Summer tartines – ricotta, prosciutto and something sweet – and favorites list
I posted this photo on instagram over the weekend and the response was unanimous – “we want to know what is in there”. Essentially.
I never think of sharing recipes like these because they are so simple. No-recipe recipe. I just take whatever I have in the refrigerator and stack it on toasted bread. I suppose the fact that I am thinking about flavor combinations without really following a recipe is a recipe in itself?
Doesn’t take much to recreate this.
– Layer of good ricotta – like really good.
– Again, really good prosciutto or Serrano ham.
– Some sweet fresh fruit. In this case peaches and figs but really anything goes: pears, apples, apricots, roasted grapes…
– Sprinkle of coarse sea salt and za’tar. Mayssam gave me some she brought back from lebanon and I have been using it on everything.
– Olive oil and if I can be a bit of a pain about it, go for this organic arbequina as it’s fruity and light.
I haven’t shared many favorite links here lately, but there is something about autum arriving that has been making me crave shopping and gathering bits and pieces.
– Jen’s art on my mantel.
– These sunglasses all summer long.
– Bottomless fries from this neighborhood restaurant in Seattle.
– Filling my house with plants from here.
– My new bedroom chair.
– Inspiration from Amanda’s home.
– Saving for this scarf.
– If you are in Madrid in September, go see this show.
– One of my favorite European shops opened an online shop in the US.
I also continue to contribute stories to Conde Nast Traveler.
– Cheesemaking with Francesco Bagnoli in Tuscany.
And many more to come.
I think I covered it all for now. That was a few links for you.
Hope you are enjoying the last bit of summer. x
I am SO excited you shared this and especially because it’s a no-recipe recipe! Those are my favorite, I wish I could jump in that photo and enjoy a picnic right now.
That’s great. I feel silly not sharing an actual recipe but ideas are helpful as well, aren’t they? Thank you!
Would love to know if you make your own GF bread or purchase it. I’m gluten sensitive and trying to find a good bread recipe to make French Toast and to make sourdough bread. I have one I do like yet I’d like to expand to some others. Do you have a favorite one?
I really do enjoy your photography and your blog. So simple yet elegant. :)
I make a seeded bread (you can find the recipe in my book) but also purchase it from Udi’s, Manini’s, Rudi’s and others. Thank you.
I love the dappled light in this shot. Wonderful. And I find ricotta amazing – I love how you can go savoury or sweet with it and experiment. My favourite is to make it fresh and add it to flat bread. Have a wonderful day Aran!
yes homemade is so good! thanks!
Aran ! It was so nice to read the article you wrote for Conde Nast Traveller and also to see Francesco again. Were those the shots you took when we were with you last May ?
Love following you on your website and also via Intsagram.
Hope to catch up with you one day soon, and I might even make it to Seattle before the end of the year.
You are a true inspiration, thank you
Come to Seattle Polly! Keep me posted! Tonya is coming in September too. You will love it here, I know. And yes those are from last year. Such a great man. Hope you are well Polly. Miss you. x
Aran,
I´m madly in love on the way you picnic! What a beautiful way to eat outside.
I will be making your watermelon gazpacho for dinner today.
Hope you will enjoy it!
The weather here in the South of Germany is rapidly turning towards autumn I guess, so I´m very happy about your summer food and the summer spirit in your photos!
Autumn is here soon too and I cannot wait.
I had a similar situation with a simple recipe, but I think that simple for you is not that obvious for others. I love the links, so mach of inspiration.
I find that even without a formal recipe, combinations like these are so easy to mess up if you’re not considering what flavors you’re using! Good tartines like yours are beautiful and have just the right summery flavors, it really is an art!
sometimes it’s nice to just see what people are really eating. a lot of daily food is the no-recipe kind. what were the green onions for?
They were actually yellow onions, mini ones, from my garden that I just ate raw!
What a truly fabulous “non recipe” combination of foods this is Aran! Gorgeous!
Thank you Mardi! x
I feel this way generally about summer. I hardly follow recipes, just use what is fresh and delicious at the moment. Simplicity is where it is at when the ingredients are so good. Enjoy these last few picnics of summer Aran. xo
It looks pretty delicious Aran! And I’ve found that people tend to love the simplest of recipes a lot…:) Summer is kind of over here already, with temperatures dropping dramatically and lots of rain but hey, there will always be a next summer!
I love simple no-recipe recipes like this. And as always…stunning photos!
Such a tasty summertime photo!
Absolutely divine!
I hope you get back in the habit of sharing your favorite links more often. I so enjoy it. And this photograph? To die for…
I love no-recipe recipes! They are absolutely perfect in summer, don’t you think?
I’ve been dying to try Pair ever since I went to UW and would pass it on a daily basis. I think its about time I make a trip up there.
Beautiful photos, as always. Have a wonderful day!
Dear Aran,
I am a big fan of you since I discovered your blog….
Two years ago, I read an article on you in La Presse.
Then, I decided to order your book “Small Plates and Sweet Treats”. I just wanted to let you know that I’m impressed by your work. Your photographs are gorgeous and you recipes are inspiring me a lot.
Thank you so much for sharing your talent and all the beauty that surrounds you.
You bring light to my days and I can’t wait to read your next post.
Agnès from Montreal
Thank you very much Agnes. Your words made my day!
No-recipe recipes are often the best ones, don’t you think? These tartines look absolutely wonderful and are so full of flavor! Thank you for sharing, Aran. Also, loved your link roundup. That scarf! *swoon*
Absolutely love this!
This is what summer is all about. Just putting delicious, seasonal ingredients on bread. I’ve been doing a lot of toast with avocado/tomato and I just can’t get enough. This looks so wonderful!