KITCHENETTE ADVENTURETTES: WE ARE FANCY CHEESE, IF YOU PLEASE. Some very simple, delicious things to do if you have some cheese.

1. Fake Caprese. So I had this really good Bufala mozzarella, and this tomato that was fairly good but not excellent, and no fresh basil. What to do??

I ended up slicing about half the tomato (see below for what happened to the other half) and sauteing it in ex-virgin olive oil for just a little while–until the slices were hot but not so softened that the skin began to slip off–with dried tarragon, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and ground oregano. And maybe dried basil, I don’t remember. I was not sure whether this spice combination would work, but actually it was great. I sliced the mozzarella, made my fake-Caprese thing by alternating slices of mozzarella and slices of tomato, and poured the rest of the spiced olive oil over the slices. Yum yum.

2. Yet Another Sandwich. I really love toasted sandwiches. This is a simple open-faced one: Slice a rosemary roll in half. (Or some other herbed roll would work.) Cover each half with sliced tomato and mozzarella. Put on foiled tray in toaster oven and toast as desired.

3. Macaroni and Cheese, Only Easier. You need a tomato, some fusilli, and some good cheddar cheese–I used Cabot extra sharp cheddar. It should be at least room-temperature and slightly soft. Thickly slice a tomato–like, really thick slices or wedges. Heat oven to 375. Cover a baking tray with foil, put the tomato wodges on it, put it in the oven. Cook fusilli. Dice cheese. When fusilli is cooked, drain it, mix in the cheese cubes, and top with the roasted tomato. Oh, this is so yummy. Admittedly, it’s lazier than for-real macaroni and cheese, but… mmmmmmm.