Birthday Eats

My birthday morning began with a 14 mile hilly run that was quite interesting.  I got slightly lost, ran into a bear, my calf muscles were screaming - but hey it was unforgettable (thanks for the help Colleen).  If you told me at age 32 I'd run 14 miles at the age of 42 for fun I'd never, ever believe you.  Anything is possible.

After the run, my friends the Brousard's organized a potluck and it FAR exceeded my expectations.  Now these people understand good quality food - I was VERY impressed. 

My present today?  Duct tape flip flops from my kids.  Seriously, I love their creativity. 

Check out my new duct tape flip flops made by my kids - so sweet!

My birthday meal consisted of nothing but TOMATOES.  Wow, I'm over-run with them and I'm not complaining.  Here's a picture of one days harvest - WOW!

Greta hugging the daily harvest

First I made gazpacho soup which I love.  BTW, this tastes so much better the next day.  The recipe looks complicated, but it's actually very quick, simple and delicious.  I've been looking for a good gazpacho recipe and this is fantastic - here's the link:  Awesome Gazpacho Soup




Awesome Gazpacho Soup

 

And, I made my favorite salsa:

5 tomatoes
1/2 cup cilantro
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
Salsa Seasoning (sold at all of our local stores)

Chop veggies, mix with seasoning and let sit for one hour.



Salsa

I'm breathing a sigh of relief since we FINISHED up our Summer 2012 Bucket List
We've had a super busy week trying to squeeze it all in and I'm very happy to be home.   Greta said Mall of America was her favorite trip, Gus picked the Packer game, and Graham LOVED Skyzone Trampoline.   I personally loved my trip to the MN State Fair and the Motley Crue / Kiss concert.  At the State Fair I consumed deep fried green beans, sweet potato tater tots, and jalapeno cheese deep fried on a stick.  Hey, you only live once! 

I went to Redbery Books tonight in Cable to buy myself a new book for my birthday.  When I was 22 I never imagined that 20 years later I'd be happy to be home on my birthday with a good book.   Sounds lame I'm sure, but it's been one heck of a week.

What are you reading?

Kristin

Summer Soups

This week I made four summer soups using locally available ingredients - DELISH!!!

The MOST delicious summer soup recipe I made this week was the traditional gazpacho soup.

Gazpacho Soup


Click on the link above for the soup recipe.   I used extra basil in my soup because my running friend Sue shared some of her stock, and I skipped the hard boiled egg, because it's hot in the house and I'm kinda' lazy.

I set up this card table today so the kids could work on puzzles since it's a rainy day.  I started to move the puzzle pieces, but I thought it was kind of fitting.   The soup is also photographed in my Grandma's fun bubble dishes.


Next up, I made a delicious Cucumber Avocado Soup

Cucumber Avocado Soup

• 1T. olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 quarter of a lemon, squeezed
• 1 large cucumber, sliced thinly
• 1c. water
• 1/2t. salt
• pinch cayenne
• 1 avocado
• 1/2c. skim milk

In a saucepan, saute the onion and garlic over medium high heat until soft.  Add the lemon juice and cucumber.  Saute for 4 more minutes.  Add the water, salt, and cayenne.  Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the cucumbers are soft.  Add the avocado.  Using an immersion blender, puree the soup til smooth.  Stir in the milk over low heat until heated through.  Add to soup.  Chill for 1 hour.  Eat cold.  Serves 2.

 I garnished it with a mystery vegetable that I received from the CSA.  It's delicious, but I have NO idea what it is. 

I made a delicious Watermelon Gazpacho Soup for breakfast.  My presentation isn't great, but this was the best I could do.  The soup was AWESOME!!!

Watermelon Gazpacho Soup


Click on the link above for the recipe.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE beets, so I was excited to try Borscht (Beet Soup).  Unfortunately, I declare it an EPIC fail.  It tasted like beet water.  At least it looks pretty in my Grandma's bubble dishes and on my Aunt Lori's tablecloth.

Borscht Fail

If anyone has a good Borscht recipe, I'd love to try it again.

Blueberries will be up next (again)!  We LOVE blueberries!!

Until next time,

Kristin