Wednesday, August 27, 2008

summer summer summer time...


Broccoli, do you have what it takes to be delicious?
Your looks alone frighten people.
Oh Brassica, you have been unfairly frozen and cooked to mush for too long now.
I give you --- Grilled Broccoli.

Cut into long slender pieces, toss in sunflower oil with salt and pepper. Make sure your grill is piping hot and char that broccoli until its blackened on one side. Yum!

and speaking of summer...

Lovely Laura is making a scrumptious heirloom tomato pie for dinner.
Tomatoes are going crazy... so, we're eatin em up. Lycopenes, you fill us with joy!

I made a Panzanella Salad (ie. Bread Salad) today -- Really great summer dish

Cube 4 C stale bread and toast until crisp
Cube 4 C tomatoes
Dice1 Cucumber
Dice 1 Bell pepper
Mince 1/2 C Fresh Basil
Mince 1/4 C fresh oregano
Mix veggies, leaving bread aside until just before serving.

Separately mix Vinaigrette:
2 T minced Garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
2 T dijon mustard
1 T maple syrup
1/4 C red wine vinegar (or whatever you gots)
1/2 C olive oil
Add half of this to veggies and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
season with salt and pepper to taste.
Just before serving, toss in cubed bread and add remaining Vinaigrette.


Sorry to be cranky about the food systems in the world lately -- But, its not going away.

I have a few tips to help you in your quest to create local systems, while also eating healthier and consequently -- feeling much better.

1. Don't buy packaged food with ingredients you cannot pronounce.
2. Avoid products with High Fructose Corn Syrup ( I know this is repetitive, but seriously folks -that shit will kill you)
3. Don't eat in the car, unless you're falling asleep --Stop at those lovely little rest stops and eat your free range egg salad sandwich in the sun, with the trees and bees.
4. Drive less. There is no reason to drive 3 blocks to grab a 6 pack
5. I like to take a walk for 20 minutes at least once a day after meals.
6. Try growing something in your window seal.
7. Substitute Plain yogurt for sour cream -- and make your own yogurt if you so desire.
8. Eat seasonal fruit instead of sugar laden junk food.
9. Eat seasonally, Period. Why would you eat tomatoes in winter -- they don't taste like anything.

Read up on Heirlooms!

Nuts!
One of my addictions, oh well.
These aren't necessarily local ..though I do miss going for walks in Oklahoma and eating my fill of pecans.
These are simple Maple Spiced Nuts ..which make a perfect snack or accompaniment to a dessert of local cheese and seasonal fruit.

1 C maple
2 t black pepper
1/2 t cayenne
2 t cinnamon
1 t cardamom
1/2 t coriander
2 t salt

Mix well and add 3 C mixed nuts (or seeds)

In a small saucepan, stir over high heat until bubbling. Transfer to lightly oiled sheet tray and bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes ..using a spatula to toss nuts and syrup. When syrup starts to thicken and darken, they're done. Remove from oven and use spatula to assure nuts are coated. Toss a few times while cooling to avoid them sticking to tray.





2 comments:

Joel S said...

Very Summery, Chef! We're trying those nuts for sure. Local tomatoes got hammered by hail here this summer but we are on the lookout. Do report back on how the tomato pie turned out. Thank you!

Montana Barn Cat said...

Yeah. What he said.