Well, it’s back to reality for me. Back to high heels and pencil skirts, meetings, and a never-ending inbox. But it’s also back to very fun things like whipping up meals in my own kitchen, summer in Seattle, afternoons spent on the lake, and my puppies, of course.
Having arrived back in Seattle on Sunday, and preparing for the reality that awaited (flip-flops and bathing suits no longer being acceptable attire, a seemingly absurd requirement by The Man that I brush my hair before leaving the house, and a general disapproval for drinking Gin & Tonics with my lunch), I of course took the obvious path which was to procrastinate about everything I should be doing. Instead, I enjoyed fixing some delicious make-ahead meals to get us set for the week, and in front of our CSA veggie supply.
These tossed new potatoes with a mustard dressing and fresh snap peas were delicious served warm with a few deviled eggs on the side, and provided a lovely Monday lunch as well, tragically enjoyed at my desk, with nary a G&T in sight. There is a fair amount of lemon and mustard in the dressing, but don’t let that scare you. It results in a light, tangy taste, perfect for the summer heat.
Make this when reality is looming, but you aren’t quite yet willing to give up the ghost of summer days of wonder and indulgence.
GIVEAWAY: I’m excited to share that for those local readers, or those willing to get on a plane, train, or automobile Shut Up & Cook has gotten our hot little hands on two tickets to Seattle Weekly’s Best Of Seattle Party on Wednesday, August 1st at Pier 66, Elliot Hall. This blow-out party showcases Seattle’s best food, drinks and entertainment on the waterfront with unlimited bites, craft cocktails, live music, and installation art.
HOW TO ENTER: Comment below by Friday, July 13th at Midnight PST with either A) the name and link of another favorite food blog or B) a recipe you’d like to see done on Shut Up & Cook. The winner will be randomly chosen on Saturday, and will be the lucky recipient of two tickets!
Summer New Potatoes in a Mustard Vinaigrette
Serves 4 – 6
1 lb new potatoes, washed, and trimmed of any bad spots
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon capers, minced, plus 1 teaspoon of brine from the jar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup snap peas, quickly blanched
1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
Salt and Pepper
- In a large pot, cover the potatoes with water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook just 15 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking. Pour into bowl.
- Meanwhile, to make the dressing, add remaining ingredients, except for the snap peas and dill, into a jar and shake until well blended.
- Pour about a third to half the dressing over the potatoes and toss to coat. You may add more or less pending on your preference. Note: Remaining dressing is delicious as a marinade or salad dressing.
- Toss with snap peas and fresh dill and serve warm or chilled.
Gotta love http://smittenkitchen.com/. It’s my go to ever since I fell in love with the mac n’ cheese recipe she has. Another fun vegan site that I check out is http://www.theppk.com/
Outstanding, thanks Erin! I’m a sucker for Mac & Cheese, so will definitely check out Smitten Kitchen’s! Also, I promised another reader, Anna, that I’d do a vegan recipe in the near future, so perhaps your recommended site can provide the inspiration. Love all these great new sites to check out!
Hi – Could you one time feature a vegan recipe with tofu or beans? That would be wonderful. Thanks!
Anna….a brilliant idea! I don’t know if I have ever intentionally tried a vegan recipe, so this will be a great challenge. This goes to the top of the list. Thanks so much for stopping by!
You can take me out of the running (because sadly I do not live in Seattle), but I’d love to see a curry – Thai, Indian, Jamaican, whatevs – on here!
Clearly Madeline this is proof that you should MOVE to Seattle. I mean, I think that is the obviously solution. In the meantime, I love your idea for curries…I don’t do enough and I love them. They are going on the list!
While we’re on the topic, another vegan site I love is vgourmet.ca.
Outstanding…I’ll check it out…thanks!
Back to reality is hard! My hubs is feeling the same way after our mini-staycation.
I would love to see you make a classic New England Chowder!
Oh…chowder I’ve got! In fact, I posted a fish chowder years ago…might be time to update with a Clam rendition. https://shutupandcook.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/the-art-of-elegance/
Glad you got to enjoy a well-deserved stay-cation.
That looks tasty! But I am all over a Clam Chowder. All of our trips to New England were accompanied by a mandatory 5lb weight gain from the insane amounts of Clam Chowder that I would consume!
5 lbs…that’s it?! I’d be thrilled with 5! My weakness is Fried Clams….ohhhhh, I just can’t get enough. Clam chowder coming up missy!
Yum to all of it!!
Thanks Mia! It was pretty tasty if I do say so myself.
I have started reading choosy beggars. See the scrumptious recipe at this link!
I am very tempted by your fish chowder, but am wondering if you have any new, yummy fish recipes. Something summery and fresh.
Thanks, Erina!
Oh fun…I’d not heard of them before, so very much looking forward to checking them out!
The fish chowder recipe is delicious, and oh-so-easy, you should definitely make that.
And in terms of summery and fresh fish recipes….I’m excited to come up with one soon. Going on “The List!”
I’m a fan of David Lebovitz’s blog, http://www.davidlebovitz.com/. Then again, I’m all for good chocolate.
Thanks Jessica! I hadn’t heard of this blog either before, but just subscribed so I can check it out. and yes…there really is nothing better than good chocolate…or good peanut butter…or good wine. In fact, all three together isn’t sounding so bad right now!
I would love to see some cold dishes for the hot summer days we’re having (but even more so in the rest of the country). Maybe even a cold chicken dish… other than chicken salad of course
Hi Morgen, thanks for stopping by! I think you’re totally right on exploring cold dishes for hot days, particuarly those that can be made ahead. This Sesame Noodles with Red Peppers and Tofu is a fave. Particuarly fun when served in little chinese take out boxes with chopsticks to boot! http://wp.me/puWta-6g
I’d love to see some fresh and unique summer salsa recipes to enjoy with this beautiful Seattle weather (and to enjoy with a yummy summer margarita!) 🙂
I love it! I’m thinking a mango salsa, a cilantro salsa, something with all my asian basil. This could be trouble this weekend!
Can’t enter the contest, but commenting to say that you’ve inspired me to make eggs exactly like those tonight!
Outstanding!! Let me know how they turn out!
I was also going to recommend Smitten Kitchen – that woman can do anything! However… I have recently been liking this one: http://www.alexandracooks.com/ – she does a lot of homemade items, which I enjoy. 🙂
Thanks Danielle! Getting all these new blog ideas is like Christmas!
I am the editor of this new real food blog http://www.modernalternativekitchen.com and I live in Seattle…would love to win these tickets! Thanks!
Thanks Jill! I look forward to checking out your site…and good luck on the giveaway!
This is my favorite kind of potato “salad”! Lots of mustard and lemon. Looks like such a fun event, wish I could go!!
I definitely wish you could be here…because then we could spend the day before and the day after cooking up a storm!!
Hi Erina! Sadly I will be out of town but just had to comment on the adorable puppy picture. What a sweet face! And if you are looking for vegan sites have you seen Fork and Beans? Cara is the blog author and her recipes are so fun. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Karista! She is indeed a cutie…just into the vet today and 28.8 lbs of wiggly loving at 14 weeks. She’s going to be a MOOSE!
What is she? She’s so sweet.
She’s a rescue, so hard to say 100%, but what we’re told is 3/4 Neapolitan Mastiff, 1/4 Black Lab. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neapolitan_Mastiff
Oh I love the Neapolitan Mastiff! It’s the dog in Harry Potter. 🙂 She’s a little beauty!
Thanks Karista! We’re pretty smitten…will be fun to see what she ends up looking like!