It’s been a few weeks now, since my husband stepped outside to our verdant, twining cucumber vine, covered with sunshiny yellow petals and a healthy dose of meandering bees, and proclaimed that it wouldn’t be long till we were in Cucumber Heaven. By that, he meant that we’d soon be reaching the height of our cucumber harvest,Continue reading “Cucumber Heaven”
Tag Archives: summer
Tangy Tomato and Cucumber Salad
This is a simple salad but oh-so-good. The pucker of the vinegar, the heat of the jalapeño, the cool of the cucumber and the sweet of the just-a-touch of sugar hit pretty much every taste sensation out there. There’s even a little soy sauce to curb your umami craving. In summer, when the cukes andContinue reading “Tangy Tomato and Cucumber Salad”
A Midsummer Night’s Meal
Let’s pretend I have all the time in the world to create sumptuous feasts. And all the resources in the world to gather up the tastiest ingredients. In this fiction, I wave my wand and on the table every night fantastical, incredibly delicious multi-course meals appear. My reality, of course, is quite different. Cooking is hard, time-consumingContinue reading “A Midsummer Night’s Meal”
Flowers for Dinner
It’s been a disappointing zucchini year. Nothing like last year’s plenty that left me begging for mercy. But that’s okay. My dad sent me packing back in June with a bag full and my local farmers market tables are groaning with zukes. I feel certain that if I asked around, a few of you mightContinue reading “Flowers for Dinner”
Make Mine Mexican
My husband is half Italian-American and nowhere is this clearer than the kitchen. Whether he’s stirring up marinara from a recipe encoded in his DNA or pressing pizzelle at Christmas or building his tasty sausage lasagna layer by layer, Italian cuisine is his comfort zone. My heritage is more complicated: English, German, Eastern European butContinue reading “Make Mine Mexican”
Guacamole
Guacamole may be my favorite condiment/sauce/topping on the planet. I love the creaminess of the avocado, the kick of the peppers and the medley of flavors that the tomato, cilantro and onion bring to the plate. Like any dish, the better the ingredients, the better the end result. I want my avocados soft, but notContinue reading “Guacamole”
Salad Days
There’s been a stretch of hot here in Southwest Virginia and it’s spelling the end of what has been a wonderful few months of salad eating. We had red leaf lettuce from our cold frame in the chill of March and since late April we’ve been eating from a beautiful bed of mixed lettuces and endive, arugula andContinue reading “Salad Days”
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
I love a good honey mustard dressing. This one is a little less sweet and a little less creamy than those you might find in a restaurant. But the oil and vinegar make it pair especially well with fresh veggies. Feel free to stir in some from-the-garden herbs (oregano? basil?) dried or fresh to add yet anotherContinue reading “Honey Mustard Vinaigrette”
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
This dressing is thick and creamy and best when it’s filled with fresh local herbs. It’s a more decadent, flavorful version than what you’ll find on your grocery store shelves. But that’s exactly why it’s worth making from scratch. Makes 2 cups Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup buttermilk (I use a local dairy that bottlesContinue reading “Buttermilk Ranch Dressing”
Poppy Seed Dressing
This dressing is my absolute favorite for spring and fall when my salads consist mainly of leafy greens, herbs, tender peas and often even berries. The sweet complements the delicate flavors of the fruits and veggies and the vinegar provides just enough kick to keep things interesting. This is also a nice coleslaw dressing and would beContinue reading “Poppy Seed Dressing”