Bacon and Egg Stuffed Tomatoes

Bacon and Egg Stuffed Tomatoes

Everyone who really knows me knows tomatoes are my absolute favorite food. I mean, when I'm asked the deserted island question about which foods I would want forever if I were stranded, it's tomatoes hands-down.

This is an excellent recipe for those hot and humid no-cook days. No cook? What about the eggs and bacon? Well, if you find yourself making deviled eggs for a picnic or other summertime gathering, set aside a few for other recipes, like this one. Or, with the wonder of modern groceries, you can simply purchase eggs already hard-boiled and be done with it. To that end, you can also buy bacon that is already fried - you just need a few seconds in the microwave to crisp it up and you're ready to go. See how simple that is?

Add other herbs like dill, if you like, and you can play with this in so many ways! There are several different types and flavors of mayo out there these days, and you can add other chopped veggies, as well.

Bacon and Egg Stuffed Tomatoes
Makes 6 tomatoes

Ingredients:

6 medium tomatoes
salt and pepper

Filling:

6 hard boiled eggs-chopped
3/4 c finely diced celery
1/3 c mayonnaise (reduced or fat free is fine)
6 slices turkey bacon (or regular bacon)-cooked and crumbled
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1/2 t Kosher salt
1/4 t large grind pepper
paprika for tops (smoked paprika adds a lovely dimension!)

Directions:

1. Wash tomatoes thoroughly and dry well.
2. Cut tops from tomatoes; scoop out pulp and seeds, leaving shells intact. Chop tomato pulp only, discarding seeds.
3. Drain tomato shells, and sprinkle inside with salt and pepper.
4. Combine tomato pulp, eggs, celery, mayonnaise, bacon, parsley, 1/4 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper; stir well.
5. Fill tomato shells with bacon and egg mixture. Sprinkle with paprika.

Strawberry Milkshake Popsicles

Strawberry Milkshake Popsicles

As of the last few weeks it has become glaringly apparent that it's summer. The kids are showing it, too. The higher the mercury goes, the more often they ask for cool or frozen treats. Popsicles are the perfect answer to their pleas, but store-bought varieties can be full of sugar, artificial colors and flat-out expensive sometimes.

The solution to that problem is to create your own. Homemade Popsicles are one of the easiest things to make. If you have your own Popsicle molds it's even easier, and if not, all you need are paper cups, Popsicle sticks and plastic wrap. Any liquid that freezes well is fair game. You can test your ideas by filling a section or two of an ice cube tray and freezing until firm.

We've used everything and had lots of fun experimenting. We've had popsicles from fruit juice, pudding, flavored gelatin, pureed fruit, and yogurt. These Popsicles were made to taste like one of our very favorite summertime treats - strawberry milkshakes.

Strawberry Milkshake Popsicles

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 6 hours
Servings: 6-8 Popsicle

Ingredients:

16 ounces (2 cups) vanilla or strawberry flavored yogurt (blended type, any fat percentage works well)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (leave out if you are using vanilla yogurt)
5-6 large strawberries - hulled and cut in half

Directions:

1. Puree all ingredients together for 30 - 34 seconds in a blender.
2. Strain well to remove seeds. You can leave out this step, but the seeds will settle at the bottom of the mold and will be visible at the top of the Popsicle when un-molded.
3. Pour into Popsicle molds and attach lids with sticks or, if you are using cups cover each cup with plastic wrap and insert the stick through the plastic. Don't let the stick touch the bottom of the cup. Settle sticks evenly in the center of each mold before freezing.
4. Freeze for 6 hours or overnight before un-molding. Check after half an hour and re-settle Popsicle sticks if necessary.
5. Run the underside of the molds under warm water momentarily before un-molding.

Veggie Wednesday: Un-stuffed Vegetarian Peppers

Un-stuffed Vegetarian Peppers

In this house we all love stuffed peppers, but sometimes I need a quicker and healthier alternative and this casserole fits the bill. This is full of colorful peppers, tomato and your choice of brown or white rice. Top with cheese and all you need is a salad to complete this veggie friendly menu.

Un-Stuffed Vegetarian Peppers

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

3 cups diced peppers, red, yellow and green - 1 cup each
1/2 cup diced onion
2 Tablespoons olilve oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
15 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups cooked rice, brown or white

Yields 4-6 servings

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onions and cook until veggies start to soften, 5 minutes or so.
3. Add garlic and stir well.
4. Add rice, tomato sauce and salt and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
5. Pour rice into a greased casserole dish, about 10 x 6 in size and top with cheese.
6. Bake fore 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Lime Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Lime Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Fluffy Angel Food Cake takes on a new twist with the addition of lime juice and zest. Paired with a simple raspberry sauce, this cake is at once delicate and decadent and altogether perfect for a lighter summertime dessert. The calorie count makes this even more desirable with most slices (one twelfth of a cake) coming it at around 170 calories.

Lime Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Ready In: 60 minutes (including cooling time)
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

10 -12 large egg whites (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon lime zest
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sift together flour and powdered sugar. Set aside.
3. Combine egg whites and lime juice in a large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.
4. Stir together granulated sugar and lime zest. Add by the tablespoon to egg whites and
continue to beat, adding until all sugar is gone, until stiff peaks form.
5. Fold flour and powdered sugar into stiff-beaten egg whites in four small additions.
6. Turn out into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
7. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly.
8. Turn pan over and cool with cake still inside pan. Cool completely.
9. Remove from pan gently and serve with Raspberry Sauce.





Raspberry Sauce

Hands-On Time: 1 minute
Ready In: 1 minute
Serves: Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups seedless red raspberry preserves
2 Tablespoons lime juice

Directions:

1. Microwave preserves for 30 seconds until warm. This may take more or less time
depending on your
microwave.
2. Stir well until smooth.
3. Add lime juice and stir until well combined.

Veggie Wednesday - Grilled Fruit Kabobs

I'm seriously overdue for a Veggie Wednesday post! This time, though, it's all fruit. Check out this link for more Veggie Wednesday posts! Oh, and take a look at my very first Veggie Wednesday post while you're at it.

Grilling fruit brings out the natural juices and caramelizes them ever so slightly. The best fruits are ones with firm flesh such as stone fruits or pineapple. Stay away from melons as they tend to soften too much. Served with a cool dip, it's a great ending for a summer meal.

Grilled Fruit Kabobs with Honey Lime Yogurt Dip
Hands-On Time: 20 minutes
Ready In: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 pounds assorted fruit - strawberries, pineapple, mango and kiwi in photo
8 metal or bamboo skewers
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon grated lime zest

Directions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high and make sure grate is clean.
2. Thread chunks of washed, peeled or seeded fruit onto skewers. If using bamboo skewers,
soak in water for 10 minutes to minimize chances of burning.
3. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning carefully so fruit does not fall off of
skewers.
4. Remove from heat and serve with dip.
5. For dip, combine yogurt, honey and lime zest and stir until well blended. Keep chilled
until serving time.