appetizer/snack, Uncategorized

Lemon Ginger Curry Chicken Skewers #stashtearecipechallenge

No Comments

Think fast: you are having a party, and you want to serve something intriguing and exotic, but not too over the top… you still want to spend time with your guests…. I really you’d like something that can be made in advance, with short preparation time to serve. I’ve got a solution for you. Grilled marinated chicken skewers with a creamy lemon ginger curry sauce. Tender chicken breasts soaked in a soy/lemon ginger garlic marinade and grilled to perfection. With a creamy lemon ginger curry sauce that is amazing… my kids have now requested it for their french fries (!!!!!) […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, Uncategorized

Earl GreyMojito#stashtearecipechallenge

No Comments

I created this recipe for the “Not your usual tea” category in the #stash tearecipechallenge. Personally, I love Earl Grey . What gives earl gray it’s unique flavor and aroma is the addition of Bergamot; a relative of the lime plant, it has an unmistakable flavor and aroma that is unsurpassed, in my opinion. Another favorite drink of mine is the Mojito: a mint and rum infused concoction that is refreshing and light, like a vacation in a glass. I decided to marry my two favorite beverages for this challenge: my morning beverage and my favorite adult/weekend beverage. I decided […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, Uncategorized

Tropical and avocado shrimp salad #stashtearecipechallenge

No Comments

Imagine this: buttery avocado, luscious plump shrimp, all smothered in a creamy lemony ginger and dill sauce, and stuffed into an avocado shell. And: the key to creating this one of a kind flavor explosion? Tea. Yep, it’s time to think of tea in a whole new light. Of course, I love a nice spot of Earl Grey, or a tall glass of refreshing sweet tea. But: what if: we captured the essences and flavors of some of the most exotic teas and incorporated them into something new? A savory snack, or a satisfying supper? With all the thousands of […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

Mahon Cheese and starfruit with lemon pepper oil

No Comments

Happy New Year! Well. almost.. we are currently in “the old year” now. So: Happy old year?  Either way, I hope this year begins with joy and is filled with goodness for everyone out there. I love New Years: Every year, I give my home a fresh start; I put a crisp white tablecloth on our dining table, put out a vase of white flowers, wash the sheets and give the whole house a good decluttering clean. That was yesterday. Today; I got ready to bring in the New Year. Not that I will be awake past nine or anything…. […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

coconut thai & shrimp street snacks

No Comments

 Remember, my last post? It had been a while…. so I started with breakfast. Now: it’s lunch. Or snack time. Adults don’t nearly have enough nap times and snack times. Snacks and naps do beautiful things to grumpy people. This is another recipe that I utilized BLENDABELLA with; a spicy, tangy exotic hand pie made with shrimp, a dash of curry and coconut thai BLENDABELLA. It’s the perfect grab and go snack (or lunch if you have two!) Speaking of lunchtime and snack time… when I was a kid, I remember drinking some sort of “orange drink” and having little […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, homeschooling

brownie batter dip & back to (home)school

No Comments

It’s back to school season, which; for me is like a second “New Years”.  For a ton of reasons, I just love school supplies. The smell of new crayons and fresh pencils… they just give off that”fresh start” feeling.  It  also reminds me  that cooler weather is just around the corner, along with pumpkin spice everything. However: it’s not quite back to school for us yet. Public school has begun in my county, which means it’s “peak” summer for me and my little ones, with all the parks and museums empty. But: I know a lot of y’all are back […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, chicken, main dish

summertime…..traveling chicken pot pies

No Comments

Summertime… and this summer, well… it’s different. I haven’t been all over the internet like previous summers, planning an epic-super-mom-of-the-year–crafty-life-pinterest-worthy- summer-bucket-list. I’m not sure why. Maybe because keeping a toddler, 10 year old  and a baby entertained when it’s 92F outside can be as daunting as crossing the Sahara. Or, maybe it’s because earlier in the year, I had gone through a major decluttering and simplifying process, and sometimes pinterest makes me stock pile weird things (like baby food jars) for craft projects, or-  maybe it’s because I don’t want the pressure of needing to plan anything for summer. Summer […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, vegetarian or vegan

