More Garden Goodies: Purple Podded Pole Bean & Tomato Salad

The best thing about Purple Podded Pole Beans (say that three times fast!) is that they are  purple!

From a home-gardener's point of view, they are generous producers throughout the Summer. The plants can grow six to seven feet, and the beans are six to seven inches long.

Did I mention that they are magical? 

When blanched, steamed, or boiled they turn green.

I love them raw and since we barbecue  often, I am always experimenting with new salad recipes.

*You can use green beans with the following recipe.

Beans & Cherry Tomato Salad

2 lbs. fresh purple (or green) beans
2 Cups cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
1/4 plus 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
1/2 tsp. thyme
2 TBS tarragon
sea salt 
ground black pepper
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Add  beans to a pot of boiling water for 4 - 5 minutes
Drain and  immediately rinse  beans under cold water;
pat the green beans dry.

In a large bowl, whisk the mustard and vinegar, then add the olive oil and  whisk together.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add the green beans, thyme and tarragon and toss to coat. Add the tomatoes, toss gently and serve.

The Angels Are Bowling

Yes it is August on Long Island! In the wee hours of the morning, I woke up to the  explosive crack of  thunder and flash of lightning, or thunder boomers as my Dad called them.

 I don't mind thunderstorms in the daytime. I enjoy watching lightning  from the safety of my house and especially over the water but as for the night...not so much!


I realize my fear stems from the fact lightning struck our house  when I was a child. Thankfully no one was injured and our house escaped serious damage, but I remember the sound of lightning hitting the metal fan vent on the side of our house.

I can honestly say having children alleviated much of my angst and put everything into perspective. As a Mom I did not want to alarm them during severe thunderstorms. I shared childhood memories such as my Dad's nickname for thunderstorms and a story my Mom told my sisters and I during a wicked storm.

 I suppose we asked her why it thundered. She responded that when she was a little girl her Mom told her that the angels were bowling. Whenever there was a loud burst of thunder, a lucky angel had knocked all the pins down. I had this vivid image of beautiful Angels,standing on puffy clouds bowling, and yes they were wearing bowling shoes!

So, the next time you are awakened by a  booming  thunderstorm, instead of being annoyed, just remember the angels are bowling.

From My Garden: Tomatoes, Basil and Garbanzo Salad

Kudos to my husband and son for planting such a marvelous organic garden once again this year!
Two types of tomatoes, purple Pole Beans, Cucumbers,  Eggplant, two varieties of zucchini squash and basil and parsley galore!

The weather certainly played a part in the production of  such a  bountiful, delicious crop of goodies!
We still have an  incredible amount of tomatoes growing, and it is mid-August.

We have grilled, baked, stuffed them and eaten them raw. I can only imagine how many I have devoured as I pick them right off the vine.

I have been experimenting and looking at recipes for inspiration. Here is one I saw online and tweaked a bit.

* One 13 oz. can of organic garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 
* @ 12 - 15 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
* 3 large cloves of  organic garlic, finely minced
* @ 20 basil leaves chopped up
*2 TBS virgin olive oil
* 1 TBS organic apple cider vinegar
* 1 TBS red wine vinegar
* 1 TBS honey
* 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Place the garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and basil in a big bowl. Mix the liquid ingredients in a small bowl, pour over the beans and tomatoes and gently stir. Cover and  refrigerate for at least an hour.

Garden Tomato Basil Salad With Garbanzo Beans