12 ways to allergy-proof your home — or at least make you sneeze less

• July 12, 2023

Achoo! Wheeze. Pass the tissues, please.

More than one in four Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, or hay fever, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If you’re one of them, you know firsthand that taking in the great outdoors can make your eyes water, your throat itch, your nose run, and your pockets and waste baskets fill with soggy wads of tissue.

Right now, most parts of the country are in the thick of it. Though pollen seasons vary depending on location, the cycle goes roughly like this: Tree pollen peaks from spring to early summer, when grass pollen kicks up, followed by weed pollen in the fall. So much for those summer picnics.

But you can make your home a haven from allergens by practicing some basic house hygiene, according to the allergy foundation.

“It takes effort,” says biologist Cliff Han, founder of New Mexico-based AllerPops, which makes allergy-relief products. “By keeping the air in your home clean, the dust at bay, and your bedding washed, you can significantly reduce your symptoms and make allergy season more bearable.”

Allergies happen when our immune system sees a substance such as pollen, dust or mold as harmful and overreacts, says Han, who suffers from seasonal allergies himself. “We know what triggers airborne allergies,” he says. “If you don’t have those triggers around, you get better.”

Here are 12 household recommendations from Han and the allergy foundation to help.

Clear the air. During pollen season, do what you can to keep pollen from coming indoors. Keep doors and windows closed. Run the air conditioner and invest in an air purification system that has a HEPA (for high-efficiency particulate air) filter.

Shake it off. When you do go out, wear a light removable outer layer of clothing and a hat or scarf to keep pollen off your skin and hair. When you come in, remove the outer layer and drop it in a hamper. Leave your hat and shoes at the door.

Wash up. Once inside, wash your face, nose and hands. “When exposed to water, pollen will stop traveling,” Han says. Nasal rinses help remove pollen from your nose. Nasal sprays are also helpful.

Firm up floors and furniture. If possible, opt for wood or tile, as opposed to carpet. If you have carpet, a low pile is better than a high pile. Once a week, damp mop hard floors and vacuum carpets with a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Washable area rugs at doorways are also a good line of defense. Similarly, leather, wood, vinyl and plastic furnishings trap less pollen and dust and are easier to clean than upholstered furniture. Regularly vacuum the latter.

Wash bedding at least weekly. Wrap pillows and mattresses in dust-mite-proof covers. Wash sheets and blankets weekly in water that’s at least 130 degrees. Wash pillows and comforters often as well. Experts also recommend showering before bed.

Clean filters. Clean air conditioning ducts often and change filters monthly during high pollen seasons. If you’re prone to allergies, have someone else do this job or wear a mask and gloves.

Clean rooms from top to bottom. When dusting, start at the top and work down, so you don’t knock dust onto freshly cleaned surfaces. Use a microfiber cloth to absorb dust, mold particles and pollen.

Practice pet control. If you have pets, try to keep them from bringing home pollen. Bathe them often. When they come in from outside, wipe their feet and their fur with a damp towel. Don’t let them get on beds or sofas.

Mind the mold. Mold thrives in moist environments. Keep it at bay by fixing water leaks promptly, running the fan when showering and by keeping showers, shower curtains, tubs and toilets super clean and sanitary. Also limit yourself to a few houseplants, which are prone to develop mold.

Cut the clutter. Anything that traps dust can trip allergies. Keep the dust-collecting bric-a-brac to a minimum; opt for fewer, large, easy-to-polish accessories instead. Store children’s toys and stuffed animals in plastic bins.

Avoid wood-burning fireplaces. Wood and tobacco smoke can worsen respiratory allergies.

Keep cool. Hot humid houses are breeding grounds for dust mites and mold. Use the air conditioner to keep your house cool and humidity down.

Here’s hoping you breathe a little easier this summer.

Marni Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books, including “Downsizing the Family Home – What to Save, What to Let Go.” Reach her at www.marnijameson.com.

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Rockies’ Elias Díaz becomes unlikely All-Star Game MVP

• July 12, 2023

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

SEATTLE — Elias Díaz might be the most unlikely All-Star Game MVP.

Just 3½ years after Pittsburgh failed to offer a contract and allowed him to become a free agent, Diaz hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off of Félix Bautista in the eighth inning to lift the National League over the American, 3-2, on Tuesday night.

