Things I love right now (in no particular order): - The child and the other half (of course!)
- Running. Yes, running. Yes, me. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/couch-to-5k/id313494823?mt=8
- Trader Joe’s Extra Vrigin California Estate Olive Oil I keep a bottle of this on the counter. It’s great for cooking and for salad dressing as well. It’s fruity, green and peppery. I’d drink it if it were socially acceptable. http://www.traderjoes.com
- Summer Corn Try this: season about a dozen large shrimp or 16 medium (shells off and de-veined with the tail left on - it will prevent too much shrinking) with salt and pepper and toss with a little olive oil. Grill 2-3 minutes until just pink. Remove from heat. Cut the kernels off two ears of corn – if it’s perfectly in season there is no reason to cook it. If not, steam or blanch it for about 5 minutes - NO LONGER! Finely chop a load of fresh mint and parsley. Juice and zest a lemon. Chop up ½ an avocado. Toss in a few grape tomatoes that you've sliced in half. Combine everything. Adjust seasoning. Drizzle in a little more olive oil. Serve over freshly washed greens with some chilled vinho verde. Sing my praises.
- My CSA This week’s haul: eggplant, corn, bell peppers, mariachi peppers, tomatoes, yellow summer squash, zucchini, Swiss chard, kabocha squash, bibb lettuce, string beans, cucumber, donut peaches. http://roxburyfarm.com/
- This Salad Carrot Salad with Harissa and Mint http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/05/carrot-salad-with-harissa-feta-and-mint/
- My Soda Stream http://www.sodastreamusa.com/Fountain-Jets-C23.aspx
- Arnold Palmers with homemade lemonade and decaffeinated black tea. You'll need: [For simple syrup] 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water; [For the lemonade] 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, pulp and rinds reserved (from approximately 12 lemons) and 6 cups of water.
- In a small saucepan combine the sugar with the 1 cup of water, and place over medium heat; cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves (about 10 mins)
- In a larger pan bring 6 cups water to a boil with the rinds and pulp; remove from heat. Cover, let steep for 30 minutes and then strain.
- Combine strained lemon-water in a pitcher with lemon juice and sweeten to your desired level of sweetness with the simple syrup . Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve combine equal parts lemonade with unsweetened iced tea.
- These Zucchini Muffins [see CSA above - providing a steady stream of zucchini week after week] (minus walnuts and dried fruit plus ½ cup of coconut and using half oil and half applesauce) http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/zucchini_muffins/
- Kale Now that I have a kabocha squash in-house I’m definitely making this: http://tastingtable.com/recipe/kale_salad_recipe_tastingtable.pdf
- This Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_SI2EDM6Lo I know, I know but the kid came home from camp singing it complete with a choreographed dance. I was thrilled to learn it's part of one of the soundtracks for Jersey Shore (gag).
I hope you’re loving your summer!
