Brazilian Chicken and Black Bean Stew

(Makes 6 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs with bone or skinless breast with ribs or combination
• ½ cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 ¼ cups chopped onion
• ¾ cup chopped celery
• ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ¾ cup chopped scallions, green and white parts
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 (15-ounce cans) black beans, rinsed and drained
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 large navel orange, cut in 6 wedges

Directions

1. In large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, 4 minutes on each side. Using tongs, transfer chicken to large bowl. Cover bowl with foil.
2. Add broth to pot and scrape bottom of pot while boiling, gathering up all browned bits.
3. Pour broth over chicken. Seal foil tightly over bowl and set chicken aside. Using paper towel, wipe out pot.
4. Return pot to medium-high heat and add remaining oil. Add onion, celery, green pepper, and scallions to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 minutes.
5. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add bay leaves and sprinkle nutmeg over vegetables. Arrange chicken pieces over vegetables, reserving liquid in bowl.
6. Spread beans over chicken. Pour liquid from bowl over beans. Cover and simmer until chicken thighs are falling-apart tender, 30-35 minutes. If using breast, cook until white in center at thickest part, 20-25 minutes.
7. To serve, divide chicken among 6 dinner plates. Remove bay leaf. Mix to combine beans and vegetables, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Spoon liquid from pot over chicken and ⅔ cup beans and vegetables alongside chicken. Garnish with parsley and orange wedges. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Leftovers keep in tightly covered container in refrigerator for 4 days.

Summer Veggie Soup

(Makes 6 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
• 32 ounces reduced-sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth may be substituted)
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 medium yellow squash, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
• 2 medium potatoes, diced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 6 asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 plum or Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• ¼ cup of fresh chives, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. In soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté about 6-8 minutes. Add carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in broth, chickpeas, squash, zucchini, potatoes, corn, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes. Stir in asparagus and cook 2 minutes or until squash and potatoes are tender, but not mushy. Then stir in tomatoes and cook 2 minutes.
3. Place in bowls, garnish with basil and chives and serve.

Post cover artist John Falter

“Nothing ever quenches the artist in him. … The world is his studio,” wrote The Saturday Evening Post in 1971 when artist John Falter came to visit.

While the Post‘s art director was preparing a portfolio of Falter paintings for that profile, intent over his drawing board, “he turned to find John scrunched down behind him, pencil in hand, sketching swiftly and surely.”

“Covered Bridge”

Unlike the art of Rockwell, Leyendecker and most Post artists, John Falter’s work was less about people and more about settings. It was all about perspective, and the paintings seemed to be from the viewpoint of a bird in a nearby tree.

The lettering on the bridge warned: “$5 Fine for Any Person Riding or Driving Over this Bridge Faster Than a Walk or Smoking Segars On.”

Hey, the artist didn’t write it, he just painted it.

Post editors speculated that maybe Falter should be fined $5 for letting that kid walk on the wall. We’ll not fine him this time, since we love how he captured this 1954 Pennsylvania scene, which makes the viewer long to be a kid on a lazy summer day, riding his bike and wading in the creek.

“Home From Vacation”

Our bird is looking down at a family returning from vacation in August 1952—and perhaps wishing they hadn’t. Not only is the lawn in desperate need of attention, but that little bird forgot to tell them to cancel the newspapers and milk (oh dear, how old is that milk?). While dragging out the mower, mister, you might want to get the ladder—it appears a couple of newspapers landed on the roof. But, be it ever so neglected, there’s no place like home.

An interesting tidbit from the Post article noted above was that Falter always painted from the south, so we are looking north. In this instance, the ominous northern sky greets the weary travelers with the news that they probably need not get the mower out just yet. One can only hope the house key isn’t at the bottom of a suitcase.

“Country Auction”

It looks like everything from farm implements to household goods are going in this country auction, including the neglected Victorian loveseat in the foreground, much to the dismay of the offended hen who was using it for nesting. This cheerful cover was surely a treat in 1944, when war news was everywhere, including inside this issue.

Born in 1910, Falter succeeded at a young age. He was landing prestigious assignments at magazines like McCall’s, Cosmopolitan and Life when he interrupted his career to enter the Navy during World War II. Promoted from boatswain to lieutenant, he designed over 300 posters and other materials for the Navy recruitment program.

It is interesting to compare these bucolic covers with Falter’s cityscapes, again from the bird’s eye view, which were covered in “Can You Guess the City?”

