frozen smile...

I've seen lots of ice cubes lately that deserved a second look......but these....these just might require a third look and a stare.

available here

byob

I've been all about the picnic this week and I just can't move on without throwing in a thirst quenching beverage. Have you ever had beer with lemonade? You may also know it as a shandy. Pour some good beer over ice (or just be sure your beer is very cold) and add anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of the glass with fresh lemonade.....refreshing. Tie it together in a picnic blanket or put them in a basket and you even have yourself a hostess gift that everyone enjoys......leave the blanket or basket for the hostess of course.

image found here

gift wrapped salads...

Since I am in the mood to share picnic recipes, you have to have this one. You could wrap this one in a box and tie it with a bow and they might think it was the best gift they ever received...it's that good.

Blue Cheese Coleslaw

2lbs. napa cabbage

1/2 lb. blue cheese (or gorgonzola)

3/4 c. cider vinegar

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. celery seeds

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

2 T sugar

1/4 c. minced white onion

3/4 c. vegetable oil

mix coleslaw and blue cheese and let sit for at least an hour or overnight (you want the flavors to mix) mix remaining for dressing. whisk. add just before serving....you don't always need all the dressing be careful not to get it too wet. serves 6-8

I don't have an image of this to post for you....you'll just have to trust me and try it for yourself, but here is a place I would go to the end of the universe for with my coleslaw and watermelon in my picnic basket.

image found here
Where would you love to go to picnic this weekend?

sweet and salty

It would be fascinating to take a census of the number of picnics happening simultaneously around the country this weekend and what they would be serving. One thing I know I will be making is a watermelon feta salad. If you haven't tried this combination of flavors, you don't know what you're missing. The recipe is extremely simple. Just cut up a seedless watermelon into cubes or square slices...add some crumbled feta. I like to lay it out on a platter and drizzle it with olive oil and some fresh lime juice. Then sprinkle some fresh thyme over the top. I've heard where people add black olives or sliced red onions or even basil. I like to serve it next to some greens.

image Martha Stewart....her recipe is here

What is the one thing you know you will be serving?

eat your greens

We did Easter a little differently this year. In the past, we've gone all out....clear down to the custom made crosswords puzzles at each place setting. I love to do that and it has it's place, but, we decided to make it more casual and relaxed....which of course, took us right to the beach. Everyone brought some food, their own dishes and utensils, and their own drinks. We took a large table and a bunch of chairs....waited until about 4:30 when the crowds were thinning out and the sun wasn't so hot and we had a picnic. One of the things I made was this salad. It's so easy and so good that I thought I would share.

Blanch your green beans (use the haricot verts or French green beans since they are a little thinner, crispier, and sweeter). Add some thinly sliced red onion, chopped tomato, crumbled feta, a little olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

I couldn't decide between these two quotes and since it's Monday, that allows for being indecisive.

Simple Entertaining Tips part 3

Here are a couple more simple hors d'oeuvres ideas that have big impact.

Roll a goat cheese log in chopped sage, italian parsley, chives, and rosemary.

and

Marinate a block of feta in with some chopped rosemary and olive oil for 3-4 hours.

Serve either one with fruit and crackers.

Can't go wrong with rosemary....especially, at this time of year.

More great photos by Matt Armendariz of www.mattphotographs.com

Simple Entertaining Tips part 2

Here is another simple idea that has strong visual impact.

Soak either green or red seedless grapes in white wine and some lemon zest overnight. Take them out and place them directly on the cake plate or compote right before serving. Sprinkle with sugar. You can place them near the alcohol station or even use them as a centerpiece. Just be sure everyone knows the grapes are "drunk".