Dinner Party

I hosted my first dinner party this past week. I served a roasted butternut squash soup, roasted asparagus, and toasted olive/labneh bread.

The soup was inspired by a recipe that I found in "The Lebanese Kitchen." The recipe calls for apples, but as I hate sweet and savory tastes mixed together, I used a lovely red pepper, instead. I also added in a fresh lemon and garlic, and I didn't measure anything. I kind of hate following recipes. ;) The soup was garnished with slivered, toasted almonds.

The asparagus was washed, spread on a baking sheet, drizzled with olive oil and salt, and roasted for approximately 12 minutes at 375 degrees.

The bread was a loaf of focaccia that I sliced into 1 inch slices. I brushed the tops with jalepeno flavored olive oil and broiled the bread until it was toasted to perfection. I spread labneh on top of the bread, and topped them with sliced olives.

Delicious.

  

Strawberry Lemon Coconut Cake

I made this cake for our Easter meal. I basically followed this recipe, though I substituted the raspberry jam with strawberry.

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

I whipped up these delicious bars yesterday- they tasted even better today, after they had been refrigerated all day. The recipe is from here, and they are super easy!

Hasselback Potatoes

Hasselback Potatoes

Slice potatoes thinly, not slicing the entire way through. Place on baking sheet. Place thin garlic slices between potato "slits", drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 425 degrees for 40 minutes or until done.

Strawberry Banana Kefir Ice Cream

Strawberry Banana Kefir Ice Cream

1 quart of plain kefir

2 ripe bananas

1/4 c. honey

1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

12 oz. strawberries

Mix together in blender. You can either freeze in ice cream maker, or pour into a large container, stirring it every hour.

(I used the latter method- I believe I'll make popsicles next time so I don't have to worry about stirring!)

Enjoy!

Fresh Lemon Balm

Kefir Smoothie

I've been making my own kefir for less than a week. Tonight, I made a smoothie, and it turned out quite well!

Easy Kefir Smoothie

1 cup of plain kefir

1 very ripe banana

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup blackberries

Blend and serve!

I love green smoothies, so I believe that I'll add spinach to mine next time. It won't be as pretty, but it will have extra nutrients!