Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

I recently tried a recipe for Sweet and Sour Cauliflower, as I've been craving something a dash exotic. I've found that Asian food is the most difficult to cook, however, this recipe was both easy and satisfyingly delicious. You can find it here at Keepin' It Kind, but if you are anything like me then you will want to substitute the 1/2 tablespoon for two tablespoons of Sriracha sauce and chili powder instead of smoked paprika.

Enjoy...

Naan Fig Pizza

Looking for a fresh summer meal? Why don't you give this one a try...

Last night I whipped up a garlic naan pizza with fresh brie, gorgonzola, figs that I purchased at the farmer's market, and some juicy green apples. On the side, I tossed together an asparagus salad ala Bobby Flay -you can find the recipe here. Enjoy...

Inspirational Woman Wednesday

 We often disregard the influential roles people play in our lives. My mom hasn’t just been a great mother, but an inspiration and best friend. My love for cooking has stemmed from her passion and creativity in the kitchen, and I can only hope to be half the chef that woman is today.

The other night she made a garlic potato salad, a marinated tomato salad, and a "Muffuleta"sandwich with home made olive tapenade. 

The most beautiful woman I know!

Recipe for the Muffuletta via Beyond the Hedges by the Junior League of Athens, Georgia:

1 (7-ounce) jar Spanish olives with pimentos, chopped

1 (61/2 ounce) can sliced black olives

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon freshly chopped oregano

1 teaspoon freshly chopped basil

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

2 tablespoons capers, chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 loaves Italian or French bread

3/4 pund thinly sliced salami

1 pund thinly sliced ham

12 slices provolone

12 slices mozzarella

Shredded lettuce

Sliced tomatoes

In a bowl combine the green and black olives, olive oil, oregano, basil, parsley, capers, and lemon juice. Cover and chill for 8 hours.

Preheat to 400. 

Split loaf in half and remove inner bread.

Fill the bottom of the cavity with the olive mixture.

Layer with cheeses

Wrap sandwich tightly in foil.

Toast in oven for 15 minutes

Serve with lettuce and tomatoes. 

ENJOY!

Sunday's Sweet & Salty Treat - Peanut Butter Pretzel Candy

I'm positive were put on this world to experience the bliss of salty & sweet! 

Peanut butter is my all time favorite food, with red wine and dark chocolate as close seconds. Put them together, and you just found the way to my heart. So, for our weekly Sunday family dinner I decided to make Martha Stewart's Peanut-Butter Pretzel Candy- the recipe can be found here. All you need is some pretzels, creamy peanut butter, butter, sugar, and dark chocolate. Recently, I've been obsessed with Justin's Nut Butters and I'm dying to try this recipe with all the flavors available (check out all the flavors here) - I'm thinking Vanilla Almond for my next batch...

First, you crush the pretzels. Add the butter, sugar, and nut butter, then mix. 

Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls.

Drop them in the melted dark chocolate.

Voila, you have yourself true bliss.

Some Culinary Therapy - Spicy Southwest Egg Rolls

I love to cook. A glass of wine, some music (especially Dave Matthews), and good conversation are a true and sure recipe for happiness. Last night, I made Southwest Eggrolls. I adapted the original recipe by adding a little bit more spice (original found here).

Ingredients:

1 Red Pepper

4 Green Onions

1 jalapeño- with the seeds, that’s what makes it spicy!

Sweet corn to your liking

1 can of black beans

A few cilantro sprigs

1 tsp. olive oil

¼ cup sundried tomatoes

Cyan pepper to your liking

Egg roll wrappers

Jalapeño Jelly

Here is how you do it….

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrease

2. Sauté the onions, pepper, and jalapeño

3. Add the corn, cilantro, sundried tomatoes, beans, and cyan pepper and mix until warm.

4. Add a dollop of the mixture to a corner of the egg roll wrap, fold the tip over, fold the sides, and roll.

5. Once you have finished preparing, throw the egg rolls into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Add the  jalapeño jelly to the top- it’s the key ingredient to making it extra yummy- and enjoy!

Peach Jam Grilled Cheese

I used the cheese I bought at the farmer's market to make a peach grilled cheese sandwich with a dill side salad that you can find here. For the grilled cheese sandwich I used a great fresh sourdough bread, a few slices of my farmers market cheese, and slathered on some peach jam. To avoid the butter, I toasted the bread slices and then broiled them after I added the cheese for a healthy twist. There isn't really a recipe, instead I relied on fresh ingredients. Enjoy...