Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

Their shamelessness is their super power.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Trump should be leading, not lying.

Oh FFS you might as well trust a 6-year-old with a flamethrower.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

The world has changed, and neither one recognizes it.

I like political parties that aren’t owned by foreign adversaries.

When we show up, we win.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

DeSantis transforming Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

“Alexa, change the president.”

Our messy unity will be our strength.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Summer Menus: July Week One

Summer Menus: July Week One

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JeffreyW makes dill potato salad

I didn’t forget as July began that we needed the first of the month’s menus. But last week my house (and thus my office) was chaotic. I had many, many worker bees doing major energy upgrades, including installing a high efficiency furnace and conditioning the crawl space. The net result so far is my house has been about 10 degrees cooler on the hottest day.

Needless to say, I did not get a lot of work done, so Friday and Saturday were spent catching up. Today I was able to get to the menus.

Tuesday being 4th of July, the recipes are picnic ready and can easily be doubled for a big group. Including a traditional Potato Salad.

Click here for all the menus and recipes: July Week One Menu

JeffreyW’s tasty looking marinated pork chops

I’m counting on a heatwave so the rest of the week is grilling and cold salads. Monday features Marinated Pork Chops and Grilled Pineapple.

Complete shopping lists are here: July Week One Shopping List. Remember they are color coordinated, so it’s easy to eliminate any items if you are skipping a recipe.

The week finishes out with Fajita Steak Salad and Grilled Asparagus.  If you grill the steak the night before (to serve cold), you can broil the asparagus instead of grilling it.

Photo from JeffreyW, of course ;-)

That’s it for this week’s menus.  If you’re looking for some more July 4th recipes, like this pie:

They can be found by clicking here: July 4th on What’s 4 Dinner Solutions.

What’s on your menu for this week? Anyone else in denial that July has arrived?  Consider this an early Sunday evening open thread.


Reader Interactions

68Comments

  1. 1.

    SiubhanDuinne

    In that second photo, the pork chops and cole slaw look wonderful, of course, but that CORN ON THE COB!! Oh yowza, I am drooling!

  2. 2.

    Major Major Major Major

    Mmm, yum. Going to a BBQ on Tuesday (natch), maybe I’ll do the potato salad.

    ETA: although it goes without saying that this post is a distraction from Trump’s war on the writers’ thread.

  3. 3.

    JPL

    @SiubhanDuinne: You will have to drive over a few times if you like pork chops. greenwoodsongreenstreet.com/menu.html is excellent. It ‘s farm to table southern fare. I find it a little heavy this time of year but they have a wonderful funky garden and great deck to sit on and talk. I swear the trout tastes as though it was caught the same day.

  4. 4.

    Dr. Ronnie James, D.O.

    Nothing beats beer can chicken in my book. Drink most of 1 can of beer, spray with Pam, insert into bird where sun don’t shine and stand up “tripod” style over aluminum pan, grill with lid closed for one hour, enjoy. Spice rub optional. Happy 4th y’all!

  5. 5.

    JPL

    @Dr. Ronnie James, D.O.: Yup! I saw a video of Michael Simon using the Weber grill as a smoker, and son and I tried smoked chicken. I thought it was okay, but son didn’t like the flavor. Beer can chicken always comes out tasty. Simon’s smoking technique definitely worked though.

  6. 6.

    bystander

    Got garlic scapes yesterday at the market. Soup tonight!

    I just wanted to remind everyone that Kathy Griffin is a horrible person and her violent imagery should be condemned roundly and daily.

  8. 8.

    randy khan

    I’ve only done grilled corn in the husk. Since it’s not in the menus, any tips from anyone on doing it directly on the grill, as in the photo above?

  9. 9.

    Ruckus

    Never liked asparagus until I had it grilled. Not bad at all. OTOH I also tried grilled brussel sprouts and while not as disgusting as mom used to make, still a no on that one. And give me a break, I actually tried one and DIDN’T die. So I was wrong decades ago.

  10. 10.

    JPL

    @SiubhanDuinne: Funny story, I always have folks over for Xmas eve, and the year my brother died I needed help with preparation. I ordered several sides from them to serve and everyone raved about the food. Younger son said good luck with next year. lol They have wonderful, fresh foods and the pies are awesome. I daresay they are better than Jeffrey’s.
    Depending on the weather Thursday, we could always meet there. Bring a cooler though because you will be bringing leftovers home.

