Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These pancakes were the star of the show.

Fragrant Lemon; light and fluffy, golden and warm with just a hint of sweetness!

Lemon Ricotta pancakes were heaven.

We shared these like dessert.

Smoked Salmon Benedict Two Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon and English Muffin with Herb and Lemon Hollandaise

Brunch with wonderful friends in Chicago found us at Prarie Fire in the Loop.

A comfy and cozy atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon was a perfect backdrop for delicious food and yummy morning cocktails!

This is a comfort food hangout with a sophisticated twist.

Signature PGC Benedict Two Poached Eggs over Sautéed Spinach, Crumbled Bacon and English Muffin Roasted Tomato Hollandaise

Greek Omlette Feta, Tomato, Spinach and Onion

Look at how fluffy and moist this omlette is!

Fresh Raspberry Preserves and Whole Wheat Toast

The raspberry flavor was so fresh and…..raspberry-y!

This is a great brunch spot.

A must see when in Chicago!

Sugarcane in Miami is simply beautiful!

The plantation style decor and the outdoor patio dining area are absolutely amazing.

But I have to say that the food was disappointing.

Items were undercooked, bland or simply less than interesting.

Or, even worse, the dishes were too fussy with too many ingredients.

“Hibiscus Blossom”, citrus essence, native mint, hibiscus infused cachaça.

I do, however, have no complaints about the cocktails!

These lovely concoctions were fresh and tasty!

Mint, mango, cucumber and spices were perfectly combined to create delicious libations of heavenly proportions!

“Eden”, japanese cucumber juice, fresh cilantro, Herradura Tequila, aromatic celery bitters.

Roasted Peppers.

These peppers were actually quite good.

Duck Confit with Waffle.

Grilled Sweet potato with Maple and Soy.

Caulifower.

Grilled Octopus.

Pan Seared Squid.

Goat Cheese Croquettes.

Broccoli Rab.

This was another favorite.

Crudo with Papaya.

Ricotta Cheesecake with Nutmeg Ice Cream.

This ricotta cheese cake was, also, very good and I learned something.

This cake was smooth and creamy.

The cakes which I have made in the past were always a bit dry and lumpy.

This one was wonderful and I am going to try to make it myself!

What is better than cheese and crackers with friends on a sunny afternoon?

Fruits and olives, beautiful cheeses and fresh whole grain bread and crackers take this afternoon snack to a whole new level!

Fresh ripe papaya taste like honey and sunshine!

These crackers are melt in your mouth fantastic. So much flavor in wholesome ingredients makes this guilt-free snacking at it’s best.

Lesley Stowe, Raincoast Crisps are my new favorite cracker!

These are unique, delicisious and worth the trouble to find!

These photos with the sun streaming in bring back memories of great conversation and joy with friends.

Fine dining does not have to be complicated.

Some of my finest culinary moments have been born of the simplest ingredients!

Don’t forget to put the love into it to get the most of your food and friends!

It is no exaggeration to say that these are the best Mai Tais of all time…ever!

With spring and summer right around the corner you may be looking for a special cocktail to celebrate the season!

To quote the creator, “This elixir is to be consummed in Miami, poolside!”

With special friends, I might add!

But if you aren’t in Miami and don’t have special friends, you certainly will be feeling the magic if you make this cocktail!

The recipe:

8 oz dark Gosling’s Rum

12 oz light Mount Gay Rum

4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec

4 oz almond syrup

8 oz fresh squeezed orange juice

8 oz pineapple juice

4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Just a splash of Heering Cherry Liqueur

4 oz Key Lime soda if you want

Lots of ice!

Fiddle with the rums. Add more if neccessary to taste.

Dried fruit, artisanal cheeses, fig compote and candied walnuts make up this cheese plate at The Truffle Pig.

I had a great view of the ski lift and the mountain where snow boarders and skiers came crashing into new snow!

There was a lovely selection of goat, sheep and cow cheeses.

The First Snow was a local sheep cheese; mild yet piquant and delicious with fruits.

