Brownie Chunk Cheesecake

Brownie Chunk Cheesecake

Serves 12.

Quite the presentation for a dessert that's not all that complicated to make.  Not only will people love the way it looks, but they'll love the way it tastes.
Slighty adapted from: Cooking Pleasures magazine

Crust:
31 cream-filled chocolate cookies, crushed
1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
3 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 T. vanilla extract
1 c. sour cream
1 c. heavy whipping cream
4 eggs
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 to 2-1/2 c. coarsely chopping brownies

Topping:
3 oz. milk chocolate, chopped
Heavy whipping cream

Heat oven to 325 degrees.  In a medium bowl, stir together all crust ingredients.  Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan.  Wrap pan with heavy-duty foil; freeze 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed until blended.  Beat in sour cream and 1 cup cream.  Add eggs one at a time, beating just untl blended.  Slowly beat in flour.  Fold in brownies.

Place springform pan in a large baking or broiler pan.  Pour batter into crust (batter will come within 1/4" of top edge).  Add enough hot tap water to baking pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. 

Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until edges are puffed and top is dry to the touch.  Center should move slightly when pan is tapped but should not ripple as if liquid.

Remove springform pan from baking pan; remove foil.  Cool completely on wire rack.  Refrigerate overnight. 

Melt milk chocolate and a few tablespoons of cream in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.  Add cream by the tablespoonful until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.  Drizzle over top of cheesecake.    Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Pomegranate Margarita

Pomegranate Margarita

Makes 1 drink.

A margarita with a pomegranate twist!

2-1/2 oz. pomegranate liqueur
1 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. triple sec
Splash lime juice
Splash triple se

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain into a margarita glass. Serve as-is or on the rocks.

Easy Delicious (Garlic) Bread

Easy Delicious (Garlic) Bread

Serves 12.

My mom used to make this often when we were growing up, and still does today as she knows it's one of my brother's favorites!  You can use a plain Italian loaf or one of the Italian loafs that is flavored with roasted garlic.  This works best with a loaf that has a slightly chewy (but not crunchy!) crust and a soft interior.

1 loaf Italian bread or Garlic Italian Bread
1 stick butter, softened (or melted)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Slice bread into 1" slices.  Spread softened butter (or use a basting brush for melted butter) on both sides of bread slices.  Push back together into a single loaf, wrap with foil, and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

A Note From The Little Lady: Because butter does not need to be refrigerated, you can make this ahead of time and leave it on your counter until ready to bake, which makes it a great go-to when entertaining or throwing dinner together on a busy night.

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine Bake

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine Bake

Serves 12.

The picture was taken before I baked it.  I didn't have a chance to snap a photo afterward before we ate.
Adapted from: recipe on Ronzoni Garden Delight Fettuccine box

2 pkgs. Ronzoni Garden Delight fettuccine
4 T. butter
4 t. minced garlic
2 pkgs. (8-oz. each) cream cheese, cut into cubes
4 c. milk
3-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Grated Parmesan cheese

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.  In a skillet over medium heat, warm 1-2 T. of olive oil, and then add chicken.  Cook until no longer pink.  Remove from skillet and set aside.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.

In another large skillet (or the one you used for the chicken) over medium heat, melt butter.  Add garlic.  Cook and stir for about 1 minute.  Add cream cheese and slowly add in milk; stir until cheese melts and mixture thickens.  This may take a while.  Add chicken; toss to coat.  Transfer to a large baking dish; top with Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and just beginning to brown.

A Note From The Little Lady: If you want to make this ahead of time, cover with foil and store in refrigerator until ready to bake.  Increase baking time to 1 to 1-1/2 hours, removing foil after about 45-60 minutes.

Turkey Bacon and Hash Brown Bake

Turkey Bacon and Hash Brown Bake

Serves 9.

