summer marching in

And since we're approaching summer here in Tucson at the speed of a rattlesnake strike, hitting 80! degrees! the last couple of days, I've begun cooking fruity things again. Leaning away from the cream and the heavy meaty pastas and the non-leafy stews of Yesteryore. Just last night, for example, I did this Raspberry Jam Almond Thing (I think Gourmet calls it something different) that almost killed us this morning when we sliced into it for breakfast. Killed us in a really good sugary jammy almondy kind of way, I mean. Not, like, in a crazy farmer way, with a nicely sharpened pitchfork or a thresher or anything.

Also, it's about time to start thinking about the 2008 Summer Beverage of Choice. As you may recall, 2006 was the year of the Mojito. We introduced the Lime Vodka Freeze in 2007. Now, as Summer 2008 winds up for the pitch, I'd like to submit for consideration the Desert Sunrise: tequila, chile-blackberry syrup, orange juice, and lime juice.

We will, of course, keep you informed.