Prosciutto, Asparagus, and Feta Scramble with Lemon Chive Cream

On any weekend, when I am in the mood for something delicious for breakfast, lunch or brunch - my thoughts are always on the easy, breezy scramble. You might remember we did a Kale, Squash, Sausage and Fontina Scramble a few months back.  The best thing about this for a meal, is that you often have all the ingredients in your fridge, and it takes about 10-15 minutes to make. I had leftover asparagus, prosciutto for lunches, and feta that I used for salads, so I went a bit Mediterranean. I added a yummy Lemon Chive cream to brighten it up. You can also do this with egg whites and skip the cream for a healthier version. I love this with a sourdough English Muffin, but use whatever you'd like! Get scrambling after the jump!

Classic Guacamole

How I have not done a Gour-maybe guacamole post until know is beyond me, but we are making an amazing batch of green chile chicken enchiladas tonight because it's Hatch Chile season, and I thought we'd kick off the meal with some homemade guac. Guacamole is a Texas staple, and this is my recipe for basic guacamole - you can add bacon, more spice, less spice, or this week some Hatch Chiles might make sense, to make it your own. But try this - it's so easy, literally takes 5 minutes, and I don't know why you'd ever buy guac again! Serve with a Mexican dinner, chips or even chopped veggies for a more healthy snack. This is a short post, so there's no jump! Recipe is below. Ole!

Guacamole (Serves 6-8)
You will need: 

• 3 large ripe Haas avocados - pits removed, one pit reserved, flesh diced
• 1 clove garlic - grated fine (I use a microplane)
• 1/2 c diced red onion
• 1.5 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 T green onions, chopped
• 1/2 T salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
• 1 T fresh lime juice (about 1/2 - 1 lime)
• 1 T chopped cilantro (optional)
• Other fun adds: 2 T chopped Bacon,  2 T roasted corn, 2 T chopped Hatch chiles (optional)

Prep all ingredients. Place in a medium mixing bowl. Mix with a stiff wooden spoon (or a mashed potato masher works great) until mixture begins to smooth. I still like lots of texture in mine, so I don't go too crazy on the mixing. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Place one reserved pit in the guacamole. This keeps it nice and green! Cover with saran wrap, so that it touches the surface of the guac and no air can get it. Refrigerate for an hour to let flavors come together. Serve with tortilla chips, chopped veggies etc. Enjoy!

Spicy Berry Semifreddo

I've been seeing semifreddo recipes all over the place with summer here, and although I'm more of a cake or cookie girl, it's been so damn hot that something cold sounded amazing. Don't let the word "semifreddo" - which might seem intimidating - fool you, this is just easy, delicious ice cream minus the egg yolks and with a lot less effort! Berries are my personal favorite fruit, but you could make this with a lot of fruits! I added a little cayenne and salt because as you know if you read this blog, I love a spicy sweet or a salty sweet. This does have to chill overnight, but honestly, that makes it even easier. Do this a few days ahead, and serve when you are ready. Keep the extra puree in the fridge: I've used it as a stir in for yogurt and frozen it to make almost a sorbet. If it's hot where you are, go get some berries and get to work. Get the semi and the freddo after the jump!

Macaron Madness

Macarons seem to be quite the trend these days - especially as gifts like the spectacular ones from Laduree - much less messy than a Cronut, and probably less expensive! I set out to see if I could tackle the Macaron, with a very open mind. Being admittedly type A, these "challenges" are what I live for, but they do kind of look little colorful circles of delicious painstaking (painful) work. I decided to start with Martha Stewart's Macaron recipe - after all - who better on a detail oriented task than Martha? Two days and about 60 Macarons later, I think I have some tips to Macaron success for those of us who aspire to Laduree heights! You can really make these any flavor or color, or just start with a plain batch to learn the steps. I did Lemon with Lemon buttercream, Orange with orange buttercream, and Almond (using almond extract). Get le scoop after le jump

The Ultimate T.A.B.L.E. Sandwich

 

Ok. You can have your BLT, I will take a TABLE. That's right - Tomato, Avocado, Bacon, Lettuce, Egg. This is a two meal sandwich - you should probably skip breakfast. Like with my Gour-Maybe Grilled Cheese, the key is amazing ingredients: Heirloom Tomatoes, Haas Avocados, thick slab Bacon, Boston Lettuce, and a freshly fried Egg (over easy). I put mine on grilled Sourdough (from a bakery), and don't skimp on the mayo, or on the salt and pepper. If  you start with quality ingredients, you'll end with an unforgettable sandwich! This is more a methodology than a recipe, as everyone pretty much knows how to make a sandwich... RIGHT? Get the recipe, after the jump!

Summery Potato Salad With Chives and Scallions

This might be the easiest and most delicious potato salad you could ever make, which is perfect if you are planning on making something to take to a 4th of July party (or if you just want an amazing cold side for lunch or dinner anytime). If you aren't a fan of chives, scallions and mustard (your loss), then I have another great potato salad recipe here! I adapted this recipe from the recent Bon Appetit, featuring Eric Ripert, so you know it's got good bones. It essentially starts with homemade mayo (the tang is key - so don't substitute and don't be afraid) then just mixes in potatoes and chives and scallions and a little mustard! Voila! I think the key to the flavor is letting the potatoes sit in the dressing. I'd make this ahead, and let it chill overnight or at least 4-6 hours before serving. It's truly amazing! Get the recipe, after the jump!

Southwest Seared Tuna with Roasted Corn & Poblano "Hash"

It's no secret that tuna  (Big Eye/Ahi/Yellow Tail, etc.) is my favorite fish in the whole world. Ahi is even what I used for my MasterChef audition,  I love it rare (definitely no more than medium rare) with a great crust and a great side, and  it's got so much flavor, and texture - I'd put it next to a real steak any day! Because it is more expensive than other fish options, I don't cook with it all the time, but for a nice weekend meal, you can't do better than this. I am going to Santa Fe next weekend, so I am on a Southwestern kick this week getting my taste buds ready for the amazing, spicy flavors there. It's definitely one of my favorite flavor profiles. Here, I tried to do something hearty for a warm side (aka MAN friendly "hash"/not a "salad") that would work with the thick tuna steak, and some avocado (which I would probably put on cereal) to cool it off (This basically means my fiance would have preferred regular steak, but we are trying to work some fish into our diets so this is as close to steak as you can get). Don't let the idea of working with Ahi/Big Eye intimidate you - a good, hot pan and a close eye will ensure awesome results. Sometimes, I cut a small piece off the side and test it before I go for the whole large pieces, to gauge the heat and oil temps. The rub is super cheap and easy - you might even have all the spices at home! Get searing after the jump!