Use Egg Beaters (or a combo of Egg Beaters and eggs) for an even healthier breakfast!
Slightly adapted from: Ore Ida and Butterball coupon page

1/2 pkg. turkey bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces

1/4 c. vegetable oil

4 c. frozen hash browns, thawed

1 small onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

8 eggs

1 c. fat free evaporated milk

1/2 t. salt

1-1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, heat oil in another large skillet over medium high heat. Cook hash browns for 2 minutes, turn over and cook for another 2 minutes. Add vegetables, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Transfer evenly to the prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and salt. Stir in cheese and cooked bacon. Pour evenly over potato mixture.

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until eggs are set.

The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

If you liked The Help, give this book a try.  It's a little more intense, but an interesting and intriguing read. 

Review from Amazon:

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family.
Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.
The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail.

Barbequed Chicken

Barbequed Chicken

Serves 6.

I doubled the recipe for a family gathering, hence the mound of chicken breasts in the photo above. But for enough marinade for about 6 breasts,

follow the recipe below.

Barbeque chicken on the grill is a classic summer recipe.

Slightly adapted from: Williams-Sonoma Grilling & Roasting cookbook

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 T. unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1-1/2 c. tomato ketchup
1/3 c. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c. steak sauce2 T. cider vinegar
1/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar


In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer until thickened slightly, about 20 minutes. Set aside.

Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce for basting while grilling, and 1/2 cup of sauce for passing at the table once you've sat down to eat. Use the remaining sauce to marinate the chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight.

Grill chicken breasts over medium heat until cooked through, about 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Coq Rogue

Coq Rogue

Makes 1 drink.

This one's stiff! 
Source: Retro Cocktails

2 parts light rum
1 part gin
1 part freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
1 part triple sec

Stir or shake with cracked ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve straight up.

Love Story: A Novel

Love Story: A Novel by Erich Segal

A short and sweet book.  You can read this in a day, and sometimes, after a looong, mentally challenging book, you need one of these.  A book that you can get through quickly, clear your mental palate, and enjoy a simple little love story.

Product descrption from Amazon:

The Phenomenal National Bestseller
and Enduring Classic

He is Oliver Barett IV, a rich jock from a stuffy WASP family on his way to a Harvard degree and a career in law.
She is Jenny Cavilleri, a wisecracking working-class beauty studying music at Radcliffe.
Opposites in nearly every way, Oliver and Jenny immediately attract, sharing a love that defies everything ... yet will end too soon. Here is a love that will linger in your heart now and forever.

Guacamole - for a crowd!

Guacamole - for a crowd!

This guacamole typically gets rave reviews.  Bring it to you next summer gathering!

5 avocados
2 cloves garlic, mashed or diced as small as possible
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
3 limes, juiced
2 t. salt

Slice avocados in half; remove pits and scoop avocado flesh into a large bowl. Add garlic, red onion, cilantro, juice from limes, and salt. Mash until well combined. Add additional ingredients to taste.

A Note From The Little Lady: Optional guacamole add-ins include corn, freshly chopped tomato, black beans

Chocolate Chip Pie

Chocolate Chip Pie

Serves 8.

Mmm... yum. It's like eating a huge, soft chocolate chip cookie topped with light and fluffy homemade whipped cream. Actually, that's exactly what it is!

Source: The Dean Bros. cookbook

Pie:
1-2/3 c. all purpose flour
3/4 t. salt
3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Whipped Cream:
1 pint (2 cups) heavy cream
1/8 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. miniature semisweet chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" pie plate; set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In a bowl with an electric mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture, a little at a time, and mix until fully combined. Fold in the 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips. Transfer the dough to the prepared pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake about 27-30 minutes or until the pie is golden an slightly firm to the touch but still soft. If the pie begins to darken too much before it is baked through, cover with foil and continue baking. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack.

While the pie cools, whip the cream until soft peaks form (tips curl). Add the powdered sugar and whip until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate whipped cream until ready to serve pie. Spread the whipped cream over the pie and serve.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

When I started reading book 2 (follow-up to book 1, The Hunger Games), I momentarily considered putting it down and not following through with the triology.  Science fiction books have never been my favorites and at page 100, I still wasn't feeling hooked.  But I pushed through and by page 150 I was feeling the same urge to keep reading that I felt the second half of the first book.  By the time I finished, I had already requested book 3 from the library...

