Chunky Monkey Muffins #MuffinMonday

Named after a specialty drink from a nearby restaurant, these delicious muffins are chock-full of banana, chocolate, and coconut.  As an added bonus, I also used up some of the zucchini that is taking up space on my counter.

It's Muffin Monday.......

Beer and Garlic Marinated Chicken Breasts #SundayFunday

It is still grilling season here in Michigan, but not to worry if it's not available where you are, because this delicious chicken can also be made in the oven.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Drink a Beer Day.....

Italy-Day 9, Assisi and a Lovely Family Dinner

Another early start to the day as we head to Assisi, home of St. Francis.  We landed in the parking lot for the Basilica of St. Francis. It was nestled high on the hill, offering beautiful views.  

Then we started the trek up hill, through town to the Basilica that you can see there in the distance.

Our guide for this tour was Romana.  She was a hoot.  She is so knowledgeable and made the tour so much fun that you didn't realize how much history you were learning.  Again, no photography was allowed in this building.  The monks take this very seriously, and we saw a gentleman being escorted out for not obeying this rule.

We had some free time at the end of the tour to take photos and do some shopping.  I'm sure you won't be surprised to see that we found a restaurant in which to enjoy a cocktail before heading to the home of Joseph and Luciana Castellani where we were treated to a home-cooked meal that was out of this world, and a piano concert by their son, Thomas.

As you exited the bus, you could see this beautiful home on top of the hill.  We were met by Joseph, who introduced himself.  Joseph was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of my home state,  Michigan.  

He is a Chiropractic Doctor and was assigned to work with the Women's volleyball team in Italy 40 years ago.  He met and fell in love with his wife, Luciana, and moved to her hometown town where they bought a ramshackle cottage.  They renovated the cottage into an apartment and lived in that as they continued to renovate and enlarge the property.  

They have 2 children, one of whom is currently living in Bologna and the other, Thomas, who is still at home.  We were then invited inside the first apartment to be served a family-style dinner.

Dinner was amazing.  The plates and wine glasses never emptied.  Joseph and Luicana were the perfect hosts.  

We were then invited into the main residence, where we were blessed with a piano concert by Thomas.  He is truly talented.  What an amazing experience with a wonderful family.  This is a memory I will cherish forever.

Italy Day 8-Spoleto

We had a lovely breakfast before getting on the bus for Umbria.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour trip to our first stop, the Old Carletti Olive Press.

Italy-Day 7, Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

We were up bright and early to catch a ride into the Vatican City for a tour of the Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

We were able to get some photos of  the Colosseum while en route.

Italy Day 6-Rome

Hello.  We had such an exciting first day in Rome that I was too exhausted to share it with you.  So I missed posting to you yesterday, but I'm back today to share our adventures.

We hopped onto this golf cart for a tour of Rome at 8:30 am.  We needed to get an early start because we had a very full agenda.

T is for Tomato

Michigan's Tomatoes are prolific and nearing the end of their growing season as summer comes to an end.  Peaches are being harvested, and the last of the Sweet Corn is found at street-side stands.  I took all of this end-of-summer bounty and created this gorgeous salad.

Italy Day 5-Museo San Severo, Rome

On the way to the train station in Naples, we stopped by the San Severo Museum, famous for The Veiled Christ, a statue carved from a single block of Marble.

No photography of any kind is allowed in the museum.  This photo is from the website.  It was amazing to see in person.

Italy Day 4- Isle of Capri

Our day started early with a trip across town to the marina where we boarded a boat and headed to the Isle of Capri.

Peach Bruschetta with Hot Honey #SundayFunday

You definitely want to make this delicious, beautiful appetizer while fresh peaches and tomatoes are still available.  Simple to make, and it's a good thing because they go so quickly, you will need to make another batch.  

Ricotta Cheese base, piled high with fresh Peaches and Tomatoes, then drizzled with Hot Honey.  OH MY YUM!!

Italy Day 3-Sorrento and Cooking Class

Slept in this morning until 8 am.  Had a leisurely breakfast and then a 1.5 mile walk to the town square.  Frank and I enjoyed a glass of wine and some appetizers as the others went on a shopping spree.

Italy Day 2-Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast

 We were up bright and early to head over to Herculaneum.  Herculaneum was destroyed in the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, along with Pompeii and 3 other towns.  While Pompeii was covered in ash, making excavation a little easier, Herculaneum was covered in molten lava, making excavation much more difficult.

Italy, Day 1- Sorrento

We landed in Naples this morning after a full-day flight, having departed Detroit at 10:30 AM on yesterday.

