Quick Lunch Idea: Caprese Sandwich!

On June 28, 2016June 20, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

Do you ever get in a rut? Eating the same lunches… do you need something different? I have an idea!

Tomatoes are so good right now, and my basil is thriving, so I thought, hmmmm, what to make for a quick lunch! I picked up some Ciabatta rolls at Trader Joe’s – popped them in the oven until they got nice and warm. Then I added sliced tomato (oh! ah!), sliced fresh mozzarella, leaves of basil, then I drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, slapped on the top half of the roll and tada! Lunch is served!

What do you make when you get in a rut? Something different! Let me know!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

In the blink of an eye… dinner is served!

On June 21, 2016June 14, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, HEALTH2 Comments

Well isn’t this a nice tidy little dinner to take outside and toss on the grill? There is so much in season right now that tastes fantastic, we are so fortunate! We usually split a chicken cutlet (a chicken breast sliced horizontally). The chicken breasts are just so huge we both get kind of freaky about them… so this has been a good solution. Add a few ears of corn, and a peeled and sliced sweet potato (that I have microwaved just until I can start to insert a fork easily), toss in a wee bit of olive oil, thread on skewers with some Vidalia onions and it won’t be long before dinner is served…

Yum! Sometimes we have a small salad to go along with, or sliced cucumbers in Greek yogurt and apple cider vinegar with a sprinkle of dill. A favorite any time! It’s nice to grill outside (thank you Fred!), it helps keep the kitchen nice and cool!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Mural on Mira Winery Building – Charleston, SC – Can you name the chef’s?

On June 7, 2016June 2, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Charleston, FOOD1 Comment

This is so cool. This mural was painted on the side of the Mira Winery (Wine tasting in Charleston, SC | Napa Valley Education Center). Artist David Boatwright painted this mural depicting local chefs in town. Can you name them? Answers HERE!

If you aren’t familiar, check out the MiraNapa.com website!

Read a bit about it from CharlestonCityPaper.com!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Need a quick meal idea? Corn tortilla with chicken, salsa, and pepper jack cheese!

On May 31, 2016May 24, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

This is a quick meal that can be put together in no time flat. You can even cook the chicken ahead of time and just do a quick reheat.

For 5 corn tortilla’s we grilled one chicken breast and sliced it thin, (if you need it faster, using kitchen scissors cut the chicken breast into small pieces and sauté until done, if they aren’t thick, it should cook quickly). Heat the tortillas*, then top with what you like, we topped with pepper jack cheese for a little kick, some fresh salsa and I whipped up some guacamole. This was delicious!

*Heating the tortillas. I have a gas stove, so the best way (for us) has been to place a tortilla on a (clean) grate of the stove. Approximately 10 seconds, then flip, until it starts to wilt downwards, then another quick flip just for a sec (I think maybe because I like to flip?). It takes no time. I then placed it in foil to keep it warm (and wrapped in a clean kitchen towel), I heated all tortillas and then assembled.

Add what you like, doesn’t matter what it is, you could use black beans in place of chicken, etc. I buy corn tortillas with three ingredients: corn, water and lime. Nothing else. I served this with blue chips and the rest of the guacamole!

Note: I made 5 tortillas, 2 for me and 3 for Fred – it was enough with the added guacamole and chips.

Enjoy! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Marine City Fish Company – Michigan!

On May 24, 2016May 19, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

Bell’s Battered Fish & Chips – Marine City Fish Company, Marine City, MI

Last time I went to Michigan to visit family, we stopped at a favorite place for dinner. Marine City Fish Company. They have fresh seafood from the nearby lakes (wallet, perch, whitefish, salmon) and they have “Oceanside Seafood”. Normally I pick the local variety, but this flash fried, beer battered, Icelandic cod sure did sound good. The hand cut shoestring fries were amazing, and I’m not a big french fry eater… the homemade tartar sauce was impeccable. The carrots tasty, as was a good-size garden salad. Very good! Of course I had to get the photo shoot in prior to taking a bite, I’m just glad I remembered! Check out their menu! I love menus, ha ha!

This photo is from a previous visit, this is the Cedar Planked White Fish with homemade chips. Wow! Wow! Wow! This actually won a photo contest years ago (thank you Jericho)! It’s as beautiful as it was delicious!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage and Broccolini!

On May 17, 2016July 22, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Penne with Italian Sausage and Broccolini

Let me tell you, this is the stuff dreams were made of! Inspired by a few recipes (one was Ina Garten’s and the other was from Food.com). I merged a few recipes together, made some changes and came up with the recipe below. Recipes should be made with things that you like. They’re a guide, but the sky is the limit!

