June 2015

June is the start of the summer months.  Kids will be getting out of school and going to camps, on picnics and to the beach.  Life is a little less structured for summer, but we still need to have good, healthy food.  What is June known for?  It always makes me chuckle.

June is Country Cooking Month, and Effective Communication Month. It is Turkey Lover’s Month, and National Ice Tea Month.  And if you wanted to Ride the Bull Naked, June is the month to do it.  June is also Georgia Blueberry Month.  I love blueberries and they are so good for you and fun to use in food preparation. 

Blueberry Summer Salad for two

2 cups baby spinach leaves                                                    

¼ cup of blueberries                                                               

1 Tablespoon crumbled bleu cheese (can substitute Feta Cheese)     

1 or 2  Tablespoons  low-fat balsamic vinaigrette (to taste)

Salt and Pepper to taste         

Place spinach leaves in a low salad bowl.

Add the blueberries, blue cheese, and drizzle the salad

    dressing.  Serves 2-3

 

If you like blackberries. you can substitute them for the blueberries.  But it sure  tastes great as it is.  This and other recipes for many  salads are in my book, In Addition…to the Entrée.  You can get a copy from me anytime.

May is a great month.  The weather is warming, the trees and flowers are popping up in the garden and winter is behind us.  May is known for Mother’s Day—very important day. Also May 1 is May Day.  May is National Smile Month and National Barbeque Month.  It is also known for Clean Air Month and Get Caught Up Reading Month.  I had a hard choice between National Sweet Vidalia Onion Month or National Salsa month.  I chose the latter—National Salsa Month.  So here is a fun recipe for Salsa

Watermelon and Cucumber Salsa   (for two)

2 slices about ½ inch thick watermelon, cut in small pieces

½ English cucumber or regular cucumber seeds removed

¼ cup cilantro chopped fine (or mint leaves or basil)

Juice from ½ medium lime (or more if you like lime)

1 packet sugar substitute

Mix together

Serve on fish, chicken or anything

Variation:  If you want more of a salad combination add:

1 teaspoon wine vinegar

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup feta cheese ( or bleu cheese or gorgonzola cheese)

Whisk the vinegar and olive oil together.

Drizzle over the watermelon mix

Add the cheese. 

ENJOY!

May is a great month.  The weather is warming, the trees and flowers are popping up in the garden and winter is behind us.  May is known for Mother’s Day—very important day. Also May 1 is May Day.  May is National Smile Month and National Barbeque Month.  It is also known for Clean Air Month and Get Caught Up Reading Month.  I had a hard choice between National Sweet Vidalia Onion Month or National Salsa month.  I chose the latter—National Salsa Month.  So here is a fun recipe for Salsa

Watermelon and Cucumber Salsa   (for two)

2 slices about ½ inch thick watermelon, cut in small pieces

½ English cucumber or regular cucumber seeds removed

¼ cup cilantro chopped fine (or mint leaves or basil)

Juice from ½ medium lime (or more if you like lime)

1 packet sugar substitute

Mix together

Serve on fish, chicken or anything

Variation:  if you want more of a salad combination add:

1 teaspoon wine vinegar

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup feta cheese ( or bleu cheese or gorgonzola cheese)

Whisk the vinegar and olive oil together.

Drizzle over the watermelon mix

Add the cheese. 

ENJOY!