Summer

watermelondaiquiriLast weekend we found ourselves sipping on these. It's not like the weather was nice enough in any way, that it would have warranted having such a cool and refreshing cocktail. But the watermelon has been so sweet and I bought so many of those baby seedless ones at the store, I had to do something with them!

I've also always associated the daiquiri as being a frozen drink. However, after a little research, it's really the name for a family of cocktails whose main ingredients include rum, lime and sugar. Maybe I'm just feeling like I'm still on vacation in Florida, close to where the daiquiri became well known.

Story has it the daiquiri was invented by an American mining engineer who was in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. There is an iron mine in Cuba named daiquiri as well as a beach....hmmm, sounds like we have a connection. Miner...working in an iron mine...needs a drink after work...has only these ingredients in the pantry...proclaims it the daiquiri...shares it with all his friends...gains worldwide popularity? Are you feeling the connection?

Anyway, enjoy this drink, it was no nice to sip on!! This could also be made without the alcohol if you choose, making it a great option for any guests who might not be drinking. It would still taste great.

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barleysaladBarley is a wonderfully versatile grain with a rich nutty flavor and a nice chewy, pasta-like consistency. According to the Whole Grains Council, “barley is highest in fiber of all the whole grains, with common varieties clocking in at about 17% fiber.”

It’s a great addition to hearty soups, but it’s also nice in summer salads and makes a perfect alternative to pasta.

This recipe is easy to throw together early in the day and stored in the refrigerator, giving the ingredients and chance to blend and become more flavorful. You can add other favorite summer ingredients like cucumbers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.

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Salad as a Meal Since over here we've been eating too many bbq ribs, hot dogs (yum), hamburgers, and mac n cheese, we thought we'd feature recipes of our other favorite summer bbq dish: salmon, bbq'd and otherwise, which was partly inspired by the graavlax and potato pancake recipe in Patricia Wells' new cookbook Salad as a Meal.

 

 Patricia Wells' Salmon Gravlax saam_salmon-gravlax.jpg

Lomi Lomi Salmon

Smoked-Salmon and Cucumber Rolls

Patricia Wells' Salmon Gravlax with Potato Parmesan Galettes

Salmon Croquettes

Alan's Grilled Salmon

Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon with Sautéed Fiddleheads

Maple-Glazed Wild Salmon

Pomegranate Broiled Salmon with Garlic-Smashed Potatoes