Two Tomato & Roasted Pepper Orzo Salad

What is it about roasted peppers? How does the humble bell pepper go from "Eh" to "Oh Yeah!" with just a quick turn in the oven? I'll never know, but this is a universal truth- You can take a ho-hum veggie that people seem to either love or hate (seriously, there's not a lot of in between) and turn it into gourmet perfection, all with the flick of an oven dial. Roasting peppers changes everything. The taste, the texture, the smell of your home... Peppers roasting in the oven is one of my favorite smells. I think it's because it reminds me of the Olive Garden and all those years I spent ordering Sausage Rustica, or penne with roasted peppers, thinly sliced onions, and smoked sausage, all cooked in spicy marinara. It was one of my favorite dishes. 

Citrusy Cantaloupe Cocktails

True fact: It's Friday.

True fact: It may or may not be 5 o'clock somewhere.

Actually, it probably is 5 o'clock somewhere. I'm not sure where, but it probably is. And if you are there, I recommend whipping up a batch of these frosty bad boys. Stat. Tart lemon and sweetly delicious cantaloupe juice mixed with vodka. They are so good. 

Jalapeno Corn with Brown Mustard Seeds

There are exactly 2 dishes I make with corn on the regular- Corn and Tomato Relish, and this Jalapeño Corn with Brown Mustard seeds. The hubby and I aren't huge corn eaters, to be honest. We'll eat it off the cob during the summer, if it's given to us out of someone's garden. Occasionally, I'll pick some up at the grocery store when it's on sale. Corn is not a staple for us though, unlike tomatoes, lettuce, kale, broccoli, etc. which we buy in truckloads year-round. We like fresh corn though, which pretty much makes it impossible for us to enjoy 75% of the year. But when we do get corn, this is one of the dishes I turn to.

Raspberry Jam Pops

I'm running out of summer time to post my summer fruit recipes, so today (much like many, many days this summer, ahem) is about raspberries. Lemonades, truffles, jams, smoothies- I've featured them all in raspberry this summer. What can I say? This is my life. And my life includes truckloads of raspberries. Seriously, open my fridge during the summer and what do you think you will find? Cartons of raspberries. 

I'm an addict. I'm not happy until my fingers are stained red and I've got seeds stuck between my teeth.

Recipe Redux: Chicken Souvlaki

-with tzatiki sauce

TGIF!

It's Friday. Wasn't it just Friday? It feels like it. Anyhoo, what better time to get my Recipe Redux series started up again than today? I know it's been a couple of months since I posted one. I picked a spectacularly easy recipe to jump in with- Chicken Souvlaki. Chicken Souvlaki is a popular recipe in our house, I find myself making it again and again. Why? It's so easy, and so delicious, and you know what else? It's pretty darn healthy too. And, after looking at the old pictures, this family favorite was decidedly due for an update-

Zucchini "Crab" Cakes

-with homemade tarter sauce

You've heard of them. Perhaps you've even had them. It's hard to find someone who either hasn't heard of Zucchini "Crab" Cakes or, hasn't tried them. However, you may not have heard the one tip that takes these little cakes over the top.

What is it?

Master Bedroom Update

It's done, it's finally done!

A funny thing happens to those who like to take pictures, and take them often. You start to lose any patience with bad pictures. You start to become a little bit of a perfectionist, not wanting to share any pictures that are less than perfect. That's exactly how I've been with this project. Taking and re-taking. Re-taking and taking more pictures. Moaning over shadows and light and angles, and a million other things that I'm sure I'm the only one who cares about.

I'm done. I've decided that the layout of the master bedroom and the location, size, etc. of the windows in the room are always going to produce lighting and angles that are not pleasing to me. Enough is enough, and it's time to share the update.

Cinnamon Toffee Chip Cookies

 

You know what? It's Friday. And I think it's time for a cookie recipe!

I haven't shared a cookie recipe since April (Those S'mores Cookies I made for my brother's birthday). Gasp! It's not like I don't make cookies. Oh, I make cookies alright. It's just that... I've made so many cookie recipes, and be sure, if the hubby asks for a cookie, it's usually a variety I've made before. In fact, I've got several cookie ideas on my master idea list that still have yet to come to fruition. Wonderful cookie ideas that include Churro Cookies, Oatmeal Nutella Cookies, Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies, and White Chocolate Chip Cookies. When will I get around to them?

Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas

I am a friggin' mess today. For whatever reason (I suspect because the little bro left, sad) I've woken up out of sorts. You know, just one of those days where you drag your butt from bed only to start blubbering over your cup of coffee? And then have 3 dogs looking at you like they might be preparing to commit you as you sit there looking like a hot mess in your pajamas, glasses askew, scrunchie bun on top of your head? 

Yeah, today is one of those days. Girls, I know we all have em'. 

Chocolate Avocado Quick Bread

I've been eating an abnormal amount of avocados lately. It's just been one of those phases. You know, the periods in your life where you become so obsessed with something you find yourself eating it everyday? This seems to happen to me all the time. As of late, it's guacamole. Multiple times a week, I've been finding myself at the grocery store picking up yet another 2 avocados. 2 avocados makes enough guacamole for me to eat for exactly 3 days. If I'm not sharing my guac, that is. I mix it with finely minced red onion, fresh cilantro from the garden, a little lime juice, and a smattering of kosher salt. It's guacamole perfection, every time. 

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

We've made it to another Friday! TGIF!

Politics are not the normal fodder here on the blog, but I'm guessing a lot of people watched the GOP debate last night. If only to see what Donald Trump would do. After his tasteless jab at Rosie O'Donnell (not a huge Rosie O'Donnell fan, I just don't like to see any man call any woman a fat pig), I pretty much could see how the night would go. In fact, the little bro and I came up with a GOP debate night drinking game while the hubby was at work yesterday. I won't regale you with all the rules, I'll just share a couple of my favorites:

Roasted Cod with Herbed Garlic Butter

A simple fish recipe is on deck today.

I love simple fish recipes. Love, love, LOVE them. If you've got lovely, fresh fish (or even just a firm one that's previously been frozen) you won't even need much help in the flavor department. For instance, my hands-down-smack-me-in-the-face favorite way to eat salmon is to sprinkle it with Cajun seasoning and garlic powder and to simply grill it. It's soooooo easy, and soooooo delicious. 

Carmelitas

Oh boy. Have I got the treat for you today! You will love these. Your family will love these. You will not want to share. You will baby-sit the pan, scarfing straight from it, giving anyone who approaches the evil eye. Maybe even a possessive growl or two. You will find yourself looking for hiding places in the back of your cabinets, in the back of the freezer, in the washing machine for heaven's sake. There's something about the combination of caramel candies, oatmeal, and chocolate chips. Once the caramel candies melt and become ooey-gooey, they gel the bars together in the best possible way. I know I tell you guys to try a lot of things, but trust me. These are the creme de la creme of recipes.