savor the summer

Although it's mid-August, and the weather in Philly is cooling down a bit, summer is still going strong.  Colorful piles of fruits and vegetables at farmer's markets are an especially vivid reminder.  I had the good fortune today to pick up some grapes that are out of this world.  They are called Reliance grapes, smallish burgundy globes that taste like the sweetest honey.  One of the ladies at work brought a little basket back to the office, and after we sampled a couple of grapes, naturally had to run out to the market and bring home our own bags of goodies.

I picked up just one quart (the Jupiter grapes, slightly larger, oval shaped, deep indigo in color were fantastic too but I didn't bring enough cash this time :), intending to savor as they are in their simple perfection.

Then I came home from work, lugging, among a few other finds at the market, my very ripe peach which I had intended to eat as a snack in the office.  On the way home, I was thinking of cutting it up into some Greek yogurt and drizzling with just a little bit of honey.  While rooting around to make space in my fridge for my new purchases though, I came across a tub of mozzarella di bufala, and a crazy idea began to form in my mind.

What if I cut up the peach, sliced up a bit of that creamy, milky cheese, and mixed it all together with some balsamic vinegar and honey?  It could be a variation on either peaches-and-cream, or a Caprese salad.  Either way I had to try it.  I think at the back of my mind was some NYTimes article (probably one of Mark Bittman's posts?) just begging to see the light :)

So I went ahead and did it.  And tasted.  And found that sweet, juicy peaches, combined with the creaminess and subtle tang of fresh mozzarella, are a match made in heaven.  The balsamic vinegar and honey emphasize and help bind the flavors together.

But I wasn't finished there, as I still intended to nosh on some grapes.  So I added a handful of grapes, and that just took it to a whole new level, as Denise would say :)

It was the perfect summer salad, and I hope you'll try this combination.  I promise it won't disappoint.  This is best enjoyed anytime you want a reminder of summer's bounty and generous warmth.

You'll need:
-One ripe and juicy peach
-1/3 of a ball of fresh, buffalo milk mozzarella
-about 1 tbsp good balsamic vinegar
-a drizzle of honey
-a handful of nice, juicy, sweet seedless grapes - I would say this is optional since it's probably easier to get your hands on the first four ingredients at most grocery stores (except possibly the mozzarella, but any Trader Joe's or Whole Foods have got to have both the grapes and cheese.  By the way, I got my mozzarella from Costco!  They actually carry Fattorie Garofalo mozzarella, score!), and the combination sans grapes is still delicious.

-Slice up that peach and the cheese, stir with the vinegar and honey, gently fold in grapes if you are using them.  And enjoy :)  I think a good ginger beer, caipirinha, or white wine, if you have any of these handy, would make a great addition to your experience.  And if you're having a light dinner, why not some toasted whole wheat bread (the finest, densest loaf with a good, moist crumb) with a bit of prosciutto and Fontina?  (If you're doing dinner, then definitely pair with the wine and preferably some good company!) I'll stop here but honestly, I find food experiences that border on epiphany incredibly exciting, and when I find them, I just want to tell everyone.  So I'm encouraging you to try the first four ingredients at the very least..and to have fun enjoying good, healthy food.

Sometimes I write for my Amherst blog and re-purpose it here..I'll try not to do it too often, but for now, I wanted to share something I wrote today.   The premise - I was responding to something called a 'TPS' or total planworld (name of my college blog community) survey.' It's on growing up, adulthood, and how you know (if you ever really know) that you are 'there,' or at least on your way.  I hope you'll like it/take something useful away from it :)

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On the latest TPS: Being a 'grownup' is a fuzzy concept for me. Part of it is that I never really gave it much thought. I always just assumed I would simply grow into adulthood or 'grownuppiness' (as another responder has coined; I love reading other people's responses! Just brilliant). But then, how/when would I know if I 'got there' or not?

I guess the standard milestones - getting married, owning a home, having your own family, being established/successful in your career, etc - can be considered indicators of your progress in 'getting there.' I'm more inclined to think that 'being a grownup' is sort of an illusion though. You can be considered 'grownup' by the societal indicators, but your mindset doesn't necessarily have to align. And besides, is there really an endpoint for when you can be considered a grownup? What happens beyond, if there is one?

