Biking up hill is hard.
Biking up hill against the wind is even harder!
My ride home today was lovely – thanks to cloudy skies and a nice breeze, but boy was it tough!
I accomplished all of my paperwork at the bakery today – and we had a great day! Our new bread + muffin are big hits. Tomorrow we debut Snickerdoodles!
At the end of my ride home, a simple grilled dinner was waiting for me. All those people who think cooking is too much effort need to just get some ingredients in their fridge. Ingredients make cooking so easy!
We grilled some salmon that I had frozen earlier this month. On top was Pestos with Panache Pumpkin Chipotle. MY GOSH – it was incredible!! I might order more of those pestos just to get this one. It was the slightly hint of pumpkin – not overpowering at all, and it went so well with the salmon!!
Of course tomatoes were involved. Lots of tomatoes.
We let the salmon “bake” for a while with the grill lid closed. It turned out super crunchy on the bottom and tender on top. True grill perfection.
The veggies were all covered in an concoction of olive oil, Liquid Smoke and Whole Foods smoked salt. Can’t get enough smoke these days!
I was the grill master
And Matt was the graffiti artist!
We tasted the two Wisconsin beers while we grilled. Hopalicious and Spotted Cow!
By tasted, I mean Matt drank and I had a few sips. Both beers were quite good! The Hopalicious was drinkable and…hoppy! And the Spotted Cow tasted like a Belgian with a slight lemon twist. Both were great for a summer night.
We should have been covered in mosquitoes spending more than 26 seconds on our back deck. However, I bought this gimmicky contraption at Bed, Bath and Beyond a few weeks ago that claims to emit a noise that mosquitoes don’t like. I figured if it didn’t work I’d just take it back.
Last night I had 3 bites in 30 seconds. Tonight – no bites. I have no idea if it was the noise or if the cloud cover scared them away, but I’ll give this another shot!
Just dove face first into our tub of cubed watermelon!!!
Night folks!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
mmmm your grilled food looks SO good. I love grilling in the Summer–it makes it so great to be outside 🙂
And yeah, biking to the wind is NO fun at all. Hah. Can’t wait to see the Snickerdoodles tomorrow!!
Lindsey @ Gluten-Free Lindsey says
your dinner looks so good… perfect summer meal 🙂
Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories says
Hehe Matt should make more chalk drawings. 😉
Cait's Plate says
This is really like the perfect meal.
I need to get my hands on some liquid smoke! I love what it does to the veggies.
Matt’s drawing on the bench CRACKED me up (yes I’m 8 years old). Drawing the bear’s poop would definitely be something my boyfriend (err – maybe I?) would do too. Haha.
Hillary says
Pumpkin pesto? Um. Yes. Please. Now. ; )
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I need that mosquito gadget!!! They love my blood.
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
mmm yey for grilled corn and salmon mm mm!
so glad the bug deterrant worked! 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
My bike ride to work is uphill and I get so sweaty! It’s nice and downhill on the way home though, so I can coast back 🙂
Cat says
As a Wisconsin native, I was so excited to see that you enjoyed spotted cow beer! It’s my absolute favorite!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
sometimes wind just sucks when your riding your bike! woah! nice looking veggies gril master haha 🙂
Kim says
i was CRAVING grilled corn on the cob for dinner, but! we dont have a grill as we live on the 3rd floor of a building. and side note: i cant wait to try GH snickerdoodles! one of my all time favorite cookies.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I had salmon tonight, too! But not quite as fancy as yours. Looks yummy! I have yet to have corn on the cob this summer… not in season here yet! 🙁
I’m interested in that gimmicky thing. Let us know if it works, I’ll buy one ASAP. 🙂
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
Spotted Cow is so good! Whenever I’m in Wisconsin to see DMB, I grab some for home.
Grilled dinners are really the best part of summer. So delicious!
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says
Grilled vegetables are the BEST! 🙂
Lorin says
I really want to grill in the barbeque but I was wondering if you have a seperate section that you grill on for your veggies to seperate from the meat? Or is the temperature high enough that the bacteria on the grill from the raw meat gets killed?
