Lunch Log: Week 26-30 (July 2013)

July, which really shows summer is in full swing, starts bringing in some rather exciting produce that is a seasonal treat especially if you forgo big supermarkets. My local farm shop (it *is* a working farm, which happens to sell fresh produce) is very much in tune with the cycles of the year, and apart from some ‘must haves’ that some customers insist on (like bananas) their fruit and veg is consistently much tastier. This month consists of local broad beans, enormous strawberries, punchy beetroots, refreshing sugar snap peas and spicy radish which have made their way to the lunch and dinner menu.

Naturally, the BBQ features rather often this time of year too.

Week 26

: Overcooked the eggs but scored a free yogurt. Though I can’t say it improved things. Lucky that the rest of my lunch was BBQ leftovers from yesterday

: Beetroot leaves make tasty goma-ae veg and practically was free. Noodles for a bit of variety

: Onigiri day! Used a little too much chilli paste for the beet leaves; the salad wasn’t too shabby either

: The radish was buggy so I had to skip it. The salmon turned out OK.

Week 27

: Strawberries are mandatory at this time of year for lunch! Eggplant too!

: I regret not getting more pork; it’s pretty tasty stuff.

: Frugal dish: seedlings from thinning the radishes but they turned out a bit fibrous. Teriyaki salmon and sesame eggplant have the punch to overwhelm it

: Sushi day is a good day. It always surprises me how much hijiki expands

: Very pleased with the eggs this time round.. .. And the plated results (or is that bowled?) ‘Instant’ ramen with sneaky pancetta bits; I remembered the nori this time!

: Posh instant noodles!

Week 28

: Finishing off the hijiki, eggplant, smoked salmon and salad. A cold pasta salad to start off the warm week ahead.

: Vegetarian today: more grilled eggplant, fresh radishes and strawberries.

: Nearly-vegetarian stirfry makes a fast noodle flavouring. Can I still call it namasu even if I use radishes instead of daikon?

: Veggie sushi day, balanced with some leftover steak and broad bean tempura. And a strawberry for dessert: happy times!

: Too many fried/oily things (tempura, grilled chicken thigh) so I added lemon slices and namasu to cut through it all.

Week 29

: Are they still called BBQ leftovers if they were cooked in the chimaera? Deboned chicken drumsticks with chipotle marinade works well

: Stir fry with grilled and steamed veg: a positively healthy looking lunch today

: I’ve packed too many carbs: sushi and potato salad. The soft boiled eggs look like a good batch this week

: A rush this morning to get this packed; thankfully everything didn’t need cooking

: Double take: same thing as yesterday. Oh noes!

Week 30

: Though the weekend was rather beery I suspect last night’s curry was to blame. Quick noodle stirfry with a little sriracha hopefully would treat me better