THE PERFECT MARGARITA

Like the waitress at the Old Salty Dog said..."by the end of the drink,guaranteed to put a smile on your face".

INGREDIENTS:

tequila
Rose's lime juice, sweetened
triple sec
ice
sea salt

who on earth salted this one???

DIRECTIONS:

The perfect ratio for this drink is 6 / 3 / 3. 

6 parts tequila, 3 parts lime juice and 3 parts triple sec

Put the ingredients into a pitcher with ice.  The ice will slowly melt and slightly dilute this potent mixture.

Rub a lime slice around the edges of the glasses, turn the glasses over and dip into a plate filled with sea salt.  Fill the glass with ice and the lime wedge.  Fill the glasses.  DRINK AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

which one dropped into the salt???  had a few?

a good time was had by all

THE OLD SALTY DOG

fun place for conch fritters and the classic margarita

oh yum

the REAL salty dog

Jon enjoying his lunch

NEXT BLOG:  The Perfect Margarita recipe

GARDEN 2012

My summer garden is off and running.  I'm planting more and more and fully admit to being addicted.  I expect, with any luck, to have an even bigger harvest this summer.  THAT means more and more recipe experimentation.  MORE BLOGGING! A fraction of my garden is pictured below:

spinach growing in a clay pot

my herb section:  parsley, fennel, chives, oregano, thyme, dill and cilantro

earth box tomatoes

this year I have a total of 10 earth boxes

the raised bed

from the left:  radishes, eggplant, sweet peppers

radishes and pole beans

sweet potatoes

radishes in pots too

the basil crop

STUFFED GREEN PEPPER SOUP

peppers frozen from last season  / my garden

INGREDIENTS:
1 large onion
4 green peppers, cut in chunks
1 bag soy crumbles
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cans diced tomatoes, garlic and basil variety
1 (8oz.) can tomato sauce
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup veggie stock
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
1/2 tsp. onion powder

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onion in oil till soft.  Add green peppers and garlic.  Saute 3 - 5 minutes. 

Add soy crumbles, turn up heat and cook till the crumbles start to brown.

Add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Turn heat down.  Simmer with the lid on for 45 - 60 minutes.

stuffed green pepper soup

I'll make this from now on INSTEAD of laboriously stuffing peppers

                                                                   tremendous flavor

FIRST LIME TREE / FIRST FRUIT

my first lime

mama tree

Last year I decided to experiment with a baby, container held, lime tree.  Although Charleston's temperatures dip a bit too low for this tropical fruit; "LIMEY" is growing quite nicely and already has produced its first lime and is already in its third pot!  At this rate I may have to move "LIMEY" further south or the purchase of a tree blanket.  She's way too heavy for me to be carrying inside!

Thinking about growing a lime OR lemon tree?  I strongly encourage you.  Read further:

http://www.citrus-tree-care.com/care-potted-citrus.html

clusters of blooms and budding fruit

lots and lots of little limes;

I'll soon selectively abort some to allow for the full growth of others



LAST MINUTE CHIPS

after preparing a large bowl of fresh guacamole; I was faced with NO crackers or pita bread

I substituted whole wheat tortillas for the recipe below

PITA CHIPS

INGREDIENTS:

4 whole wheat pita pockets
1/2 cup olive oil, more if needed or desired
1 - 2 tsp. granulated garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 - 1 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut the pitas carefully in half so that you have 8 thin pita circles.  Cut each circle into 8 pizza-like wedges.

us a pizza cutter for even cuts

Arrange on foil lined baking sheet.

In small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Use a grill or pastry brush to lightly brush the seasoned oil evenly over each pita wedge.

Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.  Keep an eye on the chips because they can get extra crispy very quickly.

Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite dip or eat alone as a snack.  Yield: 64 chips

to my oil, I added some taco seasoning with the garlic, salt and pepper

makes a good last minute dipper