Adagio Pumpkin Spiced Tea Rubbed Pork Tenderloin #sponsored

 Pork Tenderloin, rubbed in a flavorful Pumpkin-Spiced Black Tea and grilled to a perfect medium.

Crispy Eggplant with Sweet Corn #CooktheBooks

Our Cook the Books Club August/September Selection was the memoir "Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook" by Alice Waters.

Smoked Kielbasa and Vegetable Skewers #SundayFunday

Smoked Kielbasa, Fresh Vegetables, Ripe Pineapple, placed onto skewers and grilled until warmed and tender.  A quick, easy meal to put a smile on your face.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are featuring Fresh Vegetables today.....

A Wine to Enjoy around a Campfire #WorldWineTravel

Our administrator for World Wine Travel, Camilla of Culinary Cam, asked us to share the sips and nibbles we enjoyed during our Summer Travels.

We recently purchased an RV and have been traveling locally, enjoying time with family and friends.

Mine Frite (Mauritian Fried Noodles) #EattheWorld

 A popular dish throughout Mauritius, this noodle stir-fry is quick, easy, and delicious.  Perfect for a Wok Wednesday, especially when you are traveling to Mauritius as you Eat the World......

S is for Semitas

When I visited Anthony's Key in Roatan, Honduras, we started each morning with a wonderful breakfast.  Staff would greet us with a smile, a hot cup of coffee, a fresh fruit plate, and a bread basket filled to the hilt with donuts, breads, and pastries.  

My favorite was Semitas, the Honduran sweet bread with a crunchy cookie-like topping.  I had one each morning, and a couple of mornings I had two!!

S is for Semitas......

Sourdough Multi-Grain Bread #BreadBakers

I used my Kitchen Aid to make the dough for this delicious bread.  You can also use the stretch and fold method if you prefer.  This bread is great for sandwiches, but we ate it all toasted and schmeared with butter and jam for breakfast.  YUM.....

It's time for Bread Bakers.......

Antipasto Skewers #SundayFunday

These little skewers are a fun, portable treat that packs up nicely in a lunchbox.  Who says lunch has to be boring?

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Lunchbox Favorites today.......

A Mai Tai for The Women and the Weekly Menu

Created by Trader Vic Bergeron, in 1944 in Oakland, California, this iconic cocktail is a blend of two different kinds of rum, orange liqueur, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup.

Parmigiana di Melanzane #FallFlavors

Enjoy this Sicilian-style Eggplant Parmigiana prepared without the breading on the eggplant, to bring out the natural goodness of this delicious vegetable.

A perfect, comforting dish celebrating Fall Flavors..............

Preserved Lemon Baba Ghanoush #FallFlavors

Earthy and delicious, this Eggplant Dip, flavored with Preserved Lemons, is perfect served with warmed pita, crackers, chips, and/or fresh vegetables.

Join us as we share recipes featuring the Flavors of Fall this week........

Roasted Beet and Tomato Salad #FallFlavors

Roasted Beets, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Freshly-Picked Basil, and Tangy Feta Cheese.  If there is any culinary season better than Fall, I have yet to discover it......

Look at how gorgeous and colorful all those Fall Flavors are......

Chicken Fajita Foil Packets #SundayFunday

All the delicious ingredients of Chicken Fajitas, wrapped up in foil, and cooked on the grill for an easy, fuss-free, mess-free dinner, perfect for Eating Outside.

I wrapped mine up like a burrito, so I didn't even need silverware!!  The Sunday Funday Bloggers are Eating Outside today....

The Weekly Menu when it is Suddenly September

Here it is....the end of August.  Where does the time go? 

A Composed Appetizer made For Grace #MoviesandMunchies

This Tunatini is a beautiful, elegant, tasty start to your dinner party.  It could also be served as a light lunch with some crusty bread.

Layers of fresh Ahi Tuna, Cucumber, and Avocado, layered in a slightly Spicy Sauce, in a Martini glass. Compose a dish as beautiful as it is delicious. 

R is for Rustic Rye Sourdough Loaf

A beautiful, rustic loaf of bread with tang from the sourdough starter and a nice texture from the three different types of flour used.

R is for Rustic and Rye........

Gingered Lemon Poppyseed Muffins #MuffinMonday

 Crystallized ginger, lemon, and poppyseeds give these muffins a unique and delicious flavor.

It's time for Muffin Monday.......

Oatmeal Waffles #SundayFunday

These waffles are made with oats, giving them a wonderful, toothsome bite that makes for a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast that will last you right up until lunchtime.

It's National Waffle Day and the Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating......

