happy first day of summer!

not having summer-like weather here, but this recipe definitely reminds me of summer weather!

what you need:

blackberries

3/4 oz lime juice

1 1/2 oz sauza silver tequila

1/2 oz cointreau

1/8 oz agave nectar

directions:

muddle 5 fresh blackberries in a drink shaker.  add lime juice, tequila, cointreau and agave nectar.  fill the shaker with ice and shake well for 15 seconds.  rim glass with salt or sugar and fill with ice.  pour margarita into the glass and enjoy!

amazing!

happy friday everyone!

thought i would share this simple mojito recipe since it is friday :)  unfortunately we lost our spring weather for a few days, but next week is looking warm again!

what you need:

handful of blueberries

limes quartered

1 tsp sugar

10 fresh mint leaves

1.5 shot of bacardi rum

seltzer

directions:

squeeze 3-4 limes wedges into glass.  (i usually leave 1-2 used wedges in the glass) add blueberries, sugar, mint and muddle all together well.  the more muddled it is, the more flavor that come from the limes, blueberries and mint. add rum and fill glass with ice.  pour seltzer over the mixture till glass is full.  mix well.

cheers to the weekend!

i made this last weekend for a cookout.  first time trying whipped feta and it was amazing!

what you need:

16 oz.  feta cheese (i used one with basil added already for extra flavor!)

8oz.  whipped cream cheese

cherry tomoatoes

garlic olive oil

salt and pepper

french baguette

directions:

add crumbled feta to food processor and mix until small crumbs.  add whipped cream cheese and puree until super creamy.  chop up tomotoes in halves or fourths and place on baking sheet.  drizzle with garlic olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  broil for about 1 1/2 minutes, until roasted.

slice up baguette and broil until toasted.  spread on wipped feta and top with roasted tomatoes.  season with fresh herbs.  serve + enjoy.

happy friday everyone!

okay so this is an amazing recipe!  i know i say that all the time, but i love trying new drinks!

what you need:

6 – 8 blackberries

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1 1/2 cups pom juice

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 cup tequila

1/4 cup triple sec

limes

directions:

muddle the blackberries and pomegranate seeds in a shaker until mushy.  add pom juice, lime juice, tequila + triple sec.  cover + shake!  rim a glass with salt or sugar and pour!

makes about 2-3 servings depending on glass used.

enjoy!

i love mojitos.

they do take a little time to make and you need a few things for them, but so worth it!

what you need:

small pieces of pineapple

4-6 blackberries

10 mint leaves

1 lime – cut into quarters

1 tsp sugar

2 oz barcardi rum

seltzer

directions:

squeeze 2 limes into a glass. add sugar and mint.  muddle them together well.

add the blackberries and pineapple.  muddle again until everything is mushy and liquidy.

add the baracadi and fill with ice.

top off with seltzer.

last, stir everything together very well!

enjoy!

ella and i spent our saturday morning baking…

the most amazing banana bread ever!

what you need:

3 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. sald

1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened

2 c. sugar

3 c. mashed banana

4 large eggs, beaten

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. mini chocolate chips

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees

butter 2 – 9×5 loaf pans

in a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder + salt

in a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar.  add the bananas and eggs, beating until well blended.  beat in the vanilla

add dry ingredients to the banana mixture.  blend well.  stir in chocolate chips.

pour batter into pans and bake for 50-55 minutes (or toothpick comes out clean)

cool for 15 min. turn out of pants

enjoy!

i just love the idea of sliders – they are perfect!  i am not a huge eater so i like the idea of something small and not feeling overwhelmed + full after eating is a huge plus.  i have made several different kinds of sliders; burgers, meatball sandwiches, french dip, chicken, etc.  but these are one of my favorite.  i think what makes these little things so amazing is the chipolte sauce!  it compliments the meat + swiss perfectly.  (my kids eat the sliders too – always a bonus!)

what you need:

okay, so these two things are a favorite in our house!  i can get the whole family to eat the meal, and the margaritas are a great compliment to the meal for the adults!  i have doubled the recipe and served the shells for a party too.  they are so good, i promise you wont be disappointed!  AND you can make them ahead of time and bake them when you are ready to serve them!

taco shells

what you need:

1 lb ground beef

1 package taco seasoning

1 4oz cream cheese

1 box of large pasta shells

1 cup salsa

1 cup taco sauce

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

tortilla chips

sour cream, pico, guacamole

directions:

brown the ground beef and drain excess liquid.  add taco seasoning and 3/4 cup of water, mixing well.   add cream cheese and simmer until cheese is melted.  set aside and allow to fully cool.  while meat is cooking/cooling, cook pasta shells, drain and toss well in butter.

pour salsa in the bottom of 9×13 baking dish.  stuff each shell with the meat mixture.  place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and drizzle the taco sauce over the shells.  cover and bake at 350˚ for 30 minutes.

after, uncover, and sprinkle shells with crushed up tortilla chips and shredded cheeses.  cook for 15 more minutes (uncovered).  i love to serve mine with pico, gauc and sour cream, but feel free to add whatever you think goes good with tacos – you will not be disappointed!!!

and since we are kinda doing a mexican theme, i added my favorite margaritas!!!!

blood orange margaritas

ok, so i will admit, one of my favorite drinks (especially in summer on a patio!) is margaritas!  this recipe is so simple, yet SO good!  and a nice change from the lime or strawberry margarita!  let me know what you think :)

what you need:

1 cup  freshly squeezed blood orange juice (about 7-8 oranges)
1/3 cup  freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 cup sauza silver tequila
splash of cointreau
orange slices for garnish

combine first 4 ingredients in a shaker and shake well.  pour into chilled, salted rimmed glass with ice, garnish with orange.   aaaamazing!!!

cheers friends!