Who I Took on My Summer Vacation

Last summer's cross-country road trip had the entire family flying and driving in different directions to various destinations. This summer we opted for a closer-to-home summer vacation solution. We rented a house in the Florida Keys. Granted we live in South Florida, near the ocean - but hey, a change of scene is a change of scene.

The Plan
With a rental home just two-and-a-half hours away from hearth and office, hubby and I would have a place to wind down and yet be close enough to easily commute back and forth if needed. It was a very good plan. Son number two found a summer job and could visit on weekends. Son number three opted for summer camp in Maine. (He really takes this change of scene idea - literally.) Son number one (living in D.C.) booked plane tickets to visit for himself and his girlfriend and forwarded me the bill!

I searched for homes on the Internet, contacted a realtor, and lease a three-bedroom, three-bath house for six weeks. Plenty of room for kids and their friends, our friends and their kids, my relatives - his relatives - it would be a BLAST!

The Set Up
The realtor assured me that everything that I needed would be in place. "Uh," I began, "You see, I'm a cook. I love to prepare food for guests. If you just let me know what the kitchen is equipped with, I can fill in with anything that I might need." The realtor assured me that both the kitchen and the linen cabinets had been stocked and then reminded me that I was on vacation.

So, I bought it. Hook, line and sinker, as we soon-to-be-fishermen are good at saying. I packed up the car with only my summer wardrobe, laptop, three favorite cookbooks and set of six sharp steak knives. I was prepared to rough it!

Reality Bites
I was the first one to drive to the house in order to get everything organized for the gang. During a quick tour of the kitchen I spied a microwave oven, toaster, electric can opener, stove with working burners - the works. "I'm going to be okay," I sighed to myself.

A little more investigation yielded dishes, green and blue plastic wine glasses, coffee mugs - whoa, did I say plastic wine glasses? Who serves terrific wine from plastic, colored glass? Is this a crack in paradise? After a deep breath before the troops arrived, I laid out the provisions for the weekend.

The menu for the evening was grilled snapper (as fresh as it comes), field greens with tarragon vinaigrette, sautéed walnuts and goat cheese and a side dish of roasted asparagus with tomato mayonnaise salsa. This is a simple menu that I can bring together in moments and one that is light enough to please everyone while nudging them into the tropical mood.

What, no salad bowl? How does someone survive in the skinny society of the new millennium without having a large, wooden salad bowl on hand? There is not even a large mixing bowl in sight. And where is the food processor? How does one emulsify a fresh herb vinaigrette without a food processor? No grill pan?? NO WAY… I can't even find a roasting rack to lay the asparagus on. Now what?

Innovation
I felt like one of the cast of those survivors on that island. If they could eat a rat - I guess I can cook without all of my gadgets. I found a soup pot in the cabinet and transformed it into a salad bowl. It actually wasn't a bad idea as the pot stayed chilled from the refrigerator long after I brought the salad to the table.

I used one of my trusty steak knifes to finely chop the tarragon for the vinaigrette. I combined all of the ingredients in a jar. I added the olive oil, secured the lid and shook the jar until the oil truly did emulsify into the vinegar and herbs. I held myself in check rather than make whirring noises to replicate the sound of the food processor's motor.

I steamed the asparagus instead of roasting using a colander fitted with a lid of aluminum foil then placed this contraption over a pot of boiling water. Refreshed in a water bath - the asparagus were good-to-go even when held at room temperature.

I quickly discovered that I am grill pan dependent. I LOVE my grill pan and instantly missed it. I know this is a little.. weird …… but it is so true. Nothing I could rig up took the place of that pan. Since there was no outside grill and the closest hibachi was miles away, I caved in and decided to sauté the snapper.

True Confessions
We left on Sunday going back home for a day or two after a weekend highlighted by pancakes made without a griddle, warm syrup poured without a pitcher, margaritas straight up - instead of frostily blended, and a frittata that was not lightened by whisking.

By now, you can guess where my priorities lie. And you can probably imagine what my car looked like when I returned to our vacation home the next week. I lovingly boxed up my favorite kitchen gadgets promising each of them that they too would enjoy their summer vacation.

Hello, favorite blender.
Welcome, trusty fish spatula.
Here is your new vacation drawer, set of super-sharp carving knives.
Stack yourselves up, all you wonderful baking sheets and cooking racks.
Sneak on in with your pals, Mr. Silplat liner.
Your Majesty, the coveted, large, wooden salad bowl - take your place of honor on the countertop - to be viewed by all.

I finally go to the car to get the last of my new guests. From the pillow on the front seat, I carefully unbuckle the seatbelt that is securely holding in place my most favorite summer companion - my grill pan. As soon as I move him into his summer home, I begin to enjoy my vacation.

For more quick and easy summer ideas, check out Jorj's new cookbook "At Home In The Kitchen" or visit her Web site at www.Jorj.com. Share your favorite "ready … set … cook" dishes with other BlueSuitMoms by sending an email to Jorj at jorj@jorj.com.

Also see:
• After-work answers to the what's for dinner question are found in your pantry

Jorj Morgan is the Director of Lifestyle Content for BlueSuitMom.com. She is the author of At Home In The Kitchen.