“Eighteenth Hole”

It is estimated that John Falter completed over 5,000 paintings. This is not all that surprising, said a 1991 Post article, considering that “Falter awoke every morning at 3 o’clock to concentrate on the work in progress, and that he painted until 5:30 p.m. six days a week.”

It is doubtful he had much time for such pastimes as golf. As much as he enjoyed the outdoors, clearly his passion was art. “It has to be a love affair every time,” Falter said. “If you aren’t in love with what you are trying to put on that canvas, you better quit”.

“Evening Picnic”

“Sometimes Nature rains on a picnic; sometimes she is just neutral; and sometimes, as in this mood caught by John Falter’s brush, she glories in the occasion herself, painting a magic sunset, smoothing the waterways into mirrors, tempering the temperature, even arranging for the watermelons to be at their most luscious ripeness.” Post editors in 1951 waxed poetic over this cover of an evening picnic.

The 1971 Post profile echoed, “Falter’s masterful treatment of light stems from the fact that he is a nature lover and happily gifted to reflect her moods.”

Nature continued to be a focus after his Post years (the magazine covers went from illustrations to photos in the 1960s). A 1991 Post article noted that one of his projects was “190 canvases of scenes depicting the western migration from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains.”

That love of nature lasted until his death in 1982, noted the article. “His ashes were cast into the mouth of the Platte River where they would flow down the Missouri—the setting of many of his historical paintings.”

“Inn in Ogunquit” – John Falter

Post cover artist John Falter spent many vacations at this inn in Ogunquit, Maine, and we are told he painted it very true to life. The older folks have prime seats in their porch rockers for watching the parade of characters heading to the beach.

“4-H Fair” – Stevan Dohanos

It wouldn’t be summer without the 4-H fair. This 1948 scene is also set in Maine, but by another great cover artist, Stevan Dohanos. The editors informed readers it was “the Skowhegan State Fair, a time-tested Maine recreation which claims to be the oldest fair in the land. Founded in 1819, the fair has been held every year since, without a break,” even in wartime. Here’s a pop quiz: What are the 4 “Hs”? (Answer at the end.)

“On Leave” – Norman Rockwell

This is my favorite summer cover. A lot of returning WWII soldiers were happily pulling hammock duty as in Rockwell’s 1945 cover. The artist borrowed the house from one neighbor, the hammock from another, and the dog from his son. An idyllic sun-dappled day of pure relaxation—and we wish many such blissful days for our troops returning today.

“Rainy Day at Beach Rental” – Stevan Dohanos

Alas, not every summer day is sun-dappled; some are rain-drenched. Artist Dohanos had his friends pose for him with the sun shining brightly in Martha’s Vineyard. He took the painting home to Connecticut, sure that the whole summer would be sunny and bright. But “I had a marvelous break,” he said. “It rained for three days straight. I could go out any hour of the day and get rain research.” One man’s nuisance is another man’s “rain research.”

“Tan Lines” – Albert W. Hampson

The pretty lady in this 1941 cover is learning a lesson relearned summer after summer. Tan lines and party dresses don’t mix. I love the pretty details on the vanity table.

“Housepainter and Bird’s Nest” – Stevan Dohanos

This is one of those situations where you’re an artist and you hire a guy to paint your house—and the guy ends up posing for you as a house painter. You know, one of those situations. The idea of the bird’s nest was the artist’s, but the house painter confirmed he had run into the situation many times. The painter (house painter, not the cover painter) said he always tried to give the birds as much leeway as possible, carefully returning the nest to it’s proper spot. The artist, Stevan Dohanos, noted: “I found out that the overalls he was wearing had just escaped being washed the day before. That would have been tragic, because it would have made them spotless and taken away that typical bag in the seat.” Well, what do you expect from a guy who does “rain research”?

Water Fight by Thornton Utz

First on the agenda is to start an all-out water war with the neighborhood kids. Artist Thornton Utz knew that any of these munchkins would fight a bath, but tackle them with hoses and the game is on. Your report will say you coordinated neighborhood activities. The adults clearing the sidewalk may not be especially fond of this particular activity, but your report won’t reflect that. This cover is from 1951.

Watering Father by Richard Sargent

“I thought of eco-friendly ways to help keep everyone cool,” your report will state. The shower will invigorate Dad, right? This 1955 cover shows why Dick Sargent was one of our favorite artists. What it doesn’t show is what happens seconds after this scene, for which we are thankful.

