Yes, I know this appears to be a strange recipe choice for me to be blogging about at the end of July but, there really is a great explanation.  A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a pre-showing of a soon to be released movie – Julie & Julia.  The movie is based on two books, My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme (I have read this book) and Julie & Julia by Julie Powell (I have not read this book). 

I’m always trying to find new ways to make fresh veggie salads. After a while the basic lettuce with cucumber and tomato gets dull, so when I found a recipe for Southwest Layered Cornbread Salad, I knew I was on to something good.

  Chicken and vegetables…it’s on our dinner menu at least once a week.  But with the hot summer weather, I don’t want to spend my day cooking in the kitchen.  Being a native Texan, I always look for something to grill.  It gives me an excuse to go outside, it makes for zero to no mess in the kitchen, and best of all, we usually eat outside on our back patio when we grill.  BINGO!

  Fresh. Summery. Simple. Yummy! These are the words that came to my mind when I took my first bite of this fabulous Glazed Chicken with Pineapple Salsa.  Did I mention that it looks gorgeous on a plate?

When my son moved back home from college for the summer he brought along one of his football teammates to live with us for a few months. After just a couple of weeks I realized I needed a new strategy for feeding these two hearty eaters. I would prepare a meal with “leftovers” in mind assuming I had made enough to feed them not just one meal but, with leftovers, two or possibly three meals. That strategy quickly flew out the door as the boys consumed every bite of the original meal, night after night. I was simply running out of ideas on what to fix for dinner that would satisfy their ravenous appetites. What’s a mom to do? Develop a new strategy – a Strata Strategy!

In this season of family reunions, bridal showers, baby showers and picnic lunches, a classic treat like the cupcake is the perfect playful dessert to top off your celebration. But, why not give the old family stand-by some fresh flavor? All you need is that summer staple: lemonade!

A new recipe for veggies!  I found it just in time!  I need to bring a salad to a neighborhood cookout. Usually there are pasta salads, fruit salads and fresh veggies to dip.  I wanted to share an easy, quick recipe that could star alongside corn-on-the cob at the picnic but that would be a unique twist on veggies and salad.  So, since the picnic was in my backyard, Grilled Vegetable Salad made with vegetables from the garden (or market) was the answer.    Mid to late summer brings a wealth of vegetable options, whether from your garden or from the Farmers’ Market, to make creative and colorful recipes. I have a very small garden, but I am growing a rainbow of colorful bell peppers that I can use. That’s about it for the selection from my garden. So, at least this time I will need to make a quick trip to the market to get the remaining ingredients. With little effort, my salad will be a hit at this weekend’s cookout!

  When summer hits, grilling becomes our family's favorite cooking method, and everything -- from burgers and steaks to chicken and shrimp -- is fired up on the grill.  We eat outside on the deck almost every night.  Hey, it's Minnesota so we need to take advantage of these gorgeous summer nights! I'd never made fish tacos before, so when I saw an incredibly easy recipe, Grilled Fish Tacos,  on the landolakes.com web site, I decided to try it.

  Each 4th of July finds my family celebrating at a friend's home at a nearby lake.  This celebration gathers together many families and multiple generations from toddlers to grandparents, and even great-grandparents.  Swimming, boating, lawn games and just plain old good conversation fill the day.  And of course, there is great food!  Everyone brings something to grill and something to share.  The resulting smorgasbord is an outstanding display of homemade delights.  Baked beans, fresh salads, garden vegetables and tasty snacks cover a minimum of three large tables.  But, the dessert table is the crowning glory!