Pearl of the Day: Backyard-again fun
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| You are invited! Image from Country Living |
Summer love can be found everywhere, in the flowers, in the air, in the water, all the elements. We are particularly lucky to be served up love by the earth with the bounty of food Mother Nature provides.
In preparing for summer I love planting with my children. We plant fresh herbs (although my sage is the lone survivor) and flowers (my sunflowers are late bloomers). With each dig into the soil I’m more amazed at how it all works.We put something, a seed, into soil, add water and it grows.
That’s a simple recipe for success.
Somewhere food got complicated. We know it’s vital to our health and necessary for survival but we’ve become very disconnected from the process of how we harness that natural power, put it on the table and into our family’s bodies. Summer is a perfect time to re-connect and appreciate that intimacy of the process.
In the animated children series the Backyardigans, the 5 main characters create adventures in their backyards. Each one ends with a snack.
Summertime is filled with adventures. Food is a stand-alone adventure. The key is to enjoy each seasonal ride! Our tastes change throughout the year and when the mercury rises I crave lighter and more refreshing foods.
Al Fresco
Take your meals outside. Whether a picnic lunch, quick stop on a park bench or a full fledged Al Fresco dinner for 12, set yourself up outside.
We have regular lawn parties and love dining outside (sans bug bites). Enjoying the summer air, catching the summer breeze, first glimpses of fireflies and the stars is magical.
Dining Al Fresco evokes an unspoken feeling that this is what life is for.
Honor the Elements
You are feasting on nature. Look around and soak it in. Whether you are in the suburbs or in the city, take in your scenery and company and notice what is on your plate. Enjoy it, honor it, sample it and infuse it with love.
I’ll have nature, with a side of nature please.
Lighten Up
Summer feasts are barbeques and beyond. They are for simplifying the palette and sampling the freshest seasonal ingredients, herbs and fruits.
I take food seriously, that's just how I was raised - in a family of foodies.
So while food is a serious subject and there’s controversy around family mealtimes, or lack thereof, as we continue to tip the scales and more diseases are being systemically linked to what we eat, we can all breathe easier in the summer and explore ways to lighten up our summer palette.
Gather your family, head outdoors and enjoy a Summer Feast.
Here’s some summer samplers to try and add to your Summer Feasts!!
One thing you should know is that I use the zen method of cooking, meaning, I don't, like, "do math" and go totally on feel (except for Duncan Hines which I follow to the letter!).
Return To Liquid
Hydration is key. The first thing I usually hear from my doctor when I’m on the chair is that I’m dehydrated – massively. Considering my family’s been in the beverage distribution business since the depression this is unacceptable! I drink lots of water but sometimes water is not enough particularly as you sweat it out during the summer months.
My son saw on the Fresh Beat Band on Nick Jr. that they were making smoothies, and is now into and open to trying them.
So I say, when in doubt, liquefy it.
SMOOTHIES: Take what fruit you got, cut it up and stick it in a blender. If you wish to add a liquid try one of these: juice, yogurt, ice, green tea or vodka and blend.
Here are some of my favorite combos:
- White Shake: Probiotic Vanilla Yogurt Drink, Banana, Cinnamon, Ground Flax Seed
Feeling frisky? Add some Figs, Dates and/or Peanut Butter (thank you Nicole Clark & the Organic café in Delray Beach)
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| Smoothie Set Up |
- Watermelon, Mango, Peaches, Fresh Mint
Tip: Scrape off the watermelon from the rind over the blender so you get the most juice!!
Tip: Overbuy your fruit at the peak of the season and freeze. Smoothies are the best when you use real fruit ice cubes!
JUICES: Macha swears by green juice which I have yet to sample but here’s my favorite juice combo
- True Blood: Beets, Grated Ginger & Apple
COFFEE DRINKS: Okay, there’s this place Hewlett Station in Hewlett, NY that makes the best, THE BEST, coffee drink ever called HEWLEES and it’s brilliant.
Coffee + Frozen Yogurt (toppings optional) = genius.