School Library Journal review from Amazon.com:

Starred Review. Gr 7 Up--Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.

Tyson Grilled & Ready

Tyson Grilled & Ready

As a Foodbuzz Tastemaker, I had the priviledge of trying out a new Tyson Grilled & Ready product.  I chose the Fajita Chicken Breast Strips, from the freezer section, and decided to make... no surprise here... fajitas.

Here's The Mister's fajita trio:

And a singleton, so you can actually get a glimpse of some of the chicken:

Overall, the chicken was a breeze to prep and great for when you need dinner ready in a few minutes.  Like all frozen chicken strips, however, I just feel like it's not a replacement for freshly cooked chicken.  There's something about it that just doesn't do it for me.  Would I buy these again?  Yes, because it's so nice to have something like this in the freezer, ready and waiting.  Would I serve this fajita meal to guests?  Eh, probably not.  I'd make the time to prep and cook some fresh chicken.

Looking for a fajita recipe?
Click on one of these:
Fajitas with Guacamole
Fajitas on the Grill 

Asian Turkey Burgers

Asian Turkey Burgers

Serves 4.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!

We really enjoyed these -- a great change of pace.

Source: The Grilling Bible cookbook

1 lb. ground turkey

1-1/3 c. French fried onions, divided

1 egg

1/2 c. finely chopped water chestnuts

1/4 c. dry bread crumbs

3 T. Oriental stir-fry sauce or teriyaki baste & glaze sauce

1 T. hot sauce

2 t. grated fresh ginger or 1/2 t. ground ginger

4 sandwich buns

Shredded lettuce, tomato, onion

Combine turkey, 1 c. French fried onions, egg, water chestnuts, bread crumbs, stir-fry sauce, hot sauce, and ginger in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties.

Grill patties over medium coals 10 minutes or until no longer pink in the center, turning once. Serve on buns. Top with remaining 1/3 c. onions, as well as lettuce, tomato, and onion, if desired.

A Note From The Little Lady: We found this tasted good with additional stir-fry sauce (just a little!) on the bun, taking the place of ketchup's traditional role.

The Time it Takes to Fall

The Time it Takes to Fall by Margaret Lazarus Dean

I usually research my book choices and then request them online via the library's website.  But this one I randomy picked up after spotting it in the "librarian's picks" section.  I didn't know what to expect, but it was great! Got me interested in researching the Challenger disaster...


Booklist review from Amazon.com:

Dean's thoughtful debut novel revolves around the uncertainties of the 1980s space-shuttle program, and the effects on one Florida family. At 12, Dolores Gray dreams of becoming an astronaut, following in the footsteps of her idol, Judith Resnick, not an unrealistic goal for a "gifted and talented" student whose father is a NASA technician. But he is one of many NASA employees laid off that year, and this is the catalyst that catapults the family into a downward spiral. Dolores' mother goes back to work and becomes more and more distant from her family, eventually leaving, to "sort things out," as her father explains. Dolores skips classes, starts smoking, and abandons old friends, changes in her behavior her father does not notice. When the Challenger disaster occurs, all of these problems are exacerbated, with the addition of Dolores' constant worrying about her father's job. In spite of a few too many loose ends and unexplained incidents, this is an intriguing look at some previously unexplored repercussions of a historic event.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

Makes about 8 sandwiches.

Sloppy Joes are easy and fast.  Kids like them; adults like them.  These specifically remind me of my friend, Stacey, who in high school would request these from my mom!

Source: my mom

1-1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 large bottle Open Pit barbeque sauce

1 onion, diced

Salt and pepper, to taste

In a large saucepan, brown ground beef and diced onions.  Cook until beef is cooked through and onions are tender, removing excess grease as you go.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add bottle of Open Pit BBQ sauce and stir to combine.  Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes (or longer) on the stovetop so that the flavors can combine.  Serve on hamburger buns.

A Note From The Little Lady: You could easily prepare this and then place it in a crockpot for easy serving during a party.

