Sarah's Five Summer Favourite Recipes!

Hello my lovely followers! Enjoying your summer?
Well, my title explains it all! Today I am sharing my Five Summer Favourites. They are a collection of recipes that I have featured over the past couple of years right here on my culinary blog. With summer here and Ontario produce filling the market tables and grocery store shelves, it's the perfect time to give you all some great summer recipe ideas!

Simple and Tasty Recipes:

Marinated Cheese with Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
This is one of my favourite appetizers to make and bring to a summer party. Not only is it so simple to put together, but the presentation is also impressive. Hmm, I forgot to mention that the marinated cheese is also delicious! Serve with a sliced fresh baguette or crostini. Yum!

Roasted Pepper Salad with Olives and Capers
Doesn't that look delicious? This summer salad is a great accompaniment for any barbecue buffet. Bright colours and vivid flavours will wow your guests and they really don't need to know how easy it was to make!

Fattoush Salad
This is one of my all time favourites! Fresh seasonal vegetables, a tangy lemon vinaigrette with crispy pita bread and dried sumac. Yes, I said sumac! Found at any specialty or health food shop, it is the magic ingredient in a traditional fattoush salad. Enjoy!

Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Believe me, once you've made this main course, you will always get requests for it again (just ask the best man at our wedding!)! Chimichurri is an Argentinian condiment that is served with grilled beef. The herbs are most likely waiting for you in the garden, so what's stopping you from giving it a try? You will love it, I promise!

Crepes
I love crepes. Preparing them used to intimidate me a bit, but after making them a few times, it's easy to become an expert! They make the perfect base for a light summer dessert and with Ontario summer fruit ripe and plentiful, get imaginative with your creations!

Photographer: Harry Gils, Prop Stylist: Dana Gils, Food Stylist: Me!

So there you have it, my five faves for this summer! Going back into my older blogs and revisiting recipes has been great fun! Oh the memories...

Well, it's been a busy summer so far and I am happy to say that I am off to Ottawa this weekend with my best friend Mary. How exciting! We are going to visit my cousin Melanie and her family and I can't wait! We're planning on visiting the famous Byward Market to see what kind of Culinary Adventures our nation's capital has to offer! And please don't fret followers, I will make a full report next week with a lot of photos! Stay cool and let's all hope for rain. Boy, do the farmers and the rest of us ever need it! Bye for now!

Black Bean and Salsa Burgers in Norfolk County, ON

"Celebrate Summer! Sun drenched days and starlit nights..." Gooseberry Patch

Hiya my summer loving followers, it's been a while!
Yes, it's been a busy summer so far full of camping, time spent at our 10 acres in Norfolk County, Ontario, days at the beach and family barbecues. The quintessential summer activities, I suppose! Today I finally have the chance to sit down for a bit and do my blog, even though I am having a hard time concentrating. Does a beautiful sunny day have that effect on you as well? Anyhow, I must push those thoughts of being in the sun out of my mind for now and share with you my latest summer recipe! Bean burgers are something that I had always wanted to make, but for some strange reason never had. So, while thinking of a quick dinner idea, I finally did it! The burgers turned out great and only took minutes to put together!















Simple and Tasty Recipe:

Black Bean and Salsa Burgers
(makes 4 patties)

1 can (540 ml) black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup bread crumbs
½ cup salsa
1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
½  tsp  ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
* 1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional)
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp vegetable oil

In a large bowl,  mash the beans with a fork or potato masher until somewhat smooth, but still a bit chunky. Stir in the breadcrumbs, salsa, scallions, coriander, spices and the jalapeno (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning.  Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Divide the mixture into four and shape into patties, about 2 cms thick and carefully place them into the skillet. Pan fry the burgers until they are browned and crunchy, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Serve on a bun with your favourite cheese (soya based or dairy based), lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa and guacamole. Enjoy!

Since the bean mixture is soft, the burgers need to be pan fried or put on a flat grill to cook. Another option for these burgers is to cut them in half and eat them in a wrap, burrito style. Delicious! Also, kidney beans work just as well in this recipe. I have no idea why it took me so long to try out bean burgers, but now that I have, they appear on our dinner menu quite often!

Well, I have decided to include a few photos from our 10 acres. I hope you enjoy them and hope you are all having a fabulous summer! Be safe, reapply that sunscreen often, drink lots of water and have fun! Until next time, followers!

Monarch Butterfly

Snow Peas

Wild Raspberries

Scrumptious!

Sweet Potatoes