cajun boiled peanuts

No Comments

Boiled peanuts are a Southern thing, or so I am told. I know nothing different than boiled peanuts. Sure, there are roasted, salted, honey roasted and candied. But: I know boiled. Raw “green” peanuts  boiled in a spicy, salty broth… Cooked peanuts take on a different texture than traditional roasted; they are nutty and meaty, almost like a bean but not as mealy. And, fun to eat, like Edamame. Sometimes; food you have to work at tastes better…. for instance: Seafood. Crab legs, lobster, peel and eat shrimp… Candy. Tootsie pops, blow pops…. And: seeds and nuts: pistachios, sunflower seeds, […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, breads, tortillas

homemade tortillas

3 Comments

There is something about making homemade tortillas. Something that goes beyond the food aspect of it. Maybe ….it’s because right now in our homeschool  I’m teaching a period of history that is before the discovery of baking powder, yeast or other leavening. Most cooking was done by the meal, and over an open fire.  Maybe…. it’s because there is something about adding water to flour and somehow, a bread like product is produced once you roll it and heat it on a cast iron skillet. Maybe…. it’s because it takes me back to ancient times, where life was more simple […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

easy homemade hummus and other trends

1 Comment

I’m in a season of clean eating… I say season, because there are still  going to be seasons of feasting, and enjoying the occasional indulgence of a big slice of homemade cake with caramel buttercream. Isn’t it funny how the term “clean” eating has replaced healthy eating? I wonder if it subconsciously helps people eat better? Clean always sounds nice. A clean house, a clean car, a clean shirt, clean sheets. No wonder a “clean diet” has gotten so popular. We associate dirty with bad, so I wonder why we don’t call an unhealthy diet a “dirty diet”? Just wondering…

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

baked mini tacos

No Comments

These little guys are the perfect portion controlled nibble for your next fiesta, or Superbowl party… or Taco Tuesday. If you follow my other blog, you’ll know that I am off white flour/sugar/processed foods  for a bit, (maybe longer than a bit) How long is a bit, anyway? In my book, a “bit” is anywhere from 3 minutes to three weeks. But, what is “my book”? Haaaaaahaaaaa, one day I will write a book, call it “My Book” and explain what I intend to say when I speak/write. I’m sure it will go something like this: Chapter One: Recipe explanation: […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

mango salsa and summer stories

2 Comments

This is summer in a bowl. Sweet, salty, tangy and fresh, with a slight crisp from jicima, it’s a tropical vacation for your tongue. I live in an old neighborhood. And, with old neighborhoods, come established trees. An established home with a yard that feeds you is a perk and a blessing. A friend once commented to me, “Mangoes are such generous trees.” And, she is right. This time of year,( this summer in particular), locals have more than they can handle. It’s the zucchini of the south.

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack, breads

homemade pretzel buns

No Comments

My husband thought I was a bit crazy making these once he saw all the steps involved.  He had no clue what goes into pretzel making I suppose… You see, pretzels have that chewy, slightly  briny exterior for a reason. They take a swim before they bake. And, that extra step makes all the difference and yes, it’s well worth it to make your own. Pretzel buns are expensive, and It’s just plain  fun to save money. That was my logic when the hubby raised an eyebrow as I heated up the big stockpot. Then, when they came out of […]

Continue Reading

appetizer/snack

endives with blue cheese, prosciutto and red wine reduction sauce

No Comments

There are a few things in life that I had never tried until I was in my thirties such as: endive marscapone homemade fruit cake spiralized veggies squash soup arugula vegan “meat” loaf fried Oreos salted caramel Keurig brewed coffee This year, I decided that I need to try a few new items….. With our local fair coming into town, I’m sure that won’t be hard. However, I would like to experience some (ah-hem) more classy cuisines as well.  For instance, exotic fruits and veggies…..I’d love to try that fruit that, (in some countries) is illegal to eat in public […]

Continue Reading