Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna Salad
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I’m trying REALLY hard to incorporate more salads into our weekly meals. For me to get behind a salad it has to have some bang to it. This sesame seared ahi tuna salad does that and then some. It’s base is made up of endive and arugula that’s been tossed lightly in a honey soy vinaigrette and then topped with a few well placed slices of perfectly pink sesame seared Ahi tuna. Whether you eat this with a fork or chopsticks is up to you.
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Chocolate Cream Cheese S’Mores
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(Disclaimer: I have been selected by Kraft Foods to be an ambassador for PHILADELPHIA cream cheese. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own.)
What’s not to love about a s’more right? Chocolate. Graham Crcakers. TOASTED marshmallows. All coming together to form one ooey gooey cohesive delicious fantastic mess. Wet wipes would come in handy here. There’s not just for babies you know. They’re completely and totally delightful.
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Moscato Mojitos
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I have wild mint growing uncontrollably in my yard. If you happen to live nearby and need mint just let me know. I have an UNLIMITED supply and you’re welcome to come pluck some up. I’m not kidding when I tell you it grows like weeds. There’s no taming it. It comes back every. single.year. And while it used to aggravate me at first, now I’ve grown to embrace and respect it’s persistence. Not to mention besides smelling amazing I can have all the mojitos I could possibly want. Silver lining.
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Caramelized Grilled Asparagus
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Have you noticed a grilling theme going on? Gold star for you if so. As soon as it warms up I’m all about throwing anything and just about everything on the grill. Including vegetables. Sometimes I even get a little crazy and sprinkle them with sugar. Glorious I tell you. Glorious caramelized crunchy outsides. Pass the plate please.
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Grilled Mini Meatball Subs
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Do you like to get your grill on? As in bbq grill not dental grill (which I have never ever understood – How do you clean those things? I mean just buy a ring or a bracelet already). IF you do, and you think you have what it takes my friends at Dole are hosting their Dole California Cook-Off and you should honestly consider entering. Besides glory there’s a whole lotta gumbo cash at stake. Like $25,000. All you have to do is come up with a killer recipe (some rules and regulations apply see contest page for full details – did that come across in my announcer voice?) and submit it.
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Grilled Nutella MousseTarts
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You know grilling isn’t just for meats and veggies (and fruits, can’t leave out fruits, have you tried grilled peaches? Oh sweet drippy goodness do it!). Why let them have all the fun? You can make desserts on the grill too! Sure can. In fact you can make an entire meal on the grill. Besides having all that gorgeous grill flavor you’re not messing up the kitchen. That’s happy happy happy in my book. Anyone else hate doing dishes?
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Grilled Ribeye with Balsamic Butter Sauce
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Finally grilling season is here. I’m just a tad bit excited about this after a VERY long winter. I love the smells that waft through the neighborhood as soon as the weather has heated up (and the pollen has past ugh). People are out walking the neighborhood (and gasp actually smiling and waving), flowers are blooming, the trees are filling in and grills are going strong. It’s a good thing.
We (and when I say we I mean my husband) like to grill a lot. It’s typically, chicken, ribs, with the occasional steak thrown in. It’s not that I have anything against steak, quite the contrary, bring on a hunk of perfectly cooked (for me) medium steak any day of the week if you’re paying ; ) If I’m paying it’s more of a special occasion meal. But guess what? Now it doesn’t have to be.
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Strawberry Jelly Filled Doughnuts + {GIVEAWAY}
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I am a sucker for sweets. Always have been. I wish I was one of those “no thank you” dessert people, but I’m not. Sigh. I’m more of a you order this one and I’ll order that one so we can share. What, y’all don’t do that? Okay, seriously moderation is my motto but that is REALLY hard when you have a plate of these strawberry jelly filled doughnuts in front of you. I should know. I had to do a lot of taste testing research for you loverly readers. I’m such a giver. Don’t forget it.
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Lemon Crepes with Blueberries
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Weekends are perfect for brunch. You know that wonderful cross section of a meal between breakfast and lunch where you don’t have to choose one or the other. You can mix and match your dishes at will. It’s a beautiful thing. If you’re looking to have a week-end get together, brunch is perfect and definitely budget friendly (well as long as you’re not wanting to serve caviar or truffles with your eggs and if you are let me know what time to be there).
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Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Pasta
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You might not think that avocados and pasta go together but surprise they do! Once you’ve twirled your fork around these creamy fettucine noodles that have been slathered in avocado awesome-sauce you’ll be a believer. Avocados are something I can’t ever seem to get enough of. I’m pretty obsessed with them but not nearly as much as my friend GABY. She’s absolutely avo-obsessed (in the best way possible!). In fact, she’s just published her first cookbook called “Absolutely Avocados”.
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Grilled Chicken Caprese Wraps
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The countdown to summer is on like Donkey Kong AND yeah yeah I’m on the workout wagon. And by working out I mean walking. We have to start somewhere right. In addition to moving moving it I’m lightening my plate and eating healthier. We’re not talking or mentioning the D word because that doesn’t work for me. Ever. Instead I’m making better choices without cutting out everything I love. Moderation people, moderation.
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Swordfish with Brown Butter Balsamic Sauce
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If I’m being honest, I have to admit that this whole having to wear shorts soon (let’s not even discuss the b word) is kind of freaking me out. It gets HAWT in Carolina people. So shorts are a necessity. One good thing about the weather is the fact that I don’t want to heat up the kitchen or the house for that matter. Cooking lighter meals is just easier for me in the spring/summer time. So what’s a girl to make besides salads? Seafood. I’ve always been a seafood fan. Fish, crab, mussels, shrimp, oysters, lobster. I’m in. The answer is always I’m in.
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Breakfast Tostada
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I don’t know why I have been hesitant to embrace the flavor combination of beans and eggs before. Before now I should say. Honestly, I don’t know why this flavor combination works, all I know is that it does. I think it falls under the crazy but true tab. I’m going to be making up for all the time I passed on this amazing dish. Silly girl. It’s going to breakfast and brinner (breakfast for dinner) for a while now. I hope my family likes it as much as I do.
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Raspberry Tea Cupcakes
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I don’t know about you but I feel better about eating a cupcake than I do a slice of cake (not that I’d turn that down mind you, ’cause I would not). Something about it’s size makes me feel quite alright about indulging in one. Okay who am I kidding, you all know about my epic sweet tooth, TWO. You got me. Sigh. Good thing there are a lot of stairs in my house is all I can say.
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Jalapeno Popper Pasta
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There are so many things to love about pasta. I could literally go on for days about it, but mmmmmm better not. Instead I’m going to tell you one reason I love it (delicious is obvious). Versatility. If you tell me you get bored with pasta I won’t believe you. There are too many shapes, sizes, and sauces for that. Like this spicy jalapeno popper pasta. I took an appetizer we love, hello jalapeno poppers, you all know and love them and turned it into a pasta dish. Those hot little beauties are pretty hard to stop popping. This pasta, no different.
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Southwestern Ranch Chicken Salad
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Now that the weather is turning (somewhat) warmer I’m already starting to think about when I can drop the top on my new (to me) convertible, putt around town and enjoy the sunshine. It also means I gotta shed a few lbs that I’ve put on over the “it’s way too cold to go outside I’m just going to stay inside with a brick of cheese, some salami, a package a crackers and some wine months.” Tell me I’m not the only one? Please. Okay if you worked out all winter and already look amazing, I take it back please don’t tell me. Deal.
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Mini Raspberry Caramel Cheesecakes
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Have you noticed a re-occurring theme of EGGS across the blogosphere this month? Of course you did eggs happen to be one of the stars of the Easter season (hello Easter Eggs) and you guessed it, deviled eggs. Did you happen to catch our CLASSIC DEVILED EGGS post earlier this month? We waxed poetic about the incredible edible egg and it’s versatility. Yes those little babies aren’t just for breakfast. They’re also great in one of my favorite courses (you do remember that wicked sweet tooth of mine) which should come as no surprise that it is dessert.
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Homemade Irish Cream
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If this keeps up around here I might have to change the name of the blog to boozy bell’alimento. Has a nice ring to it though. We’ve made LIMONCELLO, AMARETTO, bootleg KAHLUA and now onto bootleg Irish Cream. It was only natural since St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend. Everyone is Irish this weekend so why not and to be honest I’m not really a corned beef and cabbage kind of girl so homemade Bailey’s Irish cream it was.
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Black Bean Burgers
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I have a bean problem. On any given day you’ve find at least 5 varieties of beans in my pantry (of course that doesn’t rival the ridiculous amount of pasta shapes in my pantry – last count 15) That’s a lot of beans (and pasta). But that is OKAY with me because we eat them all the time. One of our favorite things to make with beans are bean burgers, black bean burgers to be more specific. I will always be a carnivore (I love bacon way too much) but sometimes I do crave a veg burger. Truth.
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Shrimp and Avocado Spears
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Ever since we sprung forward last weekend I have shifted into spring time mode. I’ve been cleaning like a pregnant woman in her nesting phase. I’ve traded my cowgirl boots for flip flops and I’ve put away the winter scarves and broken out the spring scarves (oh didn’t you know I have a scarf addiction. It’s true). Now if the weather would just cooperate and warm up I won’t look like a fruit loop. Until then I’ll just continue along pretending I’m not still cold and dream about serving sweet little appetizers like these on our deck while sipping on Prosecco. Dare to dream.
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