Homemade Feta and Nectarine Bruschetta
1 baguette, thinly sliced into ovals 6 nectarines, thinly sliced (ripe but not too soft) 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled honey dried thyme » Toast slices of bread in a hot frying pan. » Arrange nectarines on the toasted bread. » Spread feta cheese over the nectarines. » Drizzle with honey and garnish with...
Warm French Green Bean Salad
16 ounces fresh green beans 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons black olives, sliced 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled wheat croutons salt and pepper to taste » Cook the green beans in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to colander. Heat a pan with olive oil, add tomatoes and roast them for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the green beans to the tomatoes and cook for 2...
Breakfast Egg Rolls
6 eggs 2 tablespoons milk salt and paprika to taste 3 cups baby spinach 12 slices of roasted bacon butter for coating skillet » In a large bowl, use a fork to mix eggs, milk, salt, and paprika until well incorporated. Chop spinach and add it to the egg mixture, mixing slightly. Preheat the skillet with butter to medium heat. Pour 2 tablespoons of the egg batter into the hot skillet to form a thin crepe. Fry for about 2 minutes on...
Raspberry Chocolate Cake
For the cake: 8 ounces dark chocolate 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 4 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder For the frosting: 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup milk, at room temperature 1 jar raspberry jam chopped walnuts » Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Grease your baking dish. For the cake, cut chocolate into small pieces and melt in a...
Lemon Curd
zest of 2 lemons 1 cup sugar juice of 4 lemons 4 eggs, at room temperature 2 Tbsp. butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces » In a medium bowl, mix zest and sugar, then add juice and mix well. » In another bowl, beat eggs using a fork, then add the beaten eggs to the lemon mixture. Set aside for 30 minutes. » Strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the zest, then pour it into the saucepan. Add butter, one piece at a time,...
Apricot Jam with Kernels
2 lbs. apricots 4 cups sugar 1/4 cup water » Mix water and sugar in a large saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes until syrupy. » Cut the apricots into halves and remove the pits. Crack the pits with a nutcracker to get the apricot kernels that are inside. Put the kernels into a hot skillet and toast them for 3 minutes, stirring well. » Add the halved apricots and the kernels to the syrup. Bring the...
Cranberry Jam
1/2 cup water, at room temperature 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1 cup sugar 3 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen) » Mix water, juice, and sugar in a saucepan, bring it to a boil, then let boil for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. » Add cranberries and bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat. » Put the finished jam into jars and...
Healthy Roasted Snacks
Curb the urge to down a whole pint of gelato with simple snacks made with basics, like salt, pepper, olive oil and herbs. Springtime snacking never looked so good. ...
Summer Berry Cupcakes
These almost-too-pretty-to-eat berry cupcakes with summer jam and butter cream frosting are sure to become a family favorite. For the cakes 1 stick butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder summer berry jam For the icing 1 stick butter, at room temperature 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, at room temperature 3 tablespoons blackcurrant syrup 1 tablespoon shredded coconut » ...
Classic Poached Eggs on Smoked Gouda, Ham and Sourdough Toast
Ah, the life of leisure. Waking to a serene, sun-dappled room, allowing ample time to lounge amongst 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, wrapping yourself in a soft, lavender scented robe and sliding on those fluffy slippers before padding down plush carpeted stairs to the scents of fresh coffee and something sweet baking. Only in the movies, right? Perhaps, but whip up this delicious breakfast recipe and you’ll forget about...
Decadent Blueberry Muffins
Treat yourself to these luscious muffins. The secret is the sour cream. 4 eggs 2 cups white sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups sour cream 2 cups blueberries Preheat oven to 400 °F. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. In a large bowl beat eggs; gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil....
Hearty Spinach Pancakes with Tart Berry Jam
So green and so good! ½ cup fresh baby spinach (packed) 1½ cups milk 1 egg ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vegetable oil butter or oil for frying tart berry jam (lingonberry, cranberry, gooseberry) for serving Wash the spinach. Puree it with half of the milk in a blender. Add the rest of the milk, egg, salt, flour and oil and mix into a batter. Warm up a frying pan, grease it with...
Grilled Shrimp with Mango-Cointreau Butter Sauce over Green Rice
By Kristine Ackerman Photography By Christopher Nastri Mango-Cointreau Butter Sauce 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon diced shallot 1 tablespoon diced poblano pepper 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest 1/3 cup Cointreau Orange Liqueur 1/2 cup mango purée 2 tablespoons heavy cream 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup diced mango Sea salt and pepper to taste Melt one tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan over medium...
