EASTERLY BREEZES - Green Beans, Walnuts Salad

Much like yesterday, the easterly breezes continue at about 15 MPH. This keeps the temps down in the mid 70's but there is plenty of sunshine, There are rip tide warnings but these don't mean much if you are in the shallow water inside the reef. Just use your head and swim near the Life Guard towers.

SUMMER HINT

Dog Days of Summer: They are named for Sirius, the Dog Star, that shines most brightly during this period. The Dog Days from July 3 to Aug 11 and that is about 40 days. This also the middle of storm season in Florida. Storm season is great. The weather is just perfect or really lousy.

GREEN BEANS, WALNUTS & HAM - SALAD

French cut green beans, 1 lb.
Butter lettuce – I head
Spanish onion, small - diced
Chicken broth – 8 oz.
Drv Vermouth – 1 oz.
Vinegar, white wine – 1 oz.
Italian, flat leaf parsley, chopped – 4 TBL.
Basil leaves, fresh , minced. – 3 TBL.
Greek yogurt – ¼ cup
Mayonnaise – ¼ cup
Walnuts – chopped – 2/3 cup
Ham, chopped – 1 cup
Kosher Salt
Black pepper, fresh ground

Simmer the beans in chicken broth and vermouth until tender but still bright green.
Drain and save the broth.

Toss the warm beans with the vinegar, parsley & Basil leaves. Cover and chill for a couple of hours.

Mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, together with 4 TBL of the chicken broth and chill

Just before serving toss the beans with the ham, walnuts and onion. Fold in the dressing and sprinkle with salt & Pepper to taste.

Serve each helping on a bed of Butter lettuce leaves.