Here’s a quick technique of the day! If you have a mandolin (a very handy kitchen tool that I highly recommend), then you can create these beautifully cut potatoes. Also referred to as gaufrette, this cut is a lovely way to present foods in way other than simply slicing.

It’s also fun to do with carrots! Serve them raw with an herb yogurt dipping sauce. Thanks, Melissa, for your lovely photo.

Click the “Gaufrette” graphic below for step by step instructions:

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Peaches, peaches, peaches! They’re everywhere right now, and that makes me feel downright peachy (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

We recently purchased a flat of beautiful yellow peaches, and every day we’ve had them on cereal, with ice cream, in salads, sliced, grilled… The other night Barnaby poached them in red wine and they were so fabulous I swooned in delight.

Red Wine Poached Peaches

2 peaches
1 cup of sugar
2 cups red wine

Combine the wine and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the alcohol has burned off (3-5 minutes). Slightly score the skin of the peaches and place them in the wine. Depending on the shape of your pan the peaches may not be completely covered by the liquid. This is okay, simply cook on one side then turn over.

Cook peaches for approximately 7 minutes or until the skin peels away easily without a knife. Remove peaches from poaching liquid. Peel, cut in half, and remove the stone. Slice and serve in a bowl with the wine sauce poured over the top. For a thicker syrup continue to reduce the wine. It’s delicious both ways, and wonderful with vanilla ice cream.

May be served hot or cold.

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The clean, crisp air of Seattle, with its slightly salty breeze, calls for a meal of fresh fish. Luckily, it’s quite easy to find good sushi-grade fish in the Emerald City. Just head to the market -Pike Place Market, that is – and buy yourself a top-grade troll-caught albacore tuna loin. What is troll-caught, you ask, and why would I want it? Younger (3-5 years old) troll-caught albacore contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than larger, older albacore tuna. And, because of the higher content of fatty acids you need less fat in your recipe. It always comes out buttery and tender.

Trolling (fishing with jigs behind a slow-moving boat) is also a low-impact, environmentally responsible fishing method . We like that!

Sesame Seared Albacore Tuna

Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan.
Combine equal amounts of toasted and black sesame seeds on a plate.
Thoroughly coat each side of the loin with the seeds (no need to use any egg wash as the seeds will stick).
Sear loin on each side about 1 minute (a bit more if you want it less rare inside).

To cut the loin use an exceptionally sharp chef’s knife. To come out with clean, unbroken slices, I find it easiest if you place your hand perpendicular to the loin and carefully slice between your index and middle finger. This way you can stabilize the loin while you slice and prevent it from falling apart. Take care to make nice long slices, not short back-and-forth slices as if cutting bread.

Serve on a bed of wakame and drizzle with a little ponzu sauce. It’s also delicious with a little soy sauce and wasabi.

Tip: How can you tell how well-done your fish (or meat) is? Check out Men in Aprons‘ Hand Test Method.

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