Fire Roasted Heirloom Salsa

One of the things I did, just prior to getting hit with the recent hurricane, was go food shopping. Just like every person within 100 miles of me. I was hoping the storm wouldn't be as bad as everyone was predicting, that we wouldn't lose power, and that the weekend would be spent being stuck inside, playing board games, watching movies, cooking yummy food and eating!
So, rather stupidly, I stocked the fridge to the max. It wasn't the brightest thing to do because we did indeed lose power. At first it flickered on and off, about every hour or so. Then, it finally went kaput for good the morning the storm hit. After that, the next 48 hours had me in a panic. Not because we couldn't watch TV, or use the computer, or because it's very hard to get used to doing everything in the dark...but, because of the food! Why, oh why, did I spend all that money on food? Much of which would end up getting thrown away. Especially when there are people all over this planet starving?
To relieve some of the anxiety I was having over the situation, I made it my mission to use up as much of it as I could. Luckily, we had the foresight to fill the propane tank for the grill, and anything that could be cooked on it, did. The need to empty the contents of our crisper drawer, combined with a massive amount of tomatoes I had on hand from our garden, inspired this recipe.

Bozo Picture of the Week...

It seems like forever since I posted last! Things around our house have been in upheaval since Hurricane Irene rolled through. For starters we lost power for two days. Then, because of all the damage it caused, and resulting power outages in our town, the first day of school was postponed for six days.
Now, for all of you mothers out there who consider having your children home with you all day a blessing...and, I know there's plenty of you out there...this was probably an occasion to rejoice over. But, for me? Not so much.
Now, don't get me wrong. There are things about Summer vacation I really love. Things like not having to pack lunches and generally having lazy mornings. No homework to talk my kids into doing, or sports to shuttle around to. Instead, there's trips to the pool, or beach...and having a tan on my typically pale body. I could go on...
All those lovely things aside, there's the constant refereeing...the endless whining...the yelling {theirs and mine}...the "he hit me", "he's not giving me a turn", and "do I have to?". Then, there's the fact that I can't get a thing done. My life has piled up around me, and getting around to tackling all that needs to be tackled is just something that hasn't been happening.
The thing is, it's been that way because we have been enjoying our Summer. Things that need to get done haven't in favor of having a fun day...and, that's okay. It's okay, because eventually school does start. And, finally, as of today, it has...and, I am very happy about it!
Will it take me some time to get used to this quiet house? No.
{Photos: My boys on their first day of 2nd and 4th grade!}

Breakfast Quinoa with Berries & Bananas

When I saw this recipe in the current issue of Whole Living magazine, I was very intrigued. Quinoa is technically not a grain because it's not part of the grass family {it's a relative of chard, and spinach}...but, because of it's grain-like texture it's marketed as one. It seems I'm always hearing about how good it is for you, and I've had the good intention to use it more in my cooking...but, really don't all that often. It's very high in protein, making it an ideal breakfast choice for me, or my kids.
My guys are super oatmeal fans...during the winter months it's the breakfast of choice around here. I make a big batch of steel cut oats, then store it in the fridge to heat up during the week. That saves me from having to take the time daily to make it. You can use the same method with this quinoa hot cereal by multiplying the recipe. I had high hopes that they would like this. Unfortunately, they were not all that wild about it.
If their love of oatmeal was not so deeply ingrained, they may have. These kids won't even eat instant oatmeal because they've grown up eating the real stuff and think the processed version is "disgusting". So, getting them to like this was a long shot.
I, however, loved it. It was definitely much different than any hot cereal I've ever had, but I loved the texture and flavor. As the mornings begin to get cooler, I know I will be making more of it.

Some Things I Just Love...

I've always been a sucker for linen. There's something about the soft, crinkly texture of the fabric that I love. I also love that every linen item I've ever owned and used heavily...be it a favorite shirt, a beach bag, or a kitchen towel...has just gotten better with age.
When it come to kitchen linens, I have a bit of a problem. My stash has grown so that it no longer fits, neatly folded in a kitchen drawer and now calls a basket on the counter home. It's important to me that we use cloth napkins, and towels in our home..not only for the environmental impact using paper napkins takes on our planet. But, also because they work better, and they look nicer...plus, washing and folding linens is a great intro course in "how-to-do-laundry" for the wee ones.
My collection of kitchen linens comes from all over the place...dish towels passed down from my grandmother, embroidered napkins I've purchased at estate sales, vintage well-worn pieces on Ebay, and gifts from friends and family over the years. More recently, it's been handmade, sustainable linens found on Etsy.