All theese great cheeses and beautiful fruits yet the bread was less than mediocre.

A hardier nutty bread would have been nice.

An afternoon of wine and cheese? No problem!

This easy, yummy dip can be whipped up just minutes before guests arrive and served warm with crusty bread or crackers.

This has become my new favorite dish to take to friends or to serve at parties.

Ingredients:

2 cans lump crab
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 cup mayonaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 chopped yellow or red pepper
5-6 chopped green onions
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp or to taste garlic salt

Mix the ingredients well and top with some extra shredded cheese.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Serve warm with bread or crackers.

I just can not say enough about Pinnacle Whipped Cream flavored vodka!

We love it around here and have turned cocktail hour into an artform!

Ke Beach Key Lime flavored Cream Liqueur has taken the original pineapple coconut recipe to a new level!

If the photos are a bit fuzzy it is only because I have to work so fast to get my shots before the cocktails dissapear!

The photo does say it best regarding amounts. This recipe makes two large drinks:

1/2 cup lite coconut milk

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/3 cup Ke Beach liqueur

1/2 to 3/4 cup Pinnacle Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka

1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks ( I cut and freeze my own; freshness is key!)

Just pour into the blender, mix well and enjoy!

Hot smoked salmon is the key ingredient to this light, savory dish that is tasty and sooo girlie!

We topped whole wheat crackers with the delicate creamy and sublte flavors of the salmon spread.

My dear, BFF shared her favorite recipe with me and I will share it with you.

Ingredients
6-8oz hot smoked salmon finely chopped
1 Tbspn fresh dill finely chopped
1 Tbspn fresh parsley finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
1/4- 1/2 cup of Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
1 large garlic clove crushed
A sqeeze of fresh lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

The real secret to the success of this recipe is to mix the mayo, garlic and lemon together very well before adding to the salmon.

Mix well and serve chilled!

Pink and girlie all around when friends just want to have fun!

This delicious pink cocktail was inspired by a magical elixir we had at Le Colonial.

We tried to approximate the light tropical flavors of the passion fruit martinis we ordered and serve them “family style”!

We mixed a high quality, low sugar coconut pineapple juice with a light berry juice mix, and added vodka and fresh lime.

The result was sublime!

Tartine Bistro never fails to impress. And the wine list has a life of it’s own; getting better all the time!

Crab ceviche with avocado, roasted pepper puree, mango, lotus chips.

This was amazing and the best part were the lotus chips! So easy and light and crispy.

These are a new favorite.

This fresh and light appetizer was fantastic with a Monterey red by Muirwood.

Avocado adds a creamy, rich texture and buttery flavor. Absolutely delicious.

Grilled pita with chipotle hummus, cucumber yogurt, tomato-olive tapenade.

Ingredients

1 cup pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
3/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup drained capers
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Ingredients

1 pound lotus roots, peeled
Peanut or vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Directions

Using a mandoline or other mechanical slicer, slice the lotus into very thin rounds. Soak in a large bowl of cold water to prevent discoloration and to remove excess starch.

In a large heavy pot, heat enough vegetable oil to come halfway up the sides of the pan to 350 degrees F.

Drain the lotus completely and pat dry with paper towels. Add in batches to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Remove with a slotted spoon or spider and drain on paper towels. The chips will crisp as they cool; serve at room temperature.

The original Freddy was happy to join the ladies for cocktails and conversation in Shelly’s beach cottage.

Freddy as seen by artist Shelly Valisiades; respledent in a rainbow of color.

Bright and cheerful best describes Shelly’s nest.

Me, the writer, my two daughters and the Ballerina!

Every corner is filled with color and energy.

Knowing that Shelly’s forte is painting I brought the roasted garlic and white bean dip with French bread toasts.

2 cans of white beans
1 bulb roasted garlic
1/2 onion sauteed in olive oil
olive oil; about 1/4-1/2 cup

Place everything in the food processor until velvety and creamy.

Easy-peasy instant friends!

Shelly puts her heart and soul in everything she does.

Every nook is filled with love.