two meals in

Between recent (and current) travel and dining out while in Chicago, we're not getting much chance to cook and dine in. That's not a bad thing - it's nice not to be too overheated in the apartment from the cooking. Summer has been a real summer this year in Chicago, unlike last year.

This past Monday and Tuesday I got myself back into the kitchen for a bit, however, and managed to cobble together two very similar meals. Side dishes were the same: a bit of salad (tossed with balsamic vinegar, white truffle oil, salt and pepper), and a bit of corn on the cob (the Swiss chard of summer 2010).

The main part varied (as did the beverage - martinis one night, white wine the next). Coho salmon on the Monday, simply pan fried. Pork tenderloin the next night, seared and then roasted in a hot toaster oven (yes, we've done our duty at converting the straights).

And for two consecutive nights, we sat out on the balcony and enjoyed a quiet evening there. Some berries macerated with chopped fresh lavender leaves, some yogurt, some Icelandic chocolate,
and we were well and truly content.