Chocolate Almond Truffles Inspired by Vianne

I just finished Vianne, the prequel to the best-selling novel and Oscar-nominated movie, Chocolat.  You do not need to have read Chocolat before reading this novel; however, you will want to read it after reading Vianne.

 

I was sent Vianne by Joanne Harris by Megan Beattie of MB Communications.  I agreed to write an honest review of the novel.  I was not compensated monetarily.

Ham and Cheese PinWheels and the Weekly Menu

These fun and easy Pinwheels or Rollups are easy and delicious.  I served them up as an appetizer, but they are also perfect for packing to take on a picnic or in your lunchbox.

Camping Life-Trip #4- Port Huron, Michigan

Our last RV Adventure to Jellystone Park in Frankenmuth, Michigan, was supposed to include the Angel Face and Little Miss M.  Unfortunately, Little Miss M, was under the weather and couldn't go with us.  

So I decided to make one last RV trip before we leave for Italy.  We packed up and headed to the KOA in Port Huron, Michigan.  Come join us on our Adventure......

Yogurt Bowls with Strawberry Swirl

I made a Strawberry Puree with some strawberries that were no longer beautiful but still perfectly ripe and delicious.  This puree works well in smoothies or stirred into yogurt for a quick breakfast treat.

A perfect way to start your day.......

Sourdough Banana Bread

This tender, delicious treat begins with sourdough discard.  I made mini loaves. Perfect for breakfast on the go, to pack into a lunchbox as an afternoon treat, or to enjoy for dessert after dinner.

Pie Iron Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches and a Book Review #SundayFunday

These delicious sandwiches are filled with thinly sliced steak, colorful bell peppers, tender onions, and Provolone cheese nestled between artisan bread slices and cooked in a pie iron over a campfire.

The Sunday Funday Gang are serving up Sandwiches today......

Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce, The Weekly Menu and a Book Review

This pasta sauce is ready in less than an hour, but it tastes as though it has simmered all day long.  This sauce can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Simply rewarm it and toss in a little of the pasta cooking water to loosen it for coating the pasta.

I was inspired to make this pasta dish after reading Under the Knife by Tess Gerritsen....

Grilled Fennel Salad and A Book Review #LitHappens

Slices of fresh fennel bulb grilled to tender, sweet perfection, tossed in a lemon vinaigrette, and topped with the fennel fronds.  A gorgeous and delicious salad.

I was inspired to make this salad after reading the memoir Fireproof by Chef Curtis Duffy......

Q is for Quesadilla

This quick and easy dinner is colorful and delicious.  Perfect for a busy weeknight or for a Fish Friday gathering to celebrate the weekend.  Flour Tortillas, stuffed with assorted colors of bell pepper, sweet onion, plump, juicy shrimp, held together with shredded Mexican blend cheese.

Q is for Quesadilla......

Preserved Lemon Scones and a Book Review #BreadBakers

These flaky, slightly sweet but more savory scones come together quickly using a food processor.  They have a deep tartness from the preserved lemons.  

 The Bread Bakers are sharing Scone recipes today......

Ražnjići (Montenegrin Meat Skewers) #EattheWorld

Almost every culture serves meat cooked on skewers.  They come by many different names.  In Montenegro, they are called Ražnjići and can be made with many proteins.  I used pork in my version.  They were scrumptious.

Please join us as we travel to Montenegro this month in our quest to Eat the World.....

Bean and Kielbasa Stew #SundayFunday

 Ready in less than half an hour, this stew is hearty, delicious, and best of all, it only uses one pot.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing One-Pot Meals today..................

A Culinary Visit to Umbria before my Actual Visit to Umbria #ItalianFWT

We are leaving next month on a long-anticipated trip to Italy.  We are flying into Naples, spending time on the Amalfi Coast, and spending a few days in Rome before heading to Umbria and Tuscany.  We will spend a day in Florence before catching our flight home.

Camping Life-Trip #3-Frankenmuth, Michigan

Day 1: The morning began with the disappointing news that my Little Miss M had been up all night with a fever and vomiting, so she was unable to join us on this trip.  

The Angel Face decided to direct and produce a video documenting our trip. She’s very talented and much more computer savvy at 10 than I am at this ripe old age!  I'm excited to share it with you.

This means, however, that she had control of my phone, so I have very few photos to share.

Grilled Vegetable Platter and the Weekly Menu #FarmersMarketWeek

Make the most of all the fresh vegetables available now at your local Farmer's Market and create a colorful, nutritious Grilled Vegetable platter.

Today is the final day of Farmers Market Week.  I hope you have enjoyed it and have come up with some great ideas on ways to enjoy all the bounty available this time of year....