    This is a neat place to see raifordgallery.com/

  11. 11.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @JPL:

    I daresay they are better than Jeffrey’s.

    AAAACK! Heresy!! (But yeah, every single thing on the menu looks beyond wonderful.)

  13. 13.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @JPL:

    Depending on the weather Thursday, we could always meet there. Bring a cooler though because you will be bringing leftovers home.

    No, let’s leave things where they are right now and meet at Le Bistro this week, and perhaps do Greenwood’s in the fall when it’s a bit cooler (and maybe Mungobat/Karen can join us by then).

  14. 14.

    JPL

    @SiubhanDuinne: Let’s do that instead., but make sure you have one of those cooler bags or a cooler, because there will be leftovers. If you like collards and summer squash, you are really in for a treat. My ex inlaws come to visit just to go there, although that’s not what they say.

    whoops.. just saw your comment.. Karen would enjoy it, and could take several pictures.

  15. 15.

    Jeffro

    Anyone else in denial that July has arrived?

    Yeah, kind of! It’s a ridiculously busy month coming up here at the Fro household…we are here, there, and everywhere with the kids’ camps, adults’ work conferences, and time off with friends. A good kind of busy, though!

    Cooking: I’m making a Greek vinaigrette potato salad, an Asian pasta salad, and some fruit salad (plus tater tots and mac salad that I bought) in order to guss things up a bit for the Fourth. The family insisted on ‘regular’ hamburgers and hot dogs, so the sides have to add a little pep to the proceedings.

  16. 16.

    bystander

    @randy khan: America’s Test Kitchen had a recipe I’d like to try but only for 4 or more. Grilled in husk first, then shucked, rolled in herb butter, grilled directly again just to get the smoke.

  18. 18.

    JPL

    @bystander: Last year my niece’s husband helped me grill the corn. When it was finished cooking and ready to eat, he burned off the husk. I don’t know if I could repeat it, but it was delicious.

  20. 20.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Entirely O/T: I’m engaged in a FB discussion about Mike Huckabee and his awful spawn, including Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the dog-killer David Huckabee. In the course of checking a couple of facts, I came across this:

    When the City of Jonesboro warned him [David Huckabee] to register those two companies, he initially refused, on the grounds that these entities were “partnerships” which did not need to register.[9] He eventually paid the $62.50 fee with 6,250 pennies.

    There’s obviously nothing technically illegal about this, but it just goes to show how completely dickish he is. Like father like son; like sister like brother, I guess.

  21. 21.

    Mike in NC

    One of the restaurants we ate at in Tampa last week served gazpacho, which was pretty tasty. Am going to look up some recipes and will serve some to guests on July 4th. Not a bad choice when the heat index is 105.

  22. 22.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @JPL:

    Let’s sort it out offline and not cause all our fellow BJ commenters to drool and get all envious and jealous. I’m happy with wherever you suggest.

  23. 23.

    Schlemazel

    Love grilled asparagus and grilled pineapple is a revelation!

    Hot weather, and a surfeit of pie cherries means it is time for cold cherry soup. WIth a salad a light, lovely meal on a hot summer night.

  24. 24.

    Mike in NC

    @SiubhanDuinne: Sarah Huckabee Sanders appears to be one of those dimwits who’d be unemployable if it weren’t for Trump or another grifter like her FOX Noise daddy.

  27. 27.

    JPL

    @Steve in the ATL: Years ago when the Fickle Pickle opened, I asked the owner why he didn’t do pies.. His answer was I can’t compete with Greenwoods because they are the best.

  30. 30.