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

As a Foodbuzz Tastemaker, I've had the priviledge of trying out Magnum Ice Cream Bars.  I chose the Magnum Double Caramel, which is "silky vanilla bean ice cream enrobed in a luscious chocolately coating, rich caramel sauce and thick Belgian milk chocolate."

A little disappointing that there's only 3 in a box.  Makes for a semi-expensive treat.  They are, however, bigger than I expected:

Here it is out of its wrapper:

And after the first bite, the review is that it's terrific!  The caramel makes it for sure:

The Lake of Dreams

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

There is a lot going on in this book. The whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking to myself, "I think I would pick up a lot of extra details if I opted to read this book a second, or even third, time." The story line seemed a little forced at times, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

Publisher's Weekly review on Amazon.com:

Bestseller Edwards's much anticipated second novel may disappoint fans of her first, The Memory Keeper's Daughter. When Lucy Jarrett returns to her childhood home in Lake of Dreams, N.Y., she learns that her brother, Blake, who's gone into the family business, and his girlfriend hope to drain a controversial marsh to construct a high-end property. Meanwhile, Lucy, who remains haunted by her father's death in a fishing accident years earlier, reconnects with her first boyfriend, Keegan Fall, now a successful glass artist. But when she sees something familiar in the pattern of one of his pieces, and discovers a hidden note in her childhood home, Lucy finally digs into her family's mysterious past. Unfortunately, the lazy expository handling of information mutes the intrigue, and readers will see the reignited spark between Keegan and Lucy coming for miles. All loose ends eventually come together with formulaic ease to rock the family boat. Edwards is at her best when highlighting the strain between her characters. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

Serves 4.

Here's a recipe for Tandoori-style grilled chicken. If you like the flavor of buffalo chicken, you'll love this!
Slightly adapted from: The Grilling Bible cookbook

4 chicken breasts (about 1-1/2 pounds)
1 c. plain yogurt
1/4 c. Frank's RedHot Original cayenne pepper sauce
1-1/2 t. ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 t. paprika
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. salt
1/2 t. ground coriander

Place chicken in a resealable plastic food storage bag or a large glass bowl with a lid. Combine yogurt, hot sauce, ginger, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and coriander in a small bowl; mix well. Pour over chicken breasts, turning pieces to cook evenly. Seal bags or cover bowl and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour or overnight.

Place chicken on an oiled grill. Grill over medium until chicken is no longer pink, about 12-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Serve warm.

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

Serves 8.

Before she went to her eternal home, my wonderful and beautiful grandmother, Mimo, gave me some of her cookbooks. All of them I treasure because of who they came from, but a few of them I treasure even more because of their age and appearance. I found this recipe in a compilation cookbook published in 1948 in the same area my great-great-grandfather, Mimo's dad, built the summer cottage at Atwood Lake we continue to use and cherish today.
Slightly adapted from: Out of Tuscarawas County Kitchens cookbook

Crust recipe: Mimo

Crust:

1-1/2 sticks butter

1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

3 T. sugar

Filling:

1 qt. fresh strawberries (I used 1-1/2 quarts)
1 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
1 T. butter

Topping:

1 c. whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make pie crust by melting butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in flour until well combined. Press into a pie plate. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Cut 1/2 of strawberries in 1/2" pieces. Cut the remainer in half only. In a medium saucepan, cook diced strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and butter over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add remaining halved strawberries to saucepan and stir to combine.

Pour strawberry mixture into baked pie crust. Chill for at least 6 hours, or until set. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream upon serving.

A Note From The Little Lady: The pie crust is Mimo's recipe and, in my opinion, really makes this pie. It's not hard and you'll get rave reviews, so don't skimp and use a store-bought crust!

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I finally gave in to the trend of reading The Hunger Games trilogy and, as expected, was hooked about 1/3 of the way in. I'm patiently awaiting book #2 from the library wait-list, so I'm not as addicted as some readers, but I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next books. This is a young adult book, so it's a quick read. I've heard a movie is in the works. I'm curious how that's going to work, due to the graphic nature of the book, but we'll see...

