If you have never made cheese before homemade ricotta is such a great place to start. It is so easy and fresh, really fresh ricotta is so different from anything you can buy in a store. You only need basic ingredients, nothing fancy that you have to order off line and when you make a homemade lasagne or ravioli with homemade ricotta and homemade pasta and homegrown vegetables you are going to feel….hmmm….empowered! (more…)

When I saw this challenge I swore that I was not going to wait until the very last minute to do it. Guess what? Yeah. I did.  I waited until friday, knowing that I had to chill this overnight in the fridge…Friday at 3:00, to be exact.

Was it worth the fuss and bother?

Oh YEAH!

Danish pastry, like croissant pastry is made with a block of butter rolled into a yeast dough. In principle it is quite simple; in practice not so much. The problem is that in Texas in summer butter melts. Quick. It oozes from the dough as you roll. (more…)

How fast do the weeks go by at your house? They have flown by this summer. In fact I realized that I needed to start thinking about what I am doing for Christmas this year, LOL!

Chris left last Wednesday on schedule. Sad, but it was such a nice visit. I miss him but I am so proud of the man he has turned into. I was worried there for a few years.
It is almost the 4th of July. Picnics, parties, fireworks…you have to love it!What plans do you have?

I saw these cupcake pops at Carly’s Kitchen and I thought that they would be awesome decorated for 4th of July. What a great, non-melty centerpiece!

Mmm…it is cherry season and is there anything better than Cherry Clafoutis? Maybe, but I don’t knwo what it is…Check this especially nice one out from Mandy at Fresh From the Oven.

Tanna, at My Kitchen in Half Cups is a fellow Dallas area resident. One of the absolutely wonderful things about summer in Dallas is that bread dough rises in about 2 minutes. Check out the soft garlic knots. These would be perfect in a basket on a 4th of July picnic table surrounded by steaks, grilled shrimp or brisket.

If you are tired of deviled eggs as a picnic staple, consider tea eggs from Barbara at Winos and Foodies. Just different enough to get you some well deserved attention.
Remember, at least if you are my age, the themed parties in the 60’s? One of the big summer themes was a Hawaiian Lu…Lo… ..oh heck..I can’t spell this morning..a Hawaiian BBQ. Check out this Hawaiian braised pork from Persnickety Palate.

On the same not…mmmmm…Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches. Drool.Pish Posh Cooking is a new blog to me. I will be back. ..Sound like Arnold don’t I?

I have been unable to participate in the Royal Foodie Joust for several months now. Sigh…blogging and life is hard for me to keep up with. But I love seeing what everyone else is doing.. Valli at More than Burnt Toast has some Apricot Ginger Scones with Apricot Honey Butter. This is her entry into the joust and it looks amazing. Good Luck Valli!

James Tay…I mean Dharm has entered the Joust with an equally scrumptious looking Poulet d’Abricot

Maybe it will be a tie. Good luck Dharm!

Dana always is doing something cool at Dana McCauley’s Food Blog. She posted about cupcakes in a jar…what a great idea! That would be awesome for sending for lunch, you know? Or little 4th of July table decorations…or…. make a label on a tooth pick with guests names on them and stick the sign in the cupcake as place-cards? Yeah..I love things that inspire my own creativity.

Speaking of Cupcakes, the Cupcake Hero Deadline is Monday June 30. The theme seems to be Melons. YUMMY ! I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Get baking this weekend and send your entries to April at Abby Sweets.

Tomorrow is the Daring Bakers Reveal. Now, I don;t get online on Sundays but I have my post set to publish and I CAN tell you this was an amazing item. Be sure to check out all of the….well you will find out tomorrow…that all of the Brilliant Daring Bakers Baked.

Have a great weekend!

 

Fresh tomatoes are the best. Maybe you have noticed over the last few days that I love ripe summer tomatoes. No, really?

Caprese salad is so easy. Slice tomatoes and a ball of fresh mozzarella and alternate them on the plate. I like to sprinkle with a little fresh basil, a few greek olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.

When I want it to be really awesome I add cilantro pecan pesto. If you haven’t made your own pesto, you should. It is easy, inexpensive, and there is nothing like it. (more…)

 

Deviled Eggs. You know you have to have them. With 4th of July coming up I am whispering one word to my chickens to get them in egg laying overdrive. Cacciatore. (more…)