So Easy: Grilled Peaches

In  high school, I took photography my junior year - and it was one of my favorite classes. I remember one of our assignments was to create a photo essay.  So, I came up with the idea of following My Grandma through the activities of her day.  I took photos of her at the grocery store, painting her fence and doing other things that she enjoyed.  Looking back, I have to kind of laugh because all of the photos were taken the same day and My Grandma was dressed so nicely (as she always was) and for her to be painting her fence dressed as she was... well, totally not realistic and obviously staged.  In that photo essay, My Grandma knew how to do even the most mundane activities in style!

I think the theme was a day in the life of an active senior citizen... or something like that.  I can't remember now what grade I received, but I do remember giving her the photo essay afterward and feeling pretty proud of myself.  I enjoyed these type of projects quite alot so, the following year I was one of the yearbook photographers.  Definitely, one of the highlights of my time in high school.

For today's recipe I thought it would be fun to share it in photo essay form rather than typing up the recipe.  It's super easy, and after trying grilled peaches with the ice cold ice cream... well, I must say I'm in love!  The warm fruit so beautifully compliments the ice cream.  You HAVE to try this... it's seriously too easy not to!  This is another winner from Ellie Krieger's lastest cookbook, So Easy. 

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Ellie Krieger, So Easy: Garlic-Basil Shrimp

Summer is really my favorite time of year.  I love that fresh local produce is so abundant and I feel more inspired to try new recipes again.  Winter just wears me down, so when the warmth of summer arrives I feel like I'm alive again. 

A few months ago, I picked up a copy of Ellie Krieger's most recent cookbook, So Easy. I had enjoyed the recipes from her first cookbook, so I knew this one would be worth owning.  Just like her first book, this one is filled with healthy recipes and tips for incorporating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet.  Each section is divided between simple and recipes that take a bit longer - for those days when you can spend more time cooking.  And, there are plenty of gorgeous photos to entice you into trying something new!

The first recipe I made was the Garlic-Basil Shrimp.  Dinner does not get easier than this dish!  Shrimp cooks up quickly and with summer in full swing I had fresh basil in my hanging pot ready for clipping.  I love using grape tomatoes this time of year because they are oh-so-much sweeter right now. 

I served it over whole wheat noodles since I was out of orzo.  Everyone enjoyed this dish, even My Oldest who for some reason decided he didn't like shrimp a couple years ago.  After eating this dish, he declared "these shrimp rock!"  Can't get a better review than that, especially from someone who has picked around shrimp every time he's had it for the last couple of years.

This dish went together so fast - on the table in just under 30 minutes.  Perfect for weeknight cooking.  You can find the complete recipe HERE at the Food Network website. 

What is your favorite healthy meal to make in the summer months?

If you are interested in more information or purchasing Ellie Krieger's So easy, the link below will take you to Amazon.  If you choose to purchase via the link, I receive a small referral fee.

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Rachael Ray Magazine: Chicken with Smoky Romesco

When Rachael Ray first burst onto the Food Network with her 30 Minute Meals, I was immediately a fan.  I loved watching her cook the way most people cook at home - without recipes.  Many of her ideas on the show could be recreated at home without printing off the recipe - she gives some great tips throughout the show.  Of course, since then we all can't help be but aware of the empire she has built - magazines, cookbooks, more food related shows and her own talk show.

I have been an on-off subscriber of her magazine.  I enjoy reading it, but don't always come away with recipes I feel compelled to make.  The most recent issue, there were a few recipes that caught my eye.  I decided to try the Chicken & Scallions with Smoky Romesco for dinner one night last week.

The recipe is quite simple, which is to be expected.  The one thing I should have compensated for was the strength of the paprika I used - I keep Penzey's Half Sharp Paprika on hand for use in recipes where the paprika really does need to have some flavor.  The McCormick Paprika never seems to add much of anything to most recipes (in my opinion).  The Romesco was simple to make, but the paprika I used was a bit strong and I would cut the amount by about half.  The flavor was good and the heat kind of crept up on you after you took a bite.

