Sunday, August 29, 2010

WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

So much going on as the summer draws to a close! But I wanted to take a minute to thank just a few of the fine folks who've fed me - literally, inspirationally, even monetarily :) - in ways that have made this a great summer I will be sorry to see end.

First up, Cooking With Caitlin, whose Fried Green Tomato Burger with Remoulade at the top of this post last Tuesday was, sadly, my last opportunity to taste their food this summer. I've been eating Caitlin's inventive little burgers every Tuesday this summer when they've participated in Market on Fountain Square, including this awesome burger with asparagus slaw I blogged about here.
Tuesday Market on the Square continues through September, although last week, alas, was CWC's last outing at this season's market - my first jolt, other than all that back-to-school morning traffic, that summer has about run its course. Thanks, gals, for your big smiles and delicious food all summer long!
Next, for those of you who've been following the Culinary Smackdown cooking/blogging competitions I've participated in a few times now - Battle Lobster, Battle Picnic (which I won), and Battle Summertime Veggies (which I hosted) - a big thanks to Doggy Bloggy of ChezWhat? for his ongoing culinary inspiration, as well as doing a fine job hosting this month's Culinary Smackdown. Check out Doggy's wrap-up of the Battle Sandwich entries for some wide-ranging and delicious sandwich inspirations. I believe he drew in a record number of participants, including Anette of Krakilette, from Norway, who was this month's winner! Here are Anette's details for the September Culinary Smackdown: Battle Chocolate.
Dog upped the stakes for the August Smackdown by offering a $100 CSN Stores gift certificate. Imagine my surprise when the same day I learned I did NOT win one from him I also learned I DID WIN one for $60 from All Top Chef. If you're a Top Chef fan and don't already know about this blog, you'll find lots of newsy tidbits about chefs from all the seasons, plus terrific podcast interviews with each week's auf'd contestant by the fabulous Laura Kluvo, founder of Blogging Project Runway, which I discovered in its infancy and which inspired me into the blogosphere in the first place.You'll also find linkage to Top Chef recaps, including the hysterically funny ones from hard-working ATC team member, cartoonizer, and dialectician Minx Eats.
I also want to give a shout-out to Findlay Market and the team of stellar Cincinnati chefs (including Jean-Robert de Cavel, Julie Francis, Joanne Drilling, and Summer Genetti) who will be bringing their talents to bear at the Lunch on the Land benefit for Findlay Market September 19 at organically certified Turner Farm.
For more details, and a video from last year's fundraiser, click here.
Photo courtesy of J. Greg Henry of SippitySup.com.
Finally, if you're looking for corn recipes, you will find a spectacular array of them over at Sippity-Sup, who has just finished a week-long "Sweet on Corn" blogathon that includes:
Grilled Corn with Feta and Lime
and his final, knock-out installment, a savory Corn Brulee and Tomato Sorbet - hint, bacon is also involved! Go check these out. You will find gorgeous photos and outstanding dishes that just may convince you there's a whole 'nother world of things you can do with corn besides dousing it in butter.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this roasted corn shot I took myself. What are you eating as Labor Day approaches?

22 comments:

LauraK said...

Awwwww.... Thanks for the shout-out, girlfriend!

Christo Gonzales said...

EXCELLENT POST - but I dont want summer to end.

Sharon Rudd said...

LK, thanks so much for stopping by, and for all your inspiration!

Doggy, I'm with you on not wanting summer to end. Good thing we'll still have plenty of summertime produce for a good while longer, but I could do without the back-to-school traffic. Enjoy your time in NM!

eggy

Lazaro Cooks said...

Great post. Congrats on your win.

The Glamorous Gourmet said...

What a fun blog and I love your gorgeous photos! Congrats on your wine as well. I just signed up to follow you - stop by and visit sometime at www.stephaniesavorsthemoment.com. Looking forward to your next delicious post - Cheers!

Heff said...

Hey, congrats on YOUR win !!!

LaDivaCucina said...

Awww! That's so nice! The end of summer for us means hurricane season and our growing season doesn't start until November, so I have farmers markets to look forward to. Great post and links, Eggy!

Karen Kahle said...

Thanks for the Lunch on the Land shout out. There are still tickets available for our event. Will soon be "leaking" some menu information. Suffice it to say, it is fabulous. All proceeds benefit the Findlay Market Fund.

GrumpyGranny said...

OMG, that fried green tomato burger is an inspiration. I could substitute green chili and I'd have a combo of both of my Battle Sandwich entries. I have to say while I love summer veggies, summer is not my favorite season. I am looking forward to good fall dishes. Ummm, bring on the Brunswick stew! Thanks for sharing the Top Chef blog and congrats on your winnings!!

GG

Sharon Rudd said...

Thanks for all your congrats, and glad you're likin' the linkage :) I've just added one of Sippity-Sup's great photos, which he graciously granted me permission to use.

Karen, thanks for stopping by - can't wait for the menu details of Lunch on the Land to leak!

And welcome, Stephanie! I'll be over to see what you're up to!

Karl said...

Good evening Eggy,

Nice seasonal roundup, can't say I'll miss this summer. Although, I do look forward to the fall and the hardy fair that the season brings.

Good for you on your Top Chef win.

Aunty Belle said...

what a fine an' comprehensive post--an it is a SHAME that summer is over. Sigh.

THe fried green tomatoes burger looks marvelous! An' I will check out the choco smackdown--but jes' thin of the bright side: the hundreds of divine of foods fer the fall!!

Sharon Rudd said...

Hi, Aunty, Karl, and Granny! As much as I'll be sorry to see summer go, I'm with you on looking forward to fall. Less humidity around here, for one thing. But the change of season always stimulates my appetite and there are so many terrific fall flavors to play with!

Smita Srivastava said...

Loved the wonderful recipes here !!!

- Smita
littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
(fun food ideas for picky eaters )

Dani said...

Wonderful stuff here Eggy!

Jen said...

Great post! You are always the place I need to look for what's great around town and the blogosphere.

Joanne said...

I can't believe summer is almost over either! It's too sad. great post though, full of such wonderful inspiration!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Congratulations on your win. That's terrific. I saw your entry on Chez What? There were a lot of fantastic sandwiches there.

I don't want summer to end either. It's my favorite time of the year. Somehow I didn't eat enough corn this summer, so I'm off to Sippity-Sup to indulge in Greg's great photos.
Sam

Aunty Belle said...

Jes' bounced home from produce market--heh, got a few ears of end-of -summer corn to try your Mexican corn!!

Jenny said...

What a fabulous post! Love the pictures and always love what you find to "serve."

Chef Dennis Littley said...

its hard to believe this summer is over.....school has started for my wife and starts for me next week.....I had such a great summer, thanks for all your great posts and your kind comments on my blog!

moi said...

Wonderful links and round up, Eggy! To me, few things are more delicious than burgers and corn on the grill. Today, I have a friend's b-day BBQ, but tomorrow, hubby and I will relax at home with buffalo burgers piled high with guacamole and green chile and sweet roasted Schwebach Farm corn dripping in butter. I may mourn the passing of summer, but at least there are two great things about it: fall dressing and fall eating! Enjoy your Labor Day!