Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tarragon Sauce

What's for dinner?  You know that dreaded question, right?  Day after day after day.  So I'm here today with another option.  I can whip up a batch of meatballs very quickly so it's a frequent go-to meal whenever I have any ground meat.  But that just means it can get a little boring.  A fun sauce, though, makes all the difference.

Savory Tomato Cobbler with Gorgonzola Biscuits

We've been going a little tomato crazy around here this summer.  I realize that sounds normal to most of you but...um...I used to hate tomatoes.  Yes.  Hate.  And I know you're thinking that I probably still ate things like ketchup and tomato pasta sauce but you'd be wrong.  Hate is hate.  Happily, tastes can change.

Thirsty Thursdays: Icy Cold Blood Orange Cosmo

Icy Cold Blood Orange Cosmo

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet and tangy summer sipper!

The Month in Review - July 2014

I hope you all have been enjoying summer because I certainly have.  It's been a remarkably mild July by New York standards with very few days over 90 degrees.  Typically, July is the hotter and stickier of the summer months so we seem to have gotten through it with very little reason to complain.  August is when the city really slows down, temperatures are lovely and people schedule vacations and beach time.  I'm planning to savor every moment of it.  Speaking of savoring, July was a delicious month in the Hungry Couple household with several ridiculously good new recipes.  So, before we get back to the business of delighting in the weather, let's take a look back at the good eats and drinks of July.  Enjoy!

Salted Caramel Peanut Pie

Happy Grab Some Nuts Day!  No, I'm no kidding and I'm not nuts.  Well...um...not completely.  Anyway, yes this is an actual holiday, people.  Nuts are good and healthy and delicious and we're celebrating them.  By now you should know that my fellow food bloggers and I can't resist these wacky holidays and had to come up with nutty recipes to honor the occasion.

Thirsty Thursdays: Cheesecake Martini

Cheesecake Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this decadent dessert in a glass!

Blueberry Ricotta Cream Cheesecake

I've had a life-long love affair with cheesecake but, until very recently, I didn't know there was a National Cheesecake Day.  Even better is that it falls just 3 short days after my birthday.  It's like they know me!  I knew I'd be celebrating today with a huge group of my fellow bloggers but I went ahead and made the cake over the weekend so that it could be my birthday treat.

Fig Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese and Honeyed Walnuts

Fresh figs must be one of the prettiest fruits around and I can't quite resist them when I see them.  Sometimes that happens, though, when I have no actual plan for how to use them.  So I just drizzle them with a little honey, crumble on some sharp cheese and munch away as a snack.  But taking that a step further and creating an amazing salad is so worth it.

Thirsty Thursdays: Golden Kiwi Cocktail

Golden Kiwi Cocktail

Per Serving:
1 SunGold Kiwifruit
1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Lime juice
1/2 oz. Simple syrup

Slice the kiwi in half and, using a spoon, scoop out the insides and add to a cocktail shaker.  Add the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup and muddle until the fruit has broken down.  Fill with ice, shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a slice of lime and a slice of kiwi, if desired.

Heirloom Tomato and Gorgonzola Tart

Most Saturday mornings in summer, you'll find me at our local farmer's market.  Yes, Manhattan has farmer's markets and quite a few, in fact.  The big, amazing, awesome, I wish I lived across the street one is at Union Square.  Four times a week, farmers, growers, bread bakers and cheese makers drive down from the Hudson River Valley to set up their stalls.  While I used to have the pleasure of working only two blocks away, it's quite a treck from my upper east side apartment.  Fortunately, there's a smaller version of the market just a few blocks from home.

Kiwi Banana Smoothie and My New Kiwi Love

It's no secret that I love summer fruit and I always have a nice selection on hand.  But I have to admit that the little kiwifruit is not usually one of them.  Oh, I like the taste and always enjoy them when they're served to me on a fruit platter somewhere, but the idea of peeling those furry skins just doesn't appeal to me.  So, did you know that you can just scoop out the flesh without peeling them?  Neither did I.

