summer | Kitchen Treaty

Brown Butter Zucchini Bread

Posted on Friday, September 14, 2012 in Veggie Dishes Everyone Loves

I’ve decided zucchini bread might have been the original Deceptively Delicious type of recipe. You know, those Trojan Horse dishes that are meant to sneak more vegetables into unsuspecting kids’ (or veggie-averse adults’) diets? Pureed sweet potatoes in the form of “hot chocolate” (I’m looking at a good friend here who tried to get that one past me – ew); butternut squash surreptitiously stirred into macaroni and cheese?

I mean, let’s face it – zucchini bread isn’t really about the zucchini, is it? Sure, it adds cute little green specks, a good amount of moisture, and a nice feeling that you’re eating something made with a vegetable, so it can’t be too fattening. But really, it’s not like you tuck into a slice and rave about that powerful punch of pure zucchini flavor. At least, I don’t … but I’m definitely open to the idea that that might just be me.

Roasted Beet, Red Onion, & Goat Cheese Salad with Honey-Oregano Vinaigrette

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 in Veggie Dishes Everyone Loves

I never was a fan of beets. Scratch that … I hated them. Actually, loathed. Tasted like dirt, I always said.

But then I discovered roasted beets. Something about roasting them does away with that dirt taste. Instead it brings out that sweet, slightly mineral, and altogether unique flavor that all you beet lovers out there were talking about. I get it now … well, a little. I don’t think I’m going to jump right into borscht or boiled beets quite yet, but who knows. Maybe roasted beets are a gateway.

Meanwhile, this salad. Oh my. This salad. Well first, of course, it’s gorgeous. You’ve got those deep, dark, ruby roasted beets soaked in honey-dijon oregano vinaigrette, scattered over a medley of crisp spring greens. Top that with a coin of creamy, tangy goat cheese, sprinkle with icy red onions, and suddenly you’ve achieved salad nirvana.

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2012 in Beverages

It’s July 5, and Seattleites like myself know what that means: summer is finally here! Sure enough, the sun showed its ever-so-scarce face yesterday and, according to the forecast, might just stick around for awhile. Woo hoo!

So I thought I’d bid adieu to “June-uary” and usher in the official Seattle summer with a glass of the ideal easy summer sipper: strawberry lemonade.

Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2012 in Beverages

Sometimes you just need a little refreshment. One glass worth, to be exact. Something special, something easy, thirst-quenching, and cold. Some lemonade, for instance.

I love lemonade (but then who hates lemonade?). And I love that it’s a cinch to make, especially by the glass. This recipe could not be simpler – dissolve some sugar, squeeze a couple of lemons and add the juice, stir in water, and then plop in some ice cubes.

Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Beverages

Thursdays around here are now Thirsty Thursdays, where I’ll share recipes for cocktails, mocktails, and just plain old nectar of the gods like this Cold-Brewed Iced Coffee. (See also: Meatless Mondays and Tuesday Tips. It’s gettin’ all crazy and stuff here on the Kitchen Treaty blog.)

I started making my iced coffee this way a couple of years ago, thanks to this New York Times recipe that convinced me to do so. You add coffee grounds to cold water and let it sit at room temperature for several hours. Then you strain it through a coffee filter, and the result is a deep, rich, dark, and caffeine-packed glass of iced coffee. It’s a concentrate, so you’ll want to dilute it with water unless you’re in need of a serious buzz. And trust me – this stuff can pack a serious wallop.