FROM GREGG’S KITCHEN
Inspired by the World. Created at Home.
From Gregg’s Table to Yours…. For Tonight’s Table:
- 🍷 In the Glass — wine, cocktail, beer and non-alcoholic pairing.
- 🎵 On the Playlist — a musical style or short playlist appropriate to the meal.
- 🕯️ Set the Table — setting, lighting, flowers/herbs, dishes and overall atmosphere.
- 🥂 Perfect For — the occasion: date night, friends on the patio, Sunday dinner, casual entertaining, summer evening, holidays, etc.
- It’s your kitchen…YOU create the moment…
- It’s late afternoon. The day’s heat is beginning to fade. The back door is open, music is playing quietly, and dinner isn’t something we’re rushing through tonight.
- Fresh herbs and zucchini came in from the garden. Shrimp came home from the market. Lemon, capers, anchovies and pasta were already waiting in the pantry.
- No reservations.
- No itinerary.
- No airline ticket.
- Just a little inspiration from the Mediterranean—and dinner waiting to happen.
Welcome to Gregg’s Kitchen.
- For me, this IS when it’s the perfect time to create your recipe…
- It’s your kitchen…YOU create the mood…
- A warm-weather patio dinner.
- Dinner for two when you want something special without spending all evening cooking.
- Friends on the patio with a bottle of chilled wine and crusty bread in the middle of the table.
- A Saturday farmers-market dinner where you buy whatever looks best that morning and cook that evening.
- Or my favorite:
- The “We’re Not Going Anywhere Tonight” Dinner
- No plans. No dress code. No restaurant reservation.
- Just good food, music, wine and people you enjoy being around.
🕯️ Set the Table
- Don’t make this formal.
- I’d use a Mediterranean garden-table feeling:
- Natural wood or a simple white tablecloth.
- White or blue-and-white dishes.
- Clothe napkins.
- A small cutting board with warm crusty bread.
- Lemons in a bowl.
- A few sprigs of rosemary, basil or oregano from the garden instead of an elaborate floral centerpiece.
- Small candles or lanterns if you’re eating outside.
- And put the finished pappardelle in one large serving bowl in the center of the table.
- Let everyone serve themselves.
- That’s part of the feeling.
🍷 In the Glass
- My First Choice: Sauvignon Blanc
- Bright acidity works beautifully with the lemon, capers, herbs and shrimp.
- Something Italian: Vermentino
- This may actually be my favorite thematic pairing. Crisp, citrusy and Mediterranean in personality without overpowering the seafood.
- Rosé – A dry Provence-style rosé would be excellent for an outdoor summer dinner.
- Cocktail
- Limoncello Spritz -Limoncello, Prosecco, sparkling water and lemon.
- Simple, refreshing and visually perfect beside this dish.
- No Alcohol
- Lemon-Basil Sparkler – Fresh lemon juice, sparkling water, basil, a touch of honey and plenty of ice.
- Now even the non-drinker gets something intentionally paired with dinner rather than simply “water or tea.”
🎵 On the Playlist
- For this dinner:
- Mediterranean Sunset
- Think:
- Italian acoustic guitar
Soft Mediterranean jazz
Modern Italian café music
A little Spanish guitar
Easy coastal instrumentals: - Search your favorite music service for “Mediterranean Dinner,” “Italian Café” or “Mediterranean Acoustic,” turn it down just enough for conversation, and leave your phone alone.
- That last part feels very Gregg’s Kitchen to me.
🌿 From the Garden
- For this recipe:
- Tonight, From Gregg’s Garden:
- Zucchini • Parsley • Basil • Oregano
- Your recipe doesn’t have to be identical every time. If the garden gives you yellow squash instead of zucchini, use it. Have fresh cherry tomatoes that need picking? Add a handful. That’s how this dish was created in the first place.
- The garden helps decide what’s for dinner.
