Chicken Salad,Tomato, Peach And Avocado Stacks With Peach Puree

Chicken Salad, Tomato, Peach and Avocado Stacks with Peach Puree is a fresh and light salad made for summer days dish.

Chicken-Salad-Tomato-Peach-Avocado-Stack-2 (1)

Chicken Salad, Tomato, Peach And Avocado Stacks With Peach Puree

Ingredients

For Chicken Salad:

4  skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1-1 ½  teaspoons teaspoon salt

1  teaspoon fine black or white pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

4  teaspoons celery seed

4 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

½ – 1  cup  mayonnaise

For Peach Avocado Salad:

6  medium peaches, peeled and chopped

zest of  1 lemon or 1 orange

1-2  Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1  Tablespoon honey

3  medium avocados, diced

3  Roma tomatoes

3  green onions, chopped

salt- I prefer Kosher or sea salt.

fine black or white pepper

Directions

For Chicken Salad:

Place chicken breasts in large pot and cover with water.  Add salt,  pepper, onion powder, 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, and 2 teaspoons celery seed.  Bring to boil over high heat.

seasonings

Lower heat to medium-high and cook for approximately 45 minutes or until completely done with no red or pink.  Add more water if needed.

shredded-chicken-for-salad

Remove chicken from water and place into large mixing bowl.

Use a knife and fork to shred chicken. For a little zip of fresh, I like to add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Now it’s ready for 2 teaspoons celery seed and any additional salt and pepper to your liking.

Begin with stirring in ½ cup mayonnaise to coat chicken. I always begin with only ½ cup mayonnaise, and add additional if needed.  Cover and refrigerate.  Serve cold.

For Peach & Avocado Salad:

521px-Autumn_red_peach

Peel and chop peaches. Stir together peaches with  fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.  Add ½ cup peaches and 1 Tablespoon honey together in food processor and pulse until smooth.

Season with Kosher or sea salt and fine black or white pepper to taste.  Peel and dice the avocados. Chop the green onions and fresh parsley, and slice tomatoes.

If you want to stack the layers in a rounded presentation, an empty tuna can thoroughly washed and with the top and bottom lids removed makes a great round form.

For the first layer:

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Arrange tomato slices, green onion, and fresh parsley on chilled plate. Lightly pepper to taste.

For the second layer:

Spoon 2 Tablespoons peach puree around the tomatoes, green onions and parsley.

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Next, top tomatoes, green onions, and parsley layer with  2 Tablespoons diced avocados and ½ cup of the chopped peaches. Sprinkle with Kosher salt to taste.

Add ½ cup chicken salad and top with desired amount of green onions and chopped fresh parsley. Repeat steps for each individual serving.

Serves 6.

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Saturday Night Italian Salad

Saturday Night Italian Salad is my father’s own creation.

Saturday-night-Italian-salad

For as long as I can remember, at least once a month on a Saturday evening my dad would cook steaks on the grill.

He always prepared this salad, the perfect culinary accompaniment to grilled steaks.

This salad is basically a meal in itself, or at the very least, your daily dose of greens and vegetables.

Saturday Night Italian Salad

Ingredients

3  bags spring mix salad mix

1  package cherry grape tomatoes

1  package yellow grape tomatoes

5-7  garden tomatoes, quartered

1  4 ounce can chopped black olives, drained

3  4 ounce cans mushrooms, drained

1 14 ounce can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

1  15 ounce can extra long asparagus spears, drained

1  14.5 ounce can cut asparagus spears, drained

½- ¾  bottle Italian salad dressing

Directions

Place lettuce greens in a large bowl.  Using kitchen scissors,  cut the greens into smaller pieces.

spring-mix

The chef prepares the tomatoes.

Add tomatoes, drained black olives, artichoke hearts asparagus and mushrooms.

asparagus-whole-Italian-salad

Toss with desired amount of Italian dressing.

Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

enjoy

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Southern Living Recipe: Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub

The 4th of July week long summertime celebration is upon us!

Fire up the grill or turn up the oven, whatever floats your barbecuing or baking boat.

Chicken, beef and pork will shine in the cookout spotlight this week, and most cooks have never met a seasoned dry rub they didn’t like.

I found this adorably staged recipe image in the June issue of Southern Living (surprise!).

The image caught my eye, but the recipe grabbed my attention.

bbq-rub-recipe

Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub is music to this Southerner’s ears.

It is made up of dry ingredients that luckily grace the shelves of my cupboards.

The super cute presentation suggestion puts this one on the hostess gift list.

Now if you will excuse me, I have a brisket that needs a smoky-sweet BBQ rub down.

Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub

Ingredients

¼  cup kosher salt

¼  cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

2  Tablespoons plus 2 tsp. smoked paprika

2  tablespoons granulated sugar

2  teaspoons garlic powder

2  teaspoons freshly ground pepper

1  teaspoon dry mustard

1  teaspoon ground cumin

1  teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

Stir together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container up to 1 month.

The jars shown in the Southern Living image are from Hobby Lobby.  The jar I used is from Dollar Tree, and the grapevine wire is from Hobby Lobby as well.  bbq-rub-tagDownload the BBQ rub gift tags here.

enjoy

 

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Super Copper Tastic Excellent à la Decorocious! Copper Home Decor Accessories

Super Copper Tastic Excellent à la Decorocious!

That’s one way to sum up the beauty of the copper home decor accessories.

The patina, richness and versatility of copper lends a distinctive presence and truly unique color palette choice to interior design accents and home decor accessories.

Williams Sonoma Professional Copper Sauté Pan

Williams Sonoma Professional Copper Sauté Pan

Copper is not only a timeless trend choice, but a gorgeous heavy metal of ever current never outdated mass appeal.

copper-pots-molds-on-shelf

Flickr

A bold neutrality (isn’t that a design oxymoron?) accurately describes the pop of color copper kitchen accessories.

farmhouse-kitchen-copper-faucet

HouzzPine cone skinny napkin rings, set of four

Pine Cone Skinny Napkin Rings, Set of 4

Currently Coveting Copper!

Warehouse of Tiffany Havira 3-light Antique Copper Chandelier with Crystals

Warehouse of Tiffany Havira 3-light Antique Copper Chandelier with Crystals

farmhouse-kitchen-copper-pendants

Atelier Werner Fraters Décoration

Rustic-industrial-dome-pendant-light,-single-vintage-copper-chandelier

Rustic Industrial Dome Pendant 

A stroke of antique treasure hunting afforded me the perfect opportunity to own a large double handled solid copper serving bowl.

As soon as I unpack it (gotta find it first) from storage it will again grace the kitchen gallery wall.

copperrangehoods

My Rustica

When it came down to countertop selections for our kitchen remodel I knew the direction I was going in, but how much of my choice to incorporate into the scheme was the question I struggled with.  

Dave the Builder and I drove to Home Depot and soon the question was answered.

We selected copper half round rope metal molding wall tile trim to enhance the tile back splash.  

kitchen-materials

From the kitchen to the front exterior of the house, copper accessories make their presence known.

hammered-copper-table-lamp

A&B Home Copper Rhinoceros Bookends (Set of 2)

raw-copper-noble-house-end-tables

When we moved into our home I accessorized the exterior with copper and copper inspired treated items.

I chose treated items for their resistance to weather and time.

The copper mailbox, copper address plaque and copper weathervane look as new today as they did when purchased.

browns-tans-benzara-wall-mount-mailbox

Spacious Brown Copper Metal Wall Mounted Mailbox

4 in. Antique Copper Floating House Number

4 in. Antique Copper Floating House Number

Pure Copper Horse Weathervane

Pure Copper Horse Weathervane

I was so tempted to go with copper gutters!

decorative exterior copper gutter

Austin Gutter King

Copper items left to nature’s patina process only get better with age.

copper gutters

Houzz

A copper boiling pot makes a perfect decorative accessory.

The point of new, vintage or antique copper is copper style, copper patina and the Super Copper Tastic Excellent à la Decorocious decorative effect.

The wide range of availability and price points of copper interior and exterior decor items is in our favor.

old copper maskFlickr

The wide range of availability and price points of copper interior and exterior decor items is in our favor.

Copper remains an elegant and traditional choice of color and material to enhance any space and complement any taste.

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Color Combination Pink and Green

Timeless, classic, and so spring into summer- the color combination pink and green welcomes the season with a breath of fresh and beautiful air.

Houzz

pink-green-rug-Jayne-Design-Studio

1stDibs – Jayne Design Studio -Photography by Joshua McHugh

Pink and green is a color scheme bursting with seasonal depictions of blooms replete in nature’s shades of pink paired atop green stems and pastel pink skies shimmering off seas of ocean blue and seafoam green.

pink-flocked-french-chair

 Jane Beiles

pink-green-living-room

1stDibs –  Heidi Caillier Design – Photography by Haris Kenjar

Where some will categorize this chic color combo as one that exudes an energetic subtleness, a color oxymoron, there’s a host of color enthusiasts who will vote team soft and serene.

pink-green-paint-colors

white-bed-with-pink-and-green-floral-pillows

Madre Dallas

Mark-D-Sikes-spoonbill

Mark D. Sikes

Nature conducts a color combination master class all its own.

pink-brillianthus-icelandic-poppies-pink bouvardia-garden-roses-flower-arrangement

Flower Magazine

spring-flowers-cutting

marvelous-floral-maxi-skirt-in-green

Floral and Frill Maxi Skirt

Interior design mirrors fashion, or does fashion mirror interior design?

roses-wallpaper

Kathryn Ivey Interiors 

Instantly recognizable as a go-to choice in style statement selections, preppy pops to mind in color conversation.

