4TH OF JULY CANDY SWIRLED STRAWBERRIES

Summer fresh red strawberries coated with white and blue swirled candy melt is a perfect, easy to make dessert for or 4th of July or any patriotic event.

        

Hello friends. It’s good to be back after a short break to take care of some unexpected family matter. I won't delve into the details but will say the family suffered the loss of an elderly parent and a serious medical condition of another. It’s been one heck of a year—for all of us. I believe there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to walk through it one step at a time.

But let’s move onto something lighter and delicious!

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN SANDWICH

“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it” is my advice when it comes to this sandwich. The Chow Mein Sandwich is a regional classic in parts of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It consists of a brown gravy chow mein served over crispy chow mein noodles and sandwiched in between a hamburger bun. You’ve got to try it!

        

You might look at this and think that’s it’s a lot of filling for the bun. But that isn’t so when it comes to the chow mein sandwich where the motto seems to be “the more, the better”. It is not uncommon to have a dinner plate filled with chow mein and noodles served with just one itty-bitty hamburger bun. 

STRAWBERRY CUSTARD BREAD PUDDING

This strawberry filled custard bread pudding is a light tasting and delicious dessert that repurposes unused bread. Serve with a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce, whipped cream or ice cream for a treat you will want to eat all summer!

        

I always have excess sandwich bread. With warmer temps and the increasing humidity, things are starting to mold a little more quickly and don’t keep long. My family can eat only so many sandwiches and toasts during the week. To reduce waste, I like make bread pudding.

Unlike many bread pudding recipes you might come across, this one is soft and custardy—just the way I like it! Although the ones with a higher bread-chunks-to-custard ratio are yummy, the custardy ones speak to my heart.

BANANA BLUEBERRY COCONUT BREAD

This moist and tender quick bread is chalk full of bananas, juicy blueberries, and coconut. It’s topped with coconut glaze, coconut flakes, and chopped pecans. Super easy to make and it doesn’t require a mixer!

        

I love combining banana and blueberries, and I love it even more with coconut. This quick bread has them all! It’s moist (sorry if you don’t like that word), tender, and delicious! The bread is a perfect combination of ripe bananas, succulent blueberries, and sweetened coconut flakes. To add extra goodness, it is topped with more coconut goodness and chopped pecans. 

Making it is a cinch. It requires minimal prep time, is easy to make, and entirely hand mixed. Use overripe bananas and fresh sweet blueberries, if at all possible for best results.

SAUTÉED GARLICKY WATERCRESS WITH BACON

Watercress simply sautéed with garlic and topped off with crispy bacon crumbles is a delicious combination. With the health benefits of watercress and the indulgence of bacon, this simple side dish has the best of both worlds.

        

Did you know that watercress is a superfood? In fact, it tops the CDC’s list of the most nutrient-dense superfood. If you like the vegetable but were not aware of its nutritional value, now there is a reason to love and embrace it even more.

Watercress is in the cruciferous vegetable family and has over 15 essential vitamins and minerals. It is a vitamin K powerhouse and is packed with vitamins C & E as well as iron and calcium. In fact, it has more calcium than milk!

SUCCULENT SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Succulent and snappy shrimp cocktail never gets old. These colossal shrimp cocktails are ideal for a special occasion or anytime you want to splurge. I have a few simple tips for obtaining perfect results every time!

        

I can’t believe that Mother’s Day weekend is here! How did this happen? We will also be celebrating my husband’s birthday. Because of social distancing, our daughter won’t be able to visit. However, we will make the most of it at home...just my husband, my son, and me. This means there will be a whole lot of grazing going on.

PORK BÁNH MÌ BURGER WITH HONEY SRIRACHA MAYO

Hoisin flavored ground pork patty on a brioche with sweet and spicy Sriracha mayo is a killer twist on bánh mì. With pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber slices, bean sprouts, and greens for toppings, this sandwich is packed with flavor, freshness, and crunch.

        

When your picky-as-a-two-year-old husband can’t gush enough over a sandwich, you know you have a winner. This twist on the Vietnamese bánh mì skyrocketed to the top of my husband’s list of favorite blog recipes. I can see why. This sandwich has got it all!