My Story in Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect

BLT Salad

6/30/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I planted 1 sungold tomato plant this spring and I'm so  happy to finally be seeing (and eating) all of the FRUITS of my labor.  (See what I did there?) ;)
Picture
I bought a container of cherry tomatoes to add to my beautiful little yellow tomatoes so that I could create some really colorful summer salads.  This BLT salad is the perfect way to highlight the bounty of my summer garden.  I made the recipe as written since this was my first attempt at this salad but be sure and check the bottom of the post for my revisions.  
Picture
BLT Salad
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups romaine
2 bacon slices, cooked and chopped fine

​Combine tomatoes and salt and let sit 5 minutes. 
Picture
Combine mayonnaise, dill and pepper. 
Picture
Toss romaine with tomatoes. 
Picture
Drizzle with mayonnaise mixture.  
Picture
Sprinkle with bacon. ​
Picture
Serve.
Picture
Picture
Picture
This salad was very tasty but I realized that salting the tomatoes ahead of time made them really watery which consequently made the lettuce very watery.  The next time that I make this salad - I will add the salt to the dressing instead of the tomatoes.  I'm fairly certain that making this one little change with keep the lettuce crispy and the salad fresh and delicious.  

Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments

Roasted  Chili Verde Chicken Enchiladas

6/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Admittedly, this is not the most visually appealing meal that I've ever posted.  The grainy green sauce doesn't look very appetizing but in this case - I'm happy to say that looks are deceiving.  The green Chili Verde sauce was absolutely bursting with fresh flavor.  The roasted tomatillos, poblanos and onions a whole new layer and dimension of flavor that was truly special.  
Picture
Roasted Chili Verde Chicken Enchiladas
2 pounds tomatillos
4 poblano chilies, halved lengthwise
1 yellow onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken breasts
16 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese
1/2 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt

Place husked tomatillos, poblanos, onion and garlic on a greased baking sheet.  ​Broil 12 minutes or until well charred.  Let cool 5 minutes.
Picture
Place vegetables, and accumulated juices, into food processor along with cilantro, cumin, 1/2 t. salt and pepper. Process until smooth. 
Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 t. salt and pepper.  Heat oil in dutch oven.  Cook chicken until browned. Transfer chicken to a plate to cool OR shred precooked chicken.
Picture
Picture
 Pour tomatillo mixture into Dutch oven.  Bring to a boil.  Cook 3-5 minutes or until thickened.  If using raw chicken, return chicken to pan.  Allow to cook until temperature of chicken reaches 165.  ​Remove chicken and allow to cool.  Shred chicken
Picture
Spread 1/4 cup tomatillo mixture into the bottom of 2 greased 7x11 inch baking dishes.  
Spoon 1/4 shredded chicken on each tortilla.  Fold into thirds and arrange in dishes.  
Picture
Picture
Spread 3/4 cup reserved tomatillo mixture over enchiladas.  Sprinkle each with 3/4 cup cheese.  
Cover pans with foil and bake 15 minutes at 350.  Remove foil and broil 1-2 minutes.  
Picture
Picture
Serve enchiladas with with 1 Tablespoon yogurt and chopped cilantro. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
If your'e new to the world of tomatillos and poblanos - make sure you choose nice fresh, plump vegetables that are free from blemishes.  Old tomatillos can lead to an overly tangy and off-putting flavored sauce so make sure you choose the freshest available.  

Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments

Easy Blueberry Cobbler

6/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you've never explored the world of fruit cobblers - you need to jump on this bandwagon.  Cobblers have got to be the easiest summer desserts to throw together and if you don't want to heat up the house - you can even cook them on a grill!!  And - I've have never met anyone who says that they don't like cobbler.  EVERYBODY loves cobbler.  Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and its absolutely irresistible.  

Cobbler recipes vary greatly.  Some are juicier and best served in giant bowls and others are biscuit based and best enjoyed on plates.  No matter how you slice (or scoop) it - do NOT forget to top it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.  

