While visiting friends on St. Simons Island I had the pleasure to have dinner with some of my closest friends and neighbors.  We are all into preparing good, fresh food and enjoying a great time together.  I’m featuring a sauce today that has many uses.  I first tasted it when it was used to baste grilled chicken and then served on the side for those who wanted more.  It is simple to prepare and so delicious.  It would be delicious with pork tenderloin or grilled fish as well.  I actually ate a spoonful of it and loved the flavors as they popped in my mouth.  Toss a mixed green salad and you’ve got a great meal.  Scroll down and see what I served with this as well!  Yum!

WHITE SAUCE PIQUANT

2 cups good mayonnaise (I like Blue Plate)

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup apple juice

2 teaspoons horseradish

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and seal tightly.  You can use this as a marinade, to baste grilled meat as well as a sauce on the side.  It keeps for two weeks when sealed and refrigerated.

Pinterest

PARMESAN STACKED POTATOES

I saw a recipe for Parmesan Stacked Potatoes and knew they would be the perfect accompaniment to the grilled chicken I served with the white sauce.  This is easy and delicious!

6 medium Yukon Gold Potatoes

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Slice the potatoes thinly with a mandolin or a very sharp knife.  Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and toss with the butter, salt, pepper, garlic and cheese.  Grease a muffin tin that makes larger muffins.  Stack the sliced potatoes in each muffin space, filling to the top, bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.  Remove from the muffin tins and place on a pan lined with parchment paper.  Broil on medium until the potatoes are golden brown and crisp.  Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh thyme and serve.

Melissa | food & entertaining | 03 31st, 2016 | 2 Comments »

composure

What an important word.  It applies to many circumstances in life and one I remember regularly when dealing with difficult situations.  I have long believed that there are two sides to every story.  I also believe that unless you are inside of another person’s head you cannot imagine what they are experiencing.  Being able to find the peaceful core within you and speak from there is so very important.  Dealing with children demands this as does dealing with the elderly.  Patience can be pushed the point of breaking but it is necessary to stop and take a deep breath, put things into perspective and go from there.  If only all of the politicians in the crazy presidential race would practice composure it would be so much better, don’t you think?  The definition on-line is “serenity….self-controlled state of mind….tranquility….calmness.  We absolutely DO have the ability to control our thoughts and not over react to what life brings us.  Composure is a good word everyday, not just Wednesday.  Practicing the art can literally change your life!

Melissa | Wednesday Word | 03 30th, 2016 | No Comments »

Louisiana is a romantic state full of history and lore.  Longfellow immortalized the character of “Evangeline” in his famous poem published in 1847.  A tale of star crossed lovers, this poem has as much popularity as Shakespeare’s beloved “Romeo and Juliet”.

The story begins in what is now Nova Scotia but was then called Acadia.  Evangeline and Gabriel were two of many people driven out of the area by the British.  French Catholics, these people were cast out of their homes in one of history’s lesser known acts of “ethnic cleansing”.

The couple was separated during this time.  There are many, many stories of what happened after that as the story has been passed down from generation to generation.  Evangeline journeyed to Louisiana where she learned Gabriel had settled in the Attakapas district.  Not finding him there she made her way to Philadelphia where she joined the Sisters of Mercy.  Evangeline is said to have wandered throughout the American frontier in search of her love.  When they finally reunited it was on Gabriel’s deathbed as he died in her arms.  Broken hearted, Evangeline followed him shortly thereafter.

In Louisiana there are many spins to the tale making it one of the state’s best loved stories of love lost.  The Evangeline Oak tree is well known to all as well as a grave, which I have found out is empty, that you’ll find in St. Martinville, LA.  Two names are on the headstone, Evangeline as well as Emmeline.  The stories may differ but the charm remains whether the people actually existed or not.  Some of my research produced writing from various people who believe Evangeline or Emmeline were simply a compilation of various Acadian women and that one single person did not exist.  I would like to believe that she did exist and that she and Gabriel reunited for eternity.

Melissa | Out&About | 03 29th, 2016 | No Comments »

It’s Easter Sunday, a day of renewal and uplifting of life and faith!  I’m sharing one of my favorite works by Handel, from his “Water Music”.  The vibrant melody speaks to the reason for the day and invokes celebration!  I hope you’ll have a wonderful time with family and friends as this day unfolds.  Spring is here and life is good!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 03 27th, 2016 | 1 Comment »

For me, being a “foodie” means that I have an overwhelming amount of cookbooks and printed recipes from various on-line sites. One of my notebooks is full of recipes from so many years ago I’m not going to say but it’s around 40! I’m on a cleaning out mission as Spring arrives.  I’m sorting through, deleting, and categorizing ….making life simpler!  This recipe/menu is definitely one of our favorites and one I’m keeping!  I’m substituting Louisiana shrimp for the crab meat that is called for.  This is simple, delicious and something you can proudly serve guests!

Bronzed Red Snapper with Wild Shrimp Sauce

Sauteed String Beans with Grape Tomatoes and Almonds

Grilled Pineapple with Mascarpone and Nutella

Sauvignon Blanc

Bronzed Red Snapper with Wild Shrimp Sauce

For 2

1 Red Snapper, fileted and bones removed

1 tablespoon Zatarain’s Cajun Spice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 pound fresh shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 teaspoon Zatarain’s Cajun Spice

juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 clove garlic finely minced

a splash of heavy cream

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

Sprinkle the fish with the cajun spice blend.  Heat the olive oil in a large skillet until the oil is just smoking.  Quickly “bronze” the fish, about 3 minutes on each side.  Remove the fish from the pan and deglaze with the white wine.  Simmer for a couple of minutes, then add the shrimp, lemon juice and garlic.  Simmer until the shrimp are cooked through, about five minutes.  Add the heavy cream.  Place a fish filet on each plate and top with the shrimp sauce.  Sprinkle with fresh chives and serve.