A note about this recipe. The first time I made it, I made a 1/2 recipe to be sure we would like it. It was beyond like. It was love at first site, ha ha. So, if you have a busy week coming up, make a full recipe, it gets better and better each day!

Click HERE to print my version (below) of this recipe – it’s a keeper! The use of onion is optional. I’ve tried it both ways, I love onions, so I always add it but it’s excellent without in case you have someone opposed to onions!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Flashback: Island Inn Monhegan – Lunch in the Dining Room…

On May 3, 2016April 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Maine, Photograph4 Comments

Posting a few *Flashback* photos of lunch at the Island Inn dining room from 2015. I can tell you that each and every meal at the inn was a treat. The fish tacos were outstanding! And the iced tea, ahhhh… the iced tea is fabulous!

And… the Maine lobster roll was so extremely fresh, I believe it just crawled off the boat! Not full of mayo like many Lobster Rolls. Just delicious!

I’m not sure of this year’s menu, but whatever they come up with you know it will be good! In past years we have had lunch at the Barnacle, by the wharf. That’s always fun, you meet some interesting people that way! They used to have sandwiches in a refrigerated case, wonderful sandwiches, turkey, etc., then they served condiments on the side, which is nice if you prefer plain, etc. The refrigerated sandwiches are perfect if you’re not a fan of grilled sandwiches. Always something to look forward to (like breakfast and dinner, hee hee)!

Back to normal posting 5/16!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Cappucino Treat – at Black Tap Coffee!

On April 30, 2016April 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, FOOD2 Comments

I took this photo while Fred and I were sitting at the coffee bar, looking out of the screened window at Black Tap Coffee in Charleston. It was a beautiful day, so it was such a treat to have the windows open.

I think it’s so cool how the design that they make on your cappuccino stays until the very last sip. This is coffee at it’s finest!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

In A Hurry? Newman’s Own Pizza with Arugula – Delicious!

On April 26, 2016April 13, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTS6 Comments

What a delight! Newman’s Own Four Cheese (frozen) Pizza (Multigrain crust with flaxseed) is a fabulous option when you’re in a hurry. Just pull it out of the freezer, put it into the oven to bake (10 minutes), then pull it out, top it with baby arugula, a light drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of parmesan.

The arugula adds the nicest flavor!

Newman’s Own pizza does not taste like frozen. I never bought frozen pizza until a friend (thank you Heather!) suggested this one. WOW! Was she ever right! Our local Harris Teeter carried the (uncured) pepperoni, which is tasty, but we just wanted plain cheese, so they have started to carry (thank you Harris Teeter!).

For a thin crust, this one is perfect, not too thin, but not thick and doughy… A fabulous treat!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How to Make Avocado Toast!

On April 19, 2016April 19, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Recipe7 Comments

One of my favorite things in the world… AVOCADO TOAST! (Pictured above with red pepper flakes – YUM!)

There are so many renditions of avocado toast, each as wonderful as the next, but a few of my favorites are the avocado toast from The Daily in Charleston, SC – Last summer it had a slice of an AH-mazing heirloom tomato on top of the avocado- WOW! Lately it’s been avocado on grilled crusty bread with za’atar spices (OH MY GOSH!) and a drizzle of olive oil.

I had some good crusty bread from the bakery and thought I would give it a whirl. I didn’t have the Za’atar spices (will buy for next time, they sell them at The Daily), so I toasted the bread (I didn’t grill), then spread avocado, a drizzle of olive oil and S&P. I took a bite, hmmm, good but missing something, so I sliced a small lemon wedge, gave a little drizzle. BINGO! That was all it needed to brighten the flavor and take it from good to GREAT in a second or two!

Soooo good with or without the red pepper flakes! What’s your favorite rendition? Do you like the avocados smushed (YES!) or simply sliced (I think they slide off the toast like this, but it’s pretty!)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A healthier version of a cheese toast – so wonderful!

On April 12, 2016March 28, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I could eat this Every. Single. Day. I always keep baby arugula in the fridge, I love it in omelets, on sandwiches, pizza and all by itself!

This looks very decadent, but these pieces of bread are small (wonderful bread from a local bakery. Very rustic, bread with substance).

I lightly toast the bread first, then add some grated sharp cheddar, put it on a baking pan and put it under the broiler for just a minute or two (HAVE TO WATCH IT – Don’t walk away!) Once the cheese starts to bubble, pull it out, cut it in half and put a heaping bunch of arugula dressed in olive oil & balsamic (you can even add to the dressing a tiny bit of honey, but not much). Then eat the rest of the arugula on the side.

