It’s Summer! Weekend Special

It’s time for some summer fun. Swimming, boating, biking, tennis or golf, name your sport and have a great time. Just be sure to end the day with a delicious cookout with family and friends.

Not sure what to throw on that grill? Let the southwest inspire you!

Start the evening with a craft beer, chips and a great salsa. May I suggest my Grilled Corn, Black Bean & Avocado Salsa?

On to dinner, you can’t go wrong with a burger. I think that everyone will enjoy my Southwest Turkey Burgers. Complete your meal with a spoonful of Jicama Slaw and Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad.

For dessert, the first local strawberries are here! How about Panna Cotta with Strawberries or Strawberries with Yogurt Cream?

Happy summer – have a great weekend and bon appétit!

For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! © Susan W. Nye, 2017

Happy Father’s Day Weekend Special

Okay Daddy-o, it’s time for a little celebration. We’ll be fêting my dad with a little lunch on Sunday. What about you? Most dads will take casual over fancy any day. Casual doesn’t mean ordinary. Make your celebration special with a delicious cookout.

I’m still a bit up in the air when comes to my menu. I’m debating between stocking up on some artisanal sausages. What could be easier? Or throwing some burgers on the grill. Still pretty darned easy! With goat cheese and sundried tomato aioli, my Not Your Ordinary Burger is simply spectacular. My sister is bringing a salad. However, you might like to try my Insalata Caprese . The first tomatoes are in at our local farm stand! Dad might also like a spoonful of Grilled Potato Salad.

For dessert, I’m leaning toward Strawberry Tort.

However, if you’re thinking of dinner rather than lunch, you’ll still want to start with an appetizer or two. How about Roasted Beet & White Bean Hummus and Rosemary Cashews?

Next, you’ll want to try my Insalata Caprese.

For the main course, your dad will love my Grilled Steak with Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic & Rosemary-Balsamic Glaze. Throw a few asparagus spears and red potatoes on the grill and you’ve got dinner!

Dessert … you still can’t go wrong with Strawberry Tort.

Happy Father’s Day! Have a great weekend and bon appétit!

For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! © Susan W. Nye, 2017

Another Dreary Weekend Special

Good golly Miss Molly … will it never end. Yes, indeed it looks like another dreary weekend. Although it might not actually rain until Monday, partly cloudy and very cloudy are in the forecast. Forget May flowers, it’s June already. In some places, it is already summer.

Alright, if you can’t play in the sun, you might as well invite family and friends around for a delicious dinner. How about an evening inspired by the sunny Mediterranean?

Get out the retsina or ouzo and try your hand at my Crostini with Cucumber, Radish & Feta or Crostini with Red Pepper Tzatziki & Greek Salad. If you want to really impress, then whip up a batch of my Spanakopita Triangles.

Assuming no downpours, you’ll need the grill again for the main course. I hope that your friends and family enjoy my Grilled Lamb with Fresh Mint as much as mine did the other night. If it’s raining or you don’t want to deal with the grill, try my Chicken with Onions & Olives or Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs. Serve any and all of the above with my Lemony Green Rice or Israeli Couscous. Complete your dinner with Grilled Ratatouille Stacks.

Save room for a sweet. I can’t help but go for strawberries this time of year. While we are still waiting for local berries, you can always make due with what’s in the market from California or New Jersey. Try my Fresh Berries with Creamy Lime Custard or Panna Cotta with Strawberries.

Stay dry and have a great weekend! Bon appétit!

For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! © Susan W. Nye, 2017

Memorial Day Weekend Special

They’ll be three or four deep at the deli counter at the supermarket. The long line of trucks and SUVs with trailers and boats will create what passes for a traffic jam in Elkins. A constant stream of walkers and runners will pass my house. What’s with all the hustle and bustle? Oh, that’s right; it is Memorial Day Weekend in New Hampshire. The summer people are back.

Memorial Day Weekend is always a busy time with lots to do to get ready for summer. With a mixed bag of rain, clouds and sun, you’ll need to juggle indoor and outdoor chores. When all that prep work is done, reward yourself, family and friends with a delicious dinner.

Relax with a glass of wine and dip into my Roasted Beet & White Bean Hummus and a few Rosemary Cashews.

Get out the grill for the main course. I’ll be grilling lamb this weekend. What about you? Maybe you’d like to try my Grilled Lamb Chops with Lemon-Mint Yogurt Sauce. Lamb not your thing? How about Grilled Swordfish with Olive & Caper Salsa. Lemony Green Rice will be delicious with either. Complete your dinner with a tasty Asparagus Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Time for a sweet. You will find both strawberries and rhubarb in the market. If you have not tried my Strawberry-Rhubarb Soup – please do! Or save the Rhubarb for Muffins and try my Strawberry Shortcake with Cardamom Cream. Feel free to add a few blueberries for a patriot dessert of red, white and blue.

Have a great weekend! Bon appétit!

For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! © Susan W. Nye, 2017

What to Celebrate Weekend Special?

So we’ve got a couple of thing going on this weekend. First and foremost, today is Cinco de Mayo. It’s raining again, so a sunny Mexican-inspired meal sounds pretty good about now. If you don’t have time to fiesta tonight, then you can always celebrate the Kentucky Derby tomorrow.

Here are a few ideas for your Cinco de Mayo feast!

