Late August Harvests

 It''s still summer even though there are pumpkins and pumpkin spice everywhere. What that means is late August harvests and the tasty dishes that come with them. Take advantage of this, especially with your local farms and farmer's markets.

Even though there is nothing but Cylospora and salmonella your nearby farms offer picking for a price . There are also good  local farmers markets where the produce comes from smaller , more manageable farms where produce can be monitored. Tomatoes and bell peppers are thriving at this moment. Tomatoes mean sauce for fall and winter pasta dishes but use fresh ones for a silky tomatoes Provencale and ratatouille. For a cooling dish then tomatoes stuffed with tuna and mayo and the peppers with leftover rice and home grown herbs. Also think soups. Create a tasty minestrone with  them and the addition of white and green beans along with veggie broth, fresh garlic and parsley. Cook it in your crockpot if it;s too hot to use a stovetop. Onions are also in harvest right now. Tyr them stuffed with beef ,Piedmontese style or just have them sliced and battered for onion rings. Zucchini and squash are big right now. Make them stuffed with rice ,any kind of chopped meat and rice or sliced into coins and then sauteed in a mix of oil ,butter and garlic.

There are fruits that are ripe for picking in late August. This is peach season so go to the farms and start picking. It's a great activity for the whole family and many farms do offer family rates. What to do with peaches? Try a peach  jam.This only has the peaches  , some  lemon juice for preservation and sugar to create a lovely spread for croissants .Of course there is peach crumble . This is a tasty baked fruit dish topped with a mix of oats , brown  sugar ,cinnamon and lemon juice. Keep in mind that charred peaches are the perfect dessert with vanilla ice cream. Just split and it the fruits , brush with melted butter or oil and put on the grill for three to five minutes. Serve with scoops f ice cream or whipped cream for  more decadence.Blackberries are another late August fruit that's in abundance right now. A lot of the thickets are in the wild so you can easily go into  woods and pick them . Try blackberry crumble bars for a tasty sweet snack.Use old fashioned rolled oats and  whole wheat flour for a healthier version. Blackberries can also be made into a curd.It's pureeing the berries and  add ing whole eggs and butter>These are whisked together very a low flame and then placed into jars. Use it to slather on toast for a different breakfast treat. 

It's late August.There are still harvests to be used. Try what the month has to offer in tasty savory and sweet recipes.

It;'s Mocktail TIme

 Hot weather deserves a cooling sip. Mocktails fill his need .They can be chocolate-y ,fruit and/or minty. What they have in common is that they're perfect for the steamy days ahead.

One mocktail I'm enjoying now is peaches and cream. This is a yummy mix of peach nectar and vanilla flavored seltzer/It's just taking a tall glass and filling a third of it with a rich, thick peach nectar (Stop and Shop has the best and its; in an easy to our container) and then topping it with two thirds of the seltzer.This has gotten me through quite a few hot June days.I [an on making a non alcoholic Sunrise using it too. This  is mixing the nectar with lemon-lime flavored seltzer.  You can also mix the peach nectar with ginger ale for a kind of Bellini. These are perfect for a brunch with the kids. Keep in mind that apricot nectar can also be used in these drinks as well. Other fruits can be used in mocktails as well. This is blueberry season so think drinks with these bright blue little gems.Muddle or crush the blueberries until they're fully crushed and fragrant. It;s then adding a good splash of lemon seltzer and maybe just a drizzle of honey to sweeten the drinks (some of the berries will be bitter)> Garnish with a fresh mint leaf or two.

