Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tastes of Summer


Summer is so short here that I feel the need to make the most of every possible minute. One way to do that is with the food we eat. Meals on the deck using the grill for cooking, picnics by the sea or in the woods, casual get togethers with family and friends - I love summertime. Cooking needs to be easy - and what's easier than compiling the fresh tastes of the season.

Herbed Cottage Cheese Spread makes the most of the fresh herbs that are flourishing in my garden just now. It's easy to put together and yummy with toasted or fresh baguette slices, crackers from a box, or fresh vegetables. I put the recipe on my other blog, you can find it by clicking here, or the recipe name above.
 

The fresh taste of water can hardly be improved upon, but I like adding just a hint of flavour with fresh herbs like mint or lemon balm. Pick a handful, rinse them, and place them in a large jug of water. Let sit in the fridge for a few hours and the herbs will gently flavour the water. 

This afternoon my husband asked me what the undersea garden in the fridge was for. It took me a minute to figure out what he was talking about.
 

For a mildly sweet treat on a hot afternoon, popsicles are just the thing. I have some old Tupperware molds and fill them with blended fruits, yogurt, or in this case, coconut milk. I call them Almost Piña Colada Popsicles and the recipe is easy-peasy. Click on the name to go to the recipe.

Last Sunday our Little Miss devoured almost an entire popsicle - her father finished it off. 

As I write this, on Wednesday evening, the sky is heavy and rain drips down. It doesn't feel very summery around here. But I'm hopeful. Are you thinking about summer? What summer tastes do you enjoy?

14 comments:

  1. I've never tried steeping mint in water. Maybe we all need and undersea garden! Aren't Popsicles the best summer treat? Love the almost piña colada recipe.

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  2. We eat a lot of salads in summer, in fact, for so many meals that I pray for a few cooler days, so that I can eat a bowl of pasta or maybe some chicken.

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  3. The recipes sound delightful, especially the cottage cheese dip with fresh herbs. That's something that we would really enjoy here and so I'll be snagging that one.

    I don't know how anyone lives in places where it rains so often. I'm thinking of moving to somewhere else. ☺

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  4. I'd like to try both these recipes Lorrie - they look delectable! The best thing about your rain is that your grass will be green for the month of June...We've had rain here too. Keep smiling - June will be such a special month for your family!

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  5. Mmmm... what a lovely and healthy way to flavour water. During the winter I buy lemons and limes for that very reason. I juice them and make the juice into a supply ice cubes that can be popped into a water bottle for work or a glass at home.

    Oh, those popsicles look delicious! That's one recipe I haven't tried for them. I used to make endless supplies of fresh fruit popsicles for our sons when we lived in Kelowna.

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  6. I must try the mint water and those pina colada popsicles . . . my favourite taste of summer is watermelon. Said melon blended with a handful of parsley makes a delightfully refreshing drink that helps to lower blood pressure.

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  7. It looks like you are making the most of your summer! I love the summer thunderstorms as well, and it sounds like you might be in for some of that. Your pics are always so pretty!

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  8. It looks like you are making the most of your summer! I love the summer thunderstorms as well, and it sounds like you might be in for some of that. Your pics are always so pretty!

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  9. yummy..must try the popsicles..

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  10. I am so with you Lorrie on the making the most of every minute of summer! We love to bbq and eat on the deck as much as we can too! Angie xo

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  11. The popsicles are awesome - come really hot Summer days I'll try making those.
    Hugs - Mary

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  12. Summer seems to have come and gone last weekend - another dreary day out here. Tomorrow will see the last of the guests depart and then things will be back to normal!

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  13. Thank you so much for your kind comments over at "Living Life". The popsicles look like summer bliss. I need to get some molds and pop some in the freezer. I love to keep a large container of "sassy water" with mint, cucumber, lemon and finely chopped ginger to drink. Very refreshing. Bonnie

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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