Cooking

Abundance! Or What To Do With Tomatoes

For those of us who enjoy fresh tomatoes, this time of year can be like Christmas and Birthday wrapped together and tied with a bow. This recent video from Allrecipes has quite a collection of not quite your usual recipes:

Personally, I’m curious about the Tomato Bacon Jam recipe. It is a Very Small Batch (1 pint) so you can experiment to see if you like it without a huge investment of time and groceries. The comments from folks who have made it are quite interesting and, I think, helpful, too.

Don’t forget to check out recipes for tomato pies. This could be quite an unexpected surprise for your summer table. Add in zucchini and you have options for some of the summer overabundance.

Enjoy!

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Media · TV

Summer Viewing

Summer is usually full of reruns or shows you really aren’t all that excited about watching. However, there are times when you really want to watch something that will capture your attention.

The other day I came across a great video over on YouTube that listed twelve historical mysteries. I checked it out and thought the suggestions were good ones – I’ve watched several myself.

Most of these shows have been around for a while. Chances are you might just have overlooked them.

Settle in, get comfy, turn on the telly and enjoy!

Cooking · Meal Building Blocks

No Cook Summer Meals

When the heat is on and you don’t want to heat up the kitchen, try using cool salads. You choose the protein and additions as well as the serving method. You can make wraps, fill rolls, top crackers.

Make use of precooked chicken, turkey, pork or beef that you have made yourself or purchased at the market. The deli section will have a selection to choose from and side salads. Don’t overlook canned tuna, salmon or chicken.

Cool Salad

A general all purpose guide
Course Main Course, Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Cooked chicken or ham, pulled pork, sliced beef. Canned tuna or chicken can also be used. Cook's Choice
  • Mayonnaise To taste
  • Dijon Mustard To taste
  • Onion Chopped, To taste
  • Pickle Relish To taste. Dill or Sweet, Cook's Choice

Instructions

  • This is a general guide to make a creamy salad mixture for salads or sandwiches. You can use any protein you like along with any seasoning or addition you like.
  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • HOW TO USE
  • Serve on bib lettuce for lettuce wraps.
  • Serve with crackers as a dip or spread.
  • Use as a filling in pita or flat breads adding tomatoes, lettuce.
    Serve on tortillas as wraps
Cooking

Salad / Desert Ideas

I will be the first to say that, as a rule, I don’t recommend whipped topping over whipped cream, but there are always exceptions. I grew up eating JELL-O in a variety of forms, some with and some without the whipped addition. If you are looking for a change of pace, these recipes might be something to try.

Don’t forget to check other brands of gelatin products at your store. You might be surprised to see the flavor options.

Easy Southern Banana Pudding is one of those menu items that seem to evaporate in the right crowd. You can go the route where you make the pudding from scratch but this option is easier and faster. Your choice.

The Basic Bavarian Cream is one of those classics that could well be a favorite item on your buffet. Easily customizable with any flavor you choose, the only thing to keep in mind is temperature is important. Too warm and your mixture will split into either 2 layers or 3. That isn’t a bad thing, it is just something to be aware of.

The Strawberry Pretzel Salad is one of those tried and true recipes that has quite a fan base. It is a welcome addition to any meal throughout the year, too.

Cheese Balls are surprisingly easy to make. A good tip to keep in mind is to find a bowl the size of the ball you want to make, line it with plastic wrap and put the mixture in the bowl. Once that is done, wrap the plastic around the mixture to encourage it to form a round shape or flatten the top. Once you unmold the ball, put the flat side down on the platter so it won’t roll.

JELL-O is versatile and budget friendly. It doesn’t have to be boring and it can provide an unexpected surprise on your table.

Enjoy!

Cooking

Salad Ideas

Because sometimes you just need something different.

We do get in a rut, don’t we? Here are a few of my favorite alternative salad ideas.

Three Bean Salad. This old time favorite is great chilled and served with all sorts of grilled proteins. If you put it together early in the day and give the flavors time to mature you won’t be disappointed.

Black Bean and Corn Salad. There are so many versions of corn salad out there.

Zesty Corn Salad. Mama Mel has done it again. I love this recipe! Easy to prepare with pantry staples.

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad. America’s Test Kitchen’s recipe makes my mouth water! If you are lucky enough to grow your own or if you have access to a good farmer’s market, this one is a must try.

Don’t overlook creating a fruit salad. Watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, peaches, nectarines, the list goes on and on. Toss in some cheese and maybe some herbs and you have something rather special. The best part is that the ingredient list will change depending upon what is available when.

When you have had more than your share of pasta salads and can’t look a head of lettuce in the eye, give these a try.

Audiobooks · Books

From The Reading Table: Southern Spirits


Every once in a while I enjoy a cozy mystery. I found this one thanks to an Audible sale and liked it enough to tag the rest of the series.<br /><br />Verity is smart (mostly), sassy, determined, and tends to get herself into situations that…scare the wits out of her. Any anyone reading along. Not your generic Damsel in Distress. Ditto her friends and family, not to mention the location of the story.

I like the characters, which don’t feel cookie cutter to me (hoping that continues). I love the skunk. IYKYK. The twists and turns could be a tad confusing but everything seems to even up at the end. The ghosts are some of the most realistically portrayed characters I’ve come across in a long time. Their stories are relayed sympathetically rather than being cliche.

So far, I am enjoying this and looking forward to more.