Sauteed String Beans with Grape Tomatoes and Almonds

1/2 pound fresh string beans, ends snapped

1 handful grape tomatoes

1/3 cup sliced almonds

1 tablespoon butter

Melt the butter in a saute pan.  Add the string beans and cook over medium heat until just tender, about five minutes.  Add the tomatoes and almonds and continue to cook over low heat until the almonds have browned.  Season with pink salt and a bit of freshly ground pepper.

Grilled Pineapple with Mascarpone and Nutella

1 whole pineapple, peeled and cored, cut into 1/2 inch slices

coconut oil spray

1 small container mascarpone cheese

1 tablespoon honey

1 jar nutella

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

Heat the grill to medium heat, spray the pineapple with coconut oil spray and grill for a couple of minutes on each side.  Mix the mascarpone with the honey and heat the nutella a bit so it will be “runny” (I do this by boiling water in a saucepan and placing the jar of nutella in the hot water for about five minutes.  Toast the hazelnuts in a 350 degree oven for about five minutes.  To assemble, place to pineapple slices on each plate.  Put a dollop of the mascarpone mixture on top and drizzle with nutella.  Sprinkle the hazelnuts on top and garnish with a fresh mint leaf if you’d like.  SO DELICIOUS!!!

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 03 24th, 2016 | 2 Comments »

This may be my most favorite word of all.  There are many reasons why it means so much to me.  Today is my birthday and I always celebrate it as the beginning of a new year…..full of hope.  Ever the eternal optimist I look forward to each new year like a child.  I rarely feel depressed about another year passing and another number being added to my age.  It is, after all, just a number.  In the years I have been on this planet there is one thing I have learned for sure.  Attitude is everything.  It’s that simple.  I won’t bore you with a list of all of the challenges I have faced since this time last year but what I can say is that if did not have hope I might not have fared so well.  Difficult times come for all of us at one time or another.  But if we have faith in a brighter tomorrow we can get through anything life faces us with.  So another year begins for me.  I can promise you I have plans to disclose and lots of exciting news to share over the next months.  I thank all of you for your faithful readership since this blog came into being three years ago!  Remember never, ever give up hope!

Melissa | Wednesday Word | 03 23rd, 2016 | 4 Comments »

Hilton.com

It’s hard to believe six months have already passed since we moved to the New Orleans area.  It has been a time of personal growth, family bonding and support of each other in ways we never dreamed possible.  Many people who have never visited this area think of the French Quarter when they think of New Orleans or they remember the horror of Hurricane Katrina.  But there are so many parts to this historic city I look forward to sharing with you over the coming months.

Google Images

The quaint street cars that run up and down St. Charles Avenue…

10 Best

The Garden District with its historic homes and the famous Commander’s Palace….

nola.com

The Uptown Area with its charming architecture and family atmosphere….

Google

And the people themselves.  The residents of New Orleans have a heart as big as the city itself and then some.  The people here have high spirits and they know how to survive just as well as they know how to enjoy life to the fullest.  I am proud to be a part of this area, even though we live on the North Shore.  I am finding more and more history of interest and places to visit and photograph….I’m making a list!  And the food….I don’t even need to tell you about the cuisine of New Orleans.  I’ll be sharing news of restaurants and chefs as well as menus and recipes for you to try at home.  My life here has only just begun.  I cannot wait to share it all with you through my eyes.

Melissa | Out&About | 03 22nd, 2016 | 1 Comment »

I don’t play video games and I am told, by my daughter, that this music comes from one called Journey.  I have no idea, but when I heard the piece I am sharing today I thought it was perfect for a quiet Sunday morning.  We’re back safely from a road trip and resting up for a very busy week ahead.  It’s good to be home, safe and sound, unloading the rest of our belongings that have been in storage since last summer.  It’s almost like Christmas all over again!  In fact….all of our Christmas decorations were in storage so now we have them safely stored and will look forward to decking the halls when the holidays roll around again.  I am very thankful for all that we have but mostly for family and friends we love so dearly.  Have a peaceful Sunday!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 03 20th, 2016 | 2 Comments »

It’s St. Patrick’s Day and I’m wearing and serving the traditional green!  I would feature Corned Beef, but it’s not one of my favorites….I’ll leave the preparation of that to you!  What I am sharing is a recipe from Bon Appetit.  Colcannon is one of my favorite Irish dishes.  I think you’ll enjoy making and serving this delicious traditional recipe.  Scroll down a bit for a tasty addition to your meal as well!

Mrs. O’Callaghan’s Irish Soda Bread:

Melissa | food & entertaining | 03 17th, 2016 | 2 Comments »

I remember first becoming familiar with the word BLISS I immersed myself in the writing’s Joseph Campbell.  I have come to love the word as an expression of being true one’s self, finding the path that brings joy and happiness and a full sense of self.  Many have written about BLISS and have actually experienced it on their life’s journey.  I feel I am finally finding mine as I make my new home is this warm, welcoming part of Louisiana.  It’s a state of warmth and friendliness unlike anything I have ever known.  I’m finding opportunities and appreciation for my work in ways I never expected and meeting some of the most amazing people.  This has not been an easy move for me or my family, but the reasons for it are just beginning to manifest and make themselves known.  This has been a true adventure in allowing faith to take over and God to lead the way.  Anything is possible and it is NEVER too late to find your BLISS.

Melissa | Wednesday Word | 03 16th, 2016 | 1 Comment »