Lemon Dressed Melon

Zing into summer with this must eat! Simple, and rewarding. Just sharing the love of dressing up a simple melon lunch or supper “side”. Using my Beelicious honey from Judy and Matt again. Yum to the tum. Be on the lookout later this week for a savory mahi dish to pair with this melon salad…and the perfect refreshing Limoncello cocktail for pairing.Fruit Salad MelonZest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbs dry sherry
1 Tbs honey
1/8 t kosher salt
1/4 t ground pepper
2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cantaloupe
1/2 honeydew
3 Tbs fresh torn mint

In medium bowl whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, sherry, honey, salt, and pepper.
Slowly add olive oil, whisking until combined.
Cut melons in half and remove seeds.
Slice into 2 inch wide wedges.
Using a mandolin cut melons into ribbons.
Add melon ribbons to dressing and toss to coat.
Place on plate.
Sprinkle with mint.

Of course, if you don’t have a mandolin, you can cube the melon or use a melon baller to shape into balls.Fruit Melon Salad III

Fresh Corn Frittata

Well Hello Good People of the World! I’m almost back. Was down for the count for several days with a knee clean-up surgery…just about cleaned my clock too. But hey hey, the corner is turned and here I am. Thank you Chris Hasty. So, here we go! Throwing a double fresh treat right atcha. I received my first Leggett Farm Organics CSA box last Wednesday, and this year I included a dozen farm fresh eggs each week. Straight from Ben’s chickens. Look at these beauties. With fresh corn quickly growing as high as an elephant’a eye, I made this corn and fresh egg frittata. Out of the skillet, on to the plate, and down the hatch. Leggett Farms fresh eggs IIBrunch Corn Frittata1 Tbs olive oil
Kernels from 2 ears fresh corn
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1/4 t kosher salt
1/2 t fresh ground black pepper
1/4 t smoked paprika
1/4 cup low fat milk
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 t butter
1 1/2 oz Romano cheese, grated
3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro

Brunch Corn Frittata IIHeat a medium ovenproof skillet over medium high heat.
Add oil and swirl to coat pan.
Add corn and onions.
Cook 3 minutes, stirring often.
Add half the salt and pepper, and paprika.
Stir and transfer corn mixture to bowl.
Wipe skillet clean with paper towel.
Combine remaining salt and pepper, milk, and eggs in medium bowl.
Stir with whisk until combined.
Stir in corn mixture.
Add half the cheese and half the cilantro; stir to combine.
Preheat broiler to high.
Return pan to medium heat.
Add butter to pan and swirl as it melts.
Add egg and corn mixture to pan.
Cook 1 minute without stirring.
Gently slide pan back and forth to keep eggs from sticking.
Cover and reduce heat to low.
Cook 4 to 5 minutes until eggs are set and golden on bottom.
Note that top of eggs will still be a bit runny.
Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese.
Broil 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until eggs are set and cheese browns a bit.
Allow to rest 3 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining cilantro to serve.

Serves 4 at a simple 230 calories per serving!

Homemade Vegetable Broth

Now this is some Southern know how! One reason I love this so much is that it contains under 20mg of sodium per cup compared to 800mg (yes…800!) of that stuff broth in a box. Bonus…It also weighs in at under 20 calories a cup. Can’t beat that friends! PLUS, it just tastes so fresh and real. Use it in your summer (and winter) soups; cook your rice in it; sauté your dinner veggies in it; the uses are endless. Now, I’ll quit my health rant and give the recipe to you. Make it…soon! You’ll be so happy that you did; that’s a promise.Soup Vegetable BrothWhat you Need:
2 Tbs olive oil
4 celery stalks, with leaves
2 carrots, peeled, and coarsely chopped
2 onions, chopped
1 leek, rinsed and sliced
6 garlic cloves
1 tomato, chopped
2 bay leaves
Handful parsley sprigs
Handful thyme sprigs
12 whole black peppercorns
1/4 t salt

Soup Vegetable Broth II

How to Do It:
Heat oil in large soup pot.
Stir in celery, carrots, onions, and leek.
Reduce heat to medium low.
Cook covered 12 to 15 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
Add remaining ingredients.
Add 9 cups water.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Skim the surface with a spoon.
Lower heat to low, and simmer partially covered 20 minutes.
Turn heat off.
Leave pot on burner thirty minutes to allow more flavor to develop.
Strain stock through fine colander.
Discard all flavorings.

Stock is ready for use.
It may be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for 2 days, or freezer for 6 months.

Strawberry Vodka Champagne Cocktail

Adult Beverages Strawberry Vodka ChampagneIt is Thursday…PLUS…I am headed to our Nation’s Capital for a birthday bash (evidence of that next week!); so let’s get our cocktail on! Back I track to the yummy homemade strawberry infused vodka from last week. Here’s a masterful mixture to concoct using that infusion. Similar to an “Accomplice“, but not as strong or as sweet. Ummm, such a fragrant berry season. Cheers! PS…shelf life on the infused vodka is 6+ months. Wow!

1 oz strawberry infused vodka
Bottle of Brut Champagne, or Prosecco
1 fresh strawberry for glass

Pour vodka in bottom of flute.
Fill with champagne.
Garnish with strawberry.

As Always, Enjoy Responsibly.

