Grape Leaf Ramekins

Another first-course idea.

Grape leaves (with Arborio rice) and cherry tomatoes and mushrooms in a tiny ramekin. Serve hot or cold!

Macaroni & (Goat) Cheese

Bean wanted to make macaroni today, so I decided to join him with my own take. He does not enjoy mushrooms, so I concocted a single-serving meal for me.

1. Boil some favorite pasta (shells, in this case).

2. Steam some glorious vegetables:

mushroom

cherry tomatoes

spinach

(I added some oregano and basil to the pasta boilage for flavor).

When the pasta was done, I added a chunk o' goat cheese until it melted. When it has just homogenized, add the steamed vegetables, stir, and serve. I topped this with Panko bread crumbs.

Scallop Kebabs

Made with:

brussel sprouts

mushrooms

cherry tomatoes

onion

scallops

A simple but communal meal!

Core bought a serving set for sake -- a delicate Japanese alcoholic drink, meant to be sipped (and thoroughly enjoyed).

And the last of the peppers (even though I do not like them) from Steve's garden!

Fish Tacos

Bean's father is retired, and his first love is fishing. Today, he offered us some of his catch.

Striped bass? I think so!

Before grilling, I chopped up some:

broccoli

mushroom

cherry tomato

scallions

While the grill was heating I combined these, and added:

parsley

black pepper

squeezed lemon

I grilled the fish for about 5 minutes per side. It assuredly varies, but when you slice into the middle it should be pure white (no exceptions).

Then, it is done.

Heat some tiny (five inch?) tortillas for 30 seconds in the microwave, and spoon on this mixutre...

And you'll have a dinner, at least!

Striped Bass Sandwich

Bean's Father called to ask if we wanted fresh fish; he'd caught two huge striped bass off of Plum Island that very day.

Bean said (he is not a seafood lover, my man...), "...well, Boodle would love some."

So we picked up a serving-sized fillet just for me!

And so, I proposed to grill it. Topped with parsley and chives and olive oil; flip after 4 minutes and again after 4 minutes, and then remove soon after.

I do not know the exact time -- I waited until the inside, with the tiniest slit, was white instead of pink.

And it came out, somehow, perfect.

Open-faced Summer Sandwich

Cheese Board Dinner

sourdough bread

gouda cheese

aged cheddar

gala apple

cherry tomatoes

spinach

spanish olives

mushroom

And the world's tiniest cheddar-apple sandwich!

Grilled Scallops!

Cherry Tomato Tart

For the crust, let a bit of yeast bloom in warm water. Then mix in:

~3/4 c. flour

pinch salt

And I added some oregano and dried tomato flakes. You can add whatever spice you desire!

And above, I added:

cherry tomatoes

parmesan cheese (grated)

spinach

and folded the dough around it.

And bake for maybe....12 minutes? Quick, and certainly delicious.

Kabobs!

A kabab buffet!

A spread of fixings, including:

yellow peppers

cherry tomatoes

mushrooms

purple onions

shrimp

chicken breast

(I, for one, left the first and last out.)

Bore (beer in hand) was grill master, and well he did.

and hence -- a perfectly cooked shrimp!

Grilled Pizza - Sardines & Broccoli

Grilled Pizza

We grilled pizza!

1. Make pizza dough

2. Stretch dough, and lay it on oiled, heated grill for about 4 minutes.

3. Remove; add toppings

4. Grill for (maybe) ten more minutes; until bottom is charred slightly.

Such a different taste than oven pizza! And so wondrous. Henceforth, we will have a summer pizza and a winter pizza.

Hee!

Steamed Clams - Ingredients

Tiny Apple

It's the eve of apple season! On a stroll, I found a tree so laden with apple babies that I am a'feared it will knock itself down in the coming weeks.

But I sampled one, and the cherry-tomato-sized apples were wondrous. Not unbearably sour, as a usual unripe apple! So I am sticking some in my lunch for tomorrow.

And dinner tonight:

Individual mushroom and cherry tomato pizzas on Ciabatta rolls, with goat cheese. The crumbled cheese adds simply the most glorious tang to the whole meal, and I can't describe how satisfying it was!

Kohlrabi

I have never heard of this.

But eating it raw is like a mild cabbage, but in take-to-work portions. I did not notice that it tasted of apple, as some people have suggested.

As a follow-up, I roasted some with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, olive oil and curry spices ---- they tasted exactly the same. Hmm.

But I like 'em!

At Least Somewhat Cornbread

Here is a recipe I have concocted; a combination of many cornbread recipes I have so intricately researched.

Mix:

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. cornmeal

dash baking powder

dash salt

And in a separate bowl (as pictured), mix:

1 egg (lightly beaten)

3/4 c. buttermilk (3/4 c. milk + dash lemon juice)

1 tbsp olive oil

But I added some scallions, the last cherry tomato, and some mushrooms before I stuffed them in the oven:

These are meant to bake for approximately 20 minutes at 400 degrees, but I believe mine tasted a bit too much like egg to agree with this sentiment.

The hearty taste went well with some fermented vegetables that dearest Ma'am has been working on!

And though they do not look scrumptious, they were pleasant, which is lucky; half went into tomorrow's lunch!

Mac & Cheese

And now for something I've never made for myself. I steamed some:

scallions

cherry tomatoes

mushrooms

with the intention of making them part o' the macaroni. But then, when I had cooked up some pasta and added:

~1 oz Gruyere cheese (thanks to Dani)

butter

salt

oregano

basil

It seemed far more appealing to keep the vegetables apart, to be enjoyed in their own delicious goodness.

It wasn't the same as a feels-like-home goodness, but rather a subtle pasta and cheese taste that was filling and delicious.

Bean let Sergei keep a lookout.

Couscous and Hello Kitty!

What's for lunch tomorrow?

Quick!

Steam mushrooms, squash and cherry tomatoes.

And then mix them with:

1/4 c. couscous

Teriyaki sauce

Diced seaweed

Curry stir-fry spice mix

And it fits so beautifully in my $1.00 Target container!!

Spring Grilling

Spring's first grilling! Ears of corn wrapped in foil with onions, butter and garlic, and a burger with cheddar on fresh bread....

What could beat that?!

We can grill again!!

Ma'am is gone for this week, and so we determined to use the ground beef she left in the refrigerator. There was Bean and Nick and Paige and Mike and me. We made eight burgers; but with hugely disproportionate buns, I used a quarter for mine.

Those wimps prefer well-done burgers, though -- so what turned out the best to me was a hump of quartered mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, drizzled in olive oil, oregano and basil.