Sugar & Spice by Celeste

There's a little Mediterranean market here in town that I love to shop at when I'm in the area.  It's called Nabeel's International Market , and I love perusing their shelves for little treasures to experiment with in the kitchen.  As you enter the front doors, your senses are greeted by an array of fresh cheeses and olives that will immediately make you hungry and the store shelves are packed with things like Chinese pine nuts, assorted olive and grapeseed oils, Greek dried figs, Turkish pistachio nuts, fresh Phyllo dough and mountains of spices. On my last visit, I turned the corner to browse the last shelf in the back of the store, and what did I find?  Clear bags bursting at the seams with gorgeous French green Le Puy lentils.  For some reason, these little beauties are hard to find around here, so I excitedly snatched up 2 big bags and added them to my basket. Who knew I'd EVER get so darn excited about LENTILS.  I guess it's the small things in l...

Are you looking for a veggie filled side dish that's got a pretty presentation?  Ina Garten's recipe for Vegetable Tian fits the bill perfectly!  This dish is easy to put together and is a great way to use up some yummy produce.  The colors of this recipe make you want to dive right in! The combination of the potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes makes this a one-stop recipe.  Your starch and your veggies are all right there...no need for a second dish to round out the meal.  And the Gruyere cheese...Oh my!  Gruyere has GOT to be one of my favorite varieties of cheese.  If you look closely at the photos, you can see that I actually had to substitute a little cheddar cheese since I didn't have enough Gruyere.  It tasted great, and I'm sure you could substitute your favorite if you aren't crazy about Gruyere. This dish is so pretty that it would make a great addition to your holiday table this season. Bon Appetit!! Before going into the oven... ...

Figs + Prosciutto = 2 of my favorite things!  This recipe from Ina Garten is a simple way to combine two delicious ingredients into one scrumptious appetizer.  If you haven't picked up a copy yet, Ina's latest cookbook - How Easy is That? - has quickly made its way to the top of my go-to list of cookbooks.  Ina's dishes always inspire me! Good quality ingredients really make the difference in this recipe.  I paired Black Mission figs with good quality prosciutto, and fresh honey made in my area...Delish! Every time I eat prosciutto, I can't help but think of our time spent in Italy a few years ago.  The prosciutto here in the USA just doesn't compare to the real thing...The prosciutto in Italy is the stuff dreams are made of!  I always try to purchase freshly sliced prosciutto whenever I can... The Fresh Market sells it here in Birmingham.   In addition, good figs can be VERY difficult to find....even when they are in season.  To re...

***We all need an arsenal of easy side dishes that are exciting but uncomplicated and perfect for busy week nights.  Couscous is such a great option because it cooks so quickly, and you can literally flavor it with almost anything.  It's like a blank palate that's ready for you to create something fabulous with! This dish comes from Ina Garten's new cookbook, How Easy Is That?   What an appropriate title...don't ya think?  I've always loved Ina's fresh approach to old favorites.  I use her recipes often, and this couscous recipe is something I'll be coming back to all the time. The toasted pine nuts add such a wonderful flavor...nutty, fragrant, and delicious!  I know that pine nuts can be a little expensive, so I can picture any nut making a good substitute.  Perhaps toasted pecans or almonds? Bon Appetit!*** Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts Source:  How Easy Is That?   by Ina Garten   Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ...

***Shrimp have always been one of my favorite kinds of seafood.  Growing up, I can remember always ordering fried popcorn shrimp when we went out to eat.  Those mini little pieces of yumminess were always so much fun to eat as a kid.  While my taste in shrimp dishes have become a little more refined over the years, it's hard to deny that an occasional fried shrimp isn't still delicious. Now, if you've visited my blog before, you may know that I also love greek-inspired food.  This dish from Ina Garten is a clear choice...The roasted shrimp in this dish are perfectly accented by the feta and tomatoes.  It's a fairly easy dish that is a great remedy when you need a dish to impress your dinner guests.  They'll think you spent a lot more time in the kitchen than you actually did.  ;-) Ina's presentation of this dish also gives it that extra special "something." Arranging the shrimp upright in a circle around the saute pan makes it so pretty. Bon Appeti...

*** Marsala wine and mushrooms are quite the perfect pair!  Ina Garten takes advantage of that perfect marriage of flavors in her recipe for Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms.  On my way home from work tonight, I stopped by The Fresh Market (Which, by the way has to be my favorite grocery store!!).  There, I picked up the extra-large mushrooms, sweet Italian sausage and Italian mascarpone cheese that I needed.   Once at home, I got to work on these yummy little mushrooms!  After they are stuffed, they need about 40 - 50 minutes in the oven, so be sure to give yourself enough time.  Ina calls for 50 minutes, but I found that mine were ready after 40 minutes....Just keep an eye on them! The flavor of the stuffing is incredible.  The mascarpone and parmesan cheeses add a luxurious texture.  The only change that I made was with the scallions.  I simply substituted the scallions with some minced green bell pepper.  It worked beautifully!...

***Folks, I've tried a lot of lemon chicken recipes over the years, and this one might just be my new favorite.  In her brand new cookbook Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That? , Ina Garten mentions that this particular recipe is one of her favorites...and one of her go-to recipes.  After making this for dinner tonight, I can certainly see why. First of all, the flavors are incredible.  The chicken was tender and juicy, with just the right amount of lemony goodness.  It's not always easy to infuse chicken breasts with a lot of flavor, but Ina does it beautifully here...And the recipe couldn't be easier!  After just a little preparation, everything is put into a dish and is popped into the oven.  About 40 minutes later, your guests will adore you because not only have you prepared a delicious and gorgeous meal, but you'll be relaxed too.  And we all know, if the dinner host is relaxed, your guests will be too!  Another plus is that you don't have to...

