Porchetta Pork Chops

 

I was away for a wedding this weekend - congratulations, Chip and Siobhan! - and wasn't doing any cooking, so yesterday I was anxious to make dinner. I saw this recipe on the Times for pork chops and thought it sounded great. I also picked up some avocado squash at the Union Square Market. I'd never had avocado squash it before but the sign said it was like zucchini only smoother and more buttery and holds up better on the grill. Yum! Both were great. The pork chops have a wonderful flavor with the rosemary, fennel, lemon, and garlic. Jamie loved them. The squash was perfect just tossed with olive oil, salt, garlic, and pepper and thrown under the broiler.

I also grabbed some shishito peppers for an hors d'oeuvre.

Shishito Peppers

I saw these at the farmers market and couldn't resist. I made them as an hors d'oeuvre last night. They're so quick and easy and they taste great. The peppers are a little bitter, but the salt and lemon make them very tasty. Will definitely make them again.

All you do is put about a teaspoon of olive oil into a skillet and saute the peppers over medium heat until they start to char and blister in spots. Then squeeze lemon juice on them and sprinkle with salt and you're done.

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

I just went to the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck for the first time - amazing! I'm known to dabble at Mr. Softee, but this is definitely the more grown up option. With the same blank canvas (a cone of vanilla or chocolate soft serve), they have amazing toppings that transform an average cone. I got the Salty Pimp, a vanilla cone dappled with caramel, sprinkled with sea salt, then dipped in hardening chocolate. So delicious (I love salty and sweet). Next time I may try the kitschy Bea Arthur w dolce de lece and crushed Nilla wafers, or something drizzled with a pomegranate balsamic reduction. If you're around Union Square on a warm day, definitely give it a try!