SUMMERTIME SALSA SALMON

TURKEY, AVOCADO AND OLIVE SALAD

SPEEDY SPECKLED GAZPACHO

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"Treats for the Tots" Recipe Contest Winner Contest: The Uncooking Contest How cool can you get? Come up with your own creative no-cook recipes including, salsas, salads, soups or anything else you can imagine featuring California Ripe Olives and send them in. Don't limit yourself to just one or two, we'll take 'em all. As usual, we'll test 'em and taste 'em until we choose one delicious winner. If your recipe is picked, it will appear on the California Ripe Olive Website with the other contest winners. You'll also get a free California Ripe Olive Apron. So what are you waiting for? Kick off your shoes, hop in that hammock and start dreaming up your ideal California Ripe Olive "cookless cuisine". Top

Summer 2002

By Meryl Bennan

It's that fabulous time of year again...The sun is shining, the garden is flourishing (in my dreams, but go with me on this one) and the warm weather is finally here. Time to trade in the Levi's for shorts, lose the shoes and, of course, change that dinner menu! No need to slave away in front of a hot stove while the rest of the family chills on the back porch. Instead, take advantage of the season's phenomenal produce and brush up on your grilling techniques, and suddenly summertime cooking is no sweat.

But hey, if that's not enough to make you smile, get this...Remember those “good fats” I mentioned a couple of months ago that your body needs to perform at its peak? Well, there's been some buzz among researchers that the right combo of Omega 3's found in things like fish, flaxseeds and walnuts and monounsaturated fats found in California Ripe Olives and avocados, can put you in a good mood even when there's nothing but overcast skies. Yes, it's true, they're saying that these fats may not only mean great flavor, but a sunny disposition...I don't know about you, but I'm in! Crack open a can of California Ripe Olives, get back to the pool and see for yourself or find out the details on mood enhancing foods by checking out what our nutritionist has to say. Either way, sounds like a good time.

If you can't take the heat...
Get out of the kitchen. You heard me! Just take a few short steps outside and fire up the grill. This is what summertime cooking is all about. The cool night air, the smoky charred flavors, and most importantly...a quick meal to nourish your family when cooking just seems downright out of the question!

From vegetables to steaks to seafood, everything tastes fantastic when it's cooked over an open flame. Even better when it's topped with a low-maintenance salsa like this one right here. Starting with vine ripe tomatoes and sweet corn, just a little seasoning and a few of our favorite California Ripe Olives, this dish will make you wish summertime could last the whole year long.

Salad a la Mode
While you're swapping out your suits for sundresses and replacing shoes with sandals (if anything at all), remember to update your recipe collection. Rich stews and braised meats are passe and salads are once again in style.

No, no, no, I don't want you to deprive yourself of good flavor and eat like a rabbit! (Well, you can, but the rest of us will stick to my plan.) Instead, toss together a combination of complementary flavors and textures, including heart-healthy fats from nuts, avocados and California Ripe Olives, and your salads will be as satisfying, as they are healthy. All that and you'll never have to go near your stove. Featuring smoked turkey, Gouda cheese, California Ripe Olives and plenty of creamy avocado dressing, it's healthy, and it's also light prep time.

TURKEY, AVOCADO AND OLIVE SALAD Ingredients 1 Medium avocado 1 Large lemon, juiced 3/4 cup Buttermilk Salt and pepper to taste 12 ounces Mixed baby greeens 8 ounces Smoked turkey, chopped 1 (6ounce) Small red onion, thinly sliced 3 medium Carrots, peeled and sliced 4 ounces Gouda cheese, chopped 4 ounces Toasted walnuts, crushed 1/2 cup Sliced California Ripe Olives Directions Combine avocado, lemon juice and buttermilk in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine greens, turkey, red onion, carrots, cheese, walnuts and California Ripe Olives. Mix in dressing and toss until evenly combined. Serves 4. Top

When all else fails, just try to blend in...
Sure my blender gets a regular workout at this time of year when I rediscover smoothies and milkshakes (particularly chocolate mint chip..mmm) for the 30-somethingth year in a row, but when I let my imagination run wild, this under appreciated appliance can do so much more...

Take cold soups and sauces for instance. Just blend your favorite vegetables like avocados, tomatoes or cucumbers with yogurt, juice or stock. Jazz ‘em up with herbs, onions or California Ripe Olives and chill (you and the soup that is). Great for lunch or dinner, pour your chilled soup into a thermos and it's perfectly portable for a picnic or a day at the beach...This summer is going to be relaxing after all, wouldn't you say?