There is nothing like sporting events to bring people together. As a Penn State alum, I believe that I gain 110,000 friends whenever I go and watch a football game at Beaver Stadium. Sporting events allow everyone to speak a universal language, one of pride, competition, and teamwork. Right now, in the midst of the Fifa World Cup, this sentiment is so strong.. Walking through the streets of San Francisco, I see so much USA pride and at game time, the city transforms itself to only teammates and friends.
Getting in the spirit of the World Cup, I made these Plantain Guacamole Bites to enjoy with my friends, as we watched the US play! The fresh flavors transport you to Brazil. Each bite offers a fruity sweetness from the plantain, a tart kick from the lime, and a little spice from the jalapeño. I would recommend making extras, because I know I could eat them all by myself!
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Summer and the livin’ is easy. Well I guess I shouldn’t say easy, I still have to work, but summer and the livin’ is magnificient is more like it! Summer breeds countless days in the sun, parties, and outdoor gatherings. If asked, I would have to say my favorite summer activity of all is an outdoor barbecue with friends, fun games and great food.
While I’ve been known to scoff down my share of cheeseburgers, I am very partial to the sides. I mean what’s better for soaking up that one-margarita-too-many than a nice pasta salad. Summer pasta salad is the perfect name for this recipe because it has light, fresh flavors creating a happy summertime moment with each bite.
Please share in the comments your favorite summertime activities and treats!
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My go-to snack ever since childhood has been a can of chickpeas with salt and pepper. I just cannot get enough chickpeas – I love them! When other kids were bringing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school, I was bringing hummus sandwiches on pita bread. When my college roommates bought cases of mac and cheese or ramen noodles, I was online ordering a case of chick peas from Amazon. That’s why a few years ago when I saw fresh, chickpeas in the pod on a cooking show, I knew I had to have them! I looked everywhere for the beans with no luck. Then this past week at my neighborhood Whole Foods, I saw none other than the beans starring at me from their almost hidden spot on the bottom shelf in the produce section.
After purchasing a few pounds of the chickpeas, I went to my kitchen to experiment. Eaten raw the chickpeas have a slightly sweet flavor with a tender crunch. They are everything I expected and more. While the beans are fabulous alone, combining them with these Mediterranean flavors brings out their whole flavor profile. This recipe has delicate, light flavors making it the perfect meal for any season.
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Years ago my friend Carol Flynn introduced me to her homemade English Muffins. Filled with nooks and crannies, it’s hard to stop eating them. Not only are they great for breakfast, but they also make the best cheeseburger buns and delicious garlic bread. The dough comes together very quickly. Cooked on a griddle over low heat they need minimal attention. They are so easy to make they may become a weekly habit. [click to continue…]
Beet Chips with Cilantro Hummus is the perfect recipe to make for a fun get together. They compliment each other deliciously and is a great gluten free option.
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We have a large, wonderful family that is full of big eaters. Our celebrations are all centered around food, and we like to celebrate a lot. One of my favorite parts of these celebrations is sharing the kitchen with my family. People filter through helping me make the spinach pies, each time we share stories and laughter. And, then as soon as a batch is out of the oven I lose my current helpers, as they become consumed in eating them and gain a new group of helpers.
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The other day I invited 12 girl friends over for an impromptu dinner and everyone brought something. This is a perfect company dish; prep it early and about forty minutes to an hour before your guests arrive you can throw it together and let it sit at room temperature. It was delicious and this recipe could serve a much larger crowd. [click to continue…]
These baked beans are so good we ended up snaking on them all night. There is definitely heat and the whiskey cooks off but imparts just that extra flavor. I never realized how much I loved them until I started making them from scratch.
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Today I am venturing to one of my favorite spots in San Francisco, Dolores Park. Dolores Park is beautiful and amazingly fun on weekend afternoons. Dozens of people and their pets come out and enjoy yard games, picnics, and cocktails while enjoying the art of people watching. Looking for something fun and different to include in my picnic lunch, I decided to make this roasted potato and arugula salad. It is the perfect accompaniment to any meal, twisting the old potato salad into something funky and original that will have you begging for more!
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