Thai Charred Corn & Coconut Soup

We've had this soup three times in the last few weeks.  The fresh local corn screams summer time while the warm soup leans us toward fall.  Jos has been packing it on her lunch at school too.  Since it's only the second week of school, I'm going to do my best not to complain about packing kids lunches here.  Honestly, although I love all things food, even I tire of creating food that will survive a school day and be quickly consumed.

Grilled Peach Corn Salsa with Zucchini Quesadilla

I was about to apologize for another zucchini and corn recipe.  I've recently made corn salad and zucchini sandwiches and was feeling a little guilty about hitting you over the head with more of the same. Before I let that guilt settle in I shook my head and realized, there's no reason to apologize for eating seasonal fresh veggies!  In fact, I bet your farmers' market is full of zucchini, corn, peaches and onions right now too.  What better way to celebrate these great offerings than to create multiple dishes.

Smoky Corn Black Bean Salad

We're just back from a few days at a cottage with family.  For the last twelve years, we have gathered as a family of grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins and children.  My kids have attended this tradition every year of their life, including both as newborns.  There were a few years there when we had 6 children under the age of five where we started to question our sanity, but overall it's been great.  One of the perks is that this group of women and children are always keen to let me play chef for the week.  In exchange, I'm excused from washing dishes --THIS is the ultimate payment for me.

Pesto Quinoa Salad

I don't like to repeat meals too much at home.  Whenever I am asked, "what is your favourite meal?" my answer is, "the next one!"  While I love to try new things, inevitably there are some meals that are repeated.  This quinoa dish is one that I've had a lot of requests to bring to potlucks, cottages and lunch dates.  One particular potluck involved a group of hockey coaches standing by the dish stating, "what is that?" followed by "looks kind of weird?".  Imagine my satisfaction when not only did they go back for seconds, they asked for the recipe.