Holy Cow, it is August!!! Here is what's on the Menu.

It is seriously hard to believe that it is already August.  This summer is just flying by.  Most of our July was spent remodeling the Master Bath.  Here are the results of all that hard work and disruption of life.  I would say it was well worth it.

No Bake Fresh Mint Cheesecake #NationalCheesecakeDay

Still working on using up the mint that took over my garden.  This No Bake Fresh Mint Cheesecake starts with Mint Sugar.  It takes only15 minutes to put together and in two hours you are serving up a dessert that will be a huge hit with any mint lovers in your house.

It's National Cheesecake Day.........

Poires belle Helene and a book review of The Lost Feast for #LitHappens

Cinnamon poached pears nestled on top of ice cream and drenched in chocolate sauce.  This classic French dessert is elegant to serve and gives your guests the impression that you have been slaving away for them.  No need to burst their bubble and tell them how easy this is.

I was inspired to make this dish after reading The Lost Feast.......

New England Shrimp Boil #FoodnFlix

Are you ready for a Blast from the Past?  Our FoodnFlix selection for this month is the 1975 Blockbuster Film, Jaws.  

Nutty Cracker Jack Pretzel Treats #SundayFunday

Cracker Jacks, Peanuts and Pretzel sticks combine with Marshmallow to make a quick, easy, no bake dessert that is sure to be a hit at your next pot luck gathering.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing No Bake Desserts today.....

Chicken Salad starting with Leftovers and the Weekly Menu

 I'm not sure what happened but I missed posting my Weekly Menu last week.  Trust me when I tell you that we did eat.....and we ate well.  One of my favorite meals was this Hard Cider Glazed Rotisserie Chicken that I shared with you on Thursday.  I paired this meal with some Hard Ciders for our World Wine Travel group.  We are meeting for twitter chat today at 11 AM ET if you would like to join us.  You will find us by following #WorldWineTravel.

I took the leftover chicken off the bones and turned it into this wonderful chicken salad for lunch the next day.

Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl #SummerGamesWeek

All the goodness of sushi in bowl form.  Seasoned brown rice, siracha mayo, smoked salmon, edamame and avocado combine making a perfect, portable lunch.

This is my final recipe for #SummerGamesWeek..............

Cider Glazed Rotisserie Chicken and a Sampling of Hard Ciders #WorldWineTravel

I was fortunate enough to recieve some samples of hard cider from across the pond courtesy of Winesellers, Ltd.  These samples were provided for tasting purposes only.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.  All opinions are strictly my own.

Welcome to World Wine Travel..................

Steakhouse Burrito #SummerGamesWeek

Grilled Sirloin Steak placed onto a flour tortilla and topped with a steakhouse salad before being rolled up burrito style.

This is my second recipe for this fun event celebrating the Summer Olympic Games.......

Fudge Cake with Cherries and Pecans #CakeSliceBakers

Dense fudge brownie like cake studded with pecans and dried cherries. No frosting needed but a dollop of ice cream and hot fudge would certainly be delicious.

It's time for The Cake Slice Bakers...................

Pork Satays #SummerGamesWeek

Strips of tender pork tossed in a spicy sauce and threaded onto skewers before being grilled to perfections.  These Satays are a classic Thai street food.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken #MultiCookerMonday

Most of the time I try to feed my family healthy food.  I try to stay away from fatty, processed foods.  I air fry instead of deep fry.  I serve up lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  I shop locally and organically when possible.  But every once in a while, I get a hankering for some good old greasy, buttermilk coated, deep fried chicken.

It is Multi-Cooker Monday.......

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream #SundayFunday

Blueberries and Cream Cheese combine to make this amazing Ice Cream that tastes like the filling of a marvelous cheesecake.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Ice Cream Day.......

Leftover Chili Burritos #SoupSaturdaySwappers

I often make dinners with leftovers in mind, especially now that my family has shrunk but I still cook for an army.  One of those planned leftovers that I make quite often is Leftover Chili Burritos.  It is a family favorite here and it is sure to become a favorite at your house as well.

The Soup Saturday Swappers are repurposing leftover soup today......

Fresh Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream #NationalIceCreamDay

Looking for a fun, delicious way to use up some of that fresh mint taking over your garden?  Look no more.....This creamy, refreshing ice cream is studded with chocolate chunks and oh so delicious.

The Festive Foodies are celebrating National Ice Cream Day.......

Shrimp Louis Sandwiches paired with an Alsace Pinot Blanc #FishFridayFoodies #Winophiles

Tender shrimp and fresh vegetables enfolded in a classic Louis dressing, served on a lettuce lined croissant and topped with avocado slices.  All the goodness of the salad in sandwich form, perfect for a picnic lunch paired with a Pinot Blanc from Alsace.  Life is very, very good.......

This is what picnic fare looks like when Fish Friday Foodies and the Winophiles get together.......

Mojito Bundtlets #BundtBakers

These cute little individual bundts are full of the flavor of a summertime classic drink, the Mojito.  Perfect for your next picnic, bbq or poolside gathering.

