Grape and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Peg

I mean seriously, have you ever seen the cooking show Naughty and Delicious? There is a wonderful Brit gal that is as charming as the English countryside…for me, that means the city of London… I’ve been watching her for a while now and hoped to bump in to her on my three day layover in London last year! Alas, that didn’t happen. But to satisfy all of us until I do meet her, here’s a great easy on the cook Bruschetta, reminiscent of her.

Dodge those raindrops outside!
1/2 small sourdough loaf, cut into six 1/2″ slices
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, cut in half
1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup green seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise
6 fresh mint leaves
3/4 cup soft goat cheese, room temperature
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon

Preheat oven to 400°.
Brush both sides of bread slices with oil.
Toast on middle rack 1 minute.
Turn and cook another minute until bread is crispy on both sides.
Rub each slice of hot bread with cut garlic clove as it comes out of the oven.

Add 3 Tbs oil to skillet over medium heat.
Add red grapes and sauté until warm and softened, about 3 minutes.
Add green grapes and toss just to warm. Remove to a bowl.

Add mint leaves to the hot oil and fry until crisp, 15 to 20 seconds.
Remove to paper towel to drain.

Spread goat cheese over one side of each piece of toast.
Top with mound of warm grapes.
Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
Top with a mint leaf.
Zest the lemon generously over each slice.

Caesar Crostini

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Peg

Hello Hello and Happy “FRInally” to One and All! This is a post to make you, your taste buds, and your tummy smile. I bet you have all of this right at your fingertips. So go create a simple little weekend appetizer guaranteed to delight.

…Not to sound all broken record blah blah but please remember to wash your hands, wear your mask, and put your energy where it will multiply, not where it will be drained. You’re welcome for that little life hack! 😉

French Baguette, sliced 1/2” thick
Olive oil for drizzling
1/2 cup Caesar salad dressing, divided
Romaine, chopped
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°.
Place baguette slices on parchment lined baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil lightly.
Brush generously with Caesar dressing.
Toast 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Toss lettuce with remaining dressing.
Pile gently on each slice.
Top with shaved Parmesan.
Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
Serve immediately.
Makes 12 thin appetizer slices.

Family Party Time!!!
Appetizer Caesar Crostini I

Frozen Lemon Pie

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Peg

Friday Post Script, a day later than the Thursday Pie Post…Bull City Little League cancelled the weekend tournament. I must say that with my personal fear of Covid, I was relieved in a sense. the don and I were looking so forward to being with Liam for a few days, and Liam was very disappointed, as he adores baseball. Alas, healthy decisions were made by caring coaches and I say a warm thank you to Ray and all involved! Cheers to you and many future tournament weekends together!

I know…It’s been a second since I’ve been here; precisely it’s been 35,942,400 seconds! Yes, I calculated it (meaning that Google actually did the math)! But who’s counting?! Let’s move onward; summer may technically be over since Labor Day has come and gone. But the hot and muggy summer weather still persists here in good ole Eastern North Carolina. So whip up this light and breezy lemon fruit pie for the weekend. Perfection in a pie shell! I’m heading to see the Grands this afternoon, pie in hand. We’re ready for a weekend of Bull City Little League with Liam, all while being smart, wearing masks, and trying our darnedest to remain healthy. Doing my best to stay safe y’all…my buddies know I’ve been totally reclusive since February! Let’s continue to take care of each other, and always eat pie when it’s available!

This is All You need!
6 oz frozen lemon concentrate can, thawed
8 oz container whipped topping, thawed*
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 9” graham cracker pie shell, purchased or homemade

And This is How You Do It!
With electric mixer or blender, beat together lemon concentrate and condensed milk.
Fold in whipped topping.

Spread mixture in pie crust; cover and freeze, 6 hours or overnight.
Take pie out of freezer about 15 minutes before serving time.

Garnish with raspberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, lemon slices, and edible flower petals.
Slice and serve.

*I prefer Cool Whip Lite.
It does not change the consistency or flavor of pie, and saves those calories.

Avocado Toast with Yogurt and Honey

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Peg

This is the best simple breakfast that you will EVER serve your overnight guests, or just your adult children and grandchildren. I promise!!! The vanilla yogurt makes it just a little sweet for the little ones, and the rest is just yummy right down to that tummy. First thing in the morning…it’s a lot better to wait a few minutes before consuming the slight acid in our favorite coffee. Get revved up with that caffeine after you coat that little tum tum. Happy Day My People!
Brunch Avocado Toast with Avocado and Honey

You’ll be so darn happy!

4 slices multigrain bread, toasted
2 avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and sliced
1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup pomegranate arils
1/2 t salt

Arrange avocado slices in single layer on toast.
Spoon yogurt over avocado, spreading slightly.
Sprinkle zest over yogurt.
Drizzle with honey.
Sprinkle with pomegranate arils.
Sprinkle with salt.

YUMMY!!!!

Prosecco and Lemon Sorbet Cocktail

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Peg

The liveliest little cocktail that you will enjoy all summer…I PROMISE! I mean it’s my new “go to” light summer sipper! In this recent heatwave I’ve been enjoying club soda, on the rocks, in a wine glass, with a wedge of lemon..but, hey, this is a wee bit more festive!

1 bottle Prosecco, chilled
1 cup vodka, chilled
1 pint lemon sorbet
Lemon wedges for garnish

Combine Prosecco and vodka in small pitcher.
Place scoop of lemon sorbet in each of 4 wine glasses.
Pour Prosecco mixture over sorbet.
Top with a lemon wedge.

