I have been looking for a quick snack to grab post workout and I think I’ve found the perfect treat.  These carrot cake bites have a texture similar to a Lara bar and come together from start to finish in 10 minutes or less.  I just grab one or two when I need a little pick me up.  Thanks to the addition of flax meal, chia seeds and pistachios they are full of healthy fats that keep you satisfied.  I added some cinnamon and nutmeg to really bring out the carrot cake flavor and I rolled some of them in crushed pistachios for a nice extra bite.…

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Summer might be over but there is still time to enjoy a few of it’s treasures.  This is a super simple but delicious beverage.  Juicy watermelon and cucumber combined with lime make for a refreshing drink perfect to sip on the last warm days ahead.  If you don’t like the taste of cucumber you could easily make it without but I love the crisp, clean brightness that it adds.  Muddling a few basil leaves in the bottom of your glass enhances the bright herbal notes of the cucumber.  If you’d like to make this a cocktail add 2/3 cup of vodka to the mix.…

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It is hot.  We are experiencing temperatures over 100 degrees this week and we aren’t used to it.  I want to do nothing more than sit in a nice cool bath and eat this icy cold cucumber basil sorbet.  Regular ice cream, so rich and heavy seems like a poor choice when temperatures soar.  Utterly refreshing, there is nothing like the clean, fresh taste of cucumber to cool you down.

Cucumber basil sorbet

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons rum

Method:

Put all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.…

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This is the time of year when we all begin to ask what to do with all the zucchini coming out of the garden.  Summer squash is one of my favorite things to eat during the summer but I had never tried it raw like a pasta before.  It is the perfect dish for those hot days when turning on the oven holds no appeal.  Thinly sliced strips of zucchini paired with sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic and basil, it’s summer in a bowl.  For a more substantial meal try adding a diced avocado or some fresh corn.  Click the link for the full post and recipe!…

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One of the benefits of cooking with fresh and seasonal ingredients is that they don’t need a lot of embellishment to shine.  I love trekking down to the farmers market on the weekend to see what is in season and creating a dish around a few simple items.

Figs are the ugly stepsister to the sexier fruits of summer.  You don’t see people waxing poetic about these tasty beauties.  I have to admit that it took me a long time to appreciate their luscious sweetness and chewy texture but they have moved to the top of my list as one of my favorite new ingredients to experiment with.…

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One of the nicest things about summer is that there is no need to spend hours cooking over a hot stove.  This is a super simple salad that makes a lovely light lunch or a delicious dinner if you pair it with some grilled chicken or salmon.  I grilled the corn but you can skip the cooking altogether and use fresh raw corn in the salad.  Try to find good quality tomatoes for this salad, it makes all the difference.  The basil vinaigrette adds a nice herbal quality that pairs really nicely with the corn and tomatoes.  To see the original recipe and all the other variations be sure to visit The Food Matters Project!…

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This time of the year in the garden is when the magic starts to happen.  After weeks of waiting for signs of life, the garden is starting to produce like gangbusters.  The spring and summer vegetables are oddly reaching maturity at the same time.  The peas are ready faster than I can pick them and I picked my first cherry tomatoes this morning.  Going out into the garden is like a treasure hunt, never knowing what will be ready to turn into a delicious dinner.  It’s so gratifying to turn the soil, plant a few seeds and watch them grow into something that you can share with family and friends.…

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I love to search the web for inspiration.  I thought that I would start sharing some of my favorite finds.  I love flowers, they are always sure to bring a smile and a delight into a dreary day.

The beauty of a cut flower is fleeting but all the more special since it’s loveliness needs to be cherished while it remains.  Have a great week and take the time to smell the roses!

To see more lovely photos click the links! 1. sweeteventide photography  2. design sponge 3. scaling back  4. Amy Merrick   5. floret cadet…

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This week we were challenged to update classic tea sandwiches.  I wanted something fresh, cool and easy to put together so I combined rich creamy avocados with tart juicy grapefruit.  The radish sprouts give a nice little spicy bite and this is the perfect afternoon snack to get you through the summer.

With all the great recipes that were created this week one could host the most fabulous tea party ever!  Be sure to check out the other recipes at The Food Matters Project.

Avocado and grapefruit tea sandwiches with honey lime vinaigrette

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 slices soft white bread, crusts removed
• 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 large grapefruit
• 1/2 cup loosely packes radish sprouts
• a few sprigs of mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper

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The fine folks at Madewell were kind enough to let me create a post for them.  I wanted to capture the freshness of summer so I whipped up this refreshing lemon thyme cucumber cooler.  It’s a great alternative to soda, I love the taste and smell of fresh cucumbers and they really shine in this beverage.  Click the link below to see the recipe and the rest of the post!

Lemon Thyme Cucumber Cooler

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