It’s been a while since my last post. But I have a good reason…two to be exact (see photo below). Our family has grown by two precious feet. Between the countless bottles, never-ending diapers and priceless smiles, there’s been little time for anything else but our baby boy. And I have to tell you…my wife and I are loving every day, hour, minute, second of it. Now with several months of parenting under our belt, feedings, changes and playtime have become almost second nature.
As a parent, the use of time (or how to make the most of it) takes on new meaning. Whether it’s planned or out of necessity, I find myself looking for ways to maximize my schedule. And for good reason, I want to spend as much time as possible with our son. (He’s irresistibly cute that way.) I guess that’s why simplify has become the new religion around our house. We sing its praises daily, worshiping at the altar of less is more. It’s definitely evident in how we eat…super easy, with a minimum of fuss and ready in minutes.
Take this Pesto and Kumato appetizer which gets its inspiration from a Caprese salad. You can list the ingredients on one hand. Crusty slices of French baguette. Freshly made basil pesto from the local market. Plump, creamy mozzarella, almost buttery in texture. And ripe Kumatoes, with their rich mahogany color and tomatoey sweetness.
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Everything comes together with ease. Which is important because “keep it simple” is our first commandment. It’s just a matter of slicing your baguette on the bias, placing a dollop of pesto on each piece then layering on a slice of mozzarella followed by a slice of Kumato. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can add some fresh basil and drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top.
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While the ingredients are simple, the sum of the parts is anything but. That’s why I find this appetizer so interesting. The flavors are alive. They complement and build on each other. At first bite, you get a hint of pesto followed by the tangy, sweet zing of the Kumato and then that’s when the mozzarella comes in to close the deal with its creamy finish. Heavenly? Yes. Hard to prepare? No. Which makes this simple dish a true blessing. Just like our little boy. Can I get an Amen?
