In the Garden ~ Cucumber Overload

     

        If there is one vegetable that grows in abundance during the late Spring early Summer, it has to be the cucumber. Not only do they grow in abundance but they also like to hide in their own vines and can get out of hand if you are not checking on them regularly.  With the many cucumbers that end up on kitchen counters around the world, people might become stymied by what to create with this summer veg that is beyond slicing and dicing. 

A classic of all cucumber lovers is cold cucumber soup.  While many people do not enjoy cold soup, since that is not what we have been programmed to think of as soup, it is cool, refreshing and flavorful, a great complement to any dinner during the summer and an easy way to consume a few cucumbers. Our favorite recipe has yogurt and dill that helps to add a measure of summer flavors with all the freshness of the cucumbers.

Cucumber Soup

1 cup cucumber, deseeded

½ cup water

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

2 TBSP fresh dill

2 TBSP fresh parsley

1 tsp salted herbs

Blend everything together and let chill for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.  Serve in chilled dishes for effect and top with fresh slices of cucumber as well as additional herbs.

Another classic that leads towards fresh and tangy cucumber goodness that we featured in our Asian themed dinner last year was a Cucumber Sesame Salad. You could make this for a group or just for yourself to “spice up” your cucumber dish and use up some of your delicious grown veggie. 

Cucumber Sesame Salad

2 cucumbers peeled and sliced thin

2 TBSP rice vinegar

1 TBSP sesame oil

1 TBSP sugar or honey

2 tsp soy sauce

½ tsp Salt

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Crushed red pepper flakes

Peel and slice your cucumbers and set them on a paper towel to remove some of the moisture.  In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients.  Add the cucumbers and stir to coat.  Taste and see if you need to add more flavor.  Then chill for up to 4 hours ahead of serving or even a whole day.  

We have often used cucumbers in multiple cocktails over the years.  An Elderflower Basil Martini, in which the cucumbers, combined with the basil, really showed off the color green.  Another great classic, especially  in March is an Irish Maid, be sure to find a bartender that knows what they're doing when you order this one.  Last but not least a full summer classic, Cucumber Watermelon Gin and Tonic.  This drink brings together two great summer flavors and puts them together in one glass.  A delicious and refreshing combination for sure. Plus, it looks amazing in the glass. 

Cucumber Watermelon Gin and Tonic 

8 cups cubed seedless watermelon

4 ounces fresh lime juice

1 cup gin

1 cup thinly sliced cucumber

1 TBSP agave

½ cup mint

1 cup tonic water

Cut up your watermelon and place it in a blender.  Blend until smooth and there are no more chunks.  Strain the watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher. Add in gin, lime juice, agave and mint.  Stir to combine.  Serve over ice, and garnish with a cucumber and mint. Top it off with tonic water. 

There are many creative ways to add cucumber into your diet everyday, when you have it growing in abundance.  Let us know your favorite way to eat and serve this summer staple. Until then happy gardening and we hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Travel East Texas ~ FIFA Fan Fest

     

    Unless you have been living under a rock or have been out of the country for a few months, you know that the FIFA World Cup has made it’s home in the United States, Mexico and Canada.  All three nations have played host to multiple games during this contest.   Dallas, Texas is a host city for games, teams and FanFest during the games.  We decided to take a trip to FanFest to explore the area and experience a game with thousands of our closest friends.

The great thing about FanFest is that it’s free to enter.  Parking, food, drinks and souvenirs are all paid for items, but there is so much to do and see that you won’t want to miss this fan experience.  There are pick up games of soccer for all the kids in your group, including the big ones, as well as challenges, where you can try your keeper skills, juggling and so much more.  The “play” area of FanFest is a stop everyone needs to make when planning your visit.

Besides the games, the hot ticket item at FanFest has been the Bank of America custom bracelets.  The line started out very long, for these items, and they have since changed the policy to be by reservation only.  If you plan to pick up one of these one of a kind items, be sure to make your reservation. As far as I know they are still free to those with reservations, but I’m not sure, since I was unaware of the change until we arrived.  

  Many of the World Cup sponsors have booths set up around FanFest for guests to explore their offerings and learn more about the products or services they sell.  One cool item sponsored by Dove was the free sunscreen.  Do not bother bringing any with you, you can’t take in aerosol cans anyway, but use the sunscreen kiosk to apply and go about your visit.