Yes, you can make a chocolate mocktail without the alcohol. This is a decadent fix after a summery seafood dinner.This is an easy mix of boiled milk with chocolate chips and a pinch of sea salt.  Add vanilla coffee syrup and mix well. The drink is then poured into glasses and chilled (think frozen hot chocolate). Serve in martini  glasses or tumblers that are rimmed with chocolate cookie crumbs.Another fun cocoa flavored mocktail is one that sort of would be in place at an ice cream parlor. Add a good squirt of any chocolate syrup (Bosco is great here) and some milk or cream. To give it fizz and oomph , top off with cherry flavored seltzer(It's basically an egg cream with something extra). You can also do the same with another fruit of the season - strawberries.Puree three or four strawberries and then add milk to them . Mix in equal parts chocolate syrup and plain seltzer.Stir until the drink is thoroughly mixed. Serve in a tall glass with a sliced strawberry on the rim.You can also make a simple strawberry syrup for this by cooking together white granulated sugar and Walter. Strawberries are added and crushed as  they're cooking . Strain out the pulp and seeds. This syrup can also be used in fruity mocktails too.

Happiness is a cold drink on a hot day. Make any of these mocktails to beat the beat. Sit back and sip.

Lidl Treats For The Weekend

 One thing Lidl is known for its it's treats. They have everything from tasty pizza to a wide array of sodas.If you're looking for fun eating this is the store to visit.

As everyone knows I"m a big fan of the store and love anything they sell.One of my favorite  weekend meals is their vegan flatbread pizza from

their Vendemi line.The pies are perfect for two people with two slices a piece. It's crispy and saucy.

Another weekend must have is Lidl's sodas.Again they're so tasty and a good price.A twelve can pack of their brand is only $3,00! I live their seltzer too which is only 89 cents a bottle.

I love their cherry ,especially for egg creams but they also have such flavors as peach and grapefruit ,perfect for summer mock tails or just filling a glass with ice.Another plus is that their fizz lasts twice as long as the national brand seltzers. It was still bubbly two weeks after opening and did not go flat.

If you're looking for some tasty treats for fun weekend meals, then shop at Lidl. They have the no doubt the best for interesting foods .Try them for a Saturday and Sunday full of treats.

Vitamin Plus

 Should it just be kids who take viamins. If your answer is yes, think again.Adults need them much more than kids and taking them is a good habit to get into.

I got into takin multivitamins thanks to the results of a blood tesr, My doctors recommended them after my panels showed I had a slightly lower white blood cell count. This is alarming because a low amount ,means a tougher time of fighting off infections. I went with Walgreen's multivitamin gummies, due mostly to their addition of  folate and B-12. This brings up the white blood cell or wbc count.Two a day does it and they are fun to eat, The flavors are pretty good, peach, orange and a combo of the berries.

Can you get this many vitamins with a healthy diet. Yes, but that means eating a lot of veggies and fruots. This is a good habit but sometimes you don't have the time or even the money to get fresh produce and meats. Let's face it too, a healthy diet can be a boring one too. Sometimes you want empty calories and junk food. 

Take those vitamins. Pick out what works for you. Gel cap, pill or gummy. You'll feel better and be better with a daily dose.

The Sparkle Of Waterloo Seltzer

 There are so many flavored seltzers out there.Yet they don't have the fizz and flavor of Waterloo. It's a refreshing change up from the usual fare.

I discovered it during a recent trip to Target. It looked intriguing and different. The flavors are not like the typical flavored seltzers. The company offers such neat flavors as blackberry lemonade and passionfruit along with a plain or unflavored one, perfect for mocktails and egg creams. The company was started in 2017 by a group of people who are dedicated to creating a crisp  and exciting bubbly water.

It's $3.99 for a case of eight at the store. it was a hard toss up between choosing the peach, watermelon , black cherry or grape. I love grape so I chose it. I was not disappointed.

It was refreshing with a very grape without that cloying sweetness flavor. It;s a better and micer alternative to all those diet colas I've been sipping on. I had two cans right away, enjoying the taste.I am definitely getting the peach and watermelon flavors for the holiday weekend ahead. I love that their site also has mocktail recipes which I'lkl also try too.

Waterloo Seltzer is the seltzer to have during these last hot days of summer. It's refreshing and flavorful, perfect for cooling off. Enjoy this sparkling treat !!!

Your Main Baking Ingredient Ice Cream

 It is too hot to bake a cake or pie.What do you do though to celebrate birthdays or just finish a nice family barbecue? You can still have these treats just think cold. Using ice cream as the base for any treat is the perfect way to have your cake or pie and eat it too.

