Marinated Tomatoes

There is nothing like the taste of tomatoes fresh from the garden.  The marinade for these tomatoes only accentuates their taste.  Very good as a side dish or serve with crusty bread and some good cheese for a meal.  Vary the spices for your own personal preference.  Leftover marinade is also excellent as a salad dressing.

¼ C. Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
1 ½ tsp. Seasoned Salt
1 ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper
¾ C. Vegetable Oil
½ C. Red Wine Vinegar
¼ C. Onion, chopped
3 – 5 Tomatoes, sliced

Blend all ingredients, except tomatoes, in a large sealable container. Add tomatoes. Marinate in refrigerator overnight.     

Teriyaki Sauce

This is a good sauce that goes great with chicken, salmon or tofu. Grill your choice of protein, add crisp-tender veggies and toss with the sauce. Pair it up with rice and you have a fast weeknight meal.

1 C. Chicken Broth

1/3 C. Soy Sauce

1/3 C. Sugar

2 Tbsp. Mirin

2 Tbsp. Sake

In saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer. Stir to dissolve sugar, continuing to simmer until sauce starts to thicken and turn syrupy.



Summer Cranberry Seltzer

Light summertime drink for people that don’t like the strong taste of alcohol.  It is almost like a wine cooler in flavor.  You can change the cranberry juice to almost any other juice. Grape or pomegranate juice works well.

2 C. Cranberry juice
2 C. Seltzer
2 Tbsp. Lime
6 oz. Vodka

Fill glasses with ice.  Mix all ingredients in small pitcher.  Divide among glasses.

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Sauce

I have to admit, I have a love affair,….. with balsamic vinegar.  I absolutely love the stuff.   This sauce has a good balance of flavors and would pair equally well with chicken or salmon.

 

1 pd. Pork Tenderloin, ½ “ slices
1 ½ tsp. Butter
1 ½ tsp. Olive Oil
1 Onion, minced
2 Tbsp. Honey
½ tsp. Allspice
2 C. Chicken Stock
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
¼ C. Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
Parsley, minced

Pound slices of pork to ¼ “ thick. Season with salt and pepper. Heat large skillet. Melt butter and olive oil. Cook pork slices in batches, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove from pan. Add onion, honey, and allspice. Saute until softened and translucent. Increase heat to high and add stock and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Continue to simmer until the sauce is starting to thicken. Add the cream and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Return pork slices to pan. Heat through.



 

 

The Salty Dog

I like just about any drink that has salt on the rim.  The grapefruit gives a nice sourness to the drink.  This is a great summer evening porch sitting drink.

½ C. Vodka
¾ C. Fresh Grapefruit juice
Coarse Kosher Salt

Moisten the rim of 2 glasses. Dip in salt. Fill glasses with ice cubes. Divide the vodka and juice evenly between the two glasses.

Meatball and Bean Stew

A hearty soup that is high in protein and in flavor.  Keeps well in the fridge, so you can make a big batch on Sunday night and then enjoy during the week.  Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the delicious broth.

 

Meatballs:
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 small Yellow Onion, minced
1 ½ tsp. Paprika
1 Pd. Ground Chuck
1 ½ tsp. Cumin
1 Tbsp. Cilantro, minced

1 Tbsp. Parsley, minced
1 Egg, beaten

Stew:
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
5 C. Beef Stock
16 oz. White Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 large Yellow Onion, chopped
1 C. frozen Spinach, chopped

Heat oil in large soup pot for meatballs. Saute onions. Let cool and mix all ingredients in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Shape into 1 oz. balls. In the same pot, add meatballs and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside. Heat oil for stew. Add onions and garlic. Saute until translucent. Add stock and bring to low simmer, loosening any browned bits from the bottom. Add meatballs, beans and spinach. Cover and cook on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.



Moscow Mule

Heat up the grill and pour some cold drinks!  This is one of my favorite summertime beverages.  This drink has an unassuming visual quality about it, but truly does have a kick. I have never been a fan of sweet, fruity drinks and the mule has neither. Ginger beer doesn’t contain alcohol, but don’t confuse it with ginger ale. I like the Jamacian style. It has a spicy flavor to it that really pairs well with the vodka.

¼ C. Vodka
6 Tbsp. Ginger Beer
Lime slice

Rub the inside of a chilled glass with lime slice. Discard slice and fill glass with ice. Pour the vodka and ginger beer into the glass. Stir well.