TCT = Two Cent Tuesday.

5 Jul

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July!! It doesn’t quite feel like Tuesday does it?!  But if you do have to go back to work or you’re just feeling a little thrown off, not to worry.  Two  Cent Tuesday is here!
1.) If you’ve been craving nothing but salads lately I found the perfect recipe for you. Sweet, salty and amazing photos!
2.) Do you want to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie?  Who doesn’t! 
3.) Next time you’re at a cocktail party don’t forget your finger plate so you can free up your hands for more drinks! 
4.) Ever wish you could cook your hot dog and bun perfectly in synch?
5.) Wondering what to do with all of that fresh, sweet summer corn?  What about grilled corn and tomato fettuccine?
6.) Are you obsessed with diet soda?  You might want to think twice about slugging one down after reading this article.
7.) Have you ever had pineapple casserole? If you have you know it is buttery, sugary and sinful, but here is a lighter version.
8.) Looking for a different way to have your cake and eat it too?
9.) Do you think it is possible to make delicious meals for $6 or less a day?  Oh  yes it is.
10.) Last week I posted a link for homemade goldfish.   This week?  Homemade Cheez-Its. You’re welcome Jay!
Enjoy your week, Friday is only 3 short days away

Tags: two cent tuesday

Farm Fresh Friday: DeHarts Farm Market

1 Jul

It’s places like DeHarts Farm Market that give me faith that small town American still exists.

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Where the fresh produce is grown, picked and sold in one location.

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Where family and friends can rely on fresh, delicious tasting fruits and vegetables.
And where we can directly support the farmers.
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There is nothing like the way produce smells. If the scent could be bottled or made into a candle I would buy a lifetime supply. And each time I walk up to DeHarts I am overwhelmed with the amazing smell of freshness.

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Some of my favorite items from DeHarts include tomatoes, peaches, eggplant and garlic. Sometimes I stop not knowing what I will buy and just seeing what is available. Now that is when you know you are buying something fresh.

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In South Jersey little farm stands such as this one are passed each day. And we often do not get a chance to really appreciate how lucky we are to have great fresh food so close to home.
If you want to win a CASE of Pop Chips check out Danica’s GIVEAWAY! Have a great weekend and enjoy your 4th of July :)

Tags: DeHarts Farm Market, famers market, Farm Fresh Friday, NJ farm market

Vacation for Brunch

30 Jun

The morning Lisa and I went to Cuba was one I will never forget. It was slightly humid but a perfect summer morning regardless. We wore dresses and casually walked through the streets with hungry stomachs.
No, I we did not really go to Cuba. But step foot in Cuba Libre, located in Philadelphia and you will feel like you just set foot in downtown Cuba.
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The beautiful trees, cultural decorations and open windows create an ambiance like no other.
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We were lucky enough to be invited to enjoy brunch and try the new menu celebrating Cuba Libre’s 10th anniversary which was created by chef Guillermo Perno (James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic Region & Best Single Subject Cookbook ) and inspired by his trip to Cuba.

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At first we though we might be experiencing brunch with other bloggers. Maybe we would sit at a large table together. Maybe there would be a brunch style breakfast. Instead we were completely spoiled and sat at a table for two and were given the opportunity to order anything on the menu. Anything? Such dangerous words for food bloggers.

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So we decided on the brunch without borders, a tapas style brunch where you pay $25 per person and order as much as you like.
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We both started with the Café Cuba Libre which was exactly what I was looking for. Sweet, foamy and smooth.
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Each table is given an assortment of bread:
Warm banana bread, guava cream cheese hojaldre, crispy churro and orange-ginger muffin.
Accompanied by mango butter and guava marmalade. Note to self, make mango butter.
And then the rounds of food began. I’m not kidding when I say “rounds”
Round 1:
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Atún Africano
African adobo-rubbed charred tuna, pickled cucumber salad
and avocado salsa. Preserved Meyer lemon-curry oil
Cóctel de Camarones
Cuban style shrimp cocktail. Latino cóctel and avocado salsa
Camarones a la Parrilla
Cuban pesto-marinated grilled shrimp, boniato chip
and arugula salad. Pimentón-lemon vinaigrette
Round 2:
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Torta de Cangrejo Benedict
Jumbo lump crabmeat and potato cake, poached egg,
avocado mash. Tomato Hollandaise sauce
Frituras de Bacalao
Salted cod fritters. Homemade lemon mayonnaise
Pulpo con Berenjenas
Truffle and citrus marinated grilled baby octopus,
Haitian eggplant salad
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Round 3:
Cesar de Oriente
Crispy spring roll of Cortez chorizo and shrimp.
Shredded hearts of romaine. Roasted garlic-Caesar
dressing and Cotija cheese
Ensalada de Pollo Rancho Luna
Citrus marinated pulled chicken salad, Napa cabbage,
romaine lettuce, sweet grapes tomatoes, red onions,
cucumbers and crispy wontons. Chinita mustard dressing
Albondigas Camagüey
Chino glazed beef, pork, and pine nut meatballs.
Pickled carrot-cilantro slaw
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Frituras de Malanga
A traditional Cuban appetizer of purple taro root,
garlic and culantro fritters. Tamarindo ketchup
Buñuelos de Espinaca
Spinach and Manchego cheese puffs.
Goat cheese-ranch sauce and organic olive oil
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At first we considered doing a “dessert” round:
Torreja
Hazelnut and almond encrusted brioche French toast.
Frangelico-Mascarpone cheese,
drunken strawberry-honey drizzle
Waffle de Chocolate
Cuban chocolate waffle, chunky banana-sun dried
cherry-vanilla syrup
Which was pretty hard to turn down but our stomachs had all the amazing food they could take.
Our experience went above and beyond what we were expecting. Between the food, the atmosphere, the great service and fun we had…it isn’t if I will be back, it is when! And the brunch deal is just too great to turn down.
Why not take a vacation to Cuba this weekend? I hear there’s a mojito with your name on it.

