SUMMER Food Porn Tuesday!

SUMMER RECIPES

I'm all for yummy, brightly colored foods using veggies and fruits in the summertime. Summer usually makes me want lighter foods that don't heat up my kitchen or take too long to make...gotta have some lounge-time built into the summer right?

And fresh fruit that is so sweet it dribbled down your chin...amen I say!!!

Thought I'd share a few recipes I've seen around that got my tastebuds going....will be making these the next 2 weeks before we head out on our 15 day vacation starting July 9th.

Chili Lime Sweet Corn Salsa

Our local farmers market is promising fresh corn by next week...so I'm thinking

this would be a yummy side with some fresh, grilled fish.  Mmmmmm!

Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Spears

I make a zucchini dish that I make a lot (diced zucchini & onions sauteed then add mozz cheese on top) so I'm looking to expand my zucchini repertoire because I have a LOT of zucchinis growing in the garden. These look easy & yummy!

Caramelized Onion Quiche

Onions + Cheese = say no more.....sounds like good stuff to me and easy to cook up!

Caprese Stuffed Tomatoes

I love me some stuffed tomatoes....that's just good eating to me...especially when they are fresh 'maters!

Here's a few for ya in case you need variety like me ;)

Spinach, Mushroom & Brie Stuffed Tomatoes

Avocado & Chicken Stuffed Tomatoes

Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad

Yellow Bean & Mushroom Gratin

I am going to have a bumper crop of wax/yellow beans this summer and was looking for new recipes when I came across this.  Sounds sooooo good & easy to do!

Spaghetti with Basil Pesto

I'm growing a few herbs this summer as well and my basil has come in beautifully. I'm going to make this recipe and the one below with my fresh basil...should be yum yums!

Chicken with Basil Artichoke Sauce

Sounds yum right? I'll let you know.....

Creamy Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

I want to try this version on my spinach-strawberry salads this summer.

Looks good, sounds good!

Blackberry Cream Cupcake

And for a very sweet dessert, how about these?  I think I just drooled.....
I like little desserts...just enough to sweeten you up but not enough to stuff ya!

Are any of you growing some fresh veggies this summer?  What's your favorite veggie to eat and grow?

Pancake Crazy!

Paleo Friendly Pancakes!

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So its been almost 2.5 weeks on my Paleo diet and I have to say I've been very surprised, in a good way. I'm the girl who if you tell me I cannot have something...well then I want it badly...KWIM?  I've tried multiple times to give up sugar and bread and after a few days I'm like an addict secretly trying to sneak some. Its seriously bad y'all!  But I went with Paleo because I want to reboot my system, clean out my body and get it in fighting form for what I have to deal with soon.  And maybe lose a few pounds from that some of these meds I had to take and they packed weight on me over this winter.  I have to say I've had almost NO cravings for soda, chocolate or any sugar really.  I still would love a piece of fresh bread dripping with butter but I've been really good so far.  I haven't weighed myself yet as I'm waiting for the 4 week mark to see and crossing fingers I see some kinda loss (not a gain oy vey, then I'll cry).  

So I've been researching a lot and trying different Paleo-friendly recipes.  I thought every week I'd share one that was successful and yummy with you in case you are interested as well.  

Last week I shared my Caesar Dressing that was Paleo friendly but one that I've been making for years that my family loves. 

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We had breakfast for dinner the other night and I decided to try both almond AND coconut flour pancakes to see which was better. Ya' know my own taste test kitchen ha!  The "boys" got regular chocolate chip pancakes the lucky ducks!  Both type of pancakes were good but I found the coconut flour ones to be a bit better and not as grainy in texture...so they are both really good, healthy options AND Gluten Free if that interests you as well.  

I added blueberries to both since they are SuperFood berry and they added a touch of sweetness.  I drizzled mine with organic raw honey and it suited my sweet tooth just fine...I didn't feel I was missing out at all and I loaded up on some scrambled eggs with veggies and 2 slices of bacon as well.

Here are the recipes (I doctored these a bit from basic recipes till I got them to my liking) I used below if you want to give them a try!  Don't ask me how many bad ones I made to get a good balance of ingredients and the size right LOL...let's just say the birds in the woods ate well.  So doctor up your recipes until you find ones that suit YOU too!

