Summer Salad With Corn Za’atar Dressing

Summer is hands-down the perfect season to cook fresh produce, and let it stand out alongside seafood as a lightweight culinary treat. Luckily, this delicious summer salad recipe from Epicurious for a zesty salmon salad with summer corn, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, and a one-of-a-kind za’atar dressing is just the treat for your dinner table this summer.

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets, skinless and 5–6-ounce each
  • 5 ears of corn-on-the-cob, washed and husked
  • 2 whole lemons
  • 3 tablespoons of freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ a red onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 4 teaspoons of za’atar, plus more for serving
  • 3 whole bay leaves, preferably fresh
  • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 2 medium heirloom tomatoes or even creole tomatoes if you still have some, cut into wedges (about 1½ pounds)
  • A few sprigs of baby arugula or other baby greens (for serving)
  • ½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
  • A few dashes of kosher salt, for boiling water

Directions

  1. You’ll want to begin this recipe by taking a large pot, filling it ¾ full with water, and generously salting the water. The recipe author at Epicurious suggests that the pot of water “should taste like the ocean,” so don’t skimp on the salt. Then, thinly-slice half of 1 lemon, and add it to the water along with your crushed garlic cloves, sprigs of fresh thyme, and fresh bay leaves. Place your pot of herbal, salted water on a stove burner and bring the pot to a boil. Allow the water to boil for at least 3 minutes but no more than 10 minutes in order to properly infuse the water with the lemons, salt, and herbal flavors.
  2. While your water is boiling or your pot of boiling water is infusing, you’ll want to whisk your extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 4 teaspoons of za’atar, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt into a small bowl.
  3.  Once your water is properly infused and at a satisfyingly rolling boil, you’ll want to add your ears of corn-on-the-cob to the pot of boiling water and cook the husked ears of corn until they each become bright yellow in coloration and tender. This cooking process should take about 6 minutes in total for the 5 ears of corn, and you’ll want to transfer the ears to a nearby plate, allowing them to cool.
  4. After the ears of corn-on-the-cob are transferred out of the pot of boiling water, you will go ahead and reduce the burner’s heat to low and gently add your skinless salmon fillets to the water with a cooking utensil. Be sure to be careful and not add the salmon too harshly to the water. You’ll only want to poach the salmon fillets just until they are cooked through, which should take about 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer the fillets to a cutting board with a slotted spoon or a spatula and flake them into bite-sized chunks.
  5. Meanwhile, use a sharp kitchen knife and slice the corn off of the cob into a large mixing bowl. Add your heirloom tomatoes and red onion to the loose corn kernels. Using a mixing spoon, toss these vegetables with ½ a cup of the salad dressing you made and set aside earlier.
  6. Add the flaked salmon to your corn mixture, and toss the salad very gently just to coat it with dressing. Afterward, transfer pieces of your summer corn, tomato, and salmon salad to a serving platter or divide the salad among individual plates for serving. Top the salad(s) with the baby arugula and drizzle with the remaining za’atar dressing. Consider serving alongside additional za’atar for a better presentation, and enjoy.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Ash Industries to Expand and Bring New Jobs to Lafayette

A molding company in north Lafayette will soon be expanding the size of its manufacturing facility to be twice the size that it is currently, and with the new space will be a need for 85 additional jobs, according to this article from The Acadiana Advocate.

Currently, Ash Industries employs 67 people at its West Willow Street facility where the company specializes in making customized injection molds for a variety of industries. Some examples of the type of industries that these specialized molds are made for include both military and electronics firms.

According to Louisiana Economic Development, the expansion of the Ash Industries facility’s manufacturing floor by an additional 20,000 square feet will create 85 new jobs, each with an average salary of $40,600, plus benefits. Additionally, according to LED, the expansion of the facility will also result in the creation of 120 indirect jobs inAcadiana. Expanding the manufacturing floor by 20,000 square feet will also involve the installation and adding of a chiller, expanse crane, and water cooling equipment, all of which will make day-to-day processes more streamlined and efficient.

Company President Hartie Spence said of the expansion, “Ash Industries is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Louisiana and so far has launched phase one of a three-phase program to invest in jobs in our community. The ingredients of economic development in our industry are manufacturing space, a solid employee base, and the latest in cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. ASH’s current expansion will directly support and increase the services that we can provide customers who appreciate the benefits of having their products manufactured in our state.”