One of the most popular summertime cakes in the US is the Dairy Queen Ice cream cake. Yes, you can buy it at any Dairy Queen however you can make it with your favorite flavors. If you're making the original start with the chocolate layer first. Spread the ice cream into an either eight by three or nine inch cake pan. A springform pan would be your best bet because it will hold the shape more. After filling pop into the freezer for half an hour. The gooey middle section is actually a ganache with corn syrup added. Adding this prevents it form freezing and gives it that classic oozy texture. Freeze for then minutes.Then there is that layer of chocolate crunchies. This can be ground up Oreos or better yet Nabisco Chocolate Wafers. These last  work the best because it's a cleaner layer without the white filling clumping it up.After layering this on, frreze for another half hour. The vanilla layer is added on last and then the whole cake is frozen until firm. Real whipped cream is added on. Add confectioner's sugar to prevent the cream from wilting. Keep in mind you can add any kind of ice cream. Try mint and chocolate or coffee and vanilla for a different flavor. You can also do this with ice cream cupcakes too.

Ice cream pies are an easier make.You can create your own Graham cracker or chocolate wafer crust. This is just griniding up the cracker or wafers and adding four to six tablespoons of melted butter or plant based butter. Press into a pie plate and then put in any ice cream you want. Try a classic vanilla in a Graham cracker crust and topped with sea salt caramel and nuts. You can also use the chocolate wafer crust too. Peach ice cream would also work well in a Graham cracker crust too. Add fresh cut peach slices for extra deliciousness.For a mocchaccino vibe think filling a chocolate crust with coffee ice cream. Serve with a dolllop of hot fudge sauce and a puff of whipped cream. This also works for chocolate chip mint  and strawberry ice cream too. Of course it's sheer heaven with chocolate ice cream too.Add sprinkles, whipped cream or chocolate chips. Crushed toffee on both vanilla and chocolate pies is also a great topping. Keep in mind that that you can also make ice cream tarts too this way.

It's easy to make a cake or pie even though the temps are high. Just use your favorite ice cream as the base. Create a yummy dessert that's a cool, sweet treat.

Your Scrap Garden

 Don't throw away those scraps! Those bits and pieces from veggies and fruits can be planted and regrown into more ingredients for your summer kitchen. It's a fun way to recycle along with being a thrifty one.

Most veggies can be replanted in your  garden or in pots.The alliums like leeks and scallions are easy to replant. Bunches come with small, white roots already sprouting. You can first plant them in a glass of water and then plant them in the garden or in a terracotta pot with good drainage.  Keep in mind these need a lot of bright sunlight. They can be placed by a window but outdoors is your best bet for growing healthy ones. what is great about them is that they just keep on giving. Pull them out, use them long green leaves in everything from sauces to soups and then replant the second generation of sprouts. Onions can also be grown from scraps or the whole veggie. Onions will start to sprout new growths if you leave in your crisper for a few weeks. Don;t throw them out. Add them to your garden too! Romaine lettuce, lettuce and bok choy can also be regrown. Save their stumps and place in a bowl filled halfway with water. You''ll start to see leaves after a few days!!!.That means it's time to plant in your garden. Potatoes and sweet potatoes can also be regrown too. Cut in half and place in a dark area like your basement.

Fruits are an easier regrow. All have seeds which can be replanted. Remember though that oranges and lemons do require warm weather. This is perfect if you live in states like Florida and California that have always been associated with the fruits Trees can freeze and damage can be done to both the blossoms and the fruit. You could grown them if you have a climate controlled greenhouse. If you 're in the northern part of the country,. then think apples and cherries along with peaches and plums.However most commercially grown fruit comes off of "grafted" trees. You may not get the same tasty fruit that you bought from your store. A Golden Delicious seed may not yield a Golden Delicious apple. You will get apples , and they'll still be delicious but they might be a Fuji or a Winesap.. The same is true with plums and peaches. Another point to remember is that it will take a tree two to three years to produce fruit. Still it's nice to even have a tree for shade. Make sure plum and peach pits are scrubbed free of any pulp and then air dried before planting.

