Well the zoo was amazing and the vacation has been a ton of fun so far. It feels like we have been going non stop day and night and by the time I get to bed I am exhausted. I am not complaining as the kids are having a ball!

We are slated to head over to Halifax, NS today and tonight and stay in a Jungle Theme Room that I booked last night ( the kids don’t know yet).  I think they will be super excited as it is a SUITE with bunk beds.  Before we get moving along, I wanted to share a fun summer salad with you.

Do you like watermelon? How about fresh basil and mint?  The colors and fresh flavor really make people happy.  This salad is really fresh and will definitely make you and your guests happy.  The combination of juicy watermelon and crisp cucumbers along with the nice sharp flavor of feta – this is a HIT.  The citrus dressing just screams summer so eat up and enjoy!

Super Summer Watermelon Salad

Ingredients

• 2 Cups seeded and diced ripe watermelon
• 2 Cups seeded and diced cucumber
• Quartered green and red tomatoes
• Fresh Basil and mint
• Citrus dressing (see below)
• 1/4 Cup crumbled feta cheese

Citrus Dressing

• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp.fresh lime juice
• 2 Tsp honey
• 1/3 Cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• Pinch of cayenne
• Salt (to taste)

Method

1. It couldn’t be easier. Toss all the ingredients in a big bowl.
2. For the dressing, place all the ingredients in a jar with a lid.
3. Screw on the lid, and shake until well-blended.
4. Divide among four plates
5. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: For this one, I wait until just before serving before dressing it.  You do not want the fresh basil and mint to become limp and wilted.  You can make the dressing up ahead of time in the jar just be sure to give it a good shake before pouring over the salad.

OK, so we got home around 8:30 last night and I looked out onto the deck and saw some of this action…. isn’t this gorgeous?

Around 8:25pm

Around 8:35pm

Around 8:45pm

Have a super Wednesday – we are off in the car for a fun filled couple of days yet again.  Talk to you Friday morning before we hit the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade.

Take care

zesty

What screams summer?  Fresh tomatoes, the smell of basil and a little bit of fresh crunchy bread!  Well heck, maybe not the crunchy bread but let’s pretend it does.  Anyone like Bruschetta?  I happen to over indulge when I see it in front of me, on a restaurant menu or pretty much anywhere I can get my hands on it.  As you may have figured out, the combination of basil and tomatoes has me slightly addicted and cannot get enough.

This recipe although super simple is very tasty and seems to always please the crowd.  Now you can spend a little bit more effort on this recipe and parboil the tomatoes and take the skin off as well as seed them but for today I decided not too for time’s sake.

Ingredients

• 6 ripe plum tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped.
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tsp. balsamic vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Method

1. Prepare the tomatoes first. Slice, seed and chop the tomatoes in a large bowl.  Add in the garlic, vinegar, basil and oil and set aside.
2. Make sure there is a top rack in place in your oven. Turn on the oven to 450°F to preheat.
3. While the oven is heating, chop up the tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Slice the baguette on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices. Coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place on a cooking sheet, olive oil side down. Toast them in the top rack of your oven for 5-6 minutes, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown.
5. Place the bread olive oil side up and start scooping the tomato mixture on top.  Do this step right before serving or the bread may get soggy.
6. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Alternatively, you can toast the bread without coating it in olive oil first. You can just toast it for one minute or so and then rub some garlic in the slices and drizzle half a teaspoon of olive oil on each slice.

So as some of you know, my birthday is tomorrow and as I was writing this post my 2 year old daughter comes down the stairs with a big smile on her face and says “Guess what Dad”.  I respond with “what dear”.  She says, “Well dad, I bought you a present…… for the kitchen!  all the while Mrs. Zesty tries to get her to stop and remind her that it is a surprise – I burst out laughing and just had to share it with you.

Alright, enjoy the bruschetta, have a great weekend and I will of course will be back with you on Monday.

Take care

zesty