I cannot believe how hot it has been this week (I know, I know, I am not the only one). It has been a struggle for me to cook and even more of a struggle for me to photograph what I have cooked, in the sweltering heat outside (but there is oh such wonderful lighting)! My camera lens immediately fogs up when I take it from the house to the backyard. Not to mention the fact that I feel sweat forming on my forehead within 30 seconds of being out there... And I can't breathe... The air is so thick and humid... And Lilly barks because she wants me to open the door so she can join me (and sniff the food I am taking pictures of). Then she barks less than a minute later to go back inside. Because it is too hot. This scenario has been repeated several times. True story.
So, if you are wondering why I haven't posted as often as usual this week, read the above paragraph, again. I did take a few quick pictures of today's dinner, which was super yummy! It is a good filling salad for the summer. You will have to use your stovetop for a little bit, but at least not your oven.
Barley Taco Salad
(Print Recipe)
Ingredients
1 cup barley (optional: soak overnight)
1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1 green pepper, chopped
2 ears corn, cooked and kernels removed
1 avocado, cubed (drizzled with lemon juice)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Juice from one lime
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 cup fresh salsa
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes
Romaine Lettuce, chopped
Directions
Cook the barley with 2 and 1/2 cups water until all water is absorbed (about 30 minutes). Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. Stir well, add salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for extra spiciness. Serve over a bed of chopped romaine.
So delicious on a 100 degree summer day! I love all the colors in there too.
I hope everyone else is finding a way to stay cool! I am grateful we have air conditioning- I know my family, friends, and fellow bloggers who are in the New England area might not have that luxury since it is needed so scarcely. Oh, but you do have rivers nearby to cool off in! I wish we had something like that close to Charlotte.
Happy salad making.
Looks yummy!! I need to post a blog as well...and I've been slack on it as well!! Can you believe people still want to sit outside and eat in this? The patio has still been packed the past 2 nights at Brazwell's!
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Why would anyone want to sit outside willingly in this heat? We went to the market today and it was miserably hot- didn't stay long at all. I just heard that it feels like 105 right now!!
ReplyDeleteConsidering what NH was like this week, I can't even imagine what it's been like where you are located. That salad looks fantastic though. I can't believe you actually cooked barley in this heat.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, we don't have air conditioning. It got so bad on Friday that the hubby brought Cooper into work so he could be somewhere air conditioned.
I definitely wouldn't be cooking anything if we didn't have ac! That's good Cooper could get some time in the air conditioning! Lilly doesn't stay outside any longer than it takes her to pee :) She's right back at the door as soon as she's done!
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