Bicycle Tricks by Thornton Utz

Your teacher will be impressed you made time for healthy exercise. You may need to click on the cover for a close-up, but basically, people are clearing a path for Hurricane Harry—not that he’s giving them much choice. But your report will show you took proper safety precautions—for yourself. In this 1955 cover, at least he’s wearing a helmet. It’s the safety of everyone else that is in question.

Dog Days of Summer by John Clymer

And it’s really nice you took time out on a lovely June day for watching the youngsters. This beautiful cover was by John Clymer, who dressed up dozens of Post covers with gorgeous landscapes. Thoughts of school are as far away as the farthest blue hills in this painting. But keep up the notes. Free babysitting will look good in your report.

Boy in Inner Tube by Eugene Iverd

“I kept it ‘green’ by finding uses for old items,” you’ll note. In this case, an old inner tube becomes a flotation device. This is from 1936 by artist Eugene Iverd, who did wonderful paintings of boys. For more of his great covers, enter “Iverd” in the search box. “Not only a serious student of art,” the Post noted in an August 2000 feature on the artist, “Iverd was also a teacher of art, first to wounded soldiers after the first world war and then to high school students.”

Piano Practice by George Hughes

“I faithfully kept up my music lessons,” your report will proudly conclude. It probably won’t mention that your mind was on swimming as you went through your Mozart exercises. Sure, Mozart had mastered minuets by the age of 4, but did he have a swimming pool waiting for him on a hot day? I think not. Practicing in your swim gear still counts.

Frozen Strawberry Pie

Makes 8 servings

• 2 cups strawberries, pureed
• 1 (8-ounce) package sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 2 cups granola

Combine strawberries and pudding mix in 1-quart microwaveable container. Microwave on High until mixture thickens and boils, 5-6 minutes. Stir in yogurt.

In 9-inch pie dish, microwave butter on High until melted. Crush granola very fine, using food processor or blender. Stir into melted butter and press crumbs over bottom and sides of pie plate. Microwave on High until lightly toasted, 1-2 minutes. Pour strawberry mixture into pie shell and freeze until firm, about 4 hours. Let pie sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. Garnish each serving with fresh strawberries.

Conventional oven: Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook strawberries and pudding mix in medium saucepan over low heat. Bring to boil 1 minute to thicken; stir constantly. Melt margarine in small saucepan and add granola crumbs. Press into pie plate and bake for 5 to 10 minutes. Continue as directed in microwave recipe.

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread

(Makes 1 loaf)

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted

Warm milk in small saucepan until it bubbles. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside until frothy. Mix in eggs, sugar, butter or margarine, salt, and raisins. Stir in cooled milk. Gradually add flour to make a stiff dough. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, about 10 minutes. Place in greased mixing bowl and turn to coat dough. Cover with damp cloth and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Press or roll out on lightly floured surface into large rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons milk over dough. Mix together 1/4 cup sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon, and sprinkle mixture on top of dough. Roll up tightly, about 3 inches in diameter, and tuck under ends. Place loaf into well greased 9 x 5-inch pan. Lightly grease top and allow to rise again for 1 hour.

Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes, or until loaf is lightly browned. Remove from pan and brush with melted butter or margarine. Let cool before slicing.

Swimming Hole by Norman Rockwell

This is a charming story-in-a-picture of a salesman making a long drive on a hot August day. No air conditioning in the car, of course. He spots a swimming hole, pulls over and goes for it. He carefully lays his glasses on a newspaper and his lit cigar on his shoe, to be picked up when he emerges (Rockwell was all about details). And then shows us a face of pure bliss. “George Zimmer, my model,” reported Norman Rockwell, “was an awful good sport. He stripped and I poured several buckets of water over his head to get the effect.” And you thought modeling was easy!

Drink of Water by Frank X. Leyendecker

We love this cover from August of 1914 by artist Frank X. Leyendecker (brother of Post cover artist J.C.). Frank did sixteen Post covers, and this one is delightful. Delivering papers in August is hot, tiring work, and the kid deserves a cool drink. The fact that his drinking buddy happens to be a horse doesn’t concern him.

Watering Father by Richard Sargent

We’d all like to see this scene three seconds later, but this is what we have to work with. While Mom is busy planting and watering flowers, Junior is thinking Dad’s pasty white skin needs a cool-down. Whether Dad agreed it was a good idea is a mystery left up to the viewer. Sargent was great with humorous scenes and a master at the pregnant pause, the “what-happens-next” moment.

