BRING ON SUMMER

Nothing says SUMMER like crab cakes and corn

Got your whites on?  Memorial Day has come and gone, so now you're allowed to wear white pants or shoes.  Or, are you ditching those old rules your momma taught you and wearing your white jeans all year long?  I am, rebel that I am!  Got my toenails painted, sunscreen ready to apply, and tonic water stocked.

My kitchen is air-conditioned, thank heavens.  But with the heat and the gardening season at its best, my tactics are a bit different.  And I like to try new and different things.  So here are a few of my Summer Resolutions:

Find out how to clean soft shells, then grill them in
THE OUTER BANKS COOKBOOK

TURN UP THE HEAT. . . Outside, on the Grill.     

-  Lather Up or Get Rubbed Before Roasting....either yourself in the sun, or before you drop that slab of meat on the grill.  Marinades and herb rubs work magic, and I'd like to experiment with some different pestos and herbs.

Soft Shells Grilled with a Butter Hot Sauce

  - Think Outside the (Ice) Box, not just burgers and steaks.  Think soft shells grilled after marinating in a butter/oil hot sauce.  Strawberries grilled till they get juicy.  Slices of pineapple caramelized over hot coals.





BRING ON THE VEGGIES
     Except I stand corrected.  The word "veggies" shows no respect, claims Deborah Madison, author of many cookbooks, the latest  Vegetable Literacy.   Read her rant from Zester Daily here:  Stop Calling Them Veggies.

Eat the Rainbow

    Last Sunday, in the New York Times magazine, I was reminded once again to Eat the Rainbow.  In other words, chose vegetables and fruits that are bright and more intense in color.  Breeding Nutrition Out of Food.
     I love going to farmers markets.  I love seeing the farmers' eyes light up and their smiles as they share their favorite way of cooking the gorgeous specimens at their tables.  It's as much social as it is procuring fresh and local.




COOK FIRST, EAT LATER

Vietnames Shrimp Rolls ala Amy Huggins Gaw (recipe in THE OUTER BANKS COOKBOOK)

Even at the beach, I've learned to get prep work and cooking chores done first, early in the day, so that you, too, can enjoy Happy Hour and not heat up the kitchen during the heat of the day.  Like with the spring rolls above or the shrimp and avocado wrap to the right, It's so handy to have the shrimp already steamed and chilled.  You can find both of those recipes in THE OUTER BANKS COOKBOOK.





JAM SESSIONS WITH FRIENDS
     This year I hope to join forces with my friend Missy who does a great job of making preserves and pickles.  Wanna make that fresh fruit and veggie season last longer!

AND GET IN A PICKLE
     Yeah, cukes are great to pickle, but so are green beans for an awesome addition to a Bloody Mary, or okra to serve with pimento cheese crackers.  So I hope to fill the pantry with some jars of delicious veggies in a brine.  


     And how about pickled shrimp, one of my favs?  Find that recipe (and the Key Lime Pie pictured below) in THE OUTER BANKS COOKBOOK, too.

CHILL OUT
   Key Lime Pie.  Ice Cream.

                          Need I say more?