Peach Lemonade Slush

Lately I've been buying Georgia peaches like crazy and when you get them at the farmer's market they sell them by the basket full.  This has been leaving me a lot of soft, yucky peaches come the end of the week.  So, I started looking for a way to use all of my lovely peaches and this is how I'm going to do it...peach lemonade slush.  It's simple and you can blend and keep in the freezer for as long a you need to.  When the temp hits 101 today, I'm going to be a little happier knowing I can come home to this.

Summer Entertaining

I love this photo from What Gabby's Cooking...it looks beautiful, gives plenty of options and makes me want to jump right in.  If you want super easy summer entertaining , bruschetta is where it's at!  Throw this on a table for people to pick and choose their favorite brushetta combo.  If you feel like you need to round it out a bit more you could have some petite filet's for the bbq with a side summer salad.  Nice and light but still flavorful and fun.

P.S. I used to serve the spring pea pesto at hip hostess as a summer appetizer and everyone loves the fresh taste and bright color.

Bruschetta Bar

Ingredients

• 1 large loaf of bread, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
• olive oil for drizzling
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 recipe Basil Vinaigrette
• 1 recipe Saffron Tomato Confit
• 1 recipe Red Pepper Sauce
• 1 recipe Spring Pea Pesto
• 1 handful fresh arugula
• 1 cup charred corn (you can take an extra shortcut and grab a bag of frozen charred corn at Trader Jpe's)
• 1/2 cup caramelized onions
• 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms
• assorted cheeses
• assorted meats

Instructions

1. Heat a grill over medium high heat.
2. Generously drizzle the bread with olive oil on both sides. Using a pair of tongs, transfer the slices of bread to the grill and grill for a few moments until grill marks are present. Flip and continue to grill the bread on the other side for a minute more. Remove and set aside.
3. Remove the garlic from it's paper and carefully rub the garlic on the toasted bread to give it an extra layer of flavor.
4. Arrange the toppings on a large platter or table and serve with the grilled bread.

Summer Foods

Look at these cute little summer morsels.  Who wouldn't love to eat one of these strawberry caprese brushetta.  This could be great as a light appetizer to a full meal because they look beautiful and can be prepared about 15 minutes before guests arrive.  Personally, I would prepare a few for a girl's gossip night with a couple bottles of sparkling Rose.  How would you use them?

Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Last year I tried my hand at making some homemade chocolate ice cream (without an ice cream maker) using this recipe.  Let's just say they claim that it is the best chocolate ice cream you'll ever have and I would have to agree.  The chocolate recipe had quite a few steps and ingredients but the results where rich and creamy which made just eating a little bit still satisfying.  But when I saw this banana peanut butter ice cream recipe with 2 ingredients and 150 calories for a larger scoop I thought why not? 

Fried Shallots

I've been noticing a trend lately with fried shallots...it seems they are being thrown into everything.  Last weekend my husband got Rosemary fries which came beautifully displayed on a wooden plank with crispy shallots intertwined.  My burger patty came the same way with a small pile of crispy goodness on top.  This got me thinking maybe I should stop thinking of crispy onions as only a topper to green bean casserole?  A bite of salty crunchiness can add deliciousness to many dishes and maybe make an ordinary dish extraordinary.  I did some research and found that if you don't want to make them yourselves then the Asian grocery stores carry the best variety with Trader Joe's coming in second place. 

The Gouda Life
Sauteed purple kale with fried egg and crispy shallots (these need to be homemade)

Simply Scratch
The fancier version of green bean casserole

Serious Eats
Brussel Sprouts with crispy shallots and chilies

Food Network
Cauliflower Linguine with crispy shallots

Miso Truffle Butter

As you know, I've been eating a lot of protein the last couple of months.  Now steak doesn't really get old because there are so many different cuts and methods of preparation.  But I have to say that we end up grilling more than anything and I'm looking to give myself a little special wow factor.  Why not slather that already delicious steak in miso truffle butter.  I know...there is no words or reason to not do this.

Pastrami and Cheese Anyone

What is this you might ask?  Well, this is a delicious home baked bread filled with pastrami and cheese...I know!  With warm weather comes outdoor activities from baseball games, beach outings, picnics and more.  Why  not have a delicious sandwich in your repertoire that everyone will be excited about.  Plus it's a great way to host a little get together on a Sunday afternoon with a beer flight to mix it up a little. 

Vegetables

Well I'm back from my getaway to Niagara and unfortunately there is not all that much to report.  The weather was cold, the mist was so great you could hardly see the falls and it snowed on us driving home.  However, I'm just being Debbie Downer because I really wanted it to be something special for my mom and truthfully it fell a little flat.  BUT  it is still something everyone should see once.

 That being said since we've had visitors for the last couple of weeks, someone namely me, has fallen off the diet bandwagon.  Not completely but when you are dining at restaurants its hard not to sneak a few bites of the forbidden fruit.  And oh yeah did I mention the alcohol intake.   So this week it's back on in full force but I need some new recipes.  I am bored, bored, bored with the norm.