Save those scraps!!!! They can be used to create a productive harvest and ingredients for your future meals. You'll be getting much more from your original buy.

Time For Summer Treats

It has been a strange summer with restrictions on both coasts along with shark sightings off of New York's Long Island. Yet we can still celebrate summer with the foods and treats we love so well.

August is the time of so many harvests.Tomatoes are still in abundance. Nothing says summer than a tomato and mayo sandwich on white bread. You could give this classic a Mediterranean twist by replacing the mayonnaise with olive oil and a good sprinkle of oregano. Of course this calls for a heartier bread such as Italian or French.Another summer favorite is Neopolitan bread salad  or panzanella which calls for tomatoes , cucumbers and onions. Another summer favorite is corn. Grilled corn with seasoned butter is a summer staple and one of the best sides. Lemon or herbed butter works as does honey butter. Add some flaky seas salt and fresh ground pepper for bite. Unfortunately most of the peach orchards are closed to families right now. You can still buy baskets of them at local farms and your supermarket. A plain one is good just on it's own but you can also slice and peel them for crumbles and pies. You could also make a peach sundae by splitting one in half and pitting it.Add vanilla ice cream and top with honey and toasted oats.

Boardwalk foods have always been a summer must.Some are open and take advantage of what they have to offer. A typical favorite is fried clams. You can make these at home using corn flour and cayenne pepper.Sausage and pepper sandwiches are another seaside must eat, especially in New Jersey. Use fresh green peppers and any kind of sausage from sage to vegan and fry up together. Core and julienne the peppers and then saute in oil. Add the sausages along with salt and pepper. Generously heap onto hoagie rolls. Cotton candy and candy apples are what really make those Boardwalk trips memorable.If you can go just for those however you can easily get them at home. Amazon has the best array of them , ranging from $57.00 to $400 in price. Get the most affordable along with the flavored sugars and cones. If you have qualms about making it, watch the many YouTube how tos on how to use the machine and swirl the floss onto the cones. Candy apples can be bought on line at Nandy's Candy's  of Jacksonville ,Mississippi if you can't make it to your favorite boardwalk. You can also make the coating at home using light corn syrup, granulated sugar and red food coloring.It's boiling  all three into a syrup and then dipping the apples into them. You could add coconut flakes the way the boardwalk stands do.

It's the summer and despite it all , it's a time to enjoy hot weather favorites. Grab that buttery ear of corn or chomp into that candy apple. It's all part of the fun that's the season.

Ayo A Tasty Almond Yogurt

Yogurts are always good for you. Add almond milk to the mix and it gets even better.AYO Almond milk yogurt is just that, good for you along with being delicious and even refreshing.

AYO is one of the oldest yogurt companies, starting in 1913 by the Billings family. They grew almonds in the San Joaquin Valley and also own Billings Ranch and Pacific Almond. The last produces a variety of different nut milks and even soups including bone broth. Being a big fan of anything almond, I decided to give the yogurts a try.
             

The four flavors are vanilla, peach , blueberry, and strawberry. They're not as thick as traditional yogurts, being made with almond milk. 

The texture's a bit like the Indian yogurt drink lassi, very liquid-y. All

the flavors , are colored the same , thanks to the addition of red cabbage extract

The vanilla is delicate in flavor while the fruit ones have small bits of peaches, strawberries or whole blueberries. They are perfect because they're not overpowering in taste. I think AYO yogurt would be good frozen as an ice cream. It seems to lend itself to it.They are low in calories too, another reason to love them. The blueberry and strawberry are only 150 while the peach and vanilla are 160 calories.

AYO almond milk yogurt is the perfect and refreshing summer snack. It's good for you and good for the planet. Try a  cooling cup today to beat the heat.

The Most Perfect Egg Cream

One of my favorite drinks - and it really should be considered a sweet treat -is the egg cream. My Dad introduced me to it on on our many trips to local diners.I recently discovered the best add in  - Bubly flavored seltzer. Mix this in for sheer heaven. Another plus is using Hershey's Extra Dark syrup. This is a new addition and it adds a richer flavor.

