Dancing Trees, the Sound of Rain and Thunder, the smell of rain and lavender, laughing with my husband, moon and skygazing…and of course, a wine that knocks your socks off. 😊

It’s interesting to me that I immediately didn’t go to food…though my greatest joy is you eating my food and not me tasting it. Lula’s recently catered a non-profit event that absolutely filled me up. People asking for recipes…eyes rolling back in their head…exclamations of delight…I believe this is what one calls “hog heaven”!’ I get so excited with the changing seasons, and celebrate with changing menus and recipes (and always creating new ones!)

I also get excited by challenges. I have a home project that I was discussing with a professional, and he had visited my website to learn more about me. This project is VERY expensive and I was totally leaning toward a lesser “version” – when HE suggested we barter – his first love is pasta, but he has a very high metabolism with other issues and his doctor has recommended he stay away from the “white” stuff. Boy did I go into overdrive. I’m so excited by this challenge! Enter Linguine (whole grain or Red Lentil - I haven’t decided) Con Pesce Affumicato (pic above)! I will use my talent to pay for his talent. YAY! THIS. IS. JOY.

Summer Abundance

We all love the juicy sweet red ripe tomato straight from the garden, right? Yup - this is one of OUR tomatoes in “these two hands”… Well, did you know there are juicy sweet GREEN tomatoes as well as many other colors? Heirloom tomatoes are in vogue, and lucky us - we get to eat them! Below is an indicator (in general) of tomato colors and their flavor profiles. In general, the RED and PURPLE colored variety of tomatoes are fuller flavored with more acidity and, some would say, a slightly "salty" taste. Better Boys and Beefsteaks are in this color group - we all know them. BUT...when you're at the farmer's market, ask about the Cherokee Purple or Marmara - and see if one of your local farmers can supply you with some - or other alternatives of like taste. YELLOW and ORANGE tomatoes are lovely, and a bit less acidic. Sometimes they're described as sweet. Ask for Orange Strawberry or Pineapple! A Balsamic reduction is perfect and beautiful on these tomatoes - sharp and tangy with the sweetness of the tomatoes bursts in your mouth. GREEN tomatoes are not always "unripe"!!! There are green varieties, such as the Green Zebra (one of my favorites) that are very complex - sharp, sweet, tangy, salty...and stunning on a plate! Did you know there are even PINK and WHITE tomatoes? Translucent, very thin skin make these varieties delicate and sweet without bitterness. Harder to find - it's still worth asking for a "Great White" or a "Rose de Berne" ... your palate with thank you!!

About Chef Lori

Chef Lori Pierce, owner of Lula's, creates unique, boutique cuisine to impress your guests and clients in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. Our custom recipes and menus delight an intimate gathering of 10, a celebration for 100, and anything in between.

At Lula's, Love is ALWAYS our first ingredient!