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8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2021 By Theresa Rossetti, Resident It's tomato season! Here's a great side dish to go with your grilled goodies, no mayo so safer for outside eating. Experimenting On Unsuspecting Friends Part Five: Salad Ingredients: • ½ box of orzo pasta, regular, whole wheat, gluten-free, you get the idea • 1-pint grape tomatoes • 6 oz fresh mozzarella • ½ cup packed basil leaves • ¼ cup olive oil, plus another 2 Tbsps. • Balsamic Glaze: • ½ cup balsamic vinegar • 2 Tbsps. honey • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard Instructions: For the Glaze: Add the three ingredients to a small pot. Heat to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to med/low and let simmer for 10 mins. Turn off the heat, let it cool. It will thicken as it cools. OR, do what I did and buy it either at a grocery store or from that online place with the swooshy arrow logo. For the Salad: Cook the orzo to package directions (I do taste till it's just soft but not mushy). Half the package makes plenty. Drain and let it cool slightly. Pour the orzo in a large bowl and toss with the 2 Tbsps. olive oil. Wash and halve the tomatoes, add them to the bowl. Cube the mozzarella, throw it in too. Wash and tear the basil, in it goes. Toss everything with ¼ cup olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with balsamic syrup after dishing out to serve. Caprese Orzo Salad with Balsamic Glaze By Kathy Bird, Resident and East Paseo Famosa NW Block Captain When the weather is very warm, it is nice to go for an evening stroll around our neighborhood. The evenings are cooler, the flies are asleep and sometimes even the gnats lessen after dark. One recommendation while walking in our community after dark, is to walk in well-lit areas. We do have streetlights and we also have built in outdoor lights on every house. I have noticed though that many homes in Solera Diamond Valley do not have the lights turned on that are installed on their garage doors. These are referred to as carriage lights by the builders. Obviously, the days of carriages are long over, but the lights can serve as an indicator that this house is occupied. Most importantly they also serve to light up the driveway and sidewalks outside of the home. I realize that while many of these lights have been hard wired to come on and off automatically from dusk to dawn, many homes do not have this as a benefit and require that the lights be turned on manually. There are situations also where the bulbs in these lights burn out and no one notices. I urge all residents to consider going outside after dark and look at your lighting situation. The FBI states that the majority of home burglaries happen during the day, which for a retired community is not necessarily reassuring. However, it is still not a good idea to have dark areas at the front of your home. Keeping non-glare lighting around driveways, walkways and side doors is cited as a crime deterrent according to The National Crime Prevention Council. Experts advise making sure that lights do not cast a harsh glare since that creates shadows, making it more difficult to see anyone lurking around your house. According to information available through AARP, a well- lit home is a safer home. Lights can not only keep the burglars away but can prevent falls to anyone coming in or out of the house. Lighting can be both a means of detection for individuals we do not want but also as safety measure for ourselves. Crime Prevention: Outside Lighting as a Deterrent By Cindy Ponce de Leon, Resident When it comes to Hatch New Mexico chiles "Some like it hot and some like it hotter!" July through August, all over California you can find Hatch Chile "Fire Roasting Events." Hatch Chiles are grown in Hatch Valley, New Mexico. It's a relatively short growing season. Chil- es are planted beginning March First and harvested 120 days later. Chiles come in Green or Red and range from mild to XXX Hot. You can order them directly from New Mexico, find a roasting event at your local market, or buy from California farmers who import and host roasting events. To ensure you don't miss out, pre-ordering is always best. Hatch Chiles are reputed to be the best because they are grown in an area where the days are hot, but the nights cool off. Sounds like Hemet, doesn't it? Other Chile growing regions are hot during the day and hot at night. Chiles grown there never get a chance to cool off during the night, which is needed to develop the flavor profile of the Hatch Chile. Several years ago, we bought a can of Hatch enchilada sauce, and we were hooked from there! If you buy your chiles fresh roasted, you can freeze them in small batches to enjoy all year long. Have fun discovering your favorite Chile, color, and variety! Some Like it Hot

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