Matt says
Regardless of whether the meat and veggies touch the same section, you’re going to eat the meat right? So shouldn’t it be good enough?
KathEats says
I try not to let the raw meat touch the raw veggies (since I might not let the veggies cook very long) but once the meat is cooked it should be all safe
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I love grilled tomatoes.. especially when they kind of explode in your mouth (that’s what she said.. I am immature..)
lynn @ the actor's diet says
biking uphill IS hard! i always walked mine up when i was a kid.
Jenn says
i was outside my house this evening too and noticed very few bites. i was thinking it was the breeze. still, you let me know if this mosquito gadget continues to work 🙂
KathEats says
You’re right…breeze…
rumfunandsun says
If that works please let us know! The bugs are awful right now!
Lauren says
If you enjoy Spotted Cow you would enjoy another WI brewed beer, Leinenkugels! If you ever get your hands on it, try it!! I personally love Sunset Wheat… plus it makes great beer bread! http://leinie.com/av.html
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Lauren – I just toured the Leinenkugel brewery a few weeks ago! They make my boyfriend’s favorite beer – Honey Weiss.
Lauren says
Awesome! It is a great experience, and a great town!
KathEats says
I’m a big fan of Leinie!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I am really enjoying grilled corn this summer. Seems to be around a lot of blogs lately and it’s amazingly good!I am from WI and I see Spotted Cow on tap almost everywhere I go! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
alena schoeller says
WOW!!! I am amazed you drink spotted cow! I didn’t know it got that far away since I live near NewGlarus! It sure is amazing how small the world seems sometimes! 🙂
KathEats says
It was a gift from a KERF reader!
Felicia (Natural + Balanced) says
i love summer and grilling. it makes my heart soo happy!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
My mom tried that mosquito thing and said it didn’t work at all! I’ll be curious to hear what you think after a few more days.
Amanda says
Just have to comment on your Spotted Cow beer-I live a few hours south of New Glarus, Wisconsin (in IL), but have never been to their brewery. My husband and I are fans! We bought a sampler case when we were on vacation in Wisconsin last month. Yum! And I like their labels too 🙂
Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots says
Yum! This entire meal looks amazing! The salmon looks cooked to perfection!
Jenny says
I am going to look for your mosquito repelling noise alarm when I go to camp later this summer. Sounds like a really cool idea.
Angel7 says
I love all the grilled veggies! They look grilled to perfection!
The pictures are funny as well! You need a little comedy occasionally!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Molly @ RDexposed says
Fat Squirrel from New Glarus is also great (and what a great name!)!! Every time we take a dip up North, we seek out a place selling New Glarus!
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees says
Mmm love grilled veggies! Those look do good. And I’m fascinated by the mosquito contraption!
Emily says
Dinner looks so great! I have all those veggies in my garden, I should really try grilling them..and the salmon, too! Ive never tried it directly on the grill but it looks amazing.
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
That food looks fantastic! I really want to try my hand at grilling some veggies! I did kabobs the other day but I want to do zucchini and squash!
Adrienne Yancey says
Oh the pumpkin pesto sounds great! We’ve been diving face first into bowls and bowls of watermelon lately. It’s the best thing for this heat!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
I loooove grilled salmon! And pumpkin sounds fabulous! Cherry tomatoes get so tasty and juicy when they’re cooked!
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats says
Wow would love to hear more about that mosquitoes thing! That would definitely be something worth getting if it really does work that good!
Lovely and delicious looking dinner! <3 Grilling
Namaste Gurl says
Looks like a beautiful, colorful, and healthy dinner! You guys always cook the best grub 🙂
Have a good evening!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
I have never ever thought of doing salmon with pesto!! That sounds so delicious, now I think I’ll have to make some 😉
Marie@feedingfive says
Why I haven’t skewered tomatoes I do not know. But I will now.
Hannah says
Ohmygosh, I’ve never liked real pesto but that pumpkin one sounds amazing!!
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine says
Oh how I wish mosquitoes were vegetarian -.-
Mac says
Spotted cow is a good WI beer,if you ever get the opportunity to try any of the Leinenkugel beers I would recommend it. They are from a town just 20 min from where I live and all the flavors are great!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Snickerdoodles = oh yes!
