Memorial Day Menu Ideas

Maybe you having a get-together for Memorial Day, and your menu is set, groceries purchased, drinks already on ice.  I wish that were me this year.  This year though, I've barely thought about it.

If you're like me this year, I've got a few ideas to get your started:

• California Burrito Burger:  The California Burrito is a San Diego creation that takes a traditional carne asada burrito and adds fries.  Sounds strange, tastes fantastic.  I love burgers and thought it would be great to make a tasty burrito into a fabulous burger - and thus the California Burrito Burger is born!
• Fresh Corn Salad: This was so good, I could have it every night!  I love this perfect combination of sweet and salty and spicy.   
• Patriotic Snow Cone Cupcakes:  These were delicious!  I absolutely loved the cake, and they looked fantastic.  Definitely worth the effort if you are having a Memorial Day party.  Or even if you just like pretty and great-tasting cake!
• Red, White and Blue Sangria:  Traditonally, sangria is made with fruit (citrus and apple), brandy and red wine.  This {patriotic} favorite of mine uses raspberries {red}, blueberries {blue}, rum and sparkling {white} wine for a refreshing alternative.
• Strawberry Popsicles:  This time of year, we've got lots of wonderful fresh produce that needs to be used, and seem to always be in need of frosty treats.  These strawberry treats are the answer to both -  plus, they are easy to make and healthy!
• Spicy Corn and Pepper Casserole:  This is a fantastic dish.  I love corn (could eat it every single day) and I love peppers (ditto).  And this casserole brings those flavors together in a wonderful, creamy, spicy combination that is out of this world.  Give it a whirl! 
• Red, White and Blueschetta:  A slightly different version of the traditional Italian classic.  Perfect for a patriotic party, and delicious anytime.
• Mini-Drumsticks:  One of my favorite treats comes from the freezer - Drumsticks!  They have everything - chocolate, ice cream, nuts and cookie-cone.  Delicious! 
• Spicy Smokehouse BBQ Ribs:  Nothing says summer like dinner from the grill!

What's on your Memorial Day menu?  Or are you still thinking?

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An Oscar Party!

I always look forward to the Oscars.  When I was a kid, I am pretty sure that it is because we usually gave up television for Lent, but we made an exception to watch the Oscars.  :-)

These days I enjoy theming my Oscars dinner.  One year it was around the major movie houses, but most often our theme is based on the best picture nominees.

Here are some ideas of menu items based on this year's nominees:


American Flag Cheesecake Bars

American Hustle is loosely based on the '70s and '80s FBI sting operation ABSCAM where agents worked with a conman to target corrupt politicians. Director David O'Russell's madcap crime film is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including all the top categories: Picture, Director, Actor (Christian Bale), Actress (Amy Adams), Supporting Actor (Bradley Cooper), Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Original Screenplay.

***** 

Pirate Chest with Fish and Potatoes - I like this one because the ship was a container ship, and this recipe has a container for the fish & potatoes!

Captain Phillips is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), whose cargo ship was invaded by Somali pirates, leading to his being taken hostage. The seafaring thriller is nominated for six Academy Awards including Picture and Supporting Actor for Barkhad Abdi who plays the lead pirate.

***** 

Texas Style BBQ Baked Beans

Dallas Buyers Club looks back to the early days of AIDS, when a diagnosis of the disease was akin to a death sentence before the development and approval of the life-saving drugs available today. In the film, rodeo cowboy Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey) is diagnosed with AIDS and given a few weeks to live. Unsatisfied with this prognosis and the poisonous drugs available at the hospital, Woodruff begins a quest for better AIDS treatments, starting a buyers club to supply himself and his members with unapproved yet more effective pharmaceuticals. The film is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Picture, Actor (McConaughey), Supporting Actor (Jared Leto) and Original Screenplay.

***** 

Starry Sky Chips and Dip

In Gravity, astronaut Ryan Stone finds herself alone and adrift in space after a shocking accident destroys her space shuttle and kills the rest of her crew. Director Alfonso Cuarón's gripping visuals propelled the film to 10 Academy Award nominations, including Picture, Actress (Sandra Bullock), Director and many technical awards.

***** 

Love Potion

In the film Her, recently separated Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) acquires a new smartphone with a hyper-intelligent operating system that he names Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) and forms a romantic attachment to. The movie is nominated for five Academy Awards, including Picture, Original Screenplay and, for its beautiful vision of a futuristic Los Angeles, Production Design.