Tags: , Cuba Libre Philadelphia, Cuban food, Guillermo Pernot,

Terrific Two Cent Tuesday

28 Jun

Well hello!  It’s Tuesday.  You know, the day after Monday.  And also the one where I give my two cents!  In case you missed last week’s TCT!
1.) This recipe is simply amazing!  Homemade goldfish crackers and instructions on how to make the cookie cutter! Simply genius (not to mention delicious).
2.) Have you seen the amazing levitating girl?  Her blog is dedicated to photos she takes of herself and others that make it look like they are just hanging in the air.  Realistically, she is jumping, sometimes for 100s of times she said.
3.) The Dainty Chef recently took part in Foodbuzz’s 24 x 24 event where she hosted a Philly themed party!  Check it out for amazing homemade Philly treats.
4.)  Five diet rules it is okay to break!? I’m all about breaking rules.
5.) Do you enjoy food on a stick? Check this recipe out for a delicious mango on a stick recipe and a chance to win a book about… well, food on a stick!
6.) Sure you’ve tried tomato and mozzarella salad but what about tomato, mozzarella and strawberry!
7.) This girl has a good thing going!  She drinks while blogging and is hysterical.  I highly recommend her site for a good  laugh.
8.) Have you ever tried a stuffed cookie!? Neither have I, but  these recipes are high on my to do list!
9.) Do you ever crave soup during the grossly hot summer months? Why not try a cool mango gazpacho recipe? Slurp it down to cool you off!
10.) Have you ever tried grilled corn?  It is a great way to jazz up a summer classic.

 

Would you like to be featured in next week’s TCT?  Feel free to leave a comment, tweet me or email me.  Or you can become a fan on facebook and let me know there!  I will gladly feature your interesting link! 

Tags: fun blog finds, two cent tuesday

On your palate these will please–Homemade Ravioli with Goat Cheese

27 Jun

After visiting Cherry Grove Farm I had quite the assortment of cheese on my hands. And when is a lot of cheese ever a bad thing? The real question is, besides consuming large amounts of cheese and crackers, what can you do with cheese?!
Make ravioli of course!
Don’t worry. I was scared about making homemade ravioli too. But I promise this recipe is really easy and versatile.
You will need:
•3 cups flour
•1 cup of hot water
•Extra flour for dusting
•Goat cheese
•Lemon zest
•Olive oil
•Sea salt

1.) Combine flour and water in a bowl and stir until the mixture becomes doughy. Form into a ball and cover with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.
2.) Place dough on a clean surface that you have dusted with flour. Begin rolling dough with a rolling pin and continue to roll until dough is very thin but will not rip when folding. While you are rolling you may want to dust the rolling pin with flour and continue to add more flour as necessary if it is sticky.
3.) Cut dough into whichever shape you please. I chose square but circular ravioli would work too. After making the first piece, use it to measure the other pieces.013
4.) Place about a teaspoon of goat cheese in the middle of each square then top with another piece of dough. Press the edges to seal the dough.

5.) To cook ravioli simply boil water and place ravioli gently in the water. When the ravioli are finished they will float to the top in about 4-5 minutes.
6.) Top with olive oil, lemon zest and sea salt. These ingredients can be used as liberally as you like! I would suggest adding a little bit of ravioli topping and then just taste as you go and add more if you like.

The goat cheese that I used was lavender and honey, which is why I chose to stick with simple ingredients to use with the ravioli – lemon, olive oil and sea salt. Not only was the goat cheese creamy and tangy but the bold flavor of the lavender accompanied by the subtle honey really creates something unique.
While making homemade ravioli may seem tricky, once you learn the technique you will most likely start experimenting with all kinds of creations! And while I can’t promise any ravioli concoction will be amazing, stick with goat cheese and you won’t be disappointed.
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