Tag Archives: Peg Hardee

Summer Tomato Cucumber Sandwich Perfection

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Happy Weekend one and all! I’ve got you covered for the upcoming holiday with your homes filled with family and guests. Hands down, this is worth knowing…best sandwich I’ve made, or have had made for me since 1964, and that was a plain grilled cheese from the Coral Bay Snack Bar (but I was young with underdeveloped taste at age 9)! Just advancing those taste buds for all people of the planet here. I mean tomatoes and cucumbers are in season; savor the flavor and savor the South. Ready, Set, Go!

~ 2 slices Killer Dave’s 10 Grain White Bread Done Right, toasted
~ 2 Tbs low fat vegetable cream cheese spread
~ 2 Tbs sweet Gourmet Garden basil paste (I use the tube)
~ 1/2 English cucumber shaved into ribbons
~ 4 slices Heirloom tomatoes, pan sauteed 3 minutes
~ 1/2 chicken breast marinated with seasoning of our choice (I used Chimichurri from Fresh Market)

I spread the light cream cheese mixture on one slice of toast, and the basil paste on the other slice of toast. Then I topped one half with salted cucumber ribbons, and the other half with peppered sautéed tomatoes. I cooked the chicken breast in a skillet on high for 3 minutes, then flipped it and placed it in a 375 degree preheated oven and cooked it 4 more minutes. Took it out and let it rest 3 minutes, then sliced it into strips and placed them on top of the tomatoes. Placed those sweet sides together and sliced it on the diagonal, because I like that end triangular bite! Confession here…Then I savored 2 bites out of the middle, and the dogs and I shared the rest. the don does NOT like this sharing habit of mine, not at all. uh oh!

Simple Sassy Frozen Lemon Pie

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Some forty days or so ago, the don and I were in Paris taking a private Technical Tarte Class with this darling chef at La Cuisine Paris. We created both sweet and savory tartes “à partir de produits bruts” as they say in French (translation ~ scratch from raw products). It reminded me of this wonderful child’s play easy lemon and fruit dessert that I’ve been making for years. Warm temperatures outside are calling this name. Don’t dare fret if the crust breaks a bit when you’re slicing. Remember John Dutton quotes his father in Yellowstone saying “You can always use the parts of a broken wagon wheel to make a new one.” So, if the shell breaks a little bit, use the lemon cream as glue! Life takes a lot of patching sometimes…let’s embrace it.

The only ingredients you’ll need are these:

~ 6 oz can frozen lemon concentrate, thawed
~ 1 can sweetened condensed milk
~ 8 oz container whipped topping, thawed
~ 1 9” purchased or homemade pie crust, graham cracker or plain


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.
It’s so dreamy, you’ll never wake up.

Of course it’s always fun to serve special little individual pies. Make it easy on yourself and use the large premade crusts; just cut to fit your mold!

Coco Whip Poached Egg on Raisin Toast

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“Homemade” Pumpkin Muffins, Compliments of Trader Joe’s

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So I’m a week late for Halloween, but guess what’s right around the corner? You bet…it’s the Holiday season for sure. And man oh man do I have a short cut for you. Do you or your family enjoy pumpkin muffins/bread? This is THE best and easiest combination ever. And if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s in your hood, well guess where you can secure the mix…that’s right, from the Bezos machine. Quite convenient. Truthfully, it will delight you. I’m all about short cuts, and this is THE best one ever! Knock yourself out and enjoy!

All you need is:
1 box Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix
Eggs
Water
Oil
Brown Sugar as a Bonus Mix ingredient.
Bake according to instructions.
Sprinkle with brown sugar immediately upon removing from oven.

Cheese & Jalapeño Sour Cream Muffins

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This is what you’ll need to create these treats:

Cooking spray
3/4 cup fine corn meal
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbs sugar
1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
3 Tbs light sour cream
3 Tbs canola oil
2 eggs
3 Tbs chopped jalapeños
3/4 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400°.
Lightly coat 8 muffin tins with cooking spray
Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in large bowl.
In separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, oil, and eggs.
Add sour cream mixture to cornmeal mixture, stirring until just combined.
Fold in jalapeños and cheese.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
Insert knife or pick in center to test for doneness.
About 150 calories per muffin.

