With summer here we're eating lighter -- more salads, and even more vegetables and fruits raw or lightly cooked. Some hot dishes are also still around though. Here's a look at what's been on the table here... Maybe some ideas to inspire your own lunch or dinner plates for summer!
Beet Salad...I could eat this every day! Mixed greens, chopped, fresh cooked beets, chopped artichoke hearts, grated carrots and crumbled blue cheese.
Pesto Tabbouleh... A different take here--a pesto dressing replaces the minty traditional one. Bulgur wheat, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado, red onion, pesto-lemon dressing, feta cheese... served with toasted pita wedges.
Risotto Verde... we're nearing the end of the asparagus season, so this is a nice way to use the lovely green veggie. Creamy risotto studded with asparagus, peas, spinach, zucchini and Parmesan cheese. Chilled Australian Jacob's Creek Riesling on the side is all that's needed here... ;o)
Spicy Red Lentil Dal Soup... More a stew than a soup really, red lentils cooked with onion, carrots, tomatoes, laced with coconut milk and spices. Indian or Asian pickles and toasted pita or nan bread make nice accompaniments.
Spaghetti with Anchovies, Chili, Capers and Spinach... A sassy combination of salty fish, red chili, garlic, capers, lemon and fresh spinach leaves over wholewheat spaghetti. A generous shower of grated Parmesan cheese over the prepared dish, a glass of Italian red Valpolicella waiting... YUM!
A little while ago I closed the In the Kitchen section in the sidebar, as it didn't seem many were using it, and the section took a lot of time to keep after. The dishes shown here are my own recipes, and if anyone would like more details on one or more of them I'd be glad to pass along the recipes. From time to time I will still share recipes here, but written within a post rather than in a separate section of the blog.
Here's to life and glorious food! Happy Days! :o)
Tracy, this all looks so yummy! You seem like a healthy cook! I'm stopping by for dinner if I'm ever in Norway! ;)
Posted by: tattingchic | June 24, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Tracy! These all look so fabulous. Yum!
Posted by: ellen b | June 24, 2009 at 04:21 PM
You are a great cook. I can tell. Wow, these look good!
Posted by: Shayla | June 24, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Yum! Everything looks delicious and the colors are fabulous! Beautifully presented, Tracy.
Posted by: Golden West | June 24, 2009 at 04:30 PM
The dishes look so yummy. I am very slowly shifting towards being vegetarian. I think you are really talented being able to make your own recipe. Cooking is not my forte so I think it is amazing!
I recently found a local "tofu" shop. It is home made and reasonable. I am going there literally every week. Next time, I hope to take a photo of the place :D
Hope you have a good week!
Lots of love
Kyoko
Posted by: Kyoko | June 24, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Those dishes sound and look delicious! I love asparagus. We mostly eat the white ones.
Tonight we will have potato-salad and fresh herring!
ohhhhh, you made me feel hungry!
Posted by: nicolette | June 24, 2009 at 05:05 PM
As well as the dishes, I have made a special note to look for the Australian Jacob's Creek Riesling! Thank you.
Posted by: Margaret Gosden | June 24, 2009 at 05:37 PM
That all looks very delicious, and very healthy!
Posted by: dottycookie | June 24, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Yummy, these are exactly the types of dishes I love to eat. Delicious!
love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | June 24, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Wow! Those dishes look amazing! I love beets, so that salad sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the inspiration!
Stephanie
Posted by: stephanie | June 24, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Tracy your photos are gorgeous! I was going to make cornmeal pancakes for breakfast but now I'm thinking about moving straight to lunch even though it's still morning here.
Posted by: Amanda | June 24, 2009 at 07:11 PM
They all look so pretty and colourful. On the Summery days we are eating light too.
I'm having enough trouble motivating myself into ironing all the things for the charity shops let alone slaving over a hot stove too. LOL The de-cluttering is going well. :-)
Posted by: Melanie | June 24, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Hummmm!!! they all look so yummy!! Make my mouth water. :)
I know I have been a bit abcent, dear Tracy, but things are really hectic here at the mo. I will be posting soon about it all. :)
Lots of love and hugs. x
Posted by: Isobel | June 24, 2009 at 07:48 PM
PLEASE COME TO MY HOUSE AND COOK
for me forEVER
these look beyond yummy........
I will try them at home
many thanks
Posted by: Elizabeth Wix | June 24, 2009 at 08:13 PM
It all looks wonderful ~ I'll be right over ~ LOL
We eat lots of salads and grains too. Gotta love that bulgur wheat. Thanks for the great inspiration to jazz up my meals a bit!
Oh, yes, thanks for reminding me to eat my beets :)
Posted by: MrPuffy | June 24, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Tracy, these all look so very yummy. I'm especially curious about the lentil soup. We love these types of flavors in my house & I'd love to have the recipe! I may be back to ask for a couple more, too. ;)
I hope everything is going well with you. I wish I had more time to drop by and say hi. I've kept up with you, but just been so busy getting ready to move across the country in about a month.
Posted by: Brandy | June 24, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Hello Tracy!
All these dishes look so delicious! The beet salad is so pretty. My hubby loves beets and would most certainly enjoy this. Summertime is the season for light meals and yours are wonderful!:o) Thanks so much for sharing.
Smiles...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | June 24, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Tracy, these look absolutely wonderful! I would like to eat all of them and would certainly love the recipes or details. This is just the kind of food I would love to eat every day but alas don't always manage to get chopping and shopping for the right ingredients. You are an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing.
love Sheila
Posted by: sheila jones | June 25, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Mmmm! These all look good to me,especially that first one!
Posted by: Sarah | June 25, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Tracy, each and every dish looks delicious. And, I was already hungry when I clicked here. ;-)
Posted by: Beverly | June 25, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Your meals look delicious and beautiful! The colors and textures make them each very appealing! I'd enjoy getting the Lentil soup recipe. There are so many different versions and yours looks extra special!
Posted by: Flower | June 25, 2009 at 01:56 AM
Thankyou, Tracy, they all look delicious. I'm going to do the Pesto Tabbouleh for luncheon today.
Posted by: alaine | June 25, 2009 at 02:59 AM
WOW...NICE food Tracy. Hey, when I am over...you will need to stock up for me ok. I'd go for many helpings, not really the shy type. hehe :P Big hugs for the weekend..and tks for the tip, I did read that you Hubby's camera brand is very good. Just look at those scenery pictures you took. Say hi to TJ for me will ya :P
Posted by: M.Kate | June 25, 2009 at 03:29 AM
It's a good thing I already ate dinner or I would have been scrambling for the ingredients for ALL those dishes!
Posted by: willow | June 25, 2009 at 05:30 AM
oh man! that all looks so good. love beets! and risotto, and making risotto is rather meditational I think. don't you?
Posted by: Janet | June 25, 2009 at 06:08 AM