Summer in a Box

I would venture to say that nobody loves summer more than a food truck chef who feeds folk yearround. Ben Baird and his truck team admit defeat to winter only when the temperature dips into the negative 20s. When tomatoes are at their best, Baird collects a mix of heirloom beauties and combines them with baby arugula, cooked barley, red onion, thin discs of radish, a chiffonade of basil, and a handful of oregano leaves. He tosses it all with an aged balsamic vinaigrette, adds cubes of fried halloumi cheese, a good crack of pepper, a glug of green olive oil, and summer is in the box. Streat Gourmet, corner of Albert and O’Connor streets, Monday to Friday.