The state of Louisiana initially offered an incentive package that included the services of LED FastStart, a workforce development program. LED FastStart is noted as being the top workforce development program in the state of Louisiana, as it’s been recognized for its “innovation, effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency” by Business Facilitiesmagazine.

LED FastStart is a program that provides customized employee recruitment, screening, training, development, and training delivery for eligible, new, or expanding companies all at no cost. In fact, The Economist has described the program in the following manner: “probably the most notable statewide workforce-development initiative comes from Louisiana. Its FastStart program, which launched in 2008, helps companies recruit and train workers.”

By partnering with the LED FastStart program, Ash Industries will be able to benefit from a workforce development team that strives to ensure high-quality, flexible workers who are prepared “one day one and beyond.” In fact, according to LED, “the FastStart team includes dozens of experienced professionals from a range of businesses — manufacturing to corporate headquarters, digital media to customer support centers and R&D. FastStart has designed and delivered comprehensive workforce solutions for a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies, as well as high-tech companies funded by leading venture capital firms.”

In addition to FastStart, Ash Industries is also expected to participate in the Enterprise Zone (EZ Program) and the Industrial Tax Exemption programs. The Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program, as described by Louisiana Economic Development, is a jobs incentive program that provides Louisiana income and franchise tax credits to a new or existing business that is located within Louisiana. This business must also be creating permanent, net new full-time jobs and hiring at least 50% of those net new jobs from one of four targeted groups.

In addition to the EZ Program, Ash Industries will also be taking part in the Louisiana Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), which (according to LED), is an original state incentive program, which offers an attractive tax incentive for manufacturers who make a commitment to jobs and payroll in the state.

 For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

AHEAD Program Gives Louisiana High Schoolers Inside Look at Health Careers

For two years now, Louisiana high school students have been able to participate in a week of educational activities pertaining to the healthcare field thanks to the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport, and according to this feature article from The Shreveport Times, this second year of the AHEAD program was twice as successful as last year’s program when it premiered.

AHEAD, also known as the Allied Health Education and Discovery program, is an annual five-day opportunity for Louisiana high school students to engage in the various types of health, health science, and medical programs available at the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport. According to the Director of admissions for the school Madeline Barclay, “this is a program for Louisiana high school students to learn about all the different academic health programs we have at the School of Allied Health Professions.”

Despite this annual tradition having only completed its second year, enrollment numbers have doubled from when the program premiered in 2021. According to Barclay, “we had one session with 20 students in 2021, and it was so popular that we expanded it this summer to two sessions, 25 per session.”

The AHEAD program is a 5-day experience that is free to Louisiana high school participants in which the students engage in full-day sessions that include hands-on, interactive activities within each medical or health-aligned discipline. According to LSU Health Shreveport, “students will receive tips for success in college and guidance on how to pursue a professional career in healthcare. Our emphasis will be on recruiting students from underrepresented backgrounds with the primary goal of contributing to a diverse educational environment.”

Students participating in the AHEAD program are able to choose from several medical and health-aligned disciplines to study and observe during the week-long sessions. The high school student participants are able to participate in field trips and career-focused activities that give participants specific insight into the following health professions: Medical Laboratory Scientist,

Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Physician Assistant, Public Health Professional, Respiratory Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathologist.

While last year’s camp of 20 students was large enough to populate a single session in June for the nearly two dozen participants, this year’s doubling of the program’s capacity warranted two summer sessions, which is certainly encouraging for the AHEAD program, as it’s projected to be an annual tradition. This summer, 50 total students from 13 separate Louisiana high schools attended the summer program, which was hosted by the School of Allied Health Professionals as two separate week-long camps.

Makenzie Boucher from The Shreveport Times spoke to local high school students participating in the AHEAD program this summer. One local high schooler who was interviewed about her experience participating in AHEAD was Elizabeth Gaspard, a Haughton High School graduate of the Class of 2022. Gaspard commented on her experience engaging in the medical programs available at AHEAD by saying, “it’s just so cool to go around and learn about the different occupations and how important they are. It just inspires all of us in the class to consider it and be open-minded.”

Madison Evans, an AHEAD program participant from the inaugural summer session in 2021 reflected on her experience by saying, “participating in the AHEAD program was truly a life-changing experience. Throughout the program, we had daily hands-on-learning experiences. We were given the opportunities to visit the cadaver lab, tour parts of the hospital, and learned about many Allied Health Professions that I never knew existed. This program taught me so much about the different health professions. Before the AHEAD program, I did not know about Respiratory Therapy, however, I now know how important respiratory therapists are to helping people recover from illnesses.  The program provided us with a visual map and outlined the steps to take in college to achieve these careers. Attending the AHEAD program gave me more confidence in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. I am truly thankful to have had this experience.”

