Find: Green Lotus Lamp

Look at this little sweet thing!  Found this vintage plastic hanging lamp in a crowded antique emporium outside Tacoma, Washington.  And it is quite lovely.  

I would think it is circa late 1960's.. but not sure.  It has a huge round globe and hangs with a chain and simply plugs in.   Which makes it perfect for a covered porch or a tent... Love it.  

  Best part... $32! What a find!

when I see a cookbook I like...

...I pick it up.   Because I want to end up with a collection like this.  Believe me I am well on my way.  This is one shelf of many that my friend Rose has.  

I love the sign a tribute to the great Julia Childs, whom she knew personally.

Stuffed Broiled Jalepenos

Let me introduce you to my new favorite appetizer, side dish.. hey, these are so good.. I'd have them for dessert!  Fresh jalepenos stuffed with cheese and broiled to a bubbly perfection. Seriously, one of the easiest recipes & plenty of room for experimenting.  I have made them 4 times now and have changed the cheese mixture combo 3 times.  This last combination is my favorite.. and a little lighter than the usual cream cheese & cheddar combination.  I bought some Queso Fresco, which has the saltiness of halloumi cheese.. which I believe is from the brine. Salty, salty.. deliciousness.  (Bunny trail alert) Have you even tried grilled halloumi yet?  It is addicting.  The Mediterranean cheese you can place on a grill and it won't melt, but will get delicious crusty char grill marks.. then you squeeze a lemon over and you have this amazing squeaky, salty cheese.  It's a must try. 
Ahh, back to the Jalepenos (end bunny trail).. crumbled Queso Fresco & grated cheddar work well together.  I added a tablespoon of sour cream to help bind.  
Now, the heat is a concern for some using fresh jalepenos.  However, with fresh jalepenos.. you just never know how hot they will be.  In the same batch, I get some that are juicy sweet and not hot at all and then I grab another and my tongue is scorched. Well, let's just call it adventurous appetizer.  If you want hot.. leave in more of the inner membrane.. Less heat.. scrape it all out. And wear gloves. And don't touch your eyes. or nose or mouth & God forbid what else! I have heard stories!  I have experienced 1st hand taking out my contact lenses hours after handling jalepenos.. let's just say OW! Wear some gloves or use a plastic baggie to help handle them. 
Enough said, here's the recipe...  

Slice Jalepenos in half lengthwise & remove membrane and seeds.

Pretty clean.. ready to be filled.

Queso Fresco + Cheddar Cheese + Sour Cream

Stuffed & ready to broil!

Toaster oven is perfect for this task.  ESPECIALLY in the summer heat!

mmm.. mmm, almost ready.

Ridiculously good!  Perfect appetizer for a summer BBQ

cantaloupe, tomato & avocado salad

(Bringing this out of the old blog archives 2007.. as it is the time of year to enjoy this salad!) 
 
Cantaloupe is amazing right now.  perfectly ripe.  I wanted to do something different and use up some other ready to use produce.  The salad above is what resulted. and let me say....  mm-mm-mmm!

Initially, I used mint only.  But the enormous bouquet of basil sitting on my counter screamed to be added in.  The end result.. I loved it.  The cantaloupe, basil and crunchy sweet red onion combination is just amazing.  Really fresh.  Then adding in a ripe tomato, mint and avocado.. took this to a new fav height.  It’s so much better than the mango combination you usually see on menus.  The cantaloupe is so bright, juicy and fresh.. I hope you try it.

cantaloupe, tomato & avocado salad

1/2 of a ripe cantaloupe, seeded & cut into bite size

1 lg tomato, bite size pieces

1/2 red onion, cut into a small dice

10 basil leaves, roll and julienne

handful of mint leaves, coarsely chopped

3 T Balsamic vinegar

1 T extra virgin olive oil

1 avocado, cut into large bites

S + P, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Toss together.  add avocado last.. so, they don’t get mushy from being over worked. S+ fresh cracked pepper to taste. 

serves 4