4th of July

The 4th of July is a great time to get together with friends and family and try out some of those recipes you've been pinning.  Just in case your file is empty...here a few ways to kick things up a notch.

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter

Patriotic Fruit Salad

No Bake Cheesecake

Homemade Baked Beans

Easy Peasy Sandwiches

I won't lie guys this 9 to 5 thing is taking some getting use to.  Don't get me wrong, I worked very hard with hip hostess but it wasn't on a solid schedule.  I usually had a planning day where I could sneak a few of my own errands in.  If I needed to schedule around a hair cut or dr's appointment I could make that happen.  I'm so loving my new job but in order to get all the errands taken care of without sacrificing my weekends...I'm going to have to eat a few sandwiches.  I've been bringing a salad everyday for lunch so I'm entitled to a little bread.  On the plus side, look at these babies.

Tequila Lime Chicken with Guacamole and Chipotle Mayo

Balsamic Blueberry Grilled Cheese

Fried Chicken and Waffle

Egg, Arugula and Proscuitto

Enough is Enough

The snow just keeps coming and coming and coming.  The household needs a pick-me-up.  I thought we needed to be reminded of one of our favorite summer traditions...eating lobster.  Although, I wanted it to be a little different than the way we celebrate the first days of summer.  So I dug around and found this Brown Butter Lobster and Spinach Pizza with fontina and bacon.  I'm going to pair with a nice Rose (usually reserved for summer only) and eat it picnic style on the floor.  Can't wait.

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cake

I know...I know...I talk a lot about cake.  Which is kinda crazy because I don't eat a lot of cake, I save it for special occasions.  Apparently that doesn't stop me from thinking about it.  The thing I love about this particular cake from Sweet Paul is that you don't have to worry about making it perfect.  I think the icing of the cake always causes a bit of stress because it takes some practice and who wants to go through all the trouble of baking layers to mess up the final product.  Where there is a whisk, there is a way.

Super Bowl Sunday

So many fun choices for Sunday.  Here are a few that had my mouth watering and you know how I feel about easy.

3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs

Lambs in a blanket. (this can be done ahead and then reheated)

Spinach Feta Roulades with peppers and cream cheese

 Football Deviled Eggs

Holiday Recipe Ideas

Food Recipes HQ
Spinach and Ricotta mini pies would go nicely with roasted meat.

Simply Delicious
Caprese tart with roasted tomatoes...yummy for an appetizer or side dish and its pretty.

The Gunny Sack
Everyone loves salad...kick it up with cranberries and bacon.

Effortless Chic
Cranberry Syrup for homemade Cranberry Margaritas

Running to the Kitchen
Persimmon, Proscuitto Pannini...great for opening gifts on Xmas Eve especially with bubbly.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

If you love spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan then this is your lucky day.  It's the best of both worlds.  Chicken meatballs rolled in a panko crust then smothered in marinara.  This is definitely going on the fall lineup. Check out the recipe here.

Radish Chips

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time you know I have a serious love of turning fresh vegetables into crunchy chips.  I've tried them all....or so I thought...until I saw my kitchen affair's  radish chip recipe.  Not only does it look delicious but the pictures are so beautiful.  I'm going to the farmer's market this weekend and radishes are #1 on my list.

Corn, Corn and more Corn

I love summer and everything that comes with it and that includes fresh corn on the cob.  You can always find fresh corn in our fridge and this year I plan to experiment more than ever.  If you are like me and can't get enough then here are a few recipes that you're going to love.

Mexican Street Corn

Chilled Corn Soup

Corn and Cheese Cakes

Corn and Cotija Salad

Chocolate Ravioli

These little beauties are chocolate ravioli filled with sweet marscapone cheese.  What a decadent ending to any meal and talk about a wow factor.  Not only are they cute as a button but then you get to pick whatever sauce your heart desires.  What'll it be...more chocolate, caramel, raspberry or maybe vanilla?

Blueberry Season

They are saying that fresh blueberry season will kick off this year just after Father's day.  There is nothing better than picking your own fresh, sweet berries and taking them home in the cutest little berry baskets.  If you're anything like me you always get home with way to many.  Check out Chow's 17 Sweet blueberry recipes.

Mediterranean Meals

When Spring arrives everybody puts away the stew and ragu recipes and starts looking to trade them in for some lighter dishes.  Casa Sugar put out a great piece on Mediterranean Meals and with 23 to choose from there should be something for everyone.  Check it out...I know that Mediterranean layer dip is going on my list pronto!

Spring Veggies

When this time of year rolls around the anticipation of Spring is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Everyone is ready to get out of the house and out from underneath their blankets in front of the fire and spend a little time outdoors or at least with the windows open.  Spring makes you a little more adventurous.  The weekends become about meeting friends for brunch, strolls through parks an afternoon cocktails somewhere under the sun.

Spring also brings with it a few veggies that are just now ripening.  Check out these recipes from Yum Sugar using the seasonal beauties.

Warm Artichoke Salad

Radish Tartines with Bagna Cauda Butter

Asparagus Pizza

Spring Peas with Mint

Oscar Weekend

Well the Oscar's are this weekend and I have been scouring the web trying to find some Oscar-worthy snacks.  Check this out and I will definitely be making the above bacon and cheddar deviled eggs.

Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispie Treats

Is this strawberry shortcake?  Is it a rice krispie treat?  Guess what...it's both.  This idea appeals to me because, let's face it, we don't always have time to bake shortcakes.  However, whipping up a batch of rice krispies complete with marshmallows and pound cake would only take a few minutes.  I like the thought of having strawberry shortcake at my disposal in a matter of minutes!

Fall Desserts

If you are anything like me the minute the air starts turning crisp and cool you immediately start thinking about what you can do to make you home feel more like fall.  Well how about the delicious smells from any of these desserts from Picky Palate.

August is Sandwich Month

August is the summer month where most people kick into gear.  It's when you realize the the summer is flying by and you still have a list of fun things you want to get accomplished.  So therefore it ends up being a great month packed full of celebrations and activities.  On top of all that it is also National Sandwich Month...woot. woot.  Now I am a big fan of sandwiches but one sandwich which gets overlooked is ice cream sandwiches.  So while you are having all that fun, I say, eat as many ice cream sandwiches as you can handle!

Delish

Love and Lemons

If you want to incorporate some healthy eating into your routine but not give up any flavor then this blog is for you.  Check out Love and Lemons for many great recipes for your seasonal vegetables and fruits.  The photography is stunning as well.