I’ll post my On The Radio segment tomorrow, but in preparation for that I thought it would be fun to feature recipes for a couple of recipes I love to add to a grilled meat, chicken or fish meal.  I usually end up eating just the side dishes since I’m not a big meat eater.  These are easy, very healthy and delicious recipes that I know you’ll enjoy making again and again.  Make it from scratch hummus and my version of tabouli are the two dishes I’m sharing.  Hummus is so easy to make from scratch!  You won’t have to worry about the bacteria that can be found in the store bought varieties and the flavor is so much better!  So enjoy and let me know if you prepare these! AND, you won’t want to miss the radio show if you didn’t get to hear it on the air this week!  Another Chef and Wine Guy segment with Chef Tom Delaney and wine expert, Mark Gagliano….it’s a great show!

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Hummus

2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (make these from the dried beans, they are so much better than canned.  You can also substitute pinto or black beans or even butter beans….any bean you love will work)

2 cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons tahini

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)

1/4 cup fresh, flat leaf parsley

1 teaspoon pink or gray salt

2 dashed of Tabasco sauce

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put the beans and remaining ingredients, except for the olive oil, in a food processor.  Pulse to chop the beans slightly.  With the motor running add the oil in a steady stream until fully incorporated, about one minute.  If you are making hummus with pinto or black beans you’ll want to add 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin for a Southwestern.  Serve the hummus with pita points, good corn chips or fresh raw vegetables.  I love hummus with raw veggies!

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Tabouli

2 cups cooked quinoa (cook one cup dry quinoa in 2 cups water or vegetable broth)

1/2 red onion cut in chunks

1 contained organic grape tomatoes

1/2 of a hot house cucumber, peeled and cut into large chunks

1/2 cup fresh, flat leaf parsley

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Cook the quinoa and allow it to cool completely.  Place the cooked grains in a large mixing bowl.  In a food processor place the onion, tomatoes, cucmber, parsley and cilantro.  Pulse until the combination is still chunky.  (This will only take a few seconds, you do NOT want to puree this mixture.)  Pour the mixture into the bowl with the quinoa and gently toss.  Add the salt, lemon juice and olive oil.  Chill before serving.

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 04 10th, 2015 | 4 Comments »

I always look forward to art festivals.  My favorite one is coming up this Saturday and Sunday when Art In The Park holds its 22nd annual event!

You’ll find artwork in all mediums…..

Metal and ceramics…..

Fiber, photography, jewelry and more.

Something new to look forward to this year is a demonstration by renowned blacksmiths, John and Lance Ziegler, who will show the craft of hand-forging steel to make decorative and functional items.

There will also be an area just for the young and young at heart for hand crafting oh so many beautiful things.  All located in beautiful Postell Park near Pier village!

For more information contact Susan Fyfe Molnar at 912-638-8330 or go to festivals@glynnart.org.  Let the fun begin!!!

Melissa | Out&About | 04 9th, 2015 | No Comments »

On Sunday afternoon, April 19th, music lovers are in for a real treat.  Maestro Luis Haza and local pianist, Terry Readdick will join violin and key board to thrill guests with a concert of beautiful music!

The concert will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church here on St. Simons Island at 3:00 pm.

I love the program which includes music by Beethoven, Schubert, Vitali and other well known classical composers.  A surprise piece included in the afternoon’s offering is by well known modern day composer, John Williams.

Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to enjoy beautiful music and the setting couldn’t be more lovely!

Order tickets here:  http://www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org/.

Melissa | Out&About | 04 8th, 2015 | No Comments »

Every April golfer’s look forward to the Master’s Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.  The winner wears the historic green jacket and a good time is had by all.

I have never had the opportunity to visit Augusta…that’s on my bucket list!

A couple of years ago my friend, Marion, and her husband invited us for dinner.  She prepared a “Green Jacket” salad, named after the restaurant that called this one of their signature menu items.  The restaurant is closed but this recipe lives on.  I loved it from first bite!

I found this recipe on-line via The Augusta Chronicle.  I’m sharing it today as the tournament prepares to get underway.  You may want to put it on your menu for the weekend festivities if you’re a golfer or you’re married to one!  It’s easy to put together and so delicious!  I bet it is traditionally served with fried chicken, macaroni and cheese or maybe one of my favorites, string beans!  Whatever you decide….enjoy!

AUGUSTA’S BEST TOSSED SALAD

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 Roma tomato, diced
1 teaspoon Lawryís seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped green onion, about 1 green onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 12-ounce bags prepared iceberg and romaine salad
1 pita bread, split in half, toasted and broken into bite-size pieces
Parmesan cheese, for garnish, optional
Combine vegetable oil, vinegar, tomato, seasoned salt, oregano, green onion and
parsley in a jar or bowl. Shake or blend well. Place salad greens in a large bowl and add the pita chips and dressing. Toss well and serve. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Makes 8 servings.

Melissa | food & entertaining | 04 7th, 2015 | 2 Comments »

Ever since moving back to the muggy Southern climate I have a love/hate relationship with, I have been challenged with nail issues.  For the first time in my life I have sworn off of going to nail places where it feels so good but the results do not.  I began to research various nail producst in search of lines that do not have formaldehyde and DO have anti-fungal ingredients.

VOILA!  I stumbled over a line on the internet called Dr.’s Remedy.  This company is owned by two board certified podiatrists who, out of concern for patients, developed this wonderful line of nail products.

