Cuz-A-Palooza!

Every year, Sean's cousins host a "Cuz-A-Palooza" down at the farm in Spencer, IN.  Among the horses, Odie--the donkey, the dogs and cats, there is a variety of fun to enjoy--corn hole, horse rides, games, the saloon and karaoke, just to name a few things...and a whole lot of great food!


It's a big group and not everyone can make it every year (we've missed a few ourselves).  But we were able to make it this year and had a fantastic time with beautiful weather and lots of shade.


Everyone pitches in with food and beverage and there are some staples that are must-haves around the table:  "ET Cheeseball," named after Hubby-Bub's brother and sister but, as of this year has been renamed after HB--let's just call it "Hubby-Bubs Cheeseball."  Of course, the event would not be complete without special items like chicken dip, some seriously good mac 'n cheese and something on the grill.


This year, I brought one of our faves---bean and corn salsa!  It's one on Daughter #1's favorites, in spite of the fact that it has black beans in it, which she wouldn't normally eat.  Apparently it was a hit, and I was asked to post the recipe, so here you go:


Ingredients:


1) 16 oz black beans (I buy canned, but you can soak and cook your own--if you do, I highly recommend Hurst brand)
 2) 1 pkg corn niblets (if you have extra corn-on-the-cob, that's the best, otherwise I prefer "fresh frozen" defrosted. Canned corn is too watery
3)  1/2 of one red pepper and one green pepper (chopped)
4)  1 small bunch of green onions (chopped)
5)  1/2 a small red onion (chopped)
6)  2 T fresh cilantro (chopped)
7)  2 cloves of chopped garlic (optional)
8)  1 1/2 t. salt
9)  1 t pepper
10) 1 t sugar
11) 1/4 c olive oil
12) 1/3 c red wine vinegar


In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients.  In a smaller bowl, place salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar.  Whisking lightly, slowly add the olive oil to the mixture.  Add dressing to the salad and toss.  Enjoy with chips of your choice.  It's also a great addition to marinated chicken or beef on the grill!  Enjoy!

Cool Food for Hot Days

We've enjoyed some beautiful June weather, albeit no rain.  However it looks as though the mercury is going to rise into the 90s over the next 7-10 days.  It seems that the higher the temperature goes, the lower my appetite drops--hard to believe, I know.  That means cool food options!  Here's just a sampling of what I planned for next week:


Chicken Salad with Mango
Pizza Bites with Marscapone, Ham and Pesto on Puff Pastry
Gazpacho
Santa Fe Wraps with Cream Cheese, Green Onions and Spinach


All these require very little oven time (thus helping keep additional heat out of the kitchen) AND they are make-ahead meals.  Make it in the AM when the temps are down and then grab 'em up from the fridge when your tummy growls, the lightening bugs are out and candles (and bug spray) are the perfect accessory to dinner on the deck!

Risotto

Wow...it's been a while since I posted.  That only means I'm enjoying summer and spending a lot of time in the kitchen.   I had some big orders this week--thank you!!!!  One of the orders was for risotto with chicken.  Daughter #1 loves risotto.  I admit that on busy weeknights during school, I will resort to a mix, but I do love making it from scratch.  


You have to have a lot of patience making risotto from scratch...it takes special care to do it just right, otherwise the creamy goodness you want will end up being crunchy and without flavor.  And you have to tend to it constantly, which means you at the stove until it's done.


This week, mine started with chopped celery, onion and mushrooms.  Cook until the onions are translucent...the fantastic smell will tell you before your eyes will when it's ready.  Add your arborio rice and stir.  Then softly, gently and ever-so patiently add your warmed chicken broth.  This is when you have to be prepared to stand at the stove and care-take.  Gently stir and add more broth...and do it again, over and over.  You'll know when it's right because you will sense the creaminess coming from the combination of the rice releasing it's own starches and sucking in the chicken broth along with the combination of flavors from the veggies.


It is magic in your mouth!

Images of Summer

This weekend I get to make one of my favorite summer pies--lemon--for three clients.  No meringue needed, I swear!  It's delicious because of it's simplicity.  Also, on deck for my favorite clients (aren't they all my favorites!): hot ham and cheese sammies, lemon herb orzo, pulled BBQ pork and spaghetti tacos (inspired by iCarly--believe it or not, they are really yummy!)


These are all foods I think of when I conjure up images of summer.  Simple & easy so you can spend more time catching fireflies, playing in the sprinkler or harvesting your own garden--and you can add your own personality to them with sides of your choosing (I offer up suggestions, of course)!