A first-time All-Star at age 32, the Colorado catcher put his name on an award won by Willie Mays, Joe Morgan, Frank and Brooks Robinson, both Ken Griffeys and Mike Trout.

“I honestly can’t believe that my name is going to be next to some of those names,” Díaz said through a translator, clutching the crystal bat awarded the MVP. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be in this position.”

After five years with the Pirates, Díaz found out from his agent in December 2019 he had been non-tendered.

“When they let me go, I didn’t allow myself to feel defeated,” Díaz said. “I maintained my confidence and stayed positive.”

He got a minor league deal with the Rockies a month later, made the big league roster at the start of the pandemic–delayed 2020 season and earned a $1.2 million big league contract for 2021. He hit .246 with 18 homers and 44 RBIs, and Colorado rewarded him with a $14.5 million, three-year agreement.

Díaz batted .228 with nine homers and 51 RBIs last year, then earned his first All-Star trip by batting .277 with nine homers and 45 RBIs heading into this year’s break.

“He’s really improved in every phase of his game,” said NL manager Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Thomson had called Rockies manager Bud Black to learn about Díaz.

“He said: ‘This is one of the finest people you’ll ever meet. He’s a complete team player,’” Thomson related. “‘Do anything you want. If he doesn’t play, that’s fine. If he does play, that would be great. He’s just happy to be there.’”

With the AL clinging to a 2-1 lead, Nick Castellanos worked a nine-pitch walk against Bautista leading off the eighth. Díaz batted for Jorge Soler and with a 2-and-2 count drove a splitter 360 feet, where it landed under the manual scoreboard behind the left-field wall. The 20th pinch homer in All-Star history was a no-doubt drive. Díaz took three small steps and watched before starting his trot.

“A splitter that stayed up in the zone,” said Bautista, the Baltimore Orioles closer who had given up one homer in 56 at-bats this season ending with that pitch.

Díaz jumped as he approached the dugout and exchanged slaps with teammates. Geraldo Perdomo doused him with water. A short while later, he became the first Venezuelan to earn All-Star MVP honors since Dave Concepción in 1972. Díaz’s jersey is going to the Hall of Fame.

“Maybe the third or fourth inning, Orlando Arcia, he was telling me that ‘Hey, you’re going to go up to bat you’re going to hit a home run, and you’re going to win the MVP,’” Díaz recalled. “I didn’t think it was going to turn into all this.”

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Angels’ Shohei Ohtani gets free agency pitch from Mariners fans at All-Star Game

• July 12, 2023

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE — Angels star Shohei Ohtani had an entire stadium asking him in unison to come to Seattle in free agency.

“Never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it,” the two-position star said through his interpreter. “But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.”

Ohtani was the biggest star of the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, even if his appearance was rather uneventful. Ohtani struck out and walked in his two at-bats as the American League saw its nine-game win streak come to an end with a 3-2 loss to the National League.

But it was what happened while Ohtani was in the batter’s box that became notable.

With the Seattle crowd well aware of Ohtani’s pending free agency this offseason, the stadium broke out into loud chants of “Come to Seattle! Come to Seattle!”

“Every time I come here the fans are passionate, they’re really into the game. So it’s very impressive,” Ohtani said. “I actually spent a couple offseasons in Seattle. So I like the city. It’s beautiful.”

The chants – despite “Come to Seattle” being one awkward beat too many for the typical four syllables that proceed the clap-clap-clapclapclap – were impossible to miss and a little different than the loud pop he received during pregame introductions, which was only topped by Seattle’s three representatives.

“I did talk to him a little bit but nothing specific about him coming to Seattle, just asked him a couple questions,” Seattle star Julio Rodríguez said. “But that was cool. That was a pretty interesting thing to see how the whole city came (together).”

Ohtani’s free agency this offseason was the buzz of the All-Star Game with some pondering whether a deal in the $600 million (or more) range could be possible for the two-way star.

“I think a lot of people are lobbying for Shohei, to tell you the truth. And that was a sign of affection and that they wanted him,” AL manager Dusty Baker said.

