Where did the summer go?

Where I live, we had a cooler than usual summer, sprinkled at times with lots of rain.  Now, I'm not a fan of the really hot weather, so for me I really enjoyed the weather.

 

Here are some of the highlights of my summer, in no particular order:

• lazy afternoons in the swimming pool
• long walks with my dog
• playing cards with my kids
• lots of BBQs!!
• sipping coffee on the patio first thing in the morning
• hearing the birds outside my window
• kayaking on the lake
• watching the sunset
• seeing a meteor shower
• reading outside until the light fades
• dining al fresco
• easy picnics by the pool
• surprise visit by my sister-in-law (who lives very, very far away!)

What are some of your favourite moments of the summer?

Girls Night In

So we had a nice Girls Night In a few weeks ago.  Everyone contributed and I was in charge of the entree.  I'm not much of a barbequer (don't know if that's spelled correctly?); so I leave that up to my husband.

I decided upon a "make your own salad" bar and I think it went over really well.  I laid everything out on our kitchen counter and everyone helped themselves to an assortment of lettuces, add-ins, toppings, and dressings.  Everyone's salad was just a little different.

It's super easy to do, other than a lot of chopping.  Simply lay out big bowls of different lettuces, then put your accompaniments in smaller bowls or laid out on trays.  I've got several large trays that have different compartments, so this worked really well.

Here are some ideas for your own salad bar.  You certainly don't need all of these, just an assortment will do.

For the lettuce:

• romaine lettuce
• endive
• raddichio
• head lettuce
• napa cabbage
• spinach
• leaf lettuce

Accompaniments - make sure everything is chopped bite sized:

• cooked chicken
• cooked ham
• shrimp
• tomatoes
• green or red onion
• red or yellow peppers
• zucchini
• celery
• radishes
• sliced mushrooms
• snap peas
• edamane beans
• cooked peas
• cooked beats
• black beans
• chick peas
• avocado (my personal favourite!)
• hard boiled eggs
• shredded cheese
• feta cheese
• goat cheese

Toppings:

• sunflower seeds*
• sliced or slivered almonds*
• pumpkin seeds*
• dried cranberries
• bacon bits or diced cooked bacon
• croutons

*Note:  toasting brings out the flavour in seeds and nuts.  I bake them on a sheet in our toaster oven at 325 degrees for approx 12 to 15 minutes or so.  Watch them closely as they burn quite easily.

Does anyone remember this Seinfeld episode?

Bruschetta

Do you love bruschetta like we do?  It's so easy to make bruschetta at home that we rarely buy it anymore.  Plus we usually have the ingredients on hand.

Ingredients:
- assorted tomatoes (I use roma, cherry, yellow, etc.)
- red onion (or scallions will do fine as well)
- fresh basil leaves
- olive oil
- sea salt and pepper
- fresh garlic, one clove


Chop the tomatoes into little pieces, can be big or small, depending on how you like it.  We tend to like it a bit chunkier.

Dice the red onion. Mince the garlic.  Tear some of the fresh basil leaves with your hands.  Add all to the tomatoes.  Add some olive oil and salt & pepper to taste.  Mix until combined. 

Store in fridge until ready to use.  Can be made in the morning or the night before, allowing the flavours to develop.

For the bread, you can use Naan bread, flat bread, french loaf, baguette, etc.  Anything can be used as a vehicle for the bruschetta mixture.

If you're using a baguette, slice it diagonially into 1/2 inch slices. Brush with a little olive oil and bake at 325 to 350 for approx 10 minutes.  You want the bread toasted, but not overdone.
Add the bruschetta mixture on top of the bread and return to the oven for 5 minutes more minutes. 

Note:  You can add cheese to your bruschetta - mozarella, goat cheese, or feta all work really well.  I used feta cheese in the picture above.

Who said this? Life moves pretty fast.....

Calling all baby boomers!  A little bit of trivia for you.  Who said this:

Life moves pretty fast.

If you don't stop and look around

once in a while, you could miss it.

 

 

Hint:

 

It's from one of our very favourite family movies.....

 

 

 

Another Hint:

 

In the movie, the main character feigns sick and skips school for the day......

 

 

 

A final hint:

 

The actor playing the main character starred in the broadway show "The Producers" and is married to Sarah Jessica Parker.

 

 

Okay, that's all the hints I'm going to give you.......

 

 

It's a classic movie!!

