We are on the road again, hence the collage of dishes in lieu of step-by-step photos. During this late summer into fall trip we are headed towards the eastern states. So far we've hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and parts of charming Connecticut.
I've been inspired by some OPRs (other people's recipes) that I've seen in magazines and some recent cookbook purchases. This is a great time of year to find fresh produce and I took the recipes and adjusted them to suit us and our way of life in a tiny motor home kitchen. But that's what everyone does with a recipe- right? You might follow it the first time, but after that you make it your own!
Tomato, Bean, and Basil Salad - Inspired by a Photo in Bon Appetit Magazine
Ingredients:
2 or 3 ripe tomatoes, sliced and cubed
2 cups cooked cannelloni beans or 15 oz. can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh pureed tomatoes or 15 oz. can chopped tomatoes that are food processed
1 clove garlic, put through a press or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 cup green olives
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup basil leaves, some chopped, some whole
1/2 cup dark leafy lettuce blend, like spinach & kale
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the pureed tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, olives, olive oil and vinegar. Add the beans, basil and leafy greens and gently stir. Place on platter and serve with crusty bread, if desired.
Peach and Cucumber Salad - Adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine

Ingredients:
2 or 3 ripe peaches, sliced
1 large cucumber or a couple smallish ones, both sliced and cubed
2 or 3 cups of some kind of dark leafy green salad mix - like spinach/kale
1/4 of red onion, finely diced
Juice of 1 lemon, about 1/4 cup, plus more for a finishing squeeze
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup of crumbly white cheese - original recipe calls for feta, I used queso fresco
Optional - the original recipe calls for a handful each of basil and mint leaves, I've done it with and without
Directions:
Whisk together onion, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Bon Appetit says to divide the resulting dressing and pour 1/2 over the peaches and 1/2 over the cucumbers before ultimately mixing them together, Lazy me, I just put greens on a platter, mixed together the peaches and cucumbers and then poured the dressing on top. I then crumbled the cheese over it all and finished it off with a sprinkle of more Kosher salt, a dash of pepper and some squeezes of lemon juice.
Corn Salad with Crunchy Corn Nuts - Adapted from Dining In by Alison Roman

Ingredients
4 ears of corn on the cob
2 limes
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, including both leaves and tender stems
1/2 cup plain corn nuts
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
Directions:
Cook the corn by leaving it in the husk and either microwave it on high for 10 minutes, bake it at 425 for 30 to 40 minutes, or - as the original recipe calls for - put it on the grill for about 25 to 30 minutes. (I've done this all three ways. When I did it on the grill, the husk caught on fire - so keep some water close to put out the flames.)
Squeeze the juice out of one of the limes, and combine the juice with the onions, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Set Aside.
Husk the corn and cut the kernels off the cob, by holding the cob straight up and scraping down with a knife. In a large bowl combine the kernels, corn nuts, cilantro and lime/onion mixture. Transfer it all to a serving platter and top with crumbled cheese. Use the second lime to squeeze some lime juice over the top.
Squash Blossom Zucchini Soup - Recipe Adapted from My Mexico City Kitchen by Gabriela Camara
Ingredients:
2 medium yellow or white onion, sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium zucchini
4 cups chicken broth or 2 (15 oz.) cans chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon dried epazote or Mexican oregano
1 chopped zucchini flowers plus some whole ones for garnishing
Directions:
Over medium low heat, saute the onion in the oil until it is tender. Add the epazote or oregano and cook an additional 30 seconds.
Dice the zucchini and add to the onions along with the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat so the mixture is simmering. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender.
take off the heat and divide between four serving bowls. To each bowl add 1/4 cup zucchini flowers and serve.