Summer Switch Up

I have a confession to make. This New Englander has never been to a clambake. It's sad, really. I mean what's not to love about clams, sausage and all the trimmings cooked up and served right on the beach - one of my favorite places?

I was really jonesing for all of the components of a clambake, but I didn't want to cook up everything individually just to serve myself. I was in the grocery store one afternoon, not knowing what to make for dinner, and I passed the seafood counter, eyeing the stuffed clams. That's when it hit me -- I have sausage in the freezer! I know you're wondering, where is she going with this? Random recipe ideas just hit me like that and I run with them. And I run far sometimes. Enter a deconstructed clambake in hash form. Oh yes. Why didn't I think of this sooner?

Clambake Hash
Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:
3 frozen stuffed clams
1 link pre-cooked sausage, cut into chunks (I used leftover spicy Lamb sausage)
2 Cippolini onions, peeled
Olive oil
1 Yukon gold potato, cut into chunks
Sweet corn


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with foil.

Drizzle the onions with olive oil and roast along side the clams and sausage for 15-20 minutes, or until all items are cooked through.

Meanwhile, place the potato into a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender.

Place all ingredients into a fry pan and saute until the potato and stuffed clams have crisped up.

On A Chive Kick

I took my lunch break at the farmer's market today. It was such a nice treat to get outside and walk around after a busy morning. There were a bunch of vendors that I haven't seen before and I happily sampled my way through them. My favorites included non-dairy ice cream sold by an adorable mom and daughter duo (perfect on a 90 degree day) and grass fed ground beef, which was surprisingly succulent. Unfortunately they were just too expensive. That's the one problem I have with these markets. I'm all for supporting local, but I'm not made of money!

I ended up with a bunch of garlic scapes, which I'm hoping to make into pesto, a head of kohlrabi, a small container of carrot miso dressing, and some dry garlic chive pappardelle. The pasta was a splurge, but it sounded interesting. And the vendor was tying up the bunches with a beautiful ribbon. I couldn't resist :)

I thought about the pasta all afternoon and decided to have it with dinner. I cooked it up for 7 minutes, drizzled it with a little olive oil, minced chives and feta. It was so simple and so delicious. Just..yum. The feta was a little older and had a nice tang to it, which paired beautifully with the bite of the chives.

Summery Classic

I always forget how much I enjoy a Caprese salad. It's so simple to put together, but I hardly make it. Perhaps because it most certainly requires firm, ripe tomatoes that only summer can produce. In honor of the first day of summer, I decided to treat myself.

I made the salad a little different this time. Traditionally, basil forms the iconic trio, but I used chives instead. I saw them in the market and thought that the oniony note would be interesting. I was pairing the salad with a grilled portobello mushroom and I figured the heat from the mushroom would enhance the flavor of the chives, whereas I think it would have hindered that of the basil.

I layered the slices of fresh mozzarella with beautiful heirloom tomato. I sprinkled the chives on top and drizzled the plate with a simple vinaigrette of EVOO, balsamic vinegar and some herbs.

Post dinner, I was treated to the most beautiful sunset. Light pink clouds and an orange sun. Quite possibly the only time where pink and orange don't clash.

The fireflies have also emerged, one even landed on my shirt. I'm always amazed by those things.

Summer is here.