Many will have questions about what kind of milk to add in. I've used almond milk which does make for a creamy drink. You can use regular milk or even a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream which made up the original ones sold in Brooklyn candy shops.

Here is the recipe.

1 can of either Bubly Cherry , Raspberry or Blackberry flavored seltzer (if you're making a vanilla egg cream, then use Bubly's Lemon or Peach flavors)
1/2 cup milk any kind
one good squirt of Hershey's Extra Dark Syrup (or vanilla syrup if you want to make a vanilla flavored one - go easy with it .Vanilla syrup is intense)

Squirt a good half  inch (more if you want it more chocolate-y) of syrup into a tall glass. Fill glass halfway with any kind of milk. Add Bubly and stir with a fork (yes a fork) to aerate and create foam. drink with a straw or straight to catch all that yummy froth.

This is the improved version of what my Dad and I used to have.💙💙

Nectar Of The Foodies

One of the most refreshing drinks is nectar.It;s a variation of fruit ade and a nice change of pace.Nectar is also great as the base of some cocktails and fizzy drinks.it can also be used in recipes too for a fresh spin.

What is nectar? Many people confuse it with juice which is the pressed liquid from any fruit and then sweetened. Nectar is more or less the undiluted , untreated juice (although the definition does vary ) that contains some pulp or puree.In the US nectar can have as much as 100 per cent fruit juice and as little as 1 per cent with the supplements of sugar and corn syrup thickening it. Read the bottle or box before you buy and always pick the one with the best nutritional value. There are several different brands to choose  from. Goya is one of the best because the company has many different flavors from sugar cane to banana to guava and papaya. There is also the all natural brand Bionaturae, made with all organic fruit and naturally sweetened from apples from Piemonte Italy( a bonus in my book). They have more traditional flavors such as apricot and peach along with sour cherry and wild berry. Even grocery stores such as Stop & Shop have a really good peach nectar that is tasty and light without any cloying sweetness.

Most people will ask what can be done with nectars. They make excellent bases for homemade sodas. or sparklers. Add as much or as little nectar as you want and then fill  with seltzer or club soda. Peach nectar can be blended with champagne to make Bellinis , those oh so delicious brunch  cocktails. Mix it with cider to create a Baby Bellini.  Many cocktails can be created using guava and mango nectar too. Iced teas can also benefit  from a teaspoon or two of them and  it's a healthier way of creating a refreshing summer cooler. Nectars can also be frozen to create a fruiter popsicle as well and they can also be added to smoothies too  to give them a dash of excitement. Surprisingly enough you can also add any flavor of it to plain gelatin to make a more natural tasting version of Jello. Some muffin and cobbler recipes call for nectar as well to give it that boost of more flavor.

Try nectar and see why many love it .It is refreshing and versatile, being made into delicious drinks and treats. It's the perfect drink, the drink of the gods and goddesses as well as of foodies.

Gotta Go To Moe's

Mention Mexican take out  and most people cringe. It's usually either greasy or just too spicy . The fillings are not that exciting, and there's  also   not much choice. A new Mexican take out, Moe's Southwest  Grill is changing that. The food along with the atmosphere is fun - think a fiesta  instead of just another meal.

Moe's is one of the newest fast food and Mexican restaurants. This chain was started in 2000  in Atlanta Georgia.Unlike most southwestern themed eateries it does not drench itself in cutesy Mexican names. In fact most of the dishes are from  TV shows and movies. There's an homage to Seinfeld with the Art Vandelay and the Close Talker. Joey Bag of Doughnuts is a reference to the comedian Mike Birbligia from Comedy Central. Other references are taken from The Three Amigos to Caddy Shack. Hipness aside,it offers a wide range of dishes. There are huge burritos and their still ample junior counterparts.smaller tacos and a dish called stacks, a layered burrito, taco hybrid. Salads are served in crunchy fried taco bowls that  are     filledwith chosen ingredients.There's the burrito bowls, for those who like the filling but not the soggy wrap (although Moe's burritos are refreshingly chewy).Quesadillas, so long often ignored  at fast food Mexican restaurants, feature prominently here. There are kid sized meals too with fun names like Moo Moo Mr. Cow and Power wagon.  Extras    such     as guacamole , along with rice and beans, and pico di gallo  can be bought separately.

