I just returned from Atlanta to find my family facing Hurricane Issac. As I write this new post, the Gulf Coast is battening down its hatches, and we have been busy protecting our homes in Walton County and Pensacola, by putting up hurricane shutters and bringing everything out in. With that, Virtual Potluck was invited to review a really interesting cookbook this week, and I wanted to make sure I was in on the action, as it is packed with great recipes, helpful tips, and one of my readers will have the opportunity to own the cookbook!
The book is called Sugar & Salt- A Year At Home And At Sea, and it is written by Annie Mahle who is the culinary force behind the fabulous meals prepared and relished by guests sailing on the Maine Windjammer the J.& E. Riggin, her family business. I could relate to her life divided in two distinct places as mine is as well, but I wouldn’t mind being in Maine right about now, enjoying some of her delicious fare!
Annie is one busy lady spending the winter celebrating meals with family and friends, and then at sea cooking for thirty on her floating, sailing restaurant. This wife, mother of two, gardener, and professional chef, offers 3, 4, or 6-day eco-friendly sailing vacations, with her husband Captain Jon, which depart from Rockland.
Annie’s love of cooking and unique sense of style is expressed in the healthy, classic, country-style food she creates, and as you read Sugar & Salt you will know that she cares not only about the food itself, but where and how the food and ingredients come to her. The book is organized by month, is packed with tasty recipes, and also offers useful advise, home crafts, tips, and facts about her adventurous life sailing.
While in Pensacola this week, I literally took a page from Sugar & Salt and visited my local Palafox Farmers Market, and Apple Market Grocery Store. Like myself, Annie gravitates to meals comprised of fresh, local ingredients from her garden, local farmers and food artisans. With the hot and humid weather we are experiencing, I was in the mood for a cool and refreshing meal, so I chose her recipe for Cucumber and Roasted Corn Salsa on Grilled Bread with Goat Cheese, only I used Feta as it was fresh at the market, and packed in olive oil with herbs. I adapted the recipe by adding fresh chopped cilantro, but other than that it was simple and satisfying, My husband loved it, and the salsa was even better the following day.
Recipe:
Cucumber and Roasted Corn Salsa on Grilled Bread with Feta Cheese
The salsa is excellent with either blanched or grilled corn. If you are using the grill, place 3 ears of unhusked corn over medium-high heat and grill for 8-10 minutes, turning to cook on all sides.
The salsa is great as an appetizer, on the grilled bread for lunch as we had it, on a bed of lettuce, or on top of a fresh grilled piece of local fish. I also added about 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels; 2-3 ears of corn
- 2 cups seeded and finely diced cucumber; about 1 medium (I used a local seedless variety)
- 1/4 cup minced red onion
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced fresh tomatoes; about 1 medium
- 3 tablespoons lime juice; about 1 lime.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- several grinds of fresh black pepper
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add the corn to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes. Drain corn immediately. Remove the kernels from the cobs. Discard the cobs. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
Grilled Bread:
Ingredients:
This bread is wonderful with or without goat cheese, and as a side for soup and grilled meals.
- 1 baguette or other rustic bread
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese (I used local feta)
- kosher salt, or sea salt
- several grinds of black pepper
- Slice the baguette on the diagonal into 3/4 to 1-inch slices. Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of the bread with olive oil, and sprinkle each side with salt and pepper. Place onto medium-high grill, about 1 minute per side. Sprinkle goat cheese (or feta) on one side, cover the grill, and cook for another minute. Top with Cucumber and Roasted Corn Salsa.
To Enter The Giveaway!
- Leave a comment below, and tell me the name of your favorite farmers market! Mine are Palafox Market and Seaside Farmer’s Market!
- Tweet me @fromagechick and tell me your favorite thing to purchase at a farmers market!
- Comment on 30AEATS Facebook page where you see the same feature photo as above!
- Pin this post and follow me on Pinterest!
With 75 recipes and 136 pages, you will want to peek inside Sugar & Salt! Visit Diabetic Foodie who is hosting our get-together, where you can also enter to win a copy of the book !
The contest begins Monday, August 27, and will end Saturday, September 1 at midnight Central time. Drawing will be by random.org. Participants must have a U.S. mailing address. The winner has 48 hours to respond before a new one is selected, and the cookbook will be mailed by the publisher.
Praying for our friends, family, and neighbors along the Gulf Coast. Stay Safe!
