-Summer Grilled Peach & Blue Cheese Salad-

 

 

Summer Has to be my favorite time of the year..I love the fresh fruit and vegetables that are so plentiful this time of yr, almost every weekend I try to hit a local farmers market...It's so exciting to me to see what is fresh and available every week...This week It was beautiful peaches & locally grown variety of lettuces..

 

This beautiful salad was the out come of this weeks shopping trip...it was so yummy and perfect for this time of year...make this tonight!

-Summer Grilled Peach & Blue cheese Salad-

6-8 peaches

1- lg head of Romain Lettuce

1 Bag glazes pecans

1 pkg Blue Cheese crumbles

1 bottle Poppy Seed dressing

 

 

Slice peaches thick, brush with butter... on an outdoor grill or grill pan, cook peaches for 5 minutes each side only turning once ..so you get beautiful grill marks , set  aside.

Prepare lettuce chopping and cleaning then ..place in a bowl sprinkle pecans and blue cheese crumbles over lettuce add peaches and poppy seed dressing..indulge in gilt free goodness..this is just perfect for days like today hope you make this salad soon

 

               FLORIDA TAKE 2... FISHING TRIP TO STINAHACHIE ...

Here is our wknd.....  a little cooking a little fishing ...but let me confess first...  I've never been fishing, never really been out on a boat, never ever put my toes in water that I couldn't see the bottom of..but this wknd I did! & I  had a great time ...it was an experience I wont forget. But I did leave the fishing up to the experts.

First Catch

Blue Crabs....&   Oh and  a little Old Bay Seasoning, ... Add an Ice cold Sam Adams

Summer the result = perfection

      After Crab.....It was Rib time...cranking up the grill and eating outside just makes everything taste better don't you think? Well I do and here my friends is a great recipe you must try!

    there was nothing  too complex about the recipe...it was very simple . I used a rub mix that was already put together .When I started thinking about making ribs I was trying to come up with the perfect mix of spices, but soon realized the "store bought" mixes are really great and instead of buying 15 different spices  they were all in one...

                                                             - BBQ Ribs-
                                                            1-4-6 oz- container dry rub mix 
                                                            2 Racks bone in BBQ ribs(not pre-marinated)
                                                            1 Bottle of BBQ Sauce of your choice
                                                            2 tbs olive oil
                                                            Kosher salt & Pepper

                               Place ribs on a large cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil
             rub generously with olive oil, then kosher salt & Pepper , using entire container of dry rub coat both sides very generously...Place in refrigerator over night. The next day preheat oven to 250 degrees,  cover ribs with foil and bake for 3 hrs. When done baking remove and preheat outdoor grill to medium setting . baste with BBQ sauce & cook ribs for 7 minutes turning half way through cooking time..these were a huge hit..Ive had many request since ..I will be making these again soon
 

                                                                 
                                                                            "The Lodge"

Really cute & very comfy...This was our weekend accommodations,not to shabby at all..loved the rustic Decor & Comfy feel

-Sea Hag Marina-

this is where the fun begins ,everyday this was the first stop..then in the boat we go

great place for a beer after a LONG day of fishing!

Beautiful houses along the water...love the colors and Florida feel

this cutie pie was a friend of the family's grandson...I  took so many pics of him ,he was just so adorable...he's holding the first scallop of the day!

treasure of the sea...

                   end of the day....we after all didn't find many scallops..but it was a beautiful day out on the water

Back to the Marina...ohhh what a day!!!

special thank you to Cathy & Walter Blye..thanks for such a great vacation

-Beautiful St. Augustine Florida-

-BEAUTIFUL ST AUGUSTINE FLORIDA-

Where have I been you ask....Well VACATION of  course, Its been a  very busy month, first a trip to PA then to FL....but here I am... and  honestly I couldn't wait to share my vacation experiences with you! I hope your having a fabulous summer too.. I know I  am....I am truly blessed to have the family and life I do...this is the beautiful town of St Augustine in the lovely state of Florida..Hope you enjoy!


