Showing posts with label summer entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer entertaining. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

lunch with dandelions . . . a dandelion salad



I had lunch with dandelions today.

Dandelion greens, that is.




Have you ever seen them in your market?

I've seen them at our Farmer's Market on several occasions, and think that their deep, rich green color, length, and unique shape are quite beautiful.

I even paused and thought to myself, "Aren't dandelions weeds?" 

But when they are long and graceful, as seen at the Farmer's Market, they can be so pretty that you forget that they are the weed that you curse in your garden.

At a reasonable 99 cents for a large bouquet, I thought I would buy one and bring it home.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but I felt inspired.


~ lunch with dandelions ~


I added them to one of my sunflower bouquets.




Displayed a small bunch in one of my favorite Anthropologie mugs.




And even made a simple, light and delicious dandelion salad.




a fresh Dandelion Salad
.     .     .     .     .
bunch of dandelion leaves
bunch of romaine leaves
cherry heirloom tomatoes
shaved Parmesan
pinch of salt & pepper
.     .     .     .     .
Toss with Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette 

Enjoy!





 Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette
.     .     .     .     .
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
.     .     .     .     .
Combine all ingredients in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. 
Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until emulsified.
.     .     .     .     .
Dress your salad . . . and
Enjoy!





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Thursday, August 7, 2014

peach and almond galette



I fell in love with the blackberry and vanilla galette I made a few weeks ago, and thought I would make one with these gorgeous peaches I bought at the Farmer's Market. 




Have you ever had vanilla bean ice cream topped with  fresh peaches that have been sauteed in brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dab of butter?

It is so so so good.


Add toasted almonds on top of that, and you've elevated a simple Peach Sundae to a whole new level with the buttery crunch of almonds. 

So . . . with that delicious sundae in mind, I thought I would attempt to recreate it in the form of a galette.




I add the warm flavors of brown sugar and cinnamon to the peach mixture, as well as pure almond extract for a creamy, buttery finish. 

Raw sugar and sliced almonds grace the outer crust . . . giving it a light, sweet crunch

Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to a slice, minutes after taking it out of the oven . . . and you might have a little piece of heaven on a plate.




Yes, it's a beautiful and delicious dessert, but the best part is that it's so easy to make!

It's truly a wonderful dessert to serve when having friends and family come over for dinner.




I highly recommend serving it to your guests right out of the oven (with ice cream!).

Prepare the peach mixture beforehand, since slicing peaches takes several minutes; and then place the mixture in the refrigerator until you're ready to fan them on your dough.

The longer the peaches sit in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, the more they juice . . . that's why you want to wait to assemble the galette until you're ready to bake it.

For an extra special treat . . . don't hesitate to reserve some of the peach, brown sugar, and cinnamon juice to drizzle atop your galette and ice cream just before serving it to your guests.

Yum. Yum. Yum!






peach & almond galette
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
1 prepared pie crust
2 large ripe peaches, sliced 1/8” thick
4 Tbsp brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tbsp flour
3/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 egg, beaten
½ cup sliced almonds
Raw sugar
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Preparation
Thaw prepared pie crust in refrigerator, according to directions.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat, or parchment paper.

Slice peaches, then place into a bowl and sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour on top. Add pure almond extract. Gently stir the peaches until the sugar and flour have evenly covered them.

Remove the dough disc from the refrigerator and fan peaches, overlapping, in a circular shape in the center of the disc, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the 1-inch border of dough over the edges of the peaches and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Transfer unbaked galette to the prepared baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with toasted almonds and raw sugar.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the peaches look shriveled and crust is lightly browned. Let the galette cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.


Pictorial . . .

~ Slice peaches ~

~ alot of them! ~

~ place peaches in a bowl  ~
and gently fold in brown sugar, cinnamon, flour and almond extract

 ~ gently roll out dough ~
Look at those flecks of BUTTER!

~ fan first layer of peaches ~

~ slightly overlap second layer ~
 

~ It's so pretty! ~


 

 ~ fold the 1-inch border of dough over the edges of the peaches ~

~ brush border with egg wash ~

 ~ sprinkle with sliced almonds and raw sugar ~

 

 ~ Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in a 375 degree oven ~

ENJOY!

Bon appetit, friends!


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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

red, white, and blue(berries)



How fun are these watermelon star cut-outs?

They're so fast and easy to make! All you need is . . . 

a ripe watermelon
star-shaped cookie cutter
paper straws
one plastic straw
and blueberries

Slice the watermelon into 1/2-inch thick rounds, and then use cookie cutter to cut star shapes.

Tips of the trade . . .
I use the end of a plastic straw to punch a hole in the center of the stars, so that I can easily snug a blueberry in the center; 
and you can also use the plastic straw to pre-drill a hole for the paper straw. 
It works like a charm!





.     .     .     .     .     .
a fun & patriotic treat for kids
festive garnish for drinks 
fruit kabobs
.     .     .     .     .     .


I'm on the hunt for a crab or lobster shaped cookie cutter.
How cute would it be to cut watermelon into the shapes of crabs & lobsters for Summer entertaining!




Happy Summer, friends!



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Sharing with . . . .


Thoughts from AliceDIY Showoff, Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the HillThree Kids and a FishBetween Naps on the Front Porch, Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co, Home Remedies, Time Warp Wife,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleJust a Girl and Her Blog, The Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed PilgrimageLamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweThe Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's Corner,Imparting GraceNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeShabby Nest Sunflower Supper ClubBlooming HomesteadThe Girl CreativeReasons to Skip the Housework, View from the Fridge3 Little Greenwoods







Wednesday, June 11, 2014

white peonies and seagrass . . . easy Summer entertaining



My favorite seasons to use baskets when entertaining are Summer and Fall. 

They add a kind of charm to your table, whether you use traditional baskets for bread, dishes, or silverware  . . . or beautifully weaved chargers or glass caddies . . . they give a 'warm' welcome to any setting. 




I love using my seagrass chargers, vases, and baskets when entertaining during the Summer months.

Seagrass is usually a thicker, chunkier weave; and it's blonde color is beautiful paired with fresh Summer colors, like pinks, red, blues, and greens. Seagrass can easily be 'dressed up' or 'dressed down' . . . and that's one of the big reasons that I love bringing my pieces out during the Summer months. They'll fit just about any occasion.








For me, I like keeping our home casual through the Summer months. 

Casual entertaining and light menus mean I can spend more time with my family and friends, which is what celebrating Summer is all about, right!?


celebrating Summer in our home
.     .     .     .    . 
seagrass
garden flowers in bud vases
casual linens
cool colors ~ blues & greens
berries! berries! berries!
vegetables
Summer vegetable frittatas
light & flavorful pasta dishes
family style meals
fresh lemonades
garden tomatoes
and backyard picnics!
.     .     .     .    .





















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