House by Rose Tarlow, stone table outdoor sofa edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

French Home by Josephine Ryan outdoor dining, candelight, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

One of my favorite summer-time recipes I make is by Giada De Laurentiis. It is light and healthy, but very satisfying, as well; –Perfect for lunch or a late summer evening.

I've added my own personal twist to her original, look for my notes in italics:

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Salmon, Lemon and Basil

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1/2 pound whole-wheat spaghetti pasta

(I buy whole grain pasta to make it extra healthy. The whole wheat/whole grain pasta is important in this dish as it imparts a nutty flavor.)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

(Make sure this is your favorite olive oil, you really taste it in this recipe. Here's a link to one we love: Frantoia -available in the emporium's Gourmet, Grocery section)

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 (4-ounce) pieces salmon

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

3 tablespoons capers

1 lemon, zested

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

(Giada only uses spinach leaves. I prefer a mix of arugula and spinach or if using just one, the arugula is my favorite.)

AND

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
I love nuts and thought I'd try adding pine nuts to the mix and I have to say, I think it makes the dish. I've been meaning to write Giada and tell her! I'm guessing about a 1/2 cup for four people, but I usually just grab a big handful and toast them in my toaster oven for a couple of minutes.

Directions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta (reserve some of the water) and transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.

(While the water is coming to a boil, I get the olive oil mixture put together so that the flavors can start to infuse the oil. Then, make sure when the pasta is cooked (al dente!) that you immediately put the (drained) hot pasta in with the olive oil and toss. The heat of the pasta will help all the flavors come together.)

Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Add the fish to the pan and cook until medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove the salmon from the pan.

(I use my grill pan to cook the salmon, but however you cook it, make sure you get enough initial heat to sear, making it crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. I cook the salmon and have it resting/waiting a couple of minutes rather than having the pasta waiting for the salmon, but either way...everything should only take a few minutes prep.)

Add the basil, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the spaghetti mixture and toss to combine.

Set out 4 serving plates or shallow bowls. Place 1/2 cup spinach (and/or arugula) in each bowl. Top with 1/4 of the pasta. (Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.) Top each mound of pasta with a piece of salmon. Serve immediately.

Note: Be sure to reserve some of the pasta water. You may need to add a little if the pasta seems a bit dry. You can also drizzle a little more olive oil over the pasta after adding the basil and lemon, if needed.

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Salmon, Lemon and Basil as seen on linenandlavender.net, here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/08/and-livin-is-easy.html

Serve with a (very!) chilled sparkling wine like Nino Franco Prosecco (Italy)

NinoFranco
(To learn more about Nino Franco wines.)
Villa Barberina
(To tour Villa Barberina and Gardens)

For a dessert to follow this dish on a warm summer eve, try one scoop of vanilla gelato with sliced peaches and a sprinkling of cinnamon. —Heavenly!

This makes me think of my mom who lives a few hundred miles from me. I was fortunate enough to grow up with things like delicious home-canned peaches —Love you Mom!

by LeAnn for (l&l) ~linen & lavender: www.linenandlavender.net

Photo credits in order of appearance: 1-Cote Ouest, Oct-Nov 2001; 2-Cote Ouest, Aout-Sept 2005; 3-Cote Ouest, Juil-Aout 2001; 4-Cote Ouest, Aout-Sept 2005; 5-Cote Ouest, Aout-Sept 2001; 6-Cote Ouest Aout-Sept 2003; 7-Cote Ouest, Aout-Sept 2003; 8-Cote Ouest Fev-Mar 2005; 9-Cote Sud, unknown; 10-Cote Ouest-Aout-Sept 2001; 11-Cote Sud, unknown; 12-Cote Sud, unknown; 13-Cote Sud, unknown; 14-Cote Sud, Aout-Sept 2003; 15-Cote Sud, Avril-Mai 2005; 16-Cote Sud Avril-Mai 2005; 17-Cote Sud Avril-Mai 2005; 18-Cote Sud Avril-Mai 2005; 19-Cote Sud Dec08-Jan09; 20-Cote Sud Fev-Mar 2005; 21-Cote Sud Fev-Mar 2005; 22-Cote Sud, Fev-Mar 2004; 23-Cote Sud, Avril-Mai 2005; 24-Cote Sud, Avril-Mai 2005; 25-Maison Madame Figaro Oct 2001; 26-The Private House, Rose Tarlow; 27- The Private House, Rose Tarlow; 28-French Home, Josephine Ryan