For more education-related information, click here.

Outdoor Getaways to Take in the Fall

The fall season will soon be upon us and that means it’s time to get out into the world and enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer.  Thankfully, this handy article from Southern Living details the best, family-friendly vacation spots to plan for this upcoming fall season. As the summer starts to wind down, it’s nearly time to step up, grab your gear, and get outside, because before you know it the leaves will be changing, the days will shorten, and the nights will become cooler. So, you better start planning for that fall vacation now and check out the exciting options that the South has to offer.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

If you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy the beautiful weather without having to bundle up too much, consider visiting this gem of Northern Georgia this fall. With its quaint towns, beautiful hiking trails, and unforgettable waterfalls, there’s no better place to enjoy the crisp air and beautiful views than Blue Ridge.

Hands-down, one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the scenery of Blue Ridge is by engaging in a trip to Lake Blue Ridge. Supplied with gorgeous, crystal-clear waters, Lake Blue Ridge is one of Georgia’s most picturesque mountain lakes that’s complete with a full-service marina, available campsites, and several picnic areas and boat ramps for your enjoyment. Blue Ridge is also home to some truly treasured hiking trails that you should explore, as areas such as Long Creek Falls or the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge offer some of the best trails and sights in the entire state, and the hiking trails are complete with a diversity of options for all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a quick walk through the woods or a challenging hike that will take you higher up into the mountains, Blue Ridge has something for everyone!

Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia is a city that offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for the whole family, because whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway that’s filled with history to explore or an adventurous week-long vacation with a wide array of outdoor activities, Williamsburg has something for everyone. From hiking and biking to kayakingand horseback riding, there are plenty of ways to explore the outdoors in Williamsburg. Consider taking advantage of Virginia’s temperate climate by heading outside to explore one of the many scenic walking trails around town or if you prefer not to get your feet wet, you can try taking a tour through one of the many historical sites located about.

Williamsburg is part of Virginia’s “Historic Triangle,” a title that it shares with the towns of Jamestown and Yorktown, as they are the focal points of American history. In order to learn more about colonial America, consider spending your time at the historic district and living museum that is Colonial Williamsburg, as there’s truly no better way to learn all there is to know about colonial living than from actors who are dressed in period-accurate costumes completing daily tasks of colonial life. Outside of the historical features of Williamsburg, you visit the highly-popular Busch Gardens theme park where everyone on your vacation can enjoy exhilarating roller coasters, virtual reality rides, and much more.

Boone, North Carolina

If you’re ready to take advantage of the autumn season of beautiful weather before winter sets in, then look no further than Boone, North Carolina, as this small town is full of things to do and sights to see, making it a perfect destination for your next fall vacation. This western North Carolina town is perfect for those seeking wonderful sights and the scent of  sensational, fresh mountain air. Once in Boone, you’ll want to head out to Grandfather Mountain State Park, as this national park offers hiking and walking trail opportunities as well as panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Other excellent hiking trails can be found in Price Lake, and Elk Knob State Park, so you have plenty of options, depending on your level of skill.

For more travel-related news and information click here.

New York Strip Steak Dinner Recipe

If you’re looking for a steakhouse-caliber dinner, but you don’t have the time or energy to get out of the house, then look no further than this recipe from The Kitchn for an excellently-prepared New York Strip Steak that’s served alongside seasoned green beans and blister tomatoes. This combination of flavors is sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinners.

While delicious, this recipe is also quite easy to prepare. It’s easy enough that even on a busy weeknight you can get a delicious steak dinner on the table in no time at all. Another perk of this recipe is that you’ll be using the same pan or cast-iron skillet that you cooked your New York strip steaks in when you cook your side dishes. This practice allows for the seasoning, smokiness, and flavored gristle to be transferred from entree to side dish seamlessly.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless New York strip steaks (each about 12 ounces & 1 ¼-inch thick)
  • 8 ounces of green beans
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 pint of grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes (approximately 10 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, divided

