Food

A Sign Of Summer

I feel very lucky to live in an area that has four seasons. Believe me, this wasn't always the case. I could have easily moved to the West Coast and been happy. However, I get bored easy so over the years I have realized that us having the four seasons really has made me appreciate them all. Even Winter for like a week or so. Ha!

In my house growing up one true sign that summer was upon us was Zucchini Bread sitting on the counter. My Dad always had a huge garden that supplied basically everything, including giant zucchini's perfect for making this signature summer staple. I can still picture my Mom boiling the freshly picked green beans and having just got the most delicious zucchini bread from the oven.

Here is my easy zucchini bread recipe:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
  • 1 cup chocolate chips...for some added pizzazz!

Mix it all together, grease the pan you choose typically in the shape of a rectangle, bake it on 325 for 50-60 minutes. Mine took a little longer so check it with a toothpick to make sure nothing is stuck to the wood when you pull it out.

Do you have a favorite summer recipe?

 

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A Meal Without Wine Is Called Breakfast.

Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm a huge fan of wine. Specifically dry and red. In fact my bridesmaids (and Mom) threw me a beautiful wine themed bridal shower two years ago. It was perfect.

You don't have to be a wine snob to appreciate a glass every now and again but with so much information out there about foods to pair what wine with it can be daunting. So I thought I'd share my quick wine and cheese cheat sheet with you. 

Reds 

Cabernet- Gouda or Chedder

Merlot- Goat Cheese or Asiago

Pinot Noir- Colby or Parmesan 

Whites 

Chardonney- Chedder or Parmesan  

Riesling- Swiss or Gouda 

Pinot Gris (also known as Pinot Grigio) - Brie or Mozzarella 


You can get as elaborate as you'd like of course, add figs or roasted grapes. But this little list is nice to have when you are getting last minute guests and only have but a few minutes to put together an appetizer.  


Healthy and Pretty

I needed to change up my normal salad so I decided to go for the Cobb. At one of our favorite places to eat this is always what I order so I attempted to recreate. What is a Cobb salad exactly? I'll tell you.

  1. The Cobb salad is a main-dish American garden salad made from chopped salad, tomato, crisp bacon, boiled, grilled or roasted (but not fried) chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, avocado, chives, cheese, and red-wine vinaigrette.

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I want to hear from you! What's your favorite way to top a salad?