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This time of year I get cravings for things fresh like:
Pasta/Rice Salad
8 oz dry pasta, cooked al dente
OR
1 cup long grain or basmati rice, cooked to directions
ALSO:
1/2 c chopped zucchini (or yellow squash)
1 large tomato, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
10 oz box frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Small can chopped ripe (or green) olives
1 or 2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup grated Romano or parmesan cheese
1 cup sweet and sour dressing or favorite oil & vinegar dressing
2 to 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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I make the salad with the pasta or rice slightly warm. Just before I drain the pasta or rice, I dump in the frozen vegetables and allow them to drain together to thaw the veggies. The rest of the ingredients are then added. This recipe is better once it sits a while at room temp or the next day from the fridge.
This recipe adapts well to any of your favorite veggies. I usually add a grated carrot and chopped red bell pepper; chopped green onions are great also. If you have not made rice salad, I highly recommend it! This recipe is good with almost anything (like roast chicken) or fix a big bowl for a lazy dinner by itself or with warm bread and a drink.
It's just that time of year we crave fresh things, and this fits the bill!
_______________________ And here's another popular summer dish in the Deep South:
Pimento Cheese Spread
4 oz (about 2 cups, grated) mild to medium cheddar cheese
4 oz Monterey jack cheese, grated
4 oz cream cheese, 1/2 inch cubes
4 oz jar chopped pimentos, undrained
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
This recipe is easy and is one of my favorites, especially for picnics or for sandwiches. All ingredients are best mixed till creamy at room temp. Then I fry boneless chicken breasts to eat with toasted pimento cheese sandwiches and you won't believe how good it is!
If you like a little heat, try using pepper jack cheese and a teaspoon of Tabasco in the mix.
You can butter a black skillet and toast your sandwiches (or not). This spread is also good on its own with crackers or celery.
_______________________ And yummmmmm . . . nothing better than:
Lemon Meringue Pie
4 whole eggs (I use XL)
Juice of 2 lemons
Grated zest of 1 (one) lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
2 oz (1/2 stick) butter, cubed
1 cup heavy cream
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Pillsbury pie shell, in 9" pie plate docked (pricked with a fork), baked and cooled
This is easy as pie! Assemble all ingredients because this recipe can go fast. The title is a misnomer since I use whole eggs and there is no "meringue," but you can make the traditional meringue instead of topping with whipped cream if you prefer.
Place eggs, lemon juice and sugar in glass bowl or stainless bowl and place over a pan of simmering water, whisking constantly for several minutes until thick. Remove from water bath and fold in zest and butter (a few cubes at a time) until dissolved. Cool completely. Fill cooled crust.
Whip cream until you have soft peaks (don't over-whip or it turns to butter), blending in sugar and vanilla as you whip. Frost pie and chill.
Most people are not familiar with this technique of making lemon curd, but it is excellent. You can use the same technique and ingredients, omitting the egg whites and placing lemon curd in a jar to have with scones, toast or Lindzer cookies. If you are lucky enough to find Meyer lemons use them. They make a better pie than the average lemon.
_______________________ And finally:
Chicken Pitas
I usually have this sandwich with lamb. Recently, I Americanized it for the masses, substituting Southern style fried chicken. Serves 4
2 chicken breast halves
1 t lemon pepper
1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 c hot sauce
1/2 c buttermilk
fresh bread crumbs or 1/2 c flour
Cucumber Sauce
1/2 cucumber, seeded and sliced (or chopped)
1 c yogurt, I use whole milk
1 clove chopped fresh garlic
2 T chopped mint
1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t white pepper
Wash and dry chicken. Season with lemon pepper. You can use any seasonings you enjoy. Jamaican and lemon grass are also good. Place in bowl or Ziploc bag with hot sauce and buttermilk to marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
Fresh bread crumbs are nice for this recipe, but flour works great. Season flour or breadcrumbs with salt and pepper. Roll chicken in mixture and fry in a nonstick pan in olive oil and butter about 1/2 inch deep on medium heat till brown (about 5 minutes each side). Remove from pan and let rest.
For sandwiches:
4 to 6 pita halves
shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, seeded in large dice
hummus and avocado slices optional
Assemble sandwiches by slicing chicken diagonally in thick slices. I use 1/2 to 1/3 chicken breast for each sandwich. Fill warm pita partially with lettuce, a little hummus and then chicken. Then add a good spoon of the cucumber sauce (tzitziki) and a few pieces of tomato.
This recipe is simple and people will like it. Set up a pita bar one evening and let people make their own.
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Reverend Phil Bratcher has been a counselor in private practice for over 10 years. Now in his 25th year of ministry, Reverend Bratcher has worked mostly as a therapist and spiritual counselor specializing in spiritual direction, the relief of depression, life strategies and career planning, long-term illness and relationship issues for couples. He is also trained in The Work of Byron Katie, teaching individuals and facilitating groups in the faith community and his community at large.
Often a featured speaker, Reverend Bratcher is a volunteer chaplain for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Upstate Coordinator for the South Carolina Global Warming Campaign for the Christian Action Council in Columbia, South Carolina, and is past Secretary to the Executive Board for Greenville Faith Communities United which seeks social justice and interfaith understanding.
Reverend Bratcher makes his home in Greenville, SC, where he is a member of the Metropolitan Community Church and is their interfaith representative to GFCU and past chair of their outreach and singles committees. E-mail Phil at Peacefulstar@msn.com.
To read Phil's poetry, click here:
A Sampling
Bratcher - II
Bratcher - III
Bratcher - IV
And here are more of his excellent recipes:
Lace cookies
Sweet Potato Soup
Breakfast recipes
Pimento Cheese Spread
Want to leave a comment about Phil’s poems and recipes?
Please visit our Message Board
or write Ye Editor at bethjacks@hotmail.com.
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