This and that

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Basil Strawberry Lemonade

My Strawberries have been pretty good this year. They were small but plentiful and I was able to freeze a couple of quarts. We don't have a very big patch but this year our crop doubled and I am hoping that we may get a few more in the fall picking if the weather cooperates with us.

The other night I was thinking about lemonade.. probably because I saw some kids down the

street selling it. I wanted to make my own but not just plain lemonade, I decided to put some strawberries and basil in it. I didn't use much sweetener in it so at first it was a bit of a pucker power.. but as it made more then one glass I let it sit for a day and yum... the flavours blended in and it was so good. I will have to try it again.

Basil Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen strawberries

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp minced basil

2 cups ice

2 cups water

honey to taste - I used a little less then 2 tsp.

Directions:

Put all ingredients into the blender and blend til smooth. Optional garnish with lemon slice and basil leaves.

As I poured the lemonade into the glass, I got the two toned colour of the lemonade. The top was slightly more frothier then the bottom. I did put the leftover in the fridge over night. The ice melted but it still had a small frothy top. The flavours blended the second day and I think that I even liked it better the second day then the first.

Enjoy!

LINKS: Dail Moms Mondays

Monday, July 22, 2013

Caprese on a bun

I love Caprese Salad... tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese.. What is not to like. My sweet Basil has been running wild. I am drying some out as I can't use it fast enough. This year I decided to plant it in a pot and place it outside. It has gone like wild fire. So yesterday as I was thinking what to make for my breakfast, lunch and dinner... Yes, I only ate once as I didn't get out of bed until mid afternoon... I thought of having a Caprese Salad. Then I remembered that I had some cheese buns and thought why not put my salad on top of the bun and broil it... YUM it was so good.

Caprese on a Bun

I don't really have any amounts for this recipes.

Ingredients:
1 cheese bun cut in half

tomato slices (thin slice)

salt and pepper

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Croutons crumbled- I used Seasoned Croutons from New York Texas Toast (you could also use bread crumbs)

Fresh Basil

Pearl Mozzarella

Directions:

Slice cheese bun in half and toast. Once toasted, add tomato slices (I used about 3 per half). Sprinkle Salt and Pepper to taste. Add crouton crumbs. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add minced fresh basil and pearl mozzarella. Place under broiler until mozzarella cheese is starting to melt and slightly brown. Garnish with small amount of fresh basil is wanted. Enjoy.

Enjoy

I can't wait until I can get some fresh tomatoes from my garden to make this. It was great with store bought tomatoes... but will be absolutely amazing with fresh home grown tomatoes... I will be out every day looking at my tomatoes ~ you can count on that.

LINKS: Swap N Share

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Crazy Ingredient Challenge - Cauliflower and Chocolate

I have joined a new group called Crazy Ingredient Challenge. This group was started up by Jutta from Hungry Little Girl. This month's challenge was cauliflower and chocolate. When I first head these two combination I thought.... WHAT??? I am not a big cauliflower fan, I can eat it raw occasionally but not cooked. So, what was I going to do. I had been to a Dove Chocolate Tasting Party and bought some Sweet 'N' Spicy Cocoa Rub and also Roasted Chipotle Chocolate Salsa so thought I could use this as my chocolate part of the recipe.

My first idea was just to use the rub on the cauliflower. I was BBQing and thought this would be perfect. I sprinkled some EEVO and the rub on the cauliflower, placed it on the BBQ. Well, although it wasn't awful, it wasn't so great either... So back to the drawing board I went.

I did some searching for recipes with these two ingredients. I found lots of chocolate cake recipes with cauliflower... but they didn't interest me. I found recipes that you make cooked cauliflower and add cocoa.. tried that and didn't really like it. I am not sure how I even got onto some recipes for Quinoa Bites but I did and I had an Aha moment... I could do quinoa bites with cauliflower and the salsa and the recipe began.

Chocolate Cauliflower Quinoa Bites

Ingredients:

For Bites

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup cooked wild rice

1 cup cooked mashed cauliflower *(see note)

1/4 cup DCD Roasted Chipotle Chocolate Salsa

1/8 cup diced onions

1 egg

salt and pepper to taste

Parmesan Cheese

For Dip

1/4 cup greek yogurt - I used Chobani yogurt

1 tsp DCD sweet and spicy cocoa rub

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix quinoa, wild rice, cauliflower, salsa, onions, egg, salt and pepper together. Place in mini muffin tins or drop from small cookie scoop. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese. Bake for 12 -15 minutes until golden brown.

For dip: Mix yogurt and cocoa rub.

* Notes: I cooked my cauliflower and then put it through the food processor.

Enjoy.

If you would like to join this group, just click on the button and it will take you to the page with the information and instructions you need to join.

Linked to these great parties: Saturday Dishes

Thursday, July 18, 2013

It's a Picnic on #FoodieFriendsFriday Linky Party

Summer is in full swing here in the U.P.

Temperatures are soaring... maybe a little too much....

But what could be better ,than a picnic on the lake shore.

Join us and bring your most favorite picnic foods...

First let's look at last week's party..

Host Favorites

Each week, all of the Foodie Friends Friday Host pick their favorite link. To be picked you must have a link back to either Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you link up with. Next week your link may be here. To check out last week's host favorites head over to the Daily Dish Magazine for Host Favorites.

My Host Favorite

As last week's theme was Christmas in July, I found this wonderful way to make Old Christmas Ornaments Look New Again by Vanessa at Vanessa's Values. I can't wait to find some ornaments that I can make new. Thanks for sharing these Vanessa, Great IDEA.

Photo credit: Vanessa's Value

Most Clicks

Rustic Christmas Candle ~ Vanessa's Value
Homemade Christmas Ornaments ~ In the Kitchen with Jenny
Old Fashion Christmas Fudge ~ Yesterfood

This week's Party

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

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An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Strawberry Raspberry White Chocolate Virgin Daiquiri

Baby it is hot out there... I know, I know it wasn't long ago that I was complaining about all the snow that we have, but it is hot out there! I have never been one to enjoy the heat. At least in the winter you can pile on more and more clothes but you can only take off so much and if you are a blob like me, I know that I wouldn't want to see me in a bikini so I would not submit you to it.

Good news.... I have found the perfect way to cool off. This spring I went to a Dove Chocolate Tasting Party and then last month I hosted a party and got some way cool stuff to cook, bake and experiment with. If you have a chance to go to a party or else have a party yourself ~ Do it!

My first drink is all about strawberries, raspberries and chocolate... Sorry for the long name but I did want to get in that this is a non-alcoholic drink.

Strawberry Raspberry White Chocolate Virgin Daiquiri

This recipe is basically what it says on the package plus a little bit extra. I also had to add strawberries as I had no raspberries in the house, but I think the combination tastes wonderful.

Ingredients:

1 package of Dove Chocolate Discovery White Chocolate Raspberry Daiquiri Mix

7 oz lemon- lime soda

1 cup ice

1/2 cup fresh strawberries ( you could use frozen)

1 square Chef- Series Chocolate (milk Chocolate) melted

whipped cream for garnish (homemade or from the can)

Directions:

Add daiquiri mix, lemon-lime soda, ice, and strawberries in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Melt chocolate. Add 1/2 the chocolate mix to blender and blend well. Chocolate will harden once hits drink, so add a little at a time and blend.

Pour into glass. Makes one 16 oz drink or two 8 oz drinks if you would like to share. Garnish with whipped cream and drizzle the rest of the chocolate over the whipped cream.

Enjoy.

Perfect for these warm days.

Just be careful as the chocolate bits may plug up your straw. You may want to eat this delicious drink with a spoon so you get all the yummy smooth Dove Chocolate.

Keep a watch out for my next drink... It has mangoes in it and chocolate.

Links: Best of the Weekend, Random Recipe Roundup, Sunday Funday, Swap N Share, Dial Moms Mondays

Thursday, July 11, 2013

#FoodieFriendsFriday ~ Christmas in July Linky Party

Are you one that is ready for Christmas early?

Are ready in July?

I used to start buying as soon as the last Christmas was over...

but not anymore.

This weekend we can all have

Christmas in July

At our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

Link Up Anything You Like

But first let's see the favorites from last party

Host Favorites

Each Foodie Friends Friday picks their favorite recipe from the party. These recipes are then featured on Monday over at the Daily Dish Magazine. To be picked you must have a link back to either Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you link up. Next week your link may be here. To see last week's host favorites head over to Recipe that Caught our Attention at the Daily Dish Magazine.

Most Clicks

Summertime Spaghetti ~ Carol's Corner
Stuffed Chicken Breast & Garlic Cream Sauce ~ In the Kitchen with Jenny
Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken ~ ThisandThat

My Host Favorite

This week I picked Honey Glazed Cinnamon Chicken from Cooks and Facts. The recipe has a multiple of flavours in it.. honey, cinnamon, chilli powder, ginger and tumeric to name a few. She has spices that I would have never thought of putting together and would be a explosion of wonderful in your mouth. I will be making this recipe soon and if I didn't have to work so much it would have made already. Thank you Jeny for this wonderful, flavourful recipe.

Photo credit: Cooks and Facts

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Berry Salad with Basil Chia Vinaigrette

I love summer and fresh fruit. We have a small strawberry patch that this year is producing very well. Or at least I think so. I have also been able to get to them before the critters which helps. Before this year, I would pick and throw out the strawberries that had bites taken out but this year I decided to leave them. Low and behold they seem to be coming back to eat the strawberries that they had already started to eat~ I do hope this continue and they don't go for the new ones.

I decided to make a salad with the strawberries and a dressing. My basil is also starting to come up and basil and strawberries go so well together so came up with this recipe.

Berry Salad with Basil Chia Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

sliced strawberries

blueberries

pomegranate seeds

assorted lettuce or spinach ( I used romaine and spinach)

glazed walnuts

sliced chicken (optional)

for vinaigrette:

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 tsp fresh minced basil

1 tbsp chia seed

1/2 tsp honey powder (or you could use what ever sweetener you like)

Directions:

Make vinaigrette by mixing all ingredients together and let sit while you prepare your salad.

Assemble lettuce, add fruit, walnuts and chicken.

Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and enjoy.

Vinaigrette will keep in the fridge for 3-7 days depending on what you put into them. With fresh herbs, I have read that they don't last as long. I do keep mine longer but I don't recommend it to others. I throw them out when they start smelling bad.. that is my clue that I need to make some more.