Monthly Archives: May 2010

Porch Beer

Summer weather has arrived in Chicago with sweltering temperatures and high humidity (for May, at least). The later parts of this week will mercifully drop back down to the 70's. Here's to hoping my office will be able to figure out a method of cooling the building that doesn't make the power go out ten […]

View full post »

show hide 22 comments

Suzanne - Sounds refreshing,can’t wait to try this!

Suzanne - Sounds refreshing,can’t wait to try this!

Tim - Sounds DELISH! We’re going to try this (with Tecate, of course!) for our next “porch date.”

Tim - Sounds DELISH! We’re going to try this (with Tecate, of course!) for our next “porch date.”

dana - i could go for one right now. but it’s 9 am. sigh.

dana - i could go for one right now. but it’s 9 am. sigh.

kickpleat - This sounds perfect and it’s not even that warm out here yet. Nor is it even close to noon.

kickpleat - This sounds perfect and it’s not even that warm out here yet. Nor is it even close to noon.

and flowers pick themselves - it’s dreadfully humid in northeast ohio, too. this drink sounds like heaven.
xo Alison

and flowers pick themselves - it’s dreadfully humid in northeast ohio, too. this drink sounds like heaven.
xo Alison

keeanga - Its actually called a michelada…its from Mexico. While some micheladas can come with clam juice, its really just beer mixed with lime juice and salt.

keeanga - Its actually called a michelada…its from Mexico. While some micheladas can come with clam juice, its really just beer mixed with lime juice and salt.

My Communal Table - Oh, I used to do this and forgot all about it and I never gave is such a great name. Very Chicago! I am going to sit out on my back porch of my traditional Chicago three flat and have one tonight. Thanks

My Communal Table - Oh, I used to do this and forgot all about it and I never gave is such a great name. Very Chicago! I am going to sit out on my back porch of my traditional Chicago three flat and have one tonight. Thanks

gemma - Ha! Well, the jury is still out a name. I’ve had multiple emails/tweets insisting that this drink is both a michelada and a chelada. I am sticking with “Porch Beer” for now.
Thanks everyone! I hope you have had time to enjoy a tall glass as the country heats up for the summer.
Tim, so glad to hear others have porch dates! I really love watching our neighborhood.
My Communal Table, thanks! You’re right, there is something very Chicago about that name.

gemma - Ha! Well, the jury is still out a name. I’ve had multiple emails/tweets insisting that this drink is both a michelada and a chelada. I am sticking with “Porch Beer” for now.
Thanks everyone! I hope you have had time to enjoy a tall glass as the country heats up for the summer.
Tim, so glad to hear others have porch dates! I really love watching our neighborhood.
My Communal Table, thanks! You’re right, there is something very Chicago about that name.

ANdrea - I love this photo! IT makes me super thirsty.

ANdrea - I love this photo! IT makes me super thirsty.

KImproved - Looks awesome, I can’t wait to give it a try!

KImproved - Looks awesome, I can’t wait to give it a try!

Gemma - Thanks Andrea and KImproved!

Gemma - Thanks Andrea and KImproved!

Zucchini Pasta with Parsley Almond Pesto

Until quite recently, I would pass over recipes that used squash as a stand-in for pastas. I assumed these dishes were for the low-carb dieters of the world, not for a cook with my appetite. I’m not sure what compelled me to finally give zucchini pasta a try last month, but I’m glad I finally […]

View full post »

show hide 10 comments

Meghan - What gorgeous photos!
I’m wary of such recipes myself. I, too, have a healthy appetite and enjoy pasta too much to think it needs to be substituted.
BUT–this dish looks so beautiful, healthy, and satisfying. I can’t wait for a bumper crop of zucchini this summer!

dana - i love this! i love my pasta, too, but when i want something light i’ll have something along these lines. sometimes i’ll keep it raw, either with pesto or a punchy lemony vinegraitte.

eileen - There is cool mesmeric beauty to this zucchini that makes you forget its food! Well done, Gemma.

dining room sets - This dish looks so beautiful! Well done and so creative.

ButterYum - Wow – I clicked over here from “Who’s Hungry”, and I’m happy to have found you. Congratulations on being one of the runners up in the photography contest. I’m sorry I missed entering – maybe there will be another one sometime.
Great blog!!!!
:)
ButterYum

Blue Jean Gourmet - Gemma–made this last weekend for a gathering and it was a big hit! I’m still enjoying the leftovers, plus I have a big jar of extra parsley pesto in the fridge destined for pasta later this week.

Nishta - Well, that big jar of leftover pesto ended up being tossed with roasted cauliflower & topped with grated Parmesan–SO GOOD. thanks again, Gemma.

gemma - Thank you everyone! I am still making this dish on a weekly basis. It’s so bright and refreshing.
Thanks Dana – Raw with a lemon vinaigrette sounds divine!
Nishta – I love having this pesto left over. Using it with cauliflower sounds amazing, great tip!

vanessa p - This recipe is extremely easy and delicious. I’m not a fan of zucchini but the photo and ease of recipe made it tempting to make. I will definitely make this next time I am craving pasta.

dining room tables - I find this recipe so easy to make. Love the color, too. Now I am suddenly craving for some pasta.

Thyme Cream Biscuits

Growing up in Woodstock, our house had lilac trees and lily of the valley outside our kitchen window. The flowers were a common addition to our table and remain two of my favorites. The Chicago apartment I live in now has a gorgeous and well-tended backyard, and I was delighted this spring when lilacs and […]

View full post »

show hide 12 comments

dining room table - This one looks delicious! I like the combination.

dining room table - This one looks delicious! I like the combination.

Caroline @ Whippedtheblog - Just catching up, haven’t visited in awhile. “Dropping in” to say hello!

Caroline @ Whippedtheblog - Just catching up, haven’t visited in awhile. “Dropping in” to say hello!

Jenny - A simple recipe comes with a simple delicious cream biscuits =)
Anyway, what’s on the middle layer? vanilla? or just cream?

Jenny - A simple recipe comes with a simple delicious cream biscuits =)
Anyway, what’s on the middle layer? vanilla? or just cream?

gemma - Thanks dining room table. It is a nice a simple combination.
Hello Caroline! Great to hear from you. Perhaps we can meet up at a food blogger picnic this summer? I hope you are well.
Hi Jenny. It is a nice, simple recipe (as biscuits should be!). These are just tall biscuits, there isn’t a middle layer. Though I do usually split them and slather with butter before serving.

gemma - Thanks dining room table. It is a nice a simple combination.
Hello Caroline! Great to hear from you. Perhaps we can meet up at a food blogger picnic this summer? I hope you are well.
Hi Jenny. It is a nice, simple recipe (as biscuits should be!). These are just tall biscuits, there isn’t a middle layer. Though I do usually split them and slather with butter before serving.

Star of david - Thyme Cream Biscuits looks so great. The recipe that you posted is so clear and easy to understand. Thanks for the posting.

Star of david - Thyme Cream Biscuits looks so great. The recipe that you posted is so clear and easy to understand. Thanks for the posting.

Gemma - You’re welcome. Thanks for visiting.

Gemma - You’re welcome. Thanks for visiting.