His future could become a topic sooner than later if the Angels continue to fade with three-time AL MVP Mike Trout sidelined by injury. The Angels entered the All-Star break having lost five straight and nine of 10 to drop below .500. The Angels have said they have no intention of dealing Ohtani prior to the trade deadline, but there is always the possibility that could change over the next few weeks.

“I’m not really going to change anything personally, just keep it the same,” Ohtani said. “I know we have a lot of injuries right now and we’re in a tough spot, but we need to hang in there because we got guys coming back soon. So try to hang in there and get as many wins until all the guys come back.”

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“Come to Seattle” chants for Shohei

(via @MLBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/ecjNIv2ieV

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 12, 2023

Shohei Ohtani talks to the media about Mariner fans chanting “Come to Seattle!” at the MLB All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/gJgonTdzuV

— The Sporting Tribune (@SportingTrib) July 12, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

MLB All-Star Game: National League rallies to end 9-game losing streak

• July 12, 2023

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE — Elias Díaz hit a two-run homer off Félix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the National League snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 victory over the American League on Tuesday night.

The NL won for the first time since an 8-0 victory in 2012 in Kansas City thanks to Díaz, a catcher who became the first Colorado Rockies player to win the All-Star MVP award.

Díaz, who was non-tendered by the Pirates at the end of 2019, drove a 2-and-2 pitch from Baltimore’s hard-throwing closer deep to left to put the NL in front. Díaz was the lone representative for Colorado in his first All-Star Game appearance.

“It does matter. We wanted to win, the American League we wanted to win,” Bautista said through an interpreter. “But overall I think that it’s an experience I’ll never forget and just wish that would have been a little bit different.”

He has nine homers this season, but he hadn’t hit a long ball since June 23 against the Angels.

“This means a lot to me, to my family,” he said. “Being in the ASG for me is amazing.”

For most of the night, the All-Star Game was a pitchers’ duel highlighted by a couple of big hits and some excellent defense.

It was a relatively quiet night for most of the players representing the Dodgers and Angels.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani started at designated hitter for the AL and went 0 for 1 with a walk and a strikeout. He was voted into the game as a pitcher as well, but he had ruled out pitching in the game last week.

Ohtani drew the biggest cheers outside of Seattle’s three representatives during introductions, and he was serenaded with chants of “Come to Seattle” when he was at the plate, the crowd well aware of his pending free agency.

“Never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.”

Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez pitched a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts.

The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez started at DH for the NL and went 2 for 2 with a double and scored a run, but he was the only Dodger to get a hit. Mookie Betts went 0 for 2 with a strikeout, while Freddie Freeman and Will Smith each went 0 for 1 with a walk. Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was elected to the game but is injured and did not play.

Things got nerve-wracking for the NL in the ninth. Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco flied out to the warning track leading off against Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel, who issued two-out walks to Houston’s Kyle Tucker and Seattle star Julio Rodríguez.

Kimbrel recovered to strike out Cleveland’s José Ramírez to end it. Kimbrel also pitched in the previous NL win, recording two outs in 2012.

“The ninth inning in the dugout was just a lot of fun to experience,” said San Diego’s Josh Hader, who pitched the eighth for the NL.

Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz hit a solo homer in the second inning and Toronto’s Bo Bichette’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning gave the AL a 2-1 lead.

The Dodgers’ Martinez – doubled and scored on a single by Miami’s Luis Arraez in the fourth against Seattle’s George Kirby, tying it at 1-1. Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. appeared to tie the score again in the seventh when his shot down the left-field line was originally ruled a homer but was overturned as a foul ball on replay.

The All-Star Game returned to the Emerald City for the first time since 2001 when the Mariners were in the middle of their magical 116-win regular season, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. said goodbye to the All-Star stage and Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda took a tumble.

Gerrit Cole (Orange Lutheran High, UCLA) became the first New York Yankees pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Roger Clemens in that 2001 game. He needed a pair of spectacular leaping catches from Adolis García and Randy Arozarena near the wall to escape the first inning unscathed.

Pitching was the story of the night. Only nine balls were hit over 100 mph. There were 20 combined strikeouts, including San Francisco’s Camilo Doval silencing the home crowd with a strikeout of Rodríguez in the seventh inning where four of the five pitches topped 100 mph.