Regardless of personal fashion and interior design style preference, one can’t deny the powerful style statement color pairing pink and green makes.

Bunny-Williams-bedroom-photo-by-Reid-Rolls

Bunny Williams

Exteriors take beautifully to this timeless color duo that naturally complements landscapes and regional attributes.

Claude-Monet-gardens

Vogue

Inspiration is everywhere!

Blackberry Lovin’ Layer Cake recipe

Blackberry Lovin’ Layer Cake Recipe

Trends come and go, but classic color combinations check in for an extended stay at the color wheel hotel.

hallway-Beverly-Hills-Hotel

The Beverly Hills Hotel

mara-ferreira-01

The Glitter Guide

Warrington & Rose

Warrington & Rose

pink-and-green-space

Better Homes & Gardens

Working off the theory opposites attract, and I truly believe in many cases they do, the color combination of pink and green play beautifully together.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Star Spangled Cake

We remember and honor the service of the many men and women of our military who gave their lives serving their country and their families. It is our honor to celebrate their service and to honor their memory.

American-flag-display-front-house

This Star Spangled Cake recipe is from Family Circle and Recipe.com.

One of my antique dealer associates bakes this cake each year and graciously shares it with us.

It is holiday appropriate, serves a large number(35 servings), and is a delicious dessert to kick off the summer season.

star spangled sheet cake

Recipe.com

Star-Spangled Cake

Ingredients

3  cups  sifted cake flour

4  teaspoons  baking powder

½   teaspoon  salt

5 eggs

2  cups  sugar

Grated rind of 2 lemons

¼  cup  lemon juice (2 lemons)

1  tablespoon  vanilla

2  cups  heavy cream

½  cup  raspberry jam 

Butter Cream Frosting

2  cups  sugar

2/3  cup  water

6    egg whites

¼  teaspoon  cream of tartar

1/8  teaspoon  salt

2 ½  cups  (5 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1  tablespoon  vanilla

2  cups  fresh raspberries

3/4  cup  fresh blueberries

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease two 15-1/2 x 10-1/2 x 1-inch jelly-roll pans. Line bottoms of pans with waxed paper; grease and flour paper. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in bowl.  Beat eggs in large bowl with electric mixer until thick and lemon-colored.

Gradually beat in sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice and vanilla.  Alternately stir in flour mixture and cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Divide mixture evenly into prepared pans; smooth tops.

Bake in 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.

Place wire cooling rack over each cake.  Carefully invert cakes and racks. Remove pans from cakes; then carefully remove waxed paper.  Handle cakes very carefully since they are thin layers.  Cool to room temperature.

Spread jam in thin layer over top of one cake.  Place another layer on top; place entire cake on tray.

Meanwhile, prepare frosting:

Combine sugar and water in small heavy saucepan.  Bring to boiling without stirring.  Cover and boil for 2 minutes or until no sugar crystals remain.

Uncover pan; continue boiling until syrup reaches soft-ball stage (syrup will form a rapidly flattening ball when dribbled into cold water; syrup will register 240 degrees F on candy thermometer.

While sugar syrup is cooking, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in medium-size bowl with mixer until stiff, but not dry, peaks form.  At moment syrup reaches 240 degrees F or soft-ball stage, pour syrup into egg whites in fine, thin stream, beating constantly with mixer.

When all the syrup has been added, continue to beat the egg whites at high speed until cool, for about 5 minutes.

In separate small bowl, beat butter with mixer until fluffy.  Beat butter into cooled egg white mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is thick and creamy.  Beat in vanilla.

Use frosting immediately, or cover and store in cool place for 1 to 2 hours. (Do not refrigerate.)

If frosting is too soft and thin, stir briefly over bowl of ice water to stiffen.

Frost the top and sides of the cake, saving some frosting for decorating. Spoon the reserved frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip.

Pipe a design on the sides of the cake.  Pipe a fancy border around the top and bottom edges of the cake.

Makes 35 servings.

options-script

Flag Cake Memorial Day Dessert

Flag Cake Memorial Day dessert recipe (4th of July-sweet summer sweet, too) from Well Plated by Erin is another wonderful option for the holiday dessert table.

Patriotic Red, White and Blue Flag Cake

Patriotic Red, White and Blue Flag Cake

Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake Recipe

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Greg Dupree 

Hot holiday celebrations and cool desserts in red, white, and blue flavor files under it doesn’t get any sweeter than this.  Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake recipe from Southern Living Test Kitchen

enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

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