Okay, so I've been giving my friends on the East Coast a hard time about how hot the weather's been there the past couple of weeks. Bragging about how cool and dry it's been here. No longer. Our first little heat wave of Summer 2010, and the joke's on me. While we do love and appreciate our little home, we often suffer under it's uninsulated roof during the summers. So a lot of nights we find ourselves at the beach or at the park across the street instead of our dinner table. I shall not complain, howevah. Watching the kids play through the sunset is one of the season's little pleasures right? 

Cool Lentil Salad

{adapted from Fresh 365}

salad
1 1/2 c yellow lentils, rinsed
3 c water
2 t fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish 
1-2 t salt
8 large lettuce leaves
1/2 c chopped walnuts, toasted
1 medium yellow onion 
1/2 c crumbled feta cheese
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

dressing
2 T minced sun dried tomatoes
6 T olive oil
3 T Champagne vinegar
2 t Dijon mustard
2 t honey
1 t salt

In a large saucepan, add lentils, water and thyme leaves. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer 20-25 minutes, until lentils are just tender. Remove from heat, and gently stir in salt, to taste.
Divide lettuce leaves among four plates. Top with lentils, walnuts, red onion and goat cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Drizzle on salad, to taste. Garnish with additional thyme leaves. Serve immediately.

Watermelon Salad

5 cups cubed watermelon

juice of one lime

2 Tbsp minced mint

2 Tbsp olive oil (optional)