First Apple Pie of the Season

Made with macintosh and red delicious apples because that's what I had, besides honeycrisp and macoun -- which are both just too good to eat!

Home Grown Tomatoes

It's been a good year despite the extended hot temperatures and efforts of one clever and resourceful chipmunk that climbs up our story high deck stairs to eat some of the smaller tomatoes. In between the tomato plants I have successfully been able to grow some basil transplanted from smaller single stems which were leftover from plants purchased at the grocery store. They are now big, full plants. It takes leaves from at least one whole basil plant to make pesto.

Melitzanosalata

Ingredients:

3 medium eggplants (firm and heavy for size)
1 green bell pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
freshly ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Serve with whole wheat pita bread

Directions:

Pierce the eggplants a few times with a fork. Cook over a hot gas or charcoal grill (a few mesquite chips can be added to the grill for a smokier flavor) until the eggplant is tender, turning every few minutes (approximately 20 minutes total cook time). At the same time, roast the green bell pepper over an upper rack on the grill (or under the broiler), turning every 2-3 minutes (approximate cook time 10 minutes total).

When the eggplant and green peppers are done cooking, remove their skins. Remove and discard the seeds from the eggplant. Chop and transfer to a medium bowl. Remove and discard the seeds from the roasted green pepper. Finely chop and transfer to the bowl with the eggplants. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix. Slowly add the olive oil and red wine vinegar, stirring to mix well. Add the garlic, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and parsley, stirring well to mix thoroughly. Chill and serve with whole wheat pitas (cut into wedges, if larger, or whole if mini). Can be made a day ahead.

(makes 6-8 servings, about 2 cups)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1-16 oz. package of confectioners sugar (less 6 Tbsp.)
6 Tbsp. Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 Tbsp. milk (may need to add a bit more, as necessary, for proper spreading consistency)
pinch kosher salt

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, with whisk beater attached, beat butter. Then add remaining ingredients and continue beating until well blended, and the frosting is a good spreading consistency. Spread on cooled cakes and cupcakes. (makes enough for 24 cupcakes).

Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

1 mango, peeled and diced
1 avocado, peeled and diced
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 Tbsp. chopped Vidalia or red onion
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve fresh at room temperature with chips, tacos, and grilled fish. (serves 4)
(Note: recipe can be doubled.)

Mango Chutney

Major Grey's mango chutney by Sun Brand was my favorite.  Thick with large, firm pieces of mango, it was sweet, with a nice heat of ginger.  When I couldn't find it any longer in the stores, I created this recipe based on the label ingredients and think it tastes very similar!

Ingredients:

2 Mangoes, peeled and cut (into mostly 1 inch pieces)

Fresh ginger, 2”x 1”, peeled and grated or minced very fine

¼ cup raisins

1 Tbsp. red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

Dash cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp. cornstarch, mixed with 1 Tbsp. water


Directions:

Combine all ingredients, except cornstarch and water, in a 3-4 quart pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the liquid to thicken and cook down as much as possible without sticking, so you will have to adjust the heat down as time goes on. Then slowly add the cornstarch and water mixture to the mango mixture, stirring constantly – you may not need to add it all, just enough so mixture is totally thickened. Cook for about 5 more minutes while mixture is thickening. Put in a jar or bowl to refrigerate. Serve cold. Goes well with grilled meat, chicken or fish, also with cream cheese and crackers/bagels.

Tzatziki

Ingredients:

2 lb. container non-fat plain yogurt, drained through cheesecloth (see step 1 under instructions)
1 large English cucumber, grated on medium/large setting, drained (step 2 under instructions)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 Tbsp. fresh mint, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh dill, finely chopped
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, taste

Directions:

(1) To prepare the yogurt (so it is like Greek-style yogurt), you have to drain as much liquid as possible from the yogurt. To do this you will need: cheesecloth, a colander, a large bowl/pot that the colander will fit into (to catch the liquid), and a small plate and/or bowl to set on top as a press. First, set the colander into the bowl/pot. Then line the colander with the cheesecloth (use a long enough piece of cheesecloth so there is extra on each side -- for folding over the yogurt). Set the yogurt on top of the cheesecloth, and fold the sides of the cheesecloth over the top of the yogurt. Set the plate and/or bowl over the top as a weight (to drain the liquid faster). Cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or can be left overnight. Discard the yogurt liquid.

(2) In more cheesecloth, put the grated cucumber, gather excess cloth on top, and with your hands, squeeze out as much of the liquid from the cucumbers as you can.

(3) In a large bowl, add together the drained yogurt and drained, grated cucumber. Mix well. Add the remaining ingredients -- lemon juice, garlic, mint, dill, salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.

It is ready to be served, with pitas, or alone, as a side dish.