This is a FABULOUS LUNCH!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Quick and Easy Wild Rice with Cranberries and Walnuts in a Citrus Dressing!

On April 5, 2016November 14, 2019 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

Continue reading “Quick and Easy Wild Rice with Cranberries and Walnuts in a Citrus Dressing!” →

Chocolate Biscotti Recipe! A KEEPER!

On March 22, 2016December 4, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Chocolate Biscotti… this is such a wonderful recipe. Truly your eyes will roll back into your head with delight! This is a great recipe to make and leave a few out and freeze the rest. Then when you need that chocolate treat pull out a few. You will be so glad you did! Wonderful depth of chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder, white chocolate baking bar, and semi sweet chocolate.

One BIG change. In the recipe below where it says Butter or MARGARINE… BUTTER! BUTTER! BUTTER! NO MARGARINE!

Another hot tip (thanks Mom!) is to use mini semisweet chocolate chips and mini white chocolate chips, doing so eliminates the chopping of the baking bar. Quick and easy!

This recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine years ago. Click HERE to print the recipe from their website – it’s one to file away to keep forever and ever! (Note: I do not add the optional glaze (omitted from the recipe as shown below) – it doesn’t need it, and freezes better without it!

Directions look long, but really it’s not that time consuming. Biscotti dough is thick, so if you have a heavy duty mixer, that will help immensely… When I first started making this recipe I didn’t have a Kitchen Aid mixer. So you have to use some major elbow grease to get things mixed up. The Kitchen Aid does it with no effort at all… love that mixer!

Can you imagine a more fitting treat for your day? Can you believe this recipe has been reviewed 21,000 times? Amazing. A definite favorite!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Roasted Cauliflower – Quick, Easy & SO WONDERFUL!

On March 8, 2016February 29, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Roasted Cauliflower. I love it! It gets nice and sweet and the flavor profile changes completely when you roast it. It’s so quick and easy to do.

Did you realize there are different colors of cauliflower? Green, purple and plain white. I chose a purple cauliflower this time (they all taste the same) – it was fun! I break into fairly small florets, they take less time to roast. If you have the time you can leave them in larger pieces. We were having this with grilled chicken, so I didn’t have a lot of time, therefore the small pieces.

Break the cauliflower into florets and drizzle with a little olive oil in a large bowl. Swirl the cauliflower around with your hands to coat it thoroughly. Then lightly grease (I always use olive oil or organic canola oil) a cookie sheet (this one I use for roasting). Turn the oven on 400 degrees F. Once the oven has preheated, place the cauliflower on the cookie sheet and space the florets out a bit, a little sprinkle of S&P. This will roast for 25-45 minutes (depending upon thickness). Flip about halfway through, you will see that the cauliflower is browning, this is GOOD, this is TASTY STUFF! Once it passes the fork test (fork easily goes through a thicker piece of cauliflower), it’s ready to eat! You can eat just like it is, or a quick little sprinkle of parmesan.

Speaking of parmesan… not the brands that apparently have wood filler in them, sigh…

Portrait of my cauliflower – Hee.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Recipe: Ham & Cheese Noodle Casserole – The ultimate in comfort food!

On February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe, THOUGHTS5 Comments

Ham & Cheese Casserole

A friend sent me this recipe. Oh. My. Word! I changed up only a few things, I used less butter, substituted low-fat sour cream, used a little more cheese, and a wonderful noodle I found, I also thinned with milk because Fred likes a thinner sauce – I included the original recipe, and then my version below. This casserole is comfort food at its very finest. There are no cream soups with unknown ingredients, good ingredients = a healthier meal for sure!

You can make this as healthy as you like. Less cheese, no problem, I think I’m going to try using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. One day. So afraid to mess it up. But I have substituted Greek yogurt in recipes in the past with good results. I will update this post if I do!

Click to print (both) the recipes (minus all my words)!

The original recipe (from a friend, thank you Heather Locke!!):

HAM & CHEESE NOODLE CASSEROLE

4 Tablespoons butter

1 small onion, chopped fine

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup grated Gruyere or Swiss cheese

1 ½ cups finely chopped cooked ham

Salt

½ pound noodles, ¼ inch wide, cooked.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 2 quart casserole dish. Melt the butter in a skillet and cook onion over medium heat until soft.

In a small bowl: Mix the eggs and sour cream together, then add onion, cheese and ham. Add salt to taste. Put the noodles in the casserole dish, then add the sauce and toss gently. Bake for 45 minutes or until a straw inserted in the middle comes out clean.

_________________________________________________________