I did grill the scallions, but they didn't turn out very pretty.  They grill very fast, so if you do try it - don't step away!  The recipe suggests serving it with a crusty bread, but since we are trying to keep things a bit lighter lately we opted to serve the chicken over salad.  The chicken is prepared verys imply.  Just a spray of Pam and a sprinkle of salt and pepper before grilling. 

Chicken & Scallions with Smoky Romesco
Source:  Rachael Ray Magazine - August 2010 (I think! I tore out the recipe and the page doesn't say what month the issue was.)

Ingredients
2 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded (I left these out because I thought they would bring too much heat to the sauce)
about 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 one-inch thick slice good quality white bread - crusts discarded and bread torn into small pieces
about 1/2 cup of blanched almonds
1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated or chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
salt and pepper
3-4 tablespoons sherry vinegar or dry sherry
2 large roasted red peppers, chopped
8 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 pounds large scallions
olive oil cooking spray
handful of flat-leaf parsley
juice of 1 lemon

Directions
Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high.  Place the anchos in a small saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and reconstitute until soft, about 5 minutes.  Remove the anchos from the water (reserve the water) and pat dry, then coarsely chop.

In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 8 turns of the pan, over medium heat.  Add the bread and almonds to the pan and toast until golden - about 5 minutes.  Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon.  Add the onion to the pan, increase the heat a bit and cook for a few minutes to soften.  Add the garlic and paprika; season with salt and pepper.  Cook for a couple of minutes more, stirring constantly.  Stir in the vinegar (or sherry).  Transfer the contents of the pan, the toasted bread and almonds, the chopped anchos and the roasted peppers to a food processor.  Mix until smooth, adding a splash of the reserved ancho liquid - if necessary.

Spray the chicken and scallions with the cooking spray; season with salt and pepper.  Arrange the chicken and scallinos on the grill or grill pan and cook, turning once, until marked evenly - about 5 minutes for the scallions and 10-12 minutes for the chicken.  Dress the chicken with the parsely and lemon juice and serve with the scallions, crusty bread and romesco.



Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Vegas Dining: Grande Lux Cafe

When we arrived in Las Vegas, it was about lunch time out there so after we got settled into our room we found a place for lunch.  We ended up at Grand Lux Cafe in the Venetian.  We had never run across this restaurant before, and I have since discovered it is a chain, so you don't hve to go all the way to Vegs to enjoy their food - unless you want to!

We knew we'd be heading out to a very fine dinner later that night at Fleur de Lys, so we didn't want to overdo it at lunch time, so we ordered a few appetizers. 

We tried the Crispy Thai Shrimp and Chicken Rolls and the flavor combination surprised us.  You take the roll and wrap it up in bibb lettuce and a piece of mint before dipping it in the sweet-hot chili sauce.  All of these flavors and textures worked perfectly together!

The Duck Potstickers were nicely crisp and filled with lots of veggies and dipped in the hoisin sauce ... well, let's just say there weren't any left! 

Our waitress suggested the Crispy Ahi Sushi Roll as a favorite among most of the diners who have eaten there.  We really did love this one, so creative that after preparing the roll to flash-fry it.  The crispy exterior really made this roll something we would want to try again... nice way to take the sushi roll up a notch and add something we haven't seen elsewhere. 

We did eat there a couple of other times, it was just too convenient not to.  We had breakfast one morning where I tried the buffet and it had a nice assortment of fresh fruit and pastries.  There were also the usual chafing dishes with scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage.  If you wanted, you could have an omelet made to order as well.  My Husband tried the Deluxe Breakfast Sandwich, which is served on brioche and filled with eggs, tomato, bacon, ham and havarti cheese.  It was beyond mouth-watering and I did try one bite of it... and am wishing I could have another bite now!

The last time we ate there was on our last day in Vegas... needed a simple lunch to tide us over until dinner.  I had their BLT which was piled high and served with seasoned fries. 

Overall, we enjoyed everything we tried, and if we are near one of their restaurants again we'll definitely stop back in for another meal!



Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Wordless Wednesday: Smoked Baby Back Ribs

Wordless Wednesday - all about the smoked baby back ribs today!

The winner of the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club cookbook giveaway winner is...