Blueberry Pie with Lemon and Thyme

Today I have the pleasure of kicking off my first article for Hoosier Homemade.  I was in a serious mood for pie and couldn't pass up some beautiful ripe blueberries.  But I also decided to borrow from one of my favorite quick breads and add cornmeal and lemon zest and thyme.  And goat cheese.  Yes, goat cheese and blueberries are a happy couple.  The result was definitely a winner and one that I'll be making again and again.

Head on over to Hoosier Homemade to see the recipe!

Thirsty Thursdays: S'mores Martini

S'mores Martini

Per Serving:
2 oz. Marshmallow vodka
1 oz. Chocolate liqueur
1 oz. Creme de Cacao
2 oz. Cream or half & half
1 oz. Chocolate, melted
1 Graham cracker
3 Marshmallows

Crush the graham cracker into a shallow bowl using your hands.  It's OK if there are some chunkier pieces.  Place the chocolate into a second shallow bowl and microwave for a few seconds until melted.  Dip the rim of a martini glass into the chocolate and then into the graham cracker pieces.  Refrigerate for a few minutes to set.

Add the marshmallow vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao and cream to a cocktail shaker.  Fill with ice, shake well and pour into the prepared glass.  Spear the marshmallows on the end of a skewer or long fork and hold over an open flame for a couple of seconds until the ends get toasted.  Thread them onto a cocktail pick and garnish the drink.

Greek Burger with Tzatziki Sauce

Summer brings out my burger craving in a big way!  Sure, there's that whole outdoor grilling thing but, actually, I love mine made in burning hot cast iron pan in my own kitchen.  However they're made, though, I've been wanting them non-stop.  As it happens, my friend, Kita, from Girl Carnivore is hosting a burger month - 31 days, 31 burger recipes by 31 amazing bloggers.  And there are cool giveaways, too, so be sure to enter the raffle at the bottom of this post.

No Churn Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Cold ice cream, hot summer day - you don't need convincing, right?  So only two questions remain.  What flavor and do we make it or buy it?  I'm guessing that, those of you with ice cream makers, choose to make it while those who don't (that would be me) opt to purchase.  What's that you say?  You can make ice cream without a machine?  Thanks, I think I will!

Thirsty Thursdays: Rummy Pistachio Milkshake

Rummy Pistachio Milkshake

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this boozy ice cream treat!

Creamy Roasted Heirloom Tomato Dressing

If you've recently noticed fewer salad greens in your local market, it may very well be my fault.  The way I've been buying massive quantities of all sorts of lettuces could have contributed to a nationwide shortage.  What's my sudden passion for romaine and butterhead?  To scoop up this dressing, of course, and shovel it into my mouth.  The next option would be a spoon.

Apple Tarte Tatin

Today my fellow holiday food bloggers group members and I are celebrating the upcoming Bastille Day.  So what is that, exactly, other than an excuse to eat French food?  In short, it's the French National Day that commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th 1790.  And we're all about helping the French celebrate this occasion.  Here in New York there are actually quite a few celebrations and fairs on Bastille Day so...bring on the French food!

Thirsty Thursdays: Icy Cold Watermelon Martini

Icy Cold Watermelon Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this tall, frosty drink to keep you cool!

Gelato Crunch Cake

With the July 4th holiday weekend coming up and plenty of summer outdoor entertaining in general, I've been thinking a lot about what desserts to serve.  After a meal of grilled meat and starchy sides there's not usually much room left for a heavy cake.  And the hot weather begs for something cool.  So I find myself scooping out dishes of ice cream but wanting to somehow make it more special.

The Month in Review - June 2014

Excuse me but where did June go?  I mean, didn't it just get here yesterday?  I'm sure that each of the bitterly cold winter months lasted at least 8 or 9 weeks so I'm sorry to see how quickly the first of the summer months disappeared.  But, the lovely outdoor weather hasn't gone to waste and I'm taking every opportunity to be outside.  OK, I spend some time in my kitchen and then go outside.  And that has resulted in some pretty amazing new recipes.  Before we head back outside, though, let's take a look back at the good eats and drinks of June.  Enjoy!

