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Summertime Favorites

Obsessed with this Gorgeous Tea Pitcher… Obsessed, I Tell You

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I drink a lot of tea – okay, that’s an understatement. Let’s try again. I am in the process of gleefully and systematically drinking tea each of my waking hours.

That’s better.

I have iced tea (usually either black raspberry tea or green raspberry tea) with my coffee in the morning, then I keep a large (we’re talking quite large) beautiful silver, shiny tumbler with a straw filled for the remainder of the day.

At several points during the day (around 4:00 when I’m making supper and 6:00 when I’m winding down) I also have a nice big mug of hot tea. The iced tea never leaves my side mind you, the hot simply joins us where we happen to be.

While I have endless mugs for my hot tea, my tumbler (aka my shadow), and tall glasses for mealtime, my iced tea pitcher leaves much to be desired. Okay, between me and you, it’s an old glass pitcher from a coffee maker I had, like, 6 years ago! For someone as clumsy as me to keep anything made of glass that long without breaking it is something of an accomplishment, but it’s simply time to upgrade the iced tea game.

I’m an embarrassment to myself and my daughter, the Crazy Tea Chick.

See the beauty pictured at the right? IT’s the HIWARE Glass Pitcher (Amazon Link) and I have invited it to join the family.

Features of This Gorgeous, Ingenious Pitcher:

  • This pitcher is made from borosilicate glass and withstands temperature 0 to 300 ℉, so you can pour boiling water into this pitcher safely.
  • The absence of lead guarantees 100-percent recyclable products; superior resistant to use, the pitcher is thicker than other brands in the market and has been double-annealed to give it extra durability
  • The lid with filter is made from 18/8 stainless steel, it is perfect for keeping the ice cubes, sliced fruit, tea bags inside the beverage. Specially designed with non-dripping spout and the ergonomically designed handle make it easy to hold and pour. Easy to clean
  • More natural and healthy (and better looking!) than using a plastic one. This pitcher is widely used for water, iced tea, hot tea, fruit infused water, homemade beverages, cold brew coffee, etc. It’s even suitable to leave in your fridge. 

See HIWARE Glass Pitcher (Amazon Link)

Fun, Colorful Tumblers with Lids and Straws

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Okay, so I just found something on Amazon I have to order right away, if not sooner. Only problem is deciding how many to order. Not only am I OBSESSED with tumblers with lids & straws (especially in the summer), I have three daughters who are just as obsessed. The fun, colorful Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) comes in a set of 5, so I could conceivably buy one set and divide the cups between us with two leftovers for other members of the family.

BUT how much more fun would it be for each one of us to have our own fun set of 5? Pretty sure I’m officially leaning that way.

Things I Love About These Colorful Cups:

  • You can make the beauties change color by adding ice to your favorite beverage. Just watch the color changing cups transform before your eyes. These beauties would make great photos for Instagram or Twitter.. I mean, the rest of the world may as well see you while you’re living your best life, right?
  • The fun eye-catching phrases on these cups match whatever mood you’re working with that day: OK Boomer, Stay Woke, Spilling Tea, Adulting is Hard, and Sorry Not Sorry.
  • The reusable cups with lids are splash-proof. The snug snap-on lids fit each tumbler cup securely. One of the main reasons I love cups with lids during the summer is so I can take my glass of raspberry tea with me wherever I go, without worrying about it spilling on me OR allowing flies to use my tea for a personal pool party.
  • These cups are stackable, so storage is not a problem and they fit most cup holders.
  • They’re made of a high-quality durable plastic, so the reusable plastic cups with lids and straws lasts for many years.

If you use tumblers as straws as much as I do, you will absolutely want to find a straw-cleaning brush (Amazon link). I had been trying everything in the world to clean my reusable straws when my youngest daughter gave me one of these brilliant little brushes. I honestly had no idea they even existed but will never be caught without one now.

See Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) for more information, bigger photos, and even a video.

