Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches with Dijon Mayonnaise

Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches with Dijon Mayonnaise

 

 It is past mid-September and fall is right around the corner. I recently made a trip to the local farms for fresh produce and fruit. One of my late summer favorites is BLT’s. I love when the tomatoes are at their peak. This is the 

Pear and Plum Galette

Pear and Plum Galette

 

     prep 20 min. ready 1 hr. 15 min. serves 4   Our neighbors have a pear tree just over our “wall” fence. If you have been to our house, you know what I’m talking about. We have a serpentine brick wall that encloses 

Creamy Cucumber Salad with Radishes and Onions

Creamy Cucumber Salad with Radishes and Onions

 

 

 

My wife and I were at a Polish Festival with friends a couple of weeks ago here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Several of the food booths were serving cucumber salad. I did not buy any, but opted for half a polish sausage. (It was only half a sausage because after standing in line for 10 minutes, they told me there was only one sausage left so I shared it with my wife). Later, I was craving cucumber salad. It says summer to me! The tang from the combination of sour cream and vinegar mixed with the dill has a great taste and is even better after the salad marinates a day or two. The 1940’s-50’s bowls were purchased at a couple of thrift shops that I frequent. I love finding vintage props for my cooking blog.

The cucumbers were grown in a friend’s garden. The radishes and onions were from a beautiful Amish farm located northeast of Grand Rapids. When my wife and I stopped to see what they were selling, clothes were hanging on a clothes line blowing in the wind, and the farmer’s horse with a plow was next to the produce barn. A cash box sat on the counter and women were baking behind a windowed wall. Their fields were picturesque. Fresh crops sere being harvested by one of the farmers who wore a straw hat. It is always fun to shop roadside farm stands during the summer, and this was a bonus because everything was organic.

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized cucumbers (English cucumbers work as well)

• 1/4 cup scallions, sliced

• 1/4 cup red onions, sliced thinly

• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

• 3 Tbs. white vinegar

• 1/2 Tsp. white sugar

• Salt to taste

• Crushed black pepper to taste

 

 

 

Instructions

1. Peel the cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a medium-size bowl and toss.

3. Place in the refrigerator to cool for at least an hour before serving.

4. Sprinkle chopped dill on top for presentation.

 

 

 

Creamy cucumber salad with radishes and onions

Easy to make creamy cucumber salad

Course Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Med cucumbers Or English Cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup scallions sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onions sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup sour cream Or Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup dill fresh, chopped
  • 3 Tbs. vinegar white
  • 1/2 Tsp. white sugar
  • salt to taste
  • pepper crushed to taste

Instructions

  1. Peel the cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise.

  2. Combine all the ingredients in a medium-size bowl and toss.

  3. Place in the refrigerator to cool for at least an hour before serving.

  4. Sprinkle chopped dill on top for presentation

Blueberry Tart

Blueberry Tart

 

     prep 20 min. ready 1 hr. 5 min. serves 4-6   Oh, how I love fresh blueberries! Now is the time to shop local, and support farmers in your area. The berries are perfect for eating and baking. This tart was easy to 

Homemade Peach Pie

Homemade Peach Pie

 

     prep 20 min. ready 1 hr. 20 min. serves 4-6   Now is the time to purchase fresh local peaches from your farmer’s market! I was able to get Red Haven peaches from a local roadside peach stand. I have been buying from 

Homemade Limeade

Homemade Limeade

 

 

 

prep 10 min.

serves 2-4

 

Homemade limeade is one of my favorite summer drinks. I love lemonade but will admit that I love limeade even more. It is a refreshing drink and is easy to make. I love the tart taste of lime. You only need four ingredients: fresh limes, sugar, water and of course ice. During hot weather, nothing beats fresh-squeezed limeade. Give this simple drink recipe a try before summer passes us by.

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup lime juice (approx. 4-6 squeezed limes)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 cups water

• Ice cubes.

 

 

 

Directions

1. Squeeze lime juice. Add sugar and water.

2. Pour over ice cubes and serve immediately

 

I made a triple batch and refrigerated it to drink over the next few days.

 

 

 

 

Homemade limeade

Simple to make Limeade

Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lime juice fresh
  • 1 cup sugar granulated
  • 3 cups water
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Squeeze lime juice. Add sugar and water.

     

  2. Pour over ice cubes and serve immediately

     

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

 

     prep 10 min. serves 2-4   Nothing says summer more than fresh watermelon! I recently purchased a watermelon at a local produce market and decided to make a watermelon salad. My herbs are in full force. I have a good crop of basil 

Blueberry almond milk smoothie

Blueberry almond milk smoothie

 

     prep 10 min. ready 15 min. serves 2-4     With the strawberry season winding down, we are in the heart of summer and the blueberries have come into season. I just purchased some fresh berries at our farmers’ market from a local 

Strawberry Parfaits

Strawberry Parfaits

 

 

 

prep 10 min.

ready 15 min.

serves 3-6

 

It is still strawberry season, but it is winding down. I decided to make strawberry parfaits for a mid-day snack since it has been so hot outside. These parfaits beat the heat. I could have used ice-cream rather than whipping cream. I could also have made strawberry shortcake.

I purchased my berries at  Morse Brothers’ Farm. They have the best berries. They are located at 2925 6 Mile Road NW Grand Rapids, MI and can be reached by phone at 616-784-4776. Call ahead to make sure they are open since supply is limited and the season is starting to come to an end.

Parfaits are easy to make and taste great! There’s nothing like fresh berries, organic granola, yogurt and whipping cream for a wonderful snack or dessert. Give these a try and, if you can, use fresh local berries from your favorite strawberry farm.

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered

• 2 cups plain or Greek yogurt

• 1-pint whipping cream (whipped with a bit of sugar) or canned whipping cream

• 1 cup organic granola

• A sprig of mint for garnish

 

Directions

1. Put a layer of granola at the bottom of a medium-sized glass.

2. Add a layer of strawberries.

3. Add a layer of yogurt.

4. Add a layer of strawberries.

5. Add a layer of whipping cream.

6. Add a sprig of fresh mint as a garnish.

 

Serve immediately.

These were great! I love the crunch from the granola as well as the sweet flavors blended together. I can’t wait to make parfaits with fresh blueberries!

 

5 from 1 vote
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Strawberry Parfaits

Super Easy to make Strawberry Parfaits with fresh fruit. Very good!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups strawberries fresh-quartered
  • 2 cups plain yogurt Greek
  • 1 cup organic granola
  • 1 sprig fresh mint

Instructions

  1. Put a layer of granola at the bottom of a medium-sized glass.

  2. Add a layer of strawberries.

  3. Add a layer of yogurt.

  4. Add a layer of strawberries.

  5. Add a layer of whipping cream.

  6. Add a sprig of fresh mint as a garnish.

  7. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

These were great! I love the crunch from the granola as well as the sweet flavors blended together. I can’t wait to make parfaits with fresh blueberries!

 

Strawberry Riviera Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Strawberry Riviera Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

 

         prep 10 min. ready 15 min. serves 6-8   It is finally summer! This is the best time for fresh fruit and veggies. I just picked up fresh strawberries from my favorite Grand Rapids, Michigan strawberry farm, The Morse Brothers’ Farm.