Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad

Sometimes a classic salad is the best choice and easiest “go-to” salad for a summer evening.  This dish is certainly one of the old standbys that works for many occasions. Summer tomatoes are the best for this dish and thin slices of fresh mozzarella are super tasty.  I grow basil every summer in my garden…

Summer stovetop shrimp boil

Over the years, I often serve this dish for summer suppers.  Everyone seems to love all the ingredients, which are very easy to prepare and serve.  This year, I added some turkey sausage, as many recipes feature some type of andouille sausage in their dishes. This recipe is a bit different from the one I…

Shrimp, corn and tomato soup

Soup can be a wonderful healthy summer dinner choice. This recipe comes together very quickly, within thirty minutes, and is perfect with a green salad. I found the original recipe in Real Simple magazine, August 2015, but I did make some changes based on personal preference. Here is a delicious soup that is perfect to…

Cupcake icing

Recently I used this almond buttercream icing for birthday cupcakes.  In fact, instead of making a large birthday cake, these cupcakes were a perfect alternative for the birthday celebration. Buttercream is delicious and by making a small amount of the recipe I found in Frostings by Courtney Whitmore, I was able to easily decorate twelve…

Zender’s noodles

A city within Mid-Michigan named Frankenmuth offers traditional German food, entertainment, shopping and cultural events. One of the dishes that is served in their famous chicken dinner restaurants is traditional buttered noodles.  These noodles are delicious and why wouldn’t they be as they are prepared with Ritz crackers and butter. This is not a low-calorie…

Maple glazed pork chops

Recently I found a terrific recipe for pork chops in a Taste of Home publication, which when prepared was absolutely one to try again.  The pork was tender and the maple glaze was totally perfect for the dish. The recipe comes together within thirty minutes and can easily be prepared in an electric skillet. Here…

Bacon and tomato frittata

Summer brunches are a perfect way to entertain.  Guests love to enjoy the morning sunshine and a quick and light summer meal.  Frittatas are a easy way to serve a crowd without having to stand over the stove preparing individual egg dishes. This bacon and tomato frittata is very tasty and one that is perfect…

English muffin pizzas

As a flashback from the past, I remember making these mini pizzas for my young family when a quick after school snack was requested.  I remember how delicious they were, so decided to try them again for a quick on-the-go meal. Use your favorite English muffins, slicing them down the center.  Toast the muffins before…

Summer spinach stuffed mushroom appetizer

Over the years I have shared several stuffed mushroom appetizer recipes, but this one is very different.  It uses spinach as the main ingredient for the mushroom appetizer.  The taste profile of this appetizer is delicious, and one that guests will truly enjoy.  Even though summer appetizers most often are served cold, this one could…

summer salmon from Jessica Seinfeld

I have been truly enjoying my new cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld. Food Swings offers this recipe which was totally delicious. I did broil my piece of salmon longer than she recommended in her recipe. I also adapted her ingredients, but used the same combination. To be specific, I used low sodium soy sauce — I…

Ice box toffee pie

Summer desserts are often no-bake desserts.  Always delicious is an ice box pie.  As you may know from reading my blog, some of my favorite flavors are maple, toffee, coconut, and caramel. This pie uses English toffee bits and has a wonderful flavor which guests will certainly enjoy on a summer evening.  The pie comes…

Barbecue for the 4th of July

Summer grilling and barbecue season has been wonderful these past few weeks in Michigan.  The weather has been lovely minus one weekend which showered us with an above average amount of rain.  However, yesterday was absolutely beautiful for the 4th of July. I have been truly enjoying a new product from the Charcoal Companion which…