Another Week, Another Adventure

Priscilla — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:00:03 +0000

Another week, another adventure… It’s been a hectic three months! Last week I was spending time in my ‘ole stomping grounds – Eureka Springs, AR – a picturesque town nestled in the Ozark Mountains where I grew up and return to often to visit my mom, dad, and sister who live there and seek a little respite at our lake cottage. Whenever we come to Eureka Springs, crossing the Beaver Bridge (above) – an historic one-lane wooden suspension bridge declares,”We’re here!”. Fortunately, the bridge reopened a few days before my trip after being submerged under the rising water for the past month and a half!

I hadn’t been to the lake since February and needed to check on the house after two months of the most violent spring storms the area has seen in decades. We’re 100 miles from Joplin, MO and the tornado that devastated Joplin took its toll on the surrounding area as did several colossal thunder storms which wreaked havoc with high winds, lightning, and days of being deluged with massive rainfall resulted in major flooding in the area.

We usually tie-up under the Old Trestle bridge for some shade and swimming.

It’s a good thing that I made the trip because the sun room showed evidence of water damage and the house was either hit by lightening or a power surge because the refrigerator, TV, DVD player, modem, router, and fax machine were all non-functional – minor damage compared to what many others have lost to be sure, but still enough to contribute to the massive amount of insurance claims being handled by Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team.

The view from our deck and being able to kick back and get off the fast track for a few days of tranquility makes it all worthwhile…

Springtime at the lake.

Only June and the weather was already 90 degrees hot and humid, you have to walk early and spend the rest of the day boating, jet skiing, water skiing, wave running, or listlessly floating on the water like I do. It was nice coming home to more comfortable temps and a garden bursting with lettuce, green beans, and zucchini. I have two zucchini recipes up my sleeve, but for now here’s a simple glad-to-be-home summer recipe packed with fresh flavors of basil, sweet carrot, and bright citrus on top of crunchy veggies and cool, slippery noodles.

Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut-Ginger Dressing

8 ounces soba noodles or whole wheat linguine or spaghetti

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 cup Peanut-Ginger Dressing (recipe follows)

2 tablespoons basil chiffonade*

Grated zest of 1 orange

Grated zest of 1 lime

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 cucumber, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and sliced

4 scallions, trimmed and julienned

5 oz. bag organic mixed baby greens

Garnish with carrots, red peppers, parsley, chives, and/or chopped peanuts.

1.Prepare the soba noodles or whole wheat pasta as directed on the package. Drain, rinse with cold water, toss with sesame oil in colander, and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, toss the noodles, dressing, basil, orange zest and lime zest.

3. Add the cucumbers, scallions, and greens, and toss gently. Garnish.

4. Toss with the dressing just before serving.

Variations: Feel free to add snow peas, sugar snap peas, julienned yellow bell pepper, sprouts, julienned carrots, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped peanuts.

Other greens such as arugula, kale, spinach, or Napa cabbage can be substituted for the mixed baby greens, too.

Peanut-Ginger Dressing

Makes 1 ¾ cups

¼ cup creamy peanut butter, at room temperature

Juice of 1 orange

Juice of 1 lime

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons peeled, grated fresh ginger

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup canola or safflower oil

First, use a microplane (a must-have kitchen tool) for the orange and lime zest. (I had those cute always-sweet mandarin oranges called “Cuties” in the fridge so used four of those in place of one orange.) Then, cut the fruit in half and squeeze the juices out.

In a medium bowl, whisk together everything but the oil. Slowly add the oil, and whisk until all the oil is incorporated. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 6 days.

Cooking Academy

* Not sure how to julienne carrots or chiffonade basil? What’s the difference between chopped, minced, diced? Here’s a very helpful video on knife skills by Food and Style. Viviane Bauquet Farre’s mesmerizes you with her charming accent and soothing voice, and she makes slicing and dicing seem so pleasant and effortless

Slice, dice, mince and chiffonade for Vegetarian Times from Viviane Bauquet Farre on Vimeo.

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© Priscilla for She's Cookin' | from the heart, 2011. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Eureka Springs, Soba Noodle Salad

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Give me all your chocolate

Priscilla — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:12:39 +0000

Two Dumb Dames in Eureka Springs, AR

Not many things last five generations in today’s world, but Two Dumb Dames can not only boast that their family fudge recipes, handed down through the decades, have provided the livelihood for five generations of the Chambers/Sullivan/Walker family, but also satisfied the sweet cravings of thousands of visitors to the picturesque town of Eureka Springs, AR. The original dumb dame’s husband had to eat his words (and probably a lot of fudge) when he declared her idea ”the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of”!

OMG, Chocolate, caramel and crunchy pretzels!

English Toffee: my all-time favorite!

It's not always about the chocolate!

New flavor: Lemon Cream Pie for citrus lovers!

Craving some old-fashioned taffy?

Pucker Power!!!

Don't mess with Hallie - the original Dumb Dame. She's packin'.

Jonell (R) and Lana (L) 2nd and 3rd Generation Dumb Dames

Amanda - 4th generation Dumb Dame

Friendly faces like Ashley's (5th generation Dumb Dame)

The natural beauty and abundant wildlife of the Ozarks region is surely one of the U.S.’s best kept secrets and we aim to keep it that way. But If you find yourself in unique and historical Eureka Springs, AR be sure to stop in and satisfy your sweet tooth at Two Dumb Dames on Main St. in the heart of downtown. Better yet, you can get a taste of their delectable treats by ordering online – they have something for everyone, including sucrose-free fudge for folks with sugar intolerance or diabetes. All the fudge and candy are homemade in small batches. Their ambrosia-like divinity is the real thing and I know for a fact that Lana gets up every morning at 4 a.m. to make it!