Sounds of Summer: Lemon Beer Bread

Summer for us wouldn't be summer without hitting up some summer concerts.  There is such simple joy in sitting out on the grass and listening to music as your children dance.  My family also uses this as an extra excuse to picnic-  something we all enjoy.

Our first concert of the summer was a repeat performer, and a repeat venue, but our first time seeing this performance at this venue!

Ruth and Emilia at the Botanic Gardens

Both kids enjoy this musical show about an alien who lands in a young girl's backyard, but Thatbaby especially loves it.

The space they used this year was a little different from years past.  With less sitting room for parents, and not a conducive space for picnics.

On the other hand, our local Arts Center started a new program this year with concerts every Friday night.  And there's much more space for everyone.

We attended a few of these concerts, everytime we were home on a Friday night.  They set out some chairs for people, but the rest of the space was open for you to bring your own chairs or blankets.

They also set up yard games and inflatables for the kids to play.  Which can make it even nicer for parents who want to just sit and listen while their children run around.

They also brought in food trucks every week, so that you could grab dinner while you sat and enjoyed the summer evening.

Sometimes we brought our own dinners, sometimes we picked up once we were there.  But we always end up with some kind of treat.

Speaking of treats, I picked up Trader Joe's new "Lemon Peal" malt beverage this summer, thinking it would make a nice evening drink for Thatboy and I.  It did not.  Honestly, neither of us could finish it.  It was harsh.  Not light and refreshing.  I started brainstorming immediately how I could use it.  I decided it would be best used in recipes that called for beer.  The lemon flavor there would complement the dish, and the maltiness would serve for the same use as the beer in the recipe.  I tried it with some chicken dishes, in the marinade, and it was successful.  But I knew that it would really shine in a beer bread.  I tend to think of beer bread as a great fall food.  Served alongside a nice roast, or soup, or chili.  But with a lemon-beer?  I was hoping it would add some lightness and brightness to make it more of a summer experience.  I was right here too.  Thatboy said this is the best beer bread he's ever had.  The boys loved it.  It's even worth buying a six-pack of Lemon Peal, just to make it!

Lemon Beer Bread

3 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

4 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp lemon zest

1 can of Trader Joe's Lemon Peal

1/4 cup butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a loaf pan with baking spray.  Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper, and zest.
2. Stir the beer into the dry ingredients just until combined.  Pour the batter into the loaf pan. 
3. Drizzle the melted butter over the top and bake for 50 minutes.
4. Allow to cool in pan before slicing and serving.

Very Berry July: Triple Berry Handpies

Every summer we make sure to attend one of the concerts at the Children's Museum.  It's close and easy, and the boys love it.  Since becoming members of the museum this year, the concerts are free.  And we're taking advantage by going to every one of them.  They are just really easy nights for us.  I pick the boys up from camp and preschool, Thatboy comes home from work, and we head over.

The museum is open an hour before the concert, only for families attending the concert, which gives the boys time to take part in their favorite activities with less crowds.  There are often crafts for the kids to take part in also.  Recently it's been a wooden boat the kids could put together with some volunteer help.  And then most of the kids found their way over to the water cycle exhibit with their boats to test out the sea-worthiness.

There's wine, beer, and Gelato for sale, and usually some sort of food you can purchase.  And face painting.

And of course, there's the kid friendly music, encouraging the kids to get up and dance.  Hullabaloo, the perennial San Diego favorite, always has a concert.  And this year we've also got to expand their musical palate with reggae and Latin music.

I also love the venue because it's so easy to picnic.  And I do love to picnic.  We bring our basket, and our blanket and make a whole evening of it.

I always bring fruit - which is a crowd favorite in my family.  And I'll either pack sandwiches, or just picnic charcuterie, 

Or, if the food choice would make the whole family happy, we'll just buy dinner there.  The weather has been insanely hot at these concerts lately, so we also always bring lots of liquids.  Homemade ice-tea is one of my favorite things to bring.  I make it with herbal tea, so the boys can enjoy it too, without keeping us up all night.  They love picking out the flavors.  This is a peach ice tea.

Any good picnic also needs some kind of sweet treat.  With the glut of berries we have in our house, berry hand pies are the perfect summer picnic addition.

The filling for the hand pies is amazing, and there's enough left over to use it on just about everything.  And I used it on just about everything.  I don't think there's a piece of bread or muffin in my house that didn't end up with the filling on it.

Triple Berry Handpies

2 cups blueberries

2 cups blackberries

2 cups strawberries, quartered

1 1/2 cups sugar

juice of 2 lemons

2 balls of pie dough, rolled out into circles

1 egg, beaten

1. Combine berries, sugar, lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a pot over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer and simmer 20 minutes.  Let cool.
2.  Use a large glass to cut out rounds of pie dough.  
3. Top each pie dough round with 2 Tbsp of filling.
4. Brush the edges of the dough round with egg and fold in half to form a semicircle.  Crimp the edges with a fork.
5. Heat canola oil in a pot until it reaches 365 degrees.  Fry each handpie about 5 minutes, or until golden.  Drain on paper towels.

