Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Culinary Skills

           To further my culinary skills, I have been thinking of attending culinary school, or at least some basic culinary classes. Even by reading multiple books, lessons, articles, or blogs about cooking...or even watching as many videos, lectures, or presentations....I need hands on work and practice, from a professional!! I have some different schools in mind, but if any of you have any referrals, please share!

           Little bursts of ideas are swarming my head, and I am anticipating accomplishing them! Thoughts of my own business, shop, or even online outlet....either way it's attainable, I just need the right tools! There is a reason I am dreaming these little steps, I just wanted to share with my supporters! On my way.....



Christina

Freckled Foodie


Thursday, August 11, 2011

Summer Side Showstoppers

These are a couple of some spectacular summer side dishes that you can serve when arranging your next summer party!! Very easy to assemble and enjoy!!

 

 Smoky Corn on the Cob

Cooking corn on the grill is easy. Just remove the silk, then fold the husk back up and put the whole ear on the grill.


Picture of Smoky Corn On the Cob Recipe


Total Time:
20 min
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
  
Directions
Peel back the husks from the corn and remove the silk. Butter the kernels and sprinkle with salt and smoked paprika. Fold the husks back over the corn and grill over low heat until cooked through, turning occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes.


  One of my summer staples, is roasted corn on the cob!! Play with different spices, cheeses, hot sauces, etc!! It is a fun treat for the summer!!

 

 Bell Pepper Slaw

Add some color to your cookout spread with this beautiful side, mixed up with a creamy mustard dressing.
Picture of Bell Pepper Slaw Recipe


Total Time:
15 min
Prep
15 min

Yield:
6-8 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • Kosher salt
  • 1/2 cupapple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 6  bell peppers (red, orange and yellow), cut into thin strips
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced and roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons whole-grain dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup mayo

Directions

Whisk the sugar and 2 teaspoons salt with the vinegar in a large bowl until dissolved. Add the celery seeds, mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the bell peppers, celery, scallions and cabbage, and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
Add the mustard and mayonnaise to the slaw and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.


I love recipes that bring on the color!! This is a great dish that does exactly that!! Vibrant bold colors of yummyness!! Enjoy!!


Heirloom Tomato Chow-Chow

Fresh tomatoes take a pickled, Southern spin with this summer salad.

Picture of Heirloom Tomato Chow-Chow Recipe


Total Time:
45 min
Prep
25 min
Cook
20 min

Ingredients

  • 4 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons mustard seeds
  • 3 tablespoons celery seeds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons pickling spice
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 pounds firm heirloom tomatoes (mixed colors and varieties), cut into large chunks
  • 2 medium onions, sliced

Directions

Combine the vinegar, sugar, ginger, dry mustard, turmeric, mustard seeds, celery seeds, pickling spice and 1 teaspoon salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer 15 minutes to extract  the flavors of the spices.
Return to high heat; once the mixture is boiling and steaming, add the tomatoes and onions, stirring to coat everything evenly. Reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.


Tomatoes can be interesting, especially with this recipe!! Heirloom tomatoes are bright, bubbly, and brilliant! Play with different colors, or stick to the original reds! Either way, I love them because they are a bit sweeter and have a fresh bite to them! Enjoy!!



Christina
Freckled Foodie

Monday, August 8, 2011

Beach Party Cupcakes

Beach Party Cupcakes
Beach Party Cupcakes
Start to Finish: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2
    16-ounce cans vanilla frosting
  • Blue food coloring
  • 24
    2-1/2-inch cupcakes in paper bake cups (any flavor)
  • 2
    0.75-ounce tubes blue decorating gel
  • 2/3
    cup finely crushed vanilla wafers (16 cookies)
  • 2
    plain doughnut holes
  • 3
    to 4 rolls assorted flavors rolled fruit leather
  • 2
    peanut-shape peanut butter sandwich cookies
  • Licorice laces, cut into small pieces
  •  1
  • or 2 fruit-flavored ring-shape jelly candies
Directions 1. Place 1/4 cup of the frosting in a small microwave-safe bowl; set aside. Tint half of the remaining frosting with blue food coloring. Frost half of the cupcakes with blue frosting. Use blue gel to pipe waves onto blue frosted cupcakes. Frost the remaining cupcakes with white frosting; sprinkle white cupcakes generously with crushed vanilla wafers to resemble sand; set aside.
2. For beach balls, microwave the 1/4 cup frosting on 100 percent power (high) for 10 to 20 seconds or until melted. With a fork, dip doughnut holes into melted frosting, turning to coat. Place on waxed paper; let dry. For panels on the beach balls, unroll fruit leather and cut eight 3x1/2-inch rectangles, tapering short ends to a point. Place four strips on each coated doughnut hole to look like beach balls. Set aside until set.
3. For beach towels, unroll and cut the remaining fruit leather into 3x2-inch rectangles. If desired, cut fringe at the short ends of rectangles. Roll up the rectangles so they resemble towels.
4. For flip-flops, separate peanut butter sandwich cookies; scrape off filling. Use filling to attach two short pieces of licorice lace on smooth sides of peanut butter cookies to look like flip-flops.
5. Arrange beach balls, beach towels, flip-flops, and ring-shape jelly candies on platter with cupcakes. Makes 24 (2-1/2-inch) cupcakes.

   
   I love these cupcakes!! Especially for a summer party, or a beach themed get together!! :)

Enjoy!!

Christina
Freckled Foodie

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Oceanside Bedroom


Oceanside Bedroom

Oceanside Bedroom
       Recalling the crest of a wave, the shapely headboard in this bedroom helps linens in dusty blue and beige to soar. A sea motif carried out in some of the accent pillows gives life to the subtle sun and surf theme.    Colors softened with gray are easy to live with. The muted hues used in this bedroom mix well together, setting a calm mood that makes you want to linger.