Tag Archives: summer

cool as a cucumber…the summer fruit that beats the heat

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in belle-icious, healthy belle

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The cucumber is one cool fruit…and, yes, we belles did some research on this whole “fruit” label. Although we have lived most of our lives referring to the cucumber as a vegetable, turns out, because it is the part of the plant that forms from the flower (and contains seeds), it fits the definition of a fruit. Who knew blogging could be so educational?!

Regardless of what we call it, the cucumber is one of our favorite and most belle-icious parts of summer! We have been known to enjoy it simply sliced with a touch of salt…or used as a sandwich filling with super-soft bread and a touch of mayo…but we have some other ideas for you belles that are almost as quick and easy with no need to heat up the kitchen! Do we hear summer supper belles ringing?

First, how about a cold, yet savory soup to get the evening started?

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Cucumber and Buttermilk Soup

– 2 medium cucumbers
– 1 cup buttermilk
– Handful of fresh herbs (we love cilantro, but mint is excellent as well)
– Juice of 1/2 lime
– Salt and pepper

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We use a VitaMix…so you might need to adjust depending on your appliance of choice. Simply wash and slice cucumbers, wash and slightly chop herbs. Place cucumber and herbs in VitaMix container. Pour buttermilk over top. Squeeze lime, and grind salt & pepper over all. Purée until smooth, chill, garnish with fresh herbs, enjoy! How easy is that?!

 

Next, one of our favorite salads…great with grilled chicken or lamb for dinner…excellent as a fresh, cold, leftover lunch the next day…

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Cucumber, Tomato and Feta Salad

2 cucumbers, thinly sliced

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2 c grape tomatoes, halved (or use your favorite summer-fresh tomato)
1/2 med small red onion

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4 oz crumbled feta

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Red wine vinegar
Salt
Pepper

Combine all and drizzle with red wine vinegar…salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy now…and later!

And…how about a breakfast smoothie with cucumber as the base? 
Cucumber Breakfast Juice

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Simply pulse until smooth a cucumber, a peach, a dollop of Greek yogurt…and perhaps some fresh mint…and you have one cool start to your day!

Another juice option…
Cucumber, Tomato, and Mint

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Tastes like summer in a glass! Fresh!

Stay cool, belles!
a&a

okey d’okra…a fresh from the garden friday friend-1-1

16 Friday May 2014

Posted by in belle-icious, friday friend 1-1, healthy belle

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As summer approaches, we can’t help but think of fresh veggies and interesting (yet easy…who wants to spend all day in the kitchen!) ways to prepare them. Okra is one of our favorites at the moment.

Now, southern tradition dictates that the okra either be chopped, battered and fried, or stewed into slimy, gooey, over-cooked spears. Both of these options fall short of the main goal in eating your veggies in the first place…a typical southern folly…by taking something quite good-for-you and creating a southern-fried treat or zapping every last nutrient out in the cooking, and cooking, and cooking. (granted…stewed okra, corn and tomatoes is worth every last bite!)

So what’s a belle to do with her okra to get the most out of the nutrients and summer-fresh flavor?? Our quick and easy answer…roast it!

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Starting with fresh, tender pods, rinse thoroughly and dry.

Next, make length-wise cuts…either right down the middle or, if you want them a bit more “crispy”, slice each spear into 3 or more thin “chips”. Place in a bowl (or ziploc bag) and drizzle with your favorite (best quality you have available) olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Turn them all out onto a cookie sheet, spreading them out, cut-side-down, making sure to get them in a single layer

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Place in a 400 degree oven, and watch the masterpiece come to life! 15-20 minutes should do it, but you can be the judge. A nice, browned, slightly crisped edge is what we like to see…

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Be sure to get your share early…these babies will disappear in a snap!
a&a