Easy Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Perfect Alone or On Burgers or BLTs

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes: Easy and Crazy Delicious

 

Fried green tomatoes are a delicacy in our home – and something that my husband begins craving, like clockwork, each May. Last year, he started craving them way too early and I had to tell him to slow his roll… I can’t make fried green tomatoes happen until the farmers make green tomatoes happen!

Fried green tomatoes are delicious, on their own, alongside just about any meal you can think of (breakfast meals that include fried eggs pair magically with them). We’ve discovered that they’re also outstanding on burgers and BLTs.

One of the main things you want to remember is not to crowd the pan. They like their space! To keep your fried green tomatoes from getting mushy or soggy while you cook them in batches, place them into a moderately warm oven (200 degrees or so) while frying the rest. Don’t cover them with aluminum foil (or anything for that matter) and don’t stack them on top of one another, until they’re ready to serve.

Fried Green Tomatoes

 

Summer Kitchen Towels, for that Summer State of Mind!

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I told my youngest daughter, Stephany, recently that I don’t think I’ve ever looked so forward to spring and summer in my life as I did this past winter. I mean, for one thing, I absolutely love winter and everything about it (Christmas, snow, fuzzy sweaters, hot chocolate, soup, curling up under a warm throw while watching movies with my husband…)

And yet, all January and February, all I could think about was baseball, grilled hamburgers, my flower beds, trips to the lake, watermelon, butterflies, bees, and feeling the warm sun on my face.

Suffice to say, I am as happy as a cat in a bed of catnip now that the weather is warmer!

As I’ve often said on the food blog, I love to decorate seasonally – changing towels, knick-knacks, and so forth with the seasons and upcoming holidays. I’ve been looking on Amazon for more summerlicious kitchen towels and…. tada!… like any shopper who puts her heart into her work, I have had success.

I’m including a few of my favorite towel finds, here, in case you are as ready as I am to embrace summer like it’s never been embraced before!

Details for the Watermelon Towel Set Above:

  • Polyester
  • Imported
  • Soft Material : 100% High-quality durable fibers, machine washable & tumble dry, ultra-soft so they won’t scratch your delicate cookware, plates, pots, or pans
  • Highly Absorbent : Absorbent enough for drying, cleaning, scrubbing or achieving any other household task. Keep absorbent even after multiple machine cycles
  • Includes : Brand new set of 2 stylish dish towels/tea towels 18 X 28 Inches (45cm X 75cm), long-lasting durability and performance
  • Kitchen Decor : Add flair to your kitchen decor with Artoid Mode colorful kitchen dish towels. Perfect for all of your daily drying and cleaning kitchen jobs
  • Unique Cute Design : Printed with stylish, unique and cute patterns. It is the perfect combination of seasonal decor and daily cleaning

I also love the Hello, Summer towels pictured on the right. I’ve already ordered popsicle molds to make plenty of healthy popsicles for my grandbabies (as well as the grown-up family members who love them just as much). Not only can you use organic juice to make healthier popsicles, you can add bits of fruit and even use yogurt to make creamy popsicles. I’m pretty sure I’m as excited about them as anyone.

These towels will be perfect for a popsicle-filled summer!

These colorful polyester kitchen towels, like the ones above, come in a set of two and measure  18 X 28 Inches (45cm X 75cm).


Melamine Dinnerware Set (These Dishes are to DIE FOR!)

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These gorgeous outdoor dishes, the Melamine Dinnerware Set, isn’t just on my “buy for this grilling season,” it’s at the top. In fact, if I only get one thing on the list this year… it MUST be this set.

The set for four includes 4 large 10.5″ dinner plates, 4 8.5″ salad (or dessert) plates, and 4 6″ wide x 3″ high bowls.

These beauties are sturdy, food grade and BPA free. They’re even top-rack dishwasher safe, which is quickly becoming a must for every dish I buy. What can I say, especially in the pretty months, I don’t want to be at my sink when I can be… well… anywhere BUT at my sink!

Something else I love about them is the fact they’re perfectly willing to serve you and your family & friends indoors or outdoors. They’re made for both, and I fully intend to use them for both.

I’ve always felt strongly (and lived by the code, if we’re being honest) that you should fill your home with things that make you smile, things that resonate with joy for you. These dishes speak to me on that note – I love the rustic look, often referred to as “farmhouse” decor, but truth be told, they’d go with any type of decor or family personality.

I hope you’ll click through and take a closer look at this gorgeous set. There are larger images (trust me, the closer the look, the deeper in love with them you’ll fall) and even a video.

See Melamine Dinnerware Set (Amazon link) for more information.

LOVE THESE!!!

The Easiest Strawberry Milkshake Recipe Turns Out to be the Best Strawberry Milkshake Recipe

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Strawberry Milkshake v

Quick & Easy Strawberry Milkshake

Some of my favorite things in live involve fruit.. so much so that I’ve always said if there ever were a fruit shortage, I’d be in a world of hurt…

I live for:

Strawberry Sundaes

Blueberries in Oatmeal

Blackberries on Pancakes

Strawberry Sundaes

Banana Smoothies

Strawberry Smoothies

.. and, last but not least, the obsession that brings us here today – Strawberry Milkshakes. I have been tinkering over the years with them for several reasons. I love them and couldn’t possibly survive a week without one. Have I ever tried? Heck no… who’d want to tempt that kind of fate?! I don’t order Strawberry milkshakes from restaurants because some milkshakes have gluten in them and I’m afraid of cross-contamination. Soooo, that has left me to my own devices – well the devices of me and my blender (Hamilton Beach Power Elite on Amazon).

I’ve tried milkshakes with vanilla, without vanilla, with added sugar, without added sugar, with all forms of vanilla and/or strawberry ice cream, with frozen strawberries, with fresh strawberries… oh, you name it, I’ve experimented with it. And loved every strawberrylicious sip!

The one I made recently was at the end of a very, very, very busy day (and, given that it’s 2020, it was of course a very emotionally charged and stressful day… 2020’s aesthetic). All I wanted was a basic glassful of strawberry comfort.

I  took 12 large strawberries, washed them and chopped them into chunks. I threw them into my blender and added 2-1/2 cups vanilla ice cream and 2 cups whole milk. The blender did its magic and the result was a knock out milkshake. As you can see, I didn’t even add whipped topping to the top followed by the obligatory “food blogger’s slice of strawberry on top.” Heck, I’m lucky my tired self even remembered to take a picture at all!

Who knows, maybe next time I’ll top it all off with a little whipped cream and position a big beautiful strawberry wedge on top. Maybe I’ll order special “milkshake glasses” by then. We’ll see. If 2020 gets its act together, I’ll do the same!


Tangy Southern Coleslaw: Fast, Easy, and Oh So Delicious!

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Tangy Southern Coleslaw

Tangy Southern Coleslaw

One of my biggest culinary obsessions is coleslaw – it goes with so many things.. and those few things it doesn’t conceivably go with?

I make it go!

The only drawback to loving a particular food so much is it makes you hyper picky when you order it in restaurants (or, worse yet, when a family member makes some and it tastes like a movie prop!). Let’s be honest, really truly wonderful coleslaw is a work of art and not many people pass for artists.

This particular easy, but delicious southern coleslaw is spot on – a work of art that’ll make you a Picasso.

My personal favorite coleslaw is usually vinegar-based, but I wanted to add some creamy tanginess to the mix (literally), so  I opted to sort of combine a creamy coleslaw and a vinegar coleslaw. That’s where the buttermilk comes into play. It may sound unusual, but it really does make things interesting.

And delicious!

Notes:

  • I specify Duke’s Mayonnaise simply because it’s the one I always buy and use in my recipes. I simply think it’s the best. However, using Hellman’s will not alter the recipe. In fact, it’s pretty much the same… don’t tell my beloved Duke’s that though.
  • This is outrageously delicious on or beside a chili dog or pork sandwich.
  • One of the things that makes “Southern Coleslaw” in fact “Southern Coleslaw” is the sweetness. Our capacity to eat sweet food is unequaled. If you want to add a little less sugar, feel free to cut back a tad. However, a certain amount is very, very necessary to balance the acidity of the vinegar.


Healthy Ginger-Cantaloupe Popsicles

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Ginger-Cantaloupe Popsicles
I recently got a fun new kitchen “toy” to enjoy and I’ve been doing just that. It’s a popsicle molds set and, trust me, you don’t want to muddle through the rest of the summer without your own.

I’ve made quite a few varieties but have to confess that it’s hard to beat iced coffee, almond milk, and a splash of vanilla syrup. It makes a Heavenly latte popsicle.

I’ll add more recipes in the coming days, but here’s one you’re sure to love. It’s from Terra’s Kitchen (Fresh Meal Delivery Service) and the popsicles are almost too beautiful to eat.

Almost.

Healthy Ginger-Cantaloupe Popsicles

3 slices of fresh ginger
1/4 cup sugar
1 ripe cantaloupe
Sliced strawberries (optional)
Popsicle forms and popsicle sticks

In a small sauce pan, add the sugar and 1/2 cup water over medium heat. Cook just until the sugar has melted. Remove from heat and drop in ginger. Set aside until cooled. (Remove ginger when ready to use!)
Slice cantaloupe in half and scoop out seeds. Spoon cantaloupe flesh into a blender. Blend until smooth.
Add just enough of the cooled ginger syrup to sweeten as desired. Save the remaining syrup for another use.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight. For a variation, push a few sliced strawberries down into the popsicle molds before freezing.


Fast & Easy Summer Meal: Meatless Tostadas

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Tostadas with Refried Beans and Tomatoes

Given the fact that I have a food blog and talk about food without even taking a breath, you probably already know that I love to cook. In fact, I enjoy it so much that I stare in blank amazement when people say they don’t enjoy cooking.

Having said that, on the hottest days (and nights) of summer, I appreciate a quick, easy, and no oven required meal. These tostadas are so quick and easy to pull together and there are endless options to “make them your own.” They’re also great for eating on a budget – especially if you make them meatless.

The Toppings Are Your Call:

  • Refried Beans or Ground Beef w/Taco Seasoning
  • Cilantro
  • Shredded Cheddar
  • Mexican Crumbling Cheese
  • Green Onions
  • Shallots
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Jalapeno Peppers
  • Chiles
  • Tomatoes
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Sour Cream
  • Salsa
  • Salsa Verde
  • Black Olives
  • Lime Juice
  • Roasted Corn
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Etc…

The NON-Recipe for Refried Beans Tostadas

Guerrero Tostadas

There’s No Need to Even Heat These Tostadas

It all starts with the base: the Tostada shells.  I love the Guerrero Tostadas pictured above. They’re delicious and ridiculously inexpensive. That’s a combination I don’t take lightly.

Line a baking sheet (or several) with the number of tostadas you’ll be serving. There’s no need to heat the shells at all for tostadas.

Refried Beans: I use canned refried beans and am pretty darn brand-loyal. I buy Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans almost exclusively. For 10 tostadas, I used two cans. Now you can use refried beans straight from the can for this recipe or to serve as is.  However, I love to add a little water (couple of tablespoons) to the beans when I first add them to the skillet, along with about 1/2 tsp of cumin and a splash of hot sauce. In full disclosure, I add cumin to more things than not. In this particular dish, I also added 1/2 cup of sour cream to the beans. It makes them creamier and dreamier.

Cook the beans on low, stirring frequently. Season with a little salt.

Tostadas with Refried Beans and Tomatoes

Make Some with Avocado and Some Without: Just In Case Someone Isn’t a Fan

When the beans are nice and hot, plop them evenly among the tostada shells, spreading them to the edges. Top the hot beans with shredded cheddar cheese so it’ll melt irresistibly into them.

Now this is where you can really get cute. Add whatever floats your boat at this point. Cilantro, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, scallions, shallots… you do you!

I add different toppings just about every time I make tostadas but the cast of characters almost always includes cilantro, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, and avocado.

You’ll want to put the sour cream on top, if for no other reason than it looks cool. Finally, the thing that really seals the deal? Squeeze a little lime juice over the whole shebang.

I’m not sure why, exactly, but lime juice simply makes every single Mexican dish you can think of even better.

 

Avocado on Tostadas

Ideas for Side Dishes:

  • Rice
  • Tossed Salad
  • Chips and Salsa
  • Corn
  • Fried Potatoes


Surpahs 10-Inch Stackable Cake Stands Made of Bamboo Fiber are Gorgeous

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Surpahs Stackable Cake Stand
The links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small amount when you click through and make a purchase. This (of course) costs you nothing extra – it simply allows me to support my cat in the lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to!

One of my favorite things about having a food blog (or any of my blogs, for that matter) is the opportunity I have to review great cookbooks, food, kitchen gadgets, pots, pans, or brilliant beauties like the colorful Surpahs 10-Inch Stackable Cake Stand pictured here.

When I was contacted about receiving one of these stands in exchange for telling you about it, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.  I mean, it was obviously beautiful in the pictures sent to me. I’m full-on wild about colorful, out of the ordinary, and whimsical things,and I could tell (from the pictures alone) that this colorful cake stand was something I’d love.

However, I had no idea that it would be as gorgeous as it is in person. There’s an exceptionally, unmistakably “high quality” to these pieces that pictures, alone can’t possibly pick up.

Surpahs Stackable Cake Stand
Speaking of pictures – this cake stand was a particular challenge for me! I LOVE taking pictures of things I’m sent to review and take great pains to “set up” the right atmosphere, lighting, etc – everything I think will showcase it to its fullest.

With this cake stand, I found myself kind of flustered because there’s just no way to show you how beautiful it is!  Trust me, I tried every angle, but it’s “in person” beauty far surpasses its “in photograph” beauty. The quality you see in person simply can’t be completely appreciated in pictures.

Kind of like a sunset, a sailboat on a lake, or a deer eating leaves from a tree. The camera can only do so much.

Surpahs Stackable Cake Stand
This six piece set can be stacked together to create a beautiful display for cupcakes, cookies, slices of cake, dipped strawberries… just about anything you can think of.  You could also use it as three separate colorful serving platters.  They’re perfect for hamburger or taco bars or for “extras” when serving salads… you know, those components that some members of the family like, while others look at you like, “You can’t possibly think I’m going to eat that…” In our family, these foods include olives, cilantro, bacon bits, and onions.

The thing that makes this set so uncommonly beautiful is the new material, Bamboo Fiber.  In addition to looking fantastic, the bamboo fiber is also biodegradable, eco-friendly, and dishwasher safe.

Two words that are always music to my ears – dishwasher safe.

Edamame on a Surpahs Stackable Layer
Most stands pre-determine which plate goes on top because they’re various sizes (and the smallest gets top billing), but, since these are all the same size, you decide which color you want on top – orange, green, or pink. Naturally, this can change each time you use them.

Ahhh, the freedom of expression!

Surpahs Stackable Cake Stand
I am crazy about these stands (I say stands because I tend to think of this set as five different stands – three individuals, a 3-tier and a 2-tier, when one takes the night off). Not only are they gorgeous on your table when in use, they’re gorgeous sitting on a shelf or hutch when not in use.

See Surpahs 10-Inch Stackable Cake Stand for more information. Their price on Amazon is unbelievably low – meaning you can scarf one for yourself AND one or two for gift-giving. These are phenomenal.

 

Surpahs Stackable Bamboo Cake Stand