Fruity Iced Tea Lemonade

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Lipton, but all my opinions are my own. #bemoretea #pmedia  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

When I think of cooling, refreshing summer drinks I think of iced tea and lemonade.  OK, I also think of frozen daiquiris but we'll discuss that another time.  Rum aside, there are usually beverage pitchers in my refrigerator, in various stages of steeping and cooling, so that I can have my favorite drinks handy.  As for the Keurig brewer, I've never paid it much attention since I'm not the coffee drinker in this house.  That is, until I recently discovered that Lipton makes K-Cups of iced tea for the Keurig.  Um...what?

Thirsty Thursdays: Frozen Apricot Daiquiri

Frozen Apricot Daiquiri

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet, frosty sipper!

Yogurt Fig Cake

This treat actually came about through circumstance and accident.  Over the weekend I met an old friend for brunch and stopped into a large gourmet market near the restaurant on my way home.  I'd already noticed that the local fruit vendors had figs for sale but they were too soft and wilted.  This market, however, had firm and perfectly ripe figs for sale and I couldn't resist buying them.  But now that I had them, I wasn't sure what to do with them.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

I don't know if whoopie pies are normally associated with summer but they definitely are for me.  I've heard they're a southern treat but Maine stakes a big claim to them as well.  And it was in Maine that I first fell for these goodies.

Thirsty Thursdays: Cantaloupe Melon Martini

Cantaloupe Melon Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet and summery drink!

Frozen Banana Berry "Cake"

It's very nearly summer.  It's hot.  Ice cream recipes are everywhere.  But for every rich creamy version out there, I've been seeing ones for 1 ingredient banana ice cream, 2 ingredient banana soft serve, etc.  They're basically frozen bananas with or without a touch of vanilla, blitzed in the food processor until the texture is similar to soft ice cream.  I had to try it.  And I always have bananas in my freezer.

Thirsty Thursdays: Lychee Martini

Lychee Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this exotic summer fruit drink!

Crunchy Quinoa Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

With summer just a week away, I've been making a list of healthy and filling salads I can make ahead on weekends and keep in the fridge for easy lunches all week long.  Not just plain old lettuce type salads, though.  I needed something heartier that would hold up over a few days and be satisfying.

Mexican Tortilla Pie

I'm constantly thinking about the daily question of what's for dinner.  It's a meal that requires more planning than the cereal I pour into a bowl at breakfast and the salad I usually toss at lunch.  I have to make sure I have all the ingredients for whatever I'm going to make and that I've left enough time to prep and cook.  Otherwise, I sometimes get too hungry and just throw the ingredients back in the fridge while I eye the cereal box again.

Crispy Baked Onion Rings (aka Cooking Actress Onion Rings)

Last month, when some of my fellow food bloggers and I participated in Brunch Week, we had the good fortune to work with a number of terrific foods sponsors and sample their products.  So, while it might not sound all that exciting to get a bag of Vidalia onions in the mail, to foodies like us, it kind of is.

Thirsty Thursdays: Pineapple Mojito

Pineapple Mojito

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this fun and fruity twist on a classic summer sipper!

Cherry Cheesecake Chocolate Truffles

Every vacation town we've ever visited has had at least one great candy shop.  It's always crazy busy (at least in summer) and there's a huge selection of lollipops, jelly beans and every kind of chocolate bonbon.  But the ones I want...um...OK, let's be clear that I really want everything, but the ones I buy are big chocolate covered marshmallows and chocolate truffles with creamy centers.  I had no idea how to recreate the truffles at home but I figured I could make the chocolate covered marshmallows.  Big fail.  And after a couple of sad attempts I gave up.

The Month in Review - May 2014

Is May over already?  Boy, they go by fast or, at least, the warm months do.  Cold months just go on and on.  We celebrated Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day with a group of us honoring our mothers with favorite recipes and stories.  We held a 'brunch week' with some cool giveaways and we unofficially kicked off summer on Memorial Day.  Seems we packed quite a lot into such a quick month.  But before we see how much we can cram into June, let's take a look back at some seriously good eats and drinks.  Enjoy!

Thirsty Thursday: Thyme and Nectarine Gimlet

Thyme and Nectarine Gimlet

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this perfect blend of sweet fruit and savory herbs in a fragrant gin drink!

