The Galley Gourmet: July 2013

7/31/2013

Sparkling Sour Cherry Limeade

You know the old saying "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade"? Well, when you have a thirteen year old Montmercy sour cherry tree in your backyard with a bounty of sour cherries and a bowl full of limes on your counter, you make sour cherry limeade.

This tree has provided a few good harvests already, but this year the haul was prolific. The unprecedented bounty provided us, several neighbors, chipmunks, and birds plenty of sweet/sour goodness to supplement the diet.

I chose to use the cherries harvested by my kids to make this tart, summery drink. It is great on ice by itself, but throw a little somethin' (vodka) in with it for a sunset watching companion.

7/14/2013

Sunday Dinner

Pimento Cheese and Cornbread Crostini

Hickory Smoked Beef Brisket

Smothered Lettuce

Corn on the Cob

Sliced Tomatoes with Chives

Potato Bread

Ice box Strawberry Pie

Road trip here, road trip there, and another one coming up leaves little room for a proper Sunday dinner, hence the absence of my menu posts. Fortunately, we are home this Sunday to enjoy a meal full of glorious summer flavors.

This meal is all about the beef, so I like to keep the sides nice and light-ish (not to mention easy with the labor of tending the smoker demanding attention). Smothered or "wilted" lettuce is a perfect accompaniment to the main dish. It is crisp, light, and refreshing with a pleasant sweet and sour vinaigrette made from bacon drippings. (Let's face it, everything is better with bacon.) A hot mid-July Sunday filled with hickory smoke and the best of Summer's bounty--that's a special slice of heaven in my world.

Sunday Dinner one year ago
Sunday Dinner two years ago

7/02/2013

Food for the Fourth

The 237th anniversary of the day that our Founding Fathers put the result of their hard work and compromise out for King George and the world to see is upon us. Thanks to their foresight, and the vigilance and sacrifice of the many generations of Americans who came after them, we can celebrate the birthday of our nation distracted by, among other things, the delicious foods we can make for our loved ones to enjoy. The 4th of July is now about Summer fun, family, and friends. In 1776, it was all an uncertainty--at best. What a great gift it is that has been given to us. Enjoy your freedom and this round-up of food. God bless America.