memorial day weekend '13

Memorial Day is already here - I can't believe we have been our house a for a year this weekend! Friday night, Vance and I picked up a growler of Southern Tier Hop Sun at the Filling Station in 12 South and took it to Frothy Monkey to have with dinner. I hit up the Nashville Flea Market, saw The Reluctant Fundamentalist at Belcourt with Courtney and my DC friend, Jaimie, was in town yesterday! What a great long weekend.

My friend Jill was so kind last week as she gave Vance and I some produce and eggs from her family's CSA basket.

the green above is kohlrabi - cabbage/broccoli flavor - very good.

Kohlrabi & Radish Salad over Arugula

small kohlrabi julienned (I read the best flavor come from those no larger than a 

tennis ball)

1 cup tightly packed grated carrots

4-5 radishes, sliced paper thin

1 green onion

2-3 cups loosely packed arugula

Dressing

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

juice from 1/4 lime

1 tsp honey5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 pinches of sea salt

a few grinds of fresh black pepper 

the green frond of a green onion, chopped

Use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the outer layer of the kohlrabi. Using a mandolin or knife, carefully slice the kohlrabi into thin sheet slices. Slice the radishes paper thin as well. On a plate with a high lip assemble the kohlrabi slices, grated carrots, and radishes. Make the dressing in a small bowl by whisking together Dijon, wine vinegar, lime juice, and honey.  Stream in olive oil and whisk until combined. Season with sea salt, black pepper and green onions. Pour over slaw, covering all slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serves 2-4 as side salad. We enjoyed this salad with salmon - paired with some tofu it would be a great meatless Monday.

Tonight is turkey & spinach burgers, macaroni salad, baked beans and coleslaw. Happy Memorial Day!

semi-homemade

When I was in DC this winter, I stocked up on ravioli from Eastern Market. Last night we enjoyed the last frozen batch of Parmesan ravioli (small and delicious). I wanted to jazz up this slightly "blah" dish so I added some cherry tomatoes and made a quick wine & cream sauce. I like having a lighter homemade sauce than a heavy jarred cream sauce.

16 oz ravioli

2 tablespoons EVOO

2 green onions

1 cup dry white wine

1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 parsley

pint of cherry tomatoes

S&P to taste

Prepare ravioli as directions note (on package, etc.). While the ravioli are cooking, heat about 2 tablespoons of EVOO over medium heat. Sauté 2 green onions (chopped white and green parts). Add 1 cup dry white wine and whisk until alcohol cooks off - roughly 5 minutes. Pour in about half cup of heavy cream, whisking quickly. Generously salt and pepper. Add cherry tomatoes - stirring constantly. Chop about 1/4 cup of parsley and add to the pan. Pour tomatoes and cream sauce over ravioli and serve with salad. 

there's something about tequila

...mixed with lime and cucumber (and some other flavors) - so good!

.

In a shaker, combine 3 parts tequila, 3 parts fresh lime juice, 1.5 parts Triple Sec, .5 part simple syrup - shake with ice. This makes a little more than 2 cocktails. Coat the rim of your glass with simple syrup and dip in Kosher salt. Place a few chunks of cucumber and 2 to 3 slices of jalapeno in the bottom of the glass and muddle well. Fill glass with ice and strain in margarita garnish with lime and cucumber slice.

Spicy cucumber margaritas on a Friday night.

vacation 2013...and other spring fun

The past month has flown by! Lots of events and travel - here is my catch up in photos.

Planted basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme & mint this spring.

Short recruiting trip to DC in April - brunch at Teaism - always so good - cilantro & jalapeno eggs with tea-cured salmon.

Vacation at the Outer Banks with Mom, Dad, Bill, Kathleen & Vance.

Manhattans and Bacardi 'n tonic

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Enjoyed so much seafood! Great dinners at Owen's and the Colington House.

The biggest asparagus I have ever seen.

Tomorrow I am off to LA and San Fran for a few days, then Jordan & RJ's wedding in NC on Saturday! Can't wait to catch up with some great friends!