A Salad for a Sizzling Summer Day

The weather has turned on us! The thermometer in the kitchen window has broken the 90 degree mark the past three days. Instead of windows open to catch cool breezes, the air conditioning is cycling on and off, mostly on. By late afternoon, potted plants are wilting and wanting a second watering.

In this weather, my comfort foods are salads--ones that provide our nutritional needs while being light, tasty and cold. Only recently have I tried edamame. I'm glad I did. It's a delicious and light source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. This colorful dish would travel well--to some cool spot!!

A COLORFUL & HEALTHY SUMMER SALAD

1 lb frozen shelled edamame

3 cups corn kernels, blanched

1 chopped red bell pepper

3/4 cup sliced green onion

1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Dressing:

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Prepare edamame according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside to drain thoroughly.

Combine edamame, corn, red bell pepper, green onion, parsley and basil.

In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add rest of the ingredients to the bowl and toss to coat.

Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Serves 8

A Garden Visit

"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view."

H. Fred Ale

Good morning friends. I thought I'd take you for an early morning stroll in my little hidden garden. It's mostly green and white with a few pops of color here and there. I've brewed a pot of coffee. Grab a cup and come along. I'm happy to have you visit.

Along the garden path.

To the left is my "friendship garden". The plants are all from the gardens of various friends. There's ornamental ginger, autumn sedum, a ground cover that has a sweet blue flower with dark green leaves (I don't know the name), variegated geraniums and a lovely hosta.

Here we are on the other side of the "friendship garden" and the hosta. If you click and look closely, you'll see the flower spikes getting ready to burst forth in purple bloom.

The hydrangea tree is loaded with creamy white blossoms that are almost fully open. They'll turn a rusty salmon color in the fall and will dry nicely. In the summer, they drape over and through the fence pickets.

A little pop of color under the eight foot tall hydrangea bush (that is supposed to be only four foot tall). Just the right amount of sun and shade here.

The "swimming hole" is visited by many birds during the day. I think they realize that the pineapple design means they are welcome in this garden.

I like to think of my garden as a "nature cathedral" and added a gargoyle. Though not as impressive as those guarding the National Cathedral, he's an interesting fellow (assuming that gargoyles are of the masculine gender).

I'm so glad you stopped by. Next time we'll sit on the front porch.