Month: July 2014

Gourmet Grilled Fruit! Why not?

Island grilled mangoes and papaya with a rum butter sauce, Exotic grilled pear salad with goat cheese and balsalmic drizzle…These menu items can be found in high end eateries all of over the world! They sound ultra sexy and complicated, right? They are not! These delicious tastes can easily be replicated at home in your kitchen!!

Restaurant taste at home!
Restaurant taste at home!

Fruit is made up of sugars and water. Grilling fruit takes out some of the water and caramelizes the natural sugars leaving delicious sweet fruit with a charred texture. This method is quick and easy, and the delicious grilled fruit leaves our taste buds craving more!

Hard fruits are easier to grill. They won’t get mushy and fall apart on you. My favorites are apples, pears and pineapple!

Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!
Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!

One of our breakfast favorites is grilled peaches! (With a squirt of whipped cream!)

Grilled Peaches

Ingredients:
(Yields 4 servings)

4 Sliced white and yellow peaches
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp.cinnamon
1 tbsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Clean grill grate and spray with non stick cooking spray. (Olive oil is too strong for these fruits and will leave a dull taste. If anything use a little butter.)

Dust fruit with the spice mix.

Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don't leave them on too long!
Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don’t leave them on too long!

Grill the fruit on medium heat until it is softened to your liking.(Pierce with a fork. The fruit should be cooked but still firm.) Approx. 4 minutes per side.

OR grill them in a frying pan! Peaches are soft enough to be cooked quickly right on the stove!

A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!
A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!

Don’t forget a fabulous cheese pairing! Grilled pears are delicious with goat cheese or a creamy fontina, while grilled apples are most delicious when served with Gruyere or Brie.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts!

Brussels sprouts are healthy, easy to prepare, and pair well with so many foods! Here is a delicious, super easy recipe the whole family will enjoy!

I started with the roasted sprouts and ended up with a fabulous pasta dish!
I started with the roasted sprouts and ended up with a fabulous pasta dish!

Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. brussels sprouts, halved
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 lemon, squeezed for juice
Fresh grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

Add pressed garlic and cook for a few minutes.

Add cumin and brown sugar.

Brussels sprouts are one of the world's healthiest foods! Fiber containing, cancer fighting, cholesterol lowering, vitamin filled...Visit http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=10 to learn more about their health benefits!!
Brussels sprouts are one of the world’s healthiest foods! Fiber containing, cancer fighting, cholesterol lowering, vitamin filled…Visit http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=10 to learn more about their health benefits!!

Place brussels sprouts on foil lined cookie sheet.

Pour frying pan mixture over brussels sprouts.

Squeeze lemon and sprinkle with salt and pepper .

Cook for 16-20 minutes, until softened but firm. (Test by piercing with a fork.)

I think these would be fabulous on the grill!
I think these would be fabulous on the grill!

I had 8 more ripe Roma tomatoes, so I made a pound of pasta and tossed it with the chopped tomatoes, the brussels sprouts, and 2 tbsp. olive oil!

Of course, always top with fresh grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

What an easy dinner! The sprouts have almost a candy coating!
What an easy dinner! The sprouts have almost a candy coating!

Ciao!

 

 

 

Clothes Mentor Girls Night Out! A Bargain Shopper’s Dream!

Consignment stores are not really my thing. I’m not big on wearing a stranger’s old shirt. But when over half of the items still have store tags, sign me up!!
I met Bethany, www.saltyblonde.com, at the Girls Night Out party at our local Clothes Mentor to check it out.

Bethany and I share a love for fashion and bargains! Oh yeah, and scarves!
Bethanny and I share a love for fashion and bargains! Oh yeah, and scarves!

I was greeted at the door with a chance to win a coral leather $458 Coach bag. So I filled out the ticket and started shopping!
Our first stop was a scarf wall!

The shoes were at the top of all the clothes racks and most were brand new! Vera Bradley flip flops with tags were $14! Brand name clothing items from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, JCrew, Splendid, Paper Denim Co, True Religion, JBrand and even Tory Burch were hanging everywhere!

Cindy Martin, Clothes Mentor franchise owner, explained that they are very picky when selecting items to resell, and buyers appreciate it!

Clothes Mentor franchise owner Cindy Martin also owns the teen brand consignment store Plato's Coset next door Bridgeville, PA
Clothes Mentor franchise owner Cindy Martin also owns the teen brand consignment store Plato’s Coset next door Bridgeville, PA

Cindy told me women love this store’s cash at drop off policy , meaning a consignor doesn’t wait for items to sell to get paid! Cindy explained that they accept all seasons all the time and items with store tags move quickly! Her Girls Night Out events have been a huge success.

Cindy offers customers an extra 20% off during GNO and a giveaway item of value!
While I was putting together an outfit I heard them announce the winner of the $458 Coach purse …it was me!

Super cute bag! Thanks!
Super cute bag! Thanks!

Here is the outfit I put together.

Pairing a bubble skirt with a wedge adds an edge to the feminine pump look.
Pairing a bubble skirt with a wedge adds an edge to the feminine pump look.
The brand new chartreuse Seychelles Los Angeles wedges were a great fashion find and a steal at $13!
These brand new Seychelles Los Angeles chartreuse wedges were a great fashion find and a steal at $13! The brand sells in LA shoe boutiques for $95-$150!

I will be taking a bin of clothing to Clothes Mentor soon to see how much money I am offered. Have you consigned clothing? Every been to a Clothes Mentor? I would love to hear about your experience!

Ciao!