Porter Peaches

Each Summer we look forward to a couple of things 1.) and most important AC 2.) The Farmers' Market and 3.) Porter's Peaches. Porter is a little town near Tulsa that literally stocks the entire State of Oklahoma with Peaches in June and July. Queenie's has been making all kinds of desserts with these tasty little fruits. Peach Pie, peach crisp, peach scones, and peach pancakes, but last week I found a recipe and tweaked it a bit for our Dinner Special - Pork Chops with Peach Salsa. I recreated this again tonight at home. 

Simple, simple Dinner - salt and pepper your pork chops or rub or your choice and prepare however you like then top with Peach Salsa and serve with your favorite side. I had some Zucchini from last week's Farmers Market so made a Bowtie Pasta side with slightly cooked Zuke, Cherry Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, and a little Feta tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.

PEACH SALSA

diced Peaches

diced Red or Green Bell Peppers

diced Red Onion if you like

Cilantro from my garden

a lil Lime Juice

finely diced and seeded Jalepeno

a lil sugar or I used Honey (just think honey and peaches go together)

I also wanted to share the Dessert we made last weekend with the Nieces -

We cooked out every night and did traditional S'mors the first night but saw this on Pintrest and It was a hit. The girls enjoyed building there own. 

S'MORE CONES

Sugar Cones

Peanut Butter

Mini Marshmallows

Chocolate Chips

Bananas

Coat the inside of your Sugar Cones with Peanut Butter then add whatever you like. Pack it in a bit and the filling can overflow from the top a bit but not too much. Then wrap in tin foil and place on the grill for about 5 min or until everything gets nice and gooey - YUM!

Things have calmed down a bit at work and I'm not traveling for awhile so hope to get back into the Kitchen and Post What's For Dinner Sister. Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Odd Combinations that Work

There are some combinations that you wouldn't think work, but do.  There is a tea that I really enjoy that is blackberry sage.  Sounds odd, but it really is good.  I also remember when Heather and I took a trip to Seattle with mom and had dinner at a very posh restaurant.  The waiter must have mentioned their "specialty" dessert a corn soup with blueberries.  No one at the table thought this sounded interesting and I think we ultimately decided on some sort of chocolate dessert.  However, when dessert arrived there was our chocolate and next to it this weird corn/blueberry dessert.  I can't say that is was the best thing ever but I didn't hate it either.  So in an effort to expand the horizons of both my husband and my children I have tried to introduce more variety and combinations.  I don't expect them to like everything but I at least like them to try a bite.  When Steph was here we mad a blackberry basil jam courtesy of Giada.  We were a little shocked at the amount of basil in the jam and decided to cut it in half.  In hindsight, I will make it again and add all the basil.  The second recipe is for a blueberry corn salad.  Crunchy, sweet, a little spicy,  and really good!  I have a few more things to post in the next few days.  Welcome summer!!!

blueberry corn salad

Blueberry Corn Salad

(Better Homes & Gardens)

6  ears of corn cooked kernels removed

1 c. fresh blueberries

1 cucumber sliced

1/4 c. chipped red onion

1/4 c. cilantro chopped

1 jalapeno seeded and chopped

2 T. lime juice

2T olive oil

1 T. honey

1/2 t. cumin

Combine corn, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, cilantro and jalapeno

For dressing in a jar combine remaining ingredients, shake then pour over corn mixture

I let this sit in the fridge overnight and served it with salmon cakes for dinner.  

blackberry basil jam

Blackberry Basil Jam

(courtesy of Giada)

16 oz bag of frozen blackberries thawed

4 c. fresh basil leaves

2/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. orange juice

3 T. lemon juice

In a food processor combine basil, sugar, OJ, and lemon juice. Combine with blackberries in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Simmer until mixture is thick, stirring occasionally 25-30 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow jam to cool for 1 hour.

We had this with some peach ginger scones that were soooo yummy.  I'll post a recipe soon.