Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Glorious garden


Upon returning from a week away, MO and I were greeted with about 10 pounds of gorgeous garden tomatoes! In my opinion there is nothing more delicious than a fresh-picked garden tomato...

We also had 2 obscenely large zucchinis, about 10 cucumbers, 4 eggplants, and lots of green and purple string beans. So, needless to say, we've been eating a lot of veggies this week. We've made:
  • the beautiful caprese salad pictured above

  • fresh salsa with tomatoes, jalapeno, and cilantro from the garden

  • Spicy Summer Pasta Sauce (with fresh garden tomatoes instead of canned)

  • a Thai-style eggplant and tofu stir-fry

  • Zucchini-Walnut Muffins (I'm still perfecting the recipe, but will post it soon)

  • Dill Refrigerator Pickle Spears
I still have zucchini and eggplant to use up, so I'd better get cooking!

a whole lotta lobstah


MO and I just got back from a week vacationing and visiting friends in Boston and Bar Harbor. We went hiking, swimming, exploring, and of course, did a lot of EATING. Highlights included:

- that first iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts (I know it doesn't exactly fit with the rest of my gourmet tastes, but having spent 6 years in Boston I am a D&D girl at heart)

- tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House

- lots of lobster (steamed, lobster rolls, lobster sushi rolls, lobster salad)

- our two fabulous meals at The Burning Tree (yes, we ate there twice in 4 days)

Mid-August is such a great time to visit Maine - the weather is wonderful, the lake water is the perfect temperature, and fresh local produce appears on the menus of the best restaurants. Still feeling the glow of a great trip. Good times, good friends, good food.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Summer Salad #1

In my attempts to eat a little healthier and with summer finally hitting Northern California, I've been making a lot of salads. This one was a definite winner - easy, delicious and quite beautiful (plus, there's alliteration!).

Southwest Shrimp Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
This salad barely needs a recipe, but here goes...

For the shrimp: Fresh or frozen would both work fine. Peel thawed shrimp and pat dry with towel. Season (I used Adobo, but simple S&P would work) and saute them with some chopped garlic for 2-3 minutes on each side. Set shrimp aside while you prepare salad ingredients.

For the salad: Basically you put together a green salad (I used romaine and butter lettuce from the garden) and top it with whatever veggies and "southwest" ingredients you have on hand. I used red peppers, avocado, red onions, carrots, cucumbers, black beans (canned), corn (frozen this time), cilantro, etc. Things I might add next time: jicama, cherry tomatoes, roasted corn, scallions...

For the dressing: In a small blender or food processor (this is where my Magic Bullet comes in handy!), combine juice of one lime, handful cilantro leaves, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. cumin. Add 2-4 Tbs. vegetable oil to taste.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Oooohhh Oysters

Maybe it was the gorgeous weather or the laid-back beach vibe or the great company, but the oysters I enjoyed at Coast Café in Bolinas on Sunday were some of the best I’ve ever had. The Coast Café has a wide variety of yummy food, but on this visit we simply enjoyed oysters on their patio. They get their oysters from Drake’s Bay (they source a lot of local and organic food) and on weekends they bbq them on a large grill in front of the restaurant. I know some of you will insist that the only way to eat oysters is raw, but these warm jewels, with their delicious tangy and tomato-y sauce, were fabulous. (Sorry no photo – I left the camera at home on this adventure).

Monday, July 28, 2008

Tortellini Salad

Well, I have to give LoPo credit for sharing this recipe with me and I have to give Rachael Ray credit for creating it, but it's so good I had to post it here. It does have a lot of ingredients, but is really a gorgeous addition to a BBQ or summer party.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Show: 30 Minute Meals
Episode: Now That's a Sandwich!

Coarse salt
1 package fresh mushroom or chicken prosciutto or spinach filled tortellini (recommended: Contadina or Buitoni brands) available on dairy aisle in most markets
1/2 pound fresh baby spinach
1 (15-ounce) can baby artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
1 red roasted pepper, drained and chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, cracked from skin
1 lemon, zested
2 teaspoons lemon juice, the juice of 1 wedge
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, a couple of splashes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried leaves, eyeball it
Black pepper
A handful sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, coarsely chopped

Bring 5 or 6 inches of water to a boil in a large pot. Salt boiling water and add pasta. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until pasta is just tender and the tortellini are floating like buoys. Drain tortellini, then cool the cooked pasta by spreading them out on a large plate or a cookie sheet in a single layer.
Coarsely chop baby spinach. Combine with artichoke pieces, roasted red pepper and red onion. Chop garlic, then add salt to it and mash it into a paste with the flat of your knife. Transfer garlic paste to a small bowl and add lemon zest, lemon juice and vinegar to it. Whisk in oil, thyme and pepper. Add pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to the salad. Dress salad and gently toss. Serve or refrigerate.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Happy Summer!


So, I know I've been a bad blogger lately, but that's because summer is here and I've been busy! One of my favorite summertime past times is grilling. Now, I have to get a little creative because I don't do meat, but I've re-discovered an old family favorite that makes everything on the grill taste better (especially grilled shrimp): OLD BAY!

Grilled Shrimp with Old Bay
Peel fresh or thawed uncooked shrimp and marinate in a vinaigrette or blend of oil and a little vinegar. Add a liberal amount of Old Bay seasoning and fresh chopped parsley. Let marinate (in the refrigerator) to allow flavors to blend for as much time as you have. Skewer and grill on a hot grill for 3-5 minutes on each side. Depending on the size of the shrimp, it may take a little less or little more time. This is key: DO NOT OVERCOOK SHRIMP. They will become rubbery and icky.

This is delicious served with grilled veggies or even better, grilled pineapple!