I make a pumpkin honey tofu and used TJs pumpkin butter (seasonal item, stock up!) and you can add salsa or red pepper flakes for heat…the flavors all kind of marry together. If you like pumpkin marinades, try it!
And there are no bugs in San Diego. Can’t wait for you to experience it!
Khushboo says
LOL at Matt’s drawing! I need that spray in my life…I seem to be on every mosquito’s hit list!
Tine says
Mmm, grilled veggies, grilled fish, grilled corn…
Heaven!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
Dinner looks great! I’m so glad there aren’t any mosquitos in Ireland 🙂
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
I just made pesto salmon the other night & it was delicious! I baked it in the oven though, and I’m sure the BBQ added loads of flavoring
Lauren says
That pesto sounds amazing. You sold me.
Sarah says
I had grilled zucchini last night at dinner too! Grilling is the best during summer. Easy too!
greatfulbody says
Salmon and corn are two of my all-time favorite foods, this whole thing looks delicious!
Sophie says
Kath – Do you par boil your corn first or just throw it on the grill? Can you let me know how long it takes? I’ve never had good luck grilling corn (seems to get burned before it gets cooked), so I’d love to know any tips! Thanks.
Betty says
Was going to comment with a similar question – have you answered the how to grill corn before?
KathEats says
I just throw it on! You can eat corn raw, so it’s just a nice flavor/warm it up thing. I let it sit for maybe 10 minutes and rotate as necessary
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Those grilled tomatoes look perfect! And good to know that the bug repellent thing may have actually done some good.
Meridith says
That salmon looks like perfection. I wouldn’t have thought to try pumpkin pesto with it!
Jen says
What’s the name of the BBAB mosquito thingamajig?
KathEats says
PIC’s “Personal Sonic Mosquito Repeller” from Bed Bath Beyond
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
Wow, kudos to you for being the grill master! I always leave that to the men-folk. I think it’s time I tried my hand at it. 😉
Shayla @ The Good Life says
Love the bear grafitti! And Matt is such a creative artist!
I’ll have to get that pesto b/c that sounds insanely delicious…I actually do not like the taste of salmon but I’ve been trying to get more salmon in my diet since I know how good it is for you…but I think I could tolerate it topped with pumpkin pesto?! Yes pleaseeeee! 🙂
Whitney says
Kath-
My Great Harvest goodies from Open Sky arrived yesterday…definitely busted open the granola as soon as the package was delivered! Delicious! I wasn’t expecting the coconut – what a nice surprise! 🙂
KathEats says
So glad to hear it!
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
Dinner looks great especially the salmon! Grilled veggies in the summers are one of my all time favorites!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love grilled dinners!
Also I need to look into that mosquito gadget – my legs are covered in bites right now from my friend’s BBQ last week. 😛
Christine (The Raw Project) says
The grilled veggies look fabulous. And very interesting on the mosquito device, I might need to try that since they even get me through clothes!
Lara @ TresLaLa says
I’m originally from Wisconsin, and am a true lover of all things New Glarus Brewing Co. (the little town they’re in is super cute, and the brewery tour is a do-it-yourself-er)! It’s so sad that they don’t ship outside of Sconie… Where’d you get yours?
KathEats says
A blog reader brought them to the bakery!
amy says
Mosquitos actually prefer shade over sun, so I doubt the cloud cover was holding them off. I’ve heard that those OFF! belt clips work really well, I still need to grab a couple and give them a try.
Kelly (meatless with a man) says
I would attest to them working!! My hubs and I get eaten alive outside – we’ve each been wearing those Off! clips and haven’t had ANY bites. Hooray!
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Is the noise on that mosquito thing audible for humans? If not I’m going out and buying 50 million of those!!!
KathEats says
I can’t hear a thing!
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
I NEED, I repeat NEEEEED that mosquito repellent contraption! I call these my “summer legs” but really they’re an embarrassing trophy case set of legs for all mosquitos. 🙁 🙁
P.S. Liquid smoke forever.
Koko @ KokoLikes.com says
This dinner looks amazing, so fresh and not too hard! I LOVE putting tomatoes on the grill!