Summer Salads: Heather Ezell

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you'll know Heather Ezell from Hang Zen yoga on Lake Tenkiller or this post about SUP yoga, this post from Oklahoma Women Bloggers and this post about Inklings 2013 summer retreat. 

She's cool.  She's fun.  She's adventuresome.

I was thrilled when Heather finally decided to start a blog because she has a variety of interests.  I'm hoping to live vicariously through her travels.  Heather's also a bit of a foodie and loves wine. These traits I can aspire to, but...she also flips houses.  (Will I learn some DIY pointers for my home so I can dazzle the hubby with some yet-to-be-learned mad skills?) I'm looking forward to reading more of Heather Ezell's Never Zending Story.

I'm happy you joined us today for the last guest post of the Summer Salad series. Check out what Heather brought to the virtual potluck.

 For me, Salads are a staple. Whether I'm cooking something only for
myself, the two of us, or for a crowd, I almost always have a salad of
some sort. As well, it is not unheard of for me to do more than one.
They're light, delicious and versatile. I DO love a salad. I have many
that are included in my rotation but this one may be my favorite. (It
is often requested when people come to visit.) It's simple and
elegant. Also during this time of year, the ingredients are fresh and
in abundance. Most of the time, I use what I have grown in either mine
or my neighbors' garden.

Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad

AKA Fancy Name: Caprese Salad

Ingredients list: (Tip--the fresher, the better)

Tomatoes--your favorite variety, or whatever you have on hand from the
garden, the farmer's market, etc.

~ Do not refrigerate tomatoes. It will zap the flavor.

Basil--a bunch or a handful

Mozzarella--Fresh is vital for this recipe. I generally use buffalo
mozzarella packed in water.

Olive oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Greens--again whatever is fresh and available. Sometimes I use spinach
or microgreens or whatever I find at the farmer's market.

Directions:

Pour a glass of wine. (Or sparkling/mineral water) Slice tomatoes and
mozzarella according to your preference. Sip beverage.

Take basil and stack it from largest to smallest leaf. Roll it up in a
tight package. Run knife through, cutting small ribbons into the herb.
It is best to only do this once and no more than twice to avoid
obliterating the basil and turning it into mush. Voila'! This is known
as a chiffonade. (Fancy French cooking term)

Take another sip.

Place greens in individual bowls or a serving dish. Layer tomatoes and
cheese alternating each. I prefer even amounts but it's up to you if
you would rather have more tomatoes vs. mozzarella or vice versa.
Sprinkle basil ribbons over everything.

Sip.

Now lightly dress with a good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Sip.

Now, bon appetit!

Magical Meal Combination
When choosing a wine to pair with this salad think, light. A Reisling
or a Pinot Noir would both be appropriate. You want to take a walk on
the wild side? Give a Spanish Rioja-Crianza a whirl.

Inklings Retreat 2013

I love my writing group and our annual writing retreat at Lake Tenkiller.  This summer was our tenth-ish year to hang out at the lake, eat lots of food, critique works in progress, and laugh. A lot.

photo courtesy of Lisa Marotta

This year Dee Dee Chumley introduced a word tournament.  It's kind of like March Madness, but with a bunch of logophiles instead of athletes  We (okay, mostly I) slung a lot of words around trying to intimidate other players and help Dee Dee with tough-talk dialogue for her next novel. Of course, one can only sound so intimidating when throwing around language like "confabulation" and "diaphanous." But it paid off.  I won with the word "petulant."  (Ironic since I was talking trash, don't you think?) We might have trouble if you tell me you would have voted for Lisa Marotta's word that also made the finals:"serendipity.'

Sometimes we make it to the water to float around and commune with the dragonflies.  This year, a few of us ventured forth and practiced water yoga with Heather Ezell of Hang Zen.  It was awesome. Then we went back to the deck and enjoyed some of my daddy's special sangria--that Kelly helped doctor with OJ--while talking about all things bloggy. I'm already looking forward to our fall retreat!

Pictured below are Martha Bryant, Dee Dee Chumley, Kelly Bristow, Heather Ezell of Hang Zen, Lisa Marotta, and Brandi Barnett.

photo courtesy of Kevin Ezell of Hang Zen yoga

  
 Read more about my ideas about yoga over on Oklahoma Women Bloggers.