What I ate Wednesday 25

Hello! Well this is really the last week of summer for me; school starts next week.  That means the last week of having both breakfast and lunch outside.  This is really something I enjoy in the summer.  When I sit outside the meal is never rushed and I can just stare out into my yard and enjoy the scenery.  We have a lot of lush trees, a garden and bird feeders. I can only see two other houses, even though more are next door.  It's a little Eden, which is what I've always wanted.  

Breakfast: Waffle, topped with Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter and maple syrup, cantaloupe, blackberries, blueberries and cherry juice shooter and coffee of course.

I love waffles and generally I make them for my son and me, but he wasn't around today.  So I made 1/2 recipe and froze the rest.  I went on a 4.5 mile run so I did need some protein, the added peanut butter.  The fruit was all local -yeah!

Lunch: Tomato with tuna salad

I really wanted a tuna salad, but I hate mayo!  So I shredded some zucchini, chopped some black olives and sliced up some shishito peppers and added herbs de provence salt.  I topped the whole thing with Meyer lemon olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  It was almost like a mock salad nicoise.

Dinner: Burger bowls and corn on the cob.

This is probably one of my favorite summer dinners and it's so simple.  I make hamburger patties, just with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.  Then in a large bowl I put local salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers or pickles, avocado and top it with a ketchup/ranch sauce. You really could put anything in this bowl.  Of course it is local corn season so we had to have that on the side. Of course I had wine to drink.

Dessert: Chocolate chip cookies

My eldest daughter needs to eat grain free and the super sweet chef at her work made her these coconut flour chocolate chip cookies.  Who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie? 

I hope this post inspires you to cook a little more and enjoy some meals outside while the summer lasts.

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Chicago

"My kind of town, Chicago is.." to quote the great Frank Sinatra.  That's just how I feel about the city.  I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and my parents are still there.  I really prefer to live in Northeastern WI, however it is always fun to go into the city.  My middle daughter and I just went the other day for a quick overnight. This is a little tradition I started with my girls when they turned 16.  We drive into the city and arrive for lunch.  After a lovely lunch, of their choice, we spend the rest of the day however they want.  Usually we leave the city by 4-4:30 head back to my parents for cocktails and dinner and stay there overnight.  We're back by early afternoon the next day.  

This trip was no different except for what we did. My daughter planned everything.  We started with a lunch at Cafecito.  We shared yucca fries and I had a pressed tuna sandwich with a glass of wine.  We always choose a place where we can sit outside and people watch. Honestly that's half the fun of the trip. 

After lunch we walked a few blocks over to the Museum of Contemporary Art. When we got there we found this cute little farmers' market.  We could have had lunch here, but we didn't know it was taking place.

The museum was really interesting, if you have an open mind about what is "art."  If you only like the classics and impressionists skip this museum and head over to the Art Institute (which is fantastic). But, I found this a nice departure from the normal. 

Out in their courtyard they offer evening jazz on Tuesdays.  It would have been fun; if we were staying down later. 

We then decided to do some walking along Michigan Ave to the river and then up to Oak Street Beach.  Honestly I'd never been there before so that was a fun experience. Again I just love the energy the city gives off, and it was a beautiful day.  

We ended our day with this iconic view of the Hancock Building, the Drake and other Gold Coast buildings.  Just beautiful.  

If you haven't recently I highly recommend taking an overnight to this great city, especially if it is only a few hours away.  

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 24 (a little late)

Hello! I know this post is a little late for Wednesday's eats, but we had family staying with us and I like to spend time with them.  It's already August. Wow! I'm starting to think about back to school for myself and my kids, kind of sad.  Also the food at the farmers' markets is starting to turn to midsummer goodness for sure. I love seeing the seasonal changes.  So onto the eats.

Breakfast: Spinach and scrambled eggs, peaches, blueberries and black raspberries, sauerkraut, sourdough bread with cashew butter and apricot jelly, blue juice and coffee.

This was a great way to start the day.  Again all local fruits and veggies except for the very seasonal peaches.  If you haven't tried sauerkraut and eggs I really recommend it.  The mixture of tanginess and cream is delicious. 