***** 

Sweet Corn Bruschetta

In Nebraska, Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is convinced he's won a million dollars when he receives a magazine publisher's sweepstakes notice. Although his son David (Will Forte) recognizes the notice as a scam, David nonetheless agrees to drive his father from their home in Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska so he can claim his "prize." The quirky comedy-drama is nominated for six Academy Awards including Picture, Actor (Dern), Supporting Actress (June Squibb), Director (Alexander Payne) and Cinematography, for its beautiful black and white photography by Phedon Papamichael.

***** 

Mushy Peas - a quintessential British comfort food

In Philomena, a mother (Judi Dench), with the help of a British journalist, searches for her son who was adopted in the early '50s from an Irish convent where she had the baby following an unplanned teenage pregnancy. The film is nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Actress (Dench).

***** 

Plantation Grits

The movie 12 Years a Slave begins in 1841 when Solomon Northup, a free man from Saratoga Springs, New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Taken from his life and family, he spends 12 years working on several Louisiana plantations, subjected to increasingly cruel conditions. The deeply affecting film is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender), Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o) and Director (Steve McQueen).

***** 

Millionaire's Bacon

Director Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street unabashedly immerses itself in the vulgar, corrupt and greedy world of late 1980s Wall Street, based on the true-life story of Jordan Belfort. The film is nominated for Academy Awards for Picture, Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Director and Adapted Screenplay.

***** 

Looks like it should be an interesting show this year.  Will you watch?  Any predictions?

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Celebrate Citrus!

When I was a kid growing up in Minnesota, we spent a week or two every winter visiting my grandparents in Southern California.  I loved escaping the Minnesota winter to a beautiful Southern California "winter" - and my grandparents lived near a tangelo orchard.  Tangelos are a tangerine/grapefruit hybrid, and are incredibly sweet and juicy.  Especially straight from the tree.  They tasted like liquid sunshine to me.

I know this winter has been a tough one for a lot of folks, so I thought I would pull together some of my favorite citrus recipes to spread a little sunshine!

• Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
• Lemon Basil Pasta
• Lemon Sage White Wine Mustard
• Chocolate Orange Angel Food Cake
• Orange Creamsicle
• Roasted Potatoes with Lemon Vinaigrette
• Orange Molten Lava Cake
• Tangerine Pomegranate Sorbet
• Meyer Lemon Jelly
• Duck l'Orange
• Lemon Champagne Sorbet
• Grandma's Lemon Bars

Do you have a favorite lemon or orange recipe?

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Celebrate National Soup Day!

Today is National Soup Day!  Here are a few of my favorite soups.  Try one tonight - nothing warms you like soup!  

• Hot and Sour Duck Soup - a twist on the Chinese classic
• Chicken Apple Leek Soup - delicious, creamy and healthy... see how!
• Pressure Canner Chicken Soup - easier than you think
• Chicken and Dumplings - excellent retro dinner
• Greek Lemon Soup - my all-time favorite soup.... and it is a snap to make
• Hearty Pasta e Fagioli Soup - soul-satisfying
• Chilled Blackberry Soup with Basil Honey Pesto and Sweet Corn Sauce - just in case you don't need a hot soup, this is a yummy chilled fruit soup

What is your favorite soup?

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Tips and Recipes for the Best Superbowl Party

Sunday is Superbowl 48!  Lots of people are having Superbowl parties.  If you are having one, I've got some great tips and fantastic recipes to help you put on a championship level soiree.

• Super Bowl decorations:  Buy or make a banner and streamers to hang, scatter real or inflatable footballs around the party room, and dangle football-shaped balloons from the ceiling. For one Superbowl bash, we purchased green (turf-colored) blankets and made a "football field" out of the floor using masking tape.
• Coolers, buckets, or small tubs for drinks: If you have the space, get a few small containers and fill with ice to keep beer and other drinks cool. Place them in strategic spots so guests won’t be constantly getting up and going to the kitchen for a refill.  Keep plenty of ice on hand, more than you think you’ll need. You’ll not only want to keep your drink coolers full, but non-beer-drinking guests may want to add ice to their beverages, too.
• Drinks:  Stock up on an assortment of bottles and cans to keep everyone happy. Mini kegs are another great option—you can buy a variety of brands and they’ll contribute to the party atmosphere without reminding you too much of a frat house.  Or make drinks representative of the teams playing - something with Orange Crush for Denver maybe?  Or a Seattle Seabreeze?
• Soda or other non-alcoholic drinks:  Don’t forget about the non-drinkers in your group, or those who just want to take a break in between brews.
• Food:  Serve a mix of items to satisfy everyone, and go for both finger foods that are easy to pick up and eat— think sandwiches, chips and dips, wings, and pizza — and heartier fare like chili and barbecue to balance out all that beer.  Check out the recipes below for some ideas! Make sure you have plenty of food; guests will want to replenish often during the game. Set up a buffet table off to the side where people can load up on main-course items, then have several smaller tables in the TV room with snacks that people can nosh on during the game.
• Plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery:  If you’re going the disposable route, choose sturdy items that can hold up to heavy fare like loaded nachos, pizza, and chili. Now is definitely not the time to break out your best china—it’s inevitable that things will get knocked over during the excitement of the game.
• Serving platters, trays, and bowls:  Pick up inexpensive football-themed items to add to the fun. Just make sure you have enough serving pieces for all the snacks you’ll be setting out.
• Napkins:  You’ll need lots of these for wiping messy fingers and greasy spills throughout the night.
• Seating:  After food and beer, this is the most essential element of your party. Make sure you have enough seats in front of the TV for everyone who’s attending. Ask friends to bring over folding chairs if you don’t have enough, and don’t forget to dig up those lawn and camping chairs you've stored for the winter. Put out throw rugs or blankets and scatter some large pillows so that even those seated on the floor can get comfortable.

