A week ago we were debating on lighting a fire.
Three days ago summer arrived and we opened all the doors and windows to let the warm air in and the cool air out.
Today I was ready to close the shutters against the heat.
Summer has arrived.
Now that summer is here I want summer foods
Unfortunately, the potager doesn’t move quite that fast.
We compromised.
Cherry tomatoes are the first in the markets in the spring, and usually taste like tomatoes, unlike most other ‘store-bought’ tomatoes.
I always buy one pot of basil to get the summer herb garden going, toss in some avocado and we had a salad.
Mini Tomato. Mozzarella and Avocado Salad
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4oz (120gr) mini Mozzarella di Bufala, about 12 little balls
- 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 small avocado
- 1 large handful fresh basil
- 2 tbs fresh chives, snipped
- 1 1/2 tbs salad olive oil
- 1 1/2 tbs white Balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
- Cut the avocado, remove pit and scoop out small balls using a melon ‘baller’.
- Whisk oil and vinegar together. Add chives.
- Put avocado balls, mozzarella and tomatoes in a bowl. Add dressing and stir gently to combine.
- Divide and spoon into 2 shallow bowl
- Garnish with basil leaves and serve.
Do fathers get better presents than mothers?
Because way back in the beginning of time I was an avid catalog shopper and because I carried that over slightly to the internet, I get a few ‘shopping’ emails.
Before Mother’s Day I was seeing bits for flowers and plants and pretty sweaters.
Williams Sonoma had a lovely pink stand-mixer.
Now that Father’s Day is approaching I’m seeing bits for $5,000 gas grills and Green Egg Smokers.
Williams Sonoma has a pizza maker for $150.00 and a a deep-fat fryer for $400.00 and an air fryer for $300.00 and a coffee maker for $350.00.
And these are all sale prices.
Apparently I am out of sync with the rest of the world.
I realize that good electrical appliances are expensive and well-made electrical appliances can be very expensive.
What I don’t understand is why people want to spend that much money on appliances.
Personally, I think a French press, $25.00 makes excellent coffee, I prefer to go to a cafe for the occasional pizza, I (and my hips) don’t need deep-fried food and I couldn’t be bothered to ‘air fry’ anything.
I keep hearing / reading that fewer and fewer people are actually cooking. Do they collect these fancy gadgets in hopes that they’ll be inspired to use them?
Yes, according to Williams Sonoma, these are all gadgets.
I’m happy with a sharp knife and a good skillet.
And a glass of wine.
Then again, I’ve been on this side of the pond for so long, maybe those toys only seem outrageous to me….
I really must be out of the loop as I have no idea how to air fry and have no idea even what a green egg smoker does – is that how we get green eggs and ham ??
They must collect these fancy gadgets to be inspired! Me on the other hand am inspired by your salad! Good in my bowl.
I do have a big KitchenAid mixer, but I also do all my own cooking. We don’t buy out though we do have a date night every week. But as to the other ‘gadgets,’ I can sure get along without them. I wonder if we’re more materialistic on this side of the pond. I don’t know, but I suspect so.
Oh, and my DH? Gets a card.
The trouble with all the gadgets is where to store them. No kitchen would be large enough!
Oh, and I read somewhere that the most “collect” calls are placed on Fathers Day. Apparently, many people think of Dad solely as a wallet.
Guess I’ve been in the middle of the Pacific too long as I haven’t a clue about air frying. Nothing can be added to my space without something being thrown out so my temptation level is low. The salad looks very inviting though.
Kate, I’m clueless on the air fryer but I’ve seen ads on the green egg thing. The green eggs and ham,,,, works for me!
Tanna, all I can think of is cleaning them LOL
nightsmusic, I have a KitchenAid – but that’s standard kitchen equipment, like a soup pot. All the rest? I’d never use….
Pam, exactly…. I’d end up storing them in the barn…. and never using them. Ah yes, collect calls 😉
Phoenicia, I bought a few little toys after we moved to France… never used them. I also am no longer tempted (or rarely)