Lunch: Salad Nicoise and a festive glass of wine (not pictured) 

My parents drove up and stayed overnight with us.  They love a large composed salad as much as I do.  I knew I had everything I needed on hand and local, except for the tuna.  A salad nicoise is really blanched green beans, boiled potatoes, hard boiled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and tuna. The dressing is just a simple vinaigrette.  

Dinner: Dijon lemon baked salmon, peach chutney, quick ratatouille, and mashed potatoes.

I'm growing these Turkish orange eggplants in the garden this year and I finally had more than 2 in my fridge. I also had tomatoes, zucchini, onion and herbs so of course I needed to make a quick ratatouille by sauteing everything in a skillet.  I made the peach chutney earlier in the day to can and had some leftovers.  The recipe is in Marissa McClelans' Food in Jars Kitchen.  Wow is it good!

Dessert: Anzac cookie with a bit of vanilla ice cream. 

These are one of my son's favorite cookies.  I was in the mood to make dessert and they are quick and easy.  We both love coconut so it's a win. 

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I hope you have been enjoying local eats and time in your kitchen cooking up something delicious.

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth

Recent Reads

Hello!  I've been reading a lot this summer, as I usually do.  There's nothing better in my mind to sit outside on a summer afternoon and read a book or to start my day off by reading a chapter or two.  I've read so many good books so I thought I'd share the titles and a very brief synopsis.  

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - A classic, this book is set in 1870's New York City.  My book club decided to read a classic for the summer.  This book took a little bit to get into, but it is a witty worthwhile read. 

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin -  Two friends since medical school and a secret that comes out later in their lives. A simple summer/beach read.

Farewell, My Subaru by Doug Fine - I always like a local eating read. While this book was not all about eating local, Doug Fine does do that it is more about trying to create an off the grid life.

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable - A mother and daughter conflict set in Nantucket and trying to save a family home.  Again another beach/summer read.

Becoming by Michelle Obama - I thought this book would be political and it was refreshingly not.  My college age daughter could identify with a college aged Michelle and I could definitely identify with the working mom. I would say all women should read this. 

The Lake House by Kate Morton - a murder took place 70 years ago and finally gets solved. I don't usually read mysteries but I really enjoyed this book.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - This book is based on real life of  illegal adoption during the 1930s and also takes place present day. It was well written and interesting to learn about a  history I did not know. 

South of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey - This book is the final in the Peach Tree Bluff series.  As always this was a charming read while I was sitting on the Florida beach.  

I hope you find a few interesting reads from this list.

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

What I ate Wednesday 23

Hello!  Another week has passed and it's been absolutely beautiful here.  The temperatures have been in the upper 70s to low 80s and the sky has been a beautiful shade of blue that one only gets in the Midwest away from a large city.  My garden has started to produce more than greens, it's late this year due to the rainy start.  I'm also getting great produce from my CSA and farmers' market.  Of course our meals reflect that for the most part.  

Breakfast: Soft boiled egg, avocado toast on sourdough bread, peaches and blueberries. 

I love eggs for breakfast, as I'm sure you've been able to tell. I did break my local rule yesterday in honor of national avocado day.  My daughter reminded me so of course we had to celebrate.

Lunch: Zucchini soup, hummus toasts with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. 

I have a lot of zucchini in my fridge now so I'm always trying to think of new ways to use it.  I found this soup recipe in Elizabeth Bard's Picnic in Provence.  It's really delicious, just some chicken stock, white wine and seasonings all pureed together.  I had some small pieces of sourdough left so I topped it with bits and pieces from the garden. I'm eating outside every chance I can get.

Dinner: Taco night, both ground beef and fish.

The beef, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and salad are all local.  I did cheat with the fish, but we can't be perfect. 

Dessert: Flourless chocolate cake. 

I didn't have too much going on so I tried this cake from Fine Cooking.  It's made in one bowl and is super easy. Everyone loved it and even my oldest who needs to be grain free can eat it.  It's a win. 

I hope you are enjoying some great local food at this time of year, and always.

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth