Grilled Zucchini

Zucchini
Olive Oil
Salt
 Pepper
Garlic
Italian seasoning

Slice zucchini in long thin (1/4in) slices. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with spices, rub them around to make sure all slices are coated. On a hot grill quickly grill on both sides, then serve. Super easy!!! Super deliciouse, this is my absolute favorite way to eat zucchini and it goes well with lots of dishes!

Black Bean Corn Salsa

1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Corn, drained and rinsed
3 Roma Tomatoes, small dice
1 Red bell pepper, small dice
2-3 avocados, diced
1 Serrano pepper, minced
1/2 red onion, small dice
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 lime or lemon, juiced
1/3c. Italian dressing
Salt, pepper, garlic to taste
opt. Cayenne pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients, and chill or just dive in!!! Really great with Tostitos hint of lime chips. To quote my nephew Hunter "This stuff is sooooo addicting!!!" We made this for Father's Day Dinner and it was GONE QUICK. Mahonri(who normally hates tomatoes) and I were craving some the next day so we made another bowl and it too was GONE by the end of the day. I think this is going to be our summer favorite!

Mango Peach Salsa

2-3 Mango's, peeled and diced
1 lg can sliced peaches, diced
1/2c. Red onion, minced
1 Serrano pepper, minced
1/2c. Cilantro, minced
1/2 lemon, juice
2 heaping Tb. Pineapple Jam (or Peach Jam)

Mix all ingredients add additional lemon juice or sugar to taste. Should have a little heat but not hot and tangy from the lemon but not sour.

This is really good served over fish or my brother who hates fish put his on his steak, either way DELICIOUS!!!

Ling ling Potstickers

This are soooo good! Great for any party or just for lunch. The best method to cook them is to just follow the directions on the bag. They come out juicy, tender and with just enough crispiness, mmmmm mmmm and the dipping sauce....heaven!!!

Hawaiian Edamame

1 pound edamame in the pod (you can buy these frozen and thaw
by running cool water over them)
3 Tablespoons sesame oil, divided
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 to 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Heat a large wok over medium-high heat (or use a large skillet).
Add 2 Tablespoons of the oil, then the edamame. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until wellcoated with the oil. Move the edamame to the sides and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil, garlic, and ginger in the middle. Stir-fry for 20 to 30 seconds, until barely light golden brown, then add the sesame seeds. Stir to mix evenly, coating the edamame. Sprinkle the sugar in and toss several times, allowing the sugar to melt and coat the edamame. Add the soy sauce and red pepper flakes, and mix well. Season with salt if needed. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

I found this recipe online at http://tammycirceo.typepad.com. I wanted to do something extra special with edamame for our cousin Garden Party and found this recipe. Well lets just say... AMAZING!!! It is defiantly my Favorite of the evening.and will be making this again soon! Maybe tomorrow for lunch ;)

Bruchetta

2 C diced tomatoes (squeeze out seeds before dicing)
1/3 C diced red onion
1/2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp kosher salt
a few cracks black pepper
1/4 C chopped fresh basil leaves
1 french baguette or bread of your choice
Butter & additional olive oil
1 large garlic clove
optional- fresh mozzarella cheese


Combine tomatoes, onions, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and 1 tsp olive oil in a bowl and mix to combine. Add basil and gently toss to distribute. Give it a taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary. Cover and chill.

Slice baguette into half inch slices. Lightly spread both sides if sliced bread with real butter. In a lg pan over medium heat drizzle a little olive oil and then brown both sides of the bread. Remove from pan. Slice garlic clove in half and rub cut side down on each piece of bread. Top with about 2 tablespoons of the tomato mixture.

Recipe by Our Best Bites

I made this tonight for our cousin Garden Party and they were a HIT!!! Rubbing the garlic on the bread was great and the kick of balsamic vinegar was a great addition all together the flavors made the PERFECT BITE!!! I can't wait to make this all summer with garden fresh tomatoes! Even my son Mahonri loved this and he usually HATES tomatoes!

Best Broccoli

2-3 Large bunches of Broccoli
2 TB Butter
Drizzle of Olive Oil
2 TB minced Garlic (I buy a lg bottle in grocers section at Walmart)
1/2 c. hot water
1 TB chicken bouillon powder

Cut into florets, I like to leave the stems long. Melt butter in olive oil then saute garlic a little before adding in the broccoli, stir and saute broccoli. Then dissolve chicken bouillon in water and add to hot pan. cover and let steam until broccoli is tender.

I LOVE the broccoli from Carraba's Italian Grill and decided to try it myself. Now I can't make broccoli any other way!!!! Try it you'll love it. You can adjust the amount of garlic and bouillon for your taste. At Carraba's they add a little chopped red bell pepper, but I don't usually have that on hand.

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatos

15-20 small russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup or 1 Lg family size can
1c. milk
2 Lg handfuls of grated cheese( I buy a big bag from costco)
1/2c. sliced onion
Salt, Pepper, Garlic

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, cover tight with foil. I bake this at 350 for about 1.5 hrs or until tender.

This is a family favorite so much so that I don't even have the recipe written down anywhere. It is easy to eyeball the amounts as well you can't get it wrong! This goes great with a lot of dishes! Sometimes I will bake this at the same time I am baking meatloaf 275 for three hours while we are at church and when we get home, it's perfect!!! Delicious!

Best Baked Beans

1 lb. Hamburger
1 lb. Bacon
1/4 of an onion, chopped small
Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Chili Pwd.
1/2 c.Brown Sugar
Splash of Cider Vinegar
3 Lg. Cans Bushes Baked Beams (Country or Boston Style)

Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces. Cook and drain grease. Then brown Hamburger, season and drain grease. Add onion and continue to cook until onion is clear. Then add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine. (however do not stir to much or you will smash the beans)

This is a family favorite because my family love MEAT!!! They go great with any BBQ or even Fried Chicken.

Yummy Yam Casserole

4 lg Yams Cooked skins removed and mashed
½ c. butter must be real no marg.
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/4c. milk
1 tb. Vanilla
Mix all ingredients and then spoon into a 9x13 pan

Top yam mixture with:
1/2c. flour
11/2c. brown sugar
1 1/2c. chopped pecans
3/4c. butter (1 ½ sticks)

Bake at 350 for 30-45mins. Until top is browned.

This is a Thanksgiving and Christmas MUST!!!
My best friend Chantal Tom gave me this recipe years ago and Iv'e been making it ever since! Everyone that tries it absolutely loves them even those who don't normally like yams. It's practically a dessert.