Recipes (from left to right, top to bottom...):

Chilly Misnomer - we may call this chili, but it packs a punch... and a hot punch at that!

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas - the wonderful flavors of pepperoni pizza in a tortilla

Herb and Garlic Monkey Bread - who doesn't love fresh-baked bread?  This is wonderfully flavorful, with herbs and garlic and butter.

Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza - this is a healthier version of a Chicago deep dish pizza, but every bit as delicious.

Italian Sausage Pizza - this traditional pizza comes together in a flash, and you can even throw this one on the grill if you can brave the cold!

Homemade Drumsticks - can't forget about dessert.  These are perfectly sized for a party too.

Soft Pretzels - serve these with mustard and with cheese sauce.  Perhaps even jalapeno white sauce!

All American Pub Pie - dessert with beer.  Need I say more?

30 Minute Chili Con Carne - spicy and meaty, this is a fantastic chili that doesn't take all day to make.  

Jalapeno White Sauce - this sauce is based on one we had at a local Mexican restaurant, and I could eat this every single day.  Seriously.

Turkey and Sage Sausage - love this sausage.  Tons of flavor, and tastes great with mustard.

Chicken Enchilada Pot Pies... Muffin Style - individual chicken enchiladas, in an easy to eat package!


Hope this has given you some great ideas for your game-day festivities.  I know we'll be enjoying the game and our guests on Sunday... may the best team win!  And for those who aren't interested in the game, may the ads be top-notch!

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We're Crazy For Cranberry!

I love seeing the cranberries come into the stores this time of year.  Cranberry sauce is super easy to make, and tastes much better made from scratch than the canned version.  You'll find too, that cranberries aren't just for cranberry sauce anymore!

Here are some of my favorite cranberry dishes:



Pastry Cornucopia with Cranberry Mousse: These pastry cornucopias were really pretty easy to make, and filled with {yummy} cranberry mousse made a perfect alternative to pumpkin pie.

Kicked Up Cranberry Jam:  Cranberry sauce, with jalapenos, for your toast.

Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake:  One of my favorite cakes -all the flavors of fall.  In a cake.  Does it get better?

Cranberry Sauce:  Traditional cranberry sauce is easy to make.  And easy to can for later!

Pork Loin with Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar Sauce:  Cranberry and balsamic vinegar taste great together - and are a great flavor companion for pork.

Cranberry Couscous:  Creamy and tart.  Pretty too.  Wouldn't it look good next to your turkey?

Chocolate Cranberry Cupcakes:  Chocolate and cranberries are another great match.

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider:  This warm, comforting drink is easy to prepare and is a great finale for a holiday meal.


Which of these tickle your fancy?

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10 Super Side Dishes

Now that we've enjoyed all of our Halloween activities and eaten our share of Halloween candy, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving, but I think we shortchange it a bit in our race to Christmas.  In an attempt to be deliberate about enjoying each part of this holiday season, I put together 10 of my favorite side dishes, appropriate for the Thanksgiving table.

