Monday, June 15, 2009

'AS THE GARDEN GROWS' ~ MID-JUNE GARDEN STROLL / SALAD NICOISE in PITA POCKETS & SIMPLE POTATO SALAD

"Garden making is creative work, just as much as painting or writing a poem. It is a personal expression of self, and individual conception of beauty. I should as soon think of asking a secretary to write my book, or the cook to assist in a water color painting, as to permit a gardener to plant or dig among my flowers."


~ Hannah Rion
(The Greatest Gift of a Garden)


PEONY

GIFT of GREEN

'CAREFREE BEAUTY' SHRUB ROSE

DELIGHTFUL NEIGHBORS


TUBEROUS BEGONIA
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SALAD NICOISE in PITA POCKETS
~ Easy busy day garden lunch or simple supper, adapted from Cooking Light (May 2003)
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1 cup sliced (1 inch) fresh green beans
1 Tbsp. water
1/4 - 1/2 cup pitted & chopped nicoise olives
1 Tbsp. capers
1 (12 oz.) can drained solid white tuna in water
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
pinch coarse salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
2 (6-inch) whole wheat pita rounds (cut in half)
4 curly leaf lettuce leaves
  • Combine beans & water in small microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave at high 1 1/2 minutes or until beans are crip-tender; drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain well; cool. Combine beans, olives, caper, and tuna.
  • Whisk together oil, Dijon, lemon juice, parsley, salt & pepper. Pour over tuna mixture; toss gently to coat.
  • Line each pita half with 1 lettuce leaf. Spoon About 1/2 cup tuna mixture into each pita half. (4 servings)
SIMPLE POTATO SALAD
2 lbs. cooked quartered small red potatoes
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1/2 tsp. coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Combine cooked potatoes, green onions and bacon. Whisk together lemon juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, salt & pepper.
  • Pour over and toss with potato mixture.

8 comments:

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Hi Joey, my peonies are all done now... but I love salad nicoise! :)

Rose said...

My favorite color for flowers is pink, but that yellow and white peony is simply exquisite!

Joey, I had to laugh when I saw your recipe for salad nicoise. I was having lunch with some friends one day at a new restaurant, and the server asked me which side I would like. I said, "I'll try the NU-COYSE salad." She gently corrected me, "That would be the salad NE-SWA." Now I don't order anything in French unless I'm sure I know how to pronounce it:)

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Joey, I love your photos. I still have my Shirley Temples blooming;) Your recipes sound good. I've been meaning to make potato salad so I'll give your simple recipe a try.

Shady Gardener said...

I understand completely the message the author of your quotation is trying to convey. :-) I'm good with sharing, but not indiscriminate digging! :-)

Your collection of photos is great, as usual.

kathryn/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com said...

Dear Joey, this sounds like the perfect summer luncheon fare. I will definitely try! Thank you, as ever, for being a constant source of foodie inspiration and guidance! And the begonia is beautiful! xoxo

joey said...

Thank Monica! My last peony is about finished also but the garden is getting ready for another huge burst of color ... I can feel the energy!

Fun story, Rose! I think we have all been there :)

Hi Marnie, thanks, and I love your photos also! We seem to have many garden favorites in common ...

I hear you, Shady, and thanks! Do hope your stay in Michigan is delightful (I'll do my best to tweak the weather)!

Yes summer simple, dear Kathryn! Love salads & sandwiches, perfect fare for cruising around the lake (and you know more coconut goodies will be included in future posts ... can't get my fill, nor can coveting guests).

My Little Space said...

Beautiful posting.

joey said...

Thank you, My Little Space. Much more happening since this post :)