So, the last couple of months were a blur.  Grab a beverage of your choice and let’s catch up.

So, as promised lo’ those many months ago, the photo from the TV Trivia Night school fundraiser. Our table’s theme was Saturday Night Live and I think we can all agree, we brought it!

Including the wine labels made just for the occasion.

Made this dish about four Sundays ago. It’s Smitten Kitchen’s Sheet Pan Chicken Tikka and it couldn’t be easier. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a dish with minimal oversight and mess.

The only thing I did differently is subbed carrots for cauliflower. Because cauliflower is one of the few vegetables I just can’t stand. Yeah, that’s right all you “but you haven’t tried cauliflower pizza crust yet – then you’ll love it” people.  No, I won’t love it because I’ll pass out from the smell of grinding it into a “dough”.  So just leave it alone. We’re done here.

I’m in a big tumeric phase.  It’s a great, natural anti-inflammatory and since I had pneumonia a couple of weeks ago (yep, why catch any old cold when you fly.  Go big, I always say!!!) I’ve also been making this tumeric “tea”. Very soothing.

Tumeric Tea

Combine 1/8 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp tumeric, 1 TBSP honey, juice of 1/2 a large lemon (or to taste) and 6 oz. boiling water.  Stir to dissolve everything.  And when you are home by yourself, no one argues with you about who got the Yoda mug “last”.

We had another successful School of Rock show – Aerosmith.  With a special appearance by a Duxbury Cousin.

Drummer Boy’s tattoos still haven’t worn off.  Should I be concerned about what those are made of?!

So within two months it went from cold and rainy, one day of 60 degrees (aka, Spring) and now it is summer.  And not just any summer, last day of elementary school for Guitar Boy.  Off to junior high next year *this computer got something in my eyes again*

But the last day of school was followed quickly with the hallowed tradition of Pet Parade!  We’ve been making Drummer Boy and Singer Girl take the same picture every year since they were babies.

They have been getting only marginally more tolerant of it in the last 9 years.

So what was on deck tonight?

Making the Greek Flank Steak and Hummus Platter from How Sweet It Is.  Made it a couple weeks back and liked it so much we’re doing it again.

The only thing I did different is no olives (see also, cauliflower) and I made some homemade Skordalia.  It’s delicious thinned out as a dip for naan, as I did, or leave it a thicker mash as a side dish.

Skordalia

WHAT YOU NEED

2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1 tsp kosher salt
6 cloves garlic (I used Trader Joes crushed and frozen)
3/4 cups slivered almonds
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP Champagne vinegar (you could probably substitute white wine vinegar)
2 TBSP fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup water or reserved potato water
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

WHAT YOU DO

Place peeled potatoes in a pot and cover with water.  Add the teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Simmer about 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are completely tender.  Reserve 1/2 cup of the potato water if you can.  Let potatoes cool.

Put almonds, garlic and olive oil in a food processor and process to a paste.

Mix, mash or put potatoes through a ricer (that’s what I did).   Add the oil mixture, lemon juice, vinegar and mash.  Add water or reserved potato water a little at a time until you get the consistency you like.  Mix in salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with grilled naan or pita chips as a dip, or just like mashed potatoes as a side.

And you see that cup in the lead picture.  I may have accidentally gone to Tuesday Morning where they had these Napa Style cups.  So I then accidentally made a Strawberry Basil Mule.

Strawberry Basil Mule

WHAT YOU NEED (for 2 drinks)

1 cup frozen strawberries
3 oz vodka (I used Tito’s)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 TBSP Agave nectar or simple syrup
6 sliced fresh strawberries
10 oz chilled ginger beer or ginger ale
2 springs basil

WHAT YOU DO

Tear off a leaf of basil and tear the leaf. Run it around the rim of the glasses to release the oil.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the frozen strawberries, a handful of ice cubes, the lemon juice, the agave and vodka.  Shake until cold and combined then strain into two glasses.  Add fresh strawberries and top with ginger beer.  Add the remaining basil sprigs.

And summer vacation begins. As Phineas and Ferb say, the annual problem for our generation, is finding a good way to spend it. Find your best way.

Have a great week everyone.