Two Really Fast Summer Dinners

Northeast summers are often fleeting and too short, so we don't want to spend the season trapped in the kitchen. Stir-fried rice noodles are an excellent fast option because of the quick-cooking noodles and slivered veggies. Leftovers reheat well, making dinner the following night even faster!

Pumping up the Protein is no problem with a quick fried egg as topper and a side of our Mashed Chickpea Salad. You'll find the chickpea recipe in our 2014 archives by clicking HERE.

Snack Meal Dinner of the Month is . . . Smoked Gouda and Texas Caviar Nachos. Cafe Drake HRV opted for white bean tortilla chips this time around, briefly under the broiler after being doused with grated smoked Gouda and Monterrey Jack cheeses. The whole pan is whisked to a serving platter, topped with Texas Caviar and sided with fresh garden lettuces. Texas Caviar is an old Southern staple with many regional variations. Here's how we make it in the Hudson River Valley:mix in a large bowl 1 can of black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained very well, 1/2 t. salt, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 T. lemon juice, 1 T. red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup diced yellow or orange bell pepper, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1 diced jalapeno chili and a handful of minced cilantro. Stir to mix well. Fold in 1 diced and seeded plum tomato. Allow to rest at least 30 minutes before serving and adding more salt if desired.