Moe's is definitely my new go to Mexican place.I  love their Homewrecker Junior burrito. This is an overstuffed sock sized wrap bursting with all sorts of good things that I picked out.Diners can opt for steak, chicken ground beef, pork, and tofu. as the main ingredient. Bacon, yes bacon,can also be added along with south of the border classics such as salsa and corn pico.   Other add ins are flavored rice  along with fried onions and sautéed onions.along   with   pico di gallo and the aforementioned guac, a yummier and smoother version of mine,I tried both the chicken and steak and they are delicious. They tasted fresh off the grill which makes for a more flavorful  burrito. The added rice is also good as  were  the sautéed mushrooms    Tortilla chips are added but those will be saved. They were just a bit greasy however can be doctored with some added sea salt and salsa. Moe's is also known for its' famed peach vanilla tea. I wound up with just a peach juice kind of drink .With enough ice it'll be a nice summer cooler on a hot night.

Moe's Southwest Grill is a fun food experience,It;s a new , refreshing take on Mexican food.It's not your typical tacos and burritos .It's something much better.

Almonds Healthy, Versatile And Fun

Yummy   foods are just that  but usually  bad for you . Healthy foods are good for you but taste like cardboard. However there is a happy medium in the humble almonds. It makes a great nibble but also an interesting addition to meals from breakfast to dinner. Best of all it has so many benefits for almost every inch of your body.

Almonds are one of the oldest nuts around. They are a cousin of a peach , surprisingly and the wild form is highly poisonous, being filled with prussic acid or cyanide.The name comes from the old French almande which derives from the Greek amygdala The Greek name  is also used to described the almonds shaped portion of the brain amygdala. Remnants were found in Jordan as early as 3000, BCE  during the Bronze Age. They are grown throughout Europe and as far north as Iceland. California has the largest almond production in North America. They are eaten the world over from cookies in Italy and China to salted street snacks in Iran. They are also one of the most nutritionally dense foods in the world., being super rich in Vitamin E. They're chock full  of the various Vitamin Bs too and are saturated in five minerals: magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese and potassium.It is lethal to those who have allergies and American almonds are first pasteurized to prevent salmonella. The nut is also made into a milk which is a great alternative to soy and also as a butter similar to peanut butter.

ALmonds can be used in almost every meal. Add some slivered ones to oatmeal or cereal for crunch and flavor. Spiced almonds are always a fun snack to make for yourself or for friends.Toss almonds with cayenne pepper and cumin for a savory nibble with heat. For a sweet crunch sub in cinnamon and stevia or stevia and cocoa powder. You can also first bathe them in a sweet syrup of honey and water first to make the seasonings stick. Almonds are downright yummy in salads. Try an Oriental style one, chock full of  chicken strips, mandarin orange slices and almonds. Another idea is combining almonds , cranberries and blue cheese together with Romaine lettuce and a sweet carrot ginger dressing. Ground almonds are a great low calorie crust for chicken ,fish and even pork One of the most classic dishes is stringbean almondine. This French classic is easy to make  with sauting the nuts and green beans in butter.Almonds are big in Spain and it's evident in their desserts.Try a Mallorcan almond cake, a mix of ground almonds eggs lemon and sugar.It is then baked and served with almond ice cream. Hoemmade almond cookies are also a nice dessert as is the exotic almond pudding which can be made with bananas or peaches.

