Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Fiancé Revealed: Vanilla and Corn Summer Salad

-I really do wish that all my posts started with champagne.-

No formal post today. Instead I want to share some pictures from my recent engagement shoot. Our photographer, Sarah Maren, arrived for a BBQ lunch at our home along with her husband, our florist, and our wedding planner. It was a rather relaxed meal. We went through a pitcher or three of white sangria loaded with peaches, apricots, nectarines, triple sec, and mint. I made my reliable pluot almond cake. Fiancé went to work at the grill with chicken slathered in a homemade coffee-chipotle barbeque sauce as well as southern-style dry rubbed ribs. I used my friend Tori’s recipe for watermelon and feta salad. I also crafted up a quick and adoringly addictive vanilla and corn salad bejeweled with cherry tomatoes from the garden for which the recipe is provided at the end.

It was light, breezy, and just what you wanted in heat that threatens to set you alight. And while it was odd trying to pose for two cameras clicking away it was fun and strangely intimate, too.

Also, I just realized that I’ve never introduced you all properly to Fiancé. Now seems a good time.

-Of course, the cat demands your attention, too.-

This is Brian. I’m very happy for you all to finally meet.

-What Brian doesn't know is that I'm trying to steal a chicken leg from him.-

-We totally eat like this every day.-

-The photographer has just made a funny noise.-

-Eat Beast being Eat Beast. And no, we didn't let him up. He just hops on our laps and assumes he can take what he wants. The idea that reprimanding him will work is a joke.-

-For those against gay marriage this scene shows that you were right. Clearly, this is a threat to us all.-

-Working the grill because lord knows I won't do it.-

-The resulting chicken.-

-Bucolic Gays-


-More Corgi!-


-Really, the photographer is just awesome.-



Vanilla and Corn Summer Salad

5 ears corn
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
a good handful of chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 vanilla bean
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
sea salt
black pepper

1. Cook the corn for 5 minutes in some salted boiling water. Run the cobs under cold water and when cool enough to handle cut the kernels off.

2. While the corn cooks make the dressing. Combine the olive oil, balsamic, the seeds of the vanilla bean, sesame seeds and whisk together. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. In a bowl combine all the corn, tomatoes, cilantro, and the dressing. Toss and serve.

58 comments:

  1. She *is* a wonderful photographer! I'm so glad you finally introduced fiance to us. I'm also happy that you live somewhere you're able to marry. Congratulations again!

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    1. Actually, we don't. California is in a legal battle over Prop 8 that will be headed to the Supreme Court. We're getting married, but it won't be legally recognized until a decision is made. While we could do a domestic partnership or civil union we are choosing to wait a year and see what the court says. Mainly, Brian is part of the military and as it stands if they ship him off to another country or he were to get injured I would't be able to go with him or in the latter case make medical decisions for him (or him me). It's rather cruel. =P

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    2. Wait. What? How did I miss that? Yeah, even if you're married, the military is saying that you won't be able to be considered a dependent- at least the last I heard. My husband is military, so we've been keeping a close eye on that aspect of it. I am absolutely thrilled that they got rid of DADT. I think it is going to be wonderful that he's getting married in his uniform. I hope you share pictures from your wedding!

      Also, I think that you should be able to get married. We got married in a mayor's office in Greece while we were both in the Navy. You should be able to do the same. If you're not married and you're both military, you also wouldn't be able to get joint assignments. There's just so much frustrating stuff surrounding the whole issue, disregarding the equality aspect.

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  2. You guys look really happy. Congrats!!

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  3. Wish you much joy in your married life!

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  4. You two are adorable! As are your pets.

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  5. Garrett that second-to-last picture is just so darn joyful! I love it. Congratultions to you both.

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  6. Mazel Tov to you and Brian. It is a total outrage that due to Prop 8,you can't be legally married while this mess winds its ways through the courts. The pictures, you guys, the food/settings and the beasties look wonderful.

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  7. I made a corn salad that was very similar to yours this weekend - minus the vanilla. It never occurred to me to try it. Back to the farmers market to get more corn and tomatoes! I think I still have an errant vanilla bean in the pantry...

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  8. Ohhhhhhh much love and many many happy years to both of you !!!!

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  9. Love! Great pictures! And that first pic of Brian with the kitty almost made me tear up. Too damn cute.

    And yes, I can see why people are so frightened of gay marriage from this photo series. Absolutely the scariest thing I have ever witnessed.

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    1. I totally agree. I made a mistake in saying they looked really happy. I meant to say terrifying.

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  10. You guys are adorable.

    And your photographer does fantastic work.

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  11. You guys are adorable.

    Your photographer does awesome work, too. :)

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  12. We love you handsome men and are SO excited to be part of your wedding! xoxoxo!

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  13. Congratulations, Garrett! You and Brian are a handsome couple.
    [ I love that picture with the cat. ♥]

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  14. I love the black and white photo the most. I don't think there is a happier couple.Congrats!

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  15. I'm so happy you shared this! I know I can't be the only one who was dying to see the face of Fiance!
    I'm so happy for you two! You know what's funny? We're doing our engagement photo shoot tonight at sunset! Small world! I love how y'all shot while cooking together. So sweet & so YOU :)

    Congrats again!
    xo

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  16. Yay! You definitely got yourself quite a looker ;) The photos are fantastic, and congrats again!

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  17. Oh, and that coffee chipotle BBQ sauce sounds amazing. Any chance we will see that recipe soon? :)

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    1. Shannon, that recipe comes from the Homesick Texan Cookbook. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy. It's fantastic and we use it all the time. =D

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  18. OK, you guys know you're fucking adorable, but add the cats and Jack into the equation and the level of cuteness in that household is off the charts. You know how to pick 'em.

