Blueberries, Watermelon and Cabbage In Season

Despite the fact that my house has been completely ripped up because of the tree that landed on our roof, I've had a pretty fantastic week.    My kitchen is still in tact and I was able to try a few new recipes and best of all, I saw U2 in concert on Saturday.  I've been on a natural high ever since. 

The first blueberry recipe I received from my running friend Stacey Raymond.  For some reason, when we are running our discussions usually turn to food.  Well, I'm so glad this recipe came up because it is now one of my all time favorites.  The watermelons are not in season up north quite yet, but a farmer from Rochester has set-up a watermelon stand in Hayward. 

Stacey's Watermelon Blueberry Salad

Stacey's Watermelon Blueberry Salad

Bring 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 of water to a simmer in a saucepan.

Remove from heat, add 3 mint sprigs and steep for 10 minutes.

Discard mint and add zest and juice from 1 lemon and a pinch of salt.

Toss with 3 cups of cubed watermelon and 2 cups of blueberries.

Let stand 15 minutes. Top with chopped mint.

Hmmm, Hmmm, good!

On Friday, I decided to try a blueberry coffee cake to bring to some friends.  My kids were gone, so not only was I lonely baking the (they always cook with me), but then I had no one to sample and critique (Chad doesn't eat anything sweet usually).   Luckily, I found some friends who were happy to oblige, and I received a good review.  The coffee cake was very moist, and stayed that way for 3 days.

Blueberry Coffee Cake

CAKE INGREDIENTS:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup milk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries


ICING:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. almond extract
3-5 tsp. milk

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 375. Grease a 13x9 inch pan. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and lemon peel. Using pastry blender or fork, cut in butter. Add milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir well. Pour 3/4 batter into greased pan.

Top with blueberries. Spoon remaining batter over blueberries. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool 30 minutes. In small bowl , blend icing ingredients. Drizzle over warm cake.

Last night in-between work, football camp, a baseball tourney, and an over-night for one of the kids, I made blueberry pancakes (while talking on the phone).  While I think I could've done better had I been more focused, it still turned out great. 

Blueberry Pancakes

 Click on the link above for the sauce for the blueberry pancakes.  So, obviously we used the sauce instead of syrup, and we can also use it on our ice cream or yogurt.

Before the U2 concert I made the most delicious, refreshing (if I do say so myself), Watermelon Salsa.    I can not WAIT to make this again.   We ate this at my awesome-cousin-Erinn's house on my beloved-Grandma-Evelyn's old kitchen table. 

Watermelon Salsa

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped watermelon
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Mix and Enjoy!!

Last but not least, I made the most fabulous coleslaw that I've ever, ever tasted.  I received the recipe from Northstar Farms (the Berlage family).  I actually cut the recipe in 1/2 because I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I was sorry I did because it was gone almost instantly.

Berlage Crunchy Cabbage

2/3 cup slivered almonds

8 cups coarsely shredded Chinese cabbage

12 oz. snow, snap, or shelled peas

1 1/3 cup sliced radishes

1 1/3 cup sliced green onions

1 1/3 cup cilantro leaves

Place almonds in a cake pan and bake at 350 degrees

until golden and toasted, shaking the pan once while

baking—should take 6 to 9 minutes. In a large bowl,

combine cabbage, peas, radishes, green onions, and cilantro.

Add dressing and almonds to the bowl and mix

gently. Enjoy right away or store it in the refrigerator.

So, I exchanged the almonds for walnuts (that's all I had) and did not have shelled pea's (my son Gus eats them right up before I can get them to the fridge).

We've gone through 10 pounds of blueberries, but as soon as my friend Heather Harrington's next batch of blueberries ripen up, we plan to go picking again.  In another words, expect another blueberry blog. 

One more bit of exciting news:  our garden is starting to produce.  This is our first garden, so it's a big deal!  We've been picking green beans, cucumbers, and we had our first red tomato. 

Life is good!

Kristin

Denise, me, and Cousin Erinn at Psycho Suzie's Before U2

Crunchy Chinese Cabbage Slaw

My Eats in the East

The purpose of my blog is to focus on eating locally, seasonally available foods, but this last week I was on vacation, so I will only be blogging about my delicious eats in the East.  As I am putting this together, I am getting so hungry!!

