It's Summer and the Farmer's Markets are at full bloom and so are the veggies. My favorite time of the year for the fresh of the freshest from all our local farmers. I remember growing up I used to have to "watch" my Father plant a garden. Yes, watch only. No planting. Just hours of watching and fetching tools from the garage. I would much rather plant, because watching someone do something for an entire afternoon is worse than actually doing the work. I think he enjoyed the company and between yelling at me when I would bring an ax to him when he wanted a hammer, he taught me a few things about planting a garden. First and foremost, what a hammer looks like. Always turn the soil, even after your plants start growing. Water daily or at least every other day. Be gentle, don't be heavy handed when picking vegetable from a plant. Seems pretty easy. My father would spend all weekend planting the perfect garden. Straight rows of cucumbers, peppers and tomato plants. Pumpkin plants on the corners because they grew the biggest. All neatly surrounded by a wired fence. There was always some sort of yelling and profanity coming from the garden, mainly because I was drifting off looks at the trees or birds flying by, or listening to the "bees in my head." That's what my dad said when I was hyper. LOL. I look back and get a good chuckle.
This year I decided to take all I learned growing up and start my own garden. It may not be huge, or straight rows of vegetables, but it's my garden. I remembered everything I learned growing up and put my love and heart into it. I even talk to my plants and they respond by growing delicious green beans and cucumbers. My tomato plants are growing, but no tomatoes, yet. It's coming. Pepper plants are almost ready and I have garlic and onions in there somewhere, but I need to locate them. LOL. Overall, my garden is looking pretty good. I picked my first batch of green beans last week and just picked my second batch Saturday. They are growing like crazy! I am tickled pink!
With my freshly picked green beans, I created a little dish that would be great for a Summer meal out on the deck. Weather you cook family style or a Date Night dinner, you can't go wrong. Hope you enjoyed my little memory from growing up and a fabulous dinner below. Enjoy!
Grilled Chicken with Fresh Sauteed Green Beans
Ingredients:
4 pieces of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 lb. of fresh Green Beans
1 Garlic clove minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive oil
2 tbsp Roasted Garlic Chipotle Seasoning. (Or your favorite chicken seasoning)
Directions:
Preheat your grill on low. Season both sides of chicken breast with salt and pepper and your favorite seasoning. Grill each side until done. About 5-6 minutes each side.
While your chicken is grilling, rinse the green beans and set aside. Over medium heat add oil and garlic,then toss in green beans. Salt and pepper to taste. Sautee for about 5-6 minutes. Beans are best a little crispy.
Don't forget a nice glass of Red!