Crave Wednesday: Chipotle Black Bean Dip with Corn Chips

On Monday I shared all about the kiddie concerts we've been attending this summer, but sometimes you have to leave the kids at home and take advantage of the summer concerts that don't involve "Old MacDonald."

The San Diego Symphony hosts "Bayside Summer Nights."  Which, as the name indicates, are summer concerts in the San Diego Bay.  There's a range of performers who accompany the San Diego symphony, from Wynonna Judd to  Tony Bennett.  When I noticed that Leslie Odom Jr. was going to be performing this summer, I immediately marked it on my calendar to buy tickets just as soon as they went on sale.

For those of you who don't live in the world of Broadway theater, Mr. Odom is the actor who won the Tony Award for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in Hamilton.   The role, and the critical acclaim attached to it, allowed him to pursue his singing career in a way he wasn't able to before.  Albums and concerts lay before him, an open door to do what he truly loved.  At least, that's they way he tells it.

It is a rare occasion that Thatboy and I are able to go out on a date night, most of our one-on-one time being relegated to days when we are both off from work and the kids are in preschool.

The venue for the summer concerts is one of my favorite aspects about it.  Music on the bay is lovely.  Boats drift in and bob gently against the shore, listening to the music.

While on the other side, you have the backdrop of the city.  San Diego doesn't have the imposing skyline of New York or Chicago, but it's not a bad view.

The evening itself was completely enjoyable.  In addition to listening to Leslie's voice, which is so unbelievably amazing, he kept us entertained with banter between numbers.  Talking about his career, his aspirations, and of course, Hamilton.  I'm too young to have ever attended concerts by any of the Rat Pack, but I would imagine the stage presence was similar.   One of the highlights of the evening was when he brought his wife, actress Nicolette Robinson, on stage to sing with him.  (It also made me feel incredibly old to realize we went to the same school, and she started after I was already married)

Thatboy loved that part too, because she also has a beautiful voice.  Their daughter is probably going to open the heavens when she gets older and starts to sing.

He sang a mix of songs from Broadway and his albums, and ended the evening with a bang.  Literally.  Bayside Summer Nights ends with fireworks, and these were the perfect accompaniment to one show-stopping number.



To top off the evening, after the show, Leslie stuck around for a meet and greet with all his adoring fans.  We waited in line for over an hour, but I can't complain because it wasn't like I had just spent the past two hours putting on a show.  The man must have been exhausted.  He looked tired.  But he was sweet, and kind, and generous with his time.  Plus, you make some pretty amazing friends standing in line for so long.  I was sandwiched between a mother and daughter, and an adorable couple, and we passed the time talking to each other.

I don't have as many tips for grown up summer concerts.  We sat in seats, so no blanket was necessary, although we did still bring snacks.  Grown up drinks were had, the kind you don't share with your kids.  And chips and dip took the place of cheese and crackers.  This dip is intended to be served hot, but it works just as well cold.  It was brought because it's a "grown up" dip, the inclusion of the spicy chipotle just doesn't fly with our kids.  Which is fine, because it worked perfectly well with our grown up, no kids allowed, evening with stars under the stars.

Chipotle Black Bean Dip with Corn Chips (From Cooking Light)

6 corn tortillas

cooking spray

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp olive oil

1 cup chopped onions

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1  can black beans, undrained

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp crumbled queso fresco

1/3 cup canned no-salt added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce

2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges.  Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.  
2. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
3. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook 8 minutes or until tender.
4. Add cumin and garlic.  Cook 1 minute.
5. Add oregano and beans and bring to a boil.  Mash with a potato masher and reduce heat.  Simmer 10 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally.
6. Spoon bean mixture into a 3-cup gratin dish coated with cooking spray.  Top with cheese.  Bake for 12 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
7. Combine tomatoes and chile in a food processor and process until smooth.
8. Spoon tomato mixture over bean mixture and sprinkle with cilantro.

Mommy Mondays: Kiddie Concerts

As I mentioned last month, I love going to outdoor concerts with my kids during the summer.  At one of the concerts, the couple sitting beside us leaned over and said "boy you guys are pros at this thing." Which made me laugh, because I didn't realize there was any sort of skill involved in attending summer concerts.  But I figured I would share our methods, in case anyone else out there wanted to step up their game.

1) Know your venue.

Summer concerts are held in all sorts of places.  Parks, pavilions, museums, here in San Diego, we even have them on the deck of an aircraft carrier!  We plan our arrival time based on what else there is to do.  Something like a museum, we arrive early enough to set up a blanket and let the kids run around playing.  Other venues, like a closed off lot with a stage, we arrive closer to the start of the concert.