I was in Cabo when I concocted these little nuggets of a muffin, taking full advantage of the abundance of jalapeños. Fun fact: jalapeños account for thirty percent of Mexico’s chili production. I snapped the above left photo at the end of the day when they were freshly baked and the sun was streaming dreamily in through the living room window. The next day we pulled out the preserves and enjoyed brunch with the muffins reheated, along with Donaldo’s delicious version of Huevos Rancheros, where flavors comingle in the best imaginable way.

Donaldo is his Cabo name, assigned by the Diamante caddies. He is on those golf courses when not in the kitchen with his skillet in hand! Go on, send your taste buds on holiday.

Halloumi Za’atar Grilled Toast

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Yummmmm…za’atar, that delicious Middle Eastern herb seasoning. I was first introduced to this seasoning at the Old Spice Souk in Dubai. The year was 2013 and we took an abra across Dubai Creek where a purveyor invited me to smell it. Then he sprinkled it on a slice of grilled halloumi and I was hooked for life. Join me on this journey half way ’round the world! This halloumi toast is terrific cut into small squares for an appetizer, or halve the whole piece of toast and serve it for brunch.

4 Tbs olive oil
3 Tbs minced fresh parsley
1 Tbs minced fresh oregano
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbs Za’atar seasoning
1/2 t ground pepper
8 oz halloumi cheese, sliced into 3/4” slices
4 slices hearty sourdough or strong wheat bread
1 clove garlic, halved
1 cup microgreens

Whisk together olive oil, parsley, oregano, lemon juice, za’atar, and pepper.
Brush both sides of halloumi and bread with oil mixture.
Grill halloumi and bread on both sides until charred, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Rub one side of bread with garlic.
Top toasts with halloumi.
Drizzle with remaining oil mixture.
Sprinkle with lemon zest and micro greens.
Serves 8 for appetizers or 4 for brunch.

To the left is pictured a brunch serving of this wonderful toast, cut on the diagonal. I added bean sprouts, and pink salt to jazz it up a bit.

Baked Spaghetti Squash

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Canyon Ranch, be still my heart, soul, and body. I would like to write you a love letter, because you provided so much positive assistance to me; alas, I pause…sort of! I have a series of recipes based on my Ranch experience. They cook with uncommon creativity, making everything healthy and tasty. I’m revealing secrets from the premier health institute in the USA. Enjoy. This is a national treasure and I’m certain that this recipe (and more shortly) will become a staple on your spreadsheet. Hit the pause button and enjoy. Sending love, good health, and lots of happiness!

Medium spaghetti squash
Pinch salt
Pinch black pepper
Baking spray to prep baking sheet

Images: Top Left ~ Whole Spaghetti Squash – Top Right ~ Top half seeded, bottom half, not!
Lower Left ~ Face down on cooking sheet – Lower Right ~ Straight out of the oven

Preheat oven to 375°.
Spray baking sheet with small amount of canola oil.
Cut spaghetti squash in half.
Scoop out seeds.
Place cut side down on baking sheet.
Bake 45 minutes or until soft.
Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
Shred squash with a fork into a bowl.
Makes 6 one cup servings.
35 cal per serving.

I add this baked version to a salad for extra flavor and fiber.
I really love this plain, warm out of the oven, room temp, or chilled.
The “add ons” can enhance the flavor if so desired.
You may add spaghetti sauce, maple syrup, Parmesan cheese, or top up a sandwich if you’re in the mood, just for extra fun. Pictured below is the squash topped with my homemade tomato sauce, along side a sculpture from my private collection by Jeff Kiefer.

