Labor Day Cooking!

This year I’ve decided to have a different take on Labor Day. Usually my neighbors and I go out and we enjoy the sales or the events going on around town. But this year after moving into my new apartment at the Estates at Heathbrook I want to enjoy my Labor Day weekend here at home.

So I’ve invited a couple of friends and neighbors over for a Labor Day lunch! I’m so excited you don’t even know. I really enjoy cooking and this is a great way to utilize my skills. Not to mention I find it quite relaxing.

I’ve created a menu (yes I know that sounds like it’s a bit too much) and my friends and neighbors will be bringing over the items for the meal. This way I can the meal isn’t too expensive and everyone feels like they’re helping.

Afterward we’ll hang out by the pool and just enjoy our day off! What are you doing for Labor Day?

Here’s our menu for our Labor Day Lunch!

Appetizer
Baked Caprese Salad

Entree
Southwest Turkey Burgers

Dessert
Cranberry Granita

Photo by madaise

Cooking Smarter!

My mother is  a great cook. End of statement, there are no “ifs, ands or buts” about it. She’s good at cooking, and she never needs a recipe. She throws things into a pot and voila out comes a masterpiece. Now while my mother is a great cook, she’s not the healthiest cook. She loves butter, frying, anything that involves high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Ever since I’ve moved into my apartment at The Estates at Heathbrook I’ve been trying to make her recipes a bit healthier.  I try using ground turkey, less salt, olive oil and other alternatives. But sometimes I need to reference some smarter cooking tips, it’s not easy because the way my mother does it makes the food so good.

Here are just some of the tips I use to cook smarter, try them out!

Method- Try grilling, boiling, steaming and poaching your foods. It’s a healthier way to cook.

Spices- Use herbs and spices rather than salts to add taste to your meals!

Fruits and Veggies- Add more fruits and vegetables to your recipes and meals!

Photo by pillowhead designs

Memorial Day is upon us!

Yes that’s right ladies and gentlemen the holiday that marks the beginning of Summer is almost here. What are you planning for this fun filled holiday? What’s not to enjoy…you get a day off! This holiday is just the beginning of sparkling pools, great grilling and hot weather. No matter what you’re doing, here’s a great recipe to bring to your next social gathering.

Chicken Cobb Burger

# 8 (1/2- thick) strips bacon
# 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, 90 percent lean
# 2 tablespoons canola oil
# Salt
# Freshly ground black pepper
# 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
# 4 burger buns, split
# 1 large ripe beefsteak tomato, cut into 4 slices
# 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into 8 slices

For the vinaigrette:

*
* 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
* 1/4 teaspoon sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 cup finely shredded romaine lettuce

You can find the directions here!

Having Dinner with the Neighbors Soon?

I recently had dinner with my neighbors and I really wanted to make something delicious. However I’m not the best of cooks, so when I do cook I look for easy recipes. I was on Food Network’s website and I found the perfect recipe to impress my neighbors, Lamb with Chianti Vinaigrette. Sounds like it’s hard to make doens’t it? It’s actually very easy and tastes amazing!

Lamb with Chianti Vinaigrette

* 4 to 6 lamb rib or loin chops
* 2 cups Chianti (or other red wine)
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

Directions

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Grill until caramel-colored grill marks appear, and an instant-read meat thermometer registers 125 degrees F. for medium-rare, about 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness.

Meanwhile, place the wine in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil gently until reduced to 1 cup, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Whisk in the honey until dissolved. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.

Serve the lamb chops on a platter with a serving bowl of the Chianti vinaigrette alongside for drizzling over the meat.

Photo by museinthecity

Where You’re Treated Like Royalty…

It’s always great when you first visit a restaurant and you completely enjoy the place. Your experience from start to finish is great, I recently had the opportunity to have that!  I went to the Royal Orchid and had the yummiest Thai food experience.  Their food is delicious and the service is even better.

They want to bring a warm atmosphere to their guests and traditional Thai food to your palette.  While you may have to wait for your food you are sure to know that it’s made fresh to order with great taste.  I truly have enjoyed this place and it’s really easy to find.  They are located off of Emerald Coast Pkwy. and it’s a straight shot from the apartments.  Call (850) 650-2555 for more information on Royal Orchid Thai Cuisine.

Photo by aussiegall

An Insider’s Guide to the Best of Ocala

Ocala has its fair share of chain restaurants and fast food joints, but there are many locally-owned eateries dishing out some delicious meals. For starters, try Tony’s Sushi Japanese Steakhouse, Amrit Palace, Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine and Horse & Hounds Restaurant.

When it comes to nightlife in Ocala, it’s all about neighborhood bars and pubs. Popular spots include Charlie Horse Restaurant & Lounge, Bankshot Billiards and Second Thought Improv.

An Irish Treat!

Country Rhubarb Cake

Ingredientes

Scone dough
340g/120z plain flour
1tsp baking soda
pinch salt
50g/ 2oz caster sugar
80g/30z butter
1 egg
175ml/l6fl oz buttermilk

Filling
700g/1lb rhubarb, roughly chopped
200-250g/7-9oz sugar
white of 1 egg, whisked
caster sugar to dust

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F, and grease a 25cm/10 inch deep pie dish. Sieve flour, baking soda and salt into a mixing bowl. Add caster sugar and rub in butter. In a separate bowl, beat the egg together with the buttermilk and gradually add this to the flour until a dough is formed. Knead lightly on a floured surface and divide dough into two. Roll out one half and use it to line the pie dish. Fill the dish with the rhubarb and sprinkle with the sugar. Roll out the remaining dough to form a pastry lid. Brush the rim of the pastry base with water and put on the lid. Glaze with the whisked egg white and sprinkle with caster sugar. Make steam slits in the lid and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and the fruit is soft. This pie is also delicious if made with apples.

For more Irish Treats

My Favorite Tasty Herb

I recently purchased a rosemary plant for my apartment. I love cooking with rosemary and saw no reason why I couldn’t get it fresh from my own plant. I’ve had this little guy for about 3 weeks and it has already doubled in size. I was letting it get established in it’s new home but I think it’s time to start using it and trim it back. Here are some cool facts about this tasty herb.

Rosemary is one of the oldest cultivated herbs in the world. It is particularly associated with the Mediterranean area of Europe. Through the centuries rosemary has been used for a variety of culinary and medicinal uses – this essential oil has been used in all manner of ways.
Source http://www.rosemary.com/

Battle of the Nuts

Peanut butter takes me back to my college days when I would run across campus with a jar of peanut butter just eating it with a spoon. While I still love it but I’ve decided I need a more grown up option for my peanut butter cravings. That is what led me to almond butter. It’s got a different flavor but it’s still good. Plus it’s healthier for you. Have you ever tried almond butter? Did you like it?

You are what you eat!

It’s hard to believe but you can lower your cholesterol, fight off free radicals, reduce your risk for heart disease and cancer and improve your mood just by eating superfoods. These foods have lots of nutrients and are packed with disease fighting powers. Here are some of the top superfoods. Be sure to get your daily dose.

Pumpkin
Salmon
Soy
Spinach
Tea (green or black)
Tomatoes
Turkey
Walnuts
Yogurt
See more Superfoods here.

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