Summer Eats, Farmer's Market, BBC Channel

Central Oregon summertime and it is fucking hot.  Our new dog is getting sick because of the heat, and I smell regardless of how much I shower...type of heat.  The good news is the abundance, sheer magnitude of beautiful ingredients on every shelf in every market.  It has been one month since the start of the Bend weekly farmer's market and its incredible to watch something sprout so quickly.  One month ago there were a handful of local vendors selling a handful of items...just yesterday I could hardly get to our house because of the enormity of people wanting to get fresh, locally produced goods.  One of my new favorites that I've been toying with is a type of Chinese broccoli called Gai Lan.  Saute this up with some summer squash and asparagus with garlic, sesame seeds, soy sauce and sesame oil and you have yourself a meal if you top it on a bed of rice.  Add some curry glazed salmon or pan fried whitefish of your choice for those looking for some added proteins.  

Another one of my favorites for summer are grilled pizzas.  Both simple and really fun to make, especially if you make your dough, utilizing the fresh seasonal veggies and cheeses its quick to make and super delicious.  Not to mention pretty light on a hot afternoon and goes great with some tasty IPA or summer draft.  We are currently obsessed with Boneyard Beers' RPM IPA for those in Bend, and for those outside try some Full Sail or Lagunitas - both very tasty.  For the summer brews I have always stuck with Blue Moon and Sam Adams Summer.  Again, for veggie lovers who also love eating animals, add some pancetta or bacon for zee pizzas.  

Gordon Ramsay.  Because of our recent upgrade on our Netflix/Comcast accounts, and because of our new pup I don't sleep past 6 in the morning out here anymore.  Perfect really because now I watch all of the Ramsay shows they air in the UK.  I'm sure you've heard of Kitchen Nightmares and the F Word but its fun to watch because its Chef Ramsay being a total asshole.  For those working in the restaurant business I have no idea why you would never let this guy help you out...he's genius.  And I personally think its funny because these big name chefs all hate vegetarians yet I still adore them.  I don't get it.  

Happy summer! Eat yo veggies while they're grown near where you live.  They taste better, and its better for you.  Do it, I dare you.