2) What to bring?
A lot of people bring lawn chairs to concerts.  We do this for movies in the park, but during the concerts the kids spend more time on their feet than sitting, and often we're away from our spots, so it's easier for us to just bring a large, waterproof blanket.  Machine washable is a must, because it inevitably gets something on it.  I bring a separate bag filled with dinner and snacks, and that's really it.

3) What's to eat?

We've been to concerts where nothing is available to eat, where food trucks are present, or recently a concert that was catered by a restaurant with a small menu of premade food to purchase.  But if you have kids, you know you're better off bringing your own, just in case.   Our "just in case" always involves cheese and crackers.  Right now Thatkid is a huge fan of "goat cheese sandwiches" or goat cheese between two crackers.  Thatbaby is all about the gouda.

One of my favorite things to bring is sandwiches, and I love love love a couple of local grocery stores that have prepacked "kids meals" which come with a sandwich, drink, and snack (or two or three).

And of course, there must always be fruit.  Which Thatbaby somehow always seems to take possession of.

4) What to expect.  I've noticed a lot of parents try to get their kids to eat before the concert.  Which is definitely one option.  My kids need a little warming up to the music, so we start eating when the concert starts.  This gives them time to watch and take it all in while eating.

Often by the time they're finished, they're ready to go up and join in the fun.  Thatkid will take breaks from eating to run up and sing and dance to a song he knows.  Thatbaby waits until he's all done, then wants one of us to go up close to the stage with him.  Which is why we don't bring chairs.

The great thing about summer concerts for kids is that they're really geared toward them.  There's usually at least one song that every kid knows, like Old MacDonald.  And just as you love it when a song you know and love comes on the radio, kids get really excited when a band or singer is singing a song THEY KNOW.

5) The aftermath.  In our neck of the wood, these concerts begin and end fairly early.  Which means they extend the bedtimes of my children, but not by too much.  And what really helps is bringing pajamas with us.  We change the kids before heading home, so that when we get home, they can march right to bed.  With a song in their heart.

Crave Wednesday: Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella

I love summer concerts.  Outside, in a park, it's one of my favorite family time activities.

Typically we hit up the Botanical Garden for their summer concert series.  And I had every intention of doing it again this year, when I noticed that one of our favorite entertainers was performing a little closer to home.

Thatkid loves Hullabaloo, so that's the band we usually see during the summer concert series.  They're ubiquitous with kids concerts here in San Diego.  So it really wasn't terribly surprising to find out they were performing at the Children's Discovery Museum's Summer Concert Series too.  Since we already are huge fans of the Children's Discovery Museum, the idea of getting to play, picnic, and listen to music seemed like a really great way to spend a Friday night.

The museum has extended hours the nights of the concerts.  We tried to get there a little early for the boys to play.  Thatkid made a beeline for the outdoor area and we set Thatbaby up with the water and legos.

In addition to extended hours, the museum had food and beverages for the concert goers.  There was a food truck with organic meals.

Wine and beer for $5 a glass, and Italian Ice for dessert.

We settled in for dinner while we waited for the music to begin.  Thatboy had lamb and brussels sprouts, while the boys and I had macaroni and cheese.  Mine was a little more grown up with lobster in it.

When the music started, the kids rushed the stage.

Thatbaby got into the action.





As did Thatkid.



When Hullabaloo took a break we enjoyed some Italian Ice.

This was the first time Thatbaby was really able to enjoy the museum. He went down the slide, played with magnets and compressed air, and especially the little air hose!



There's one more concert, this Friday, August 5.  I highly recommend it if you don't have plans and you're in the area.  They allow you to bring your own food if you're not so into the food truck.  And since sandwiches are my favorite summer picnic food, let me recommend one of those too.

A panini is the ultimate comfort food sandwich, with warm, melty cheese and crunchy bread.  Making it on a grill pan makes it seem like a great summer alternative to anything requiring an oven.  And grilling is so summery, right?  This one, with mozarella, tomato, basil, and prosciutto seems like a bright Italian day, sitting in a piazza and listening to a local musician serenade you.  Bring that same feeling to a summer concert near you!

Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella (From Cooking Light)

1 loaf french bread, cut in half horizontally

1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese, divided

2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

2 oz very thinly sliced prosciutto

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

cooking spray

1. Hollow out top and bottom halves of bread, leaving a 1/2 inch thick shell, reserve torn bread for another use. Spread 2 Tbsp mayonnaise cut side of each bread half.
2. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese and basil on bottom half of loaf.
3. Top evenly with tomato slices, prosciutto and 1/2 cup cheese.
4. Cover with top half of loaf.  Cut filled loaf crosswise into 4 equal pieces.
5. Heat a grill pan over medium heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add sandwiches to pan.  Place a cast iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten sandwiches.  Cook 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted.  Remove from heat and serve immediately.