Wet Swim Suit by Clarence F. Underwood

We know, you’re shocked. A pretty young lady in a swimsuit on the cover of the staid and venerable Saturday Evening Post. And in 1912 yet! Well, even young ladies in 1912 deserved a cool-down. At least we don’t have to wring out the heavy skirts of our swimsuits these days. Artist Clarence F. Underwood did over forty Post covers. Even though most of them were in the 19-teens, many showed active women: fishing, playing tennis, canoeing, even plowing a field. Of course, they looked surprisingly pretty doing all this.

Sitting on the Diving Board by Penrhyn Stanlaws

My, how bathing suits changed in a mere twenty-one years! In a swimsuit more suited for immersion, the pretty lady from 1933 is just dipping her toes in the water. Go figure. Curtis Publishing (curtispublishing.com) shows many gorgeous Stanlaws covers, usually of lovely young ladies holding a teacup or bouquet. He did a total of thirty-seven Post covers between 1913 and 1938. (Warning: if you look up his covers on the Curtis website, you’ll want to buy prints of them all.)

Cool Bear by Charles Livingston Bull

Then there’s the total immersion therapy. This is from Country Gentleman magazine (a sister publication) in 1922 by great wildlife artist, Charles Livingston Bull. If that water looks good to you, a word of advice: Find another place to cool down.

Asian Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple

Recipe from TheOtherWhiteMeat.com
(Makes 6 to 8 servings)

• 2 12- to 16-ounce each pork tenderloins
• 1 6-ounce can pineapple juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (kosher)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups fresh pineapple, peeled cubed (1-inch pieces)
• 6-8 wooden or metal skewers

Place pork tenderloins in resealable plastic bag; set aside. In small bowl, combine marinade ingredients; pour over pork. Seal bag; refrigerate for at least 1 hour to marinate, or up to 24 hours to enhance flavor.

Preheat grill to medium-hot. When ready to grill, remove pork from marinade and place on grill. Cook, covered, for about 10 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of pork is 160 F. Meanwhile, place the pineapple chunks on the skewer; place on grill during the last 6 minutes of grilling time, turning after 3 minutes. To serve, slice pork into 1/2-inch slices (medallions) and serve with grilled pineapple.

Baked Spaghetti Squash

(Makes 2 servings)

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (or low-fat ricotta cheese)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Slice squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp. Drizzle flesh with olive oil. Sprinkle with oregano and garlic. (Note: Use fingertips or back of spoon to rub seasonings into flesh.) Place each half flesh-side down on baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until insides are tender. Allow to cool for several minutes. Top each half with 1/2 cup cottage or ricotta cheese. Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables. (I threw some carrots in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes while the squash was baking.)

Enjoy!

Gazpacho Grandé

(Makes 5 servings)
Ingredients

• 1 hot house cucumber, halved and seeded
 (not peeled)
• ½ red bell pepper, cored and seeded
• ½ yellow bell pepper, cored and seeded
• 5 plum tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 ounces canned tomato juice
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup good olive oil
• ½ tablespoon kosher salt (optional)*
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Put each vegetable separately in food processor fitted with steel blade and pulse until coarsely chopped. Do not overmix. After each vegetable is processed, combine in large bowl and add garlic, tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir and chill for 4 hours before serving.

Recipe courtesy foodchannel.com

A to Z Soup (Avocado Zucchini Soup)

(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients

• 4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 green onions, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 large, ripe California avocados, seeded, peeled, and chopped

Directions:
In large pot with lid, heat 1 cup broth, onion, green onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. When boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for
15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add remaining broth and zucchini and bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove lid and allow to cool. In food processor, purée zucchini, broth, and avocado in batches. Return to pan; stir gently. Serve in soup bowls and garnish to taste.

Recipe © The California Avocado Commission

Cool Cucumber Soup

(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and grated with box grater/food processor
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
• ½ cup low-fat sour cream
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• Salt and white pepper (if you have it, black if you don’t), to taste

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in food processor. Transfer to bowl, stir, and chill. Serve topped with any of the following: chopped cucumber, fresh dill or mint, dollop of sour cream or yogurt, diced avocado, snipped chives, or green onions.

MMM… Soup (Mango-Melon-Mint)

(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients

• 2 mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 2 cups cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Directions:
Purée all ingredients in food processor or blender and chill for 2 to 3 hours. Pour into glass bowls, garnish with mint leaves, and serve.