When the Weather Gets Warm, Grill Everything (Including Salads)

As the weather gets warmer, anything grilled tastes better, including salads.

If you're looking for a unique way to serve your next Caesar salad, slice several heads of romaine lettuce (organic is preferable) lengthwise in two, brush with olive oil, and place on the grill for several minutes on each side.
Note: Grill temperatures can vary significantly, so monitor your lettuce carefully.  The below lettuce I grilled was put on a relatively cool grill which had been burning for at least an hour.  If you're placing lettuce on a hotter grill, it will char much more quickly.

 

Dress your salads with your favorite dressing, parmigiana cheese and bacon bits.  I added some asparagus I had grilled earlier.  To make into a meal, grill several chicken breasts first and grill your lettuce last as the lettuce will take the least time.   ENJOY!

Summer = Salmon

Summer is a time for wonderful salmon to grill, poach, or bake.  

Be sure to check out this wonderful article compliments of Kevin Lee which highlights the many varieties of this wonderful treat from the sea.

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/a-salmon-primer-for-alaskan-salmon-season/

Kevin, I still remember as kids when you'd come to my house for burgers and hot dogs and I'd go to your house for your Grandma's Chinese food.  Lots of good memories!

Flavors of Vietnam: Part 2

Vietnamese style coffee is a wonderful way to get your day started or as a luxurious after-dinner treat.  To be authentic, Vietnamese coffee is essential, but you can enjoy a cup of tasty coffee in the Vietnamese tradition with little more than strong-brewed coffee and sweetened condensed milk.

Pour 2-3 Tbs sweetened condensed milk into your favorite coffee cup.

Pour 8oz of hot coffee over the condensed milk and stir vigorously for 10 seconds.  Enjoy!!!

In the summer months, don't forget to try to this wonderful beverage over ice.  Mix the coffee with condensed milk first, then pour over ice.

Flavors of Vietnam: Part I

For a light, refreshing summer treat, try Vietnamese-style spring rolls.  The simple process is outlined below for Food Pope readers:

Start with a nice array of fresh vegetables, sliced julienne style and matchstick-thin.  Some of my favorites are carrot, asparagus, and radish.  Thinly-sliced avocado is also nice, and if you're a seafood fan, sliced cooked shrimp is also very tasty.

Hydrate vermicelli noodles by pouring very hot water over them and letting them sit for 15 minutes.  Strain the noodles in cold water.  Using shallow pan, hydrate spring roll wrappers in water until they are completely transparent and pliable.

Place your vegetables in the wrapper and carefully roll, folding over both sides first and then rolling.  A little oil between each spring roll keeps them from sticking to each other.

Slice the finished spring roll and serve with your favorite sauce.  Thai sweet chili sauce or thai peanut sauce are both wonderful.

Martin Yan has a recipe for salad rolls that looks absolutely wonderful and I hope to try soon:
http://yancancook.com/recipes/Quick-and-Easy/selected.php?CHOICE=show_05_fresh_salad_rolls_with_shrimp

Worthington Inn Happy Hour

For Food Pope readers in the Columbus, OH area, the Worthington Inn is a wonderful destination for drinks and tasty appetizers.  The service was quick and friendly, and the beer, wine and cocktail selection is very nice as well.

On a recent visit, I enjoyed a Rockmill Brewery Farmhouse Ale, my wife Lindsay enjoyed a Strawberry Bellini, and my Mom enjoyed a Manhattan.

The atmosphere is relaxing and fun.  My wife Lindsay and I enjoyed a nice evening off from work with a couple of tasty drinks.

  

 My Mom and I enjoyed several drinks with tasty truffle fries and house-cooked kettle chips.