13 Weeks of columns July 2nd through Sept. 25th

*July 2nd - Introduction (if you are new to running The Vast Repast) - The importance of food history and tradition in all of our lives introduces The Vast Repast.
Recipe One - Great Nana's Yorkshire Pudding
Recipe Two – Roast Beef
Recipe Three – Roasted Brussel Sprouts

*July 2nd – Colonial Food – Firecrackers and backyard parties are a staple of July 4th, but what did people eat in colonial America?
Recipe One – Colonial Spiced Beef
Recipe Two – 200-Year-Old Gingerbread
Recipe Three –Amelia Simmon’s Carrot Pudding

*July 9th – La Varenne – Vive le 14 Juliet! On July 14th, 1789 the Bastille was stormed and the French Revolution began. You can celebrate the downfall of the French monarchy by making your family an historical French dinner.
Recipe One – Chicken in Orange Caper Sauce
Recipe Two – Apricot Almond Tart
Recipe Three – Turnips in Mustard Sauce

*July 16th – Dragon Boat Festival – In Asian communities around the world summer is the time for the Dragon Boat festival. Commemorate the life and death of Qu Yuan, who lived over 2000 years ago, by indulging in great Asian cuisine.
Recipe One – Fried Crab Won Tons
Recipe Two – Sweet and Sour Sauce
Recipe Three – Garlic Garlic Spare Ribs

July 23rd – Family Memories – Through food we pay tribute to the people who have influenced our lives. The memories of what they cooked bring them back into our kitchens and our hearts.
Recipe One – Chili Verde

July 30th – Strawberries - A taste of summer in each bite. During the Middle Ages strawberries were thought to have been a cure all! Have a few today for whatever ails you.
Recipe One – Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
Recipe Two – Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Recipe Three – Sweet and Sour Strawberries

Aug. 6th – Ice Cream - Have the long, hot dog days of summer finally hit? Is the heat making you and your family a bunch of lazy lumps? I have just the cure, homemade ices and ice creams. The cool creamy texture is just the thing to get you going.
Recipe One – Fresh Fruit Sherbet
Recipe Two – Historic Apricot Ice Cream
Recipe Three – Mango Ice

Aug. 13th – Mint Madness - Never did a weed smell as good as mint. How can you resist it? Brush up against it in the garden and you must stop for a second sniff. No wonder it has been cultivated since ancient times, t is intoxicating.
Recipe One – Sikanjabon, A Persian Mint Drink
Recipe Two – Mint and Cucumber Raita
Recipe Three – Grilled Shrimp with Mint Salsa Verde

Aug. 20th – BBQ – Succulent ribs, thick steaks and juicy chicken all are the normal BBQ fare, but try some lighter alternatives along with the usual.
Recipe One – Grilled Eggplant Salad
Recipe Two – Grilled Rosemary Halibut

Aug. 27th – Pickles – During this time of year the bounty of the garden is truly vast. What to do with all the overflowing produce before it turns to compost? Pickles are the perfect solution.
Recipe One – Nana’s Scottish Mustard Pickles
Recipe Two – Jim Johnson’s Crisp Chunk Sweet Pickles
Recipe Three – Jim Johnson’s Pickled Beets

Sept. 3rd – Zucchini – Way back in the spring you didn’t think that one little plant would be enough zucchini. I bet you are regretting that now. During this time of year it can be unwise to leave your car window rolled down. You just might end up with a few more zucchinis as passengers!
Recipe One – Pineapple Zucchini Bread
Recipe Two – Stuffed Zucchini
Recipe Three – Zucchini Salad

Sept. 10th – Basil – The end to a long hot summer is finally here and now it is time to think about harvesting your basil crop.
Recipe One – Traditional Basil Pesto
Recipe Two – Tomato, Cucumber and Basil Salad

Sept. 17th – Pears – Cultivated for more than 3,000 years this fruit is a favorite around the world and around the corner.
Recipe One – Pear and Procuttio Appetizer
Recipe Two – Puff Pastry Pears
Recipe Three – Chicken and Pear Stew

*Sept. 24th – Rosh Hashanah – Leshana Tova Tikosevu – May you have a good year! To bring in a sweet New Year it is traditional to serve sweet foods at this celebration of the Jewish New Year.
Recipe One – Taiglach
Recipe Two – Pecan and Dried Cherry Rugelach

Click here for a list of 2nd Quarter 2003 columns.

* Please note the columns that are marked with an asterisk are date specific and need to be run on or very near a specific date.

With a small amount of editing columns that do not have an asterisk are appropriate for almost any time of the year.