Kasha Varnishkes (Farfalle Pasta with Buckwheat)

Those of you who didn't grow up in a Jewish household with this delectable treat are probably wondering what on earth we're about to varnish.  Varnishkes is so funny sounding but is actually the Yiddish word for noodles.  Kasha, of course, is the English word for kasha or, if you like, roasted buckwheat kernels.  So, yes, we're varnishing the buckwheat and it's delicious!

Memorial Day Recipe Ideas

Happy Memorial Day!  Whether you'll be participating in patriotic celebrations or just lying on a beach or lawn chair, I hope you have a great day filled with good company and delicious food.  After such a long brutal winter, the unofficial start of summer is a very happy occasion.

Thirsty Thursdays: Creamy Frozen Nectarine Blitz

Creamy Frozen Nectarine Blitz

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet, fragrant drink!

Yellow Summer Squash Casserole

I love almost all squash.  Pumpkin and butternut and always on my shopping list in the fall and winter.  And they get replaced with zucchini and yellow squash in spring and summer.  Though not as sweet as their fall cousins, their flavor is mild and easy to incorporate into lots of dishes.  But I also love them enough to want to make them the star sometimes.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Creamy Greek Style Vinaigrette

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pompeian for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

   

Did you know that May, in addition to being a lovely spring weather month, is also National Salad Month and National Vinegar Month.  I'd say this calls for a salad!  It's also right around this time that I stop craving hot soup to warm me up and start craving the fresh veggies I see in the market.  Dinner salads with some grilled chicken, a sprinkling of good cheese and a great dressing are just my style.

Thirsty Thursdays: Frozen White Pear Cosmo

Frozen White Pear Cosmo

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this tall, cool and fruity play on the beloved Cosmo!

Herbed Salted Pretzel Bread Salad Bowls

Today I'm going to talk with you about salt.  And we'll also talk about pretzels.  And about homemade breads and bread bowls and stand mixers.  OK, we've got a lot to talk about.  Maybe you should sit down for a while and have a pretzel roll.  I love salty pretzels.  Growing up in Manhattan, my mother and I would go to the park and we'd get a big salty pretzel from one of the vendors and split it.  She sometimes flicked some of the salt off her piece but I thought it was the best part.  Nobody needs a naked pretzel!

Mango Berry Blast Smoothie

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Nestle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  #BreakfastEssentials http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

People sometimes ask me if I'm a morning person or a night person?  Actually, I'm a busy person.  That means late to bed and early to rise so that, by the time the weekend comes, I'm a sleepy person.  During the week, though, I have no trouble getting up reasonably early and getting stuff done.  The trouble is that early is never early enough and there's always more stuff.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Linzer Cookies

Today I'm posting my final entry in the second annual brunch week co-hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen.  From May 5th to 11th, a group of over 30 bloggers are celebrating the deliciousness of brunch.  In addition, we have some amazing sponsors who have donated great prizes for a gigantic giveaway so please see below for more information.

Thirsty Thursdays: Vodka Sidecar (Balalaika)

Vodka Sidecar (Balalaika)

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this powerful yet delicious vodka version of a cognac classic!

Bacon and Corn Souffle

Today I'm continuing to participate in the second annual brunch week co-hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen.  From May 5th to 11th, a group of over 30 bloggers are celebrating the deliciousness of brunch.  In addition, we have some amazing sponsors who have donated great prizes for a gigantic giveaway so please see below for more information.

Brunch Week Giveaway and Sponsor Information

Thank you so much to our wonderful sponsors for their generosity during Brunch Week.  We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about them all and what you can possibly win!

Caramelized Onion Tart

Today I have the pleasure of participating in the second annual brunch week co-hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen.  From May 5th to 11th, a group of 32 bloggers will celebrate the deliciousness of brunch and bring you their best from cocktails to dessert.  In addition, we have some amazing sponsors who have donated great prizes for a gigantic giveaway so please see below for more information.

Mom's Extra Tall Sponge Cake

Today I'm joining my favorite group of holiday food bloggers to discuss a topic that's near and dear to everyone's hearts - my mom.  OK, maybe my own mom is only near and dear to me but I'm sure you all have your own moms to focus on and celebrate when Mother's Day comes.

Thirsty Thursdays: Tropical Fiesta Cocktail

Tropical Fiesta Cocktail

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this refreshing rum and fruit drink that's perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo!