Officially or not, Summer is here in Tennessee. It has been 95 + degrees every day for the last 2 weeks. Our mornings are spent outside in the garden or just enjoying the brief cool part of the day, while the hot afternoons are spent in, on or around some kind of water activity. This past week we were enjoying our vacation on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We all spent ...
Grilled
Country Garden Update and Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Salad
So 3 weeks of rain was followed by 5 days of searing heat, then... more rain. All of this wishy washy weather has been reeking havoc upon our allergies but the garden doesn't seem to mind much. Especially the broccoli and lettuce. We have been eating off of those plants for the last week or so. Especially the lettuce. I have certainly been adding more fiber in my diet. The ...
Italian Sausages – ‘Cause I like ’em!
Don't you just love sausages? I mean, when was the last time someone offered you a sausage and you said "no"? I can't think of any time. Ever. The problem with sausages, especially Italian sausages and even more especially, really good Italian sausages, is that they are not exactly budget friendly. They are not outrageous by any means, but I find it a little difficult to ...
BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
I'm going to give all you single ladies out there a little advice on what to look for in a husband. First, he has to have a job or at least a marketable skill. No free-loaders. Second, he's gotta be good with kids, even if you don't plan on having any. Why? Because accidents happen and you don't want to be with a guy who doesn't like kids. Third, and most importantly, ...
Meatcicles
That's right I said meatcicles. Like popcicles, but with meat instead of...um...pop. The inspiration came from Top Chef. (Do you watch it? If you do, let me just tell you that I'm not seeing a whole lot of creativity so far this season. Angelo and Kenny. That's all I'm seeing. Discuss ...) One of the chef's on the last episode, Arnold I think, made some lamb kebabs on the ...
Pizza on the Grill
I'm here in Tennessee once again visiting with my family. My days have been full of wine, jelly, kids, creeks, and some great Blues music.It has also been full of heat. It's hotter 'an a match! - that's what my brother would tell you. It's been in the upper 90's all week and other than a couple hot dogs or grilled cheese sandwiches, we have not wanted to heat up the kitchen ...
Salmon Salmoriglio with Parmesan rice
Today was beautiful. The temperature was in the mid 60's, there was a light breeze, the sun was shining, people were out and about playing with their kids and dogs and the faint smell of a charcoal grill was in the air. It was a Spring teaser day. Just a taste of what the weather will be like in about 6 weeks. It never lasts, it's always followed by more cold weather leaving us ...
It’s all Greek to Me – Chicken Souvlaki
For some reason, there are several foods that I only really enjoy when made into something. For example; I'm not a big tomato eater, but I love tomato sauce; I hate cabbage, but I could eat sauerkraut everyday; I think raw cucumbers are unappetizing, but I could eat enough tzatziki sauce to make me Greek. I'm weird, what can I say. So, anyway, if there is any culture that is ...
Kebaaaaaabs
For some reason, whenever I talk about kebabs I always seem to say it with a Jersey accent. I don't know why. It just sounds nice...kebaaabs.Anyway, summer is the perfect time for kebabs. They are the perfect grill food. A great way to feed many or just a few. They can be marinated and assembled earlier in the day and then thrown on the grill for dinner. I like chicken kebabs ...
Memphis Memories – Homemade Bar-B-Q, Sauce and Spicy Slaw
I would like to start off this post by letting everyone know that my husband and I are BBQ snobs. The Hubby is from Memphis, born and raised, and I spent the first part of my adult life there and consider it my home ( maybe not born and raised, but I certainly found myself there). If you have ever been to Memphis then you know 2 things; 1 - never leave valuables in your car, ...
Grilled Squash
Finally! Spring is here! It's time to plant flowers, clean the house, and fire up the grill. It's also time to try to fit back in those shorts from last summer. So that means more veggies! When it comes to veggies I like simple. Fresh produce has a lot of flavor and I don't like to compete with that too much. A simple sprinkle of olive oil, salt and pepper is all most veggies ...