INJURIES

Toronto reliever Jordan Romano left in the seventh after throwing the pitch that Gurriel hit foul and was originally ruled fair. He threw five pitches before leaving the game with tightness in his back.

Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. did not play after feeling tightness in his right calf during the Home Run Derby. The White Sox said Robert underwent an MRI in Seattle and is listed as day to day.

SIX PACK

The Rangers made All-Star history when Nathan Eovaldi took the mound in the second. That marked the third time in an All-Star Game when there were six players from the same team on the field at the same time. It also occurred with the 1939 Yankees and 1951 Dodgers.

The Baseball Hall of Fame said a ball signed by all six players in the game would be headed to Cooperstown.

“That’s got to be one of the cooler moments in sports when you’ve got half the team on the field is your team, especially under these circumstances,” catcher Jonah Heim said. “It’s really special and I was glad I got to share it with these guys today.”

ATLANTA, WRIGLEY FIELD IN THE MIX FOR FUTURE GAMES

The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs are under consideration for upcoming All-Star Games.

Next year’s game is scheduled for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington, and the 2026 game will be at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The 2021 All-Star Game was awarded to Atlanta’s Truist Park by Major League Baseball in 2019 but in April 2021 was moved to Denver’s Coors Field following objections to sweeping changes to Georgia’s voting laws.

“Atlanta is in the mix of clubs for the ’25 All-Star Game,” Commissioner Rob Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday. “I’m not prepared to go past that for right now.”

Chicago’s Wrigley Field last hosted the All-Stars in 1990.

“As time goes by, I’ve been more focused on keeping track of when a game was last there and trying to get back to places where we haven’t been in a really long time,” Manfred said. “That’s a long time.”

SKIPPED OVER

The Tampa Bay duo of Shane McClanahan and Wander Franco were inadvertently skipped over during pregame introductions. The pair jogged in on their own and left it to the Rays’ social media staff to give them a proper announcement.

ODE TO THE SONICS

Milwaukee’s Devin Williams has no known connection to Seattle, but he did his part in winning over fans with his footwear choice for the All-Star Game. Williams had custom green and yellow spikes made for the game, featuring past logos of the Seattle SuperSonics on each shoe.

Williams said he’s a casual NBA fan and doesn’t really remember the Sonics playing in Seattle.

“It seemed pretty fitting for the game,” Williams said.

MARINERS HONORED

Six of the eight members of Seattle’s All-Star contingent from the 2001 game were recognized pregame. John Olerud, Bret Boone, Freddy Garcia, Jeff Nelson, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Edgar Martinez and Manager Lou Piniella were honored. Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Cameron were also on the All-Star team that season.

Baseball Hall of Famers Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. threw out the ceremonial first pitches to former teammates Dan Wilson and Jay Buhner.

UP NEXT

The post-All-Star break portion of the schedule starts Friday with every team in the league scheduled to be in action.

More to come on this story.

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Max Christie plans to play for duration of Lakers’ summer league schedule

• July 12, 2023

LAS VEGAS — Lakers guard Max Christie is among the second-year players who are benefiting from a second go-round in summer league.

And if things go Christie’s way, he’ll be playing for the duration of the Lakers’ time in Las Vegas, continuing with Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I’m not going to say I’m gonna say I’ll play the rest of them and I’m not going to say [Wednesday’s] my last game,” Christie told the Southern California News Group after Tuesday afternoon’s practice. “It could always change. I want to play as many games as possible, but a lot of the time it’s not necessarily up to me. If management decides they want to shut me down then we can do that. If not, I always want to keep playing.

“As long as my body’s holding up well and we’re winning games, why not? At the end of the day, I want to play.”

Christie, the No. 35 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has made the most of his second summer league.

He’s averaged 18.8 points on 48.9% shooting from the field and 60% from 3-point range to go with 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Lakers’ four summer league games (two in Las Vegas and two in Sacramento).

“I’ve played pretty well,” Christie said. “I’ve been assertive. I’ve done a good job of doing what I’ve wanted to do, which is come out, assert myself, be aggressive and get my teammates’ position to win and score the ball.”

More players entering their second NBA season, especially those who were high draft picks, have competed in summer league action compared to previous years.

Eight of the top-10 picks in the 2022 draft have played at least one summer league game this year.

