Roast them, caramelize them, or munch them raw, vegetables are colorful, flavorful, and full of health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. At this time of year, grilling veggies is most popular. So, here’s a quick tip: If you marinate vegetables, do so AFTER they are roasted to absorb more flavor. Thread raw zucchini, bell peppers, and sweet onion chunks onto warm water-soaked bamboo skewers… with or without meat, fish, seafood, or poultry.
Yummmm… add fresh mushrooms to the mix. Roast fresh corn and get a good char.
Some veggies can be boiled before roasting or grilling. For example, boil whole artichokes for 12-15 minutes. Drain and quarter them before placing cut-sides down on the grill for 5 minutes. For carrots and Brussels sprouts, boil 4 minutes before grilling for 4 minutes.
More tips: Most vegetables can go straight onto the grill or into the roasting pan. Use a mandolin to easily get an even slice thickness (about 1/3 – ½ “). Place crosswise on the grill to prevent slices from falling through the grates. Simply grill or roast at 350-450°F. A closed grill cover creates the roasting experience.
Before grilling, think Super Simple. Drizzle some olive oil over the veggies. Toss and season with kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper. Some cook more quickly than others. You do not want mushy veggies; they are best with a little body or crunch to go with those delectable char markings. Here’s a quick grill guide. (Corn I usually turn a few times; for everything else, just turn once halfway through the cooking time.)
15 minutes Corn (in its husks)
8 minutes Bell pepper halves, portobello mushroom caps, onion slices, broccoli, cauliflower
6 minutes Thick asparagus spears, eggplant slices, tomato halves, zucchini & yellow summer squash slices, vertically halved baby bok choy
5 minutes Artichoke quarters (after boiling them whole for 12-15 minutes)
4 minutes Carrots & Brussels sprouts (after boiling them for 4 minutes)
3 minutes green onions
Serve them up… on their own or as a side dish with a favorite protein. Serve them as they are, or sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese. Or cut the grilled veggies bite-sized and add them to a baby spinach salad. Or load them into a pita pocket bread. Fill an omelet. Or chill your grilled slices and serve them up for lunch… cool and refreshing on their own or piled into make-your-own sandwiches. Consider drizzle options such as ranch, Parmesan peppercorn, or Italian dressing, garlic aioli, or sweet Thai chili. Today and every day… Grill on!
June 14, 1775 marks the birthday of the U.S. Army. Formed from amateur troops of volunteer soldiers defending the colonies against British tyranny, our oldest military force began before the U.S. formally existed. There were never more than 48,000 Continental soldiers at one time, but they got the job done.
In truth, I must admit that I have often enjoyed great peaceful solitude while weeding, especially when I do it the very first thing in the morning. And the gardens look soooo splendid when just weeded.
Mexican Street Corn
“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!” Talk about a movie star! Donald Duck, with his mischievous and often irritably lovable personality, has appeared in more films than any other Disney character. His big screen debut came on June 9, 1934, in “The Wise Little Hen.”
Operation Overlord became known as the beginning of the end of World War II. Deepest gratitude to all who fought and all who died as the Allied forces staged one of the most pivotal attacks against Germany during WWII along that famous 50-mile stretch of beaches.
Like a clean, blank sheet of paper just waiting for words to be written upon it, each day delivers a fresh start. We all falter, fall, and fail. What’s important is to dare to get back up and try again.
In tribute to the sparkling way of living, I released one of my more fun cookbooks back in 2014. (Hard to believe it was that long ago!) In both paperback and digital formats, 
So, today, I gleefully share one of the sparkling beverage recipes. This puts a party-style spin on the classic Bellini cocktail.
I love going barefoot! I recall even running through snow with bare feet… although I was always grateful to get back inside. Barefoot on a sandy beach is awesome with fine sand sifting between my toes. And, whenever the temperatures are suitable, I live in a personal feeling of the “no shoes” zone. Sooooo… I never knew there was just one official day to go barefoot. If you are not typically a barefooter, today is your day to break free!
This day pays homage to an old German children’s song from the 1700’s. “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” lilts laughingly as “dear Henry” and “dear Liza” exchange challenges and solutions, always met with yet another challenge. “Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry…” is met with “With what, dear Liza, dear Liza…”
“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
The Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day. Thus, today we officially kick off the summer road trip season on this day. Millions of Americans hit the road for the long weekend to visit friends and family while paying tribute to our American military heroes.
We enjoyed a splendid day on the water amidst the stunning scenery in one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ gorgeous gorges. No wonder that “Dirty Dancing” filmmakers among many others have selected this lake and area to serve as backdrops.
Yucatan Shrimp combines authentic Mexican cuisine with some Caribbean flair. But surprise! Yucatan Shrimp comes from Florida, though inspired by Mexico. The dish was created by Doc Ford’s Bar & Grille of southwest Florida fame. (Check them out in Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, St. Pete Pier, and now also in the Jungle Terrace in St. Pete.) At Doc’s, these shrimp are served as a peel-and-eat specialty. I find that eating shrimp is easier and far less messy to remove the shells first. I also Super Simplify by skipping the traditional boiling step.
Super Simple Yucatan Shrimp
National Walnut Day originated in 1949, thanks to the Walnut Marketing Board. It then received a presidential proclamation by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958. So, go ahead… celebrate!
Caramelized Walnuts are Super Simple. Nibble on them as a snacking treat or to use as a decorative addition for cakes and cookies or roasted meats.
Too many years had passed since my sister and I were both with Mom for Mother’s Day. We enjoyed that blessing this year. Sir Ronald and I have spent Mother’s Day with Mom many times, but we kids got somewhat scattered as adults and were not together as often as we would have liked. After Deborah’s visit to NC, we flew to Florida to spend Mother’s Day together with Mom.
Among my many blessings is an extraordinary woman… my mother. Glenna Burnham is active and involved in life every single day. She nurtures us still and loves us all unconditionally. She sets the pace with an unwaveringly positive attitude. She is the most amazingly wonderful role model I have ever known or could ever imagine.
We grabbed lunch at the Stable Cafe, where I loved my Grilled Cheese Sandwich with braised beef, onions, and sauteed mushrooms! (It’s all about the people, places, and passion for food, remember!)
Applying a little lyrical poetic license to the last line simply sang out with all I was feeling. We live with pastoral and mountain views, rolling meadows, and fabulous forests. Flowers burst into bloom, we eye waterfalls that burst out of mountain tops, and skies seem so blue they nearly hurt your eyes. Baby birds abound in the many nests for second clutches, while adults dutifully run flight school for the earlier babies.
