It all sounds so lazy, especially after a night out at friends' -- but hey, it's still summer, so we're enjoying it.
I'd found some pre-marinated pork kebabs (souvlaki style) that were on mega-sale, so they were the base for our supper.
I used the last of the lettuce and a bunch of other good vegies in the salad, but I can't exactly call it a Greek salad. Not only because of the lettuce, but because it's filled with blue cheese, not feta.
We also had the fabulous eggplant spread, salata de vinita -- Romanian eggplant salad. Not quite Mediterranean, moving on towards the Black Sea.
Whatever, wherever. It made for a delightfully easy and enjoyable summer meal.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Evening with friends
Late this afternoon, we went over to see friends -- people who mean a lot, but who we just don't get to see all that often.
Although the day was hot, the evening turned cool, so hot corn and chicken enchiladas (with lots of vegies tucked in) worked out to be just right.
A blueberry crisp for dessert, along with a lot of good laughing and stories, made for a wonderful time.
Although the day was hot, the evening turned cool, so hot corn and chicken enchiladas (with lots of vegies tucked in) worked out to be just right.
A blueberry crisp for dessert, along with a lot of good laughing and stories, made for a wonderful time.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pampering myself
The Dear Man's gone off for a weekend boat cruise with the guys, so I'm having a Saturday night to myself.
I'm using a special tin of tuna, one I've been saving for just such an occasion. It's Pacific Coast wild albacore, packed in Nanaimo, B.C. so might even qualify for the 100-mile diet.
I've built myself a salad using all the things I love and even topped it with spiced nuts I made for this summer's camping. The mix is a luxurious blend of cashews, almonds and pecans -- not a single peanut in the gallery. There were even a few deluxe crackers left for a bit of bready crunch.
And as if that isn't enough, I rented a couple of DVDs and might even make myself popcorn (real, not microwaved) for a treat later on.
I'm using a special tin of tuna, one I've been saving for just such an occasion. It's Pacific Coast wild albacore, packed in Nanaimo, B.C. so might even qualify for the 100-mile diet.
I've built myself a salad using all the things I love and even topped it with spiced nuts I made for this summer's camping. The mix is a luxurious blend of cashews, almonds and pecans -- not a single peanut in the gallery. There were even a few deluxe crackers left for a bit of bready crunch.
And as if that isn't enough, I rented a couple of DVDs and might even make myself popcorn (real, not microwaved) for a treat later on.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Don't ask me why, but that song's been in my head for most of the day. It may have arrived in a dream last night, I don't know.
But because I'm on my own for supper, the 100-year-old tune must have played out some influence on me, as I decided on a tin of beans.
I didn't cook 'em in the tin over a campfire, the way a hobo might have, I poured them into a pot on the stove and added a whack of molasses. With toast, and a tomato plucked from the garden, they made a supper fit for a queen -- or at least a meal that was plenty good for me.
But because I'm on my own for supper, the 100-year-old tune must have played out some influence on me, as I decided on a tin of beans.
I didn't cook 'em in the tin over a campfire, the way a hobo might have, I poured them into a pot on the stove and added a whack of molasses. With toast, and a tomato plucked from the garden, they made a supper fit for a queen -- or at least a meal that was plenty good for me.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Quick and early
I'm off to an event tonight -- one where I have to make a brief presentation. Since I don't know whether there'll be food there or not, I thought I better chomp on something before I head out (I'd hate to fall over in the midst of my talk!).
Shrimp from the freezer with the last chunks of Emmenthal, spread out on a bed of fresh vegies. Voila!
Shrimp from the freezer with the last chunks of Emmenthal, spread out on a bed of fresh vegies. Voila!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Plain and simple
It's just me tonight. It's been a slow day, though a productive one. There's even a new row of jars, filled with jam from berries I picked out back just this morning.
A bowl of tomato soup. Store bought and out of a tin. Made with milk and served with crunched-up crackers.
Plain and simple and just right.
A bowl of tomato soup. Store bought and out of a tin. Made with milk and served with crunched-up crackers.
Plain and simple and just right.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Using what's around
How lucky to have such great ingredients lying around, waiting to be used. Last night's supper left half an avocado. Plus -- because they'd been on sale -- there was another one in the fruit basket.
Three different kinds of pasta were lolling about in mostly-empty boxes, so those were the candidates who rose to the occasion.
Because two limes had already been cut, I used those instead of the usual lemon in the standby 'guacamole pasta' dish.
Sadly, the dish wasn't up to its usual standard, so the limes are about all I can blame. Still, neither of us seems hungry, so the food must've done its job.
Three different kinds of pasta were lolling about in mostly-empty boxes, so those were the candidates who rose to the occasion.
Because two limes had already been cut, I used those instead of the usual lemon in the standby 'guacamole pasta' dish.
Sadly, the dish wasn't up to its usual standard, so the limes are about all I can blame. Still, neither of us seems hungry, so the food must've done its job.
Monday, August 24, 2009
All in one
Because we'd shared a big lunch, neither of us were particularly hungry tonight. Something light and something easy sounded like a plan.
A ripe avocado and fresh tomatoes all played their role in the decision-making. In the end, the traditional BLT had expanded to include not only the avocado, but slices of Emmenthal cheese.
It might have meant salad and main and starch were all-in-one, but it definitely took two hands to eat it.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Mediterranean tour
Earlier this summer, friends of ours went on a cruise of the Mediterranean. So tonight we were invited for Mediterranean food and a 'tour' via slides they showed on their tv.
I'd never associate mango with Mediterranean cooking, but I'm ready to become a believer. Marinated chicken breasts were roasted on the barbie, then sliced and tossed with mango, olives, grapes, lemon juice and olive oil -- then the whole dish was finished off with yet another salad dressing/sauce.
Even though we'd already eaten our way through cheesed bread rounds and tapenade, we happily chowed down on the chicken as well as spanakopita and a fabulous Greek salad. We needed to wait a while before the baklava, but that tasted mighty fine too.
The only sad part about our meal was the thought, as we viewed the stunning photos of Greece, that so much of that country is currently in flames.
I'd never associate mango with Mediterranean cooking, but I'm ready to become a believer. Marinated chicken breasts were roasted on the barbie, then sliced and tossed with mango, olives, grapes, lemon juice and olive oil -- then the whole dish was finished off with yet another salad dressing/sauce.
Even though we'd already eaten our way through cheesed bread rounds and tapenade, we happily chowed down on the chicken as well as spanakopita and a fabulous Greek salad. We needed to wait a while before the baklava, but that tasted mighty fine too.
The only sad part about our meal was the thought, as we viewed the stunning photos of Greece, that so much of that country is currently in flames.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sort of a farewell

