Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Herb Goat Cheese Spread Served With Radishes


This was inspired by a lovely Goat Cheese Spread I bought at The Farmer's Market last week.
(And wondering what I could do with some herbs from my garden.)

Goat Cheese
Parsley
Chives
Celery
Salt
Pepper

Chop the herbs and celery very fine.
Mix together with the goat cheese.


Sprinkle Kosher salt and pepper around the sides.



Spread the mixture on some juicy radishes.


Voila!

Monday, August 29, 2011

End Of Summer Projects


Herb Garden.

We finished the backyard project and planted the herb garden. I planted Basil, Oregano, Parsley a few pepper plants and a little tomato plant.


We took out everything and replaced it with sod. Off to the left of the Tiki Hut is my Plumeria Garden.



At the end of the Plumeria Garden is the Secret Love Stone we found. It's magical. If you stand on the love stone and make a wish it comes true. (True story)



The Plumeria are in full bloom. This is my favorite time of year. In a few months all the flowers and leaves fall off and they go to sleep for the winter. But for now it's like a tropical island.


This is what it looked like for most of the summer.

Hooray for the end of Summer Projects!



French Skinny Salad



It's been so hot lately I've been experimenting with salads. I thought Shaboom posted a salad from a fancy schmany French restaurant served with an egg, but I must have been dreaming because I can't find it.

This was really good.

French Skinny Salad with Egg

Romaine lettuce

One piece of bacon

Small tomato (from Grandma Dee's garden)

A little cheese

A little onion

One soft boiled egg

Olive oil with Balsamic Vinegar



How do you say yummy in French?



Sunday, August 28, 2011

Joyeux Dimanche- Fun and Delicious Links.


Shaboom found these super cute bento style lunch boxes here.

Frenchified pasta go here.

Blueberry Ketchup? Yes! Go here.


Happy Sunday!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Happy Saturday


I walked into the living room and found giant pink post-it's slapped on all the walls. 5 had gotten into my office supplies again.

"Hey Buddy, what's going on?"

"Oh it was an emergency, I had to make these signs."

"But there's nothing written on them..."

"They're pictures of my invisible pet. He's missing. This way if anyone sees him they can recognize him.

"What's your invisible pet's name?"

"I love you."




Happy Saturday

Friday, August 26, 2011

Strawberries With Balsamic Vinegar

Strawberries With Balsamic Vinegar


It's been crazy busy over here and I haven't posted in awhile but I have a minute and I wanted to share something wonderful. Strawberries With Balsamic Vinegar: Recipe from Ina Garten.

I had no time to cook anything for the baking club so I tried this recipe from Ina. It was a complete hit and so easy. I really didn't think those flavors would go together, especially the black pepper. But everyone loved it.

There's some wonderful dishes I tried this week from Jennifer. I have to get the recipes and then I'll post. These include Bacon Relish and a delightful Peach Cobbler.

Happy Friday!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Paris by night

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

There's a park in the 19th arrondissement called Les Buttes Chaumont that has absolutely breath-taking views. Since it's on the opposite side of town from where I live, I don't make it over there as often as I like. Last night I decided to have dinner at one of the restaurants in the park and went for a little walk afterwards.







A view of Sacre Cœur from the park - sorry, at night the iPhone can only do so much...











































Later I went for a stroll along the canal Saint Martin...













- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Promenade Parisienne

Shaboom sends her update from Paris, France:

Today on my walk I saw lots of beauty...





I can totally picture this statue in Karen's newly re-landscaped back yard. He would fit in well with her tiki hut, n'est-ce pas?





On my way to the Louvre...





Behind the Palais Royal I spotted this gorgeous, typically French store front. Love the color. It's August in Paris and everyone's on vacation ...even the shop keepers. So no new shoes today ...le sigh.





This gigantic flower pot sits atop the Pompidou center on the Georges Restaurant terrace. Sadly, there seem to be no ginormous flowers growing in it.





A view of Sacre Cœur from the Pompidou Center.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

Monday, August 22, 2011

Beautiful skies

Shaboom sends her update from Paris, France:

Unicorn came to visit me to celebrate his big birthday here in Paris. We had a wonderful day walking all over Paris. We went to l'Orangerie to see Monet's water lillies. We walked through the Jardin des Tuileries and all over the Marais. We drank and ate throughout our entire promenade... at Fauchon, La Durée, Café Beaubourg, Georges (atop the Pompidou Center,) and at Glou - one of my favorite restaurants.

































We even witnessed a beautiful storm rage over the west side of Paris. It was quite a beautiful day.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Salsa, Served Hot


On Sunday, 5 and I visited Grandma Dee. In her garden, 2 volunteer chili pepper plants have popped up. Since she didn't plant them, we have no idea exactly what they are. I did a little research but I don't know for sure.


They're not very big but hotter than a Serrano. Let me know if you have any ideas.


Look at these gorgeous tomatoes from Grandma Dee's garden. There's really nothing like them. Even at the Farmer's Market.


Neighbor Wife came over with her food processor and we decided to make Roasted Salsa.
Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Mystery Chili Peppers drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.



Lovely little hotties.


Fresh out of the oven, I popped all of the veggies into the Food Processor with some fresh lime juice. I only put in 3 little peppers and it was plenty spicy. Grandma Dee also gave me some clippings from her cilantro plant. Tammy explained that the little seeds are a spice called Coriander. I used all of it, including the flowers from the plant. From my little herb garden, I used parsley, oregano and chives.



This is absolutely the best salsa I've ever had. We ate it while it was still hot.
In fact Neighbor Wife just called and asked if we can make more. Now. She's craving it.

Yes!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Hubby's Spare Ribs-Not French Skinny

Hubby made some AMAZING Spare Ribs.
Spicy and not spicy.
The spicy involved a rub with cayenne pepper, salt and chili pepper. Then, while he was grilling, he the ribs with a sopping sauce of vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
He won't give me the exact recipe.
Just taste, taste, taste......
Grill some jalapenos and green onions for a side dish.


Corn on the cob with butter, salt and pepper.


These potatoes taste like baked potatoes with everything.
Mash the potatoes, add bacon, cooked and cut up in little pieces, green onions finely chopped, butter, and parmesan cheese.

It was so good.
Enjoy.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Joyeux Dimanche - Paris Plages

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris, France:

When you're "stuck" in Paris during August and you can't go to the French Riviera, the French authorities bring the beach to you. PARIS PLAGES!!


If you're in Paris this month (or in the summers to come,) CLICK HERE for practical information.


Joyeux Dimanche!


*Images borrowed from the internet