Summer Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 c. cucumber
1/2 c. cherry tomatoes
1/2 c. pear tomatoes
1 c. red seedless grapes
1/4 c. feta
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
2 T. olive oil
1/4 c. mint leaves

Instructions:
1. Chop cucumber, slice tomatoes and grapes in half, layer in a bowl.
2. Crumble feta over salad, sprinkle salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil.
3. Finely chop mint and add to salad.
4. Toss and eat.


**For best flavor, layer ingredients in order. This way, the salt lands on the feta and the olive oil seals it. Then you get a burst of saltiness with each sweet tomato and grape.


Thanks Cerissa for the inspiration for this salad!

Fire Roasted Vegetables

After watching thrift stores for a year, Craig finally found a BBQ. Although I will miss the thrill of lighting our old grill without igniting clothing, hair, or nearby children, Craig was having most of the so called fun anyway. Our top marks go to the Habitat For Humanity Surplus Store. Did I mention that we also purchased tile? $4.00 worth of tile and we can re-do the whole bathroom with it!

Here's some fun we've been having with the BBQ:

Fire Roasted Veggies:
1 sweet onion
1 red bell pepper
2-4 c. green beans

olive oil
balsamic vinegar syrup*
salt
pepper
1 T. rosemary


Directions:
1. Chop onion and bell pepper and combine with beans.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar syrup*.
4. Grind rosemary to a powder using a pestle and sprinkle over vegetables.
5. Toss to coat and dump in BBQ grill basket (see pic above).
6. BBQ on medium heat for 5 min. Stir and roast another 5 min.
7. Cool and serve along side your favorite meat.




Balsamic Vinegar Syrup*

In a sauce pan bring one cup of balsamic vinegar to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer until the vinegar reduces to 1/3 cup. Pour into a glass measuring cup to cool, then transfer to a drizzle container. Enjoy over vegetables, salads, sandwiches, or meat, a gourmet accent to almost any meal. One article even suggested trying it over vanilla ice cream!


Any other grilling tips or recipes?

Bubbles

In protest of forty degrees and rain, one sunny afternoon.











































































































































Bubbles:

1/4 c. Joy dishsoap
1 c. warm water
1 sunny afternoon

Gently mix and enjoy.

Peach Pie

This is what happens if you put the candles in when the pie is still HOT.


Peach Pie Recipe

5 c. peaches slice 1/4" (Appx. 5 peaches)
1/2 to 3/4 c. sugar
7-8 T. flour
3 T. lemon juice
1/2 t. almond extract
1/8 t. salt
4 T. real butter

1. Mix all ingredients except butter.
2. Make crust*.
3. Put bottom crust in pan.
4. Pour mixture in shell.
5. Cut up butter and sprinkle on.
6. Put on top crust.
7. Bake: 425 for 30 min., then bake: 350 for 35 min.


*Double Pie Crust

2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. olive oil (scant)
3-5 T cold water

1. Toss in a bowl.
2. Mix it up.
3. Divide in half.
4. Roll 'em out.