As the delightful Victoria Abbott/Mary Jane Maffini mentioned last Sat. in her post, our annual writer's retreat is also a bit of a foodie feast time. We pair up and take turns preparing the main meal.
Keeping with the seafood (I should say sensational!) theme set by MJ with that sensational sambuca shrimp appetizer, I decided to do a very simple grilled trout along with one of my favorite veggies, okra which I stir fried, also a simple recipe for a very hot summer's day.
We'll start with the okra.
I did use a touch of Celtic sea salt, freshly ground pepper and, although it's not shown, some Bragg Herbs and Spices Seasoning mix to taste. And of course, olive oil for the actual stir frying.
For the trout, I brushed the pieces with olive oil and sprinkled Herbes de Provence seasoning over top. For the final touch, some sprigs of fresh dill.
The grilling took about 12 minutes and only doing one side. The stir fry was half the time which made it easy to have both ready at the same time.
Remember, this was meant to be an easy meal so the final dish was a container of store bought potato salad.
Friends always make any mealtime and good time!
I'm still so pumped about my new series, that I'm doing another random draw for a copy of Toasting Up Trouble! Just leave a comment about your annual summer friends or family fling!
Writing as Erika Chase -- the Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery series are available on-line or at your favorite bookstore.
Love to hear from you at my Facebook author page and
on Twitter @LWiken
Also appearing at www.killercharacters.com
Visit Erika at www.erikachase.com
at my Facebook author page
and on Twitter @erika_chase.
My annual summer fling/party with friends and family is always at my home, with a big cookout and lots of fun. I always bake my signature batch of Blondies for the cookout occasion as well. EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, Liz! And tasty.
DeleteWe haven't had one of those in ages. The kids are all married and spread between 3 counties. By summertime one is at their upstate home and another is down in Florida using his MIL's house while she travels. The other's are all working and not even thinking about a party. I'm going to end up the Downer Debbie of this little giveaway. Siiiiiigh
ReplyDeleteNoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for leaving a comment, Nora. I hope your family get together happens at some point each year.
DeleteIt's not annual, but this year we finally brought our granddaughter and the 4 little ones, 1-1/2 - 8, out for a few weeks and grandson with his little one will be here in a few days. So far it's been chicken nuggets and mac & cheese but we might sneak something a little more interesting in there soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe and the giveaway.
sallycootie@gmail.com
Sounds like a wonderful visit, Sally! It's always all about the kids.
DeleteWe went to my cousin's house in PA for a BBQ. We alternate houses each year. Next year they will come to our house.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
That's a fun way to handle it! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWe no longer have enough family for an annual family reunion but my husband and I are looking forward to visiting our daughter and son in law and brand new granddaughter in Sept. they live in Washington. dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteWow -- that'll be great fun. Congratulations, Dianne!
DeleteWe just got back from 2 weeks in Downeast Maine. Temperatures varied from highs in the 60s to highs in the mid80s!
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
Lovely place for a holiday! Sounds like very comfortable temperatures, also.
DeleteWe get together each summer at a different locale. This makes the occasion wonderful and memorable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThat's got my vote! Love seeing new places.
DeleteOur family reunions are always special. When it has been a lengthy wait it is meaningful and at the beach is the best place. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteFamily and beach -- great combination!
DeleteI'm currently planning a reunion bonfire/barbecue. It's so hot right now, hopefully it will cool over before the event! Thank you for sharing your pictures and your recipe. :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole
nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com
Love the idea of a bonfire, Nicole. Enjoy!
DeleteThanks, Linda! Hopefully we won't melt - lol! :-)
DeleteSummer used to be cookouts on Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day. With age, diverse schedules, living in different states & weather, we now vacation together on birthday's in May & October & meet for a meal between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Thanks for the chance to win this new series start. doward1952@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Doward! Celebrating group birthdays is always fun.
DeleteA fun family cookout with great yummy food. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Donamae! Yummy food, always a necessity.
DeleteIt's just my husband and I, and our son and his wife. So, we have no big plans, just dinners periodically. choirlady27@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteVery special people to get together with, Patricia! You're so lucky they live close enough to do so.
DeleteSummer has always been a relaxing necessity during my teaching years, so "flings" usually were lunch in the City, shopping sprees, off on an adventure with my nieces. Now into Year 3 of my retirement, my husband and I have "flings" all year round...off to the Islands, the coast, or just a neighborhood park for a picnic.
ReplyDeletekat8762@aol.com
Sounds like you're in a good place, Kathleen!
DeleteI try to get my family together about once a month to have a cookout. I love spending time with my family. We always have my parents, my grandmother and my 7 year old niece over. utaker555@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThat's so great to be able to do that, Brittany!
DeleteMy family members all live nearby. We see a lot of each other all the time. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
Thanks for commenting, Carol!
DeleteSummer flings for my family have usually happened in September. About 1/4 of my family members (aunts, uncles, cousins) have September birthdays!!
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to combine multiple celebrations, Linda!
DeleteWe try to get all six of our children together in the summer at our cabin. This year it will only be five of them. And it will be this next week. I am so looking forward to seeing them and the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com
Sounds perfect, Elaine!
DeleteI love all your cozy mysteries with the receipes. I read the books and give my husband the awesome receipes as he is the cook. Thank you for this chance. Love your blogs and books!!!😃🌷
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. Love that your husband gets the recipes!
DeleteOur family loves to golf---but we aren't wealthy---so once a year we celebrate by going to one of the premium golf courses that abound in our area.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh, great treat for the whole family, Sue! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWe rent a house on a lake in Northern California and invite all the kids. Love it when we all get together. Thanks for a chance to win your giveaway.
ReplyDeletebabemomara@att.net
Sounds like a fabulous idea, Babe. I make try the same sometime.
DeleteOur annual family summer fling is TugFest held in August. On Saturday there's a tug across the Mississipp River. But of Friday there's a carnival, parade and fireworks. We're lucky that the a parade goes right by our house, we can see the fireworks from our yard and the carnival is just a few blocks away so we have an open house for friends and family. We provide the meat, my "famous" jalapeno popper dip & taco dip then everyone else brings a dish & beverages to share. We've been hosting for 20+ years. We have a rule - once you've been invited you are always welcome and feel free to bring as many as you want just being a little more food and drink.
ReplyDeleteawesome. iemercedez@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWe try to get together over the 4th of July. I always try to get my grands for a few days - without the parents. That's always a fun time. jawdance@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete