I can still smell the basil

I want to make a correction about the meat sauce from my last post. It turns out that it's my bubby's recipe and she told me that she heard it's on my blog- how cute is it that my grandmother knows what a blog is ? SO HIP.

Last night, I found beautiful avocados, tomatoes and yummy basil. The result was a rainbow medley of summer tastes ! I made a salad full of fresh produce and basil. I am avocado obsessive, I love it, especially in guacamole and in tuna tartare. If a salad has no avocados, to me, it ain't no salad!

Sherri's Rainbow Medley

2 tomatoes
1 avocado
1/3 red onion
8-10 basil leaves, chiffonade (that's a fancy term for sliced small, but I always wanted to use it)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Cracked Fresh Pepper
Juice from 1.5 lemons

My sister, Cara, who you can check out at carabraude.com, made me the most amazing international shower that you can read about it in "bridal shower bliss". As part of the shower, she made me an international cookbook. The recipe that she submitted was very suitable for her, "the only marinade you'll ever need" from Greece. As anyone who has met my sister knows, she is very confident in her abilities, marinades included !! Last night, I made her marinade and grilled chicken paillards. It was, according to Lee, "out of sight" ! GO CARA !

"The Only Marinade You'll Ever Need"- a Cara Braude recipe

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
a few hot pepper flakes-less than an 1/8 tsp
1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp coarse salt (kosher or sea), I used kosher
4 strips of lemon zest (the microplane comes in handy)
3 cloves garlic (so does a garlic press)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill, oregano or a mix of all four (I just used basil)
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I used less)

Combine lemon juice, hot pepper flakes, cracker pepper and salt in a glass or stainless bowl and whisk until salt crystal disappear. Add the lemon zest, garlic, parsley and basil. Whisk in olive oil. The virtue of this marinade is the freshness, use withing 1-2 hours of making. Stir again before using. Makes 1 cup (4 chicken breasts).

Leisa, from Lee's work, made my Asian Grilled Salmon, on Tuesday night, and called in sick to work on Wednesday. Leisa: Did my salmon make you sick ? :) (that is Lee's joke, not mine, and I don't find it FUNNY !!)

I will be on the North Fork of Long Island this weekend indulging in wine, seafood and beach with my parents. Report back on Monday!