Usually summertime is my favorite time of year. The produce, the tans, the dewy glow on your skin, the list goes on. This summer however, the heat is out of control. Is it always this hot and I have forgotten? Or is this global warming? Anyway you look at it though it's too hot to be outside unless you are going to be sitting in a pool with a cocktail in hand. And when it's this hot out, turning the oven on is unthinkable and meals are meant to be light and fresh! My panzanella caprese cantaloupe skewers are just the perfect light lunch or appetizer (served with a pinot grigio or a rosé) and should be on everyone's to-make list this week!
Last week I shared my new favorite risotto recipe where I added pesto to the mix. It's a great recipe if you missed it, but the point here is that you almost always have leftovers after you make risotto. Leftovers that are too delicious to get rid of, and one of my favorite ways to use up my risotto leftovers is to make risotto balls! Being that I could dip most things into marinara sauce (mozzarella sticks, pizza crust, crusty bread...okay so I could did anything carb loaded into marinara sauce), my baked pesto risotto balls are the perfect accompaniment to my love of dipping and marinara.
These little balls of flavor are perfect to serve as an appetizer or as a side dish in my opinion. And since the risotto is the real time consuming part and it's usually already made, you can whip up these risotto balls in a flash! Your guests will be impressed, your kids will love them, and you will look like a kitchen genius.
I have been dreaming of going to the beach lately. It's like everywhere I turn around I see signs of white sand and ocean or someone I know is going to the beach. I usually have a spring beach trip planned at least for the weekend, but this year is probably the first year that nothing is set in stone yet. With moving, and everything else transitioning in our life, Canean and I are going to try and squeeze in a trip later in the summer probably to the Northeast Coast to try something different. With that said, I know most of you have summer vacations planned or at least some lake and pool days are going to be happening, and I KNOW, that you are all about getting those summer bodies ready to be on display. My easy classic hummus is the perfect dip to make for when the snack monster comes to destroy your hard work and is sure to keep you looking fit and feeling good right through the summer months!
Do you have a favorite food from your childhood that you have clear memories of eating and still love to this day? It's nostalgia at it's best. From the first bite you are transported back in time maybe to a certain memory or just to the feeling that it still gives you. For me pimento cheese sandwiched between two pieces of white bread is still to this day, a little slice of heaven. Growing up, I wasn't too concerned with white vs. wheat, does it have too much mayo...yada yada yada. It was all about the texture of the pimento cheese and the soft bread that sold me every time. And to be honest it's still a favorite comfort food combo of mine. My dill and garlic pimento cheese is my take on a classic with a grown up twist that is perfectly acceptable for your grown up lunchbox or party.
Y'all...Christmas is nine days away...NINE days away! How did this even happen? I am kind of unprepared and am just now starting to plan what I want to fix for Christmas dinner. And with Christmas parties in full swing over the next week, we could all use an easy appetizer to whip up that requires little to no effort! This is my go to holiday appetizer because one, it's gorgeous and perfectly red, white, and green, two it's delicious, and three I can make it in ten minutes. My pesto and goat cheese spread with cranberries and toasted pine nuts couldn't be more perfect for your holiday festivities!
You just found out that your significant other volunteered you to make something for that holiday party you have this weekend. Don't stress. Problem solved...make this dip.
It's is the easiest appetizer (maybe ever) and a sure crowd pleaser. It is a recipe that has been around for several generations in my family, in fact I don't think I have ever had it anywhere else. My Mom-Mom used to make it for holiday parties and I thought it would be nice to bring a new life to a vintage recipe.
I think it deserves a little spotlight in all it's delicious simplicity.
It is really quite tasty and is best served with Keebler Town House Crackers. And who doesn't love those? I could eat a whole sleeve.
It's four ingredients and you will love it.