Coconut Flour Pancakes

• 3/4 cup Coconut Milk 
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 TBS Honey  (raw/organic)
• Dash of Cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Flour (sifted)
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• a pinch of Kosher/sea salt
• 1/4 cup blueberries or other fruit (0ptional)
• Optional coconut oil for cooking
• 
  
• Sift your flour if you can as it helps make batter come together nicer. Preheat your pan or griddle on medium heat.  Whisk your eggs well to a nice froth in bowl and then add in vanilla, honey, and cinnamon.  Slowly add in your coconut flour, baking soda and salt and mix up well. (if they are a bit runny add more coconut flour a TBS at a time, if too floury add a bit more milk)  I have a non-stick griddle so I didn't use any oil or butter and they cooked up fine, but if you need to add that before scooping on the batter go right ahead!
• These work best as small dollar sized pancakes...trust me on this..I tried larger and small is better in this case folks :)  So scoop a small amount onto pan and then sprinkle on your fruit so they cook evenly!  Drizzle with honey, syrup or fruit of your choice!

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Almond Flour Pancakes

1 1/2 cup Almond Flour/Meal (sifted)

3 Eggs

pinch of Kosher/Sea Salt

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1 TBS Honey (organic/raw)

dash of cinnamon (optional)

1/4 cup Coconut Milk

1/4 cup Fruit (optional)

Same instructions as above for cooking coconut pancakes.  Again I made these dollar sized and they turned out great!  

**Notes: 

* I read that some people have put their ingredients in a blender or used hand-mixer to make the batter even finer and end result even fluffier....so that's an option too!  I haven't tried it yet though so I have no idea if it does or not. Let me know if you do.

* Perhaps because these are smaller pancakes and maybe due to the different flour, they cook up MUCH faster so keep a close eye on them. As soon as they bubble on the edges flip those babies fast ok?

* Make extras for another day/meal. Cool completely and layer them with wax paper and freeze in a freezer-safe bag, container or food-saverize them. Then reheat in toaster oven.

* Use any fruit you want but they cook up better if you sprinkle the fruit onto the batter while cooking...not mixing it into the batter.

* I drizzled with raw honey because I love it but you could use maple syrup if you weren't being super strict or only top them with berries.  I did use a wee bit of organic butter on each one...a small treat to myself.

So if you try them let me know how you liked them!  There are lots of recipes out there, I just messed around till I found something that worked best for me. 

As always tweak a recipe to YOUR liking!!

Next Week:  My Version of Paleo Pizza ...mmmmm!

Steak Me!

Steak Salad my Way!

 One of my favorite meals to make in the Spring and Summer is steak salad with potato crisps and crostini...YUMM-O-LICIOUS and not too heavy too.  And even better when the produce is fresh from the garden.

First I marinate my flank steak with salt, pepper, garlic and balsamic vinegar. I put it in a large ziploc bag for at least an hour to marinate and then its good to go.  I like to grill it outside and we like it medium rare...I like it more rare than most LOL but the center is ALWAYS warm!

Then you need some yummy parmesan cheese, lettuce and a lemon.  The lettuce is fresh from my garden and so sweet and crispy.  I buy chunks of parmesan cheese and shave it myself with my mandolin easily.  The lemon I will slice in half and just add a squirt over each salad.  So wash & spin your lettuce, shave enough parmesan for each person and slice a lemon in half.

You can find my Balsamic Dressing Recipe HERE!

Then you prepare your Crostini!  I don't make my own bread...the horrors I know...but I do buy fresh bread from my Wegman's bakery that is just as good.  I slice it into thin slices and lay them on my baking pan.   I use EVOO...that's extra virgin olive oil to brush on each slice nicely.  I use a silcone basting brush because there is NOTHING worse than brush hairs in or on your food...YUCK!

Then I sprinkle Sea Salt on each slice...just a bit...not too much though!  I also add a bit of cracked pepper to each slice as well.  Then its ready for the oven..I broil it for about 3-6 mins depending on how brown and crispy you like it.

I like the edges crispy and brown but the middle a bit soft!

