HungryChris

This morning was the first time in more than a month that I was able to get out in the garden and weed on my hands and knees. Some of those weeds were as big around as my thumb and tall as a large dog. It wasn't pretty. In the recent past, I was afraid to weed my shishito peppers because I couldn't see well enough to pick them out from the competition. I had pretty much given them up as lost, but much to my amazement, I found 5 out of 6. As I found each one, I promised them that prison conditions would improve. I would see to it that there was more and better food, they would get more fresh air and sunshine. The 4 pepper plants that had also been showered with neglect, and treated to conditions akin to waterboarding, while still in their seed tray were given a similar pep talk. I told them I would find homes for them all and their lives would improve dramatically. They seemed pretty unimpressed, but I am a man of my word. The commissioner has seen the light, so to speak. The tomatoes have been troopers through the hard times and are about to start rolling them in. HC

Pepperoni and cubanelle pepper pizza. HC

I would look to find a source of the proper sized bolt, then find someone with a drill press to put the hole for the wire in it. HC

Good point. In this context, I use the word "while" quite liberally, when in fact, there are snack and photo sessions which are followed by a good scrubbing at the sink before returning to the keyboard. HC

More fried zucchini, this time with lemon garlic aioli and a beer. This is a repeat winner, folks! HC

I will look it up. Thanks, Anna HC

Normally, the squash borers would have had their way with my plants by now, but this year, thankfully, it's not the case. The first time I ever cooked squash for Deb, it was politely pushed aside in a motion that, much to her chagrin, I have repeated from time to time to indicate something is distasteful. This year, with a bit of creative seasoning and experimentation she has actually come to enjoy it. I feel like a winner on two fronts. HC

Grilled beef tenderloin, sautéed zucchini and onions and last of the lettuce, first of the tomatoes and cukes salad. HC

Thanks, Thanks! As I continue to mend from eye surgery, I find refuge in the kitchen and kind comments about my efforts there, good medicine. HC

Deb and I go to the Antique / Flea Market in Brimfield, MA, 3 times a year. It has become a tailgate tradition for us since we had a bad experience paying too much for crappy BBQ chicken one year and I decided to pack a picnic lunch the next time. This mac salad was based on a bruschetta they showed being prepared in the movie Julie and Julia. I just mutated it a bit. It has become a tradition, and Deb loves it. Starting with a cup of small shells, cooked, 1 diced medium tomato, a handful of fresh basil chopped, 1 TBS chopped capers, 1 TBS of whole capers, 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, a few dashes of garlic powder, ground black pepper to taste and I save the seasoned oil from the marinated mozzarella balls we get from TJ's and use that, but good olive oil, if not. Mix and chill. HC

MC Sous Vide and At Home are on their way. Frankly Shelby, I blame you. HC

Fried zucchini topped with hot buttered lobster bits. A dash of Crystal hot sauce makes it perfect. HC

Korean BBQ rotisserie chicken, which I have come to understand, cannot be marinated for more than 2 and 1/2 hours or the skin falls apart before the bird is done. This was a good one, but to be honest, the first of the season, fresh local butter and sugar corn (not pictured) stole the show, for me. Yesterday, July 11, was pronounced "FCD" First Corn Day, 2016. HC

Was craving the texture and flavor of no knead bread and banged out the first one in six months this morning. Here is what's left after I had toast. Now I'll be "needing" some more flour, for sure! HC

I had no roast pork, so pork dumplings will have to do. Here is my solemn tribute to the Hakata ramen at Menchanko-Tei on 56th street NYC, RIP! HC

Today's pickage. Meager by many standards, robust and promising by mine. HC

Ours four! HC

kimchi fried rice with left over corned beef, zucchini, sugar snaps, onions, baby bok choy, shredded carrots and chives HC

Sunny side up duck eggs, sautéed match stick zucchini and left over tomato salad. The zucchini only kept it's crunch for a short while and I thought I would not finish it, but once the yolks got mixed in with the salt, pepper, garlic and tajin, they were like great noodles in a rich sauce and didn't stand a chance. HC

These are chicken leg quarters that have been boned out to form skin-on cutlets. They were pan fried in a mixture of butter and olive oil, garlic powder, salt & pepper. When just about done, a big dash of cream sherry was added and reduced, followed by a bit more butter to form a pan sauce for plating. Served with potatoes au gratin and a hot house tomato salad. HC

I am a fan of NPR and was listening to the Food Schmooze a while back and someone mentioned Tajin. Actually, I think it is a Mexican food company that makes many forms of this spice, but basically it is a hot chili, lime and sea salt spice. Shortly after the broadcast, I spotted this in Aldi and have been exploring the use of it ever since. HC

Biased sliced zucchini coins shaken up in a bag of plain flour, dunked in an egg wash, rolled in a mixture of bread crumbs, garlic powder and a hefty amount of tajin, then shallow fried in peanut oil in a wok and drained on a paper towel. These would be great with a cold beer or two! HC

I had some leftover pizza dough that I portioned off and topped with sesame seeds on a little egg glaze to bake rolls as an experiment. I got an unexpected batch of duck eggs and this morning decided to try a sausage McDuckin thingie. As I did, I was thinking about those cooking shows where they give you a hard boiled egg, two marshmellows, some cinnamon gummy bears and a shaker of tajin and ask you to make a breakfast for the judges table. Boy, would I suck at that! HC

Fingers crossed, but I think I might be seeing the first blush of color!!! HC

OK, so I broke a yolk, but quickly destroyed hid the evidence. HC