Lakers assistant and summer league coach JD DuBois sees a clear benefit for players who compete in summer league ahead of their second seasons.

“You can’t substitute live reps and just situations that they can develop that they may not have to focus in on with their main team,” DuBois said. “It’s huge for second-year guys to play, regardless of how high you were picked or how much you play with your main team.”

LEWIS’ CONTRACT

Maxwell Lewis, the No. 40 overall pick in last month’s draft, signed a four-year contract with the Lakers, sources told the Southern California News Group.

The first two years of Lewis’ contract are fully guaranteed, the sources added, with a starting salary of around $1.1 million for 2023-24.

Spotrac, an online resource for team and player contracts, reported that Lewis’ salary for 2024-25 will be $1.8 million.

The sources added that $100,000 of Lewis’ $2.2 million salary for 2025-26 will be guaranteed and he’ll have a team option for his $2.4 million salary for 2026-27.

The Lakers acquired the draft rights to Lewis in a four-team deal that became official the day after the draft. The team used the new second-round pick exception in the collective bargaining agreement to sign Lewis.

With the exception, players selected in the second round can sign a three- or four-year contract with the team who has their draft rights. Both contract options must include a team option for the final season of the deal.

The exception allows teams to sign their second-round picks without having to use their midlevel exception, which was common.

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This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

• July 12, 2023

The SoCal Indie Bestseller List for the sales week ended July 9 is based on reporting from the independent booksellers of Southern California, the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and IndieBound. For an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.org.

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: Gabrielle Zevin

2. The Covenant of Water: Abraham Verghese

3. Fourth Wing: Rebecca Yarros

4. Yellowface: R.F. Kuang

5. The Guest: Emma Cline

6. Demon Copperhead: Barbara Kingsolver

7. Lessons in Chemistry: Bonnie Garmus

8. Happy Place: Emily Henry

9. The Librarianist: Patrick deWitt

10. Zero Days: Ruth Ware

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. The Creative Act: A Way of Being: Rick Rubin

2. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder: David Grann

3. The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession: Michael Finkel

4. On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good: Elise Loehnen

5. Pageboy: A Memoir: Elliot Page

6. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: James Clear

7. I’m Glad My Mom Died: Jennette McCurdy

8. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity: Peter Attia, M.D., Bill Gifford

9. 1964: Eyes of the Storm: Paul McCartney

10. Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood: Maureen Ryan

MASS MARKET

1. Dune: Frank Herbert

2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane: Neil Gaiman

3. Mistborn: The Final Empire: Brandon Sanderson

4. Lord of the Flies: William Golding

5. American Gods: Neil Gaiman

6. Animal Farm: George Orwell

7. Foundation: Isaac Asimov

8. Peg and Rose Solve a Murder: Laurien Berenson

9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Douglas Adams

10. Clause of Death: Lorna Barrett

TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION

1. Trust: Hernan Diaz

2. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: Satoshi Yagisawa

3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Taylor Jenkins Reid

4. Blood Meridian: Cormac McCarthy

5. The Cat Who Saved Books: Sosuke Natsukawa

6. The Midnight Library: Matt Haig

7. A Court of Thorns and Roses: Sarah J. Maas

8. People We Meet on Vacation: Emily Henry

9. The Last Thing He Told Me: Laura Dave

10. This Is How You Lose the Time War: Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone

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LAFC hosts St. Louis City FC in potential 6-point game

• July 12, 2023

The Los Angeles Football Club has roughed up plenty of opponents since debuting in Major League Soccer.

But no one has had a tougher time against LAFC than those that joined MLS after the Black & Gold did in 2018.

In six meetings against most of the league’s subsequent expansion teams, LAFC has won each time, outscoring Cincinnati, Miami, Austin and Charlotte by a 14-1 margin. LAFC did not play Nashville in 2020.

Looking for lucky number seven, LAFC hosts the new kid on the block, Western Conference leader St. Louis City SC, on Wednesday at BMO Stadium.

Expansion teams have struggled against defending MLS Cup champions, winning four times since 2010, including twice last year when Charlotte beat New York City.

Five points behind St. Louis, LAFC (9-6-6, 33 points) can create momentum or make things harder on itself heading into the All-Star game and Leagues Cup.