Nicole from Seaside Smitten!  Congratulations, Nicole!


Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Perfect Lunch for a Hot Day: Lunch Wrap Spirals

This week I sat down and made a very loose meal plan.  I went through a couple of my healthier cookbooks for inspiration and selected a few things to make that would get us back to eating the way that we should.  We've been indulging a bit more lately between vacations and sharing meals with family and friends.

I pulled out my copy of Weight Watchers: Eat! Move! Play! and found a recipe for something simple but full of my favorite ingredients:  avocado, roasted red bell peppers, basil, spinach... full of healthy flavors!  I was also inspired by a recent post by Sweetnicks where she made a sandwich that had some of these same ingredients that sounded so amazing. 

The Lunch Wrap Spirals are not only filled with good-for-you ingredients, but it's also pretty when you slice them up into bite-size pieces.

I loved the contrasting textures in these bites, and will be packing them into my lunch this week.  A nice, no-cook way to prepare a healthy lunch!  You could vary the ingredients based on what you like and what might be in your fridge.  Only 258 calories and a whopping 7 grams of fiber in each serving!

Lunch Wrap Spirals
Source:  Weight Watchers: Eat! Move! Play!

Ingredients
2 large (8-inch) flour tortillas
2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
4 chives or basil leaves, chopped
1/2 small avocado, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
6 spinach leaves, washed and dried
2 whole roasted red bell peppers, drained and cut into strips

Directions
Spread each tortilla with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese and sprinkle with the chives (or basil).  Layer the avocado slices, spinach leaves, and bell peppers evenly over each tortilla. Roll each up tightly.  Cut each roll into 5 or 6 pieces with a serrated knife.  Lay the pieces on their sides to see the colorful spiral design.

Serves 2.

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

More Vegas Dining: Sushi Samba

While we were in Las Vegas last week, we treated ourselves to a couple of fantastic shows!  We saw The Blue Man Group, which My Husband has had on his list for years now... so, we HAD to see it.  If you haven't seen this show, find it... and see it!  It's a lot of fun and is even something we would consider taking Our Boys to see.  Nothing offensive in it and overall just a fun experience. 

The other show we saw was Cirque du Soleil Mystere.  It was our first time seeing a Cirque du Soleil show and we were amazed by the acrobatics and the muscles in these performers!  While there were a few slow moments, it was overall a very entertaining and even funny show to see. 

Sunday evening, we decided to try a restaurant in the Palazzo Hotel that we had seen a few advertisements on, Sushi Samba.  We had an assortment of dishes but, I will highlight our favorites. 

We started with the edamame, which to be honest, was as basic as you can get.  Steamed and covered in sea salt.  Simple and delicious, but yet nothing too impressive.  The other appetizer we ordered was the Rock Shrimp Tempura.  It had just a bit of a kick to it, but was nice and crisp even though it was covered in a sauce.  I don't think there was even a tiny piece left of it.

A third appetizer that we ordered was the Pork Gyoza, and it was definitely our favorite of the evening.  One of our friends just sent me the picture on my phone yesterday saying that he was still thinking about that dish... made me want more, too!  They were steamed and then lightly pan fried to get the crispness on the outside.  Cooked perfectly!

For our main dish, we gave ourselves over to another chef's selection with the raw sushi.  We had an assortment of fish that was all very good... and, to be  honest that was the most raw sushi I've ever eaten.  I enjoyed it, but I'm still a bigger fan of the veggie and Tempura style rolls. 

I do have another restaurant to share with you, but next up will be a great no-cook summer lunch that I had today... so good, and GOOD FOR YOU, too!  Stay tuned!

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Vegas Dining: Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys

I know it's been a bit quiet around here, but when an opportunity to be grown-ups for a few days presented itself... well, we just had to do it!  My In-Laws kindly offered to take Our Boys for a long weekend while we escaped to Las Vegas for some fun with another couple we have been friends with for a long time.

We had a fabulous time and I even managed win a little bit here and there... and then go buy souvenirs to bring back to the boys.  It was my first time to Vegas and we stayed at the Venetian - a truly beautiful hotel which is such a contrast to the other hotels that are near it.