The #BundtBakers are baking up Boozy Bundts today.........

An Italian Stew and A Book Review

 As I was linking a book review to my 2021 Reading Page I noticed that I had never written a review of the novel, All the Lines We Leave Behind, by Eliza Graham.  

I got this book free on Amazon from the lending library and read it on my phone.  I had completely forgotten about it.  Not because the novel wasn't good....it was good.  It had to be good because I was reading it during a very difficult period in my life and would not have been able to concentrate on a novel that did not allow me to turn off my mind and escape into another world.

Wine Wednesday featuring #L'Ecole Luminesce paired with a Summer Shrimp and Macaroni Salad

Hello and welcome ot Wine Wednesday.  I have been honored to be chosen as an Ambassador for L'Ecole Wines.  As an ambassador, I am sent wine each month and join the others in a Zoom meeting where we learn all about the wine we were sent.  I receive no monetary compensation.  

This month we are exploring a white blend that L'Ecole calls Luminesce.......

Lemon Zucchini Bread #BreadBakers

This delicious bright, lemony bread studded with lemon zest and shredded zucchini then topped with a sweet and tart glaze is a perfect summertime dessert.  Cooked up in a loaf pan makes it easy to slice and serve when enjoying time outdoors.  It is also a wonderful breakfast with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

The Bread Bakers are sharing their favorite loaves today.......

Sourdough Pizza "Baked" on a Grill #BakingBloggers

Summertime Grilling doesn't have to mean hamburgers and hot dogs.  Or ribs, steaks and chicken for that matter.  Sometimes Summertime grilling can be meatless and pizza!!!  These delicious personal size pizzas start with sourdough pizza dough and can be topped with anything your little heart desires.

I chose tomatoes and basil as my toppings since that was the theme of this month's Baking Bloggers.....

Frozen Strawberry Margarita Mocktail #SundayFunday

We had a Fiesta for the Teen's 17th Birthday.  There were enchiladas, fajitas, Mexican pork kebabs, beans, rice and, of course, Margaritas.  A pitcher full of Frank's Fantastic Margaritas for the adults and for the teens and the Angel Face we made up some Frozen Strawberry Margarita Mocktails.

Welcome to the Sunday Funday blogging group.......

Scottish Smoked Salmon Pate paired with Midwestern Wines #WinePW #EattheWorld

This Smoked Salmon Pate contains only 4 ingredients and that includes the lemon juice.  Smooth, rich and decadent it is the perfect appetizer to set out with some crackers or bagel chips and enjoy with a glass of wine before dinner or just as a snack.

  We are traveling to Scotland today in our quest to Eat the World........

Char Sui Pork and Noodle Stir Fry and The Weekly Menu

I had pulled a package of pork tenderloin out of the freezer intending to make Island Pork Tenderloin on the Grill.  Well, you know how it goes....the best made plans and all that.....Life got in the way, the dinner didn't get made and those pork tenderloin were still in my refrigerator.  Thankfully, they were cryovaced so I wasn't desperate.

A couple of days later I was snooping in the refrigerator trying to decide what to make for dinner when I spied that package of pork tenderloin.  I opened it and used one of the tenderloins for this dinner and the other to make some Mexican Pork Kebabs that I will be sharing another day.

Goldilocks Cocktail #ImprovCookingChallenge

 A perfect blend of Rum, Pineapple and Orange this is a wonderful summer cocktail.  Make up a pitcher to serve at your next outdoor gathering.  Cheers.

It's time for the Improv Cooking Challenge......

Pickled Rhubarb #NationalPickleMonth

Ok, I know I said no more Rhubarb recipes for a while but I lied.  I had forgotten about the Rhubarb I had pickled in anticipation of joining the Foodie Extravaganza gang in celebrating National Pickle Month.

Beer Brats inspired by the first Immigrants of 97 Orchard #CooktheBooks

97 Orchard was a housing tenement in New York built by the Glockner family who emigrated to the USA from Germany.  Mr Glockner started the tenement advancing from Tailor to Gentleman. So in honor of the Glockners, who were the first residents of 97 Orchard, I am serving up Brats in Beer. 

I am Cooking the Books today with our Cook the Books Club.......

Grilled New York Strip Steaks with Caramelized Mushrooms and Burrata #SundayFunday

Perfectly seasoned steaks, grilled to perfection and topped with golden brown and caramelized mushrooms and smothered with burrata cheese.  OH MY YUM!!!

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are cooking with Mushrooms today........

Another BIPOC Celebrity Wine that I'm anxious to share with you #ItalianFWT

This Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Romato is the love child of music icon, Mary J. Blige.  She worked in conjunction with winemaker, Marco Fantinel, using grapes harvested from his families vineyards in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. 

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Meatballs, A Book Review and The Weekly Menu

These fun and tasty meatballs, made in the slow cooker, are a perfect appetizer for your summer parties.  You only need 3 ingredients, it can be put into the slow cooker a few hours prior to your gathering and forgotten about until your company arrives.