“We’re excited to have an expansion team come to L.A.,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “St. Louis has been very good this year. Hats off to them and their work on and off the field. They have created an identity and a way of playing and they have stuck to it. I think that kind of sums up their success.”

Modeled on the Red Bulls system, reliant on high pressing, effusive energy and a direct attack, St. Louis (12-7-2, 38 points), managed by South African coach Bradley Carnell, has scored 40 goals – 10 more than LAFC.

“They don’t wait to attack you,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said. “They go through the middle. They go straight to goal. Call it whatever you want. They just have one goal in mind and that’s the opponent’s goal. And on top of that, they have quality players that can execute that style of play, that game model.

“They are ruthless and I think that’s what’s working for them to be on top of the table.”

Currently riding a third winning streak of at least three matches, St. Louis is the first MLS expansion team since 2000 to do so in its inaugural season.

The club is tied atop MLS with 13 different goal scorers, including a team-leading eight by Nicholas Gioacchini.

Eighteen of LAFC’s 30 league goals have come courtesy of Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela, with the rest spread among eight others.

LAFC’s scoring is less balanced than previous years because it has not been as good as it could be around the goal considering the chances it creates.

However, Cherundolo continues to express confidence that his players are close to finding their collective goal-scoring form.

LAFC could climb within two points of the conference lead, remain where it is with a draw, or fall eight points behind with a dozen regular-season games remaining.

Heading into the midweek matchday, which was postponed from May 31 to accommodate the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, eight points is the difference between LAFC sitting where it is, third in the West, or riding the playoff line.

According to LAFC, though, it’s too early to ponder a so-called six-point game, which entails an opportunity to grab three for yourself and, at the same time, deny the opposition.

“For us,” Sanchez said, “it’s three very important points at this time of the season.”

ST. LOUIS CITY FC at LAFC

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: BMO Stadium

TV/Radio: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, 980 AM

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TasteFood: Salad days of summer — the leftovers

• July 12, 2023

This installment of Salad Days of Summer is a recipe for your dinner repertoire. Steak salads make for a fresh and substantial bowl that you can call a meal. I call it a leftovers salad — it was, in fact, composed of leftover steak and green beans when it was prepared — but “grilled steak salad” sounds more enticing.

If you don’t happen to have cold steak and cooked beans lurking in your refrigerator, you can easily make this recipe from scratch. However, I believe that if you go to the trouble of paying for and grilling a nice piece of steak, you should enjoy it hot off the grill. I suggest purchasing a little extra so that you can have your grilled steak dinner — and then the wonderful “problem” of leftovers to make this salad.

This recipe includes methods for both grilling the steak and cooking fresh beans, should you decide to concoct the salad from scratch. Note that French haricots verts may be used for the green beans. Haricots verts are thinner than the Blue Lake variety we simply call green beans. Their flavor is slightly sweeter and more delicate, and they will cook faster, since they are so fine. Avocado is another optional ingredient. A bright balsamic vinaigrette does double duty as a dressing that binds the salad and a quick marinade for the meat. And feel free to have fun with fresh herbs. Basil is added to this salad; tarragon, chervil and chives would also make nice additions.

Grilled Steak and Green Bean Salad

Serves 3 to 4

INGREDIENTS

Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced or pushed through a press

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad:

1 New York strip steak, about 12 ounces (purchase more if you want your steak dinner first)

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces green beans, ends trimmed

1 head butter lettuce, leaves washed, torn into large pieces

4 to 6 Early Girl tomatoes, cut into wedges

1 avocado, cut in bite-size pieces (optional)

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup small basil leaves, torn (or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking to emulsify.

Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat. Lightly brush the steak with oil and season on all sides with the salt and pepper. Grill the steak until medium-rare, about 8 minutes, depending on thickness, turning once or twice. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Cut the steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place the meat in a bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and turn to coat.

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Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beans and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. (Alternatively, steam the beans.) Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Blot dry with a kitchen towel.

Layer the lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, avocado (if using), onion and basil in a serving bowl. Remove the steak from the marinade and arrange over the salad. Drizzle with the dressing to your taste and gently toss.

Lynda Balslev is a San Francisco Bay Area cookbook author, food and travel writer and recipe developer.

​ Orange County Register