In case you haven’t heard about the viral Boursin cheese recipes floating around the internet, let me enlighten you. They will make your world a brighter place. So quick and easy – in a very short time you can end up with a restaurant quality meal (my opinion). I made this for the two of us and we had leftovers a few days later. #perfection Just see how easy it is with so little ingredients!
Continue reading “Boursin Pasta with Tomatoes & Spinach – it’s so easy!”
It was a sunny, pretty day, first day of Spring when I made this pasta salad. The sun was warm and fresh ingredients sounded divine. So I whipped together this pasta salad, great served on a bed of arugula and spinach. Thankful my husband doesn’t mind standing outside and tending to the grill on days like today when the yellow pollen is wafting through the air.
Continue reading “Bowtie Pasta with Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Herbs in a Balsamic and Lusty Monk Vinaigrette!”
I love the recipes from the New York Times (NYT) Cooking site! I’ve run across some amazing recipes – and I always read the comments – they’re full of helpful substitutions, ideas, etc. It’s a hot summer day here in Charleston, SC – so I whipped up this gazpacho which was a welcome dinner – I had to forgo anything warm. I served it with homemade sourdough bread and brie. #wow
Continue reading “The Best Gazpacho (Ever)! | NYT Cooking”
Looks delicious, right? The Charleston Farmer’s Market (CFM) is off and running… and it couldn’t be better! Fabulous fruits, veggies, crafts, art, and all kinds of treats for both humans and our four legged friends. We try to get there early because it gets crazy busy which is fabulous! I remember back in 2008 the CFM was ranked 5th Best Farmer’s Market in the Country! CFM has also been named the Top Outdoor Event by the Charleston City Paper readers for the last four years in a row! This year will be no exception!
We headed there last Saturday and stocked up… gorgeous, juicy tomatoes, crisp radishes and these fabulous field peas… What a treat to eat something so fresh and wonderful! I simply browned 2 pieces of bacon (I bought 2 pieces of bacon from EarthFare – best ever!), cut up an onion and threw that in, once it was translucent, I added the rinsed and drained field peas, covered them with water, brought to a boil and left the cover partially on… Then I started a pot of rice, and by the time the rice was finished dinner was ready! OH! Everything was so delicious!
Here’s a blip about the Charleston Farmer’s Market from their website:
Regular CFM Hours
April 13 – December 21, 2013
Saturdays 8:00am – 2:00pm
Select Sundays:
Piccolo Spoleto Festival Hours 9:00am-3:00pm
May 26, June 2 & 9
Holiday Magic Hours 9:00am-3:00pm
December 1, 8, & 15
Location:
Marion Square
King & Calhoun Streets
Admission: FREE
Founded by Mayor Joe Riley in 1989, and the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, the Charleston Farmers Market is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, in cooperation with the City of Charleston Parks Department. Over the years, the Charleston Farmers Market has received numerous awards: in 2005, the Charleston Farmers Market newly revitalized and relocated back in the renovated Marion Square, received the Three Sisters Award from the Charleston Save the City Committee; in 2008, the Market was ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the top 10 best Farmers Markets in the nation; and in the Charleston City Paper reader’s poll, “Best Of,” the Charleston Farmers Market was named Best Outdoor Event in 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012!
Now, permanently located in Marion Square, the heart of historic downtown Charleston, S.C., the CFM is open each Saturday, from April to December, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with select Sundays During the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and Holiday Magic. The CFM is dedicated to the support the advocacy of Lowcountry farmers and growers. We offer a variety of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers as well as breakfast and lunch Vendors, live entertainment and an assortment of juried arts and crafts from local artisans. Attracting citizens and visitors alike, the CFM is the community connection every Saturday morning from April through December, bringing together people from all parts of the Lowcountry and beyond.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I am about to make you a very happy camper… I’m going to share with you a recipe that is OUT OF THIS WORLD DIVINE! This salad is refreshing on a hot summer day (hot is an understatement, I do believe the tires on my car are melting as I type this)… You can throw this together in the morning and have it for lunch or dinner… it’s a great light dinner. You know what health experts say… Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Meaning to eat your biggest meal first and lighten up from there. I know. I don’t like to eat breakfast either… but…! We try to do that when we can, it’s not always possible, but once in a while we get it right…
Continue reading “Roasted Shrimp and Tomato Orzo with Feta… Cool on a hot day!”
When you buy POMI tomatoes in a carton you’re buying tomatoes with no BPA in the packaging, no preservatives, citric acid, artificial flavor or water. Just tomatoes. BPA. Bisphenol-A. Once thought as harmless has been undergoing closer scrutiny. It’s in many plastic bottles (which is why we see the emergence of so many “BPA Free” plastics). What everyone doesn’t realize… it’s also in the plastic lining of cans… such as cans of tomatoes, soup, vegetables, the list goes on and on… There is a good article (click HERE) regarding the fact that BPA dangers may be worse from cans vs. plastic bottles… What can you do? Buy cartons or buy from companies who don’t use BPA in their cans, I believe EDEN FOODS and TRADER JOE’S. Hopefully by now there are more, but check it out. It can (possibly) cause many problems INCLUDING breast cancer… (read the article for further details). The best thing to do is not eat out of cans. That can’t always be done, but you can limit the amount of food eaten from cans. MAKE YOUR FOOD. Instead of buying a (processed) can of soup, it’s much healthier to MAKE your soup. Let me tell you… SOUP IS EASY. It just requires a little time and you will have one big pot that you can freeze into individual servings or eat for several days. It will end up being more cost effective if you make it AND you’ll know exactly what’s in it! Let me know if you know of any other BPA-free companies that have canned goods.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Let me start by saying. This. Is. Awesome. AND more importantly, I’m not really a bean eater. Some beans are OK, black beans, chili beans, but I don’t seek them out… this recipe changed my outlook on beans. This is one quick dish that is out of this world good. This tastes like it came straight from Italy. The only thing you heat is the oil and mainly to infuse the garlic into it. Trust me, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite!
Click HERE to go directly to Martha Stewart’s site to easily print the recipe, or see below… either way… ENJOY!
Prep/10 min. Total Time/35 min. Serves: 4
Fredrick Vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A, gives us the scoop:
The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people’s body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. “You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that’s a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young,” says vom Saal. “I won’t go near canned tomatoes.”
The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe’s and Pomi.
Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.
IMAGE: Prevention.com
ARTFOODHOME.COM 