A Life in Food
Cherry Crisp is one of those obligatory summer desserts and I for one, happily oblige. Making a crisp couldn’t be easier. It’s nothing more than mixing a few things together and sliding it into the oven. This is a perfect dessert for those just learning how to bake and also those of us who happen to love cherries. No pie filling here or cake mix of any sort. This cherry crisp is made from scratch with only a handful of ingredients.
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Steak sizzling away on a hot grill is my kryptonite. It will (and has) stopped me dead in my tracks, prompting me to fill my nostrils with that delicious aroma. Brush on a simple espresso and bourbon glaze and you have just upped your grill game exponentially.
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Ceviche is raw fish “cooked” by acid, usually lime juice. If you are a bit squeamish about raw fish, let me assure you that once the ceviche has marinated in the lime juice, you wouldn’t notice a difference had the fish been cooked in a traditional manner.
This is a very traditional recipe with the exception of the sweet corn. I added it for a bit of summer sweetness and texture with the super fresh fish for a wedding that I catered recently. The bride was very happy and thus, I was very happy.
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Blueberry season is here and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’ve been on a bit of a “blueberry bender” as of late. I have “blueberried” everything feasible including barbeque sauce, because, why not? This Blueberry Bourbon BBQ sauce will soon be your go-to for ribs. I paired it with a slab last weekend and it was wildly delicious. The copious amount of vinegar lends itself nicely to fatty pork. The sweet jamminess of the blueberries with the heat from the peppers comes together to make this bbq sauce out of this world.
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Popcorn. It’s a movie theater staple and it is practically mandatory snacking for movie nights at home. Heck, it’s even dinner sometimes. While I’m not knocking butter and salt, I like to dress mine up a bit more. I open the spice cabinet and put together concoctions that would make Harry Potter’s head spin. Popcorn doesn’t have to be Plain Jane, it can be “Revved Up Rita” and this popcorn definitely turns it up a notch.
We are old school in this house. Popcorn is made on the stove. We get out the big pot, pour the kernels in with a little oil and “shake, shake, shake” while we peer through the glass lid waiting for the magic to happen. Freshly popped corn tastes so much better than the microwave kind. It’s really not a hassle and it takes about 5 minutes longer than the bag. You can use this seasoning on any popcorn, whatever your preferred popping method.
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Loquat jam is sweet and tart, slightly floral and absolutely delicious. Loquats are more commonly referred to as “Japanese plum” and they are high in pectin, which makes them ideal for jams.
Three months after I moved to Florida, I went to visit my aunt and uncle who live here part of the year. My Aunt Ramona made loquat jam and asked if I would like to try it. Of course I replied with a resounding “YES”, as I am never one to refuse food.
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My dog is spoiled, but I’m guessing yours is too. Healthy, homemade banana pumpkin dog treats are quick and easy to make, plus they only have four ingredients! For less than $5, you can make approximately 100 treats, which is a much better deal than store bought.
Our pets are like family. We do everything we can for them, right? Which is why I make treats for her instead of buying them when I have the time. Sugar has always had a very sensitive stomach and sometimes store bought foods/treats have given her tummy issues. For example, when she was a puppy I went through NINE different dog foods before I found one that didn’t make her sick. Eventually, the vet suggested that I cook vegetables for her and mix them with her dog food. Sugar has been on this diet for a few years now with no issues, so I’m quite happy. She eats what we eat most of the time, so it’s not really any extra work. Chicken, broccoli, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, etc. She eats better than some of my friends!
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This post is sponsored by Idaho® Potatoes. As always, all opinions are my own.
It’s winter. That means comfort food. But, we’re also trying to eat a little healthier too, right? We’re making an effort to eat more vegetables because we want to get more bang for our buck in the nutrition department. I’ve got you covered. This soup is nearly fat free, it’s low in calories and contains a ton of vitamins, minerals and fiber. While you are cozied up in the house, it’s the perfect time to put on a pot of this hearty winter vegetable soup.
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This post is sponsored by Idaho® Potatoes. All opinions are my own.
If you are looking for a new way to serve potatoes, this is it! I made these a few days ago with the intention of saving them for dinner that night. I have news for you, they didn’t survive the afternoon. We ate a few and then we ate more. We even ate them cold because they were delicious. Normally, the phrase “crash & burn” has a negative connotation to it, but not in this case. These little spuds are smashed (flattened) and roasted until super crispy then bathed in a spicy cinnamon malt vinegar sauce. Hence, the name Crash & Burn Potatoes.
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Has this ever happened to you? You buy a watermelon, a huge watermelon (because it’s finally in season and you’ve been craving it since October), and then you realize you are going out of town in a few days? I’m not naming any names, but you (I) know who you (me, again) are…
Not one to let food go to waste, this was no exception. Watermelon, meet blender.
It’s summer, people! What do we need?! Drinks!!! When do we need them?! RIGHT NOW!!!
A libation that screams summer. A drink that makes us think of lazy days, floating in the pool or feeling the sand between our toes. One that we have at backyard bbqs with friends and neighbors, watching the sun drop as the firepit glows with bright orange flames dancing around skewered, melty marshmallows. This is that drink.
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