You just need coffee and uh, frozen yogurt or ice cream. Feel free to add Kaluha, Chocolate or Banana Liquor. You can mix together if you don’t have a blender but blend it up if you want it extra smooth and yummy. I prefer chocolate shavings in mine.
You will suck these down like a vampire on a virgin.
Got Apps?
This one is a twist on my friend Trisha’s recipe.
Cannellini Beans Bruchetta
A can of Cannellini beans (drained), half a white onion, tossed with extra virgin olive oil, (optional add in balsamic vinegar), salt, pepper, 1 clove of garlic (smashed with salt) and chopped rosemary spooned atop of crusty bread (make or buy and heat in oven or on the grill)
Here's a recipe from my High School friend Jennifer Accarino, (FB page Oh, It's The Little Things):
Edamame Salad
2 fresh cucumbers sliced
several tomatoes cut into pieces
1 cup edamame (already shelled/cooked)
fresh basil (I chopped it )
salt/pepper to taste
sprinkle garlic powder
Optional: Add apple cider vinegar or balsamic and oil, if you like....
By The Sea
While I’m taking this summer off from “GULF” shrimp, there are still some catch of the days we can go for. My mom can cook just about anything and she makes delicious mussels, the key is all in the sauce.
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| My Momma's Muscles |
Mussels: In the pot put Chives, Basil, White Wine or water, squeeze half of a lemon for juice, quartered Onion, Garlic, Grape, Tomatoes, Salt, Pepper - add this to your base, add in a bag of mussels and steam until they open (don't eat the unopened ones).
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| Love is Served |
Buy dough (whole wheat or white or whatever), break it off for each kid to make their own. Place with some flour on a cookie baking sheet, provide rollers. Let em roll the dough!
Give kids a spoon and some bowls of:
Oil – smush some garlic or pepper in the oil so they won’t notice
Sauce
Cheese
Guide them to add oil, then sauce, then cheese. You can top with herbs if you think your kids will eat it. Add to oven at 350.
Adult Fig Pizzette:
Dough (same as above & roll out)
Oil (same as above)
Carmelize onions in a pan (with drop of oil), Salt & Pepper
Add Sliced Figs (add half way in the pan with the onions)
On Dough, spread or crumble some Goat Cheese
Add combo to dough
Top with Sage
Add to oven at 350
Pasta Salads
I’m on a pasta salad binge, they are perfect in the summer time to add to picnics, barbeques or to take to the beach without worrying about them spoiling (depending whether you add cheese).
Primanesca Salad (Primavera + Puttanesca)
Pasta of choice (whole wheat Penne, Semolina Cappellini) boiled with salty water
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Twice around the bottom of the pan
Garlic – 1 clove of garlic, mashed with salt
Sweet Corn – 1 ear of corn
½ Leek
¼ White Onion sliced
1 Carrot, chopped
A few Sage Leaves –
(ADD SPINACH LEAVES, Bok Choy or your green leaf of choice)
SIMMER TOGETHER UNTIL VEGES ARE AL DENTE
Add Trader Joes Puttanesca Sauce
Handful of Crumbled Feta Cheese
Add salt & Pepper
Simmer together. Drain Pasta, Add pasta to Primanesca sauce and mix it up. This can be eaten hot or cold…
Desserts:
You want ice cream every night, you will not get any arguments from me! (Just check for coupons.)
Although, seasonal fruit pies are an amazing and homely addition to Summer Feasts, we’re gonna get some gluten & dairy free recipes from Nicole Clark…
So wherever you find yourself this summer, call over some family and friends and make it a feast!!
STILL HUNGRY?
Re-VISIT Food Fight with child obesity expert, Dr. Joanna Dolgoff.
Visit the IN THE KITCHEN SECTION of the Online Magazine BELLA LIFE www.yourbellalife.com
Ask your momma!!
Copyright © 2010 Cynthia Litman d/b/a Tigris Imprints. All Rights Reserved.
This looks awesome Cynthia!
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