Thistle – On my bike ride this am!
I have been, unfortunately, AWOL for past week or so. I am tending to issues with my beloved Lab, Kit who has been beset with a barrage of sudden health problems – Lyme, a torn ACL and meniscus, and allergic symptoms which have changed her into another “person”. I am devastated and am working diligently to get some tangible help for her. So, if I disappear for days at a time – this is why.
My beautiful Angel!
Ok, so today begins what I would consider to be the “Ides of August”. For me, this week marks the time when things truly begin to feel different, in spite of the actual seasonal calendar. There is something distinctly different about the air mass, particularly in the mornings, and the light is shifting. We are now past the half-way mark of actual Summer and while the daytime temperatures will continue to feel as such, conditions are definitely changing around the nighttime hours. For the first time in weeks, temperatures are forecast to be in the 60s at night all week – a welcome shift. Maybe the days of air conditioning are winding down – hopefully. (Am I the only one who compares the 10 day forecast for the east coast vs the west coast? This has become my own particular form of self-induced torture.)
I think most of us on the east coast would agree that this hasn’t been the best of Summers, weather-wise, unless, perhaps, you are a grower of, consumer of, or are actually, a tomato. They appear to be happy with the hot and humid air mass that has dominated most of this Summer here. I heard someone say the other day that as long as they get enough water, the tomatoes will do just fine with the heat, thank you very much (wish I could say the same for myself). I have had some very good ones already and my heirloom crop is coming along. I have 13 tomatoes on one potted plant in NJ. Yesterday, some scoundrel attacked one of my tomatoes – during the day – grabbing, taking a huge bite and dropping it on the ground, half-eaten! I am amazed that their brazenness! Now, I had a terrible bike accident in July trying to avoid running over a chipmunk on the bike trail in Brewster, MA, so I am certainly a humanitarian in this regard – but when it comes to stealing my tomatoes and spitting them out, half-eaten, on my walk-way, well, I may have to re-evaluate!!!! JK – (I guess).
The corn and melon crops seem to be thriving also in these environs – I have happily ingested a few delicious Cantaloupe, Honey Dews and lots of good corn. While most of the news is focused on the parts of the country ridden with severe drought conditions, there is barely a mention of the bountiful crop output on the east coast. It stands to reason that some of the total losses will be offset, but for mid-west farmers, it is pretty much a disaster.
Sunday night I added a whole fennel bulb to my Summer Squash Saute (see recipes) – it turned out very well. I think this will become a permanent addition to this recipe. I plan to do some more experimentation with Fennel – and dream of being in the Italian countryside as I do so. This is one vegetable that I have not worked with a lot but Sunday’s pursuits have got me going a bit. This is a favorite item of many Chefs and cooks, not the least of which include Ina and Giada, and I am going off on a hunt today for interesting recipes. I made my Quick Marinara (recipes) sauce Sunday night for chicken – I could have added half the bulb to that sauce for a change. This is reminiscent of Ina’s Swordfish recipe which includes fresh fennel in the tomato sauce. I guess that is where I am going with this.
Today, I experimented with a new peach scone:
The Spiced-Peach and Almond Scone – see Recipes. I really liked these and because I am really trying to cut back on the actual eating part of my obsession, I basically nibbled off all the edges (think Elaine’s muffin tops) and thought they were really good. I will definitely make these again. Peach Scones can be bland(did I really say that about peaches?) and I am always looking for ways to jazz them up. I think the spice mix works really well here without overpowering the total flavor profile.
Also, I entered the Three Tarts Marshmallow Contest – my entry is “The Lime Rickey”. This is a marshmallow with lime zest and juice, white chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut and muscovado sugar. I think this is fresh and fun for Summer! We’ll see.
I am off today to visit the Orthopedic Surgeon with Kit! I am hopeful someone can help her!!!!