Summer is almost over-even in San Diego. Meals change.

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are reading.  Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are still busy this weekend, so Cathy is continuing to blog.

Despite this crazy hot weather we've had the past few weeks, the clock tells me that days are getting shorter. Waking at 6 a.m. with darkness broken only by the light of the moon (if there is a moon) and the sun not peeking over the horizon for another half hour or so means the chill I am enjoying only for another hour now will be the norm in a few weeks. A look at the calendar reminds me that menus will be changing.  I thought I'd post about some meals and/or snacks enjoyed over some of the warm Summer days.

One June day when I was volunteering, I chose the Pesto Chicken box lunch, thinking it would merely be the least offensive choice. 
This was the most surprising, delicious flavor combination and sandwich I have had in a very long time.  Not only was the chicken a full grilled breast half, served with lettuce, tomato and a mild cheese along with the pesto, but a grilled red pepper completed the flavor points. I learned to roast peppers over an open flame at home, pop the peppers into a plastic bag to steam and easily peel off that skin and have peppers available in the fridge to satisfy cravings and use on sandwiches made at home.
Starbucks re-released their green coffee based beverages called Refreshers (originally San Diego was a test market in the Summer of 2010), the Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus flavors are available in packets and cans or can be made for you in the store- fresh mint leaves compliment the lime and small berries are in the very berry flavor.  Neither has a hint of coffee flavor or bitterness, and neither is overly sweet...they are refreshing Refreshers, but I think they will again go off the menu when other seasonal beverages are back in the rotation.

Cold noodle plates, like this Hiyashi from Yakyudori Yakitori, will be leaving menus soon.  So simple, refreshing and filled with flavor.  I always wait to see the signage on the walls of Japanese restaurants announcing the return of cold noodles.  Must get one last meal of these in before they disappear.

These most creatively delightfully flavored, thick and crunchy Lays potato chips, made in Canada and given to me from caninecologne after her vacation there this past summer are but a mere memory and now on my list when I will be able to visit Canada later this year. 
This ingredient list shows you how creative the meld of flavors are to make the chips 'merely' ketchup flavor. Radish concentrate, dehydrated garlic, black current concentrate?  Who would've thought?

The small shave ice bowl at Big Joy Family Bakery is only purchased one time a year, even though it is available all the time.  The shaved ice is topped with a very good vanilla ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, small mochi and sweet bean powder, surrounded by fresh fruit (pineapple, strawberry, kiwi and banana) for less than $5 makes this an affordable treat.   

I hope everyone made it through this hot (but not not humid) weekend and Summer. Another week begins and Autumn will be here on Friday!

Comments

[caninecologne]

i haven't yet tried the shaved ice at Big Joy bakery, but it sure looks refreshing!

i was surprised by the ingredients for the kettle cooked ketchup chips. of all the different brands i bought (and there were many!), the Lay's Kettle Cooked and the Pringles were my favorite. The Lay's were so thick, crunchy and flavorful. The Pringles I liked because they are in a tube and packed really well! hope you see these chips and many others (I recommend President's Choice - they have a multitude of flavors) for your upcoming Canada trip.

[Cathy]

It's fascinating how that complex blend of flavors makes such a ketchup-y flavored chip, isn't it, cc? I thought I tasted horseradish and started to read the label...The large shaved ice bowl has three scoops of ice cream and is served in a pretty ginormous bowl (ask to see how large if you are going to order).

[caninecologne]

i'd have to share that ice dessert - 3 scoops of ice cream is way too much for me.perhaps a smaller size then.

[Cathy]

The small is enough for the two of us, cc. The large would be really nice for the three of you to share. There is also a green tea option...