July 2011

Hand-dipped Sugar Cones

July 29, 2011 Dessert

Though I am well past school-age and work 20 hours a week, summer still feels like vacation to me.  The relentless sunshine and days spent on the pool deck certainly contribute to that feeling, but it’s more that there is a sense of “Ahhhhh….”  The kids are chill, the days are long and lazy, and we eat ice cream just [...]

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Crazy Lime Chicken

July 26, 2011 Chicken

I am always looking for a new “best” recipe that satisfies in two important ways: it has un-pampered ingredients AND instructions that mere humans can conquer without requiring years of training at the Cordon Bleu.  And, so, I spend a lot of time online, skimming ingredients lists, instructions and reviews.  I look for the key phrases that say “deal-breaker”to me, or at least guarantee [...]

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Mango & Black Bean Salad

July 22, 2011 salad

Salads have been my savior this summer. I am just starting to discover all the different flavors out there that make these salads shine.  Today’s recipe, adapted from a Cooking Light recipe, features mango, lime and cilantro for a fresh and citrusy kick.  It’s balanced by brown rice and black beans, which add a good dose of fiber and protein as well.  Make [...]

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Muggle-Made Waldorf Salad

July 20, 2011 salad

There are a lot of reasons I wish I lived in Harry Potter’s world – a whole novella of reasons, in fact.  There’s the whole Time-Turning thing (that could be useful given my foot-in-mouth disease), not to mention the convenience of Disapparating anytime I need to get somewhere.  And, I’m sure I’d be a passionate Quidditch fan and seeker wannabe.  However, magic [...]

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Bacon Apricot Zingers

July 18, 2011 Appetizers & Snacks

Newsflash: I love bacon.  Evidently I’m starting to get a reputation.  Friends forward me recipes, share links on Facebook about bacon-only events, and buy me novelty candy featuring this favorite of flavors (bacon mints, not bad!).  Perhaps soon they’ll pen a country song…”Bacon Gets My Heart to Achin’ ” or  ”She Got the Dog. I Got the Pig. That’s Alright [...]

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My First Fondue

July 15, 2011 Fondue

I am at that age where friends are having BIG birthdays every other week.  There is always a reason to celebrate! This is great, because otherwise I would probably never go anywhere more posh than the Ninety Nine, and even then only on a “kids eat for free” night. Tuesday a quartet of longtime friends and former volleyball [...]

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Pulled Pork and Peach Tostadas

July 13, 2011 Crock Pot

Pulled pork. Fresh peaches. Barbecue sauce. Ever since I saw this mouth-watering photo on Meg’s blog, I have been dying to get these flavors together on my own plate.  Finally, a month later, I did it, and boy was it so worth the wait!  I didn’t have polenta on hand (go figure), but by some miracle there [...]

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Fish Tacos with Tangy Guacamole

July 11, 2011 Fish

There I was, driving through the Fenway on my way to work, when this billboard enters my view: FISH TACOS.  “Yuck! Fish in tacos?! Really? Gack.”   That reaction can be chalked up to a childhood aversion to all things fishy — undoubtedly a result of being required, by a well-meaning neighbor, to watch him gut his fresh catch.   I like fish now, really, but [...]

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