#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe Review

August 15, 2006 · Narrative

I almost forgot one of the most important elements of last night’s dinner party … the cocktail! I went with a new recipe this time, Nantucket Lemonade. Simple to make and tasty, it went down nice and easy. With the addition of cranberry juice (see recipe below), it has a teensy bit of healthy properties to boot. ;) The other new recipes from last night are included below as well.

Speaking of new recipes, I ended up making a total of 20 new recipes in July. Not as much as usual, but the Summer heat gets in the way of too much cooking. There some clear standouts (Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps, for example) and only 2 real duds. All the recipes I’ve made through June have now been loaded into the Recipes section of my website, including PDFs of each recipe for all but two sections, which makes it super-easy to print whatever you need. You’re sure to discover a new favorite for your table.

Anyone catch the season finale of Hell’s Kitchen? I’m glad Heather won. She was a clear stand-out from the beginning. Now what are we going to watch on Monday nights? Interested in trying out for the next season of Hell’s Kitchen? You can join the casting call here. I love Gordon Ramsay. He’s opening a new restaurant in New York City this Fall and is poised to unleash his high standard of perfectionism on the stiff NYC competition; I don’t think he has anything to worry about.

Until tomorrow…

A year ago today … imports!


July Recipe Recap
Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps
Garden Tomato and Basil Pesto Pizza
Espresso Brownies
Spinach Pesto Pasta
Beat the Heat Summer Pasta
Lemony Orzo Salad
Cheaters Stuffed Artichokes
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Super Stuffed French Bread Pizza Rustica
Coconut Lime Bars
Bacon Bit Burgers with Smoked Gouda and Steak House Smothered Onions
Caribbean Salsa Bites
Oven Baked Chicken Wings
Mexican Monkey Cake
Mamu’s Baked Chicken
Sun Dried Tomato and Feta Dip
12 Eggs in a Pan
Blue Cheese Coleslaw
White Chocolate Squares
Spring Tortellini Salad

Nantucket Lemonade
Recipe courtesy of iVillage

Punch bowl and glasses
5 cups lemonade, homemade or good-quality purchased
2 cups cranberry juice
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 cups vodka
2 cups chilled ginger ale
4 cups ice cubes
Frozen cranberries and lemon slices for garnish

Combine the lemonade, cranberry juice, lime juice and vodka in the punch bowl and mix well. Just before serving, slowly pour in the ginger ale. Add the ice cubes. Garnish with the frozen cranberries and lemon slices and serve immediately.

Notes: For non-alcoholic Nantucket Lemonade, substitute 2 cups additional ginger ale and 1 cup additional cranberry juice for the vodka. For a picnic or harbor cruise, mix the punch directly in a small insulated cooler for instant and easy transportability.

Basil-Turkey Mini Focaccia Sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 contained (6.5 oz) herb-and-garlic spreadable cheese, softened (I used Boursin)
2 medium plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 package fresh basil leaves, stems removed
1/2 lb. thinly sliced smoked turkey (from deli)

Heat oven to 400F. Grease large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust dough, press into 12×8-inch rectangle on cookie sheet. With end of handle of wood spoon, press indentations in top, about 1 inch apart. Brush dough with oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese.

Bake 10-13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes, and cut into half horizontally. Spread cut side of bottom of focaccia with spreadable cheese. Top with single layer of tomatoes and basil. Layer turkey evenly over basil. Place top of focaccia, cut side down, over turkey; press down. Pierce through all layers with toothpicks, placing them every 1-1/2 inches over focaccia. With long serrated knife, cut between toothpicks into squares. 40 mini sandwiches.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. wheresmymind says

    August 15, 2006 at 1:30 pm

    I heart Hell’s Kitchen, but the crop of chefs this season stunk. Heather was the best of a bad lot.

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    August 15, 2006 at 7:04 pm

    Ramsay is a bit too abrasive for me. I see enough of men posturing and yelling all day, I don’t need it in my off time too.
    Love the focaccia sandwiches! They sound super.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design