Adult Beverage Lemon Prosecco Cocktail Sorbet

Author’s Notes: I prefer my lemon wedge squeezed and in the glass, rather than on the glass rim. Also, I use this wonderful sorbet “SorBabes” brand, Jam’n Lemon flavor. It is made with real lemons and lemon zest that pumps up the flavor to unexpected levels of happiness. Enjoy, and…happy almost weekend!

Cinnamon Elephant Ears

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Peg

I had a special pajama clad helper in the kitchen one Sunday morning recently. No makeup, hair unbrushed…but it was magically delicious! I always thought these “elephant ears” were a short cut from a French pastry. Contrarily, my research revealed that it’s adapted from the Native Americans’ “sweet fry bread”…Either way, it’s quick, delicious, and this little three year old did most of it on his own!
A job opportunity awaits!

1 cup sugar, divided
Pinch kosher salt
1/4 t cinnamon
1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted

Preheat the oven to 450°.

Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and salt.
Pour it over a flat surface such as a wooden board.
Unfold the sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar mixture.

Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and the cinnamon.
Spread it evenly on the puff pastry.
(This is not about sprinkling, it’s about an even covering of sugar.)
With a rolling pin, lightly roll the dough until it’s a 13-inch square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom.
Fold the sides of the square toward the center so they go halfway to the middle.
Fold them again so the two folds meet in the middle.
Then fold one half over the other half as though closing a book.
You will have 6 layers.
Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices.
Place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake the cookies for 6 minutes, or until caramelized and brown on the bottom.
Then turn over with a spatula and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side.
Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

Warm Shrimp with Melon and Feta

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Peg

OK, Just call me a dichotomous mess! I loathe the heat, humidity and glaring sun of the summer months. Actually, when May rolls around, I begin praying for the relief of October’s cool deliciousness. HOWEVER, I do enjoy the voice and soul of summer’s culinary treasures…shrimp being at the top of my favorites! p to the s…we enjoy shrimp 12 months of every year thanks to Captain Jim’s who delivers straight from the coast to G’Vegas every other Saturday of the month! I mean it’s just outrageously appropriate people! Just taking heart and getting it ~~“done”~~ completed…finished…anything besides “done”, please!

1 recipe of Lemon Dressing (below)
1 1/2 lbs medium shrimp, cleaned
1 Tbs Salt and 1 t pepper to season shrimp
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs chopped shallots
2 heads frisée, or spinach, torn into pieces
1 medium honeydew, cut into small cubes
8 oz feta, crumbled
1/4 cup thinly sliced mint

For Dressing:
Zest of 1/2 lemon
Juice of whole lemon
1 Tbs honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1/8 t black pepper
Combine all ingredients in glass salad dressing jar and shake well.

Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
In 12 inch skillet, heat 2 Tbs oil over medium high heat.
Add shrimp.
Cook 1 minute.
Turn heat to medium.
Add shallots, and cook 2 more minutes, until shrimp are pink.

In large bowl combine frisée and Lemon Dressing, and toss to coat.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Divide among 4 plates.
Top with shrimp, melon, feta, and mint.

Fairy Bread

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Peg

Fairy Bread has been a popular children’s birthday treat for generations in Australia. Simple as can be. So as you prepare for the Memorial Day weekend and the onslaught of family members, you may want to try this special and yummy treat!
Simply spread softened, room temperature butter on fresh bread (That acts as the glue). Top with any sprinkles or colored sugar desired…or let the children decorate their own! That’s what we did in the RockDamKitchen a couple of weekends ago. My grands LOVED making it and eating it! “Art doesn’t always fit in a frame”…nor do sprinkles! PS It was a sugary mess on the kitchen counter! Enjoy.

Strawberry Brunch/Tea Sandwiches

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Peg

Yummy…All the Way Down the Throat. No joke. This is a total software update for your palate…and speaking of which; it totally looks like the palette for a still life…calling Kristin!! Since strawberry season is in full swing here, I’m taking it straight to the kitchen. Hope that you do the same. With the marinade in this recipe, any strawberry will work if you live in an “off berry season”!

1 cup thinly slices strawberries
1 Tbs white balsamic vinegar
1 t honey
Pinch of salt and pepper
Vegetable cream cheese, room temperature (I prefer light)
Bunch baby arugula
8 slices white bread, edged, and cut in half

Toss together berries, balsamic, honey, and salt.
Let sit 30 minutes, then drain.
Spread cheese on all bread slices.
Season 8 bread halves with salt and pepper.
Layer strawberries across these halves.
Top with arugula.
Top with remaining bread slices.

Makes 8 tea sandwiches.

Rosé Poached Strawberries

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Peg

It was a great day in ENC (that’s Eastern North Carolina!) yesterday…perfect for picking fresh strawberries! Yep, those Beatles said it accurately; strawberry fields forever. So i went right out and picked a bunch of the sweetest little (and big) jewels around. Talking about home grown…as good as it gets just got better! Follow me all the way to this tasty treasure. Try it. You will want it daily!

2 cups rosé wine
2 Tbs honey
2 thyme sprigs
1/2 vanilla bean pod
1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Thyme leaves for garnish

In saucepan, bring rosé, honey, and thyme sprigs to boil.
Reduce heat to medium.
Cook until syrupy and reduced to about 1 cup, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Split vanilla pod in half lengthwise; scrape seeds into wine mixture.*
Add pod to mixture as well.
Stir in berries.
Reduce heat to low; cook 2 minutes. (Mixture will not come to simmer.)
Remove from heat.
Pour into bowl to cool completely.
Discard vanilla pod and thyme sprigs.
Serve over what you desire and garnish with thyme leaves.

*If you don’t have a vanilla bean, just add a generous Tbs of good vanilla extract.

Can be served over yogurt or oatmeal for brunch.
Excellent for dessert over ice cream.
May use raspberries, blackberries, or any combination.

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