If you want a tasty and healthy food then eat almonds. They can be a part of your breakfast lunch or dinner. They're a great snack ,plain r spiced and are an elegant ingredient in desserts. Their versatility is boundless, perfect for hoe chefs who want to expand their expertise with healthy ingredients

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Summer Harvest Fun

One of the best times to get creative in the kitchen is the summer.There is so much produce to experiment with along with different cooking and prepping techniques.Go to your local farm ,farmer's market or even your garden to get the ingredients of a fun meal. Tomatoes are in abundance right now.Many farms and gardens are yielding big juicy beefsteaks along with smaller varieties of plums and cherry kinds.These give home chefs the opportunity of creating a tomato only salad or a truly tasty Neopolitan bread salad.This last is a mix of any kind of tomato sliced up and marinated with chunks of stale Italian bread marinated in a garlicky vinaigrette.If you're a tad more adventurous then try a stab at ho,e made ketchup. You do need a lot of them, about three pounds, however most farmer s mArkets do sell tomatoes by the bushel.Another fun tomato dish is salsa.Nothing beats a bowl of freshly made tomato salsa ,especially at a barbecue or pool party.Corn is also in abundance .Try barbecue roasted corn ,not just with butter but with a tangy olive oil spread ,heightened with garlic and oregano.If you're still a butterphile then make flavored butters such Lemon and garlic but also think about honey, maple or chile butter spread.Peppers and onions are also in harvest right now.You can try stuffed peppers with grilled steak bits and tomato sauce or used as part of shish kabobs.Onions are also good in a tangy salad or minced as a burger topping. Summer fruit is all over the place right now too.Strawberries are still being picked as are blueberries. You can cook both up with a simple sugar syrup to use over wafflers or vanilla ice cream.Use these along with other fresh fruits in different andinteresting homemade ice cream flavors.Try a blueberry basil combo or a peach and prosecco sorbet.Crisps are one of the easiest and fun desserts to try, especially for novice home chefs.It's an easy cooked fruit stew with a.crunchy buttery topping.Cobblers are another fun summer treat,easily made with Bisquick.They're just a simple batter with any kind of fruit, even blackberry.Fruit can also be used in savory dishes too.Think peach and strawberry pureed in a chicken marinade.Blackberry and even blue berries work well in a steak marinade or even as a chutney alongside a grilled flank or skirt steak.Salads are definitely more zinger with the addition of fresh fruit.Just don't add a mélange of it ,that it overpowers the other ingredients.A better idea is using pureed fruit in a homemade dressing instead.Also juicing fresh fruits and adding the juice to ice tea is another fun and easy way to enjoy the produce of the season. A full summer harvest is like an artist's palette.They're so many different ones to use in creating a fun culinary masterpiece.Pick up or just pick your supplies now for some inventive and tasty cooking.

Compotes A Perfect Summery Treat

June brings an abundance of fruits in harvest.There are blueberries and strawberries, cherries and peaches.These are some of the season's best ,all ripe and waiting to be picked.One of the best dishes to make with all this extra fruit is compotes.This is an easy recipe and oh so versatile. Compotes has been around since the MiddleAges.It's basically stewed fruit that originally came from a Byzantine recipe.It reached it's heyday during the reigns of Louis XIII?In fact the name comes from the French word for mixture. A simple compotes takes only ten minutes or less to cook up.Fruit is cut and pitted and placed in a medium saucepan with a quarter of a cup of both sugar and water( you can use less water if you want a thicker compotes)'Any fruit can be used.You can even try combos such as blueberry and peaches or a straw berry rhubarb mix.The finished product can be stored in the fridge.It's a great way of using all that extra fruit after a day of serious picking. Some gourmets disdain compotes, claiming they're too old fashioned for modern tastes.They are far from being right.Compotes are excellent in crepes or perfect topping ice cream.Whip up a cherry compote with brandy to create a fantastic cherries jubilee. Try. A strawberry one with vanilla ice cream for especial parfait.Compotes is also good topping plain pound cakes and cheesecakes. Compotes can also be served with puddings or topping an ice cream pie. Surprisingly compotes are a great side with any beef or pork dish. try a cherry or blackberry one with beef ribs or roast pork topped with a peach compotes.Their sweetness brings out the savory , earthy side of the cuts. If you have fresh picked fruit , then make a simple but elegant compotes. they are delicious to have whether on ice cream or pound cake.You can even have it with barbecue fare.Either way, it's a great way of having the fruit of the season in a new way.