{from NEW YORK} The first shop...which, I've recently become obsessed with...is called Small Batch Productions. The owner of the shop, Claire, designs and hand sews each and every item herself. All of her pieces are made from sustainable, all- natural linen...or, a blend of cotton/hemp. They are incredibly well-made, and will withstand the test of time...but, when the time comes all her designs are compostable.
Pictured above: {a.} dish towel in citron. I love the color of this towel...it would brighten up any kitchen. {b.} grey recycled hemp/organic cotton apron...featuring 2 patch pockets & removable/adjustable ties {c.} light grey/aubergine check cafe apron...I own this apron and love it more and more every time I use it! {d.} gingham check dish towel...I love the classic look of this gingham fabric.
Claire has been generous enough to offer a 15% off coupon code to my readers this week! The coupon code, "parsley" can be used starting today, and is valid through Sunday August 28th. I highly recommend taking advantage of this great discount to get yourself something {or multiple items} from her shop!
Aside from the typical uses of cooking, or creating art...the deep, double patch pockets on the aprons are perfect for carrying tools while working on home improvement projects. I've also been using my apron while watering the garden, as it's perfect for keeping my garden snips, or pruner handy...and the short length makes it very easy to work in.

{from CALIFORNIA} The second shop I'd love to share with you is called Linea Carta. I am equally obsessed with this shop, which is owned by Diva. Like Claire, she designs, sews and prints all of her products using sustainable materials. Her shop is chock full of all sorts of amazing finds...from wishing bracelets {a favorite of mine} to stationery. But, today I'm focusing on her linens.
Pictured above: {a.} ladybug napkins...people close to me know how much I love ladybugs! I have a set of coasters in the same print. {b.} hearts napkin...this was the first item I purchased from Linea Carta. It's made an appearance in several of my posts, including this recent one. {c.} geo makeup bag. Even though this isn't a kitchen item, I couldn't resist including it. It's a recent addition to the shop and I love it! {d.} fern napkin...I can just imagine how pretty a table set with these napkins would look.
Diva is also generously offering up a 15% off coupon code for my readers this week! The coupon code, "parsley" can be used starting today, and is valid through Sunday August 28th. Be sure to take a look at all the beautifully made items available at Linea Carta...even if you're not in the market for kitchen linens, there are loads of other finds!
Supporting small businesses is important to me. I prefer buying items from shops like these any day over mass produced products. The simple beauty of these linens aside, they are amazingly well made. I love seeing them in my kitchen, or at our dinner table and I hope you do to! So tell me...do you share my love of kitchen linens? What are some of your favorites?

Zucchini Blossom Fritters

I've been eating zucchini flowers my entire life. Every summer my grandmother would harvest the blossoms from her zucchini plants and use them to make a frittata. We ate many, many frittatas each season and I loved every one of them.
Nowadays, squash blossoms are a popular ingredient. But, when I was growing up, it seemed that unless you were Italian, you probably had never heard of eating them. So, it didn't surprise me one bit when shortly after meeting my Italian husband, his mother served me Zucchini Blossom Fritters...and it was love at first taste.
Since then, my whole family enjoys these delicious treats every year. My boys love when their grandmother makes them a batch....and, it brings me back to my childhood summers.
It's very common to find zucchini blossom recipes that involve stuffing the flowers with a ricotta cheese mixture, then pan-frying them in a tempura like batter. Those are fantastic too! But, these are different. The blossoms are sauteed in olive oil to soften them a bit, then chopped, and added to a fritter batter flavored with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. I was so happy when my mother-in-law shared the recipe with me. But, I have to say that unless she is the one making them, they are never exactly the same. Doesn't that seem to be the case with all passed down recipes?
For those not familiar with squash flowers...The best way to get your hands on some is to grow your own zucchinis. But, if that's not possible, check your local farmer's market for some. If they don't have any when you go, just ask! Most times, if they can bring you some the following week, they will. I've also seen them at specialty markets,...or if you live in the Northeast, the company Satur Farms packages them this time of year.