Tag: summer

Broccoli Feta and Cherry Tomato Salad

My mom was queen of the pasta salad. Not the kind smothered with dressings or dripping with sauce. Rather simply flavored with a smidgen of salad dressing. Enough to give a little flavor. I learned how to basically clean out the frige and turn odds and 

Baked Lemon Curd Bars with Almonds and Coconut

I made these bars to use up the left over lemon curd from the lemon dimple cookies. I would have preferred to make angle food cake but every recipe I could find called for 12 egg whites. I could not bring myself to use an 

Balsamic Chicken with Avocado and Radish Salad

Sometime ago a friend of mine and I were discussing the cons of eating healthy. We both agreed that every now and then after eating perfect portions of lean proteins, limited carbs and a staple of fresh fruits and veggies we craved a hefty steak with a baked potato to fill us up. Something to sink our teeth into. I side with the fact that eating healthy does not have to be bland and taste like cardboard diet food. But rather there are some recipes that when I eat them I feel completely satisfied. Balsamic chicken with avocado and radish salad is one of those meals. I savor every bite contemplating never having to take another morsel of forbidden delectables.

Source: The Good Mood Food Blog
2 chicken breasts
1 avocado
4-5 small radishes, sliced
A handfull of lettuce leaves
1 red onion, cut in half and sliced wafer thin
1 small garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 tsp of wholegrain mustard
2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar, divided
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 lemon, halved
Pinch coarse sea salt and freshly ground black peppercorns

Place chicken in a zip loc baggy. Pour in 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of half a lemon, and a pinch of black pepper, seal and give a good shake!

In a jar or bowl, combine, 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, mustard, and salt. Whisk or shake to combine, set aside.

Place a good handful of lettuce leaves on each plate, and scatter with the red onion.
Slice the Avocado in half and remove the stone, spoon out the green flesh and slice into thin strips, arrange on top of the salad. Add the raddishes.

Heat a large frying pan till just before it begins smoking and place the breasts on, there is no need for extra oil. Cook for approx 3-5 Minutes each side, remove from the heat, let it rest. Slice into thin strips. Arrange on top of the avocado. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Serve immediately.

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

When I was 16 turning 17 my best friend’s family invited me to join them on a cross country trip. Equipped with R.E.M’s “Out of Time” album and C&C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat”, we made our way to Texas to visit Beverly’s Friends 

French Onion Salisbury Steak with Cheese Bread

French Onion Salisbury Steak is another one of our favorite family recipes. French onion is probably a deceptive word to use because the sauce is nothing like French onion soup. This dish reminds me “Ratatouille” the movie from Pixar. Each part is essential to the 

Lemon Dimples Cookies

Surprise mom with these cute Lemon Dimple cookies. They are lemony and oh so scrumptious.

Source: Woman’s Day
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for dusting
1/4 cup fine sugar or granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 scant cup prepared lemon curd

Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla. On low speed, beat in baking soda, then flour, until incorporated. Cover; chill dough 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape scant tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; place 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. With index finger or a tart maker, make a deep indentation in center of each. Place lemon curd into a small ziptop food-storage bag; seal bag. Snip a tiny corner of the bag and pipe lemon curd into dough indentations to fill completely (about 1 tsp per cookie).

Bake 10-15 minutes or until cookie edges just begin to lightly brown. Cool completely on baking sheet set on wire rack. Dust cookie edges with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Fiesta Taco Salad

A couple of years ago, all the older kids wanted for dinner was pizza, hot dogs or mac and cheese. Just having baby number three, I complied for a little while until I could get back on my feet. I began asking friends what they 

Stacked Mexican Pie

I made a pot of Pozole yesterday. Knowing I would have leftover shredded pork, I decided to use some of the meat to make a Mexican pie. It is sort of like lasagna meets enchilada. Here, I used a pie plate making only three layers, 

May Day

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Photo: Maypole Dancing at Wishford, Wiltshire

One of my favorite childhood memories I have, is watching my mom and the other ladies from church weave ribbons in and around the May Pole. If I remember correctly, it was usually done during our Easter celebration rather than May 1st. The picture of festive celebrations is what I cherish most about the experience.

May day is an ancient holiday celebrated in many countries around the world. In some places, May 1st is known as a Labor Day, while in other places, the day is a celebration of the turning tide of spring equinox into summer solstice. The traditions we recognize still today is flowers and the May pole.

May Pole: Decorate a pole or tall stick with brightly colored ribbon or paper streamers. Add flowers and balloons. Then, dance around the May pole, holding the ends of the streamers or ribbon.

May Day Basket of Flowers: Hang a basket full of spring flowers on a neighbor’s doorknob. Use real flowers or make your own out of felt, paper, colored craft sticks or egg cartons.

Ruth’s Wedding Cookies

My Aunt Ruth usually had these delicious bites around many times when we stopped by for a visit. Ruth’s version of Mexican wedding cookies are also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Italian Butter Cookies. They are a very delicate shortbread like cookie. Her original