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  19. You guys are so adorable! Wishing you a very happy marriage.

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  20. Young love with cats and a baby Corgi! Cannot get any cuter, or you two will be on Cute Overload! And that table was gorgeous, the flowers were even more beautiful than the food, and in this blog that is hard to do. I hope you all are happy and in love and healthy forever!

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    1. Def. have to thank Shannon for the flowers. http://www.flourishdesigns.com/

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  21. De-lurking to say that you two (not to mention the critters) look so happy and handsome in your pics! I wish you the very best in your marriage.

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  22. Love this! Much happiness to you both!

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  23. Congratulations!! Your corgi stole the show...

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  24. Great photos! You two are super adorable. I love your little family (cats and puppies included, of COURSE) and I wish I could steal your lovely dining room and kitchen for my own. Thanks for bringing so much light and life with you into your blogging. Wishing good wishes for your future together! :-)

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  25. Fantastic photos and great to meet all the family

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  26. Beautiful photos! Congratulations!

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  27. Great photos and precious corgi! Thanks for introducing us to the fiance!

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  28. Oh my, the love and tenderness that is there. Wonderful, congratulations to both of you, you look incredibly happy. I bet you would make wonderful parents, that's if that is in your future. Wishing you the best and hoping all these stupid laws will be rescinded, you deserve all the benefits of having a spouse.
    cptexas

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  29. so cute....and your comment about the one of you both cooking is hysterical.

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  30. Oh my god the adorable. Such sweetness between you two, so romantic! :::melt::: Good grief, I'm actually crying- and I am a hard old EMT. You guys are beautiful together and I wish you all the happiness in the world. The hopefulness in my heart lives in moments like these. I'm very proud of both of you and so honored to get to share in the beginning of your life together. Well wishes and much support from Phoenix, Az

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  31. Congratulations! I wish you both much joy. You guys are freaking adorable.

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  32. Not sure which is cuter, the two of you or that adorable corgi. You look at him the way my husband looks at me, and I couldn't wish anything better on a person or couple. Congratulations. Can't wait to see wedding pictures if you choose to share them.

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  33. Oh god, you two are too freaking cute.

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  34. The coffee chipotle BBQ sauce sounds great! Can you share the recipe?

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  35. I am SO glad you have shared this with us, what beautiful pictures! The love that spews off my monitor (yes, it is spewing) is sprinkling itself all over the place... thanks!!

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  36. I have been following your blog since the beginning of time (well, a really really long time), and replicating numerous recipes of yours, I particularly enjoyed your cupcake experimentation phrase, my waist, not so much. Anyway, I dont believe I've ever commented, due primarily to the fact that I creep on your blog through the tiny screen of my phone. But. I just wanted to say Congratulations, if anyone deserves a happily ever after its you. Thank you for making so many people and their stomachs happy with your recipes and wit. Blessings to you and your fiancee, hopefully CA will realize soon enough that happiness is an equal right everyone is entitled too.

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  37. Nothing anyone hasn't said already - but can you hear this kind of thing too much? I love your engagement photos and I enjoyed finally seeing a glimpse of Fiance! It is ridiculous that anyone could hate the sight of two people sharing a loving committed life together. Wishing you both all the best!!

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  38. Gorgeous! So glad you shared! You have a beautiful family!

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  39. Of all the posts to miss, I cannot believe I missed this one!! You two look amazing together, cats and corgi included. (I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan of corgi's till I saw the Queen's ones in the olympic opening ceremony- so cute!)
    Hey, this maybe a silly question, but if you went to say, New York and got married, would you still be married in California? It would be really odd if they suddenly said that you can't be married here although you're already married in another state.

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  40. Congratulations to you guys again! The photos are stunning and Fiance is of course just lovely, like yourself. PS I may have mentioned this before, but I adore that you call your cat Eat Beast. What a fabulously descriptive name.

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  41. You and your Fiance are absolutely beautiful, your photographer does a fantastic job.

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  42. Fiance is so handsome! You guys make a beautiful couple!

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  43. Yes I admit, what a lovely photographs-touchwood!! Garrett I always wondered who must be the person in your life, for whom you would cooking.. Even though I know you are cook by profession..It still matters a lot. You and your fiance look perfect, elegant and god bless you both!!! =)

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  44. I agree - every post should begin with champagne! The photographs, especially the ones of the two of you cooking, are beautiful. And I love that you've included your pets. As for the flask, I have a dream (nightmare?) about whipping a flask out of my stockings (you know, the thigh high ones _everyone_ wears) in the middle of a bad first date.

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  45. Cute photos. Corn salad looks delish.

    So if you 'get married' before all the voting takes place, and then it passes, does the ceremony you had act as a legal ceremony and you would just automatically be married? Or would you have to go down to city hall and do something in addition? I know a lot of gay couples are going ahead with ceremonies, but it didn't occur to me that if things pass (fingers crossed), they would not have to repeat. Something you said above made me wonder if maybe it would count after the fact. (That would be nice!)

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    1. This wedding is just a ceremony. Sadly, nothing legal about it. If it DOES become legal then we're just going to go to city hall and sign the paperwork so we can have the legal protections of marriage. =)

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  46. Garett, I just want to add my blessings and say that I am happy for you and your betrothed. :)

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  47. So cute! Been reading your blog for ages and I'm happy to finally "meet" him.

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Hey, you're leaving a comment! That's pretty darn cool, so thanks. If you have any questions or have found an error on the site or with a recipe, please e-mail me and I will reply as soon as possible.
~Garrett