When you come into the city of St Augustine....you will see this historical land mark it is the  Castillo  DE Marco.. I'm not much for history but found it very interesting...

         (staugustine.com/history/castillo-de-san-marcos)
Step back in time as you visit the oldest remaining European fortification in the nation. Castillo DE San Marcos dates back to 1672 and is a fine example of military architecture from the Spanish empire.

  

Flagler College-Once a hotel for the very wealthy ,absolutely breath taking design.. such attention to detail we were lucky enough to tour the inside..

-Foyer Flagler College-

                                                 Dining room ,can you imagine having dinner here?

                                                     .... Beautiful Casa Monica Hotel...

Pretty streets of St Augustine at night..Look at this cute little martini bar..

its even called Tini Martini bar

So lovely -St Augustine Catholic Church...

-oldest house in St Augustine-

"The Wine Cellar"

So fun to sit here, and listen to the music while sipping on sangria...best in St Augustine it was so yummy....can you tell by our empty glasses?

Gelato.....oh ya!! so hard to choose which one

And lastly dinner  at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill...these mussels were just too good!

-Pear Almond Crisp, with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream-

I know its July and the last thing anyone is thinking about is turning on the oven to bake but trust me you absolutely must try this recipe...you will be so happy you did! I have to confess I LOVE to bake more so even than  to cook... I have this need at least once a week to turn on the oven and bake.... I just cant help my self... If your looking for a super yummy and as easy as can be dessert to whip up you have found it , yup this crisp is so great and so easy...top with some vanilla bean ice cream and you have dessert bliss.....

                                                             -Pear Almond Crisp-
                                                                  3 Pears
                                                                  1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds
                                                                  1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
                                                                  1/2 Cup flour
                                                                  1/2 Cup Quaker quick cook oats
                                                                  1 Tbsp Cinnamon
                                                                  1/2 Tbsp Nutmeg
                                                                  4 tbsp of butter
                                                                
                                                                Pre-heat oven to 350
Chop pears uniformly, place in  a 12"  round baking dish .Next place dry ingredients plus chopped almonds in a mixing bowl & mix  dry ingredients well...melt the 4 tbsp of butter and pour over dry ingredient mixture .Stir until you have a "strudel like crumb mixture" Pour over pears and bake @ 350 for 30-40 minutes....Place warm pear crisp on a pretty plate then top with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream...Yum Yum!!!!

-Watermelon Arugula Salad-

This salad is from one of my favorite chef's....I love her recipes,  they are not only amazing but pretty easy to prepare.. If you read her cookbooks she even talks about keeping things pretty simple..& stress free .... Entertaining is easy &  ingredients for the recipes you will actually use again and again....

I have all of her cookbooks and they are my go to for dinners all the time...I just love her ,hope you enjoy this one!!! Run out and grab her cookbook you will be so thrilled you did! THIIS Recipe is from the Bare Foot Contessa....
                      
                                                         - Watermelon Arugula Salad-
                                                              1 pkg of Arugula
                                                              1 Small Watermelon Cubed
                                                              1-6 oz pkg feta cheese
                                                              1- Red Onion

Place washed Arugula on a pretty platter, then add watermelon, red onion and feta cheese toss gently
I used a strawberry vinaigrette for dressing you can leave it as is or use a dressing of your choice this salad is so great for this time of  year I hope you make this soon you will be so happy you did!

-Fourth of July Berry Shortcakes-

 Wow..I can't  believe it is  almost the fourth of July...are you going to a party? Well I know I am and cant wait! Celebrating fourth of  July has to be a favorite with the little ones..they LOVE  the fireworks cookouts and getting together with the family....of course so do I ..

This recipe to me is all about the fourth red, white, blue & adorable stars out of puff pastry & real whip cream this is so yummy & also pretty if your the one bringing a dessert this year this is the perfect one!!!!