Age isn't a reliable milestone either. I am 25 years old and still very young in many ways - in terms of where I want to be in my career, my experiences and wisdom with relationships, etc. That's not to say my experiences to date are not significant; it's just that I know there is much more to learn and to do. If I don't consider myself grownup by these standards, it's because I know I am not yet in a position where I can fully stretch my wings and help others to do the same. But I believe I'm getting there, or at least I hope I am, and when I realize that I am there, maybe I'll feel more like a grownup.

A more somber thought that just occurred to me has to do with those people that have had to 'grow up' very quickly for different, painful reasons..and yet remain childlike and innocent in their capacity to love and show compassion for others. And who never lose their optimism for the future. This would describe some of my closest friends both younger and older than me. Who is more 'grownup?'

I had a lovely, long talk with a good friend last night (which ended at 2am..hmm, not in college anymore I know, technically I am 'supposed' to be in bed by 11 or 12 for my very adult-like 9-5 job..but I'll take heart-and-soul talks anytime, anywhere). She's a few years older than me and has done incredible things in her career thus far; very inspiring and always looking to the next step. Somehow our conversation meandered to dreaming about the future, when we have kids and can be godmother/auntie to each other's children, laughing about corrupting them, etc..in general being child-like and just enjoying the wonder that we can dream about such things, and that there are people in the world with whom you can have these kinds of talks.

Neither one of us are married or own our own homes, we both have terminal degrees but would go back for more for career advancement, we are not technically responsible for anyone but ourselves (ie, not toting around small children, though we told each other to get a move on already). And yet-we provide comfort and support to each other because of our combined wisdom from our different experiences, shared views on taking responsibility and wanting to change the world, and usually end up as the go-to advice-giver in our respective circles of friends (she more so than me though). Oh, and we are both dreamers, though fairly well grounded and practical.

Are we grownups? I don't know, but that's not so important to me, at least for now. I just hope I can always continue to grow, enjoy the present, remember that there is always the next step to look forward to, and work towards a better future, however I might envision that. And that the little girl in me never stops dreaming.

And now that I am finished with lunch-signing off and going back to work. Ah, the joys of having a 'grownup' job..;-)

Spring Awakening

A disclaimer - this post actually has nothing to do with the topics explored in the title musical.  I just thought it was fitting since I am reviving my blog after a four month winter hiatus.  Perhaps you will stay for a bit and enjoy anyway, dear reader? :-)

It's hard to believe winter ended not so long ago, and what a long winter that was.  Now that spring has firmly put its foot down, those frigid and snowy days seem ages away.  Just a couple of weeks ago I was wrapped up in my coat and muffled in my pashmina.  Today a simple T-shirt and cropped jeans sufficed for a breezy evening jaunt through campus (Thai food and Palestinian rap, anyone?).

I was still hungry when I got back (I am often hungry :), and craved something light and flavorful.  I had just picked up Romaine hearts, fresh mozzarella, and beets, thinking I would braise the lettuce, make Insalata Caprese, and just eat the beets straight up (I adore beets).  Not all at the same time, it was getting late (though wouldn't that be an adventure?)... but what if I made a quick salad with the three ingredients?

Crisp and juicy lettuce, tender cheese, and the mild sweetness of the beets.  All I needed was a tangy and full bodied dressing to tie it all together. 

One clove of chopped garlic, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, a dollop of honey, a dab of Maille whole-grain mustard, and a dash of fruity balsamic vinegar later, I had the perfect dressing for my lettuce.  The beets made a centerpiece on top of the dressed lettuce, the mozzarella was tucked to the sides so I can savor with or without salad as I please, and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano added salty and sharp accents. 

Simple and refreshing.  My first salad since the days became warmer.  It hit all the spots, a perfect end to the day.

In the hopes of keeping my blog going though, a question for you - what kinds of food do you crave when it's shorts-and-T shirt weather?

Wishing you all a good night and plenty of sunshine~