Asian melon salad

Picked up an Asian melon at the market. It was tasty; not too sweet. Based this on the watermelon feta salad combo you see so often lately.

My Favorite Bagel Sandwich

I always order this at the local bagel shop, but given the last time I had it, some ingredient in there made me sick, it probably doesn’t hurt that I now make a homemade version as well. It’s a bit of a calorie bomb, but hey.

Pink Eyed Peas

These were awesome! I bought these at the market on a whim (caution: they take awhile to shell). I didn’t use a recipe, but went with what seemed to be a standard Southern approach – simmer, add some aromatics, add some pork product. SO GOOD! I served this with a pan seared pork chop on top (see that photo after the jump).

Vegetarian version: omit brat (and pork chop, duh) and make broth vegetable. The smoked paprika still gives, well, smokiness.

Photo: Fancy Tomato Cucumber Salad

 

Local tomatoes, local cucumbers, home grown jalapeno, local basil, cider vinegar, olive oil.

Recipe Variation: Eggplant Orzo

Take a batch of stewed eggplant and tomatoes. Add cooked orzo. Stir in a little feta. Done.

Seared Salmon with Caper Relish

I made this recipe up in my head at work today – but it involved tuna. The store didn’t have any, and I actually think the salmon I got instead may have worked even better. Pictured with Eggplant Orzo (recipe to follow).

Cumin Chickpeas With Veggies and Couscous

A yummy meatless meal. I got this recipe from Cooking Light but adapted it slightly to add more veggies I had on hand.

John’s Weeknight Meals: Cajun Night

John’s Monday Dinner moves to Thursday this week. This meal combo:

Open Face Cajun Chicken Sandwiches: Grilled, Beer Marinated Chicken Breast, flavored with Cajun seasoning, cheese melted on top (optiona). Served on baguette (half or whole) with lettuce and avocado slices.

Cajun Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes + garlic butter + hot pepper + cajun seasoning + melted cheese blend

Grilled Asparagus.

Yum!

Seared Scallop Salad

There are a couple things about this recipe that may give you pause. Scallops and watermelon? Cooked cucumber? But trust me, it all comes together, and is really refreshing. Pictured with some grilled veggies and tomato bread.

Recipe note: I used my cast iron skillet rather than a grill.

Grilled Veggies

These veggies, brushed with a Greek-inspired flavored oil, are simple and a good cookout side.

Bonus: I combined leftover veggies with feta cheese (I made it spreadable with yogurt and a little milk) and put it all on a piece of baguette, pressing it in a panini press. Great sandwich!