What great event for thousands of fans would be complete without some food vendors.  There is a good variety of food available for all the people in your party, just remember that you are at Fair Park and they are going to charge Fair Park prices.  Although, my husband ordered an oxtail pasta, and he said it was completely worth the price.  From wings, to pizza and veggie pot stickers, everyone should be able to find some delicious eats. You are able to reenter the festival up to two times, if you decide you want to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the parking lot. 

Be sure to plan your visit and check out all the information before going to FanFest.  You can only bring in certain items, no digital camera with a removable lens, weapons and umbrellas.  Be sure your bag is the correct size and clear.  You will want to carry reusable plastic water bottles to refill at the many refill stations around the park.  

Now this might not seem like a big deal but they had pretty cool port-a-potty toilets.  They were vacuum suction waste removal units, which means not having to enter a toilet that really needs to be cleaned, like normal port-a-potties.  Not something everyone gets excited about I know but it’s still good information to have, since the regular flush toilets are few.  

The best part about FanFest is watching the game with thousands of fans cheering the teams on to win.  There were fans from all over the world in attendance at the game we watched.  Not just US jerseys but Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Argentina, and so many more. Everyone is there to watch the game, cheer on the team when they score and enjoy the atmosphere where the goal is the same for everyone.  

You can purchase tickets to FanFest but those are going to be for seats under the pavilion or for concerts. If you purchase those tickets you get a wrist band to help separate you from the crowd.  There are advantages to both free and paid for tickets, you just have to decide what you want to do.  The concerts fall on match days that you can attend, be sure to check the schedule.   There are still multiple days left of FanFest. Be sure to pick a day and go explore this event that FIFA and Dallas have put together for all the soccer or futbol fans out there. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Watermelon Basil Lemonade

 

    What could exemplify summer more than watermelon?  Add it to your drink menu and bam, you have summer

in a glass.  What could make the watermelon even better than adding in some lemonade to give your drink a little

bit of tart to match the sweet?  With the addition of basil this drink is simple to make and delicious to enjoy.

Basil is by far one of my favorite summer herbs and there are so many flavors to choose from.  We typically

grow three different varieties, traditional basil, purple basil and lemon basil.  For this drink we are going to use

both traditional and purple basil to make the simple syrup.  Give the basil a rough chop before making the syrup

to help release the flavors even more into your syrup.  

Watermelon Basil Lemonade

¼ cup basil simple syrup

3 large lemons, just the inside flesh

4 cups watermelon cubed

1 cup water

Basil to garnish 

To make the basil simple syrup take one cup of water and add in one cup of sugar with another cup of chopped

basil leaves. You should have just about one cup of liquid left after cooking. Store any extra in an airtight

container in the fridge.  Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.  Then remove it from the heat.   Once cooled, strain

the basil leaves out and transfer to an airtight container. Peel the lemons and cut into smaller pieces.  Cube up 4

cups of watermelon.  Combine the ingredients In the blender, along with 1 cup of water.  Blend everything

together for 2 minutes.  Strain through a fine mesh to create a smooth drink.  Store in the refrigerator, and stir

before serving. Garnish with lemon and basil.

As you can see in this recipe this month we do not have any alcohol.  The water can easily be replaced by

gin or vodka to give your drink a punch.  This is the perfect mixer for any 4th of July party, to enjoy by the pool,

or gathered around the night sky to watch fireworks with friends and family.  Keep it a mocktail, for everyone to

enjoy, or go out on a limb and make two batches, since we know those melons are pretty big, and make an over

21 batch along with your mocktail.

If you want your drink to be a little sweeter, feel free to add in more simple syrup to your desired sweetness

level.  Over here we prefer our drinks to be more on the tart side so ¼ cup works just great.  Plus I like for the

flavor and sweetness of the melon to speak out in the drink as well.  Mix it up and try out different ways to make

this drink your new favorite. 

We hope you enjoyed this mocktail, summer recipe, or as a cocktail.  Let us know if you decide to make

one for your event or just because.  This will keep in your fridge for about 3-5 days, depending on the container. 

Please remember to drink responsibly and always have a designated driver. Cheers!