Turkey Cacciatore sauce from March was approaching its best-due date, so that determined the remaining details.
I found ground turkey thigh meat at the store, then cooked that in some leftover pesto. Combined with rictta and cottage cheese and eggs, etc., that made the filling for the pasta tubes.
With the sauce from March over top, along with some grated cheese, I'm hoping this'll be enough to ensure the Thai travellers eventually come home.

Green beans and bread and salad are part of the meal. And then for dessert, there's pie made from fresh-picked rhubarb and blackberries. Sa wah dee kha...
Friday, August 21, 2009
Oh, well...

The potatoes (those packaged ones I'm known to fall back on) came out runny; clearly I'd mismeasured the liquid I'd added. And then, I felt too tired to even assemble a salad. Thus, the tomato and pepper with bowl of cottage cheese. Oh well, a night to do my best to stay awake through some movie on tv. And then, onward to the weekend.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The 100-Foot Diet

Since the Dear Man is out tonight, it seemed like a good time to experiment. I've wanted to see what kind of meal I could make with only the ingredients on our property -- a vaguely 60 x 100 foot suburban lot. Though since the kitchen's pretty much in the centre of the house, I might be more accurate calling it the 50-foot diet. Whatever.
I cooked some freshly-dug potatoes and in a separate pan, stir-fried two little zucchinis (one green, one golden) with fresh oregano and lots of chopped dill. Oh yes, there was some cheating, I allowed myself the use of both olive oil and salt. Once the potatoes were cooked, I mixed them up with the stir-fry into a surprisingly tasty (and filling!) dish.
Salad was wild lettuce, tomatoes, lots of basil and parsley (along with the cheater products over top).
My drink may have been the most interesting part of the meal: iced tea made from mint, sweetened with the last two of this year's golden plums, with a couple of blackberries tossed in for colour.
There's even dessert for later, a bowl of today's blackberries. Though I must say, it sounded tempting when I heard the ding-a-ling song of the ice cream man going past. I was tempted, not only because the berries usually like some sort of topping, but also because his truck was just at the edge of the walk. So really, wasn't he within the boundaries of this evening's meal?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A culinary romance

A summery night, so I made the salad mostly from tomato and two kinds of peppers, then filled it with big hunks of love -- er, blue cheese.
He did the barbie: thin slices of steak combined with the food of love, fresh oysters.
Homous and bread and another perfect summer evening, to sit outside and eat with the one I love.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The simplicity of summer
Monday, August 17, 2009
No-cook supper

No royal lineage here, just an easy way to use up the bits of last night's pork tenderloin. With homous, leftover beets and some fresh tomato from the garden, a perfect Monday night no-cook adventure in summertime eating.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Family supper Sunday

And while I've been in the kitchen, mostly taking coverings off the devilled eggs, tomato salad and rice salad (made with a satisfying Thai red rice), even more's been going on. The Dear Man's been on barbie duty, cooking up some chicken thighs, a couple of little pork tenderloins and a chunk of wild salmon for our non-carnivore guest.
It's funny, as this blog goes on, everybody wants their plate to get into the act. This week's prize for aesthetic arrangement goes to this one -- note especially the casually arranged bits of alfalfa sprout...

Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday night supper on Saturday

Turns out it was their mistake, so some poor delivery guy will bring one out to the house, but here's where it gets weird: they phoned back and said we'd have to give back the shrimp pizza. Like, so they can throw it away? For sure they can't sell it again, and I doubt that health laws would even allow employees to eat it.
Closer inspection of the menu reveals we were supposed to get a free six-pack of pop. Not that I'd even especially want it, it's just the principle of it.
I have a feeling this will not only be the first time we order from this place, I'm pretty sure it'll also be the last.
Oh well, with a salad and an avocado on the side, I bet we'll survive.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Inside Outside

The pasta and beets cooked inside; the sausage, tofu, and asparagus cooked outside on the barbie. Pasta was covered with pesto from the still-bountiful basil plants in the kitchen garden. The tofu was marinated in a combo of hoi sin sauce and soya.
As it turns out, on this day too cool to be August, we ate inside.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday night bonus

Today was cool again, so I'd been dreaming about chili, but what we got was even better. A layered casserole of white corn tortillas, alternated with a combination of beans and corn and refried beans and topped with Monterey Jack cheese. Fresh local corn was juicy and sweet. The green salad was full of surprises -- bits of broccoli and a special vinaigrette.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
After-event treat

This morning saw us up with an alarm, then off to the berry farm to pick another round of blueberries. Then, this evening was a fundraising reading, so by the time that was over, it was a reeeally late supper.
Still, the wait was worth it, as we went out to one of our favourite restaurants (again). Tonight's menu was (clockwise, from left) Bombay style garlic fish, chili paneer, and tofu with mushrooms. Pretty spectacular end to a nicely full day.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Can't complain
Monday, August 10, 2009
Hot food for a cold night

And because my visiting sister's never had it before, I made the always-comforting Scalloped Salmon dish from the recipe book both she and I remember from when we were kids.
Double comfort zone.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The birthday request

The view above is just the condiments on the table: szatziki, homous, the D.M.'s famous eggplant dip, pitas, feta and three kinds of olives.

But yes, the carnivores were happy too. Besides the (not very Greek sausage) and lemon/garlic chicken on the barbie, a leg of lamb had roasted in the oven.

What's your request?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Welcome to a special guest
Friday, August 7, 2009
A new kind of Friday night pizza

The only other topping (besides corn) was artichoke heart, a nicely surprising addition. But corn. Hmmm. I think I prefer mine on the cob.
Still, it made for a Friday night pizza unlike any other. Adding salsa as an accompaniment proved to be a good thing.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Warm food for a cool evening

A pot full of pre-made chicken broth simmered for a bit with a few chopped-up garlic stems. They gave it just that hint of extra flavour. The addition of store-bought (frozen) won-tons make it a meal.
It's turned coolish, and somehow this seems just right.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Different kinds of magic

Having supper after 9 seemed a little bit magical, especially after seeing Harry Potter at a nearby cinema.
We ordered two dishes, both nicely spiced -- one with lamb, the other with those nifty skinny eggplants. With a bit of rice, we both had plenty to eat, and even have enough for tomorrow's lunch.
Full moon poking through the clouds on the drive home proved to be the most magical of all.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Pasta Galore

I topped the basil plants, as they're starting to bolt to flowers. Using flower tops as well as leaves, I made a pesto sauce. I did a stir-fry of garlic stems and zucchini, and cooked some mushrooms in with the pasta, then mooshed it all together for a summery comfort dish.
For sides, there was asparagus (lots of green in this meal!), the Dear Man's famous eggplant spread and, of course, a salad.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Summer bounty

Days like this make me feel so content. And a supper like tonight's only adds to the pleasure. Fresh corn, picked this morning from the same farm where I picked ten pounds of blueberries. Salad has lots of cucumbers from the neighbour, some little tomatoes from our front yard. Even the sausage is part of our bounty, as it's the last of the homemade sausage from September. Dessert? Ice cream and berries.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Belated celebration

Sushi at a local restaurant -- what a great way to celebrate a birthday, even if it is almost two weeks late. Some food is worth the wait. Pictured below, clockwise from front: two pieces of octopus, two pieces tobiko (flying fish roe) wrapped in seaweed and topped with quail egg, three pieces salmon and one of creamy sea urchin. Special treats for a special evening.

Saturday, August 1, 2009
Burgers, almost to go
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)