Grilled Vegetable Feast

Wednesday July 16

When you live on the water and have a boat, you easily fall into the habit of the evening cocktail cruise (and you hope that you don't fall into the water due to its effects). Ginger and Vaden have happily succumbed to the temptation, and their pontoon boat has comfy couches, an awning, and even cupholders for all participants.

Tonight's signature drink was the Mailbox Cocktail, which Martha Hall Foose popularized in her Southern cookbook, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea: over crushed ice, pour equal parts bourbon (she likes Maker's Mark, as does Vaden)* and good ginger beer/ale, plus a squeeze of lime. Of course, our hostesses packed snacks (and plates, and colorful napkins, and insulated glasses) too: crackers with Boursin or Old English Cheese spread.

When we returned to land, Vaden once again fired up the grill, this time for an assortment of freshly-picked vegetables, including zucchini, onions, and peppers of various colors. Ginger had already made an egg and mushroom casserole, and the two went beautifully together. The sun set as we ate at lakeside, so we could watch fireflies hovering over the grass, and hear ducks sleepily quacking in their roosts. Magical.

When it got really dark, we came inside for dessert, which Ginger whipped together: spiced pecans, a tasty local cheese made to be grilled, grapes and dried apricots. Ideal for an evening of sipping and talking, because it comes in small bites and none of it is ever entirely gone.

*Cheaper folk—us—concerned about diluting a good sippin' bourbon might substitute Very Old Barton, which gives a similar effect.