The name "Easy Blueberry Cobbler" indicates just how simple this cobbler is to put together.  Pop it in the oven when you sit down for dinner and it will be warm and ready to eat by the time you finish your meal.  
Picture
Easy Blueberry Cobbler
7 ounces condensed milk
3/4 cup + 1 T.  self rising flour
1/4 cup whole milk
4 Tablespoons butter
1 cup blueberries
2 Tablespoons sugar

Grease an 8 inch square pan.  Preheat oven to 350.  
Whisk together milk, flour, condensed milk and melted butter. 
Picture
Picture
Pour batter into pan. 
Sprinkle with blueberries and sugar.
Picture
Picture
Bake until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center, comes out clean.  (Around 35 minutes)
Picture
Slice or scoop cobbler onto a plate or into a bowl.
Picture
Picture
For an over the top treat - serve with homemade vanilla ice cream. 
Picture
So many cobblers to try and so little summer to taste them all.  Next on my list is a gooey peach cobbler.  I'll be posting my homemade vanilla ice cream recipe soon so be sure and check back on the blog for that recipe.  

​Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments

Shrimp with Charred Corn Salad

6/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I made it my mission to eat LOTS of really great seafood while we were in Gulf Shores, Alabama last week mostly because it's such a struggle to get fresh seafood in my landlocked little town.  Seriously though - I ordered the catch of the day at LuLus, Bahama Bobs AND Bills by the Beach.  I'm pretty sure I gained at least 5 pounds last week - totally worth it though.  
Picture
In the world of me, great summer meals are made of really yummy seafood and delicious grilled vegetables.  This Shrimp Salad with Charred Corn is PEFECT summertime meal.  Well, let me clarify.  Even though I would consider this a complete meal - there are other members of my family that consider this a side dish.  Either way - this shrimp salad is delicious.  
Picture
Picture
Shrimp with Charred Corn Salad
1 Tablespoon salt
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 ears of corn
1 red bell pepper
1 cup red onion, sliced thick
2 Tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
​
Add salt to 1 quart water.   Stir until dissolved.  Add shrimp and cover.  Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 
Grill corn, bell pepper and onion on hot grill or cook 5 minutes in a cast iron skillet until vegetables are tender and slightly charred. 
Picture
Picture
Cut corn from cobs and chop vegetables.  Transfer corn mixture to a bowl.  Stir in chives, vinegar and oil.
Season shrimp with chili powder. 
Picture
Picture




Add shrimp to grill or skillet and cook 1 minute on each side. 
Picture
Serve shrimp with salad.
Picture
Picture
I ate this salad when it was hot off the grill for dinner and it was amazing.  I ate it again the following day - cold out of the frig and to my delight, it was equally amazing.  

You could easily switch up the veggies and customize this salad.  I'm thinking that it would be incredible with grilled eggplant, zucchini or even roasted tomatoes.  

​Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments

Strawberry Basil Cupcakes

6/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I love dreaming up new cupcake flavors - by that I mean that I LITERALLY dream about new cupcakes flavors at night.  This strawberry basil cupcake did NOT come to me in a dream however - the inspiration for this dreamy cupcake came via Pinterest.  (Lets face it - Pinterest IS a pretty much a dream.)  

Two of my favorite flavors of summer are juicy, red strawberries and fresh, green basil.  It only made sense to combine these flavors into one super delicious cupcake bursting with summer freshness.  I absolutely love the pink and green color combination and I loved the flavor even more.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Strawberry Basil Cupcakes
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
  • 1/2 cup strawberry puree
  • Basil Buttercream
  • fresh strawberries for garnish

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time. 
Picture
Picture
Beat in vanilla, strawberry puree and fresh strawberries.
Add dry ingredients, alternating with milk. 
Picture
Picture
Scoop into paper lined cupcake pans. 
Bake 22 minutes at 350.
Picture
Picture
Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Prepare a batch of basil buttercream by stirring 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil and a drop of green food coloring into swiss meringue buttercream.  Frost cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream and top with a fresh strawberry.
Picture
Picture
Picture
I recognize that this may seem like a strange flavor combination to many of you.  I'll be honest, the concept of infusing herbs into a basic buttercream is new for me.  I can tell you that this wont be my last herbed buttercream though - I loved it THAT much.  This is definitely a cupcake that you need to TRY before you form and opinion.  

Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Like my page on facebook.

    Follow me on Instagram


    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Categories

    All
    30 Minute Meals
    30-minute-meals
    Big Green Egg Recipes
    Chocolate
    Christmas Classics
    Comfort Foods
    Crock Pot Meals
    Fall Favorites
    Healthy-choices
    My Favorites
    Springtime Treats
    St Patrick's Day Goodies
    Summertime Specialties
    Thanksgiving Classics
    Valentine Treats
    Vegetarian
    Winter Warm Ups

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect