lemon pepper pappardelle with arugula & prosciutto ~ dining al fresco

We've had unusually warm weather the last two weeks.

You know, the kind of warm weather that naturally draws you outside.

Well, this beautiful warm weather not only inspired this light and flavorful dish, but it also inspired us to dine al fresco. 

One of my favorite means to transport our dinners outside is by using bread boards.

They're not only a beautiful back drop upon which to serve a meal, but they're functional and ~ if  large enough ~ can support a whole dinner. Perfect.

Two plates. Check.
Forks. Napkins. Check.
Two glasses of ice water, one with lemon. Salt & pepper. Check.
Fresh lemon and parsley. Check.

So with the dining al fresco basics covered, let's talk pasta . . .

Have you heard of Lemon Pepper Pappardelle? 

Lemon Pepper Pappardelle takes pasta to a whole new level.  

Lemon and pepper are infused into the pasta, making it light and bright. 

The pasta itself already has so much flavor that you can eat it with just a drizzle of olive oil, and be quite pleased. 

I felt inspired, however, to add arugula for an additional peppery bite . . . and prosciutto and shaved Parmesan for an even more flavorful meal.  

And it was that . . . flavorful and delicious. 

A perfect al fresco dinner . . .

Ingredients

8 oz package Lemon Pepper Pappardelle

4 slices of Prosciutto

2 heaping cups fresh arugula

fresh shaved Parmesan

6 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Lemon

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (for those that like heat)

 

 

Preparation 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place Prosciutto slices onto a baking sheet, and bake for 8 minutes until crispy.
After cooled, break Prosciutto into small pieces.

Boil pasta according to directions on package. Do not over cook.

Drain pasta and pour into a large shallow bowl. Drizzle olive oil on warm pasta. Toss to coat. 

Squeeze 1/2 of a lemon over pasta. Toss to coat. 

Salt and pepper. Toss.

Add arugula, prosciutto, and crushed red pepper flakes, if you like heat (optional). Toss.
The steam from the pasta will wilt the arugula.

Sprinkle fresh Parmesan shavings over the top. Enjoy!

bon appetit!



I'll be linking up with
Savvy Southern Style's
WOW Us Wednesday's
AND
StoneGable's
Tutorials TIPS & TidBits

bud vases & garden flowers

I love bud vases!  

I've collected several over the years . . . white ones . . . and glass. 

 I love using them in making simple and beautiful floral arrangements.

If you're not familiar with bud vases . . . 

They're are often used to make dainty arrangements of young flowers in the early spring, when there aren't a lot of blooms to choose from. 

They can also be used to display single stems of showy or aromatic flowers, and they have classically been used to showcase roses and other elegant blooms. 

~ iceberg roses from my front yard ~

 

They're not only perfect for 'showcase flowers,' but humble garden flowers as well!

 

Bud vases, in a way, refine flowers . . . 

                        and can even make a humble flower . . . spectacular.

~ a few long stems of lavender ~

Although bud vases can be formal in appearance, they can also be simple, small vessels from around your home. 

Look for all sorts of containers that can be used to hold water and a handful of leaves, flowers, or sprigs, like jam jars, baby food jars, or even small drinking glasses. 

And when they're clustered together, they make quite a beautiful arrangement.

~ cluster of white iceberg roses ~

So take a walk in your garden . . . gather flowers . . . 

                     and then peruse your cupboards for a few bud vases . . . 

and enjoy a little bit of Spring in your home.

Bringing the garden into the house will make

you want to tend a garden.

I'll be linking up with StoneGable's

TUTORIALS, Tips & TIDBITS!

snap pea salad with mozzarella

  

I saw this Spring salad in the May issue of bon appetit, and fell in love with its beauty and simplicity.
                                   

 

Sweet, crisp snap peas pair wonderfully with peppery arugula, warm basil, and refreshing mint. 

And the creamy mozzarella . . . well, it adds just the right finishing flavor to this clean, fresh salad!

Black mint tastes best in this salad, which you can find in Spring and Summer at farmer's markets.

It's truly a beautiful salad with its leaves of varying shapes and textures, courtesy of the arugula, mint and basil . . . and the sweet peas add a stunning bright lime green to the mix; brightening the salad, as well as adding a subtle sweetness.

Eaten by itself, or with a roasted chicken . . . It's a salad that delivers Spring on a plate . . . as well as a wonderful pairing of flavors.

Light, fresh, and delightful! 

 

Ingredients
Recipe by chef April Bloomfield

8 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed, strings removed

4 cups arugula, thick stems trimmed

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves plus more for serving

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves plus more for serving

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice

Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

1 pound burrata or fresh buffalo mozzarella

Preparation

Cut pea pods in half lengthwise, leaving some peas on each side of pods. 

Combine peas, arugula, 1/4 cup basil, and 1/4 cup mint in a large bowl. 

Add oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice and toss to coat. Season salad with salt and more lemon juice, if desired.

Tear open balls of burrata (if using buffalo mozzarella, slice 1/2-inch thick) and arrange on a platter. Top with salad and more basil and mint.

bon appetit!

a "tea party" with my little girls

One of my greatest blessings is being a mom . . .

                 . . . a mom to 4 beautiful children.

Truth be told, I was fearful when I found out that we were going to have a little girl 6 years ago.

But if I knew then, what I know now . . . I would've only smiled with sheer delight.

We were not only blessed with 1 little girl, but 2! 

And they are amazing . . . beautiful . . . and loving . . . sweet . . . and oh so lovely.

What a wonderful gift we were given to raise two little ladies.

                                  Miss Charlotte                                                              Miss Lauren Jane

 

I recently felt inspired to have a Spring Tea Party with my girls.

                               

 

Oh what fun we had!

~ our menu ~

Raspberry Lemonade

with fresh lemon & mint

Miette's Double Chocolate Cupcakes

topped with Chocolate Ganache 

Petite Chocolate Cakes

glazed with Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Truffles 

with sprinkles

and GUMBALLS!

There's something magical about dressing up in your favorite Spring dress, sitting at a beautifully set table, and enjoying a relaxing visit with your daughters (friends, loved ones) over sweet treats and lemonade (or tea).

With sunshine flooding our dining room, Miss Charlotte, Miss Lauren, and I sat together for a spot of  "raspberry lemonade."

~ pink sugar rimmed tea cups ~ 

I suspended several tissue paper decorations over our table.

They were quite beautiful when the sunlight shown through them.

 

 

They made our "tea time" experience extra special.

The girls led our chit-chat.

We talked about our favorite colors and candy, baking, and pretty sprinkles.

 

Miss Charlotte loved the white china . . .

                       . . . and I loved getting to share with her that Honey (her grandma)
              gave them to me when I got married to daddy.

                        . . . and that it was Honey's china first. It was a gift to her from her mom
              when she got married.

Miss Charlotte so lovingly inquired,

"Mama, can you give them to me when I get married?"

I heard my heart sing.

And our sweet Miss Lauren Jane. . .

I couldn't be more proud of her innocent enthusiasm to join in the fun.

Have you ever seen a two-year-old hold a tea cup so well!?!

We giggled and laughed . . .

              . . . and laughed and giggled.

 

The laundry didn't get done that day; 

           nor did the vacuuming, or the dishes.

    

Instead, I spent the afternoon playing "Tea Party" with my little girls.

      . . . and I'm so glad that I did! 

I hope that our "Tea Party" inspires you to have one too!

I'll be linking up with StoneGable's

TUTORIALS, Tips, and TIDBITS!

AND

Savvy Southern Style's 

WOW Us Wednesdays!

AND

A Stroll Thru Life

Inspire me Tuesday's