French Fries on Wednesday: Summer Heat

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Summer Heat

As much as I enjoy cooking, the summer heat just zaps my energy. Oh, how I wish I could have "summer break" during the fall or spring. I have the time to make great meals, but I don't want to eat much during the summer. A nice dinner salad suits me just fine. I honestly do not see how people can make hearty dishes like lasagna during the summer. It just heats up the kitchen so much. I will admit though, if you make a lasagna dinner, and invite me during the summer, I will be more than happy to eat it!!

It's the same with lunch. Sometimes I will just have some fruit or cheese and crackers when I feel the pangs of hunger. More often than not, I will just skip lunch all together. Dinnertime is usually around 8:30 or 9 when the evening finally starts "cooling" down. The heat takes a toll on me and the thought of eating when I'm really hot is not an option. Just give me the cool drinks and I will eat when it is cooler in the evening.

I've lived in GA all of my life with a few exceptions of short stints in college, and I have never liked the summer heat. The other parts of the year are fine. I was talking to my brother the other day and I was saying that I would like to see more of the world. If you were to tell me today that I had a job in Seattle, I would move there.... site unseen in a heartbeat. I know many people who dislike the heat as much as I. It makes me lethargic, grumpy, and physically uncomfortable. Yet, there are others who relish the 90+F weather and want it never to be below 80! I guess that's what makes the world go around isn't it?

I start back to school tomorrow and am excited to see all of my coworkers. Time to eat my daily salad from the cafeteria for lunch (they make a nice variety of salad), and enjoy a microwave cup of coffee or tea. I'm sure I'll put on a few pounds as I watch the children eat their breakfast and snacks in the classroom. It's the old Pavlov effect.... I'll be STARVING I know. Yesterday, I did not eat anything until dinner time. I'm sure tomorrow will be a different story as breakfast will be provided by the school, then lunch with coworkers. What a nice welcome back to the school year.

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Welcome! I hope you are hungry....

I tried to think of a creative title that would show my interest in foods. I started thinking about my favorite foods: french fries, crab legs, strawberries, cookies, Greek food, and anything eaten at an outdoor cafe in Paris or dining by the sea. Ok, so all of the food may not be terrific, but it's the location, location, location!

The Story behind the title:

When I was a little girl, my parents would go out every Wednesday night. My grandfather, "Papa", a Greek immigrant, did everything for his grandchildren. Having owned a restaurant, food for the three of us was no problem. He was a short order cook for our breakfast. Pancakes (or hot-ah-cakes), eggs, grits, or cereal could all be prepared to delight my two brothers and myself. We didn't know how lucky we were. Hands down though, our favorite were his french fries. What child doesn't love french fries? I can't think of one. That is what we wanted when mom and dad went out for the evening. French fries, JUST French fries, nothing else. He would prepare them fresh, using fresh oil each time. Plates and plates of delicious fries. We ate until we could eat no more. We had some good friends that heard about this special French fry meal and wanted to join us. So, on occasion, they would join us for dinner. Mom never said anything and we thought we were really getting away with something special. Many years later, she said: "how could I not know?.... a five pound bag of potatoes were gone over night, plus the house smelled like one giant french fry"! To this day, you can ask anyone who grew up with us who made the best fries. The answer is always "Papa Jimmy". So, this is how I came to call my first blog:

"French Fries On Wednesday"

I hope you enjoy some of my adventures from the past and present. So, sit down, grab something to eat and drink, and enjoy. There is always a place at my table for you!

That being said, I hope to share with you a few laughs, and let you know a little about me. I enjoy cooking and really will eat just about anything but liver and whole anchovies! (I'll even eat that if it absolutely cannot be avoided). So, learn a new culinary term today, try a different recipe, enjoy the stories and the photos. Also, feel free to leave comments as this is my first blog and I would appreciate the feedback!

Cook something different, try something different, and enjoy laughter and conversations with your family and friends. Make the best of every day and if you accidently burn something, just call it "blackened"!!

I would be honored to have you share my recipes with others. Please keep in mind that my recipes and photos are copyrighted and give credit where credit is due. thanks!!

Thank you again for viewing. I appreciate it. Lisa

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

Whisk: Need it for sauces, blending dressings, etc....
Vegetable peeler: so much easier than a knife, plus more of the veggie is "saved".
Morter & Pestle: When I use the dried herbs, I crush them first.
Food Chopper: Great for small items when I don't want to drag out the food processor.
Small cutting board: I have many different size cutting boards, but I use the small ones (12 X 8) every day!
Sharp Knives: No need to explain this one..... It makes cooking much easier.
Garlic Press: I don't even have to peel the garlic for this one. Just put clove inside, and press. Simple as that! No messy garlic on the hands. If you do get garlic on your hands, try rubbing a metal spoon on your hands under cold running water. All of you chemistry folks can tell me why this works.
Microplane: This is especially nice for grating the zest from all of the lemons I use

French Fries on Wednesday

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Summer Heat

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French Fries on Wednesday