Sunday, December 10, 2017

DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS


We took a break in November due to the busyness around Thanksgiving, but somehow managed to get ahead of the hectic holiday season this month to sit down for a southern style Christmas luncheon. What a heartwarming time sharing a wonderful meal, gifts, life updates, prayers and best of all, lifetime friendships centered on the indescribable Gift of All who came to earth as a humble baby in a manger many years ago.  Joy to the world and joy in our hearts!

Cider Bourbon Cocktail


Cornbread Tartlets with Tomato-Lima-Bean Relish


Southern Pecan and Apple Salad


Old Fashioned Holiday Glazed Ham


Mashed Cauliflower


Ultimate Classic Collards



  

Saturday, October 28, 2017

ALL ABOUT PUMPKINS

As we continue to wait for the temperature in the southwest to cool down to reflect the fall season, visions of pumpkins everywhere help us get into the mood for autumn.
Needless to say, we're going all in for pumpkins!  Happy harvest, America!

RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini


Cheesy Pumpkin Chickpea Croquettes


Easiest Ever Pumpkin Soup


Pumpkin Seed Spinach Salad


Girasoli with Pumpkin Sage Butter


Light Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

Recipes





Girasoli with Pumpkin Sage Butter
2 tbsp butter
6 large fresh sage leaves, chopped plus a few more whole leaves for garnishing
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 jar of pumpkin pasta sauce
2 lbs fresh tomato basil & mozzarella girasoli (or any cheese tortellini if you can find girasoli)
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh grated parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

1. In a large sauce pan, melt butter & fry chopped sage leaves until aromatic.
2. Add minced garlic and pasta sauce.
3. Season with salt & pepper to taste, set aside.
4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
5. Cook fresh girasoli or tortellini according to direction.
6. Drain pasta completely.
7. Mix with olive oil and sage butter pasta sauce.
8. Topped with grated parmesan & garnish with fresh sage  before serving,





Sunday, September 24, 2017

A TIME TO CHILL


Here in the American Southwest, by the time Fall season officially arrives, we are so ready -actually have been ready-  for much needed cooler days.  But first and foremost is a time for catching up after being away for the summer, and we do that while enjoying some light & cool lunch.  Welcome, Autumn!

 Cucumber Cooler


Stuffed Celery Sticks


Refreshing Kale Apple Salad


Shrimp Avocado Lettuce Wraps


Banana Coconut Cream Popsicles

Recipes






Sunday, May 28, 2017

COMFORT FOOD REDO


This weekend, while being sandwiched between Mother's Day and Father's Day, is also Memorial Day weekend and to what many families is the start of summer vacations.  With a nod to everything family, we present to you our redefinition of comfort food.  We wish special blessings to those who've made the sacrifice to keep us safe and wish you and your family a safe and fun summer.


Cold Coco Shot


Mini Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches


Chicken Zoodle Soup


Avocado Egg Salad


Tuscan Tuna Mac Casserole


Dark Chocolate and Banana Sundae

Recipes


Mini Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Mini baguette whole wheat or sourdough bread, sliced 1" thick
3 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced and seeded
Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced

1. Spread butter on one side of bread slices.
2. Face butter side down on heated skillet, then layer with cheese, tomato, cheese and top with bread buttered side up.
3. Grill covered on medium until cheese starts melting, then flip until both sides of bread are crispy golden brown.
4. Serve immediately.

Avocado Egg Salad
6 hard boiled eggs, shelled
1 avocado
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 sprig parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
dash of nutmeg
Romaine leaves for serving

Mash all ingredients together and serve on top of lettuce leaf on a salad plate.




Sunday, April 23, 2017

SEEDY BUSINESS


It's interesting the kind of ideas that gets triggered while one walks along the bulk bins section of a local farmer's market style grocery store.  In this case, the idea of incorporating various seeds to a menu. We are all in agreement that the result is better than that of a 4-star restaurant dining, proving once again that a carefully crafted home-cooked meal is so worth the effort. And though it might well be seedy, this is one good healthy business to conduct.

Pomegranate Mojito


Paper Thins Sesame Seed Bunnies


Sunflower Waldorf Salad with Yogurt Dressing


Porketta Roast


Sauteed Broccoli with Cumin and Mustard Seeds


Berry Chia Seeds Yogurt Parfait


Recipe Links





Sunday, February 12, 2017

A TOAST TO LOVE

Our annual celebration of love - sisterly friendship love in this case, is again upon us.
It's a great reminder to never take any great relationship for granted, instead to always cherish those we love and hold dear in our hearts, and to be eternally grateful for any moment spent in their presence.  To all that we raise a glass and shout "Amen"!


Kir Royale


Breakfast Granola Cup


Mini Tomato and Shrimp Toasts


Avocado and Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Walnuts


Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms and Toasted Pepitas


Toasted Almond Cake



Recipes

Kir Royale
1 chilled bottle of champagne of sparkling wine
6 tsp Creme de Cassis liqueur

Pour 1 tsp of Creme de Cassis into each champagne glass and top with champagne.


Mini Tomato and Shrimp Toasts
12 slices of sourdough baguette, toasted
Pesto sauce (homemade or a very good store bought)
Medium size cooked shrimp
1 large heirloom tomato, halved then thinly sliced
Fresh parsley leaves
Cracked pepper

1. Spread pesto on toasted baguette.
2. Layer the following on each baguette toast: tomato slice, parsley leaves, cooked shrimp.
3. Sprinkle with cracked pepper before serving.

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
2 pink grapefruits
2 avocados
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup toasted walnuts

1. Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
2. Peel off grapefruit and remove all the white pith, then cut between the membranes to release the grapefruit segments.
3. Slice avocados and dip each slice in vinaigrette.
4. Toss grapefruit, avocados and vinaigrette in salad bowl, top with toasted walnuts and serve immediately.

Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms and Toasted Pepitas
12 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
1 cup diced baby portobello mushrooms
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped chives
1 tbsp toasted pepitas, seasoned with salt.

1. On a large skillet, heat oil on medium.
2. Sautee shallots and mushrooms until shallots become clear,
3.Whisk eggs then pour into skillet.
4. Add cheese into eggs then slowly push eggs around with a spatula until eggs are cooked while still creamy, remove from heat.
5. Add toasted and seasoned pepitas and mixed into scrambled eggs.
6. Sprinkle with chives before serving.




Saturday, January 28, 2017

SIMPLE SKILLETS

After taking a holiday break in December,
we're back four weeks into 2017 with a menu high on protein and low of sugar (or so we tell ourselves).

O, how good it is for sisters to dwell together in harmony while sharing excellent food and precious life moments.

Here's to a new year of blessings!



Cocktail: Toby Toddy


Appetizer: Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet


Salad: Shaved Cauliflower Salad


Entree: Balsamic Skillet Chicken


Side: Skillet Roasted Carrots


Dessert: Quick and Easy Skillet Fried Apples


Recipes




Balsamic Skillet Chicken
8 pieces of boneless and skinless chicken breast
1 bulb of garlic, skinned and finely chopped
1 lb baby portobello mushroom
2 tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp sherry cooking wine
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt & pepper 

1. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
2. On a large skillet, heat oil to medium high and brown chicken on both sides.
3. Add balsamic vinegar, sherry cooking wine, thyme  and chicken broth.
4. Lower heat, cover and cook another 10 minutes or until chicken is tenderly cooked.
5. Remove chicken from skillet.
6. Thicken mushroom sauce by adding butter, tomato paste and parmesan cheese, .Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Add chicken back on top of sauce before serving.



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