Rounding off the summer with a BBQ

As long as the weather holds up, it will be a few weeks before my Dad packs up the BBQ. If we lived in a milder weather province – like BC – Dad would have it running all year long. I’m serious.

But this weekend, we’re having a big family BBQ- kind of like a last hurrah before summer ends and my sister, Amelia, and I go back to school. Mom put ME in charge of the salad – AGAIN. Last year, I made a typical tossed salad, but this year I’m kicking it up a notch.

I’ve developed an interest in cooking and so I’m going to try and make this delicious peach and tomato salad. It sounds complicated, I know – but with Dad’s help, it should turn out just…peachy!

Here’s the recipe in case you and your Dad want to give it a try:

SMOKY TOMATO AND PEACH SALAD

What you need:

1 pound whole wheat pasta, like bowties 454 g
2 peaches, sliced in half and pits removed
1 Tbsp canola oil 15 mL
4 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges or chunks
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1/2  tsppepper 2 mL
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 125 g
4 green onions, sliced
4 slices thick-cut bacon

Vinaigrette
1/2       cup fresh basil leaves 125 mL
2          Tbsp red wine vinegar 30 mL
1/3       cup canola oil 85 mL
1/4       tsp salt 1 mL
1/4       tsp ground pepper 1 mL

What you do:

Bring water to a boil and prepare pasta according to directions, omitting the salt (not good for grandpa’s diabetes).

While pasta is cooking, cook the bacon till crisp. Drain. Cool. Break into pieces.

Brush peach halves with the canola oil, and place them on the BBQ. (Be sure to ask for an adult’s help!)  Grill the peaches for 1 to 2 minutes, until grill marks appear.

Remove the peaches and sprinkle them and the tomatoes with pepper.

Make the vinaigrette by adding the basil and vinegar to a food processor and blending until the basil is in tiny pieces and the mixture is combined. Stream in the canola oil and puree until combined. Season with salt and pepper and blend to mix.

Add the pasta to a large bowl and pour the vinaigrette on top. Mix thoroughly until the pasta is coated, then stir in the tomatoes and peaches. Add in the feta, onions and bacon, mixing until combined. Add a few basil leaves on top for garnish. Serve.

Sounds delicious, right? Hope you and your family are doing something fun to kick off the last few days of summer.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

PS – If you like cooking, too, my new mystery book, TASTING MY STORY includes some delicious, youth-friendly recipes. Email me for your copy today: chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com.