Between the Lakes Road and a Cool Summer Treat!

An all time favorite summer walk is on Between the Lakes Road in Salisbury, CT. Even on hot humid days there is often a refreshing breeze. Unsettled with all of the news from our crazy world, walking along the lake on this peaceful dirt road never fails to make me feel centered and calm.

My first stop is at a tiny mountain stream where the water gurgles gently over the rocks into a small pool. I stand still and listen to the soft rhythmic sounds of the water; my breathe slows down perceptibly.

I continue along the road and breathe deeply; the cool clean air smells slightly salty and I feel like I am on vacation in Maine.

Around a bend of the road, I see one of my favorite maple trees, gnarly and full of character. It has been the subject for several of my “Trees of the Week”; it stands guard in front of an old white colonial house.

The house on Twin Lakes Road looks to be about 200 years old and I find myself wondering about the people that lived in this house. The house seems to have been expanded over the years for growing extended families. I don’t know the present owner, but would love to see the inside of the house and look out one of the windows that has a view of the lake. I would like to breathe in the musty air that old houses possess and I imagine the joys, sorrows and family dramas that occurred here.

I continue on; my walk on this day is not aerobic, more of a leisure saunter where I am mesmerized by the reflections of the sky and wild flowers on the water.

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During my calming and centering walk, I think about what might be a light and cool side dish for dinner; I think about some cucumbers that a friend gave me from her garden. Sliced into thin strips, they are perfect with a crunchy slightly spicy peanut sauce made from Teddies Crunchy Peanut Butter, brown rice vinegar, tamari, diced fresh ginger, sesame oil and hot sesame chili oil. This is also delicious with cold shredded chicken and maybe a cold glass of Rose wine!

Sliced Cucumbers with Peanut Sauce

Ingredients:

1 large cucumber peeled and cut into julienned strips

Peanut Sauce:

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

2 tablespoons tamari

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon hot sesame chili oil

water

• Note- all ingredient amounts can be adjusted according to taste! Keep adjusting freely!!

To Make Peanut Sauce:

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and whisk together.

Add a small amount of water, whisk until smooth and keep adding water until you get a smooth consistency.

Place cucumbers and if you are using shredded chicken on a platter, spoon sauce over and ENJOY!!

AND: Here is the “Tree of the Week” straight from Twin Lakes Road!

STAY SAFE AND COOL!