Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiche




One of the foods that always gave my solace after a long day in the library when I was pounding out my doctorate was quiches of all kinds, so I drug out an old recipe, omitted the crust for Rick, added a couple of things and my Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiche (recipe follows) was born. Not only did this one bring back memories of long hours of research and studying, but this week it just plain old hit the spot. 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Easter 2013 Revisited One Final Time--The Second Dining Table


Our second Easter dining table was also decked our in purple and green against a white damask table cloth (that belonged to my mother). Crystal candle holders were home to two green tapers.

The centerpiece was so fun and whimsical--a green Easter basket filled with purple shred, darker purple silk gerbera daisies and ceramic birds





Thursday, April 25, 2013

Easter 2013 Revisited One--Main Dining Table

Easter 2013 was a wonderful opportunity to share our home with our friends. I though you folks just might like to get a glimpse into the table setting before them as they partook of the dishes prepared for them.
Purple and green carried the theme of the day. Don't get caught off guard by the purplish-pink azaleas. The real centerpiece for Easter dinner was live lavender plants.

A white hemstitched tablecloth formed the backdrop for a silk topper in the same shade of green as the bow below the chandelier. Purple place mats with green napkins framed square white plates set a a 45 degree angle for added interest. 

Purple candlesticks supported matching green pillar candles.

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Tropical Virgin Summer Pina Colada




Just look at this mouth watering drink! Cool, sweet and oh so-o-o-o refreshing!
Want a  little something cool and refreshing to sip on while preparing dinner?  I have  the most fantastic, non-alcoholic Virgin Summer Pina Colada (recipe follows), just for you. This is so tasty, no one can drink just one. If you are expecting a group, you may want to make several batches. This is fun drink for those who are either not old enough to partake or who choose not to.
HOWEVER, if you have had a really hard day and want a little more kick? Substitute 1/2 cup rum for the rum flavoring, and there you will have it. The paper umbrella adds a festive touch. Imagine cooking dinner while sipping on an exotic drink. Seems just a tad decadent, doesn't it?

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Dijon Roasted Asparagus


This is the best asparagus recipe ever, retaining all of the crunch and taste without any compromises. The one and only thing to be mindful of is placing the asparagus spears in a single layer because the cheeses tend to “stick” the spears together. By laying the spears in a single layer, serving six to eight spears is a snap by simply using a knife to cut through the cheese layer. Broccolini, another term my program does not recognize, or Brussels sprouts may be used in place of the asparagus with equally success.

Creole Roasted Shrimp with Lemon-Dill-Mayo Dipping Sauce



Don't you wish you could have been at my party?  I just fell in love with this recipe. I  have made it  three times, tweaking it just a little more each time, so you may be seeing this one again down the road.

When you combine lemon, dill and mayonnaise, this sauce would make shoe leather taste good. During the process of perfecting this recipe, I also learned a new way to cook shrimp—roasting. I may never boil or grill shrimp again. Roasting these babies in the oven is oh so easy. If you line your baking sheet with parchment paper, cleanup is a breeze. The only little biddy baby problem I had was making sure I did not over cook them. If you do, you will think you are chewing on pencil erasers. You need to hang out by the oven with a watchful eye while the shrimp are cooking. I like to serve these as an appetizer, but if you drizzle the sauce over the shrimp and place on a bed of rice, all of a sudden you have an entrée.

Here is my recipe and how I put this one together:

One Recipe Four Ways: Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs, Avocados, Tomatoes or an Appetizer Dip




I just love versatile recipes--you know the type.  You have one basic recipe that can easily be adapted into three distinctive dishes.

For Easter 2013, one of the dishes I prepared was "Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs". I had a lot of filling left, so I placed the extra filling in a small bowl in the middle surrounded by gluten free crackers. And, that got me to thinking. I could simply serve this stuffing as a an appetizer dip. The stuffing would also make a delicious luncheon or bunch dish by stuffing avocado halves or into tomato halves.

Okay, let's look at how to use this one basic recipe:
  • Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs
  • Crab Stuffed Avocados
  • Crab Stuffed Tomatoes
  • Crab Dip 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Midori Sparkle



A drink as yummy as it is pretty.

We used this as our greeting wine for our Easter dinner. I thought it fit beautifully with my theme of Purple and Green: The Colors of Spring.

Easter 2013 in Review--My Menu



Easter Dinner 2013
Midori Sparkle (click for recipe)
Appetizers:
Fruit and Cheese Tray with Honey Flavored Fruit Dip
Sun Dried Tomato Dip with Fresh Veggies
Marinated Mushrooms
Mixed Nuts
Entrée:
Pork Tenderloin with Blackberry Chipotle Glaze Topped with Toasted Walnuts
Sides:
Dijon Roasted Asparagus (click for recipe)
Cauliflower Casserole
Confetti Corn Custard Casserole
Crab Stuffed Deviled Eggs (click for recipe)
Deviled Eggs Stuffed with Smoked Salmon
Wine:
Chateau Mesar
Dessert:
Easy Fruit Cobbler
Mocha Panna Cotta with Rose Scented Whipped Cream

Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2013