The tomatoes in the garden are still trying to set on and ripen. We’ve had just enough to enjoy fresh, including this favorite dish of mine, spaghetti and fresh tomatoes.
It is my side dish of choice when ever we do anything on the grill!
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomatoes
Peel 8 medium tomatoes. Chop, seed and drain.
Combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 clove of garlic (crushed), 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley chopped, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 of a green pepper (chopped) and 16 black olives, sliced.
Add tomatoes and set aside at room temperature.
Cook 8 oz. of spaghetti according to directions. Drain and place in serving bowl. Add tomato mixture and toss. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
I’ve used whatever kind of pasta that I had on hand and it worked just fine! I like to cook a big bag of pasta (16 oz.) and divide it into two bowls. One bowl (for the kids) will get just Parmesan cheese and melted butter. The other bowl (for the adults) will get the tomato mixture!
It’s a fresh and delicious taste of summer!
Aug 14
2008
Country Gal
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Summer
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The perfect summer day…
We’ve had a few this year. Days of mild temperatures, low humidity and light breezes.
Days when the birds sing, the butterflies flitter and the flowers wave in the breeze.
Days that call you out of the house, away from the computer, the dishes, the laundry, and the cleaning.
Days that make you close you eyes and breath deep and laugh out loud, thankful that you’re alive!
Laughing Song
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling steam runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;
When the meadows laugh with lively green,
And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene;
When Mary and Susan and Emily
With their sweet round mouths sing “Ha Ha He!”
When the painted birds laugh in the shade
When our table with cherries and nuts is spread:
Come live, and be merry and join with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of “Ha Ha He!”
~William Blake
I finally picked our 2 cabbages from the garden yesterday.
Yes, 2 cabbages. Out of the 12 cabbage plants that I put in, only 2 stayed alive and produced a head. I guess the rest all drowned in the rain!
Since my husband and I both love coleslaw, I took one of the precious cabbages and made a batch of Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw.
It’s a summer time favorite by the more discerning palettes in our home (read: adults). None of my children will touch it willingly, yet.
Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw
Break noodles from 1 package of Ramen Noodles (any flavor) into bite size pieces in a bowl.
Add 1/2 head of shredded cabbage, 1/4 cup of chopped onion, 1/2 cup diced green or red pepper, and 1 small carrot, shredded.
Mix together 1/2 cup of cooking oil, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of sugar and the Ramen noodle seasonings.
Pour the dressing over the noodles and cabbage mixture and toss together. Refrigerate at least 1-2 hours before serving.
It’s a fresh, tangy taste of summer!
Jul 18
2008
Country Gal
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Summer
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I am hooked on fresh cilantro!
I had never had it until a few years when my sister Teresa brought it to a family gathering. Now it can’t be summer without it!
I actually bought a plant this year so I could start some of my own, but my mom assures me it grows just fine from seed.
My favorite way to use it is cut up with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic in a salsa.
Served with chips or on top of taco it brings the fresh taste of summer right to my dinner table!
it was a great day at the County Fair yesterday! The kids all did well and all the projects made it on time. (Round of applause!)
Here’s a run down on the results:
Matt: one blue and 2 selected for the State Fair
Dagmar: one blue, 1 considered for the State Fair and 1 selected for the State Fair
Pedro: 2 blue and 1 Outstanding Junior Exhibit
Angel Girl: 2 blue and 1 outstanding junior Exhibit
Pedro’s footstool receiving a blue ribbon (yeah!)
Now to take a deep breath, rest a few minutes before heading straight into Vacation Bible School.
I’ve decided that the term “Summer Vacation” is definitely a misnomer!
The tomatoes in the garden are still trying to set on and ripen. We’ve had just enough to enjoy fresh, including this favorite dish of mine, spaghetti and fresh tomatoes.
