Pineapple Lemonade

I know Summer is technically over, but the temps are still warm and Lemonade is always a good treat. Today's version is sweeter than the normal tart lemonade and has a touch of the tropics with fresh pineapple. It's a big hit in our house.

The Deets

5 Lemons

1 Cup Fresh Pineapple (about 1/4 of a fresh pineapple)

3 Cups Water

1 Cup Ice

{I do not add sugar - but I like my lemonade on the tart side - if you want to sweeten it up a 1/4 Cup of Sugar should do the trick}

The How To

Peel the Lemons prior to juicing or the juice will be bitter

Cut the pineapple into large chunks - feel free to use the usually discarded core - it will juice nicely

Toss it into the Juicer & Juice Away

Pour into the pitcher of your choice

Add water and mix well

Add Ice

You Can Add A few slices of Lemon and Pineapple for decoration if you'd like

Nothing like a refreshing glass of lemonade on a warm fall evening!

Enjoy & Happy Fall!

Bacon & Mushroom Barley

It's time for a little super grain! Are you ready for some Barley? When I was a kid my mom used to make a barley casserole - I remember it being good, but after getting the recipe (which included can of mushroom soup) I decided to try my own version.  Today I present my first attempt - Mushroom & Bacon Barley. 

The Deets

1 Cup Barley

2 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth

7 Mushrooms finely chopped (your choice - I used baby portabellas)

1/2 Shallot

2 Strips of Bacon

The How To

Bring Vegetable Broth to Boil

Add Barley and reduce to a Simmer

Cook for 40 - 45 minutes or until chewy

In a pan cook Bacon (slightly undercooked)

Remove Bacon and let cool

Add Shallots and Mushrooms to the pan and cook until caramelized

Remove fat from Bacon and roughly chop and return to pan with Mushrooms and Shallots

Once Barley is cooked add to Pan and Mix Well

I served it as a side with Grilled Halibut and a salad

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Guacamole!

This week I saw the biggest avocado I have ever seen. No exaggeration, it was Gigantic. Really, Really Gigantic.

Still doubting my use of the word Gigantic?

How about Now?

That's right! It's Gigantic! The Pit was the size of an average lime! It was a perfect buttery avocado. I would say it was equal to 2 1/2 to 3 normal avocados! Unbelievable and yet so Delicious!
Now, on with the Guac! I'm a purist when it comes to Guac - Guacamole - Avomole - Guacacado. Here's Guacamole My Way.

The Deets
1 Crazy Giant Avocado or 3 normal Avocados
1 Lime
Lemon Pepper to taste (I use about 4 grinds)
Sea Salt to taste (I use about 3 grinds)
1 tiny pinch of Garlic Salt

The How To
Scrape your Avocado(s) into a bowl and mash to slightly under your desired consistency since you will be mashing in the other ingredients (I like mine a little chunky)
Squeeze the Juice of one Lime (Roll Lime on Counter for 30-45 seconds to loosen up the juice prior to squeezing)
Add Lemon Pepper
Add Salt
Add tiny pinch of Garlic Salt
Mix by hand until well incorporated and is the desired consistency

 Grab your favorite Chips & Enjoy!

Awesome Pantry Labels!

Don't you love getting cool new kitchen gadgets? If you know me at all, you know I do. I have a thing for kitchen gadgets and always have a few on my wish list. A while back my sister and her husband started a little vinyl business, Celestial Scripts. They do all kinds of cool things, wall clings, quotes, Granite and Marble etchings, decorations and per my request Pantry Labels!


In order to figure out what labels I wanted I went through my pantry and selected which items I wanted permanent labels for. Last week I got a little surprise in the mail.

My Custom Pantry Labels! Look at these little beauties. They were specifically made to fit my Lock n Lock containers. As a side note, I love Lock n Lock containers. They are the perfect size, seal nice and tight and have a nice sleek look. Just wait until you see how good they look now...

I know this is a terrible photo, but Don't they look amazing? I'm so excited about them. Even more fun, was when my husband opened the pantry tonight and said "wow, those labels look really good". That's right, you want to get on my good side, just complement anything in my kitchen, be it tools, toys or the food. I'm a kitchen junky all around!


If you're in the market for some great pantry labels be sure to check out my sister April's site CelestialScripts.com!