The colors are fabulous and the quality of the polish incredible.  They have Tea Tree Oil, vitamins and proteins that actually heal the nails and keep them looking their best.  They also help nails from becoming brittle and discolored.  I’m sold!  AND I entered a monthly contest featured on their site to win product and I DID!  Woo Hoo….I consider it more goodies for my new year!

Take a look at Dr.’s Remedy products and read their story here:  http://www.remedynails.com/.  I’m returning to try yet another local nail spa and taking my OWN polish!  Share your favorite place with me and it may be the one I try!

Melissa | Out&About | 04 6th, 2015 | 4 Comments »

Nothing shouts SPRING to me like Vivaldi’s wonderful Four Seasons first movement!  Open the windows….open your heart….turn up the volume and ENJOY!  It’s Easter Sunday….celebrate with family, with prayer, with tradition….whatever makes your soul sing!  I’m cooking up a storm, sprucing up the outdoor dining area and planning a wonderful day of renewal!

Melissa | Out&About | 04 5th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

I had such a great time talking with Melody Walsh, local author and Natasha Williams, local publicist, on this weeks show!  Listen in as we discuss Melody’s new children’s book and more!  High energy….creativity….fun!

Melissa | On The Radio | 04 4th, 2015 | No Comments »

Last Friday our “Ladies Who Lunch” group met at photographer, Donna MacPherson’s, wonderful beach house here on the island.  Having eaten at her home on several different occasions, I suspected we were all in for a treat.  We continued my birthday celebrations….which have finally finished now that April is here.  The menu was Mexican Fiesta style with all of the salsa’s and dishes made from scratch and beautifully presented.  Donna has been generous in sharing some of the recipes from the meal we so enjoyed!  Margaritas were the beverage of choice, thanks to Buddie….gotta love him!  I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends who care about each other and enjoy getting together to share meals, happy times and even sad ones when they happen.  I hope you’ll love making and eating these wonderful creations as much as we all did!  All photographs have been lovingly taken and shared by Donna MacPherson!

This salad was a combination of fresh greens picked that morning from Donna’s raised beds.  She added sliced avocado, homemade corn cakes, crisp tortilla strips and this delicious dressing.

Mexican Salad w/ Honey Lime Dressing

Honey Lime Dressing
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 teaspoon jalapeno, minced
1⁄4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup tablespoons GIOO Lime infused olive oil
1/4 cup GIOO Honey & ginger infused white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 04 3rd, 2015 | 3 Comments »

Her brother was the lighthouse keeper at Cockspur Island on the Savannah River.  Florence Martus busied herself waving her handkerchief at ships as they came and went.  Because of this she became known as “The Waving Girl”.

She lived from 1868 – 1943 at which time a monument depicting her waving at passing ships was placed at the point on which she would stand.  She welcomed over 50,000 ships during her lifetime, eventually waving a lantern to let her presence be known in the dark of night.

It has been said that her waving tradition began when her true love never returned from the sea.  In all she waved her handkerchief or lantern for forty-four years.

Florence’s constant companion as a young girl was her collie dog.  He stood by her side as she hailed the arrival of ships from around the world.  Both are represented in the monument that now stands in Morrell Park.

Today, it is said, that the ghosts of both Florence and her faithful pet, linger on in Savannah at the River Street Market.  Strange shadows are said to be seen dancing around the heavy doors at daybreak and after sunset.  People who have witnessed the shadows, the whooshing of wind as though someone passes and the mournful lament think Florence just wants to be remembered.  When the lights are out for the night a strange, mournful sound has been heard by many that seems to say, “Come back, come back, come back……”.  I’m certainly no expert on such subjects  but I know that Savannah is full of ghost stories just as St. Simons is.  It adds a bit of interest to our lives and sparks the curiosity of tourists.  I think it’s all a valuable part of our history, true or not, but I have to say that I’m quite sure I saw The Woman In White here one late spring evening.  You decide for yourself, but I like to believe there are spirits that still grace us with their presence!

Melissa | people | 04 2nd, 2015 | 3 Comments »

John Henderson, Sunrise on Ossabaw Island

What glorious weather we’ve had for the past few days!  I definitely have a case of Spring Fever!  It’s Spring break, island roadways are packed with locals and tourists alike.  This is what I love, this is island living at its best!  For years, while living in Florida, I took my young daughter to Sanibel Island and always remarked that one day I’d love to live on an island.  There is something about the energy, the laid back feeling that pulses in the air.  I’m sharing some fabulous photographs today from local photographers who are catching Spring in all its glory!  I hope you enjoy and if you don’t live here….come visit!  Get some island sand in your shoes to insure you always come back!

Elizabeth Halderson

I’m loving this photograph taken by my favorite local ceramic artist, Elizabeth Halderson!  Can you guess where this is?

Donna MacPherson Photography

My friend, Donna MacPherson, the wonderful photographer who captures so many magical scenes of this beautiful place shared this lovely shot with the Lanier Bridge in the distance.

David Fisher

And David Fisher got even closer with this amazing shot of the bridge that is the stately symbol of the grandeur to be found here in Coastal Georgia.

Nancy Kirkpatrick

And Nancy Kirkpatrick, known for her fabulous flower photography and so much more shares this beautiful photo of a first dogwood bloom…..pure Spring!

It seems most of the pollen has gone….or will April Fool’s Day have a bit more in store for us?  No matter, it’s time to celebrate the season, kick off your shoes and get some sand under your feet!  Happy Spring!

Melissa | Out&About | 04 1st, 2015 | 1 Comment »