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Lemonade Iced Tea

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This refreshing Lemonade Iced Tea is similar to an Arnold Palmer but has more flavors and the adult version has a special kick!
A great pitcher beverage for a cookout crowd.

Lemonade Iced Tea
Lemonade Iced Tea

Ingredients;
3 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar or use an equal measure of Splenda/Stevia
2 large family size tea bags or 5 reg size (I like Tetleys Iced Tea Blend)
6 mint leaves
3 cups cold water
6oz can of frozen lemonade
4 slices of each; orange, lemon and lime
6 maraschino cherries
***adult version add 1 cup of bourbon or spiced dark rum

Directions;
Boil the 3 cups of water and remove from the heat. Add the sugar and stir until melted. Add the tea bags and mint and set aside for 30 minutes.
Remove the bags and add the lemonade, stir until melted. Pour into a large pitcher, add the fruit and chill.
Serve over ice in a tall glass.

Guacamole Dip

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This fresh guacamole dip is easy and so nutritious. Great for company or a snack for the kids. Adjust the spiciness to your liking. You can use my short cut salsa or chop your own plum tomatoes, garlic, onion and cilantro.

Guacamole
Guacamole

Ingredients;
4 x avocados, firm but giving when pressed
1 fresh lime
1/2 cup fresh store made salsa, any style/flavor you like
Tabasco sauce
Tortillas, any variety of corn; white, yellow or blue

Directions;
Slice the avocados in half lengthwise using the knife up against the pit from one side to the other . Holding each side twist and the avocado will come part easily. Do a chop motion with the knife into the pit and turn the knife and the pit will come out. Spoon or slice out the avocado flesh into a bowl. You can leave the flesh chunky or mashed, its your choice. Cut the lime in half and squeeze all the juice over the avocado. Add the salsa and mix. Use as much or as little of the Tabasco as you like. Serve immediately. Guacamole even with the lime juice in it will brown if left out too long. So make it just before you want to use it. Serve with fresh tortillas if you can get them or lightly salted super market type.

Lobster and Shrimp Fra Diavolo

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This spicy Lobster and shrimp Fra Diavolo dish is classic coastal southern Italian. Make it mild or spicy, your choice.
You can also use other shellfish if you like. Serve as is or over your favorite long style pasta, like linguine or over cooked rice.

Lobster and shrimp Fra Diavolo
Lobster and shrimp Fra Diavolo

Ingredients;
2 lobster tails cut in half length wise, any size from 3oz-6oz each
1LB raw shelled and deveined shrimp, I like 16-20 count size
2 cups plum tomatoes, roughly cut
4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 TSP red pepper flakes
1 TSP parsely, chopped

Directions;
In a large deep frying pan saute the garlic in the oil for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, parsley, red pepper and 1/2 the basil. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
Add the shell fish and simmer for about 5 minutes turning the shell fish until the shrimp flesh is pink and the lobster meat is white and firm, but not too long so that it gets rubbery.
Place in a serving dish as is or over pasta/rice.
Sprinkle with the remaining basil leaves.

Tiramisu

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The translation of Tiramisu from Italian means “pick me up”.  I guess with the espresso and sugar it does just that. This Tiramisu dessert has been around in Europe for decades but only in the last 20 years or so very popular in the USA. It’s easy to make once you find the mascarpone cheese. Mascarpone is like the Italian version of cream cheese, but make no mistake they are not interchangeable.

Tiramisu
Tiramisu

Depending on where you live you can find this cheese in supermarkets near the imported cheese area, or specialty food stores.
This dessert can be frozen for future use if you like.

Ingredients;
24 crisp Italian lady fingers(savoiardi)
3/4 cup espresso coffee, cooled
6 eggs, separated
6 TBLS sugar
4 x 4oz packages Mascarpone cheese
2 TBLS brandy(you can omit if you need to)
8oz semi sweet chocolate shavings
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions;
In a **2-3 QT serving dish arrange half the lady fingers. Brush them lightly with the espresso.
In a small bowl beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow. Add the mascarpone and brandy stirring gently. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold into the mascarpone mixture. Spread half the mixture on top of the lady fingers in the dish. Sprinkle with half the chocolate shavings and dust with cocoa. Repeat the lady finger layer and brush with espresso. Cover with remaining mascarpone mixture and top with a dusting of cocoa and the remaining chocolate shavings. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving or you can wrap the dish for freezing. Thaw before serving.

**you can also make this in individual small cups with a peel away liner.