Monday, June 4, 2012

Fresh Ingredients Make the Best Quick Lunches



 Now that warm weather is well on its way, the thought of standing over a stove to cook loses its appeal as quickly as ice cubes melt in a glass.


Fast and delicious is my summer meal preparation motto.


Because there's such a profusion of fresh food available, especially fruits and veggies, it's not hard to put together something delicious in the snap of the fingers.

During the last trip to the supermarket, they were selling basil plants, roots and all, for $1.99 so I bought one.


I put it in a cup, added water and set it on a windowsill in the kitchen. 

 At lunchtime, I sliced up some mozzarella cheese, put some chopped up basil on top and drizzled everything with olive oil. 



Then, I also chopped up some more tomatoes, added some chick peas and tossed them with lemon juice mixed with olive oil. To that mixture I also added a teaspoon of sugar.



From the freezer came a bag of already cooked shrimp.

 While they were running under cold water, I mixed up some ketchup with horseradish for the cocktail sauce.




The meal came together in about 15 minutes tops and everything was delicious.


Yum yum yum

WHAT'S ONE FAST MEAL YOU LIKE TO COOK IN SUMMER?

13 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Susan you are not going to believe this - but this is what I'm having tomorrow for dinner - beans and shrimp, but we're going to bake it.

And I agree that there are a lot of things out right now that are so fresh and healthy and delicious.

Such pretty pictures.

Love, sandie

Bookie said...

You are right! Nothing better than fresh produce...been getting beets at farmer's market...they are unbelievably good and beets are not a food that one "longs" for! Tomatoes are the best thing I can imagine for supper eating...they are coming on!

JD said...

Hi, Susan:

I bought a basil plant myself recently, as well as a rosemary plant and a parsley plant. And all from Home Depot, where I went having no idea I'd end up buying herbs! ;-)

We like to grill in the summer. The preparation is easy and the cooking does not leave much of a mess, plus we get to enjoy the nice weather as we grill.

I look forward to getting to know you better! Be well.

Unknown said...

Hi Susan,
That looks very nice and healthy if you ask me. There's nothing like fresh food. It reminds me of Italian food, I love lot's of olive oil, prawns and garlic mmmmm
Have a great week.

Eva

Linda O'Connell said...

Tomatoes and cucumbers are ripening on our vines, and I can't wait.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Everything you made is so up my alley. I love fresh ingredients and have been known to travel rather far for them. The Caprese Salad is my favorite, but I'm a huge fan of chick peas.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...
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From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...
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Lady Linda said...

Hi Susan...I love shrimp salad in the summer too. We had it for dinner the other night....mixed salad greens, red pepper, sugar peas, pickled beets, cucumber, sliced egg and tons of baby Oregon bay shrimp. We like red sauce on ours too. I have never tried the chick peas.
I love Jim to BBQ some type of meat, a nice fresh veggie and fresh salad followed by fresh Oregon berries. Of course we need to eat outside and it's the perfect summer meal.
Enjoy....

diane.stetson said...

I love a nice salad with protein in it like chicken breast...I'm not a fan of basil, cheese or chick peas or beans..sorry!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Yum! Mom and I had a veggie dinner the other night, oh so good~!

The Old Parsonage said...

mmm... I'll wait for an invitation to your house:D

No I like to make corn on the cobb and hot dogs on the grill with fresh sliced tomatoes - that's my favorite summer meal.

Leann

Nellie said...

We enjoy our zucchini sauteed with onion, then topped with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
Your meal is very appealing!

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