Sunday, July 8, 2012

Eating Locally on the Grill (again)


local ribeye plate
{Yes, I like my steak well done. Don't judge me!}

It's Day 10 of this record heat wave. The news reports say that next week temperatures should cool down to the mid-80s, which will be good for the plants. Some of my tomato plants haven't flowered, and I think (hope) it's because of these 100-degree temperatures. Maybe when it gets cooler the plants won't be as stressed. Actually, since I started typing this, the sky became quite overcast--maybe we'll get some rain tonight!

Despite the high heat and humidity, we've cooked our meals outside a couple of times this week. Once was during a 4th of July party we went too, and on another day we grilled up some steaks. We loved the Smith Family ground beef so much that we went back to the market and bought a couple of their ribeyes. They were excellent too--very juicy and full of flavor. We also bought green beans, potatoes, and tomatoes at the farmers' market to round out the meal.  I always have to have tomatoes when I eat meat, whether it's beef, chicken, turkey, whatever. My grandmother always served tomatoes when she cooked meat; a meal just isn't complete without some tomatoes, especially when they're farm or garden fresh.


local ribeyes on the grill

We grilled potatoes (wrapped in foil above) again, but this time I used Celtic sea salt instead of regular salt, and it made such a difference in the taste. We also put the potatoes on the grill earlier, and they were much crispier, which I liked better.

The only thing on our plate from our garden was the peppers. Our banana pepper plant has been a great producer so far. We've harvested quite a few peppers, and we skewered a couple to add to the grill. They're deliciously sweet.

You can see what other Southern SOLE Food Challenge participants are eating here.  I just heard thunder (free water!!) I better get out and snip some basil for my dinner before the rain starts. Enjoy the week!

12 comments:

  1. Your meal looks wonderful! I'm heading out to the farm we get our meat from next week and hopefully, I'll end up with steaks as tasty as yours. :o)

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    1. Thanks! It'll be nice to have your freezer stocked up and not worry about it when doing your shopping. :)

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  2. I often cook outside when it gets really hot here, I'll quickly duck in and out of the air conditioning as I bbq. Better that the house getting hotter by cooking in it.

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    1. I completely agree--and no pots and pans to clean either!

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  3. Now that looks incredible...grilling food give it such a different taste. Lots of tomatoes setting up on the cherries and the others are flowering...well some are...others are still catching up. Sweet bell peppers are not doing well for me again this year. Year three and no go so far.....hmmmm.

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    1. Thanks Donna! We don't usually have issues with peppers, but tomatoes give us problems every year.

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  4. I was just telling my husband yesterday it is time we grilled some steaks! Yours look delicious! My tomatoes have also quit producing flowers, and I do think it is the heat.I hope you got your rain. We had black clouds and thunder yesterday but not even a sprinkle. I am also hoping for some cooler temps this week!

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  5. Yum! I haven't cooked any meals out on the grill yet this summer. Usually I'm out there all the time! A baked potato on the grill sounds fabulous right now! Love how the skins get crispy that way. I hope it cools down for you, and your tomatoes start making. I agree it's the heat that's stressing them out. They go dormant here while temperatures are that high each summer and then start making again when things cool off just a bit.

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  6. That meal is making me drool. Everything looks delicious, and I eat my steak rare! We cook on the grill so we won't heat up the house, but sometimes it's easier to just grab a sandwich because it's too hot either place.

    http://planetpooks.com/?p=4819

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  7. My mouth is watering. I love cooking with fresh produce too.

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  8. Your meal looks great. Love the banana peppers on the skewers! Grilled peppers are SO SO good!

    I like grilling in the heat of the summer - saves me from turning on the stove top or oven. Your meal looks great. You potatoes in foil brings back memories of hobo meals from girls scouts and then a period of time when we lived in Palm Springs when I went through a phase of putting foil packets on the grill with everything inside. I think I feel a Hobo foil meal coming on... probably will involve peppers of some sort.

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  9. It's been so hot, but the weather finally cooled down while I was on vacation and my tomatoes finally set fruit. I also started giving the garden some shade and the veggies seem to be doing better. Next year, I might try some tomatoes that do better in the heat.

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