For starters, how about the Middle East meets Tex-Mex with a tasty Chipotle Sweet Potato & White Bean Hummus? Or try my Corncakes with a dab of Roasted Red Pepper Dip.

Move to the table and a simple salad. My Romaine & Radicchio Caesar Salad is delicious. Now for the main course. My grill is still on porch so I’m good to go with Grilled Shrimp with Salsa de Cacahuate y Chile de Arbol and a side of Grilled Zucchini, Onions and Peppers and a spoonful of steamed rice.

And for dessert … as far as I know my I Love Lime Pie has nothing to do with Mexico. However, it is delicious. That’s a good enough reason for me. How about you? Feliz Cinco de Mayo y ¡buen apetito!

=o=

Now, what about Derby Day?

Celebrate the Derby with fun and festive cocktails! It’s not a Derby without Mint Juleps:

Kentucky Mint Julep
Serves 1

1-2 tablespoons minted simple syrup
Crushed ice
2 ounces bourbon
Garnish: sprig of fresh mint

Put the syrup in a tall glass or silver Julep cup, add about 1 cup crushed ice and the bourbon. Add more ice and a splash of water to almost fill the glass. Stir well and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Minted Simple Syrup
Makes about 1 1/2 cups

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bunch mint

Put the water and sugar in a heavy saucepan. Stirring frequently, heat over medium until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue simmering for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mint and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the syrup, cool to room temperature and refrigerate until cold.

Can be prepared ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.

Now the question, what to nibble while you watch the sport of kings?

How about a make-your-own crostini bar? Grill up some bread, add some breadsticks and artisanal crackers and let your friends mix and match. To build your crostini bar, start with a Duo of Pestos Artichoke and Sundried Tomato and add a small bowl of Tapenade. Grilled Vegetables are lovely on crostini. Asparagus, zucchini, tomatoes, onions and peppers … any and all are delicious. While you’re at it, throw a few Shrimp on the Grill.

Alright, what’s next, hmmm … how about Chicken Liver Pâté and Smoked Salmon Mousse. Of course, you’ll want some cheese … a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano, a log of goat cheese and maybe another wedge, this one Stilton or Gorgonzola. Be sure to include something sweet, maybe some honey or Fig Jam and add some nuts. Walnuts and pine nuts are always a good choice.

Top off the evening with something sweet: In keeping with the make-your-own-theme, how about a sundae bar? A few quarts of your favorite ice cream or gelato and some delicious sauces, Chocolate, Caramel and Maple, one, the other or all three, work for me. Some fresh berries would be nice too!

Stay dry, have a great weekend and bon appétit!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below. I’d be delighted to add you to the growing list of blog subscribers. To subscribe: just scroll back up, fill in your email address and click on the Sign Me Up button. You’ll get an email asking you to confirm your subscription … confirm and you will automatically receive a new story and recipe every week.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!

© Susan W. Nye, 2014

What Happened to the Sun? Weekend Special

It’s been a dreary few days. Rain intermittently interrupts the drizzle but refuses to clear the gray skies. I’m doing my best to think positive thoughts for the weekend. I’m doing my best to remember that I’ll be sitting on a beach before I know it. You will too!

For now, take it inside and enjoy an evening with friends. Here are a few ideas to brighten a dull weekend!

Pour a glass of wine and share a platter of scrumptious treats. Start with some fresh vegetables and artisanal crackers and add some Artichoke Pesto and Roasted Red Pepper Dip. Complete the picture with a wedge of your favorite cheese.

Sit down to something different. How about individual Roasted Beet Tatin with Goat Cheese & Walnuts. Quite elegant and tasty too!

For the main course, something with asparagus sounds wonderful. It’s too early for local stalks but it makes me think of spring. My Coq au Vin au Printemps and Ravioli with Saffron Cream, Grilled Asparagus & Mushrooms are delicious one-dish suppers.

For dessert? My seasonal favorites include I Love Lime Pie and Maple Crème Brûlée.

What have you? Any special plans for this dull and dreary weekend?

Bon appétit!.

.

 

For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!!

What’s up with you this weekend? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! © Susan W. Nye, 2017

Easter Brunch Special

If dinner is more your style, check out my trio of Greek, Italian and French inspired Easter Dinner menus.

Are you one of those people who would rather brunch than lunch or dinner for Easter? Brunch is a good idea if you want to free up the afternoon for a hike, a long bike ride or a nap. Regardless of how you spend the afternoon, I’ve got a great brunch menu for you to enjoy with family and friends.

When it comes to brunch, you can’t go wrong with a cheesy pie. Try my Quiche Lorraine, Spinach Ricotta Pie or Asparagus & Goat Cheese Tart.

Of course you’ll want a big bowl of berries … strawberries, blueberries and blueberries are delicious with a dollop of my Lavender Infused White Chocolate Cream or Creamy Lime Custard.

Next, add a scone or a pound cake or both. I love lemon anytime, especially in the spring. Give my Lemon Scones or Lemon Pound Cake a try.

Top it all off with a delicious cup of espresso or a cappuccino and your favorite cookie. How about Cherry-Pistachio Biscotti or Almond Macarons with Chocolate-Raspberry Ganache or both!

Have a lovely Easter and bon appétit!

What are your plans for Easter? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going.

Want more? Click here for more seasonal menus! For a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog Click Here!

© Susan W. Nye, 2017