-Fourth of July Berry Short Cakes-

1- pkg puff pasty

1- pint fresh raspberries

1-pint fresh blueberries

1-container 6- oz frozen strawberries

1-pint whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar and more for dusting counter

                 
                                                                Preheat oven to 400


 Thaw puff pastry & Strawberries over night in the refrigerator, the next morning dust with powdered sugar  a cool hard surface and unfold  dough...  ,using a star cookie cutter ..cut out shapes until no dough remains. Place  stars on a cookie sheet and back until golden brown. Set strawberries aside until your stars are baked.

Pour your whipping cream in a chilled mixing bowl then add a 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and whip for two minutes or until firm peeks form.

Place a spoon full of strawberries & juice on a plate, next 2-3  puff pastry stars then whipped cream and blueberries..continuing layering another 2-3 puff pasty stars top with raspberries, and more whipped cream then another star....HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

-Summer Salmon-

Sometimes life gets crazy..& now that school is over.. swim meets are done, the last baseball game is behind us, and gymnastic is on hold till the summer session... here I am.... its..time for me , and what I love..  blogging ,creating recipes..and taking pictures of food!!

  This is a super yummy, extra healthy, fast dinner for nights just like

I've had lately..hope you enjoy this recipe... its all the best of this time of year... & today was a day for strawberry picking ,this recipe was created from the beautiful strawberries we  picked !! Make this tonight you will love it!

Gorgeous Fresh strawberries

 -Summer Salmon-

1-1/2 pounds of fresh salmon

1/2 cup of orange juice

1- orange sliced

1 -tbs  of butter

1/2- cup chopped Almonds

( preheat oven to 375)

In a saute pan melt the butter & add the 1/2 cup of orange juice

Reduce on simmer till hardly any liquid remains.

turn the heat to med/high add the  salmon searing on one side

Flip salmon  so the seared  side is facing up

Place orange slices over salmon,  add chopped nuts

 & place in oven  bake for 25 minutes

"Summer Salsa"

1 Green Pepper

4 Pieces of sliced Mango from a 12 oz Jar

1/2 English Cucumber chopped

1 Cup Strawberries chopped

 1 lime (for juice)

Chop all fruit and vegetables to uniform  size

Place in a pretty bowl and squeeze lime juice over summer salsa  and toss.

                                     
                                    Plate Salmon adding Summer Salsa over top..and enjoy!

Day away....Burlington Vermont....

Saturday Morning was beautiful here in NE... I woke up and before I could even get down the stairs to get that first cup of coffee...  I heard three little voices all at the same time ...say ...what are we doing today? Well I didn't really know , I had no big plans..there was lots of talk lately of Vermont (my daughter had a big project on the state that she was working on) So, I said lets go to Vermont of course they were up for this last minute adventure..I don't think they knew really how long the ride would be....but even after four hours in the car they were so excited to get there and explore the city of Burlington Vermont... so here is our trip...hope you enjoy the city of Burlington as much as we did !

-Shore of Lake Champlain-

  -I can just Imagine packing a picnic and spending the day on one of these lovely boats-

-The Echo Aquarium & Science Center-

What a fabulous place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine , And watch all of the visitors go by!

-Gorgeous old building, Now Irish Pub-

-A unique creperie, coffee shop and fondue restaurant on Burlington's waterfront-

(this was a recommendation of a gentleman that happen to be walking by...&.wow was it good!)

 Ben & Jerry's we are in Vermont after all!

look at these beauties.... I had to take a picture

There are all sorts of interesting things including street performers in Burlington...

Yes, we even went to the mall..who could pass up this mall ?...it was beautiful..lots of great stores!

Toscano Cafe..last stop....of the day!

And that's that!!!!! Look At this happy guy....what a way to end the day, Mussels at Toscano Cafe...

hope you get to experience Burlington Vermont its truly is an interesting city..lots to do and see...