The Rooms Where Life and Art Happen

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The new issue of Veranda magazine arrived yesterday with the cover story titled “Living with Art” and that reminded me that it was time to make an art post. Their inspiration was the following quote from Henri Matisse, huge in my admiration pool of artists. “Art should be something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue.” The painting that inspired them is titled Large Red Interior, currently on view at the MoMA in NYC. It made me think of my own Matisse replica, Still Life with Sleeping Woman, that I purchased from the gift shop at The National Gallery way back in the late 1980’s. I was a young mother at the time, and it reflected perfectly how I often felt at the end of the day. It has been a staple on my desk for all of these years; now it inspires me to pick up my head and get on with the tasks at hand!

I have a deep appreciation for my collection of original art (more on that soon), but two rooms in my home feature replicas as well…the Matisse plaque in my kitchen, and the living room TV screen saver featuring an image of Gustav Klimt’s Fulfillment. I’m slightly obsessed with Klimt! I’m beyond thrilled to be attending the inaugural exhibition at the new Hall des Lumieres in NYC next month, titled Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion. Follow the link and check out this new exhibition space featuring immersive art exhibitions in a digital art center. It is housed in the historical former Emigrants Industrial Savings Bank. This is brought to North America from Culturespaces, France’s leading private manager of museums and cultural heritage sites. This is certain to be one for the memory bank!

Mexican Succotash

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The original succotash was introduced by American Indians in the 1600’s. The name was derived from the Narragansett Indian word msickqqustash, meaning boiled corn. I’m not quite certain what they call it in Cabo, but corn is an obvious staple of Mexico; so, here we go! Last month at Diamante, the posse and I enjoyed poolside time, strict studying and taking notes while “reading” Audible books, the occasional margarita, wild golf cart rides around the property, and then back to the villa for cooking dinner. This is one sweet and spicey version of succotash that we concocted. It may be served warm, room temp, or even chilled…your choice! Take a look! PS. We served it with a grilled shrimp, and lime and honey fruit. That’s coming to you tomorrow right here! Stay tuned.

1 Tbs olive oil
1 1/2 t butter
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
3/4 t salt
3/4 cup diced red pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced jalapeño pepper
1 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 cup diced fresh tomato
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t cracked black pepper
Pinch cayenne
1 cup green beans, cut on bias in 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup water
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 cup cooked fresh or frozen baby lima beans (thawed)

Heat oil and butter in skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and salt.
Cook stirring until onion is golden and soft, about 6 minutes.
Add pepper, Jalapeño, and garlic.
Cook until peppers are soft, about 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne.
Cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
Add green beans, water and 1/4 t salt.
Cook 4 minutes.
Add corn and lima beans. Cook, stirring for 3 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.

2/3 cup serving is 140 calories.


Soup Freezing = Healing Energy

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Sup Dog!?? My cool collegiate city has an infamous beer and hot dog spot by that very name. But my pups aren’t fans of hot dogs. They love it best when I’m prepping soups for the sweater weather ahead. They hang out quite closely in the kitchen, waiting for the accidental chicken drop! We all know food feeds the body, but I happen to fully believe that it feeds our essence as well. Perhaps that’s why my favorite meal is always warm soup. To me, it helps calm, fight stress, and heal emotional wounds, and makes the common cold feel more tolerable as well! Somewhere a fork salesman weeps, and a spoon salesman cartwheels! Any time is a great time for my homemade Brunswick Stew.

Breast meat of 1 roasted chicken, chopped
1 lb cooked, chopped pork tenderloin*
2 cups low fat, low sodium chicken broth         
1 1/2 cups frozen lima beans
1 1/2 cup frozen white corn
14 oz can diced tomatoes        
10 oz can Rotel     
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs basil (in tube)
*May use purchased fresh BBQ for ease if desired

Bring chicken broth to a boil.
Add lima beans and corn.
Cover and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
Add tomatoes and Rotel (both undrained), Worcestershire and basil.
Stir and cook 5 minutes.
Add chopped chicken and pork
Stir well to combine all.
Cook covered on medium low for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
Serves 8.
Appx 350 for cup and a half serving.