Fresh Tomato, Garlic, Rosemary and Feta Cheese with Spaghetti & Anchovy

Ingredients:

Marinade:

2 quarts of grape tomatoes
4 cloves of fresh garlic – crushed and chopped
2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Dashes of Red Pepper flakes
Olive oil – to cover the tomatoes

Top the Spaghetti with:

½ cup fresh feta cheese
2 oz. can of anchovies - in oil
1 lb. of your favorite spaghetti

In a container combine all ingredients for the marinated tomatoes. Place this in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Prepare the spaghetti as directed. Drain and cover with the marinade and add the feta cheese and anchovies. Toss and serve.

This is so delicious; your praises will be sung.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Fresh Tomato, Garlic, Rosemary and Feta Cheese with Spaghetti & Anchovy

Meatloaf Wrapped in Bacon

Ingredients:

½ lb. of bacon – slice bacon in half
2 lbs. of ground sirloin or chuck
½ cup of chopped parsley
½ cup of chopped oats
¼ cup of milk
2 slices of white bread - grated
½ cup shredded mozzarella
2 eggs
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce
Dashes of black pepper
Dashes of paprika
Dashes of chili powder
Dashes of Dried Oregano

Preheat Oven – 350 degrees

In a large bowl combine all of the above ingredients, except the bacon, and mix well.

In a baking pan from the meat mixture into a football shape and top with the halved bacon slices.

Bake the meatloaf for about 40-45 minutes.

This is a hearty meal for dinner or a great sandwich for lunch.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

All my blog awards!

The first award I received is from my friend over at Shamrock and Shenanigans .

The rules of accepting this award are as follows:

-Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

-Pass the award onto some of your favorite bloggers.

- Link the nominees within your post.

- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

For the Beautiful Blogger, I congratulate the following sites:

1) Spicie Foodie

2) Lazaro

3) Heavenly Housewife
4) Cool Lassi(e)

5) Joanne

My next award is the I Love Your Blog Award from Lazaro, author of the blog, Lazaro Cooks! Thank you Lazaro!

The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
-Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
-Pass the award onto 15 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

For the I Love Your Blog Award, I congratulate the following sites:
1) Mary

2) Bob

3) Velva

4) Angie

5) Sarah

6) Gaga
7) Joe

8) Dieter

9) Juliana

10) Cinnamon Girl Reeni

11) Natasha

12) Michelle

13) Sam

14) Kevin
15) Gulmohar

My third award, the Happy 101 Award, is from both Spicie Foodie and Shamrock & Shenanigans.

The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
-Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
-Pass the award onto 10 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.
-Lists things that make you happy.

So first of all, the things that make me happy:
1) My son and daughter
2) My toy poodle
3) Frank Sinatra
4) Classic movies (anything with Gary Cooper)
5) Long afternoon walks
6) Cooking & baking
7) Blogging on Living the Gourmet

Now for the Happy 101 Award, I congratulate the following sites:
1) Nina

2) Chef Aimee

3) Moogie

4) San
5) Sandi
6) Simply Delicious
7) Dave

8) Alwayswinner786

9) A Dash of Flavor

10) Roz

That concludes this round of awards! Thank you Lazaro, Spicie Foodie, & Shamrocks & Shenanigans for the awards! Congratulations to all the nominated blogs!

Cheers~

Salsa Pizza with Cannellini Beans

Ingredients:

Fresh Salsa:

1 pint of grape tomatoes
1 tsp. capers plus 1 tsp. caper juice
1 Jalapeño with seeds
4 cloves of garlic
½ cup fresh basil
½ cup fresh cilantro or parsley
¼ red onion
Drizzle of olive oil
1-19oz. can of Cannellini beans – drained

Pizza:

1 fresh pizza dough
1 cup grated mozzarella
1 tsp dried oregano
Drizzle of olive oil

Combine all of the salsa ingredients in a food processor and give a few chops, do not over process.
Add the cannelloni beans after the salsa is made and mix.

Preheat oven 350 degrees:

Prepare the pizza dough and place on pizza pan.

Top with salsa and mozzarella, oregano and olive oil.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until the crust is golden.

This is a delicious and zesty way to serve a pizza.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Avocado Sandwich with Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

2-3 avocados
¼ red onion – sliced thin
Olive oil
Squeeze of lemon
Few dashed of Curry Powder
Cream Cheese

In a small bowl combine all of the above ingredients and mash and mix well.

This is so easy and such a great lunch.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Easy, Low-Fat Cole Slaw

Ingredients:

1 medium head of cabbage
¼ of red onion
2 carrots
About 10 radishes
Dash of black pepper
Dash of red pepper flakes

Dressing:

3-4 tbs. White Vinegar
3-4 tbs. Olive Oil
Squeeze of Lemon

Pass the cabbage, red onion and carrots, radishes through the food processor. Add the seasonings and dressing and toss.

This is easy and light.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Macaroni with Fresh Basil and Chick Peas

Ingredients:

2 bunches of fresh basil – chopped
6 cloves of garlic – crushed & chopped
Red Pepper flakes
3 tablespoons of olive oil
½ cup of crumbled Feta Cheese
lb 13oz. can of Chick Peas - drained
1 box of your favorite macaroni

Prepare the macaroni.

In a large frying pan heat the olive oil, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes. Allow the garlic to become slightly browned. Add the chick peas and turn off the heat.

Add the macaroni and drizzle a little extra olive oil and a few more red pepper flakes. Add the Feta Cheese and toss.

