Last week my son brought an art project home from school. He had traced his hand on green construction paper and drawn a picture of something he wished for in the palm. The tiny, detailed drawing was of him eating a watermelon. When I asked him about his wish, he said, "I just wish for a taste of summer!"
In this terrible cold snap of the last couple weeks we are hibernating as much as possible, but we got to thinking about all the tastes of summer. Fresh strawberries, grilled cheeseburgers, fruit smoothies, and smores around the campfire at the end of a day full of swimming, hiking, and exploring. It was mutually agreed upon by the entire family that we would make smores in the microwave for a little taste of summer. A wish granted!
Of course, we've kept the crockpot working overtime to beat the chill. Chicken and dumplings, split pea soup, black bean soup, chicken and noodle soup, and fresh rolls to accompany it all. Comfort foods to keep us warm, and healthy, these long, cold days.
I also tried a recipe from a new source to bring a spicy kick to the mid winter doldrums. My dad and stepmother sent us "The World in Your Kitchen Calendar 2013." Each month features a vegetarian recipe from Africa, Asia or Latin America. January's recipe was for Piri-piri, cashews roasted in a chili pepper coating. This has been a yummy snack or topping for salads this last week. A warm, fresh taste to melt away the weather for a few minutes.
Tonight the temp is supposed to drop to maybe 12 below with wind chills nearing 25 below zero. Just another typical Minnesota winter's day. But maybe not for us as we invite in the tastes of West Africa, if only for a moment.
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