Potato Crisps are super easy too:  

I slice my potatoes in thin slices on my mandolin, toss them with some Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic and Extra-Virgin Olive oil...and then bake for 45-50 mins turning them over halfway in between until they are nice and crispy. That's my lower fat version.  Some people toss them in flour, cheese and butter which is good I'm sure but this way is too and you save on the fat and calories.

Put it all together and YUM I tell ya!  Makes my heart sing!

Now that the tomatoes from the garden are ripe I will add them in next time!

Southern Staples!

Some Summer Yums!

To me summer OFFICIALLY begins when I have my first ripe tomatoes either from my garden OR the farmers market.  That is celebration time!  So I was so excited to see 3 large tomatoes ripened in my garden the other morning that I literally SQUEALED for joy!  There is something magical about the smell of tomato plants...I can't really explain it...but if you've smelled them before you know what I mean.  Smells green, clean and yummy!  Yeah I know you probably think I've lost my marbles but it IS one of my fave summer smells along with honeysuckle, cut grass and salty, ocean air.

Southern Staples

So if you're Southern (and perhaps if you are not) there are some sandwich staples you must use for tomato sandwiches.  Duke's Mayonnaise is #1...its the ONLY mayo I keep in the house...is it low fat? Heck no but I pretty much only use it for sandwiches so its ok and I don't like it dripping out of my sammie either.  Now some southerners use butter as well but I don't do butter on my sammies unless its a grilled sandwich.  Some ground pepper and a good, ripe tomato and WHITE BREAD...yup I said white bread.  I don't like Wonder Bread (slap my southern bum) but instead I choose Italian Bread as it has a bit more thickness to it but for me its gotta be SOFT!

Fresh is Best

I cut all my tomatoes with a tomato knife...if you don't have one, well you need one!  They are very thin with a serrated edge that cuts cleanly through the tomato, no smushing of the tomato gosh forbid.  My dad got them for me and my siblings years and years ago before I was even married...he knows how much we all love tomatoes.  Somehow I ended up with two...shhh not sure where the 2nd came from...but we use them A LOT!  You can find them in all styles and prices if you need one...I'd say you need one LOL...if ya asked that is!

Red Delicious Slices of Freshness

Mmmmm thick slices of tomato..I like thick slices on my sandwiches with a thin layer of mayo

on my bread.  Then some ground pepper on top...mmmmmm....looking good so far.

Look!  Its ready for MY mouth LOL!

So good I almost made a second one but instead made one for my son who loves them almost as much as me.  Hubby likes his with cheese...sometimes we add cheese or ham or both and sometimes we toast them.  So many varieties and all soooo good.  But the first 2-3 tomato sammies are PURE...just tomatoes, mayo and pepper for me thank you!

So just sharing one of favorite summer rituals with you!!

What's one of your favorite summer rituals?

A View From the Garden!

Treasures from my Garden

 This was a pic of my tomatoes before I went on vacation 2 weeks ago. Lots of green tomatoes all over my plants. 

This is what they look like now...another day and the large ones will be 100% ready.  I picked about 20 Cherry Tomatoes today for a fresh salad tonight...YUM!

 I grow my cucumbers UP/vertically so they don't take over my whole garden.  I picked two yesterday and this one is almost ready.  Looks like I may have about 50 blooms on these plants...that means I will be canning lots of PICKLES!!

 I planted more lettuce seeds before I left and this is what I came home to.  We had lots of rain so the lettuce just sprang up...will be using this in fresh salads and on sandwiches this week.

 I have 4 large zucchini plants and we've gotten 3 zucchinis off of it so far with many more growing...including the GIANT one below LOL!  I love grilled and sauteed zucchini.  I like to dice it up and saute it with some diced onion, salt/pepper and some red pepper flakes in olive oil.  Then top it with some mozzarella cheese...mmmmm good!

 Yes, Yes...that is a GIANT zucchini from my garden LOL!  I chopped it up and put it in foodsaver bags to use in zucchini bread real soon.  Those were some of the treasures from my garden when I got home.  A few radishes, a few tomatoes, lots of wax beans, lettuce and zucchini.

My zinnia seeds also sprouted up and frame the backside of my garden.  So pretty and good for keeping garden pests at bay along with my marigolds.  Organic pesticide I call them!! 

How's your garden growing?