I love my little apartment garden. It’s not large by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s fun. Just the other day I went to check on the carrots. I’d pulled one a couple of weeks ago and it was tiny and not too tasty. The one I pulled on Sat was short and fat. It was yummy!

I have a few other things ready for harvest: kale, spinach, basil, parsley, oregano, chives, a few potatoes, and green beans. I have some tomato plants, with flowers… that are falling off. Gardening fail. My dad said maybe the soil needs some nutrients that it’s not getting, like potassium maybe. I’m wondering if I could just put some banana peels under the tomato plants?? 🙂

Fresh produce is very inspiring to me when it comes to planning my menu. There are so many delicious things to do with the summer fruits and veggies that are in season right now. Here are a few of my favorites made into summer menu ideas:

BLT Pizza with a Basil and Tomato Salad

Fruit Salad alongside Joy the Baker’s amazing Cinnamon Rolls with Buttermilk Glaze (p42 of her cookbook)

Pluot Tart with Black Pepper (I know, black pepper with fruit sounds weird. It wasn’t. It was delicious!!) with Grilled Steak

Santa Fe Quesadillas with Guacamole and Tomato-Corn Salsa

Panzanella Salad with Grilled Chicken

Basil and Summer Squash Risotto (You can freeze leftovers for another meal!) with Honey Soy Salmon and for dessert Brûléed Pluots and Nectarines

Mom’s Potato Salad with Uncle Jake’s Back Ribs and Mint Iced Tea and for dessert, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce

Tomato and Basil Grilled Cheese

Penne Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce alongside Grilled Pork Chops drizzled with Reduced Balsamic Vinegar 

Taco Salad

Veggie Pizza with a Green Salad

German Style Potato Salad with Grilled Sausages and Fruit Salad

Happy eating, Friends!