Bluebonnet Diner, Northampton, Massachusetts

I really enjoyed this Reuben sandwich with its great combination of corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. I think I'm quite partial to moist sandwiches, so I'm always quite free with the mustard and Thousand Island dressing.

The Bluebonnet Diner is Americana at its best. I love to sit at the counter and soak up the chrome decor, and sneak a little peep into the kitchen. It’s a friendly place and you always seem to end up chatting to your neighbor. Next time I go I’ll be sure to leave some space for pie or pudding!

324 King Street, Northampton, MA  01060  •  413-584-3333

Iced Mint Tea

This is a delicious and extremely refreshing drink to serve when the weather is hot and humid, and is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

6 English Breakfast or regular black tea-bags

1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice

juice of ½ lime

12 sprigs of fresh mint

½ orange, sliced

½ lemon, sliced

2 T sugar

lots of ice cubes

Make the tea in a large teapot using the tea-bags and two pints boiling water. Then add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 6 sprigs of mint to the teapot. Allow the tea to brew for 15 minutes, then remove the tea-bags and leave the tea to cool.

When the tea has cooled remove the mint from the teapot and pour into a large pitcher. Add lots of ice, the orange and lime juices and 6 more sprigs of fresh mint. Add some orange and lemon slices before serving on lots of ice and then garnish with a sprig of mint. This is the best mint tea you’ve ever tasted—guaranteed!

This recipe is taken from Delia Smith’s Summer Collection.

Seafood lunch in Maine

We had a scallop pizza for lunch with pesto and caramelized onions, with a bowl of local steamed mussels. A beautiful seafood combination on a beautiful afternoon in Maine.

Clam chowder—full of clams and full of flavour! The bowl is actually on top of a map of where we were in Maine—The Osprey Restaurant at Riggs Cove, Georgetown, Maine, and there just happened to be an osprey in the cove keeping an eye on the comings and goings.

Fresh flavours of summer

Tomatoes, feta, roasted red peppers, cucumber with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. We also had some grilled fish, but it was so delicious I ate it without taking a photograph. Oh well!

Berries from my garden with a little cream. Perfection.