MID-JULY GARDEN 'ALL STARS'~ FRESH LEMONADE/GRILLED CHICKEN SOUVLAKI with TZATZIKI SAUCE/ LEMON COUSCOUS / 'BIG FAT' BUTTERMILK COOKIES

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."

~ Celia Thaxter

~ LILY

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FRESH LEMONADE

~ Nothing says summer more than the taste of icy fresh homeade lemonade. Original recipe from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook

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1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup boiling water

1 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (6-8 large lemons)

5 cups cold water

Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs

Stir together sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water until sugar dissolves. Stir in lemon juice and 5 cups cold water. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. (8 cups)

Note: Substitute fresh lime for lemon

~ HYDRANGEA, DAYLILIES, MONARDA

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GRILLED CHICKEN SOUVLAKI with TZATZIKI SAUCE

~ A family favorite for all seasons adapted from Cooking Light

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SOUVLAKI

6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

pinch coarse salt

6 minced garlic cloves

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium zucchini (quartered lengthwise) cut into 1/2-inch slices

1 red, yellow, or orange pepper cut into 1/2-inch slices

non-stick spray

TZATZIKI SAUCE

1 cup peeled, seeded and shredded cucumber

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

pinch coarse salt

2 minced cloves garlic

• Souvlaki: In plastic sealable bag combine lemon juice, oregano, olive oil, salt and garlic. Seal bag and shake to combine. Add chicken to bag; seal and shake to coat. Marinate chicken in bag for at least 30 minutes, turning once. Remove chicken from bag, discard marinade, and thread chicken, zucchini, and peppers alternately onto 8 (8-inch) skewers. Coat grill with cooking spray and grill over medium-high (about 8 minutes) or until chicken is done, turning once. Serve with tzatziki sauce and lemon couscous.
• Tzatziki Sauce: Combine all ingredients and let rest at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.

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LEMON COUSCOUS

2 (5.4 oz.) packages couscous mix

2 cups organic chicken broth

1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup diced red pepper

Combine broth, lemon rind, lemon juice, seasoning packet from couscous mix, and butter. Bring to boil and stir in couscous. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and bell pepper.

LIGULARIA 'The Rocket' ~ ASTILBE

MONARDA

(Bergamont, Bee Balm)



MONKSHOOD
(Aconitum)



DAYLILY
(Hemerocallis)


DAYLILY
(Hemerocallis)


FORMOSA LILY 'Easter Lily'
(L. formosanum)


LILIES
(Lilium)

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'BIG FAT' BUTTERMILK COOKIES
~ The best cookie with lemonade ... for many years this was sold by 'the kids' accompanied by lemonade in their summer 'Lemonade Stand'
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2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
2 large eggs
2 tsp. real vanilla
4 cups AP flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 cup buttermilk

Cinnamon & sugar mixture to taste

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cream shortening and sugar; add vanilla and eggs. Beat well.
• Combine flour, salt, and soda.
• Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 3 separate portions.
• Drop dough from tablespoon on sprayed with Pam cookie sheet to make large cookies. (Do not try to make these small). Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar.
• Bake for 10 minutes ... watch closely ... they should not brown (turn oven down to 375-400 degrees for 12 minutes if this seems too high). (4 dozen or so 4-inch cookies)
  

JULY JEWELS