Saturday, July 21, 2012

I'm back, and oh yeah, I cooked my perfect summer dinner!

So...it's been a while. Our last post was for a snow day and now it's the middle of summer... hmm.  Let's chalk it up to life is nuts, and without a regular schedule I'm truly hopeless when it comes to accomplishing anything! Now that I have my house back to myself and have something of a routine again, it's time to start cooking again, too. (I know! I've hardly cooked in months. I'm not quite sure how I'm still sane.)

There's just one problem. It's hot outside. It's hot inside. And I have no a/c. That means food is very simple these days, with as much fresh produce as I can squeeze into my fridge. My new favorite salad is actually one I found in the New York Times the other day: cucumber, tomato, and cantaloupe tossed in a light vinaigrette with fresh herbs. Find the recipe here. This is so refreshing and simple, and you can substitute whatever looks good. Cantaloupe not quite ripe? Use honeydew or peaches instead. I used little Persian cucumbers instead of the English because I didn't feel like peeling them, and you could use anything from Romas to cherry to any heirloom tomatoes you come across. Just make sure they feel heavy for their size and are firm. I cut everything up ahead of time and let some of the juices drain off, then tossed it with the dressing while the salmon cooked.

Did I mention the salmon? I miss the seafood you can get in Seattle. I crave it. I mean, I'm talking death row meal contender here. I usually can't find fresh, wild salmon down in SoCal for less than an arm and a leg, let alone salmon that a girl who grew up in the Northwest will stand for, so when I do find it, that's what's for dinner. All it needs is a little sea salt, some fresh dill sprinkled on top and  a layer of sliced lemon, and I am one happy camper! Ideally, this involves open flame for the actual cooking part, but in a pinch the broiler does just fine, and because it cooks quickly, the kitchen doesn't turn into a sauna.

I'd have taken a picture, but I was so excited for dinner I forgot. What food gets you really excited and takes you to your happy place?

Kate


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