TiNY SeeDS+ a LiTTLe RaiN+ THe HoT SuN eQuaLS

SuGaR BaBY WaTeRMeLoNS!!

There's a sweet tooth that runs in my family (actually more than one) and what better way to quench that thirst, minus the calories, than with a watermelon.

This little gem, warmed by the sun, exploded with juices and had I had a brix measuring instrument, I'm sure it would have been off the charts! I already know the next one of these lil' babies to come out of the garden is going to be corked and filled with some sort of goody or another:o)



Just wanted to share a photograph of another one of nature's wonders coming out of my garden. What a treat!

oN THe MeNu...aSiaN CHiCKeN SaLaD

I love to cook but when the season brings warm weather with it, there's something distinctly unappetizing about standing over a hot stove and cooking.

That's when salads come to my rescue.

This salad is my nod to a greener environment. A greener environment?!?! This salad was inspired by the Asian Chicken Flatbread Salad at the Cheesecake Factory Bakery & Cafe at MacArthur Center in Norfolk. An asian salad with romaine lettuce, slivered almonds, fried wonton strips, green onions, mandarin oranges and grilled chicken with a sesame dressing hits the spot on hot days. Prior to discovering a very suitable substitute for a salad dressing on my local grocery store salad bar, I would have to drive (hence... ozone gas emissions) 20+ miles each way THROUGH TRAFFIC, not to mention my parking fee and the $8 cost for my lunch. Don't get me wrong...this is well worth the drive, but why drive when you can make a delicious standby for your WHOLE family for less than the cost of the gas, parking and the meal (not to mention your sanity from the traffic)all while saving the earth at the same time? We'll all be elevated to 'Planet Earth Superhero' status before you know it!

I haven't yet begun to crack the code for the flatbread served at this eatery but it's on my 'to-do' list for sure. I did make a couple of homemade flour tortillas to serve the salad on so that all those great juices would not go to waste :o) It's such a delicious way to finish off the meal when you roll up that tortilla with any remaining bits and pieces of salad and take a bite of the tortilla that has sopped up all of the melded flavors. Heavenly.


I have always loved fresh bread and have had many experiences, both good and bad. I believe the bread can make or break a meal. Sometimes finding the perfect bread to serve is half the adventure. Pina has introduced me to Semolina bread from Long Island, NY. A true toe-curler, (just ask any of her children), brings new meaning to the phrase 'betcha can't eat just one(loaf)'. I crave this bread and have not had a better loaf, to be sure. I will post more on this bread at a later time, after I make the supreme sacrifice and have a slice for all of you in order to describe it. :OP Don't say thanks, just send flowers :o)


Back to the recipe, there are many recipes for homemade tortillas on the net. My recipe consists of flour, salt, oil and water. I believe I found it on the Food Network...very simple, yet so satisfying. I'm embarrassed to say that we scarcely buy store-bought tortillas anymore. My family prefers homemade so I usually allow for extra time to make homemade ones.


For the salad you can use any amount of the above ingredients and add or take away as you see fit. I prepared the chicken by cutting it into filets and griddled them on my Cuisinart Griddler. I love this because the plates are removeable and are dishwasher safe. Just a note, I used slivered almonds that I slightly toasted in a dry pan slowly and let them cool. I fried my own wonton strips from a package of wonton skins in some canola oil. Be careful with these steps as they brown/fry quickly and you don't want either to brown too much, just keep the strips moving in the pan and drain on paper towels.


I'm unsure of which salad dressing they use at my local grocery store and will have to find out. This one has a distinct flavor of sesame and is slightly sweet.



Uh oh! Looks like even the bears are coming in for a peek!

A lil' bearkins picked these out while vacationing in Tennessee last year. They are from the Old Mill ~http://www.old-mill.com/~in Pigeon Forge, TN near Gatlinburg. They have the most beautiful pottery and I would definitely recommend a visit (at least to their website). If you vacation there you will surely be rewarded with the spectacular views that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer. With Dollywood a short distance away and Ober-Gatlinburg( a fantastic cable car up the mountain), dinner shows galore and even a Nascar Speed Park for all you 'would-be' racecar drivers, there is surely something for everyone!

I hope you like this recipe! Take a break from cooking a big dinner and take advantage of what summer has to offer. You'll be glad you did! :O)

SWeeT BLaCKBeRRieS, FReSH CoRN, 'a WaTeRMeLoN SeLLiNG' GaLLuS DoMeSTiCuS aND GooD CoMPaNY...

A trip into the rural areas of Virginia Beach (yes there are some) can prove very fruitful, particularly from spring through summer. There are many farm stands that I frequent. Is it because the air is cleaner, the grass greener? No. The food is sooooo much better. I can taste the tender lovin' care supplied by our local farmers (along with their sweat and tears when growing conditions aren't optimal).