School Library Journal review from Amazon.com:

Grade 7 Up -In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator.' Book one of a planned trilogy.

Cheesy Enchilada Stack

Cheesy Enchilada Stack

Serves 3.

Oops - horrble phone picture. Good news is that it tastes good!
Slightly adapted from: AllRecipes.com

3 flour tortillas
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 can enchilada sauce
1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium high heat until beef is evenly browned and onion is tender. Remove from heat and stir in enchilada sauce.

Spray a pie plate or round cake pan with non-stick spray and place 1 tortilla in the bottom. Spread with 1/2 can of refried beans. Top with 1/2 of the ground beef mixture, 1/2 of the diced green chiles and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar. Repeat with another tortilla, beans, beef, green chiles, and cheese. Top with final tortilla and sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired.

Cover with foil. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

A Note From The Little Lady: If you prepare this ahead of time and refrigerate, increase cooking time to 40-50 minutes. If you prepare ahead of time and freeze, thaw in refrigerator overnight and increase cooking time to 60 minutes.

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen.

Yum! Densely chocolately, soft, and scrumptious. Be sure not to overbake!

Source: Best-Loved Cookies cookbook

2-1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. butter or margarine, softened (2 sticks)

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. packed light brown sugar (I used dark brown and it worked equally well)

1 t. vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy. Add eggs; beat well.

Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-9 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

The Blue Bistro

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

Planning a vacation? Go get this book and pack it in your bags right now. It's the perfect beach read. The setting is Nantucket Island, the main character works in a bustling, "to-be-seen" restaurant, and all the restaurant's guests are wealthy vacationers living the high life. It's got more depth than some stereotypical beach reads, but still light enough to keep you carefree on your vacation. My only disappointment? I wish the ending could've been a little brighter.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

The pricey, popular bistro of the title is the real star of Hilderbrand's fourth novel set on Nantucket. After years of hotel employ, peripatetic Adrienne Dealey, 28, lands her first restaurant job within hours of disembarking on the bucolic Massachusetts island. She's got a lot of learning to do as assistant to co-owner Thatcher Smith. Adrienne's soon attracted to the handsome Thatcher, and he seems to return her feelings. But just what is his relationship with his partner, the famous, utterly reclusive chef Fiona "Fee" Kemp? And why will no one talk about her? Hilderbrand specializes in beach reading (Summer People; The Beach Club); the plot doesn't go too far beyond standard romance and the characters don't reach beyond the conventional (though Adrienne does drink a bit more than the average heroine). But the complexities of running a bustling, ambitious restaurant in a summer hotspot are absorbing, and as Adrienne develops survival techniques with the customers and staff, readers follow her progress with genuine interest. Though the romance is a bit tepid and a subplot involving Adrienne's father's new girlfriend doesn't add much excitement, this is still a perfectly enjoyable beach book.

Two Easy Subs to Freeze

I keep these subs in the freezer for an ultra-quick dinner, spontaneous picnic, or, most often, weekend lunches for The Mister.

Italian Sub

6 hoagie buns

1/2 lb. Pastrami deli meat

1/2 lb. smoked ham deli meat

1/4 lb. Genoa salami deli meat

1/4 lb. sliced Provolone cheese (12 slices)

Creamy Italian salad dressing

banana pepper rings

Split hoagie buns and assemble sandwiches, distributing meats and cheese evenly among the buns. Add creamy Italian dressing and banana pepper rings, and top with other half of bun. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap; freeze. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in refrigerator overnight, or defrost in microwave for immediate consumption.

Buffalo Chicken Sub

6 hoagie buns

1 lb. Buffalo chicken deli meat

1/4 lb. sliced Provolone cheese (12 slices)

Buffalo sauce/marinade

Split hoagie buns and assemble sandwiches, distributing meat and cheese evenly among the buns. Add some Buffalo sauce and top with other half of bun. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap; freeze. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in refrigerator overnight, or defrost in microwave for immediate consumption.