Asian Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Crispy Wonton Strips

Looking for inspiration, I recently stopped by Publix's sample booth, where I was fortunate enough to catch a bite of this crunchy and refreshing side salad.  I was excited to make and share this with you, as it's an absolutely delicious accompaniment for most any meat or seafood entree.  As usual, I changed it up a little, making it even more simple for you to prepare.

You'll also enjoy this incredibly easy and healthy salad as a wonderful take-along dish.  Pack it up for your next tailgate:  simply prep the night before, toss in the lettuce and top with the crispy wonton strips right before you serve...then enjoy the party!

                                                 Crunch Away!

Chunky, Crunchy Oatmeal Cookies Loaded with Trail Mix

Don't you love it when you find a great way to use up a leftover or extra item from your pantry!   I did just that with the leftover trail mix from the brunch I hosted recently.  I thought it would be a good idea to replace the chocolate, cherries and almonds in my Chewy, Crunchy Oatmeal Cookie with the trail mix...was I ever right! 

These trail mix cookies are absolutely delicious...crunchy and loaded with a variety of wonderful ingredients, no two cookies are alike.  On the healthy side, they make a fantastic satisfying breakfast-on-the-run, or just a wonderful snack with your coffee...the kids will love them with milk!

                                                  Attenion All Dunkers...

                                                       Dunk Away!

Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast Casserole with Creamy and Crunchy Toppings ~ Plus An Easy Brunch Menu!

My son's new in-laws visited from out of state recently, for the first time since the wedding.  I entertained them at my home with a casual family brunch.  The highlight of the meal was the peaches and cream French toast, and everyone loved it!

I'm not a morning person...so this French toast casserole made the perfect entree, since it is prepared the night before and baked in the morning.  It was actually the only thing I cooked...I prepared an Easy Brunch Menu:  I just used a fancy trail mix and such for appetizers, cut up some fresh fruit and added bagels, along with flavored and plain cream cheeses from a good bakery.  Well, you get the idea...I had fun shopping!  For meat, I used a good sliced beef salami.  Oh, outside of coffee and orange juice, I offered bottled sparkling regular and pomegranate-blueberry lemonade...perfect for adults and children!  Dessert was brought by the new in-laws...an extra layer from the wedding cake!  I have to say, it was probably the best wedding cake I've ever had...an Italian cream cake with a true homemade taste (and beautifully decorated)!

Back to the overnight French toast casserole...since the recipe calls for canned peaches, you can serve it year-round.  It is an easy dish that makes a tantalizing presentation, so enjoy it during the holiday season!

                                                        
                                         So, What Are We Waiting For...

                                       I'm Starving...How About You?

Bacon-Avocado-Tomato Crostinis

In my last post, I mentioned that I had one more recipe to share with you from our get-together this past Fourth.  Well, you'll love these super easy crostinis...they're wonderful as an appetizer for brunch, or on their own for breakfast, lunch, or just as a snack.  Although I use turkey bacon, use whatever bacon you like....these crostinis are also good with candied turkey or candied pork bacon. 

For your next tailgate or get-together (how about Labor Day!), just pack up your ingredients and assemble once you arrive.  Toast the bread before you leave, or at the event...at a tailgate, simply toast your bread on the grill!

So very attractive and so very easy...

                                 Makes Me Hungry Just To Look At These...

                                   Better Toast Some More Bread!

Flavorful, Lean Pulled BBQ Beef Brisket In The Slow Cooker

No one wanted to bother with grilling on the Fourth this year...good thing, because it rained all day, just like it has all summer!  So I made this very flavorful and lean pulled barbecued brisket in the slow cooker.  Everyone loved it; and I can tell you if my son was pleased, I knew I had a hit! 

Enjoy it on Labor Day; and if you want to keep things simple on party day, make this brisket a day ahead and warm in the slow cooker before you serve.  Of course, for a family dinner, you can cook it in the slow cooker in the a.m. and finish that night. Since it makes a great take-along dish, file this one for tailgates also!

I've already posted the wonderful Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese I made for the Fourth, and I have one more recipe coming up that I contributed to the get-together that day.  All the dishes I made were easy, allowing me to be able to enjoy the party!

                                     I Think I Can Fit That In My Mouth!

 

Easy, Light and Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese

You'll love this easy, light and refreshing watermelon salad for your lazy summer meals.  It also makes a great take-along for those summertime cookouts and get-togethers...we enjoyed it on the Fourth, and don't forget...Labor Day isn't far away!

This salad is fabulous with crumbled goat or feta cheese...I like it best with goat cheese.  Layering the ingredients, rather than tossing them, preserves the color and texture.  Reserve the dressing until right before you serve the salad; because, otherwise, you'll be draining the dressing along with any accumulated watermelon juice.

                                               Cold and Refreshing...

                                            And Pretty Guilt-Free!