Tropical Pineapple Martini

A Pineapple Martini is a fun summer cocktail with just a touch of elegance.  Perfect for a cocktail party or a simple evening drink on the deck!

Pouring Pineapple Martini

Is your summertime coming up easy?  Whether the answer is yes or no, this tasty Pineapple Martini can help you get it on track. 

Flavored with pineapple, lime and orange, it is the essence of summer.

And with its casual elegance and easy preparation, the only excuse you need to make one is “because.”  Read more


Cajun Shrimp Kabobs

Just assemble and grill these easy Cajun Shrimp Kabobs–no marinating! Loaded with flavor for a perfect casual or elegant dinner.

Cajun shrimp kabobs

Summer is fun.  But with all of the varied activities, it can mean conflicts.  Do you soak up relaxation or move projects (and dinner!) forward.  So, I was happy to make these easy Cajun Shrimp Kabobs on a busy night.

Yes, easy is the goal here.  And summer is too short to marinade!  So just assemble, sprinkle with spices and grill. Even better, you’ll have both protein and vegetable courses on the same skewer!

Now with tasty spices and andouille sausage, Cajun Shrimp Kabobs are also loaded with flavor.  And adding shrimp means you can serve them for special occasions.  Or to a picky daughter home from college.  Not naming any names…

Yes, sometimes you can have it all!  Read more


Avocado Toast with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Creamy and savory, Avocado Toast is especially tasty with Everything Bagel Seasoning.  Perfect for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack.

Avocado Toast with Everything Bagel Seasoning

I love Everything Bagel Seasoning.  The flavorful combo of seeds and herbs adds a crunchy accent to foods from bagels to sandwiches.  And, well, it just makes my taste buds happy.

So the deck was probably stacked the first time I had Avocado Toast.  The café topped it with a generous sprinkle of the seasoning–and I was hooked.

Now recently I read about people counting avocado as a serving of vegetables.  I asked my dietitian sister about this and she said they count it as a fat exchange for diabetes but it does have some good fiber and nutrients.  

So I tell myself that, while Avocado might or might not count as a vegetable serving, it is healthier than topping your bread with butter.  And it’s maybe even taster!

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Oysters Rockefeller at Home

Baked fresh oysters on the half shell, topped with a rich spinach mixture, makes Oysters Rockefeller a tasty and special appetizer.

Oysters Rockafeller

Oysters Rockafeller is a classic seafood appetizer.  And back in the day, it was an almost required menu item in fine dining establishments. That’s because a creamy rich oyster, embellished with a savory topping, is a perfect way to start a great dinner.

If you have never had the pleasure, Oysters Rockefeller (per Wikipedia) are “oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with various other ingredients… then baked or broiled.”

Originally topped with a mixture containing herbs like parsley or chervil, today you are likely to find a topping based on spinach.   

This now classic appetizer was originally created at Antoine’s in New Orleans, where you can still get it today. We made sure to stop there when we visited and have our authentic numbered certificate to commemorate the experience!  Read more