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Why do I love this? Because apparently pineapple and bacon are running mates. This little appetizer is an unanticipated combination of flavors that treats the taste buds to quite a savory experience. AND it’s a cinch to create. We enjoyed this last weekend at the pre-party prior to Gray and Marc’s 10th Anniversary bash cruising the Boston Harbor aboard the Lexington. More on that fun experience when we get the pics from the fab Jaclyn!Appetizer Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

1 small pineapple, skinned, cored, sliced, and cubed
18 slices precooked bacon, cut in half, not warmed

Place oven rack on next to top level.
Preheat oven to broil.
Wrap bacon pieces around pineapple pieces.
Secure with hors d’ouerve pick.
Place on baking sheet.
Broil 1 minute under broiler, watching carefully in case you need to remove earlier!

Makes 36 pieces.

Strawberry Vodka Cocktail

I mean, honestly, this is adult Capri Sun. Only you don’t need to puncture any pouch with a straw. Just sip along for a fun ride. Ummmm.Adult Beverages Strawberry Vodka cocktail

Crushed ice
1 1/2 oz Strawberry Vodka
Wedge of lime
Club soda to top up

Fill lowball glass with ice.
Add vodka.
Squeeze in lime juice.
Top up glass with club soda.
Drop in lime wedge.
Stir.

Strawberry Infused Vodka

Get your cocktail on baby! If you like strawberries and vodka, this post is aimed right atcha! Strawberry season is here in ENC and I picked berries at 903 this past weekend. After I canned my preserves I tried my hand at infusing vodka. Amazing results. Made me feel like a kitchen artist. So, go on and do it, ’cause I’m gonna share cocktail recipes next.

PS…shelf life on the infused vodka is 6 + months. WOW!Adult Beverages Strawberry VodkaWhat you need:
Quart size canning jar
30 + strawberries, rinsed and dried
1/4 cup sugar
Mild vodka (I use Tito’s)

Rinse the jar well and dry it.
Remove stem from berries and quarter them.
Fill jar to top with berries.
Add sugar.
Fill jar with vodka.
Cover with lid.
Shake.
When berries turn pink, about 2 days, strain vodka and save.
Toss berries out.
If you like a stronger strawberry flavor, repeat the process.

Chile Queso Dip/Sauce

Well hello California Chrome! Way to own the Derby. Extremely well done. And now…let’s doff those pretty hats and go to Mexico. It is, after all, Cinco de Mayo tomorrow. So I’m sharing the love with a simple but expertly crafted appetizer that you can prepare with ease and in turn share with friends. Pair it with Gray’s Margarita and you have it all covered. Mix all with Laughter; Keep Calm and Munch On.Appetizer Chile Queso Sauce

1 shallot, finely diced
2 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbs butter
2 serrano chile peppers, thinly sliced
1 red jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
1/8 t kosher salt
1 Tbs all purpose flour
1 cup milk
4 oz grated pepper jack cheese
4 oz grated American cheese
Tortilla chips for serving

Combine 1 Tbs shallot, tomatoes, and half the cilantro in small bowl.
Set aside.
Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add remaining shallots, serrano peppers, jalapeño peppers, and salt.
Cook, stirring, until shallots are tender, about 3 minutes.
Sprinkle flour into pan.
Cook, stirring, until flour is absorbed, about 1 minute.
Whisk in milk.
Bring to simmer.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
Stir in pepper jack and American cheeses until melted.
Remove from heat.
Stir in remaining cilantro.
Pour into serving bowl.
Top with tomato mixture.
Serve with chips.

*Author’s Note: This is also excellent over baked chicken and sauteed fish. Yum.

 

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Yummy!! Just to show my love, I am sharing this with you good people. Remember…I LOVE soup! So, here’s another one. Terrific all seasons of the year…as appetizer, lunch, first course, casual supper, anything! I also really enjoy serving soup in shot glasses, remember?! This is P.E.R.F.E.C.T for passing at a standing cocktail soiree!  Dig it!

Here's Grandmother Naomi's Rose Medallion again. I'm currently lobbying Mother for the remainder of the set!

Here’s Grandmother Naomi’s Rose Medallion again. I’m currently lobbying Mother for the remainder of the set!

1 large head of cauliflower
2 Tbs butter
1 Tbs olive oil
1 large baking potato, peeled, and roughly chopped
1 onion, peeled, and chopped
5 cups chicken broth
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/8 t sea salt
1/4 t fresh ground black pepper
Truffle oil for drizzling
Homemade croutons

For croutons:
2 slices day old brown bread, cubed (I like Arnold’s Healthnut)
2 Tbs olive oil
Heat oil in skillet.
Add bread and fry, constantly flipping cubes, until browned, about 1 minute.
Drain on paper towels.

For soup:
Remove stalk from cauliflower, and cut into florets.
Heat butter and oil in large soup pot.
Stir in florets, potato, and onion.
Cover and allow all to sweat on low 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add broth and bring to a boil.
Add milk, cream, salt, and pepper.
Simmer uncovered 10 to 12 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
Puree in blender in 2 batches.

To serve:
Ladle soup into shallow bowl.
Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper.
Sprinkle a few croutons on top.
Drizzle with truffle oil.

Makes 12 one cup servings.
Fabulous in shot glasses for a cocktail party.

From Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas with Gordon.

Mint Julep

Adult beverage mint julepThrow a little Saturday into your Monday. It’s Derby week people. Get your polish out and put a shine to those silver cups.  Are your julep making skills honed? There are many ways to make a great Mint Julep. Many omit the club soda; but I like to sip this greatness twice Derby afternoon. So I like the soda for dilution! Your choice on how to grab your gusto. Study the contenders. Place your bets. Eat. Drink. Carry on!!

4 sprigs fresh mint
1 Tbs simple syrup
2 oz good bourbon
Club soda
Mint for garnish

Place mint in bottom of cup.
Add syrup.
Muddle well.
Fill cup with crushed ice.
Add bourbon.
Top off with club soda.
Stir well.
Garnish with mint.