For our first night there, we started things off in style by having dinner at Hubert Keller's restaurant, Fleur de Lys.  It is not a large restaurant, but it has VERY high ceiling.  When you look up, you see this intimate dining area located inside the wine cellar.  You can request to be seated there, if you prefer.  We dined in the regular dining room, and surrendered to the Chef's Elegance Tasting Menu with wine pairing. 

There were many components to the meal and we sampled a bit of what each of us ordered.  I will describe some of the highlights, but don't want to make this post go on for days, so I will try to summarize as much as possible.

I started with the Truffled Onion Soup which can only be described as PURE COMFORT food.  The creaminess of the soup kept me going back for more and it was perfectly accented by the addition of the red wine shallot puree and the braised duck crepe.  I will be dreaming of this soup when the cooler weather comes back to New Jersey.

My friend ordered the Stout Braised Short Ribs and, let me tell you I will find a way to make them myself! The meat was so tender it really melted in your mouth.  This is something I know my whole family would enjoy.  The flavor wasn't overpowering, but rather subtle.

The Chorizo Wrapped Suzuki Sea Bass was a deeper, smokier dish.  The chorizo added all that was needed to the sea bass for this dish to be a success. 

While three of us opted to order the souffles for dessert - one chocolate and two Grand Marnier, My Husband went with the Warm Chocolate Fondant Cake.  While I enjoyed my souffle, I must say the cake was pure chocolate HEAVEN!  It was served with Popcorn Ice Cream and a Peanut Butter Milkshake. 

Our waiter was very knowledgeable and explained each of our dishes thoroughly as well as the wine selections.  Overall, it was the perfect way to begin our weekend away. 

Stay tuned as I have a couple of other dining experiences I will share from the trip as well.

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Homegrown Rosemary (recipe: Lemon-Rosemary Vinaigrette)

This year, I decided to try growing a few of my own fresh herbs.  I ended up putting them in a hanging basket because we have so many little critters that visit our yard I knew I would end up with nothing left after a few days. 

So far, these plants are doing ok (in spite of me and my brown thumb).  Which is why I was inspired to try a recipe I found on the Today Show website from Tom Colicchio.  How could I not try it - afterall, he is a Top Chef judge and really knows how to balance flavors.  I opted to try the Lemon-Rosemary Vinaigrette because it's been very hot lately and salads are more appealing these days.

It was a breeze to make the vinaigrette from scratch... only took a few minutes.  The flavors were fresh and light.  The use of fresh rosemary really took it up a notch and I can see why he also recommends using it as a marinade for fish as well.  You can find the recipe HERE as well as some other ideas on how to use vinaigrettes for summer cooking. 

Have you been inspired to start your own home garden this year?  If not, a simple way to get started in a small way is to begin with planting your own herbs for cooking and Triscuit wants to help!

Triscuit has incorporated seed cards into approximately 4 million boxes of their regular and reduced fat Triscuits!  The seed cards are simple to use and will allow you to grown either your own basil or dill plants.  Think of the fresh flavor you will be able to add to your dinner with those herbs you grew from tiny little seeds!

Check out their website on Home Farming which will give you great information on how to start your own home garden.  There is also a community forum where you can ask questions and even share information you may have learned elsewhere.   It's not too late to start herbs from seeds since you can keep them in your kitchen all year long!

Don't forget to visit my Virtual Supper Club post to find out how you can win a copy of Cooking Lights - Cooking Through the Seasons!


Disclosure: I was provided with 2 boxes of Triscuits and a $20 gift card to purchase planting supplies by DEI Worldwide.


Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

July Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club & Cookbook Giveaway! CLOSED

This giveaway is now closed.  The winner selected was:  Nicole from Seaside Smitten!

This is my third month participating in the CL Virtual Supper Club and it was my turn to select the theme.  I chose picnic/BBQ with both Canada Day and 4th of July being a perfect time to enjoy these recipes!  It was also the same theme chosen when the group was first formed just 1 year ago!  Be sure to read to the end as there is a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Cooking Light.

