Vegetarian Foodie

Vamos A La Playa!

Summer has arrived and I am wearing my flips flops. The daughter is home from school as of this week and the days are spent. Now, I love having her home... sure there is the "I am Bored" chatter as well as breaking up fights between her and the boy but mostly summer is about lounging, baking, sewing, art projects and reading outside in the sun. Oh, and road trips (more on that soon).

I love this post about summer rules and I am sure to steal a few for our house. I find summers do go smooth with a bit of structure on hand. Here, we have set snack and meal times with a generous fruit bowl for in between. We also have a three things to-do list which will include chores, writing thank you notes and school worksheets.

But the only rule for this moment is to have fun because today we are off to the beach for the week end with family. We have a little cottage right on the sand next door to cousins and friends. The menu is planned, the shopping completed. The ingredients are available to settle down in the sand with one of these YUM . The magazines in the backpack alongside the digging pail and shovel. 

Have a splendid week end!

Garden Love

I am loving the garden at this moment. The garden is sporting tomatoes, grapes, watermelon, sunburst squash, assorted herbs, avocados, papaya, oranges, peppers (green and purple), pumpkins, strawberries and big leafy banana trees.

It makes me happy to feel the sun on my back, sport dirty fingers and shoo the birds from my grapes (the daughter has named the birds Sonny and Charlene-same two adorable birds that take baths in my bird bath every Saturday morning).

The garden is growing strong although I have had to throw a few snails off my squash. Thus far, the tomatoes are growing strong with no pests. Last year a tomato horn worm ate all my plants (stab to the heart). Not this year horn worm, I am checking the leaves twice-sometimes three times a day for your nasty ways. The marigolds are helping to keep the pests away.

Here is a peek at the goods to come:

Home Made Granola

 

Making Granola at home is easy, cheap and fun. There are so many recipes available-I opted for a simple one:

Use a cookie sheet and mess: Oats, Sunflower Seeds, Sliced Almond, Cashews (any nuts of choice really), and drizzle with honey. Stir, top with fresh grated coconut and bake for 35 minutes at 375 F.

Once cooled add dried fruits of choice- I like cranberries.

Eat! I like mine best with a creamy Greek yogurt. Also delicious on ice cream or just as a snack.

Frittata and Roasted French Fries

Here is a secret: If you ever come for dinner at my house and I serve the following meal: Frittata (anything) and roasted french fries then it means I was lazy and did not want to either a)menu plan or b) go to the grocery store. While the meal presents itself quite nicely, it truely is a meal that makes itself.

A pan, grill some garlic and onions...add the eggs...add whatever you have within arms reach...top with cheese and bake in the oven til the center is done. The frittata below has parsley, tomatoes and feta cheese.

And those roasted potato french fries... yes, delicious and required alongside a frittata. Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes then roast them sliced and drenched with olive oil, pepper and salt.

Of course, a few snacks. The cherries from the farmer's market are divine. I saw this recently and I am Up For the Challenge! Perhaps next week.

White Wine and Campari Cocktails

Oh Yes, we are on summer's threshold around here.

White Wine and Campari Cocktails

3 3/4 Cups White Wine
2 1/4 Cups Fresh Orange Juice
1 Cup Campari

Mix, serve over ice (Umbrellas are a plus).

Basil Vinaigrette

I love to eat fresh and colorful food. Often, the most enjoyable meals for me are those in which I simply take whatever is in the kitchen and put it all together. The basil vinaigrette on top of the sliced tomatoes was amazing!



Basil Vinaigrette

• 1 Garlic Clove
• 1 Cup Basil Fresh
• 1/4 Cup olive Oil
• 1 1/2 White Wine Vinegar
• Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Throw it in the food processor and go! This dressing is amazing on just about any salad.

Looking at.....

Okay, this is what I am looking at this week:

How Bad ASS is this??? Green Graffiti

And How kind of gross and rad is this? Business Cards Made From Meat

Riveting Documentary Series: BBC's 7 Up

How bad do I want this French Oven  -can you believe the colors?

How deliciously inspiring: Gypsy CaraVans Restored

Photo Credit: Jeanne Bayol

Aphids For Dinner

The vine pictured below has become host to many aphids. We tried the organic goodbye aphid spray with no avail. Next up, invite the ladybugs in (far more fun then a spray of a nozzle). We waited until dusk, gave everything a good water and opened up the container.

Suddenly, there were ladybugs everywhere.

 

We purchased our ladybugs at our beloved Simpson's Nursery in Jamul however, if need be-you can order them online here at Ladies in Red.

Memorial Day Menu

Monday is a holiday here in the states. Welcome, day off, sunshine, friends food and refreshing drinks poolside. I hope the coming holidays brings with it good times for you.

Here is a suggested Vegetarian Memorial Day Menu:

Chili Dogs and potato chips
Bluecheese Coleslaw

Mojitos
Blueberry Lemonade

...a few old favorites that I had forgotten about..... Be Safe, Eat well and Have Fun!

Busy Making Popsicles

Don't you make popsicles on the stove... with a kettle and whisk What, you don't?

Have a great day!