With its refreshing citrus taste and super-cool slushiness,
Rum Slush is simply perfect for sipping on those hot summer
days. CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER
Summertime and the living is easy. That's right ... it's summertime!
And nothing says summer like slow relaxing days by the pool with a nice
cold beverage in your hand.
And when that nice cold beverage is all-slushy-like with rum in it? Well,
that's the best kind of nice cold beverage around.
Hawaiian Dream Cake ~ a layered delight with pineapple-and-coconut laced yellow cake base, a layer of creamy pineapple pudding, and freshly whipped cream and coconut topping. Cool, creamy, & comforting! CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER
Hey all, summer is upon is! Oh it's time to celebrate and enjoy all things summery! Including all the tasty desserts that come along with this fabulous season.
Or how about those tasty desserts like strawberry cobbler or blueberry crisp made with all of summer's delicious fresh fruits? Oh yes, it just wouldn't be summer at all without these yummy homemade treats.
Seriously, what better way to celebrate all things summer than a delicious cake that screams of tropical island vacations?
And there's one more favorite of mine that's just perfect for summer ~ this time, a cake. A cool-and-creamy pineapple and coconut-filled icebox cake, that is. That just so happens to bear the name of Hawaiian Dream Cake.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Folgers. All opinions are 100% mine.
Making iced coffee at home is easy. But rather than plain iced coffee, how about whipping up some totally maple-icious Maple Iced Coffee instead? It's the perfect just-a-little-bit-extra-special sipper, easy to whip up by the glass for yourself or by the pitcher for sharing! CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER
You know those times when you want something just a little extra-special to drink? ... a little pick-me-up treat, you might say. Or, you've got some friends coming over and you'd like to have something a bit fun to offer? Sure ... you could whip up a cup of coffee like usual.
But how about whipping up some totally maple-icious Maple Iced Coffee instead?!?
An antipasto platter is one of my go-to entertaining items. Especially
when guys are involved in the party. For some reason, guys seem to really
love an antipasto platter. Can't say that I blame them though ... I really
love an antipasto platter, too.
And I especially love an antipasto platter when it has a beautiful, flavorful
Grape Tomato & Caper Salad in the middle of it.
The truly beautiful thing about a festive platter (aside from all the wonderful
colors on the plate!) is its versatility. Include cured meats, Italian
cheeses, olives, artichoke hearts, or other marinated vegetables ... whatever
combination you want!
Garnish the platter with fresh herbs, place it in the center of your serving
table, and you have colorful and tasty, easily-assembled party fare.
Here are my usual suspects: Hard salami, Genoa salami, turkey pepperoni,
or cappicola for meats. I typically include two meats. For cheeses -
fresh mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, and provolone are great choices. Then
a selection of olives, marinated artichokes, marinated mushrooms, peppadew
sweet-hot peppers, roasted red peppers, or roasted cipollini onions.
This is portable, too. Going to the park for a picnic? Out to
watch an outdoor concert? No problem. Put your antipasto items in
zip-top bags, toss them in a cooler, and assemble them on a plate (it can even
be a paper one) to serve it up!
For my arrangement, I like to put a small bowl in the center of my platter and
fill it with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad. I love having the bright red
of the tomatoes right in the middle. I then place my other antipasto items
around the tomato salad, working in sections and doing my best to make a nice
arrangement of colors.
You know though, if you simply make sure to include tasty good-quality items,
you really can't go wrong with your arrangement.
Serve it with baguette slices, assorted crackers, or bread sticks ... yummy.
So would you like to know how to make the Grape Tomato & Capers Salad?
I thought you might. This is soooooo good! We often enjoy this as a
side dish salad ... no antipasto platter involved.
Start by slicing some ripe, juicy grape tomatoes in half and put in lots of
chopped fresh basil.
Then mix up a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and capers.
Pour the dressing over the tomatoes, and top it all off with freshly grated
Parmesan cheese. Dish it up just as it is, or show it off in the center of
a gorgeous antipasto platter and entertain away!
A variety of olives, marinated artichokes, marinated mushrooms,
peppadew sweet-hot peppers, roasted red peppers, and/or roasted
cipollini onions
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
instructions:
How to cook Antipasto Platter with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad
For the Grape Tomato & Caper Salad:
Place halved tomatoes and basil in a bowl.
Combine capers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Pour over tomatoes, tossing to coat. Top with grated Parmesan
cheese.
Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.
For the Antipasto Platter:
Place a small bowl in the center of a serving platter. Fill the
bowl with Grape Tomato & Caper Salad.
Then working in sections, arrange the other antipasto items around
the tomato salad, making a nice arrangement of colors.
Tuck in a few sprigs of fresh basil or parsley to garnish.
Serve with baguette slices, assorted crackers, or bread
sticks.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
Grape Tomato & Caper Salad also makes for a fabulous side dish
on its own, especially in summer with fresh-from-the-garden cherry
or grape tomatoes.
The truly beautiful thing about an antipasto platter (aside from
all the wonderful colors on the plate!) is its versatility.
Include any combination of cured meats, Italian cheeses, olives,
artichoke hearts, or other marinated vegetables you'd like.
It's all good!
Affiliate links are included in this post. I receive a small amount of
compensation for anything purchased from these links,at Amazon.com at no additional cost to you.
Who doesn't love a hot and hearty bowl of chili? This one's spiced just right with the wonderful flavors of chili powder and ground cumin.
Hey, what's more satisfying and body-warming than a hearty bowl of chili? Not much, I say.
But when it comes to chili, I have a confession to make. For the looooooongggest time I made my chili with one of those store-bought little envelopes of chili seasoning.
Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that ... but once I discovered how easy it is to throw together my own chili seasoning, and how much more flavorful my own chili mix is ... well, there was no turning back.
If you just adore standing at the stove flipping batch after batch of pancakes while the rest of the family eats away at the table, then look away ... this recipe's not for you. Love to find an easier way to serve up hot & delicious pancakes? ... You're in the right place. This Fluffy Baked Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes recipe is for you! CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER
When I think back to enjoying pancakes during my childhood, I remember my Mom standing at the stove, flipping pan after pan of them ... while the rest of us sat comfortably at the table devouring plateful after plateful of fluffy hot pancakes.
By the time Mom was done, so were we. And Mom ended up eating her pancakes at the table by herself.
Poor Mom.
Love to find an easier way to serve up hot & delicious pancakes? This recipe is for you!
Oh if only there was an easier, less labor-intensive way to serve up pancakes. But wait ... There is an easier, less labor-intensive way!