Since I had the main dish choice this month I wanted to select something that would have flavor and yet could travel well if you were going on a picnic.  When I found the Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe it appealed to me with all of the fresh, summery flavors involved - from the pesto to the fresh squeezed lemon juice that was added to it. 

I didn't add the roasted red peppers because I was afraid they would make the wrap too soggy.  This is a fabulous way to dress up a tradditional chicken salad and you can't even tell that fat-free yogurt was used instead of all mayo. 

Now, for the big news!  Cooking Light has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway of their cookbook, Cooking Light - Cooking Through the Seasons!

I bet you are wondering how you can win this fantastic cookbook, right?  Here are the rules:

• Sorry, but the giveaway is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
• Visit Cooking Light's website (HERE) and select a recipe that would be perfect for the Picnic/BBQ theme this month.  Then, leave a comment with a link to the recipe you've selected.
• Make sure you leave your contact information or blog so that we can let you know that you won!
• For extra entries, visit each of our blogs and leave a comment!
• All entries must be made by July 14th! 

Now, go and see all of the fabulous dishes that complete our Picnic/BBQ this month! 

My recipe can be found at Cooking Light - Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

Jamie at Mom's Cooking Club made Grilled Romaine with Blue Cheese Dressing.

Sandi of Whistlestop Cafe made Potato Salad.

Shelby of Grumpy's Honeybunch made Blackberrry Limeade or Honey Chipotle Baked Beans.

Val of More than Burnt Toast made Rum Spiked Grilled Pineapple topped with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

Cookbook photo courtesy of Cooking Light.

Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Dinner by the Shore - Matisse in Belmar, New Jersey

Last weekend, a weekend full of celebrations! We had my birthday, my youngest son’s birthday and my in-laws celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. We were also lucky enough to have my sis-in-law and nephew from Arizona visiting us!

To celebrate all of these wonderful events, we went to this fabulous restaurant in Belmar, New Jersey – Matisse. We’ve gone there in the past to celebrate birthdays and such, but as my mother-in-law said… we should go there more often and not just for special occasions. The food was wonderful and the service was excellent.

The restaurant overlooks the beach in Belmar, so the view while dining is nothing less than gorgeous. One of the benefits of living in New Jersey (and there are a few in spite of what the rest of the world may think!), is that many restaurants are BYO (Bring Your Own) wine, beer, etc. My mother-in-law had dropped off our bottles of wine ahead of time and they had them chilled and ready to pour as soon as we were seated and looking over the menu.

The menu is varied with everything from fresh seafood to chicken to steak. We enjoyed one of the appetizers that was a special that evening. A trio that included Clams with the most flavorful sauce (would be perfect to soak up with the fresh baked bread that they serve), pulled pork sliders and scallop ceviche. The kids DEVOURED the pork sliders, so I did not get a chance to sample that for myself, but based on how much they enjoyed them I’d highly recommend them! The scallops were a huge hit with all of us as well, so full of flavor but not so citrus-y to be overwhelming.

I started with their version of the Caeser salad, which was served with a crostini topped with an olive tapenade. It is a good thing that it just had two of those crostini’s on it because I could so easily have many more! Then, I had the Crispy Seared Red Snapper with Ginger, Garlic, Cilantro Soy And Sesame Sticky Rice. It was cornmeal crusted and sauce made the dish hard to stop eating it was so full of flavor – it really made the dish. It was supposed to have cilantro on it, but not being a fan of that herb they were nice enough to leave it off for me.

My husband and sister-in-law both had the Cast Iron Skillet Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops With Chive Potato Tart and Sweet Pea Coulis. I tried one of the scallops and it was cooked perfectly and the potato tart and next time would definitely order that dish so I could have more of it to myself!

We finished the meal with a table full of desserts! It was a potpourri of all of their offerings and we all shared a bit of each one. I’d have to say though that the overall highlight was the chocolate crème brulee … truly OUT OF THIS WORLD and I believe my sister-in-law is working on getting the recipe from the chef.

If you are ever in Belmar, do make sure to enjoy dinner at Matisse with your family. They do have a children’s menu which has many options to accommodate the various tastes of all different kids.


Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.