Summer Recipes

 

Ok Friends...I am listening to your advice and sharing some recipes from our 4th of July Weekend....hope you enjoy and please let me know if you give any of these a try!

 

Cracker Smack

 

 Say what?  Truffle Garlic Cracker Smack to be exact...Laurel scored it at a cute little shop in Ogunquit, ME called "Spoiled Rotten."  It was so good that we hopped on line and all ordered some in different flavors..it is a mix that you combine with olive oil and mix with mini Saltines and it is addictive!  SO GOOD!

Peach Caprese Salad

 

You can find my recipe HERE

 Truth be told, for this past weekend, Laurel requested that I do a peach and tomato caprese...that is her favorite salad that I make so I did just that...sounds weird but looks beautiful and it is delish!

 

 It is easy to throw together...just slice up tomatoes, peaches and bourrata and layer them and alternate colors....I also add crusty bread because bread makes everything better right?  I toss in sliced basil AND mint...love the extra kick!  Then I drizzle with both truffle honey and balsamic glaze and top it off with a little salt and pepper...it is the perfect summer appetizer or side!

 

 Our main course was Boiled Lobsters...nothing better with melted butter....Quintessential New England!  We also had Corn on the Cob of course...and then some more interesting sides...

 

Beth Ann's Baked Ziti

Don't know how she makes it but it is pure magic....everyone LOVES it...I promise when I get the recipe from her, I will share it with you...until then...let your mouth water...

 Barefoot Contessa's Roasted Shrimp and Orzo 

 

 

 Find the Recipe HERE

 

 Berry Crumble

and for dessert...Laurel whipped up one of her specialties...Berry Crumble...you know what is so special about this recipe?  She got it out of one of Elin Hilderbrand's earlier novels "Here's To Us"...I just finished that book and devoured the story and all of the recipes she included from the fictional chef in the book "Deacon Thorpe."

 

 So patriotic...so beautiful and oh so delish!

 

Below is the recipe if you would like to give it a shot!

 

 Ingredients

1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and halved 1 pint whole unsweetened blueberries, fresh or frozen

 1 pint whole unsweetened raspberries, fresh or frozen

¾ cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

⅓ cup cassis

 

TOPPING 1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup light-brown sugar, lightly packed

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup quick-cooking (not instant) oats (I like to use McCann’s, from Ireland)

12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) chilled, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

 

 

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Combine all the berries, sugar, flour, and cassis in a large mixing bowl and toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly combined.

Spread the berry mixture evenly over the bottom of an 8 x 11–inch ceramic baking or gratin dish.

 

To make the topping: Place the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and oats in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Blend together on low speed. Add the chilled butter, and continue mixing on low to medium-low speed until the dry ingredients have become moistened and crumbly.

 

Sprinkle the topping over the berries, covering them almost completely.

 

Bake the crumble until the fruit juices are bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of ice cream/whip cream

  

So that's our patriotic goodness- hope you enjoy- let me know if you try a recipe or two!