I subscribe to a weekly email from Farmer Tom of Brookdale Farms and not only is it informative, but highly entertaining. The man has a way with words (and fruits and veggies) and I highly recommend visiting their farm. I love their strawberries, it's my favorite place for them and if you don't make the naughty list and the stars in the universe align( or there is a nasty streak of weather that works in your favor), you may... just might get a coupon in the email for a small discount off per lb. There's nothing that says early summer to me like homemade waffles with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of vanilla-infused powdered sugar. I digress...



Well, since it's LATE summer and fresh strawberries are NOT in season, I feel I must make an effort to carry on.



Following a series of events, on a field trip scheduled to go to Pungo Blueberries that went awry, we found ourselves at Henley Farms, a family owned farm in the heart of Pungo. Upon arrival we got that warm country welcome that reminded me of a dear friend, Adelle, and her always abundant freshly brewed sweet tea (sugar packets do not equal sweet tea, thanks anyway). She made me love the south before I even lived here.



We took a short stroll to the blackberry fields (a well needed stretch for the legs after the road trip out) and picked until we could sweat no more. ( I think the weatherman lied...90 deg.?!?!? Where's Dave Parker? Dave, we miss you! ) Someone call Tony Macrini...offer a reward for Dave's speedy return as 'Chief Meteorologist'!! Despite the warm weather, we had a great time with our fellow fruit pickers and I for one, am looking forward to the next adventure in farm-hopping!





Anyway, here are some photographs I took while at Henley's. You will all have to be patient as I am still honing my photography skills. Hint: If you squint just right they'll look great!










For lunch I couldn't resist boiling some water and dropping in a couple of corn cobs when the water came to a complete boil. A few minutes later and 'TA-DA'...a dab of butter and a dash of sea salt (even better...a sprinkle of Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt) and it's all over save the cleanup :o).

THaNK You!

Although I have learned a great deal about cooking from Pina, I have learned a great deal about love from my husband, Gunner, and for that he must be mentioned. He has always supported me and shown me unconditional love and for that I am very thankful. He easily tolerates my 'shifting into high gear' ways on many of my exploits, often jumping on board for the ride. He's a fantastic cook with an fiery imagination that far exceeds mine and has the taste buds to match. He knows my spirit and makes me laugh with his stories each and every day. I respect him and love him to no end and want the world to know. That being done...



My hubby, being the true gentleman that he is , not only buys the gas in my car but has planted me a garden. A cook's delight! Sweet corn, several varieties of tomatoes, green beans, musk melon(that's cantaloupe for all you non-Vernors drinking folks), watermelon, Long Island cheese pumpkins, eggplant, tomatillos and the list goes on. He has worked hard and, despite the difficulty with the soil, has turned out a fine garden. 'Oh the squash...' PULL. IT. OUT. ALREADY. I am seriously tempted to resort to a squash bread recipe I found somewhere on the net :o) I now know why we were given BAG AFTER BAG of summer squash last year from 'Habanero Ed' ,aptly named for his affinity for habanero pepper jelly. At the rate he consumed it, I really think he was guzzling the stuff. LOL. All joking aside, I am now, like Habanero Ed, desperately looking around for a willing victim to drop the motherload of squash on :o). Those little squash plants breed like rabbits so be careful :o)



However, I couldn't resist posting a photograph of that beautiful squash that he painstakingly grew on our little patch of heaven in Virginia Beach.





I want to say thank you to him for all he has done and continues to do for me and our family.



I love you Gunner.



~Love Me

FiRST...a HeaRTFeLT DeDiCaTioN

The tree has been a symbol of many things since the beginning of time. The roots, buried deep below the surface, symbolize strength as well as the interconnectivitiy of our lives. The branches reach high into the sky as if pointing towards heaven. They provide food, shelter, clean air, water, wood, warmth and even medicine. They change with the seasons demonstrating a cycle of rebirth that we all, at some point in our lives, aspire to.

My inspiration comes from a very dear friend of mine, Guiseppina('Pina'). She embodies all that I admire and aspire to be. I am not alone in my adoration of her as she is many things to many people. She has that "je ne sais quoi" about her as you will soon see for yourself.

I have often thought about documenting my thoughts and feelings on food and life. I've been waiting for the 'perfect' time and that time for me is now. When I first saw this photograph, taken by my husband, it has thoroughly captured my attention. This is a river birch that my *sweet* husband and I planted with our own hands outside of our beach house. The beauty of nature inspiring me to never stop looking for the joy in life and love.

I spent a great deal of time agonizing over a title that would be all-encompassing for this blog. This title was suggested to me by Pina and encapsulates my vision for this journey. Translated, La FaNTaSia DeL CuoCo, means "the fantasy of the cook". Like a kindred spirit, she hears the tune that my heart plays and is ready with the 'verse'. Food is the sustenance of life and albeit basic, it should be celebrated and enjoyed. I have learned a great deal from Pina and cherish all of her wisdom she has imparted along with the way. I have been blessed by our connection to one another.

I dedicate this journey to her daughter, Pupa. The river birch a symbol of her beauty and her strength, reaching towards heaven with it's branches. Thank you for giving light to new ideas, a rebirth...'dare ala luce'.

Until tomorrow...