1. Spicy Sour Cream Hash Browns - This particular recipe has been a family favorite for many years, and makes its way to just about every family holiday meal.
2. Roasted Ranch Root Vegetables - Looking for a way to get your kids to eat any vegetable that isn't covered in ranch dressing?  Try this recipe - it has the flavor of ranch but lets the sweet natural flavor of the vegetables shine through.
3. Grilled Artichokes with Herb Aioli - Break out the grill for this artichoke recipe.  Before trying this recipe, I'd never had artichokes with anything besides butter.  Glad I decided to broaden my range.
4. Coconut Pineapple Rice - Simple to make, with loads of tropical flavor.
5. Rosemary and Thyme Shortbread - These are fantastic.  Salty and sweet, herbaceous and buttery, with a hint of pepper.  And the smell that fills your house as they are baking is out of this world! 
6. Fresh Corn Salad - This is the perfect combination of sweet and salty and spicy from the corn and cheese and jalapenos.  Yum!
7. Spicy Corn and Pepper Casserole -  I love corn (could eat it every single day) and I love peppers (ditto).  And this casserole brings those flavors together in a wonderful, creamy, spicy combination that is out of this world.  Give it a whirl! 
8. Roasted Potatoes with Lemon Vinaigrette - Oh my, are these tasty.  Crisp and hot with lovely herb-y lemon flavor. 
9. Sweet and Spicy Cornbread - This is wonderful hot from the over, with butter and honey.  Perhaps habanero honey if you're looking for a bit of extra oomph!
10. Italian Rice Balls - Serve with your favorite marinara sauce, and enjoy the delicious, melty insides and the crispy outside!

Which ones do you think would be delicious on your Thanksgiving table?

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12 Great Breads to Bake Today!

Now that fall is finally settling in here, I'm getting the itch to bake some bread.  Today I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes with you.

From top to bottom, here they are:

Apricot Filled Cardamom Bread  This is a family holiday favorite, with my own twist.  Great for breakfast.

Amish Friendship Bread  Like a chain letter, but with bread.  Fun and delicious!

Sweet Potato Yeast Bread  This is wonderful!  It is just the right blend of flavors, a little sweet, a little savory.  The sweet potato adds moisture and a nice delicate texture.

Herb and Garlic Monkey Bread Monkey Bread doesn't have to be just for breakfast.  This is a fun way to serve fabulous garlic bread.

Whole Wheat Bread for the Bread Machine Easy, healthy, tasty... any questions?

Sourdough Bread  Almost like sourdough straight from San Francisco.  But you don't have to fly.

Rosemary Focaccia  This is one of my all-time favorite bread recipes.  You need to plan ahead as it sits overnight, but it is so very worth the effort.

Habanero Honey Bread  A little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, a whole lot yummy!

Amazing Pizza Crust  I believe crust is the most important part of a pizza, and this one is simple to make, but just amazing.

Santa Bread  This guy is so easy to make and so darling.  How could you resist having this on your holiday table?

Pumpkin Banana Bread  This smells like fall when you bake it.  And you just have to bake it.

Old Fashioned Italian Bread  A classic - light and delicious.

Does this inspire you to bake some bread today?

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9 Fabulous Apple Desserts

With apple-picking in full swing right now, I wanted to share some of my favorite apple recipes with you.  From top to bottom, here they are:


Candy Apple Thumbprint Cookies - Buttery shortbread cookies, with moist apples and candy cinnamon topping.  One of these a day might be just what the doctor ordered!

Caramel Apple Compote -  Delicious fall flavor!  Beautiful enough to serve to company, but quick enough to make on a weeknight after work.  You can eat this plain or over vanilla ice cream. {Or see the Apple Cinnamon Shortcake below for a WOW! dessert!}

Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake - Are you looking for an alternative to ho-hum pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dinner this year?  Or perhaps a delicious dessert to bring to a holiday party?  You've just got to try this recipe for Cranberry-Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake!

Caramel Applesauce Ravioli - These have a wonderful flavor from the applesauce, crispy texture from the fried wonton topped with the decadence of caramel sauce.  Perfect!

Apple Cinnamon Jelly - Looking for something different to do with the apple juice you have left from your apple picking expedition?  Try making some Apple Cinnamon Jelly for your breakfast toast!

Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings -  Mountain Dew?  On top of pastries?  Wow - really, really good!  And the recipe was really easy.


All American Pub Apple Pie - This pie has a wonderful complex flavor.  The apples are a great match for the bright citrus-y flavors in the Wheat Beer.  The crust has just the right amount of bitterness from the Stout with just a hint of cheddar cheese {which every piece of apple pie needs}.  And caramel sauce.  Holy cow - so good.  It tastes like beer, but not.  And all of it, together, is an amazing blend of flavors!

Caramel Apple Tartlettes - This dessert is elegant and delicious.  And so easy.  That can be our secret.  Well, ours and the internet.

Apple Cinnamon Shortcake - Are you craving the flavors of autumn, but not entirely ready to give up summer?  Why not try this combination of apple pie and strawberry shortcake?!

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