 



Tip: Getting out Red Wine Stains

Out, out damn spot!

Have you ever split red wine on your clothes?  Or pitted cherries and gotten the juice on your blouse?  <If you know me, you know that I've done all of these things!>

You probably thought that this was the end of your favourite shirt or pants.  Here's a tip to get out that nasty purple stain:  use milk.  Yes, milk!  Good, old cows milk works wonders on removing a purple stain.

The quicker you get at the stain, the easier it is to remove.  Simply pour milk over the stain, you don't need much, and let it sit.  I usually leave it overnight.  In the morning, the stain is gone!

I'm not sure what properties milk has in it, but it lifts stains such as red wine, cranberry, cherry, strawberry, etc.  It may sound strange, but next time this happens to you, simply try a little milk......

Easy BBQ Potatoes

Here's an easy summertime recipe for the BBQ.  When it's too hot to turn on the oven, throw these potatoes on the BBQ and you'll have a nice side dish in no time flat.

Okay, I have to confess that I forgot to take an "after" picture.  So use your imagination until we make them again and I can snap a proper picture. 

Ingredients:
- potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- sliced onions (I use the sweet onions like Vidalia)
- olive oil
- garlic and onion salt
- salt and pepper to taste

Make a foil bed and throw the potatoes and onions on the foil.  Douse liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with the garlic and onion salt and the salt and pepper to taste.  I kind of mix them up a bit at this point so the flavours meld together.

You can throw in some chopped garlic if you like or some fresh rosemary.

Place another piece of foil on top and fold the edges together on all sides.  Repeat with another layer of foil on the bottom and another one on top, again folding the edges together.  This ensures the olive oil won't seep through and cause flare-ups on the BBQ.

Roast on the top shelf of your barbecue at medium heat for approximately 30-45 minutes or until done.

Gossip turns the spoken word, a unique gift only humans have, into a weapon aimed at another person.

Hmmm.... kind of makes you think doesn't it?

From "Lit from Within" by Victoria Moran.

A few tools of the trade.....

I really try to eat healthy and have changed my baking over the years to accommodate my healthy eating habits.  I'm not preaching at all, but I find when I eat better, I feel better.  So here are some healthy choices that I use in my baking:

 

COCONUT OIL

I use coconut oil in place of butter, oil or shortening.

The benefits of coconut oil are numerous, just google the health benefits of coconut oil and you'll find a myriad of information to support it's health effects. 

 

It contains the "good fat" as well as antioxidants.  Studies have shown that it may help your heart, lower your cholesterol, boost your thyroid, increase your metabolism and support your immune system.

 

You can bake with it, fry with it, and even use it on your hair or skin.  Coconut oil has light scent, so it's not overpowering.  As for it's flavour, it's almost bland but has a slight hint of coconut, making it a favourite in baking.

 

When kept in the cupboard, it has a shortening consistency.  Simply microwave it for a few seconds to turn it into a liquid form.

 



 

 

AGAVE SYRUP

Agave syrup is a naturally sourced sweetener and lower on the glycemic index than sugar. I use agave in place of sugar or honey in baking, in coffee, iced tea, etc.  It's sweeter than sugar, so you use less of it.  It's similar to honey, only not as thick. 

 

Because it's a liquid, you may need to increase your flour or oats in your recipes.  I use slightly less agave syrup than the amount of sugar called for in recipes and it seems to work out fine.

 

 

 

GREEK YOGURT

I love Greek Yogurt!!!  I eat it almost every day with fruit sprinkled with a little granola.  It can be thicker and tarter than regular yogurt, but that's one of the things I love about it.  I use it in place of sour cream or mayonnaise.

 

It contains protein and probiotics, making it a healthy choice.

 

 

My favourite summer appetizers

I love appetizers! When we have friends or family over for a BBQ, I love starting off with a few appetizers, a fruity sangria or chilled wine, and some Bob Marley. It's summer, baby, time to wind down, loosen up and have some fun. Here are some of my favourite appetizers to serve in the summer:

• Mango Salsa
• Crab & Mango Tarlets
• Sambuca Shrimp
• Bocaccini & Tomato Skewers
• Onion Dip
• Cherry Tomatoes stuffed with crab or goat cheese
• Proscuitto & Melon (take a cube of canteloupe and wrap half a proscuitto slice around it; skewer with a toothpick)

I would love to hear what your summertime favourite appetizers are.....