Summer - Pleasant Pass Times

I absolutely adore summer when the temperatures are in the 70's and I can keep all the doors and windows open.  This week has been perfect weather and the next week promises the same.  It's been great to enjoy the "fruits" of summer- the fresh herbs, the farmer's markets, and the flowers in the garden.  One of my most favorite ways to spend a summer day is to cut and arrange flowers from the garden and cook meals with things that I have found at the local farmer's markets. This week I spent a day doing just that!
 I found a new blog called " Localmilkblog.com.  The blog author is a stylist in Chattanooga, Tennessee and she created this wonderful little hand pie recipe.

 

Beth's pies- beautifully shaped and garnished!

 

 

.  It intrigued me, so I got the ingredients together and made them- absolutely divine and so summer!!! White peaches, roses and basil-what's more summerlike than that combination????

While my pies didn't look as beautiful as hers, they were delicious!
Check out the recipe at http://localmilkblog.com/2012/09/white-peach-rose-basil-hand-pies.html

I was getting a little worried as I filled the rounds of dough and tried to crimp them.  I was afraid all the filling would ooze out when they baked. But they didn't.  I only put in 1/2 teaspoon of the rose water and that seemed to be the perfect amount.  It gave an unexpected taste to the pies, but was not overwhelmingly rosy!

 

My  pies- a little more rustic shall we say?

Beth was right-  Thomas Kellers Butter Pastry Crust was wonderful and very easy to make in the food processor.

 

 

The roses in the garden are so much fun to arrange-

 

 

I like to arrange them by color palette and add mint and scented geranium leaves that smell like chocolate mint and lemon.

 

I often use antique glasses as the vases.

 

Can't wait for the farmer's market this week- it's so much fun to explore new food recipes.