Back Porch Musings: ~Lazy Days of Summer~

Endless Summer

I am adding this post to Michael’s Foodie Friday, at Designs by Gollum.

Insalata Caprese

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer.

-Artist: Nat King Cole
-peak Billboard position # 6 in 1963
-Words by Charles Tobias and Music by Hans Carste

I can hear Nat King Cole, singing this song, as I write this post.

Lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer will arrive soon, here in the St Louis area. Even though it is another three weeks until Summer officially arrives, we are beginning to feel the promise of heat and humidity.

It’s time to start thinking about lighter meals, with less time spent in the kitchen.

Over the weekend I made one of my favorite salads, Caprese, using tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. Our tomatoes won’t be ready for a few more weeks. I purchased vine ripened tomatoes with a nice flavor. Basil, growing in our back porch pots, is abundant.

Insalata Caprese recipe can be found at Epicurious.

Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad, from Saint Louis Bread Company

Tuesday, we spent the morning running hither and yon, in Saint Charles County, stopping for lunch at Saint Louis Bread Company; a favorite of ours.

J ordered Tuna Salad. My lunch was the Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad, with chicken.

I’m going to try making this salad at home using, lettuce, strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, blueberries and pecan halves. I’ll add sliced roasted chicken and light poppy seed dressing.

I’m sure it won’t be as good as the salad at “breadco”.

Tuesday night supper, on the patio.

We stopped by Lowe’s, this week, and picked up an indoor/outdoor fan on a stand. Having the fan on the patio will make summertime outdoor dining much more comfortable.