Red, White & Blue

Looking forward to a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Here are a few yummy treats I am making this year:

Patriotic Flag Cake- This will put everyone in the spirit. Made with fresh raspberries and blueberries, this cake is the perfect end to a beach cookout.

Mini Watermelon Slices (Made with Jell-O)- Kids love these! Take a lime, cut in half, scoop out the fruit. Make red Jell-O and fill the peels. Stick mini chocolate chips in for the seeds. They are cute and delicious on a hot day.

Sparkling Mango with Mint Cocktails- Mix together pure mango nectar, fresh like juice, and Moscsato d' Asti sparkling wine and a few fresh mint leaves. Garnish with fresh cucumber spear. Yummy! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with friends, family, love & fireworks! 

XX,

K

Potatoes!!!

 A few facts....

• In 1995, the potato was the first vegetable grown in space.
• The potato is the world's 4th most important food crop after rice, wheat and corn.
• The potato is grown in more countries than any crop but corn.
• Potatoes are grown in all 50 states of the USA and in about 125 countries throughout the world.
• The U.S. is the fifth largest producer of potatoes in the world.
• More than one in ten potatoes produced in the U.S. is exported.
• The Russet is the most common potato found in your grocery store.
• Europeans consume twice as many potatoes as Americans per year.
• Potatoes are second only to milk as the most consumed food in America.
• At least in the U.S. "spud" is slang for potato.

* Facts from Best Potato Recipes Collection, 2010

Warm Dijon Potato Salad

5 medium red or gold potatoes
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 green onion, sliced
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper  

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover 

Bring to a boil 

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender

In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients

Drain potatoes and cut into cubes; add to the mayonnaise mixture (Mayo, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, S & P) and gently toss to coat

Serve immediately 

Yummy! 

xx,
K

Guilty Pleasure

My all-time favorite spot to get a little pizza and relax is the Grotto in The Golden Nugget, Las Vegas.

I start off with a small Grotto chopped salad. It is zesty and fresh. Then I make the difficult, and sometimes impossible, decision between the Margherita & the Capriciosa pizzas. Both are delicious! If you ever get a chance stop by this place, take it. They also have a great happy hour with unbeatable prices.

Cin Cin, 
K

Fiesta!

Happy Wednesday! Out boating with some friends this afternoon & need a snack to take along. Making this simple & delicious guacamole. One bite and you won't be able to stop. Yummy! 

Perfect Party Guacamole

Pile onto cutting board:

1/4 c chopped onion

2 chopped Serrano chiles

1 finely diced jalapeno

1 cup torn cilantro 

big pinch of kosher salt 

pinch of cumin

1. Chop, then mash into a paste with the flat side of a large knife

2. Transfer to a bowl, add 3 diced avocados & the juice from one lime
3. Mash with a wooden spoon until combined but still chunky 
4. Stir in 1 medium diced tomato

5. Top with more tomato, cilantro and onion

Served with tortilla chips or on top of your favorite sandwich. 

¡provecho! 

xx,

K

Beautiful.

                                                       Summer at its finest.

Tired of your boring lunch?

This is salad I sometimes make when I am tired of the same old. Yams are a super food! Low in calories and no fat! They pack a punch of beta-carotene & have five times the daily dose of Vitamin A in one sweet potato. They are also loaded with potassium. These nutrients help to protect against heart attack and stroke. The potassium helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure. All around a good thing. The beans are nice for some extra protein. This meal will fill you up without filling you out.

Yam & Black Bean Salad over Crisp Romaine

2 medium size yams/sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)
1 can black beans (drained & rinsed)

1 large tomato (seeded and diced)
1 cup cilantro (finely chopped)

1. In a skillet add 1/4 c of water & yams

2. Bring water to a boil, once boiling turn to low heat and cover for 20-25 min. (until soft)
3. Drain water & remove yams from skillet to let cool

Dressing:
1 tbsp water

1/2 c olive oil

1/2 c vinegar

1 c sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1. Mix together & boil for 2-3 minutes to dissolve sugar
2. Let cool

Salad:
1. Mix together yams, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro & dressing in large bowl

Tah-dah! Serve over chopped romaine & ENJOY!

xx,

K