This is a basic recipe for dashi, or seaweed stock (as I would describe it). It is the basis for many Japanese soup recipes. I consider the American equivalent (not in flavor, but in use) to be chicken stock.

* 4 large strips of Dried Kombu (dried kelp), cut into roughly 4x4 inch squares
* 1 Tbsp mushroom buillon base
* 6 cups of cold water
* 6 dried shiitake mushrooms

Roasted cherry peppers stuffed with Serrano ham, basil, and goat cheese. From Epicurious : http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/STUFFED-CHERRY-PEPPERS-12...

Ingredients
12 hot cherry peppers
5 ounces fresh goat cheese
12 paper-thin slices of Serrano Ham (jámon Serrano) or Prosciutto - anchovies are also tasty, and consider olives as a stufffer as well
12 medium-sized fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic
1/2 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 T Sherry Vinegar
1/2 t salt
6 basil leaves, coarsely chopped

Preparation
Crush the garlic and add it to the olive oil. Set aside.

I sat down to cook up some dinner. The goal: tame my basil plant that's turning into a small bush and occupying more and more of my not-that-big kitchen. So - pesto it is. But what to go with the pesto? Noodles seem to be too easy, heavy, and obvious. So some pesto-encrusted salmon. Also, I had some shitake mushrooms that needed cooking, and bought some fresh asparagus at the farmer's market this morning. I reduced some syrah with the mushrooms, because shitakes sauteed in wine = the shiznizzle.

From deliciousmagazine.co.uk Difficult to form, but tasty! Freezing them gives a good snack/side later on

2 tbsp butter
1 cup assorted wild or chestnut mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1.5 cups arborio rice
1/3 cup white wine
3 cups vegetable stock, hot (approx - make more if needed)
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
4 oz buffalo mozzarella ball, cut into 12 pieces
4 tbsp plain flour, seasoned
3 tbsp sunflower oil