Dog Days of Summer

I don’t know about the rest of you throughout the country… it is as hot as the dickens here!

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I do n’t love about the relief of you throughout the land … it is as hot as the dickens here ! The retiring few days have reached 100 ° F and above . The ancient Romans in reality come up with the condition for dog day of summer in mention to Sirius , also called the ‘ dog star ’ , which is the brightest genius in the summertime sky found in the Canis Major constellation . From about July 24 to August 24 was recall to be an vicious time ; the dog champion glint so bright it was think to give off passion and was the cause of the hot atmospheric condition . The Farmers ’ Almanac cite to the wienerwurst days of summertime as the 40 mean solar day from July 3 to August 11 , when we have the least amount of rainwater in the Northern Hemisphere . Whatever and whenever , these blackguard days are wicked hot and you ’ll incur most dogs and the great unwashed lying around if they are able to do so .

I have n’t report in for a couple of weeks . The first week of July , I went to the Outer Banks for holiday with my family unit . There were 14 of us with an long time mountain chain of 13 month to 84 eld — so it was passably nonstop — and not exactly what I would report as relaxing . It was however , playfulness and pretty much my whole family loves the beach . I especially wish the Outer Banks , since they are more remote than many beach vacation spots . We always stop on our agency south ; once we cross the bridge deck onto the island we picked up local clavus , tomatoes , melons and some of the best knockout which we enjoyed all week . We stayed at the very sharpness of the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge so we had a great view of the Pamlico Sound for bird observance , sunsets , not to mention a constant sea picnic . Tomaso is a windsurfer so we take windsurfers and sails , a stand - up paddle panel and a two - somebody ocean kayak for family diversion and the wind blew every daytime . I meant to blog from the beach … it just did n’t find .

My sister - in - law who stayed at home plate , watered the out-of-door pots , greenhouse and filled the birdbaths while we were gone . I sheer herb to dry out the sidereal day before I left and they dry while we were gone . The garden seemed to have grown in leap and boundary in the one week that we were gone . Beans , squelch , eggplant and Republic of Chile were quick to reap ; tomatoes are still gullible so I have yet to harvest my first of the time of year , although I have been harvest cherry tomatoes .

I was n’t home long and had to mob up and get quick for theInternational Herb Associationconference in Midland , Michigan . That was another nonstop event — huge piece of work and large playfulness and just about as red-hot there as it is here in Maryland . I shall tell you about the highlighting from there in the next post . I just arrive home on Thursday and am making soft summer suppers that I need to apportion with you along with a few recipes .

What to serve when it ’s too red-hot to cookI just do n’t require to make much in this weather , especially since we have no a.c . and I do n’t need to heat up up the house . If I do cook — I seek to do it in the former morning or at night — and do make ahead dish that will last a few days . Some standbys arepesto , salsa verde , noodle spread or hummus made with garden herbs and Allium sativum , used to propagate on just about any summer veggie or sandwich or toss with alimentary paste . I like to sauté or steam veggies such as squash , eggplant , noodle , Hibiscus esculentus and corn and dress or marinade them and let them bear during the day ; then I do n’t have to make the kitchen hot at suppertime .

Sometimes I make a alimentary paste or tater salad or slaw and have that quick in the electric refrigerator . I know bollock salad , deviled eggs or frittata and of course bean salads of every type . summertime - ripe tomatoes , sliced or hack , can stand on their own , however combine with cuke , chiles , onions , garlic , herbs , and /or avocadoes they make for an uncounted mixed bag of tasty salads . Although most of my tender outflow dinero are long gone , I still am eating the hardy jet and harvest salads of spinach and roquette in the aurora before they wilt , and have them wash away and chilled for the even repast . I keep a variety of cheeses , olive , pickled veggies and pickle handy and with some good - quality lettuce and garden produce , who needs anything more than maybe a cold beer , fruity cocktail or glass of wine ? Cut up you honeydew , cantaloupe or watermelon into chunks and put in the fridge so it is ready and cool down . Keep it simple , prepare ahead and chill out on these andiron days . Check out my preferent HerbedThree Bean Saladwith Tangy Vinaigrette for an easy tasty formula using yellow or green beans — it is even better the next day — if there is any leave over !

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Here’s what is in season in my garden as well as the local farmers' market. Click on pix to enlarge and read captions.Photo/Illustration: Susan Belsinger