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Fresh Nectarine, Basil, & Fried Mozzarella Stacks with Balsamic Reduction

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Fresh Nectarine, Basil, & Fried Mozzarella Stacks with Balsamic Reduction

As summer winds down, my kitchen is stock full of stone fruit. Nectarines, cherries, mangoes, apricots, peaches and plums all fall under the name “stone fruits” because of their large hard seeds. They are native to warm climates and are at their peak from June through September, so enjoy them while you can! :)  

I have a batch of beautifully ripe nectarines. I love them for their smooth outer skin, and incredibly sweet flesh. They are beautiful to cook or bake with because of their color, and I couldn’t wait to work on a recipe celebrating the nectarine. 

Gorgeous Ginger Pear Tart

Gorgeous Ginger Pear Tart

When pears are in season, you have to cherish them, and fast. Pears seem to only flourish in their prime for a few days once brought home, scolding you if you hesitate to devour them quickly enough. My dad recently purchased an entire flat of Bartlett pears from Costco, and I instantly racked my brain for delicious recipes. Bright salads, sauces, and pastries danced around my head all day. Finally I decided to attempt baking with puff pastry for the first time. This tart is visually beautiful, wonderful for entertaining and really impressing your guests. Ginger, cinnamon, and brown sugar bring out the sweetness of the fresh pears, and they are cradled in a delicate puff pastry. 
This was my first time working puff pastry, and all I could think of was Alton Brown’s old show Good Eats, which focused on the scientific reasons behind cooking and food’s reactions to certain techniques. It was one of my favorite shows while growing up, and I remember him testing out different techniques for cutting puff pastry so as not to damage the layers. The best tool for the job was a pizza cutter! It provided even pressure with quick cuts. For this tart, you don’t need to do much cutting at all, in fact, I didn’t even need to cut my puff pastry sheet because it broke off into the size I needed when it thawed from the freezer.

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Refreshing Lime Shrimp & Avocado Salad - No Mayo!

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Refreshing Lime Shrimp & Avocado Salad - No Mayo!

This delicious and refreshing salad is a breeze to prepare - you’re about 10 minutes away from flavor heaven. This salad is made of wonderfully fresh ingredients, and is perfect for a warm weather meal. Enjoy it as an appetizer, or served in toasted tortilla bowls or in lettuce wraps for a light lunch. It’s easily adaptable for your families’ taste; you can add a dash or two of hot sauce for a little kick :) 

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Polenta is a delicious gluten-free addition to any menu. It’s so versatile! You can bake it, grill it, fry it, or serve it creamy. Recently I ordered a wonderfully gooey Jalapeño Cheesy Creamy Polenta at a restaurant and it inspired me to start exploring different ways to serve this yummy dish. The great thing about polenta is that it takes on the flavors you infuse it with quite easily. It’s simple to make and can be tweaked to your families’ tastes! 

Asparagus and Prosciutto Hash

Asparagus and Prosciutto Hash

Before my trip I purchased a gorgeous baby cast iron skillet, with all intentions of creating delicious single serving dishes. For today’s recipe, I wanted to explore a twist on traditional Corned Beef Hash & Eggs. What makes things feel fancier than prosciutto? Yummmm. This recipe is so easy, so delicious, and really pretty for brunch. The flavor combinations are classic, and make for a wonderful and hearty meal. 

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Mango Basil Crispy Personal Pizzas

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Mango Basil Crispy Personal Pizzas

Pizza. One of the most delicious inventions in the world. It’s versatility is endless: deep dish, thin crust, cheese stuffed crust, sweet, savory, and topped with any ingredient under the sun. Making homemade pizza is, let’s be honest, kind of a drag. I am usually very hesitant when it comes to making my own dough, even though the outcome is significantly better than store-bought instant dough. 

One of my favorite pizza topping combinations is the classic Hawaiian. It’s simple. Salty, sweet, and on a light crispy dough with tons of cheese. I wanted to share a few recipes with you that take a classic dish, and update it with a new, slightly more upscale twist (while still being completely affordable). How could I elevate a Hawaiian pizza? Mango. 

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Glorious One-Pan Chicken and Artichokes

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Glorious One-Pan Chicken and Artichokes

One night I was craving artichoke hearts, and decided to mess around with incorporating them in a chicken dish for dinner. Marinated artichoke hearts are light, tender, and punchy. They add a beautifully complex flavor to any dish because they have been marinated in a flavorful oil infused with tons of spices. I love them on salads and in pasta, and thought that their tangy flavor would be delicious in a Mediterranean inspired meal. 

Homemade Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake

Homemade Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake

For Fourth of July I was torn between cooking up something devastatingly patriotic, or some good old BBQ. The deciding factor was the fact that I have been craving sweets like crazy lately. Summer is here and fresh fruit is perfect for creating beautiful dishes for your family. James and I recently went to Atlanta to visit his family and had the privilege of attending a delicious cookout. The hosts, Chris and Monique, served fresh Strawberry Shortcakes for dessert…and I was in heaven. Decadent without the guilt. They inspired me to make some for the blog!