    rikyrah

    James Fallows‏Verified account @JamesFallows

    At #AspenIdeas @EnergySecMoniz: Paris climate decision reinforces uncertainty US is creating about institutions it has built since WW II
    …
    Moniz: There *will* be a trillion dollar clean energy market worldwide. US can decide to w/draw from it, and leave it to others.
    …
    3 Moniz: If admin goes through w climate policies, US will go from clear leader in clean-energy tech to far behind.
    …
    4 Moniz: “I don’t know what ‘energy dominance’ means if it didn’t apply to the position US had already attained.”
    …
    5 Moniz: ARPA-E already big success in fostering new companies. Rick Perry praised it — few days before Trump OMB budget cutting it out.
    …
    6. Moniz “I’m sure there will be some nicks [in renewable energy proj], but not this wholesale slaughter when Congress get a look at it”
    …
    7 Moniz: “Mayors, governors, universities, civil society orgs have risen up since Paris announcement, to make sure we’ll keep moving ahead.”
    …
    8 Moniz “And 1600 (or so) businesses have made clear that they will go ahead [on the Paris climate plan]”
    …
    9 Moniz: “Business people have long since concluded that we’re going to a low carbon economy. Big capital decis will be made on that basis”
    …
    10 Moniz: Number of workers/ton of coal 8x higher in Appalachia than Wyoming. That (and cheap nat gas) driving loss of WV/KY coal jobs.
    …
    11 Moniz: Electricity sector is most de-carbonizable of all, and it needs to get to about zero carbon (vs transport harder to do, mfr).
    …
    12 Moniz: Using my physicist’s back-of-envelope calculation, I find it hard to get beyond about 50% de-carboniz. We need more than that
    …
    13 Moniz: …. and that is where we get to the big-innovation agenda, the need for big breakthroughs,and the market that will come from that.”
    …
    14 Moniz: The Holy Grail would be capture of CO2 from atmosphere, combine with water and sunlight -> convert to fuel like gasoline.
    …
    15 Moniz, who negot Iran deal: If we were to withdraw from deal, worst of all worlds. No real chance to put ec sanctions back on. And …
    16 Moniz “… my guess is Iran would largely observe nuke restrictions, to keep cooperation with Euro / Japan, BUT would back out of …
    …
    17 Moniz “… the extraordinary verification measures that made deal possible. (Why should they stick to that part of deal if US w/drawing”
    …
    18 And this Moniz thread courtesy of the questions asked him at #AspenIdeas by energy expert (and my sister) Susan Tierney. /end/

  31. 31.

    Mezz

    Cole, TaMara, and JeffreyW – you are the best. Delicious looking as always. I can’t actually “invent” but I can follow directions for cooking like a MF**er. My wife also appreciates it very much!!

  32. 32.

    Iowa Old Lady

    @Ruckus: I don’t like Brussel sprouts either but my DIL made a Brussel sprout salad that is wonderful. It makes sense because the sprouts are in the same family as cabbage.

    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    1/4 cup olive oil
    4 cups thinly sliced Brussels sprouts (from 3/4 pound)
    1/2 cup walnut halves finely chopped
    1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts
    1 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
    2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh dill
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar and olive oil. Add the Brussels sprouts, walnuts, scallions, pecorino, and dill.
    Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. Serve.

  33. 33.

    Brachiator

    Those marinated pork chops look especially tasty.

    I had grilled corn on the cob a couple of weeks ago. Oh yeah, it goes very well with others barbecue treats.

  34. 34.

    Jeffro

    Looks like the Outlaw Jersey Whale is catching a lot of well-deserved flack for hitting the beach for his vacation when – for everyone else – that’s not an option, due to state budget cuts.

    Republicans: This is Who They Are, This is What They Do.

  37. 37.

    JPL

    @Jeffro: the comment section in nj.com is not kind. Pretty much he shut down the state parks to everyone except his family. Why not though, since his approval rating is seventeen percent. How much lower can it go.

  40. 40.

    JPL

    @Baud: According to him, he didn’t go to the beach. Pictures are not necessary proof. lol
    Merry Christmas and Happy Fruitcake!

  41. 41.

    efgoldman

    @Mike in NC:

    Sarah Huckabee Sanders appears to be one of those dimwits who’d be unemployable if it weren’t for Trump or another grifter

    She’s a holy roller bible-banger who violates the ninth commandment (You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor) every. single. fucking. day.

  42. 42.

    Patricia Kayden

    @JPL: And why not if it’s legal for him to do so? I doubt he’ll be re-elected so he might as well live it up while he can.

  43. 43.

    Patricia Kayden

    @Iowa Old Lady: That sounds so good. I usually just rub butter and seasoning on them before I bake them. Used to hate them as a child because they’re so bitter but they’ve kind of grown on me.

  47. 47.

    randy khan

    @JPL:

    And Christie was a jerk about it, too – he basically said he was going to the beach and he didn’t care if other people couldn’t. (I should note, though, that most of the Jersey Shore is still open, as the closure affects only state parks and not beaches that are connected with towns or cities, or the very nice beach that’s under federal jurisdiction.

