Summer's Bounty

A simple saute in olive oil of the late summer vegetables of zucchini,summer squash, cherry tomatoes, squash blossoms as well as fresh basil, mint, chives, garlic and wood fire Weber grilled and shaved chicken(optional) served in an alfredo sauce w/grated Italian cheeses over angel hair pasta. Hallelujah!

Garden Pizza

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             Another Olympics watching snack - pizza made from frozen whole wheat bread dough and jarred marinara sauce. Add halved cherry tomatoes, diced summer squash and fresh basil from the garden. Season w/ crushed red pepper, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil. Top with assorted Italian cheeses.Eat your pizza, drink your wine or beer, enjoy the games, the athletes, their accomplishments.

Egg Salad Garden Style

                A simple lunch of egg salad w/ just harvested cherry tomatoes and basil from the garden. A glass of  V8 juice on the side. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water that you boil your eggs in. It makes them easier to peel. Serve the egg salad open faced on whole wheat toast.

Nachos From The Garden, Olympic Style

                  Olympics watching nachos with pinto beans in chili sauce, carmelized onions, jalapeno peppers, garden tomatoes, summer squash blossoms,jack cheese, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint and fresh squeezed lime juice.
               The perfect accompaniment along with a cold beer or a margarita on a luscious summer night while watching the greatest of games.

Bruschetta w/ Garden Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan Cheese

             When you have Olympic fever and it is a hot summer eve and you are intrigued and inspired by the summer games and the astonishing performances of the athletes,you want to have a platter of assorted bruschettas and a glass of wine as an accompaniment  The traditional bruschetta topping involves chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil and parmesan cheese on toasted artisanal bread.
             Another is diced onions and diced mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, seasoned with garlic, sage and butter.
             Enjoy the games.Savor your bruschettas. Quaff your wine. Celebrate the surprises and successes of the Olympic athletes. This is heaven. I think of youth and desire and faith and belief and hard work in pursuit of goals.And as always I think of fresh food well prepared.
                          

Fresh Berries and Yoghurt, Summertime Treat

          Summertime berries, plain yoghurt seasoned w/ vanilla extract; all drizzled with honey and garnished with fresh mint.As breakfast, snack or a dessert. It is delicious and good for you, too.
       

Cook With Wood in Your Weber

       Every food magazine in summer does a piece about outdoor grilling. For good reason . There is nothing better than grilled meats and vegetables slathered with herbed and spiced olive oil and grilled outdoors over coals or subdued flame. The smoke adds a dimension of flavor that you get no where else.
       The debate is always gas vs charcoal. Which is better.
        Neither, really. I would choose charcoal over gas, but charcoal does require an expertise born of experience. If you are doing a dinner party or a picnic and you are not proficient on your weber with charcoal, by all means use the gas grill. I am in awe of those who have learned the indirect grilling technique for large cuts of meat like ribs and turkeys or chickens with charcoal on their weber. That is an art. Cooking it without burning it and getting it fork tender yet moist.Nothing better than that kind of slow cooking.
       But here's the rub. Just about anywhere you live, there is an abundance of local hardwoods. Either on your land or a friends or by a local wood purveyor.Wood is a lot cheaper than charcoal, and why in the world would you pay someone to burn wood to make charcoal when you can put real wood in your weber and burn it yourself till it is coals and then cook over it.Even softwoods work if you are grilling. Hard for longer indirect roasting.
      . Charcoal is expensive and has poisonous additives. Use local wood cut small and start your fire with paper, cardboard or birchbark and kindling.Cook as you would over charcoal. Enjoy the best meal of your life.
        Begin of course with quality ingredients,such as these jalapeno cheddar brats from Thielens Meats in Pierz, onions, sweet peppers and potatoes. The ethereal alchemy of burnt wood and food.