Memorial Day Weekend!

You know you're going to grill something this weekend.  Here're some items that will have you getting your Memorial Day Barbecue on - rain or shine!

tomato fennel salad

Mac did not like this.  I liked it, but certain things were off.  Mainly, the tomatoes were mealy, yuck.  The fennel was thinly sliced and gave a fun crunch to the salad.  The dressing was the best part, with orange juice, zest, and apple cider vinegar. 

greek panzanella salad 

This is so delicious! Staple summer salad. Choose a yummy french bread to cut up in cubes, toast it, and mix with all the veggies and dressing. So easy. This recipe is from the Parties! book.  

grilled salmon sandwiches

Here's another awesome one! I love salmon, and making it into a sandwich is so fun!  The dressing has lots of great players like white wine vinegar, capers, dill, scallions, and basil.

More to come!  Enjoy the weekend!

Feeling the Pressure!

I cannot believe it will be less than 6 weeks before Barely Contessa comes to the 1 year mark! Admittedly, I don't think I'll be able to get to all of the recipes by July 1.  In order to take the best shot at this here's how I'm strategizing:

-I'm avoiding recipes that I made prior to the blog and recipes that don't look very appetizing to me (ie roasted foie gras).

-I'm thinking of giving myself an extension due to the fact that I lost some time during our move to our new house!

Happy Eating!

XOXO,

Christine

 watermelon and arugula salad

I tried to find a link to post to this salad, but all I could find was a version of this salad that included feta.  The salad above is from a recipe in the how easy is that? book.  It does not include feta, and Ina mentions that she isn't really a fan of the feta watermelon combo anymore because she prefers the contrast the strong flavor of the parmesan gives.  I agree!  This salad is now in my top 5 favorite salads! So good.  Also, in the Family Style book, this same salad is featured, just without the watermelon.  Two for one!  

 fresh peach cake

I was trying to get cutesie with this one and put a heart in the center...it looked better before I baked it! This cake is delicious, but it definitely has the consistency and texture of a coffee cake rather than a dessert cake.  But I'm not complaining! It's delightful.  

 onion and fennel soup

I love french onion soup, and I know I'm not alone.  This is some of the best I've ever had.  The fennel adds a different flavor profile that the classic doesn't have, and it's a winner.  Gruyere cheese is obviously the best choice here, and it is sooo yummy!

 soppressata in puff pastry

This is like a fancy grilled cheese appetizer.  Dijon mustard is brushed over the bottom piece of puff pastry and then it's layered with the salami and covered with gruyere.  I'd be very surprised if this was not a hit at any get together. 

filet of beef sandwich 

The idea behind this is wonderful.  However, the bread choice is all wrong. I would even say that if the bread was toasted it would make a world of difference.  As the recipe is written, the bread is too soft for the sandwich.  The sauce is made of worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese and it is amazing with the beef and arugula.  Toast the bread and you have a sandwich that people will be very happy with!

chocolate white chocolate chunk cookies


These are tasty little morsels! Is anyone surprised?

baked virginia ham

I have found memories of my mom making ham and then using the leftovers to make split pea soup and croquettes.  The leftovers are just as exciting as the ham!!! The sauce on this makes every piece so flavorful and keeps it from getting dry.

garlic sauteed spinach

I've made this a million times, and it's always tasty and fresh. 

butternut squash and apple soup

This was so exciting to try because Ina says it's her favorite soup!  I can see why!  The curry does something magical to all the flavors and you just can't get enough!  

ice cream sodas

Nostalgic for carefree summer days?  Give these vanilla ice cream sodas a whirl!  Perfect.  Ina also has recipes for chocolate and strawberry variations.

May is here! Finally!

 turkey meatloaf and potato basil puree


This turkey meatloaf is delish!  There are onions and celery that help give it nice texture, but the fresh thyme makes it have great flavor!  I used leftovers for sandwiches.  Potato basil puree is mashed potatoes blended with basil and olive oil which makes it taste so fresh and less heavy. It's good.

provencal vegetable soup


This is a hidden gem!  Mac and I have a new favorite vegetable soup.  The spaghetti noodles make it substantial and filling.  The dollop of red on top is called pistou.  It's like pesto, but has garlic, tomato paste, parmesan cheese, basil, and olive oil. It gives the soup terrific flavor.  

tequila lime chicken

I feel like I've looked at this recipe so many times and am glad to have finally made it.  The marinade for this chicken is great: tequila, orange juice, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, etc.  The chicken marinates overnight and then you grill it.  I thought this chicken was tasty and light!  The chicken would probably also be perfect for tacos. 

guacamole

This is my go to guacamole.  I always like this one more than others that I taste. Lemon juice makes the flavors pop and the guac taste super fresh.  The hot sauce and red onions give it a little kick. 

strawberry rhubarb crisp*

This is my favorite of Ina's crisps.  I hadn't ever had rhubarb before...so good!  This crisp is sweet and delicious.

chicken with tabbouleh


Mac had the chicken version and I had vegetarian style.  Both were awesome.  The big chunks of veggies are perfect in a pita. I added some falafel to mine as well and it was a great sandwich! It takes a little bit of time for the bulgur to soak, but this is super easy to make. 

crab cakes


I grew up eating the classic, mostly crabmeat, crab cake. I still prefer that style, but these flavor filled cakes are really tasty too!  Some of the ingredients include red and yellow peppers (mine  just have yellow), capers, mayonnaise, parsley, hot sauce, old bay and a few other things. I wouldn't turn one of these down! 

caesar salad with pancetta


This is a great caesar.  The tomatoes are roasted which warms up the whole salad.  The dressing is phenomenal and the pancetta adds a fun crunch and saltiness to each bite.  We liked it so much we made it again the next night!

baked shrimp scampi


How could you not like this?  Scampi is butter, garlic, and bread crumbs, which equals awesome.  Have this with a green salad and you're set!  You could also use some bread to dip in the sauce at the bottom of the dish (if you want).