Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps and Beautiful Cheeses with Friends!
Posted by Shelly Perry (04/12/2011 @ 7:23 pm)

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!
Posted in: Cocktails, Healthy, Indulgences, Inspirations, Parties, Your Kitchen
Tags: artisan cheeses, cheese and crackers, food with friends, Lesley Stowe foods, Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps, olives, papaya, whole grain bread
Anna’s Breakfast Potato, Veggie and Egg Scramble with Cheese!
Posted by Shelly Perry (07/22/2010 @ 11:17 am)

Not only is my BFF Anna is a great cook but she is the hostess with the mostest!
We invade her lovely home for long weekends and she manages to entertain us like royalty!
One of her specialties is this casserole, of sorts, or breakfast scramble.

She par cooks potatoes in the microwave
Chops and sautes any vegetables on hand, usually: red peppers, asparagus, leeks, and mushrooms and sets those aside
Then dice the potatoes and combine in a large skillet the cooked veggies, potatoes, some cheese then crack a few eggs on top
Turn the heat down to low and cover to allow the eggs to cook.
You’re finished!
You can also do this in the oven in a lovely casserole dish for a more elegant presentation.
Or cook the eggs seperatly and serve on top.
Either way it’s delicious!

Posted in: Indulgences, Ingredients, Inspirations, Parties, Recipes
Tags: asparagus, breakfast, breakfast casserole, breakfast dishes, breakfast recipes, cheese, eggs, leeks, mushrooms, potatoes, red pepper
Fruity Cocktails, Amazing Pizza, 200 Fabulous Gay Men and Me!
Posted by Shelly Perry (06/22/2010 @ 7:42 pm)

A dream come true!
Me in a sea of men surrounded by the most glorious pizzas, ever and tropical fruity cocktails served up by a cute bartender with attitude!
Luxe was host to the G2H2 Happy Hour event in Cleveland , Oh.
The food was amazing! I know it’s a social thing but given the “circumstances” I had plenty of time to focus on the food and drinks!

This portobello mushroom, spinach, goat cheese and balsamic reduction pizza was my favorite.
Chef Marlin Kaplan knows that a light touch of fresh potent ingredients is the way to go!

I couldn’t get enough of this pizza and made myself a fixture at the buffet!

This is definitley something that I want to try at home.

Chris was adorable and he knows the food.

This tomato basil was fantastic; fresh and delish!

The setting was elegant but casual.

Sweetheart! Jen kept the fresh hot pies coming my way

Tomato and herb.

Chicken, rosemary and goat cheese was a big hit.

What would the evening be without a spunky bartender serving up the one-liners with the best mojitos in town?!
Lee was a delight!
Posted in: Chefs and Restaurants, Indulgences, Inspirations, Parties
Tags: balsamic reduction, Chef Marlin Kaplan, chicken rosemary, Cleveland happy hour, cleveland restaurants, G2H2, Gay happy hour, goat cheese, happy hour, Luxe Cleveland, mushroom spinach pizza, pizza, portobello mushrooms
Roasted Eggplant and Lentil Spread with Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper!
Posted by Shelly Perry (06/10/2010 @ 8:40 am)

The secret to the delightful flavor of this dish is the roasting!
Roasted garlic, eggplant, rep pepper and sauteed leeks create a richness that makes this similar to a pate in texture and flavor.

This recipe is also full of nutrition. Lentils are hardy and full of protein and fiber.
This is also light and when spread on whole wheat or flax crackers leaves you satisfied yet not full.

It is also easy to make and can be whippped up on short notice.
Ingredients
1 medium eggplant
1 cup lentils
1 glove garlic
1 medium leek
1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch cilantro
1 lime
1 roasted red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
In a 350 degree oven wrap in aluminum foil the eggplant cut in half with a drizzle of olive oil on the flesh.
In a clay roaster or aluminum foil wrap the garlic and place in oven to roast.
Both should take no more than 30-45 minutes.
In a pan add a drizzle of olive oil to sliced leeks and sautee until translucent.
Cook 1 cup of lentils in 2 cups of water until tender.
When everything is done and cooled for handling, place in the food processor.
Add the cilantro and puree.
Add enough olive oil to create the texture you desire.
For a creamier dip; just add more oil.

I then chopped the roasted red pepper, very fine, and folded it into the finished mixture.
I wanted little “pops” of sweet juicy flavor and the texture contrast.
I, also squeezed some lime into the finished dish and then gave it a good mixing.
Serve with your favorite crackers or breads or even crudites.

Posted in: Food on a Budget, Green Living, Healthy, Ingredients, Parties, Recipes
Tags: cilantro, eggplant, eggplant spread, garlic, leeks, lentil spread, lentils, lime, olive oil, roasted eggplant, roasted garlic, roasted red pepper, vegan, vegan meal, vegan recipe, vegetarian, vegetarian recipe
White Wine, White Bean Dip, an Artist, a Ballerina and Freddy!
Posted by Shelly Perry (05/26/2010 @ 10:02 am)

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.


Posted in: Cocktails, Food on a Budget, Healthy, Indulgences, Ingredients, Inspirations, Parties
Tags: french bread, garlic, olive oil, roasted garlic, vegan, vegan appetizers, vegan recipe, vegan snacks, vegetarian, vegetarian appetizers, vegetarian recipe, vegetarian snacks, white bean dip, white bean spread, white beans
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