This summer was full of really great foodies moments, shared with some really great people that I will never forget. One of my favorite past times this summer was our girls dinner club with my adopted grandmother Janis Judd. Janis is unlike anyone I have ever met. Her spirit and love for life attitude is not only capturing, but contagious. She makes me want to live everyday like it might be my last and really grasp all that life has to offer. Janis was diagnosed with Parkinson's awhile back, but has not let that stop her from enjoying what she loves to do. One of those loves, is cooking. She wrote a cookbook called "Boulder Cooks" where she featured local Boulder chefs favorite recipes. She is currently working on her next cookbook, which should be just as inspiring as the last one!
Janis has not only inspired my cooking, she has inspired my life on a level that I can't really explain. I will attempt to explain and here is what I do know after being around Janis's infectious spirit; Life is too short to fret at the small stuff, to not apologize after a fight with a loved one, to not tell someone you love them, to not give a stranger a giant smile for no reason, to not find a longer route home to listen to a great song, life is just too short. Forgive and forget. Life life to the fullest, just as Janis does.
Here is what I created in her honor and hopefully will be part of her next cookbook! Janis when you read this don't worry I am having a glass of wine also in your honor!
Summer Shrimp Salad:
15-20 boiled shrimp
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
finely chopped fresh dill- amount to your liking
fresh lemon slices for serving
sauce:
1 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon dijon
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
dash of Hendrickson's famous St. Louis dressing or dash of sugar
dash of salt and pepper
Eat up life's little pleasures.
