Warm Nectarines With Lemon Syrup Food

SMOKED GOUDA GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare grits per package directions, replacing half of the required water with half-and- half. When grits begin to thicken, stir in a large handful of Gouda. Add more as desired. Top with a pat of butter and season with sea salt and pepper.

BEET SALAD

Steps:

• This is ridiculously easy. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the beets. Cook until they are knife tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Rub off the beet skins under cold running water with a soft cloth. You can save the bright red cloth to play cruel "Hey, I cut myself" type practical jokes later.
• Slice the beets in half and then slice each half into 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss the beets with the sugar, salt, and vinegar. Stir in the sour cream and refrigerate for maximum flavor. The beets will "sweat" more of their bright red liquid, giving the dish an amazing color. Garnish with fresh dill.
• Variation: Toss in pickled herring and sliced apples...good stuff!

PORK SCHNITZEL WITH CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Pat cutlets dry. Season cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs. In a large skillet, add clarified butter and saute cutlets on both sides until golden brown and crunchy. Drain on paper towels, keep warm.
• In a separate skillet over high heat, cook the bacon and the onions until they both start to brown. Add mustard and capers. Add a small lump of butter to the mix and immediately add the chanterelles. As the mushrooms begin to absorb the butter, add just enough cream to cover the bottom of the pan. Simmer sauce to reduce slightly. Add more mustard or capers, as needed.
• To serve, spoon sauce over browned schnitzels.

LEMON-MINT CAKE WITH LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
• For the cake: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Add 1/2 cup sugar and beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks.
• In a separate large bowl, beat the vegetable oil, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Add the egg yolks 1 at a time. Add the chopped mint, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Set aside.
• Slowly add 1/2 of the egg white mixture into the oil mixture. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the remaining egg white mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the cake to a cutting board and allow to cool before slicing.
• For the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, and lemon zest over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes.
• To serve, spoon some of the syrup onto each small plate or shallow bowl and lay a slice of cake on top. Drizzle the cake with additional syrup and garnish with a small sprig of mint.