One of the things I love about summer is spending time with my parents and their friends in Colorado. The tradition is to entertain and to be entertained. It's a fun time hopping from home to lovely home, night after night, for casual dinners with friends. Usually, I'm a bystander–humbled and happy to be mingling with the accomplished in their most comfortable state. Tonight, however, it was the Wiese house that hosted, and my mother turned the menu over to me.
For starters, anyone who's experienced my cooking knows you're either in for a treat or a night of polite gulps and grins. I love trying new things and creating as I go. Much too ADD for recipes, if you're my guest, you're a guinea pig. Tonight was no different, and since I'm blogging–obviously it went, at the very least, well. Mind you, we've been consuming like gluttons all week, so tonight's goal was to keep it light and simple. Here's what was served, in case you're in the market for summer menu ideas:
Summer Chopped Black Bean and Veggie Dip
Watermelon Tomato Salad (recipe below)
Honey-Miso Soaked, Grilled Halibut
Zucchini and Squash Strings
Strawberry Shortcake served up, and fresh pineapple wedges.
As usual, there were great wines, but the one that stood out was Kyle's 2003 Peter Michael-Ma Belle Fille. Truly a treat.
And finally - my modification of the Watermelon Salad. The other experiments were great as well, but hardly worth blogging-they seem self explanatory–email me if you want a recipe.
Tomato-Watermelon Salad
Served before the meal.
about 1/3 of a watermelon, sans seeds. cut into bite-sized pieces
4-5 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut to about the same size as the watermelon bits
chopped fresh basil, about a handful
sesame seeds, fresh. about 2 tablespoons
1/3 cup olive oil
very thinly sliced red onion, about 1/3 of an onion
Ground sea salt to taste.
Mix everything together and let chill, if possible in the individual bowls you will serve it in.
Just before serving, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top of each salad. Don't over do it.
Eat with people you love. Enjoy!
