My Birthday

Last night Wendy had my sisters and brother-in-laws over to celebrate my birthday. She did my favorite Caesar's salad (I won't eat one any where else!). Everyone got a Cornish Hen, rice pilaf, and ratatouille made with local grown produce (don't you love this season?). Of course who can top a peanut butter/chocolate iced cake that Brenda made.

Yaki Soba

Monday we were late getting things going, so we opted for something quick that we had everything already in the house. After inspecting the pantry, I found some water chestnuts, disney mushrooms, and noodles, which are always yummy, we decided on Yaki Soba, a japanese noodle dish. After all Yaki means noodle and Soba means fried in Japanese. Into the fridge for a red pepper, chinese broccoli, spring onion, the freezer for shrimps. 20 minutes later a healthy and delightful asian dish.

Comfort Food

Got back to basic comfort food last night, of course with my twist. Did an individual meatloaf with a red pepper relish, garlic mashed potatoes, and early june peas. It just doesn't get better than that.

Cobbler

Had it kind of easy his weekend, got invited to a family cook-out andonly goto do dessert. That being said, with peaches in season and blackberries looking quite beautiful, we put together a peach/blackberry cobbler, which went as quick as the steaks!!

Crab & Lobster Lasagna

Got inspired by one of my favorites...Emeril, and made his rendition of a seafood lasagna which he proudly named Crab and Lobster Lasagna. IWe found it is very hard to steam a lobster with out picking at it, but managed to get most of the succulant meat saved for the entree. Layering a mixture of a bechamel sauce, then a layer of pasta sheets followed by a layer ricatta/mozzarella/egg, then the lobster/crabmeat until everything was piled, or should I say over-piled into our baking dish. Into the oven for about an hour. Talk about rich, this one is over the top. Accompanying the main course was a salad of field greens with local tomatoes, cukes, shrooms and radish topped with a white balsamic vinegrette and of course garlic bread.

Our Outdoor Atmosphere

When the weather allows this is where it all happens. Saturday we did a whole roasting chicken on the rotisserie seasoned with some fresh herbs (from our garden, of course!). With that we made beets in a sweet and sour glaze and a quick vegetable stuffing.

A Lighter Fare

After a big lunch with an old friend, we decided on a salad fortonight's dinner. Tossed some boston lettuce with arugala added some fresh tomatoes, cukes, and some salmon. Topped it off with capers (Wendy's favorite!), an a catalina dressing.

Fresh Caught Grouper

Monday we were lucky enough to find some fresh caught grouper. I marinated it in lemon/lime juice & olive oil. After a few hours dredged it in seasoned flour and then a cornmeal/panko crumb mixture and pan fried it to perfection. Added a nice tangy mango glaze over it. Served it with the garlic/mashers and some brussel sprouts with a balsamic glaze.
Just found the perfect way to do "Lake Erie Monster" from "The Melt"!!

All Star Game

Tuesday was baseball's Allstar game, We thought wings would be the way to go, so we soaked whole wings in a mojito style marinade over night and tossed them on the grill along with some texas toast basted with a fresh garlic/basil dressing. After all of that we didn't even watch the game, but the food was sure good!!

New England Lobster Dinner

Wendy just got back from Boston and had a yearning for a good lobster dinner, so we stopped by the seafood counter and picked up a few 1 and a half pounders. Then we found a local produce stand for potatoes, cucumbers, and some fennel. We made a cucumber/fennel salad with a sweet and sour dressing and a onion/potato medley to go with these delicious Maine lobsters. And, to wash it all down, a Mango/Rum Spritzer.
What a scrumpcious Sunday evening.

Mer's Graduation Party

Well Merideth has finally finished school and has asked to use our yard for her (yet another) graduation party. She misses alot of the Baltimore traditions, so of course she wanted them all on this holiday weekend; crabs, pulled pork, corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, local tomatoes and one of her uncle's delectable fruit desserts. So, Brenda, Tom, Wendy and I did our best to accommmadate her wishes. With a bushel of Md. steamed crabs, a couple of pork shoulders, pounds of cabbage, tomatoes, local grown corn and fresh peaches and great weather she and her long time friends had a feast they won't soon forget. I, on the other hand was so caught up in the prep frenzy and of course enjoying the Jack Daniels inhanced Ginger-Limeade forgot to take pictures but didn't want to leave our loyal readers without knowing what we did and hope that someone reading this took a few pics and will share them with us.

Just Chicken Salad

With the leftover Grilled Balsamic Chicken, just a simple Chicken Salad served over a bed of Arugula with tomatoes and cukes.

Grilled Balsamic Chicken w/ Blue Cheese

Here's what we did Tuesday evening, a Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breast with Blue Cheese Topping. A nice and easy ( and relitively quick) recipe.
Just marinade chicken breasts (boneless is prefered) in equal parts of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for at least 2 hours (up to 6 for maximum flavor). Season with salt & pepper. Grill until cooked through (about 6 min per side for boneless). I finished them in the oven because we used bone-in breasts. Lay a few thin slices of Blue Cheese over the top. Served with an Arugula salad and and orzo/bean medley.