This is so simple and so good. It is sure to please.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Easy Blueberry Crumb Cake

Ingredients:

1 yellow box cake mix
1 cup flour – sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup chilled Sweet Butter - cut into pieces
1 cup milk
3 eggs
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Blueberries:

2 cups of fresh blueberries
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
¼ cup brown sugar
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg

Brown Sugar Topping:

½ stick Sweet Butter (melted)
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees:

Butter two - 8x8 inch cake pans and set aside.

Combine all of the ingredients for the cake and mix well with electric mixer. The mixture will be thick. Pour this mixture into the prepared pans.

Combine all of the ingredients for the brown sugar topping. This mixture should be crumbly.

Spoon the blueberries into the batter and gently spread them around the batter.

Cover the top with the brown sugar topping.

Bake the cake for about 40-45 minutes or until cake is a beautiful golden color.

This coffee cake is light and so delicious!

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Stove Top Cheeseburgers with Fried Onions

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Ground Sirloin
½ cup oats
1 tablespoon Living the Gourmet Signature Spice Mix
1 tablespoon Living the Gourmet Dry Herb Rub
1 tablespoon A-1 Steak Sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Fried Onions:

2 large onions – sliced

In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients for the burgers.

Heat a large frying pan with a little olive oil and place the burgers in the pan. Flip the burgers only once during the cooking process.

On a heated griddle place the onion slices, drizzle a little olive oil over the onions and a dash of the Living the Gourmet Signature Spice Mix. Let the onions grill until soft.

Place your favorite cheese to melt over the burger and your favorite bread.

You have just transported yourself to your favorite burger inn.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

Oven Baked Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

3 bell peppers – any color – sliced
5 cloves garlic – crushed
1 large onion – sliced
3 fresh tomatoes – quartered
1 tablespoon capers, plus 1 tablespoon juice
1 jalapeño pepper – sliced – with seeds
½ cup fresh parsley – chopped
½ cup fresh basil – chopped
1-1lb. 12oz - can crushed tomatoes
½ cup olives – pitted – any color
1 tablespoon dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp black pepper
Olive oil
Romano Cheese for grating

Preheat Oven 350 degrees:

Drizzle the bottom of a large baking pan with olive oil. Place all of the above ingredients in the pan. Season again to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and toss.

Place in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

This is an easy and delicious way to make a tasty, slightly “kicked up” sauce to serve with your favorite spaghetti.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient

Thick Strawberry ~ Banana Frosty

Ingredients:

2 bananas
1 quart of strawberries - frozen
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
8 oz. of milk
Dash of nutmeg
½ tsp vanilla

Combine all of the above ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process these ingredients until smooth and creamy.

This is a rich, creamy and satisfying anytime of day treat.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient

Parsley, Onion and Cheese Quiche

Adapted from: From Julia Child’s Kitchen

Ingredients:

Pie Crust:

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 stick chilled butter
2 tablespoons Crisco
1/3 – ½ cup cold water

Place flour in bowl of mixer. Add butter and Crisco. Mix butter, Crisco and flour until small bits are formed. Pour in 1/3 cup of cold water and continue mixing a few seconds. Scrape out of mixer onto a floured surface and gather the dough into a ball. Flour lightly and wrap in a sheet of plastic and refrigerate for about 1-2 hours. Dough will keep for up to 2-3 days.

Quiche Filling:

8-9 inch pie plate
3 large eggs
Pinches of pepper and nutmeg
¾ cup of grated Monterey Jack Cheese
1 ½ tablespoon butter cut into bits
½ cup milk, light cream or heavy cream
¾ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped onion

Preheat oven 350 degrees:

Sauté the parsley and onion in the butter turning and tossing over moderate heat. Season with the pepper and nutmeg. Let cool to tepid. Place in a bowl and blend in to eggs, and cream. Season again and blend in the cheese. Top with the rest of the pie crust dough and press the edges with a fork.

Bake about 35 – 40 minutes or until the pie crust is golden.

This is so delicious for lunch or dinner with a beautiful side salad. Please do not be afraid of making your own crust. It is worth the time and effort.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient

Grilled Red Peppers with Onion and Mushrooms

Ingredients:

3 red bell peppers - sliced
4 cloves garlic – crushed
½ cup fresh basil
1 onion – sliced
Pint of button mushrooms - halved
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Olive oil for drizzling

Place the veggies on a heated griddle and drizzle with olive oil. When the peppers become charred turn them over. Continue to grill until all of the veggies are caramelized.

This is easy and delicious! This makes a great side dish or to have on hand for a sandwich.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient

Cannellini Bean Dip

Ingredients:

1 lb. 13oz. can of white cannellini beans - drained
4 cloves garlic
¼ of lemon with skin
4 tablespoons olive oil
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ cup fresh basil

Combine all of the above in a food processor and process until smooth.

This is a wonderful dip for veggies, chips or just a spread on toast.

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient

Griddle Fried Eggs with Basil & Red Onion

Ingredients:

Sliced Red Onion
Fresh Basil
Eggs
Olive Oil

Heat the griddle with olive oil. Place the red onion slices on the griddle and the fresh basil. When the onion becomes a little soft crack the eggs over the onion and basil and turn the griddle off. The griddle will be hot enough to finish cooking the eggs.

Prepare your favorite toast and you are in for a treat!

Enjoy with Love,

Catherine

KeyIngredient