Fried Rice, the way I like it...

Back when we were in MN, we loved the fried rice we got at a local restaurant in Plymouth. Have never been able to find a similar one since it shut down till recently. Have tried a gazillion times to duplicate *that* fried rice, to no avail. This one comes close.
The trick was to thinly slice the beans and carrots diagionally. And wait for the oil to be screaming hot before stir frying. I started with carrots and added the beans next and peas last. Seasoned with some salt. And then scrambled eggs on the side of the same pan. On the side, added soya sauce, hot sauce, tomato hot and sweet chili sauce, a dash of sesame oil and rice wine vinegar to cold rice. And then added the rice mixture to the veggies and eggs, for another coupleminues of stir fry. A colleague says fish sauce would add great flavor, but havent convinced my vegetarian taster a.k.a husband yet.

Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca

Ever since, C made the watermelon aqua fresca, a few years ago, this has been a favorite summer drink. This time, I tried the cantaloupe version. Come together ina jiffy IF you ahve the fruits diced and a couple big strainers. I dont mind the extra pulp, so I dont strain througha cheesecloth. Makes it less messy. And I dont dilute with water it as much.
4 cups melon
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbspn lemon juice
2 cups water
And I dont mash the fruit by hand, I let her rip in the blender... And voila!!!

Panna Cotta

While I am a die-hard chocolate fanatic, C is a sucker for anything seasonal. Even in the middle of summer, I'd prolly make chocolate cakes and tortes but she'd prolly make this one. A completely refreshing summer desssert - courtesy the buttermilk. Here's the one I made from her recipe which she tweaked from her colleague's. Instead of the fruit compote she just uses macerated berries but since I had pounds of cherries sitting on the counter, I reduced them down with sugar. And restrained myself from tossing in a few bars of chocolate ;)

Food Blogging

Its difficult for me to collect pictures of food (that I will soon beeating) for blogging. Push comes to shove, I concentrate on making the dish and then devouring it. And only when I am ruminating, does it strike me that I forgot all about taking pictures. Here's all I have to show for the wonderful pickled acorn (inspired byLa Zucca), creamy acorn squash soup, green salad with apples and cider vinaigrette, roasted cauliflower pasta (inspried by Genoa), an extemely light bean burger on a bed of roasted veggies and a delightful chocolate chestnut mousse verrine (again a La Zucca inspiration). Leonidas is my absolute favorite!!!