Limping Along

Hello Ladies!

I think that we should all just send our families out to Portland for the week!  We here in the Booher house are struggling through a difficult "first week of summer vacation".  I am sure (please?!?!!) that the kids will all get used to be around each other all day, and STOP all the incessant bickering, fighting, whining, crying, etc that had been going on NONSTOP since they stopped school.  That being said, my cooking motivation remains in the cellar.  I am hoping that the first summer Farmers' Market tomorrow revives my motivation!  As for the garden, I can make a nice salad with all the lettuce and chives, but for now, that's it!  A few more weeks and we'll have peas and strawberries too.  I can't wait for the tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc!!!!

This was last week:
Wed: Greek pitas (grilled chicken, eggplant, mushrooms, red onion) homemade flat bread and tzatziki sauce. This is actually a very easy meal that is 100% homemade.  And it was REALLY good!  I'll include some recipes below.
Thurs:  DATE NIGHT! Homemade mac and cheese (I should have just bought the box!!), melon
Fri: Quiche, green salad
Sat: Orange beef stew, salad
Sun: Homemade pizza
Mon: Leftovers

Now for the next few days:
Tues: Taco Tuesday!
Wed: Crock pot pork ribs, Sauteed Kale, Roasted sweet potatoes and cauliflower
Thurs: Hamburgers, green beans, watermelon
Fri: Pappardelle Pasta with mushrooms, thanks Betty
Sat: Whole chicken in the crock, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or Farmers Market veggies TBD

I have to figure out my new summer grocery shopping routine since I shudder at the thought of bringing all 4 kids every week.  So I guess my shopping day will now depend on Liam's schedule. 

Homemade flatbread recipe:
Combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 3 cups whole wheat flour and 3 tsp of salt.  Make a well in the middle for the water mixture.  In separate bowl, combine 2 tsp yeast and 2 cups warm water.  Let sit for 5 minutes til well dissolved.  Add 1/4 cup olive oil to water and then poor liquid into the flour "well".  Stir to combine then knead by hand until smooth and elastic.  (May need a little more flour).  place in large bowl with a little olive oil to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and rise til doubled, about 45 minutes.

Warm up electric griddle on highest setting, or non-stick skillet on stove.  Break off pieces of dough, roll out on non-floured surface, put on pan.  Flip when starting to brown.  Only takes a minute or two per side.  Done!

Tzatziki Sauce

(pronounced zad-ZEE-kee)

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups
• plain
• yogurt (preferably the whole-milk variety, but any type will work)
• ½ large cucumber, grated with a cheese grater
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dried dill)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Can be served immediately, but it is even better if you let it sit for a few hours or overnight before serving.

Enjoy!
Kathy