Spring 2014

Lots of music and food.

In the kitchen

Anyone who accompanies me to a book store knows I cannot resist magazines.  I look through a bunch, often settling on one that contains instructions (preferably with pictures) on how to prepare a dish I am dying to try.

Yes, tamales.  I will eventually try this, even as I hear the voices of friends in my head about how labor intense this is.

A Local Landmark

Ask anyone here in Chandler, anyone who cooks, and they will recognize the name Lee Lee Supermarket.

I was looking specifically for scallions but I left with much more: fish, and a bunch of what I call exotic vegetables.  It is a must go to place.

Pesto

This end of summer activity is what I bring to my urban life from farm life I see others having.

Amanda is deep into harvesting and preserving for the winter.  I am very content with a bunch of pesto that I will freeze and enjoy all year long.

I used peanuts instead of pine nuts because I was committed to using ingredients I had in the pantry.

And I have a nice supply of pasta too.

Eggplant

Summer is no longer the same without a bit of eggplant.  I made this recipe so much last summer that I can whip up a batch without looking.

Before, ready for the oven.

After.  Oh, so good.

Food

I prepared spinach sauted with tomatoes from my garden.

I love the feel of vegetables.

The tomatoes are bursting with flavor. I love having them growing in the garden.

Grown with love

The watermelon grows. I have happily watered it and stared at it from the behind the wall where it was planted in the summer.

I touch it and marvel at its coolness and life force. I often admire plants and trees and feel the beauty of life in them.

And just the other day I discovered a new fruit. Grasshopper does not like to eat the things she deems as friends... Will we bring this to our table some day?

Chandler's Farmers Market

Chandler encourages its residents to shop locally, and I comply by visiting the farmers market on Thursdays.

This area of Chandler has undergone major changes and on Thursdays I feel like I am on Main Street somewhere. I love the small town feeling.

My vegetable purchase, grown locally.

Tamales from the Tamale Store.

Pottery from Sharon who sells it at a very reasonable price. I have several of her pieces. Made in her local studio.

My heart warms when I see how I am a part of a community.

Home grown

My peppers were sweet.

The tiny thing there was not so sweet. It burned Grasshopper's mouth. Hey, she insisted on eating it.

Saturday gatherings

Having a backyard resort makes it possible to gather people and share food, drink, and good conversation. We have done something just about every Saturday for a while.

It makes for a full day with all the cleaning that goes on beforehand.

We ordered food from Rigatony's.

A friend made this very moist and tasty pumpkin cake.

Although I like being on the periphery of any group, I equally like moments of togetherness with kind, warm, smart people. Cheers!

Summer Sunday

The heat isn't quite on at 6 AM in the desert, so I grab my newspaper and morning drink of choice and enjoy the new patio furniture.

Church is next.

I often feel grateful for "the concert" offered to those of us who choose to go to church. The song they are singing here was particularly rich.

Apron is on and a meal is prepared.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that. There's something for the carnivore, the vegetarian and the pasta lover in all.

And so a Sunday passes.

The Cook's Thesaurus

This is a nifty resource for those of us semi-serious cooks.

The Cook's Thesaurus is a cooking encyclopedia that covers thousands of ingredients and kitchen tools. Entries include pictures, descriptions, synonyms, pronunciations, and suggested substitutions

Eating Out

At the local Olive Garden.

Pizza with topping of choice.

A new chicken dish.

Peaches and Fun

Something to do in May if you live in Phoenix.

Peaches

Apricots

The purchase. I swallowed hard when I realized I was bringing home $90 worth of fruit. The kids just wouldn't stop. Will have to share with neighbours

Schnepf Farm is a pretty cool place to go to pick peaches and apricots. It was our first time there and I don't yet know what else is available for picking at other times of the year. I was reminded of my peach tree in Mozambique. At Schnepf farm, we got to taste a few peaches right off the tree.

Soup is for Lunch

Campbell's Select Zesty Azteca Meatball and Rice for when there is no time for making soup from scratch. Add chunks of avocado and savor the experience.

It's refreshing and pretty

A raspberry smoothie from Red Robin. Have you heard? We'll have a high of 89 degrees.