Bing! It's Cherry Season!

Yesterday at the grocery store I wandered into the produce section as I would any other day - intending to pick up bananas for my husband.  Naturally, I would end up with some ho-hum citrus for myself.

Then I saw them.

My heart fluttered.

A smile swept across my face and I ran to them completely forgetting about the bananas, husband and citrus. "YES!!!!!" I shouted (in my head). "Alas! It is cherry season!" I LOVE cherries. Love them. 

An index of recipes started racing through my mind - visions of Bon Appetit! summer volumes perfectly illustrating cherries in desserts, salads, and glazes - oh the possibilities!

I left the store with only one bag. I promised myself to ease into it - savor the season. My little AbbyMuffin and I enjoyed them this morning on the patio (she really didn't have any - but she was certainly curious). It was a beautiful morning - birds chirping, hot coffee in my McDreamy/McSteamy mug and perfectly sweet cherries. I love summer.

Some recipes I would enjoy making and tasting:

From Bon Appetit! - Oh my.

 

Chocolate Cinnamon Mousse with Cherries

One Perfect Bite - I would say so.

Pork Medallions with Ancho Chili and Cherry Glaze

An avocado and a cherry? I'm very intrigued.

Avocado Cherry Salad

Oh Martha. You get me every time.

Fresh Cherry Tart

Roasted Broccoli? Yes, Please!

Well, it is Memorial Day weekend. While my friends and family are out golfing, lounging by the pool, celebrating with tasty libations and having fun - I am home with a never ending cold, roasting broccoli. I'm not looking for sympathy because let me tell you, this broccoli is divine. Not only is this broccoli tasty it is also healthy. Woot! It is officially my first TastyHealthyThing to blog about.

A few months ago, my dearest friend Amie told me about this beautiful site in which I found a recipe for Oven Roasted Broccoli. I've wanted to make it for a while now and I am so happy I finally did. Some sort of wizardry happens in the oven as the broccoli roasts to perfection. The result is perfectly tender, crispy crunchy goodness, a slight carmalized effect from the oil and a zing from the garlic and red pepper flakes. Mmmmmmmm.

A quick and easy recipe that is guaranteed to please the palate!
 

The result as shown at Honey and Jam



• 1 1/4 pounds broccoli crowns, cut into florets (about 8 cups)
• 4 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Large pinch of dried crushed red pepper



Chop the broccoli (Not 8 cups worth, I made this recipe for 2)

 

Rinse the broccoli



Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss broccoli and 4 tablespoons oil in large bowl to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes. (I was only slightly worried the smoke alarm would go off)



Ready for roasting!

Stir remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil, garlic, and red pepper in small bowl. Drizzle garlic mixture over broccoli; toss to coat. Roast until broccoli is beginning to brown, about 8 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Because a man can't survive on broccoli alone, my husband grilled steak.

Enjoy! 

Brownie Cookies - For Health Reasons...

"Health Food" - the definition can vary depending on the person, latest diet trend or current level of stress.

In this case, I must share with you that my sister is getting married in one month. If that weren't enough to boost a girls' stress level, she has also volunteered to watch my dog Abby for the weekend while my husband and I are away. She's a saint.  Needless to say, her stress level is CODE RED: Needs Chocolate!!! 

This TastyHealthy Brownie Cookie Recipe I stumbled upon at Lifes Ambrosia will be the perfect "Thank you for watching my crazy dog - please try to relax" gesture.They certainly look like ooey gooey tasty delights and the health factor will be determined by the mental relief felt by those who taste them!

Makes 20-30 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 package fudge brownie mix
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick butter, melted, cooled
• 2-3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 cup dark chocolate chunks (or Semi-Sweet...or Milk Chocolate...)

Instruction:

• Whisk together flour, brownie mix and brown sugar.
• Using a heavy spoon, stir in eggs one at a time. Followed by butter and 2 tablespoons water. If the batter appears like there is too much flour add 1 more tablespoon of water. Batter will be very thick.
• Fold in chocolate chunks

THICK batter....look at that spoon!

• Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a cookie sheet or use parchment if you have it handy.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of dough on the cookie sheet, you want pretty thick cookies here to get the brownie feel, about 3 inches apart. Press down slightly. Don’t flatten completely.



Tasty little mounds - ready for baking

• Bake for 8-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, allow to cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet.



Fresh out of the oven...mmmm...they smell good!



Let cool completely before dressing them up! I LOVE this baking twine.

Enjoy!