The BEST Buttercream Frosting
By Kristine Ackerman Photography By Christopher Nastri 1/2 pound unsalted butter (2 sticks), almost room temperature 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract » In a mixer bowl, beat the butter until light. Reduce speed to low. Slowly add the powdered sugar, waiting for the sugar to incorporate. After half of the sugar is added, increase speed and whip for 30 seconds. Add...
Roasted Cumin Chickpeas and Pork
Mixing up flavors and textures keeps meals interesting and helps you focus on eating healthy. Roasted Cumin Chickpeas and Pork 1 (16-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 tsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 tsp. ground cumin, divided 4 shallots, thinly sliced 1 tsp. red pepper flakes Pomegranate seeds Cilantro leaves 1 (2-lb.) flank steak (with lots of spice) Zippy Yogurt Sauce 1/3 cup 2% Greek yogurt 1/2 English cucumber,...
Roasted Fall Vegetables and Quinoa
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a chore. You just need balance in your life. Some of this, some of that, everything in moderation. Roasted Fall Vegetables and Quinoa 1 (8-oz.) package baby multi-colored carrots, halved 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 cups coarsely chopped butternut squash (about 8 oz.) 1/4 cup olive oil, divided 3/4 cup unsalted chicken stock 1/2 cup red quinoa 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 3 cups...
Salmon with Warm Fennel and Citrus
When it comes to food, don’t forget more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 1 lime 1 navel orange 1 ruby red grapefruit 1/2 bulb fennel, thinly sliced 6 pitted Castelvetrano green olives, halved 3 tsp. white wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. olive oil 4 (6-oz.) wild salmon fillets 2 tsp. olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 3 tsp. sriracha 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves Zest lime and orange and...
Herradura’s Red, White and Blue Berries
Ingredients: · 1½ oz. Herradura Silver · 2 ½ oz. coconut water · ¼ oz. agave nectar · ½ oz. lime juice Place all ingredients in to a cocktail shaker filled with cubed ice. Shake hard and strain over crushed ice in to a tall glass. Garnish with raspberries and...
Bohemia Fireworks
Ingredients · 2 strawberries · 1.5 oz Bohemia · 1.5 oz spiced rum · .5 oz simple syrup · ½ oz lemon Muddle the strawberries and add the rest of the ingredients. Shake all ingredients and pour over ice in a collins glass. Top with Bohemia...
Is It Bursitis?
That Scary-Sounding Ailment is More Common Than You Might Think If you’ve flipped past a sports broadcast recently you’ve probably heard the word “bursitis” at least once as the anchors rattle off the names of newly injured players. In actuality, there are plenty of colloquial terms people have been using to refer to bursitis for years. Ever heard someone mention “clergyman’s knee” or “student’s elbow?” How about the rather hilarious...
Bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise
1 cup yellow onions, sliced 1/3 cup leeks, sliced, white part only 1/2 cup olive oil 2-3 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped 4 garlic cloves, mashed 2 1/2 quarts water 6 parsley sprigs 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon thyme or basil 1/8 teaspoon fennel Saffron, 2 big pinches Dried orange peel, 2-inch piece 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon salt 3-4 pounds fish heads, including bones and trimmings 6-8 pounds assorted lean fish and shellfish...
Benihana Red Plum Sake Sangria
Toast to the season with a refreshing glass of Benihana Red Plum Sake Sangria. Easily prepared ahead of time, this sipper will be a hit at all of your springtime soirees. Ingredients 13 ounces 14 Hands merlot 3 ounces sake 5 ounces plum wine 2 ounces Monin hibiscus syrup 3 ounces POM pomegranate juice 6 ounces Tropicana orange juice soda water orange slices lime wedges maraschino cherries Combine all of the ingredients in a large...
Beach Fare Comes Home
Bring a bit of the gulf coast into your home with the delicious recipes from the Beach Walk restaurant at Henderson Park Inn. Cinnamon Roll French Toast Serves: 6 to 8 6 eggs 2 cups milk ½ cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Baked Cinnamon rolls, sliced Beat first six ingredients together. Dip each cinnamon roll slice into the batter. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 1½ minutes...
