The joys of summer

The last two months of school are always a little bit insane. Wrapping up curriculum, talking about changes for next year before you even know what next year holds, meetings upon meetings upon meetings, and of course the fact that you have to deal with 160 students that really want nothing more than to be on summer vacation- and trust me, so do YOU!

But then, it moves quickly and I find myself sitting here, first week of summer under my belt, relaxed and joyous that two months of free time is a head of me. Adam and I were pretty smart this year and planned very little for the first two weeks. So, we often find ourselves around 1pm sitting on the couch chatting (sometimes still in our PJ's) and thinking what the rest of the day may hold.

Turns out a lot of really wonderful things happen at our house when we are work. The chickens cluck around the homestead, Sandee does a lot of sleeping, each room feels different due to the amount of sunlight coming through the windows, and the slight change in wind is always noticeable due to the sounds of the live oaks rustling in yard. I'm not sure we will stay in Topanga Canyon forever, but it's these quiet days at home that makes me truly love where I live. Our little cabin, that often feels like rustic appalachia, is such a serene get away from the hectic city, "the valley", and the scene of LA.

Another great thing that happens when we are at home are the freshly made lunches that we throw together whenever we are hungry. Recently, my dad said to me that one of the greatest pleasures in life is eating lunch outside with a really good glass of white wine. Well, Dad- you are totally correct on that front. The veggies are plentiful, the salads are fresh, and not even the small yellow jacket buzzing around me can ruin a good summer lunch outside.

Today, in honor of the solstice and the amazing amount of basil we have in garden, I made some pesto. Fresh and layered in with a little bit of mint I think this is pretty much the best pesto on the block. It's vegan, fresh, and damn is it good on just about anything. Play around with the garlic as much as you like but I think two small cloves gives it all it needs.

Happy summer!

basil and mint pesto:
1 1/2 cup of fresh loosely packed basil leaves
1/2 cup of fresh loosely packed mint leaves
2 small garlic cloves or 1 large one
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup great tasting olive oil (the spanish kind from Trader Joe's is the best and really pretty cheap)

Combine fresh herbs and garlic in food processor and chop until small bits. Add pine nutes and pulse until blended. Slowly add a little olive oil at a time until smooth and more of a sauce like texture. If you like it more "saucy" use 1/2 cup olive oil.

Mix it into pasta or roasted veggies. Use as a pizza sauce or in a casserole. Tripple of recipe

and freeze for later!

Cooking as a gluten free goddess...

As most of you know, I'm off wheat. Well, more than wheat actually- the dreaded gluten. Considering the fact that being "gluten free" is a big weight loss trend out here in LA, most of my students who ask me if I want a cookie say, "Oh, that's right Ms. Cox. You're on a diet". This is, needless to say, very frustrating. Although I enjoy eating healthy, I've never been a diet girl. And although I had a stomach ache for 1 1/2 years, I never took the plunge to go gluten free because of my undying love for doughnuts, fresh bread, and delicious beer. But taking the advice of a doc out here I tried the no-gluten life style for a while. Turns out, I feel SO much better.

So, this means that I have had to adjust my eating. A has been great. He's always ready to try something new; eat corn pasta instead of regular and share a gluten free meal with me when we go out to eat. And even though eating out is hard, looking at all of these beautiful books is even harder...

I have so many cookbooks. My truly amazing parents (who are truly amazing cooks) have given me most if not all of them. Sure I have my favorites; no one does carrot soup like Alice Waters while that little green binder holds some of the most amazing baking receipts that I've ever made during my time as a baker in Oregon. However, they are all special to me and in each of them I know exactly what page to turn to when I need inspiration.

Now, there are some great resources out there on living a gluten free life in the kitchen. Particularly, this amazing gluten free goddess knows her stuff. And, I've had to readjust and make those favorite recipes that are gluten loaded into gluten free expierements. Sometimes it has worked, other times it hasn't. Today was a good day though. I made some warm magic.

My projects? Corn Sweet Potato Chipotle Chowder and Brown Rice Crisp Treats. Both taken from Food Matters by Mark Bitman. As I mentioned yesterday, he's my hero. And, thanks to that truly amazing mother, my copy is not only hardback and beautiful...but signed. That's got to put some good luck into the food. I highly suggest that you buy this cookbook. It's incredible what this man does with ingredients. I did make some changes though, in order to cooperate with my gluten free and lactose sensitive stomach. But in the end, I have some spicy and delicious chowder and a nutty coconut treat to finish off a lovely Sunday. And to make it even better, I get to sip on a gluten free beer because tomorrow is a holiday.

Happy Sunday! I'm off to watch the Golden Globes that are happening just a mere 10 miles away from my gluten free kitchen- weird.