What We Have Been Eating & You Have Been Missing

Finally! I am back on the blog!

It has been quite a few months since I have been able to get on the blogging and I am sincerely sorry for that! You don't need my excuses, but you do need a promise that I will be much more diligent in the future with my blogging efforts. Since I won't be able to blog from home (due to poor internet prospects), I will have to take some time to chill out at a public places to get the job done. It's a little more effort, but I think it will be worth it to keep this thing going. I hope you think so too! I have not forgotten about you, my dear readers and I have been documenting some of our best meals. 


Here are a few highlights:
                                                                     

 Tomato Tart

 This decadent meal consists of puff pastry that has been topped with goat cheese and herbs, our fresh from the garden zucchini and tomatoes. We added our fresh basil, salt & pepper and a little parmesan to finish it off. This was an awesome summer meal and despite its appearance, it tastes very different from pizza. It's a little expensive with all that goat cheese, but SO worth it!

Slow Cooked Navy Beans

with Roasted Chicken and Sauteed Kale

I found the easiest recipe for cooking beans and I am now using it to cook all kinds of beans. I even used this method for my New Year's Black Eyed Peas. To make these amazingly flavorful beans, start by par boiling the desired amount for 15 minutes. Saute onion and garlic in butter or olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Next, combine the beans with the onion and garlic mixture in your slow cooker. Add enough chicken broth to just cover the beans. Stir, then cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. After a couple of hours, you house will begin to smell amazing!

 Crab Cake Benedict Over Sauteed Kale

  Is it still a benedict without the English muffin? I really don't care. Nate has perfected his art of poaching an egg and I am now addicted! I want poached eggs with everything! The homemade hollandaise really brings it all together. These were some of the best crab cakes I have ever made and we were able to enjoy them for two amazing meals. This was made with the leftovers and they tasted just as good as the first time when served on the fresh sauteed kale, topped with a perfect poached egg and my smooth hollandaise.

       Shrimp & Grits

This was a first attempt at this southern favorite and it did not disappoint! Nate came up with a flavorful gravy that he made mostly from onion, garlic, flour and milk. It was rich and savory! We smothered the extra cheesy grits with the shrimp and gravy, making it a brunch that you need a nap after eating!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Nate and I prepared this feast and it was the first time that we have prepared a holiday meal together in our own home. Nate's parents were our lucky guests. What we lacked in greens we made up for it in CHEESE!!!!

The menu included:
-Roasted turkey stuffed with Nate's amazing stuffing using our home baked bread! We baked the turkey upside down, which allowed the juices to flow to the breasts. Wasn't as pretty, but it was the tastiest turkey ever!
-Homemade cranberry sauce. None of that canned stuff here.
-Cabbage casserole using a family recipe.
-Cheesy broccoli barley bake
-Sweet potato soufle
-Mashed potatoes
-Stuffing

-Gravy... some of the best gravy I have ever tasted! Thanks to my dear Nate!

Yep, I (nearly) cleaned my plate!

Yummy Apple Pie! Nate's Mom did the gorgeous lattice!

These are just a few highlights from the months of my absence in blogging. I hope I have inspired a few meal ideas! There are many new things to look forward to this year with Sharing The Food Love, such as a NEW, beautiful kitchen and a new mountain top garden space. I look forward to sharing many more photos, tips and recipes soon. Thank you for your patience and support! Happy New Year!