July food pics

I'm telling you....this summer is busy! I know pretty soon here it's going to slow down, and I will be back to posting some fabulous recipes for you. But for now, I'm just along for the ride and trying to enjoy every minute. Here's some July food pics.

Here is some Tiramisu a friend and I enjoyed in North Beach in San Francisco. Made from scratch from a lovely little Italian Espresso place, called Cafe Greco.

We walked up to the window at the Pier 1 Seafood Market on Fisherman's Wharf, where you can get the same food for cheaper that they serve in the restaurant, but to-go, and sit outside and eat. I had some Sweet and Sour Calamari with coleslaw, and a cup of clam chowder. yum!!

This is an Eggplant, Zucchini, and Red Pepper Torte that I made for some company. Usually I make this in the winter, so as not to have the oven running for so long, I roasted the veggies on the grill instead. This is one of my favorite all time recipes, and it tastes AMAZING.

This "recipe" I got from a friend. It's so simple - just cantaloupe, blueberries, torn mint leaves, and Agave Nectar. so good! It goes great with any BBQ.

I been eating raw until Dinner again and feel fabulous. It's so much easier in the summer with all the wonderful produce overflowing at the Farmer's Market, and in our kitchen. I wish it could be this way all year long!

Lastly I'll leave you with a recipe I made to use up some Kale. It was pretty good, though the kids weren't crazy about it, Rob and I liked it. I'd make it again. Kale and Mushrooms over Creamy Polenta. I hope you are having some wonderful food adventures of your own this summer!

Summer BBQ menu

This summer has been so busy! I haven't had much time to post on here. Also, as a result, I've been making good ol' standby recipes, and not as many new things. We have some friends coming through town from Minnesota on Sunday though, and they eat a variety of different ways. We have meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans in the group, and so I need to have a varied menu. When I came across some recipes for a summer BBQ in a free magazine at the natural food store, I new that I had the makings for a great menu. I'm adding a drink, dessert, and some salad with edible flowers from our garden to round out the menu. For the dessert I'm thinking vegan cookies, and another blueberry pie.

Potato and Onion Frittata

Asparagus Salad with Croutons

(I used Whole Wheat bread for croutons)

Grilled Polenta

Grilled Ratatoulle with Chickpeas

Korean-Style Grilled Steak

I split the recipes in half, and tried them out two seperate nights on my family this week. This helped me see what things I could do ahead for when we serve it to company. Some things I'm doing ahead today are: making the croutons, making the frittata (can be served at room temp), making the polenta, marinading the steak, and clipping the herbs that I need from the garden so they are ready in the fridge. I will also make whatever desserts I decide on today. If I run out of time for desserts, I will buy vegan already made cookies, and then serve fresh berries with homemade whipped cream.

When we made these ahead, my personal favorite was the Grilled Ratatoulle served over the Grilled Polenta. I think it is really hard to find a vegan grill recipe that is so hearty that you truly forget you aren't eating meat - and this one fits the bill. We all ate one serving and were full the rest of the night!

Happy 4th!