To start with, I had the most wonderful tomato, basil, mozzarella salad drizzled with olive oil.  How beautiful, simple and delicious.  Once my tomatoes are in season I am going to try and make it. 

Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Cheese, Olive Oil Salad

This all took place on the day we saw Marc Cohn ("Walking in Memphis" / "True Companion"

He still sounds pretty good!




Marc Cohn - "Walking In Memphis"



Chris Rock


The next day, my long-time friend Susanne and I went to see Chris Rock on Broadway, and afterwards we were lucky enough to see the actors.  Before the show though, we enjoyed a loved lemongrass mojito.  Basically, it's like the yummy mint mojitos, only with fresh lemongrass.  It was so delicious!



Lemongrass Mojito's in NYC




After the show, we sat outside and enjoyed the most delicious Thai food ever!  And, it was cheap (even better). 



Vegetable Curry


The next day we went to the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.  Now, this is where I had the MOST memorable meal of the trip:  WATERMELON SOUP!   I'm going to try and make this later in the summer.  The soup was very refreshing and also had a little spice to it.  Yum.   It was really hot (close to 100 degrees) and we still sat outside and enjoyed a FANTASTIC meal. 

Watermelon Soup



To be honest, I enjoyed my meal outside on the 7th floor of the MOMA more than the art work.  I've never seen the MOMA so packed with people, and it was hard to move around.  The meal more than made up for it.  Here we are enjoying some "artful" food.

Outdoor Terrace - MOMA


Finally, my trip to New York is not complete until I enjoy some cheesecake purchase at Grand Central Station and eaten on the train.  It's tradition.

The next morning before I caught the train to DC, I enjoyed this awesome NY bagel by Penn Station and watched the people go by.....man I love NY bagels.

 Thanks to my friend Susanne for a great visit.  We've been friends for close to 30 years....wow!

Next up was my trip to Washington D.C.  LOVE this city.  One of the many differences between NYC and DC is the food prices.  NYC - generally reasonable or cheap, DC  - expensive.  When I go to DC I love to eat at Union Station as I get off the train.  They have one of the best food courts in the world.  I nearly FROZE to death on the over-conditioned train ride from NYC to DC, so I sat outside and enjoyed some Indian sliders (basically beans, curry, onion, cilantro on a bun.)  Simple but very delish!

For supper that night I had the second most memorable meal at a fun, hip Cuban restaurant.  Great place!  I had pumpkin ravioli and it was truly divine.




Pumpkin Ravioli

Of course, when you're in DC you have to go to Capitol City Brewing.  I had a great black bean burger!! 

Black Bean Burger

The next morning I was walking around, looking for a DC bagel, but all I could find was the famous Velvet Cupcakes.  The cupcake I had was teeny, but I was STUFFED afterwards, so they must be full of something good.

Velvet Cupcake


That night we ate at a great Mexican place (Mexicali Rose) where they make the guacamole right at your table.   I also visited this place the last time I was in DC, and highly recommend it.   Great outdoor seating right by the Verizon Center too.  The Dalia Lama was in DC that day, and there were 25,000 Buddhists attending his presentation.

Guacamole


After a rally at the Capitol for Civil Rights (Disability Rights), we were on Capitol Hill to meet with Congressmen Sean Duffy.

After our busy morning, we celebrated by enjoying some awesome Thai food (again).  I love Thai food.

Vegetable Curry and Tofu

Graham was at Boy Scout camp, and Gus and Greta were at Grandparents Camp.  I missed them so much, but I think we needed the little break.

Sunday I went on a steamy 50 mile bike ride, and that night a tree fell on our house.   Today I'm spending my day off waiting for someone to come and tear off our roof, dry the carpets, etc.  I'm more bummed about losing my day off because we had another fabulous day in Duluth planned.  Such is life!!

Tree on our house


Yes, 4 days later and the tree is still on top of our house.  Ugh!!!!
At least I have fresh picked cabbage, raspberries, and blueberries in the house.  And in 3 days I will be at a U2 concert with my awesome cousin Erinn!!  Woohooo.

Until next week,

Kristin