HOLLYWOOD STYLE - ASSORTED FRESH FRUIT SALAD

Well not exactly HOLLYWOOD STYLE because everybody no matter where they live and who they are, can satisfy their cravings for a nice, colorful, exquisite, fresh fruit salad. I just name it like that for my celebrity friends that followed me on TWITTER.

INGREDIENTS:

2 sliced bananas

2 cups blackberries
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups grapes
1 cup walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum
1/2 cup sugar (or less)

Mix and serve !

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

GRILLED PORK CHOPS,GARLIC ROASTED POTATOES,RICE PILAF AND CARROT SALAD

These pictures speaks for them self's ! A nice and delicious meal that my family enjoyed a lot.

PORK CHOPS ON THE GRILL

You can marinate the meat few hours prior grilling.
Ingredients for 6-8 pork chops:
6-8 boneless pork chops,
1/3 cup olive oil,
1/2 spoon thyme,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1/2 garlic powder,
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper;
Combine all the ingredients making sure the meat is all coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours before grilling. If you are in a hurry (like it's always happening in this house) grill right away. The meat needs to be turned once.
CARROT SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
8 shredded carrots,
1/2 cup thin sliced onion,
1/4 cup white vinegar,
1/4 cup water,
1/4 cup olive oil,
1/2 teaspoon salt;
snip fresh parsley;
In a mixing salad bowl combine all the ingredients. Serve into individual small salad bows.

ROASTED GARLIC POTATOES

INGREDIENTS:

6,8 medium red potatoes,
4 minced garlic cloves,
2 tablespoons butter,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
salt,
pepper,
parsley;

Boil whole potatoes for 1o minutes in salty water. Cut each potato in fourths. In a mixing bowl combine potatoes and all the ingredients (minus parsley) Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes on 375 F. Remove on a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
RICE PILAF

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rice,
1/2 cup chopped onion,
1/2 cup chopped carrots,
1/2 cup chopped celery,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1/2 teaspoon pepper,
1 tablespoon butter (or margarine)
2 tablespoons olive oil;
2-1/2 cups chicken broth (or water)

In a skillet heat oil and butter. Add onion, celery and carrots and saute for 2,3 minutes. Add rice and broth. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
Fix your plate with a little bit of everything and ...
ENJOY !
Have a nice day!

BK ANYONE?

No, this is not my creation, not my recipe. This is what my son wanted sooo bad this morning.
He brought home some for me. I was smiling...thinking that no matter how much time I spend in the kitchen trying to be creative on each and every meal I make, he still crave BK or MCD or JITB...oh well, I can not be mad at him at all specially when he tells me : "Mom, your food is the best!" :))))))

TWO DESSERTS ONE PLATE - VANILLA CREAM PEACHES AND CHOCOLATE RUM BON BON

These two darling desserts I imported from other blog of mine "Nina's Culinary Creations".
It's been posted a while ago but I never post the recipes; so, here they are starting with the most simple and delicious one:

VANILLA CREAM PEACHES

INGREDIENTS:
1 can (16 oz.) peaches in light syrup (halves),
1 pk. instant vanilla pudding,
1 cup cool whip topping,
maraschino cherries for garnish;
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare vanilla pudding following directions from the box. Refrigerate until set.
Drain peaches; let set on paper towels cavity down until most of the moisture is gone ; arrange peaches on double foil paper cups (or just on serving plate); pipe vanilla pudding on top of each peach cavity; follow by piping cool whip topping and garnish with maraschino cherries.


CHOCOLATE RUM BON BON

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups cookie crumble,
1 cup unsalted butter,
1 cup powder sugar,
1/4 cup cocoa powder + 1/4 additional
1/2 cup milk,
2 tablespoons rum extract (or 1/3 cup brandy - not for children in this case),
1 teaspoon vanilla extract;
DIRECTIONS:
Combine cookie crumble with milk and set aside; using a electric mixer combine butter, sugar, 1/4 cocoa powder, rum (brandy) and vanilla; add moistened cookie crumble. Refrigerate for one hour. Form 1 - 1/2 inch balls and roll them in the remaining 1/4 cocoa powder. You can place each bon bon in candie wrappers, or candy dish. Refrigerate until use!


ENJOY!
Have a nice day!

CHICKEN WITH HOMEMADE FRENCH FRIES AND GARLIC SAUCE

A meal that is very easy to make, very tasteful and budget friendly!
All I bought was the rotisserie chicken; for french fries and garlic sauce I had everything I needed.
Recipes for french fries and garlic sauce are following in the next posts.
Have a nice day everyone!

HOMEMADE FRENCH FRIES WITH GARLIC SAUCE

INGREDIENTS FOR FRENCH FRIES:
5,6 potatoes,
oil for deep fry,
salt,
pepper,
parsley;
DIRECTIONS:
Wash, peel and cut potatoes into long strips. Deep fry until golden brown; do not stir during frying process, other wise potatoes will break and become sticky.
Remove french fries into a mixing bowl; add a dash of salt, pepper and chopped parsley;

INGREDIENTS FOR GARLIC SAUCE:

6,7 garlic cloves,
3 tablespoons mayonnaise,
1,2 tablespoons white vinegar,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1 cup water;
DIRECTIONS:
In a blender container blend all ingredients until smooth;


Add few big spoons of garlic sauce (garlic dressing) into the mixing bowl of french fries. Gently mix to coat evenly. Serve warm next to your favorite sea food, poultry or any kind of meat you like. Also you can sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top end eat it just like that!!!
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

GARLIC SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:
6,7 garlic cloves,
3 tablespoons mayonnaise,
1,2 tablespoons white vinegar,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1 cup water;
DIRECTIONS:
In a blender container blend all ingredients until smooth;
For garlic lovers, this is a type of dressing that goes great on sea food, poultry or any kind of meat; also good for any kind of vegetables either steamed, grilled or baked.
Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups fresh strawberries,
2 cups vanilla ice cream,
1 cup cool whip;
(there are numerous recipes to make this smoothie, but I choose this simplest one for today...)
DIRECTIONS:
In a blender container blend to smooth strawberries and vanilla ice cream. Pour in your favorite serving glass. Pipe cool whip ; garnish as desired. I have used 1/4 vanilla ice cream cone.
It's not summer yet, but today we have already 90 F. What better, refreshing and delicious dessert can anybody ask for?
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

CHEESE AND RAISINS PIE

INGREDIENTS:
1 pk. cream cheese,
1 cup cottage cheese,
1 cup corn bread mix,
4 eggs,
1/2 cup sugar,
1 cup raisins;
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
dash of salt
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven at 375 F; butter (or spray) 8x8 baking dish;
Combine all the ingredients. Pour the cheese mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until done. Glass dish is ideal to see the bottom - golden brown;

Serve warm or cold;
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

TOMATO SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND OLIVES

INGREDIENTS:
3 sliced tomatoes,
1/2 cup green calamata olives,
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
fresh ground black pepper,
salt to taste,
fresh parsley, dill or basil;


In a serving platter arrange tomato slices; sprinkle salt; add crumbled cheese and olives.
Drizzle olive oil; ground pepper; garnish (optional) with fresh parsley , dill or basil.
Here you have a nice and fresh salad; bread and butter, garlic bread or just right from the oven french baguette from the bakery next door, will be a delightful entry to a dinner for two (or more if you double the quantity)
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!