Tomatoes Two Ways
As farmer’s markets become a neighborhood staple as warmer weather blows into town, we can’t wait for tomatoes so juicy, you want to eat them like an apple and let the juices drip where they may. Ripe for the picking are these recipes for tomato-aficionados everywhere. Caprese Salad 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed 1 (10 ounce) basket cherry tomatoes, sliced 3 tablespoons torn fresh basil leaves 1 tablespoon lemon infused olive...
The Capone
The Capone 3 oz. Templeton Rye Whiskey 1 oz. Grand Marnier splash of champagne dash of bitters Combine Templeton Rye, bitters and Grand Marnier in a shaker. Shake well, strain in martini glass. Float champagne and garnish with lemon...
Orange Salad with Red Onion and Olives
4 oranges 1 small red onion Fresh leaf parsley, for garnish 1 handful black olives Mild vinegar Olive oil Salt and pepper Peel the oranges and cut into slices as well as the leaf parsley and red onion. Place oranges and red onions on a plate and dribble olive oil and some nice vinegar over. Season with salt and pepper, and finish of by drizzling olives and parsley over the...
Monkey Shoulder Mint Julep
60 ml Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 10 ml sugar syrup 9 fresh mint leaves Place mint leaves in base of cup, add sugar and softly press to release oils. Add Monkey Shoulder and crushed ice while stirring gently. Keep stirring and adding ice until frozen. Generously garnish with sprigs of...
Hendrick’s Martini
2 ½ parts Hendrick’s Gin ½ part Lillet Blanc In a mixing glass combine ingredients. Ice, stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add the cucumber garnish of your whimsy and...
Four Roses Old Fashioned
50 ml Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon 1 cube of sugar (or a splash of simple syrup) 2 dashes of angostura bitters 2 to 3 ice cubes 1 maraschino cherry Mix sugar, water and angostura bitters in an old-fashioned glass. Muddle into a paste using a muddler or the back end of a spoon. Pour in bourbon, fill with ice cubes, and stir. Garnish with one maraschino cherry....
Carpano Antica Manhattan
2 oz. Bourbon 1 oz. Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth 2 dashes of angostura bitters 1 cherry Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry....
Seared Gulf Red Snapper with Caramelized Fennel and Olive Crostini
Prepare something out of the ordinary that is sure to impress your dinner guests! This blend of flavors that’s a favorite at The Mansion, will not be forgotten. Saffron Sauce 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 3 shallots, peeled and sliced 1 leek, white part only, cleaned and sliced ½ tablespoon cracked coriander seeds ½ tablespoon fennel seeds Fennel stems, chopped 2 dried arbol chiles ½ tablespoon tomato...
Easy, Decadent Truffles
Indulge yourself and your loved ones this Valentine’s Day with these simple, but delectable chocolate truffles. Makes 5 dozen 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted 3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks...
Mixed Berry Smoothie
You’ll find ginger and berries on many “super foods” lists, so this smoothie is not only refreshing; it’s healthy too. Ingredients 1 cup Driscoll’s blueberries 1 cup Driscoll’s raspberries or blackberries 1 cup Driscoll’s strawberries, halved or quartered 1 cup vanilla yogurt 1/2 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger 2 ice cubes berries for garnish Blend berries, yogurt,...
Cinnamon Buttermilk Blueberry Waffles
Surprise someone with a light and lovely breakfast-in-bed, featuring these flavorful waffles. For an added treat, heat the syrup in the microwave with a little melted butter. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 3 tablespoons canola oil 2 large eggs 2 cups Driscoll’s...
Warm Up! With Homemade Hot Chocolate
Sure, the instant mix is convenient but, on a cold winter’s day, a cup of real rich, creamy hot chocolate is a special treat for the whole family. 1 bar gourmet dark chocolate 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup white sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 pinch salt 1/3 cup water 3½ cups milk ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup half-and-half cream Grate the chocolate bar into small curls and place in...
Oven-Roasted Tomato & Gruyere Tarts
Oven-Roasted Tomato & Gruyere Tarts Oven: 375°F to 400°F Prep time: 45 minutes Baking time: 50 minutes Yield: 12 tarts These tarts hit about every note on the savory scale: rich, salty bacon and Gruyère are offset by the natural sweetness of caramelized tomato and roasted garlic. Bake that up in a creamy custard, and you have a handheld bite of bliss. For the Tomatoes and Garlic 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise...