  53. 53.

    cynthia ackerman

    My favorite grilled corn on the cob comes from various street carts in Queretaro state.

    Soak whole unhusked cobs for up to six hours, place on grill with slow indirect heat, take them off when the husk shows more than 50% char.

    Perfect as is, or with your prefered seasoning/butter-based yum factor.

    Best with wood coals, but works with briquets or gas too.

  55. 55.

    CZanne

    I’ve now made three versions of potato salad — egg, mustard and bacon ranch — with lightly steamed cauliflower instead of potatoes. I can testify that it’s a more than adequate substitute. Spouse liked all three, preferred the mustard version; I liked the bacon ranch and found the other two to be perfectly respectable potato salad if that’s your thing. I swapped 1 for 1, and did nothing else to the cauliflower.

    Chopping one head raw in the food processor with a bunch of parsley and some mint also makes a good tabbouleh base.

  57. 57.

    Aleta

    I went looking for the recipe for Jeffry’s creamy looking potatis with dill, because I love that kind. It’s probably in plain sight in the post. For weeks now I feel so dull and stupid; I think news overload of the immoral might have ruined my synapses. Seriously it’s an issue.

    So I used your site to search for two ingredients and it went great. And I also ran across your watermelon granita recipe which I made a few years ago and still remember how good it was. Thanks.

    (By JeffreyW) I have a new all time favorite potato salad of the month. Two pounds of red potatoes, a pound of bacon, one sweet onion, 6 hard boiled eggs, a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, 2 celery ribs chopped fine, mayo and sour cream, green onions, dill pickle relish, salt and pepper. It’s good fresh but refrigerate it overnight to let the dill and bacon soak into the potatoes.

    I don’t know where I saw it but this is a foolproof method of cooking hard boiled eggs: Put eggs and cold water to cover in a sauce pan, bring them to a rolling boil, cover and turn of the heat. Let them sit for 10 minutes then cool them in running water.

  59. 59.

    efgoldman

    @Timurid:

    Our coal mining President just lost a canary…

    He neither knows nor cares. He doesn’t know who she is or that the job existed. It will not be backfilled.

  61. 61.

    Josie

    @Ruckus: Lol. My husband used to say that, if God had wanted us to eat brussel sprouts, he wouldn’t have made them smell like that. The boys always knew that when Dad was out of town we were going to feast on the little charmers. I roast them with bacon and a bit of maple syrup.

  62. 62.

    Ruckus

    @Patricia Kayden:
    Hint. If sprouts are bitter you are over cooking them. Mom over cooked them till they were completely soft. Grilling them works much better. By the time you have over cooked them, they are on fire. At which time you know not to eat them.
    ETA I just save time and never, ever purchase them in the first place. Never have to worry about proper cooking that way.

  63. 63.

    Aleta

    @Ruckus: >If sprouts are bitter you are over cooking them.
    Never knew that. And maybe grilling or roasting also turns them sweeter?

    @Josie:
    @NotMax: Long ago you mentioned some roasted Brussel sprouts with maple syrup.

  64. 64.

    NotMax

    @Aleta

    Yup. Just did a quick check and cannot find the precise recipe I prefer (apologies), but there ought to be many similar ones online.

    IIRC it involved parboiling them, then slicing thinly lengthwise, arranging slices on baking pan and roasting with a maple syrup glaze. (Quite likely that by going solely from memory am leaving out some ingredients.)

  65. 65.

    Olivia

    I love Brussels Sprouts and I cook them a lot of different ways. Most of the time, I cut them in half, boil them for 2 or 3 minutes, drain them and then saute them for 5 minutes or so in olive oil and when they are nicely browned, I throw a tablespoon of soy sauce in with them and cook a minute or two longer.

  66. 66.

    Ruckus

    @Aleta:
    The one and only time I’ve had them that I could eat them they were marinated in wine – garlic – onion – salt/pepper for a bit, 10-12 minutes and then grilled. Not in any way bitter. Not my cup of tea so to speak but if you liked them…… Can’t remember for sure if cut in half but don’t think so. We had a grill sheet so that veg or fish which we grilled all the time didn’t fall through. It’s just a sheet of stainless steel that you set on a grill. Has small holes in it. Never seen one other than my friend’s who had one.

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