Summer Menus

At night we open our bedroom windows to catch the sea breezes. During the day, the heady scents of melons, nectarines, peaches, plums, citrus, chilies, and tomatoes are almost overwhelming. Of course, there are the zucchinis that are so prolific we can hardly give them away, unless you’re Barb madly creating delicious dishes using every single bite. Wait until you try the killer chocolate zucchini cake.

Everyone seems to be inventing new salad combinations, pickling the abundant cucumbers and carrots, and drying beans for the winter while concocting reasons to have a picnic and devising unusual menus for all occasions.

BBQ Steak Dinner

• Bruschetta of Dry Farmed Tomatoes
• BBQ Steak with Fresh Tomato and Basil Relish (one healthy steak)
• Steamed Green and Wax Beans
• Grilled Eggplant and Peppers
• Grilled Peaches and Nectarines

Wine: Big Basin Syrah

Gad Zucs

• Stuffed Squash Blossoms
• Tian of Zucchini
• Shaved Zucchini Salad with Slivered Almonds and Parma
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake (killer cake)

Wine: Odonata or Big Basin Chardonnay

Prime Rib Dinner

• Fresh Tomato Soup
• Prime Rib of Beef with Tarragon and Caper Sauce
• Zucchini Pancakes with Sour Cream
• Green Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
• Chocolate Raspberry Almond Torte

Wine: Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon or Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Salmon in Parchment

• Salmon Baked in Parchment with Summer Vegetables
  Naples Green Bean and Potato Salad
  Apricot Cherry Crostata

Wine: Windy Oaks Rose

Summer Bounty

• Summers Bounty Baked with Polenta
• Cream of Vegetable Soup
• Tomato, Cucumber Salad with Mint
• Strawberry and Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

Wine: Thomas Fogarty Gewürztraminer or Martin Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

Santa Fe Fried Chicken Dinner

• Carrot and Celery Sticks with Clam Dip
• Santa Fe Style Fried Chicken
• Corn on the Cob Roasted in Lime Butter Sauce
• Pasta Salad
• Cherry Pie

Wine: Discretion Brewing  Shimmer Pils

Dover Sole Dinner

• Dover Sole from Vera Cruz with Home Made Pico de Gallo Salsa
  (Literally beak of the cock – feisty)
• Spanish Rice Oaxaca Style
• Spicy Green Beans with Peanuts and Red Chili Flakes
• Blackberry Sorbet

Wine:Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

 

Linguini with Eggplant Dinner

• Linguini with Eggplant, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella
• Focaccia with Green Onions
• Salad of Baby Greens Mint and Lemon
• Chocolate Pear Tart

Wine: Alfaro Family Vineyards or Big Basin Pinot Noir

A Greek Feast

Appetizers

• Roasted Peppers stuffed with Feta
• Peloponnese Panzanella Salad
• Green and black olives – condiments
• Yogurt cheese

Wine: Beauregard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and/or Joyce Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir

Beer: Discretion Brewing  Shimmer Pils

Main Dishes

• Spinach Pies
• Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
• Ground Lamb with Feta and Mint in Pita Bread with Tahini Sauce
• Pastichio

Wine: Big Basin Syrah or Bottle Jack Cellers Syrah Greache

Beer: Discretion Brewing  Oh Black Lager

Desserts

• Spoon Doughnuts
• Greek Custard Pie

Wine: Windy Oaks Sparkling Albarino or Hill Top Sparkling Rose