Blackberry Syrup

This recipe is so easy! You can do this with any berry you have! My kids absolutely love it - and have asked to have it on top of everything they've eaten since I made it (anything from chicken to pasta salad) they've settled for having it on pancakes and toast. Blackberry Syrup
3 c. fresh blackberries

1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. water

1. In heavy 3 quart saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar and water. Mix gently. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolved.
2. Bring to boiling over medium high heat. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fruit is soft.
3. While cooking 2 to 3 more minutes gently mash fruit against pan with wooden spoon.
4. Cool to lukewarm. Strain fruit mixture by pressing through a sieve to remove all the seeds.
5. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

I doubled this recipe and ended up with 4 small jars of syrup. One to eat this week - and 3 to freeze!

What a fun way to use up fruit - it makes breakfast an extra special occasion!

Simple Salmon

We are big on seafood. I could eat it all day every day as far as I am concerned:) My husbands brother lived in Seattle for several years, so to us - him, his wife and mother in law wrote the bible on seafood preparation. We were shocked to find out that the salmon we always enjoy with their family is so simple.

This may be the easiest way to prepare protein ever. I can't stress enough how delicious and tender this salmon is. I was very hesitant to try this method at first, but since I had tasted it so many times, we gave it a go. We have been preparing salmon this way for the last 10 years or so...

Perfect, Simple Salmon
EVOO
Kosher Salt
Cracked Black Pepper
Garlic Powder
Salmon Steaks (I get the individually frozen steaks @ Costco)

Drizzle EVOO over steaks. Salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste. Put them (2 at a time) in the microwave for 2 minutes. Flip the salmon (so the bottom is now on the top and the inside edge of the salmon is now on the outside edge of the plate). Microwave again for about 1 ½ minutes. Use a fork to test firmness.

That’s it!! I told you it’s easy!

We had salmon steaks last night – a real crowd pleaser (and my 3 kids are little and picky!) I made some dill yogurt sauce to go with my husbands, and a little pesto yogurt sauce on the side for me:)

To Our Bloggies & Looky Loo's

I know you are out there - and I know you are looking - but y'all are so quiet!

Please comment:) We would love to hear from all of you. Whether you think a certain recipe sounds good or when you make one of the recipes from our blog comment on whether or not you'll make it again - or on how you added/omitted different ingredients to customize them to your tastes. Or, if you have a similar recipe - let us know what makes your recipe different.

Comment on the newest post, so that everyone can benefit!
And just look at the blackberries from our garden! I have collected 3 bowlfuls of these over the last couple of weeks. I am freezing them until the vine is finished producing - then, I'll post my recipes for blackberry jam and blackberry syrup!

Green Chili Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

I saw this recipe on Picky Palate a week or so ago - looks so delicious! You can visit her at http://www.picky-palate.com/ She is amazing - she has won a ton of different foodie contests - and has been on the Food Network for her award winning recipes at least 3 times!
Green Chili Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
1 Cup butter (2 sticks)
1 Cup sugar
4 eggs
1 ½ Cups flour
1 Cup cornmeal
1 ½ Tablespoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ Cup ultra gel (optional-available at Whole Foods, etc.)
1 4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 16oz can creamed corn
1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until well combined. Slowly add eggs until well combined. Pour in remaining ingredients in no particular order until just combined. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish or 24 muffin tins that have been sprayed with cooking spray. If baking in 9x13 inch dish bake for 25-30 minutes, if baking in muffin tins, bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center.

French Baguette

This bread is so fast and easy - your kids could make it! Honestly. Start to finish - 45 minutes. I got this recipe from "The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner" by Liz Edmunds. 2 of my sisters and I went to a boutique and watched Liz make this bread right in front of us. We all bought this book and all 3 of us have made this bread on several occasions - always a winner!

French Baguettes
1 1/2 c warm water (divided)
1 1/2 T yeast
2 t sugar (divided)
3 1/4 c flour
2 t salt

In a small bowl, combine 1/2 c water, the yeast and 1 t of the sugar. stir just to combine and cover with plastic wrap. Let the mixture stand about 5 minutes or until bubbly or foamy.

In a large mixing bowl, blend the flour, salt, the remaining 1 t of sugar and the yeast mixture. gradually add water, up to the remaining 1 cup and mix until the dough forms a smooth ball that isn't too sticky. turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly, until the dough is smooth and elastic. *I don't have a food processor, so I usually mix with a wooden spoon for a minute, then dump everything on the counter and incorporate it from there.

Divide the dough in half and shape into baguettes. Put on a greased pan, make a shallow cut down the middle of each loaf. cover with a dish towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. *With my A/C on high right now - I put the dough in my oven (before I turn it on - then set the pan on top of the stove while I preheat the oven).

Put a shallow dish of water on the bottom rack of your oven (to create steam). Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes or so. Brush with butter straight out of the oven.

Tonight and for an appetizer, we had slices of this bread - toasted up a bit with fresh garden tomatoes & basil and mozzerella. So delicious!

4th Of July!

We are all getting ready for this weekend - a weekend full of fun, families, fireworks and FOOD. Post your favorite BBQ/picnic foods - or your favorite festive recipe for this month!! I just posted the 2 recipes below to get us started...

Make sure you Label them with 'Holiday' so they are easy to find!!