and then there was Wimbledon: Spanish Chorizo Rolls and Pimm's

I made it across the pond!  Big check off of my bucket list.  Go to Europe.  Check.  Go to Wimbledon.  Check.  (!!!!!)  Visit Westminster Abbey.  Check.  But can I tell you that all of this was so amazing to me that tears welled in my eyes landing at Heathrow without you thinking I'm "daft"?  They sprang up again walking through the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.  And again when we were wrapping up day 2 of our Wimbledon sojourn.  And the glory and majesty that is Westminster Abbey brought a few more.  And then the audio tour played "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" at the foot of the homage to G.F. Handel.  Wow.  Just wow.  When you wait so many years to realize a dream the awe and wonder of living it is just overwhelming.  Thanks to my dear ex-pat friend, Susan,  for making the magic happen by booking the Wimbledon Experience.  Thanks to my awesome husband for insisting that I go and giving me the Delta miles and Marriott points to make it easier.  And thanks to the world's best kitten sitter and fabulous daughter, Sara who held down the fort (don't worry, she's off to London for her fall semester this year).  The other fabulous daughter once started a 10-week tour of Europe in London two years ago and she offered a few excellent tips.  I have a good team.

hats and all after our day at Court 1, Wimbledon 2013

So that partially explains where I've been.  The week before I left we hosted along with our great neighbors, an almost pig roast party.  The day I left was Sara's 21st birthday.  I've been a little busy.  Hopefully your summer is breezing along too and you've barely noticed that I've been a big slacker in the posting department.  

So today's post will logically revolve around my trip to London.  I've been pouring through my photos and Sunday got super inspired after watching the men's final from Wimbledon on television, to stir up a batch of Pimm's cocktails.  And to round out the day with more than a drink,  I decided to recreate a favorite food find from London's Borough Market, Spanish chorizo rolls.  Throw some Indiana sweet corn (or local corn wherever you may be) on the grill and chill some watermelon slices and you are good to go for a summer dinner for grown-ups (and we are all grown-ups here now).  

Under the glowing recommendations from both Ina Garten (who tweeted about it) and Kelly Rogers (who warned us to go hungry), Susan and I sampled our way through London's Borough Market.  Ina urged us to try Brindisa's tapa restaurant, but we joined the fast-growing que for their chorizo sandwiches grilled and assembled in the market.  Another booth served up Pimm's from pitchers.  Perfect.  

go
go hungry

who needs my photos, when you can see the real thing?

Spanish Chorizo Rolls

spanish chorizo links (I found some excellent ones in the meat case area at my Whole Foods)

red peppers 

rocket (aka arugula), washed and toweled or spun dry

crusty rolls

Heat up your grill.  Core your red peppers (two is good, but if you have more just grill them all and use them in another dish).  Cut the red peppers into three or four big sections.  Place skin side down on grill and char the skins (about 10-15 minutes).  Remove from grill and place in a paper lunch bag to steam (roll down the top and let them rest for about 10 minutes).  Meanwhile slice your chorizo links in half length wise and grill until cooked through and nicely grill marked (about 10-15 minutes), turning once. Chorizo has a good deal of fat, so watch for flare-ups.  While the chorizo is cooking, remove the charred skins from the red peppers with a paper towel (slough off pretty easily, but don't get all freaked out by some stubborn sections they'll be fine with a little skin).  Cut your rolls in half and brush with a little olive oil.  Grill the rolls to brown a bit (keep an eye on them, just 2-3 minutes is usually enough).  

Assemble sandwiches with chorizo, roasted red peppers and rockets stacked in a bun.  Eat while hot with a napkin in striking range.

Pimm's ingredients at the Borough Market (best part, this wasn't even noon)

yes, please

Pimm's Cup

1 part Pimm's  No. 1 

3 part chilled lemonade (carbonated/sparkling lemonade like the Brits or use lemonade and some club soda or Pellegrino)

diced/sliced strawberries, orange, lemon, cucumbers 

mint leaves

Mix all in a large pitcher and pour over ice into glasses with additional fruit and etc. as desired.

Pimm's is a liqueur and I found it easily at a liquor store here.  Some of the Pimm's I enjoyed had ginger ale instead of lemonade.  Try the Pimm's website for other variations: Anyone for Pimm's

spectacularly cooperative weather

did you know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr is one of the Modern Martyr's over the
door at Westminster Abbey?  He's the fourth figure in this picture