Sugar & Spice by Celeste

***Sure...fancy, gourmet sandwiches might be tasty, but it's still hard to beat a yummy peanut butter & jelly sandwich.  There's just something about them that takes me back to my childhood and puts a smile on my face.  I still love them! So, when I saw this recipe in Ina's cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home , I was thrilled.  I knew that I HAD to make them...like, yesterday!  I couldn't wait. The results were just what I expected from an Ina recipe...Scrumptious!  Ina has definitely done it again with these bars.  Of course, the flavor combo is pretty unbeatable.  They'd be perfect to make for a party...Everyone is sure to ask you for the recipe! The only change that I made was a decrease in the butter.  Instead of 2 full sticks, I only added about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 sticks.  I'm sure my hips will thank me later.  ;-) Bon Appetit!*** Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Source:  Barefoot Contessa at Home , by Ina Garten In...

***This pasta is fabulous for several different reasons: 1.  It's light.  2.  It's Easy. 3.  It's SO delicious! Almost everyone loves a good B-L-T sandwich, stacked high with savory bacon, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes.  This pasta dish is a different adaptation of an old favorite, that you are sure to adore!  The first bite that I took of this dish had the most amazing flavor...the bacon permeates every bite, making it perfectly savory.  The tomatoes and spinach add just the right amount of freshness.  I can't think of many better ways to use up all of those vine-ripened tomatoes that are sure to be around in the coming months! Bon Appetit!*** BLT Pasta Source:  Cuisine at Home magazine Ingredients: Pasta: 2 strips thick-sliced bacon, diced 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 cup leeks, thinly sliced 1/4 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 tsp red wine vinegar 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 4 oz dry bucat...

***Ahh...The sunshine-filled days of summer are upon us!  The first official day of summer will be here before we know it...June 21st!  And you know what that means - Beautiful strawberries, juicy blueberries and perfectly plump cherries line the shelves at your local grocery and farmers markets...just to name a few of the things that are in season.  Not to mention fresh corn, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash and peaches...oh my!  I just love this time of year. Here's the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. fruity crisp for summer!  Brad and I were craving a fruity dessert the other night, and I had a big bowl of gorgeous strawberries hanging out in the fridge.  I came across this scrumptious crisp in a Williams-Sonoma cookbook, and it sounded absolutely perfect! The rolled oats really add a great heartiness to the dish, and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream is the ultimate finishing touch.  You'll notice that this recipe also calls for rhubarb, however, I left it out co...