Simple Summer Dinners

During these days of oppressive heat and humidity, the oven becomes the enemy. A yearning for simple, fresh and healthy meals becomes a necessity. Instead of succumbing to the fast food drive-through, consider going to , or in Town and Country or ,and even in Manchester. All of these local stores offer already prepared foods that you can put together to create a sumptuous and healthy feast. Doing this is much more delicious and allows you to avoid eating foods laden artificial preservatives, colors, sugar and hydrogenated fats.

Travel to different regions of the world by choosing ingredients from a particular country or area. Ingredients from the Mediterranean are flavorful and delectable. The ubiquitous freshness in the lemon, olives, parsley, basil and mint from this area resonates on the palate. Adding in some grains, beans or legumes makes it a filling meal.

Start off at the olive bar in Whole Foods and fill your basket with Kalamata olives from the city of its namesake in Greece. This dark, plum-black olive is delicate and hand picked. The leaves of the Kalamata tree are large, the oil produced and the olives themselves have a distinct and earthy flavor. Another good choice on the olive buffet is the Manzanilla variety from Seville in southern Spain. Its olive green skin, fleshy pulp along with its rich flavor make it a good choice. In addition to the olives, the bar offers roasted peppers, marinated mushrooms and other goodies. Round out your meal by adding a wedge of Manchego from the cheese counter and treat yourself to a bottle of Amontillado sherry to complement it. Manchego cheese, an aged sheep’s milk from La Mancha, Spain, has a broad, robust and fat flavor that also pairs well with Spanish red wines.

Along with your wine, cheese and olives, you can add some hummus with pita bread or tabbouleh. Hummus, a nutty-flavored dip, is made from chick peas (garbanzos), tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice and garlic. Tabbouleh, a fresh grain salad, is made from bulgur (cracked wheat), tomatoes, parsley and lemon juice and olive oil. All of these items and anything else that might strike your fancy make a great meal without having to touch the oven. Whole Foods sells the bulgur or ready-made tabbouleh.

For meat lovers, Straub's in Town and Country has many deli meats prepared for your smorgasbord including roast beef, five-pepper smoked turkey, various rotisserie chicken and turkey flavors, smoked pork tenderloin and Kobe corned beef and smoked brisket. Straub's also sells hummus made from scratch.

For the easiest, yet decadent French meal, I suggest a bottle of J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, French bread, and Morbier or Fromage D'Affinois soft cheeses.
   
Tabbouleh
Ingredients:

1 cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
3 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup parsley, fresh, chopped
1/3 cup mint, fresh chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup olive oil

Method:

1. Place bulgur in bowl and one teaspoon of salt. Cover with 2 cups boiling water.
2. Soak for 30 minutes, drain and squeeze out excess water.
3. Combine cooked bulgur, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, garlic, parsley, mint, one teaspoon of salt, lemon juice, and olive oil.
4. Refrigerate for at least three hours before serving.

Happy summer!