It has been a very busy summer. Most of my time during the last couple of months has been spent in the garden. It needed a lot of attention now that the deck has been completed. The kitchen was placed in a secondary position…way down the list.
However, in my kitchen, I have flowers, lots of flowers.
Here is lavender on an open shelf,
and rosemary by the stove.
There are vases and containers of sweet peas in the kitchen.
Sweet peas
The colors are vivid this year. It changes year to year, sometimes I plant pastels.
Sweet peas
There are roses in my kitchen
and vases of mixed blooms from the garden.
The dahlias are starting to bloom, a bright red with chocolate-colored leaves is the first one.
Of course, I put some of the flowers in salads.
nasturtiums
The fresh greens were from the garden as well.
Single-bowl dinners have been common.
Taco Chicken Bowl
One interesting new thing did happen in my kitchen. I know, I know… I am way behind with this trend.
Did you know that you can use fresh ravioli, potstickers, or tortellini in a salad? Of course, you do. But did you know that you can fry them (uncooked) and add them? Here vegetarian potstickers (frozen but thawed) were simply coated with a little olive oil and cooked in the air fryer until hot and crispy, then tossed into the salad. I have also done the same treatment for cheese tortellini. If they are from the fresh refrigerated section of your store (or you made your own from scratch – go you!), they don’t need to be cooked first.
Of course, the new deck called for a dinner party.
Radishes from the garden with sweet butter and salt
Fresh tomato salad with peaches
Cheesy polenta
Beer Can Chicken
Lastly, here is the beginning organization for a larger deck warming party. Which got so busy that I forgot to take pictures. I am so sorry as the food was delicious and a good time was had by all.
I’m joining the In My Kitchen gang at Sherry’s Pickings this month. Please come on to discover the goings-ons in kitchens around the world.
Wow! You have been busy in the garden, what a stunning display of flowers! I love how the new deck called for a party. I have had a bit of a crush on cheesy polenta lately and your looks so good! x
Thank you, Petra. Serving polenta is fairly new for me, it was delicious. It was even better a few days later when it had solidified. I briefly fried it and served it with tomato sauce.
Oh what a great idea, I never had any leftovers but will make extra next time! 🙂
Your food and flowers are delightful! I enjoyed your post. But it was hard to find you because your blogspot ID is linked to an old blog and not to this one. You could add your real link to that page so that I can find you (and so can other blogspot bloggers when you comment there). Or just put your blog address in your comments.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks for the heads up, Mae. I have tried to change that address but can’t figure out how.
I think I figured it out. Thank you so much for the comment.
Wow… wonderfully busy. Thanks for two particular takeaways… I’m going to seek out vivid sweet peas next season expected deep pink & orange, and the other in behalf of my husband who really enjoys filled pasta but not salad… he’ll love that combo. So happy to see your posts finally pop up in my feed.
Everything absolutely beautiful and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for commenting Vanessa. It’s so wonderful to hear from the folks who read the blog.
The sweet peas remind me of my mom who always has them growing in her garden. And I love the white lavender 🙂 I still have not tried radish with butter, and you are the second blogger to share this idea so it seems like a hint. Enjoy the rest of your summer on the deck.
Thank you. Sweet peas were my grandmother’s favorite. They remind me of her.
It looks like you have had a beautiful and delicious month in the Kitchen, Liz.
wow so many fresh and beautiful things here Liz. Love all the flowers and herbs. I must make that taco chicken bowl! I am drooling over that. Well, it is just about lunchtime here 🙂 Thanks muchly for being part of IMK. Cheers
sherry
oh yes our French brother in law introduced us to radishes with butter many moons ago but I didn’t really take to them till the last few years. I guess our tastes change even when we’re ‘old’.
They definitely do change.
Loving all your flowers in the kitchen. Funny the IMKers focus on not just food but all sorts of things! I adore fresh home grown radishes too, they are just so amazing in flavour compared to the store bought variety!
What beautiful flowers you have in your kitchen and love that some are edible. Yes please to the tasty cheesy polenta and beer chicken🙂