 Malibu Kitchen
Asparagus, Mushroom and Garlic Tart (I'll have to do an omelet version)

An Edible Mosaic
Roasted Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower in Spicy Sauce)

Jacqueline Copeland
Portobellos stuffed with brushetta and topped with basil and feta

Running to the Kitchen (photo courtesy of Running to the Kitchen)
Sweet Corn Egg Drop Soup

Salted Caramel Cracker Candy

Are looking to do a little baking for your Easter guests?  Or in this case no baking necessary.  Check out this recipe from Good Housekeeping using saltines and caramel.  It looks like it takes about 15 minutes to whip up and then you have adorable take aways for all your guests

Lamb Chops with Smoky Red Pepper and Shallot Butter

This is my go to indoor lamb recipe (also have one for the grill).  Easter dinner this year will be consisting of a small ham and a few of these tasty chops.   It's delicious and SUPER easy.  I don't use the shoulder chops that are specified in the recipe but instead use rack of lamb that has been separated into chops.  It is really the butter that makes them.  If you are struggling with a main, you can't go wrong with this!

Easter Punch

What says Happy Easter like a big glass of punch.  It's great to wash down all that salty ham plus gives you a reason to get your punch bowl out of the basement.  This is actually my sister's recipe and it has been making an appearance at all the family get-togethers...by request.

4 bottles of Prosecco
Strawberries
Blueberries
Agave Nectar
Basil

Soak fruit, basil and agave nectar (to taste-but more than you would think) over night with 1 bottle of Prosecco
Add 3 additional bottles right before you serve.
Add some fresh basil to the top of the punch.

Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake + Whipped Cream and Honey

I know pumpkin makes one thing of fall and October.  But hey...I mean..do bunnies only eat carrots maybe they like to mix it up with pumpkins after all they are orange to.  So I'm officially claiming it to be a marvelous cake for Easter.  It sounds delicious and who needs a centerpiece when you have a pumpkin cake with whipped cream and honey that looks as beautiful as this?  Think 2 birds 1 stone, plus you get to eat cake and you all know how I feel about cake!

Apricot Honey Goat Cheese Spread

As you know, Easter is right around the corner and you have probably already been perusing some recipes.  How about bringing some apricot honey goat cheese spread for the special day.  It is super delicious, easy to assemble (only 3 ingredients) and you can package it in whatever cute vessel you have lying around.  It is easy to transport and it would be great with 34 crackers as coffee and quinoa suggests or Lesley Stowe's raincoat crisps...either would make a great presentation.  I would pair it with a couple additional wedges of hard cheese and some nuts and dried fruit.  Voila you have a great appetizer for Easter and if your host calls you and asks what you would like to bring, you already have a plan in place.

Barbacoa Pot Roast

Well I've been on my (mostly) no carb diet for about 1 month now and I'm finding it is getting more difficult to entertain the palate.  I find myself really wishing for some different textures and colorful flavors.  When I saw this barbacoa pot roast recipe I actually cried a little.  I'm going to make a big ole burrito bowl...minus the rice of course.  Can't wait!

Pizza Frittata

I've been on a low carb diet for a couple of weeks now and I can say that it hasn't been to terrible.  I eat a lot of salads for lunch so I thought this would be a transition that wouldn't be to crazy.  I just needed to remove my beloved potatoes and rice from the nightly meal.  So far, so good...but then I got an intense pizza craving which is kinda bizarre because I'm not a huge pizza eater.  I have trouble controlling my portion size with pizza so it is one of those things that I eat about once a year on special occasions.  But the craving was so strong that it left me no choice but to try to come up with an alternative which is what I did with Rachel Ray's pizza frittata.  Now this is not Domino's, but it did have similar flavors and I really loaded up the hot sopressata and added some roasted red peppers.  It was quite tasty and cured my craving.  If anyone else has any low carb recipes that they love...help a sister out.

Say goodbye to Winter Blah's

With the wintery craziness we are experiencing I am actively searching for ways to elevate the moods.  One way is to switch up your breakfast to something fancy and fun.  Most of us do the grab and go with something easy like yogurt.  BUT what if you gave yourself 15 extra minutes in the morning to enjoy this with a steaming cup of coffee.  You could grill the Ciabatta the night before and then just spread on the ricotta, blueberries, honey and mint.  Sounds delightful.

Buttered Popcorn Cupcakes

Do you want to do something a little special for dessert while watching the Oscar's on Sunday night?  Well nothing says movies like buttered popcorn and nothing says chic dessert more than Buttered Popcorn Cupcakes.  What a fun little treat to mark the occasion.  What will Beautiful Mess think of next?

Cheesy and Easy

It looks like the cold weather is not done with us yet so if you have a busy week coming up and want something super easy without sacrificing taste? Then this Pork Guiso Verde is for you.  It takes about 10 minutes to prep and then you throw all ingredients in a slow cooker and the results were amazing.  A couple of side notes...I mixed the meat cubes with the spices before putting it in the pot, I used fat free cream cheese and it was still creamy and whole wheat tortilla chips added a nice crunch.  Also, it has some heat so if you don't like spicy than cut back on the green chilies.  Don't skimp on the cilantro it gives it a fresh taste that brings it home.  This dish is easy, inexpensive and really good!

Asian Cucumber Salad

Lately my sides have been getting a little stale.  I tend to lean towards roasted brussel sprouts, green beans and cauliflower.  When I saw this Asian Cucumber Salad it looked refreshing and easy.  It actually looks like a summer dish but I bet the vinegary combo would be delicious with wintery roasted meats.

Snack Time

I thought I would write about something a little healthier than cake.  If you're like me you get a craving for a little something sweet about twice a day.  Well how about grabbing a vitamin C packed orange that just happens to have a little chocolate in the mix.  Check out these amazing looking chocolate dipped blood oranges.  They used white chocolate I would imagine to counter balance the tartness of the orange but you could use dark or milk if you prefer.