A True Summery Sangria

The summer calls for sangria to accompany rich seafood paellas and grilled spicy  chops. It is the perfect drink also for cooling down on hot nights. Yet it doesn'thave to be cliched as it has been for decades.It can be as light and refreshing, great for the steamy season ahead.

Most people know sangrias as an almost Hawaiian Punch creation loaded with fruit. Eric Asimov  goes well past this in yesterday's The Our Column in the Wednesday Food and Dining section of The New York Times. Sangria, he discovered was usually served in a sprinkling of Spanish restaurants that opened up in New York after the 1939 Spanish Civil War. It was reintroduced after the 1964 World's Fair.What was introduced then is what Americans have been drinking ever since. Unfortunately it's more of an Americanized soda pop version of the drink, made with Rioja and a ton of fruit chunks. It's a lot different in its' native region, After all sangria (translates from blood in Spanish) has been around for 2,000 when the Romans cultivated vineyards in Spain.

Mr. Asimov has discovered a sangria that is perfect in true flavor. Thanks to bartender,Rafael Mateo, at the Spanish  Pata Negra in Manhattan's East Village. Mr. Mateo uses a base of garnacha instead of Riojo because it's not tannic, Layered onto that is rose and orange liqueur along with the surprising addition of orange soda for bubble and fruit flavor. Cut fruit is added only at the very end instead of being put in in the beginning and left to soak. There is another recipe, Sangria Penedes that would be perfect after a grill of lamb and beef chops. This has grapefruit  juice tossed in along with Mathilde or any other peach liqueur Cava and one peach , diced and added later for flavor and decoration.

Sangria is a great summer drink. If you're going to have it with a barbecue or paella , make up a pitcher of the real stuff. It's the perfect way to kick back and enjoy a warm summer evening.

The Ham Versus Lamb Controversy

Every Easter cooks are faced with the same dilemma. What to serve - ham or lamb? Both are traditional and appropriate for the Easter holiday. Both are well loved and non chef can go wrong with them. yet who is th e winner. What will guests like more?What will make the best leftovers and most of all what has the best best.

Ham is always a good main Easter dish. The Germans have been been making it for a few centuries now. It's good accompanied by fresh made potato sala d and baked beans. What's even better is that it can make good sandwiches later on and can be stretched out into the week. leftover ham can be deviled, sliced or chunked and put into salads ,omelets, you name it. Ham is also lower in calories It's only 220 a serving. Another good thing about it is that some supermarkets are offering it either at half price or free for return shoppers as an Easter gift.Ham is also easy to prepare. Depending upon the cut ham can take anywhere for an hour to two hours to roast. it requires little or no prep and usualyl you just need to glaze it with pineapple juice or ginger ale. Some cooks go to the trouble of studding it with clove and you can do that if you want. it;s not necessary however.

The other traditional Easter meat is lamb. It;s mostly a Mediterranean dish , typically served by the Greeks and the Italians. during this time, Lamb is the better choice if you're having a large dinner party because , depending o the size , it can serve more. However because of this it does have to roasted outdoors on a spit over an open flame. Conventional ovens are too small for it. Some diners can roast whole lambs for a price. You can also buy leg of lamb for a smaller crowd. Lamb is more flexible than ham in the sense it can be prepared a number of different ways.. it can be herbed with rosemary an d parsley, studded with garlic or covered with a sweet peach glaze. Unfortunately it's double the calories of lamb and also what can be served with it is pretty limited. It's usually more expensive than ham too however some butchers and supermarkets do offer great discounts during this time of year. Lamb can be reheated for th e next day and is delicious with pilaf or any kind of rice dish.

Ham versus lamb. Itss a tough call. What goes best on your holiday table? That;s your choice. Both are tasty. Ham is easier to cook while lamb offers a variety of preparations. Sometimes it's just easier to splurge and make both . Any way you , your family and Easter guests will enjoy a delicious and traditional meal