Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Summer Kitchen

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.
 - Ecclesiastes 3:1

A peak into my summer kitchen. More accurately, summer closing - we do not eat quite so many soups and hot dishes in June & July, but now that the temperature is starting to drop, we have added more and more warming foods.

Our journey to eating locally and seasonally has been a lot of learning - and we are still learning. When you can walk into the grocery store and are able to buy any food at any time of year, we lose the knowledge of when fruits and vegetables are in season. And I have had to re-learn that. Here are some of the meals that I have concocted using some of our favorite summer foods! Links have been included to recipes if they are from other sources.

Kale, arugula, orange pepper, and cheese omelette - one of my favorite breakfasts (Also, eggs are considered more of a summer food, since there is an abundance due to the long days!)

These red peppers became...

Roasted Red Pepper Soup served with goat cheese - this can also be served chilled.


Beans in the crockpot to be served over rice. (Black beans, tomatoes, onion, potatoes, olives, lots of fresh garlic, peppers, a couple tablespoons of oil and tomato sauce, cilantro, and chicken broth or bullion cubes).

Roasted chicken, saute-ed kale and garlic, and tomatoes. (A chicken is four meals for us. The first is roasted chicken with sides).
 Our second chicken meal - a simple sandwich on sourdough for lunch.
Chicken & Dumplings or Chicken soup last for two more meals.
Nothing fancy, but always delicious chicken & rice soup

Never underestimate the delicious-ness and simplicity of broiled tomatoes. Cut in half, top with cheese, (I used Red Dragon, but pepper jack is also good), and low broil for about 10 minutes. Amazing! Such a yummy side.


Stuffed zuccchini. A favorite. I've also stuffed squash - and of course, peppers. (With this recipe, instead of 2 lbs. of meat, I only used 1/2 lb. It was still really meaty! And I topped with Parmesan).

Keeping it simple. Roasted fingerling potatoes & steamed okra.

Fall is in the air - the first oatmeal in months.

Basil drying.
Butternut squash, red pepper, carrots, chicken, sausage, and quinoa stew. (Inspired by this, but modified.)

Another simple summer favorite - Caprese salad.

4 comments:

Rixa said...

Thanks for all the wonderful recipe ideas!

Full House said...

All I have to say is YUM!!! Also I love that scripture reference...it is so true. When I feel like I get do everything I always try to remind myself that there is a season for everything and my season right now is motherhood.

Hope all is well.

Unknown said...

Caroline, I've been a reader for awhile but I don't think I've ever commented. Your seasonal cooking looks divine! I must say, the butternut squash and chicken soup looks so delicious it makes my mouth water. I clicked on over and read through the recipe you based your batch on and have to say your variation looks much tastier than the original! Can you provide some information about how you modified the recipe (particularly when you added the quinoa and in what state)? I'd love to give that recipe a try now that the weather where I live has begun to cool down. Thank you!

The Single Nester said...

Oh my gosh. My mouth is watering. Time to nest!