Terminalcoffee discussion

Okay, so most of the food in my fridge and freezer is leftover spicy soup or stew or something that absolutely doesn't seem right for warm (as in high 80s/low 90s) weather and I'm at a loss for inspiration for what I might really want for dinner.

What do you typically like to eat when the weather warms up? I'm looking for ideas. Gazpacho and barbecue come to mind - but I don't have a grill and well, I don't think it's really warm enough to crave gazpacho.

Pictures are welcome and encouraged (no gross picture toes, RA, please).

When it's really warm out, I want someting like a club sandwich or a nice salad.

Heidi, whatcha got in the cupboards and the fridge?

One of my favorite summer meals is honey lime tilapia with mango salsa, black bean salad, and yellow rice.



Another favorite, black bean burgers with baked sweet potato fries...mmmmm yummy.
I like smoked provolone, baby spinach, and red onions on my black bean burgers.

Chorizo Tacos (serves 4)

* Key limes
* 1 cup of purple cabbage (chopped)
* Cilantro
* 1 fresh chile (minced)
* Sour cream or crema fresca
* 3 cups of cooked black beans (optional)
* Cumin (optional)
* 1 teaspoon of oil or bacon fat
* 1 onion (chopped)
* 1 lb of chorizo sausage
* 12 corn tortillas

1. Arrange sliced limes, chopped cabbage, cilantro, chile and sour cream in small dishes in the center of your table.
2. Heat beans. If they're the canned variety, add a little cumin.
3. In another (large) pan, heat oil to medium heat and brown onion slightly.
4. Add chorizo to onion. (It chorizo is the link variety, you'll want it chopped.)
5. Cook chorizo for about 5 minutes at medium high heat. Stir occasionally. Squeeze half a lime over meat before serving.
6. Heat tortillas. (Note: Heating store-bought tortillas is a minor art form. To avoid a leathery consistency, heat corn tortillas on a pan or griddle on your stovetop. Heat an ungreased comal or cast iron frying pan almost to the smoking point, then heat tortillas in batches of 2 or 3 at a time for maybe 20 seconds on each side. If the pan actually starts to smoke, turn down the heat a little. Wrap hot tortillas in a cloth and transfer to a covered basket or dish.)
7. heap black beans and chorizo on tortillas, and garnish with cabbage, cilantro, chile and sour cream.

Jammies wrote: "Heidi, whatcha got in the cupboards and the fridge?"

leftovers (hearty beef stew, spicy hearty soups), lots of condiments, spring water, brown rice, quinoa, steel oats, celery, a pitcher of spice tea, flax seed, blue corn chips, hummus (hummus'd out), kashi crackers ... I'll need to buy groceries. Definitely.

Hmmm, what about chips with a heated salsa? Might give you the spices of gazpacho with a warmer twist since it's not that hot yet. Or toss pasta or quinoa with lightly steamed veggies, olive oil, chopped nuts and parmesan for a quick and very yummy meal.

Yes ^

I'm making mac and cheese. Yes, the real thing, and not the blue box.

I made spaghetti and meatballs. But it is still cold here. I think you should have shrimp poboys.

Meat-a-balls. That's a spicy meat-a-ball.

That's right.

Y'all have given some FABULOUS suggestions. I love cool salsa, Jammies, esp when the weather is warm. I also remembered that I love cucumber mint soup during the summer. Nom. And salads... and grilling out is my fave - unfortunately I can't grill out - no grill @ home.

After I started this thread, I called my stepmom to check in on her (she went home from the hospital on Friday afternoon). I ended up making a Target run for her & sticking around to help around her house.

My bro was cooking dinner on the grill last night, so he just threw some extra veggies on the grill for me. We had pork chops w/ grilled red pepper & zucchini.

And when I woke today (cuz I woke @ 8, was up for a few hours, nap, then woke & was ready for lunch), I ordered Chinese takeout - Moo Goo Gai Pan and soup. Wonton.

I have leftovers for tomorrow, AND I have time to do a grocery run this week. Procrastination will out. Again. :)

Heidi wrote: "Y'all have given some FABULOUS suggestions. I love cool salsa, Jammies, esp when the weather is warm. I also remembered that I love cucumber mint soup during the summer. Nom. And salads... and ..."

I just saw this recipe online and it looks fab-haven't tried it yet so if you fix it-you'll have to let me know if you liked it.

PASTA ESTIVA (SUMMER PASTA)

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved

10 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus more whole leaves for garnish

1 clove garlic, minced

1 pound dried short pasta (such as penne or campanelle)

15 small balls fresh mozzarella, halved

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the tomatoes, basic, and garlic.

2. Cook until the tomatoes are soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente; drain well, then transfer the pasta to the saute pan with the sauce.

4. Add the mozzarella balls and toss to combine them with the tomato sauce and pasta.

5. Add the pine nuts and toss.

6. Add the salt and mix again.

7. Serve immediately on a large oval platter, and garnish with large basil leaves.

I know I've liked it just by reading it. I don't eat enough mozzarella balls.

Gotta love those balls