***The fresh fruits of summer have to be one of the best things about the season...That is, if you love to cook and eat them, of course!  This crostata from Ina Garten was a fabulous way for me to use up some of the fruit from our local farmer's market.  I loved the combination of peaches, plums and blueberries.  It was perfection, along with the scrumptious homemade pastry that wrapped the fruit up in a warm flaky blanket of a crust! The beauty of a crostata is that it doesn't have to look perfect.  There's something charming and rustic about the way this dessert comes out.  The dough is folded over the fruit in a way that looks refreshingly homemade.  It looks, smells and tastes like something you just want to dive into...The perfect ending to a yummy summer meal! Bon Appetit!*** Summer Fruit Crostata Source:  Barefoot Contessa at Home , by Ina Garten Ingredients: For the pastry (makes 2 crostatas): 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup gra...

*** Here in the south, cornbread is a staple...and this recipe from Ina Garten spices things up a bit...literally!  If you're tired of the same ole', boring cornbread recipe, then you should give this one a try.  With the addition of cheddar cheese and sliced jalapenos, this isn't your mama's cornbread!  Ina gets it perfect here...Your tastebuds will be greeted by cheesy-goodness right from the first bite.  And just when you think it's safe, your tongue is slapped around a bit by a chunk of jalapeno! Brad was a huge fan of this cornbread...it is the perfect mix of spicyness and comfort food.  Make this recipe tonight...You'll definitely spice things up! Bon Appetit!*** Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Source:  Barefoot Contessa at Home , by Ina Garten Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 cups milk 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beat...

***Succulent shrimp...citrusy lemon...flavorful feta cheese...fresh cucumber...parsley straight from the garden....These are just a few of the ingredients that are combined to form this scrumptious dish! This dinner is sure to please your family.  It's packed with serious flavor...each bite just pops in your mouth.  It comes together beautifully, with an array of different colors going on.  I guess you could say it's a delight to both the tongue and eyes!  Haha. I really love the addition of orzo in this...I think it's the perfect pasta to pair with the other ingredients.  If you don't have orzo onhand, I could definitely see other kinds like penne or rotini working just fine, too. Bon Appetit!*** Roasted Shrimp & Orzo Source:  Ina Garten - Barefoot Contessa at Home Ingredients: Kosher salt Good olive oil 3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta) 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons) Freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds ...

***Ina Garten never lets me down...Her recipes never disappoint and consistently deliver in the flavor department.  Case in point - Her "Country Hashed Browns."  One thing that I adore about the weekend is making a yummy homemade breakfast.  After watching Ina prepare this dish recently on her TV show, I knew that it was going to make an appearance in my kitchen soon. I decided to surprise Brad with a delicious brunch this morning...And we were both thrilled with how it turned out.  I served these hashed browns with fresh scrambled eggs, juicy peaches from Chilton county, and plump blueberries from the farmer's market.  It was the perfect blend of fresh fruitiness and hearty yumminess!  We didn't want the meal to end! After a brunch like that, you know the day ahead will be fabulous! Bon Appetit!*** Country Hashed Browns Source:  Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa Ingredients: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 pounds boiling potatoes, p...

***Chicken Piccata has always been one of my favorite classic chicken dishes.  When prepared perfectly, it becomes a symphony of lemony goodness!  Ina Garten is without a doubt one of my favorite Food Network personalities, and she does it again with this dish.  Plus, most of us can get bored with cooking chicken all the time...I know I do!  So, this dinner is a great way to spice things up a bit. One of the things that I love most about this recipe is how the chicken is prepared.  First, it's seared to a golden brown on both sides in a skillet, and then it finishes cooking in the oven.  This ensures that the outside of the chicken is crunchy, while the inside is juicy...Perfect! The one thing that I changed in Ina's recipe is the addition of a tablespoon or two of capers.  Chicken Piccata just isn't Chicken Piccata without capers, if you ask me!  Be sure to taste the sauce before serving...It's really easy to let the flavors get out of cont...

***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...

***Every once in a while, a recipe comes along that you just can't forget. I came across this dish in Ina Gartens' Barefoot in Paris cookbook. I knew immediately that I wanted to give it a try. First of all, I LOVE the combination of chicken and lemons. There's something so delicious and comforting about a gorgeously roasted chicken infused with whole lemons. Secondly, I love bread...in fact, carbs of any kind will do...lol. The homemade croutons in this recipe were simply divine. They had the best toasted flavor, and I found myself eating them right out of the saute pan...haha. I never would have thought to put an entire roasted chicken on a bed of freshly toasted croutons, but it works so wonderfully! The croutons are made from a French baguette...They soak up the lemony goodness from the chicken, and it makes for an amazing culinary experience! Also, this recipe looks absolutely scrumptious when it's plated and presented on a platter. In fact, Brad said "Wow...

Lately, I adore any recipe that reminds me of our trip to the blissfully sublime city of Paris. The foods...the markets...the sights...the smells...the history...it was all so inspiring! Recently, I purchased a copy of Ina Garten's cookbook, "Barefoot in Paris," and I knew that I had to try her recipe for Coconut Madeleines as soon as possible. These little cookie 'cakes' are so easy and SO scrumptious...and one bite transports me back to the sidewalks of the Saint Germain des Pres area where we sipped espresso and people-watched from a cozy bistro table at the famous Les Deux Magots. I was able to find a wonderful Madeleine pan at Williams-Sonoma. It worked beautifully and the cookies popped out perfectly. They kind of taste like little pound cakes! The addition of coconut is so yummy. If you're not a coconut fan, you can easily substitute anything from orange or lemon zest to chocolate chips...you can even dip half of each cookie in ganache. I definitely ...