Link Love: Fourth of July Dessert Recipes

This afternoon I am cruisng around for recipes for July 4th. I've been assigned adult desserts. It's a backyard party my sister is hosting with about 30 people—1/2 of which are children. I was thinking cookies, bars, pies, and maybe my all time favorite: Rhubarb Pie. Here are a few recipes that caught my eye.

Rhubarb Pie: Everyday Food

Strawberry Shortcake: Martha Stewart

Frozen Lime Pie: Joe's Stone Crab

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies: Everyday Food

Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes: Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes

Sour Cherry Pistachio Crisp: Martha Stewart

Peanut Butter Jelly Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Lemon Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisps with Cardamom and Nutmeg: Bonappetit

Dying to Make Beet Soup

I took this shot at The Kitchen in Boulder, Colorado last week. Beet soup has to be the most beautiful soup in the world. I'm thinking of attempting my own batch this weekend. So delicious!

Snowing in New York

Tonight was a pretty yucky commute home. It was snowing pretty hard all afternoon which made for a sloppy walk across town to Grand Central. Check out my shot above outside Grand Central. Tonight seemed like a perfect night to stay home and have something cozy and homey. Here's my quick shot of my butternut squash risotto and a pear, walnut, blue cheese salad. Could winter get any better then this? Night.

Long Weekend in the Adirondacks

We just got back from a long weekend up north in the Adirondacks. Check out our great log cabin we rented with 10 other friends shown above. The thermometer hovered around 8 degrees majority of the weekend. Somehow we didn't seem to mind to much. We had a non-stop weekend filled with some great winter activities: x-country skiing, snowshoeing, and some amazing hearty cooking. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the weekend...

Taking a break from the hike.

A shot of the mountains at the top of our hike.

X-country with the ladies.

A hearty beef stew...so good.

Sticky buns out of the oven waiting to be flipped.

Comfort Food: Chicken Noodle Soup

I have two favorite comfort foods: spaghetti and turkey balls and chicken noodle soup. I always make them both from scratch and never cut corners. On Sunday afternoon the day just felt right to make a big pot of chicken soup; but this time I added Matzo Balls. Yum!

I think the key to making a good chicken soup is a clean stock. I always buy an organic chicken; to me it makes a less fatty oily broth. I add lots of garlic, carrots, celery, dill, more then you think you need S&P, and some lemon which gives the broth some brightness.

After I have skimmed the stock, I add all new uncooked veggies, which then get satueed before the broth gets added back in. I make the matzo balls while thats happening and then add them to the soup for additional 30 minutes. When the burner gets turned off to cool, I then stir in about a cup of egg noodles.

Last nights pot seemed extraordinarily good! Can't wait for leftovers.

Making the broth.

Sauteing the veggies for the final stage of the soup.

Floating balls are a good sign that's the soup will be good.

Deep Fried Turkey

I have dreamed of seeing a big turkey frying. I've heard stories of garbage cans, big flames, and lots of hot oil. It sounded way to messy and dangerous for me to ever try. I was in fear the day would never come that I would get to savor the crispy skin.

This past Thanksgiving while visiting some old friends up in Syracuse, NY the opportunity presented itself. I heard a rumor the neighbors down the street would be frying in the morning and we were more then welcome to bring an extra bird. I lied awake that night in anticipation and a bit drunk from hanging out at the local bar.

The turkey frying began at 11am. I was there ready with about a 14 lb. bird and coffee in hand. The Neveldines seemed to be cooking for the whole neighborhood. Multiple turkeys were lined up waiting to get deep-fried. Neighbors strolled in with their birds, ate snacks while the birds cooked, and then left with the prize in hand. I love this tradition!

It turns out deep frying a turkey has come a long way since I first heard about it years ago. Mrs. Neveldine told me she bought her electric turkey fryer at JCPennys for about a $100. The procedure was quite easy and simple. You warm the oil, place the turkey in, cook 4 minutes for every pound and in about 50 minutes we had crispy bird.

We saved ours for the "picking turkey". The skin was the best part: super crispy and salty. The rest of the bird sat on the corner for the remainder of the afternoon while relatives strolled by and took a little nibble.

Edamame Salad

Who wants to slave over a hot stove on a summer night? Put down the phone and stop yourself from taking the easy way out and ordering take-out.

This recipe is easy, cheap and fresh. It only takes a few ingredients and about 30 minutes. You will be transported to Yum Heaven in no time.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag of frozen shelled Edamame

½ cup seasoned rice vinegar

2 T. canola oil

1 T. sugar

Salt and Pepper to Taste

8 ounce bag of radishes (sliced)

3-4 medium sized carrots (sliced)

½ c sliced almond (toast in a small skillet)

1 cup of cilantro (chopped)

Cook Edamame according to directions on bag. Rinse with cool water. Put in a bowl with radishes, carrots, and your toasted almonds. Whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar, and S+P. Pour over vegetables and stir till well combined. Stir in cilantro and place in the fridge till cool. Tastes even better the next day.

The Salmon was super easy. Miso Salmon tastes like candied fish. I got about a pound of Salmon at the local fish market and Red Miso Paste (available at most health food stores).

Rinse the fish with cool water, S+P the fillet and then spread in a thin layer the miso on fish. Bake skin side down in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Finish off Broiling the Salmon for 2 minutes longer.