Directions

  1. You’ll want to begin this recipe by heating 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large frying pan or a cast-iron skillet. Heat the vegetable oil on the stove over medium-high heat just until the oil is beginning to smoke. Meanwhile, pat your 2 New York strip steaks completely dry with paper towels. Be sure to eliminate as much moisture as possible and then season the strip steaks all over with 1 teaspoon of your kosher salt.
  2. Once the pan or skillet is smoking, add the steaks to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the strip steaks while flipping them every 2 minutes until the center of the steaks registers at 120ºF for medium-rare. This should take 9 to 14 minutes in total.
  3. While your strip steaks are cooking, you will want to take some kitchen scissors and trim the stems and ends off of your 8 ounces of green beans and your 2 garlic cloves.
  4. Once your steaks are ready, you will want to transfer them to separate plates or a clean cutting board. Top the steaks with a few grinds of the black pepper mill, if desired.
  5. Take the same pan or skillet that you took the steak out of and empty the 8 ounces of green beans and the pint of grape or cherry tomatoes into the pan. Season the green beans and tomatoes with your remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt from earlier and cook the contents of the pan over medium heat until the green beans are crisp and tender and the tomatoes are blistered in spots. This should take approximately 3-4 minutes, and you should be sure to stir the contents of the pan rarely throughout.
  6. After the tomatoes are blistered and the green beans are crisp and tender, add your garlic and cook the cloves until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  7. Slice the steak, if desired, and serve the strip steak pieces alongside your green beans and tomatoes.

Notes:

  • In order to ensure that your New York strip steaks are properly cooked on the stovetop, you should take special care to not only pat the steaks completely dry but also place them in an extremely hot pan. After the steaks hit the pan surface, you should immediately turn the heat down to medium and cook the steaks for 9-14 minutes while flipping them every two minutes. You do this so that the steaks develop a crust on both sides.
  • Leftovers of this meal can be refrigerated, as long as they are placed in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 4 days maximum.
  • Other side dishes that pair nicely with this recipe are soft, buttery dinner rolls, creamed corn, and baked potatoes.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

What Beaches to Visit along Lake Michigan

The eastern shore of Lake Michigan, which stretches from Wisconsin to northern Illinois, contains some of the most beautiful and serene beaches you’ll find in the entire Upper Peninsula, and with this detailed travel guide from Travel + Leisure, you’ll be sure to enjoy miles of uninterrupted white sand beaches to your heart’s content.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, Michigan

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore consists of miles of sandy beaches, lush forests, crystal clear inland lakes, unique flora, unforgettable fauna, and mesmerizing bluffs that tower some 450 feet about Lake Michigan itself. This is truly a place that needs to be seen to be believed. There are more than 60 miles of hiking trails within the park, including several that provide access to some of the most beautiful sights in all of Michigan.

Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan, this National Lakeshore encompasses a total of 71,187 acres of a diverse array of landscapes, including both the North and South Manitou Islands. Both islands, which are accessible by ferry, feature otherworldly sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches, and a beautiful grove of old-growth white cedars that date as far back as over 500 years ago.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore became the 50th National Park area with a designated Wilderness area in 2014 on the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The wilderness area of this National Lakeshore encompasses 32,557 acres that are both open for recreation, but it is also protected forever. The most famous feature of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is undoubtedly its namesake sand dunes, which are among the tallest on Earth. These dunes were formed over thousands of years as the wind blew sand up against the North Country Trail, and they make for an unforgettable sight on your next vacation.

Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, Michigan

Located only 20 miles away from the Indiana border and acting as one of the most picturesque and peaceful gateways to Southwest Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park is a breathtakingly beautiful state park that offers an abundance of activities for people of all ages, as this State Park has everything from popular hiking trails to relaxing swimming areas.

The massive dunes that are found at this State Park are one of its most engaging attractions, as visitors of the park are often seen climbing up the dunes and sand boarding down their slopes. Outside of the towering sand dunes, the beach at Warren Dunes State Park is one of the other more popular attractions at this park. Additionally, if you love hiking or biking, then you will definitely enjoy exploring some of the hiking trails available, or you can pursue theseveral picnic areas throughout the park where you can sit down with friends and family while enjoying a meal together. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life then Warren Dunes State Park is definitely worth checking out!

 Holland State Park in Holland, Michigan

Simply stated, Holland State Park is the perfect place to spend a day in Michigan this summer, as it’s less than an hour from Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids, making it an excellent spot for at least a Michigan day trip. The park has so many different activities that it can keep you busy all day long; for instance, you can swim at the beach or rent a canoe or kayak to paddle around the lake. There are also bike trails throughout the park that wind through the woods and along the lakeshore.

One of the greatest attractions at Holland State Park is Tunnel Park, which is a concrete tunnel that literally cuts through a sand dune and provides easy access to Lake Michigan for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking activities.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.