We’re in summer mode in the kitchen these days.  But even with it being warm, I have been enjoying cooking and baking more than ever.  I just turn on the overhead fan and it keeps me cool while I work.

This morning I had a smoothie, my favorite summer breakfast.  Carrot, Banana, Pineapple, Yogurt, A few pieces of frozen strawberry, granola, and water.  (I am not a fan of milk.)  We have a Vita-Mix blender and it will make a smoothie out of anything.  By the way, this is my No. 1 favorite thing I lugged with us when we moved here.

For dessert twice in the last few weeks (once to take to friends, and once for us at home) I made apple galettes.  These are one pie crust gathered up around apples with cinnamon, nutmeg & sugar.  Rolling out pie crust is kind of challenging when the kitchen is warm, but I worked fast and served it with an apology ready.  (but not needed!)

I love to make pizza.  The one at the top is red pepper, onion, garlic, and fresh mozarella.  They are thin crust with not much cheese, so probably not that bad for you, right?  The next day I made another with the remaining dough, of mozarella, fresh basil, and red peppers again, but no red sauce.

I made a wonderful salad that I ate for two days…small dice of red pepper, jalapeño, onion, cucumber, jicama, celery, carrot, combined with black beans.  Herbs, lime, salt, pepper.  It was delicious and refreshing.

Do you have a favorite hot weather meal?  I’d love to hear about it.