Strawberry Nutella Milkshake

It is hot here in South Carolina today. So what better recipe to celebrate our last day of Strawberry week then with an ice cold Strawberry Nutella Milkshake. Yes, I said Nutella. I am currently sitting on my porch right now sharing this recipe with you while I sip, sip away.

It has been a great week of local produce and favorite recipes. If you just need more strawberries make sure you check out our older strawberry posts: Strawberry Riesling Slushies and
Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream.

Strawberry Prosecco Jam

 

 



It is summer and fresh fruit abounds. This allows for one of my favorite activities: jam making. Every year I tackle a new jam recipe or two as well as make my usual favorites like my Bourbon Peach Jam. As I have told you before, ever since my teen years I have been making jams and jellies. 

 

 

 

There is one story I always think of when I make jelly. When I was young, my sister and I would go to have weekend visits with my Gram and Pap. We would do all the things that grandparents and grandkids did together; we played putt putt, ate ice cream, and stayed up later than we are allowed at home. We were spoiled at Gram and Pap's. In the summer, we would sleep on the porch and look at the stars. During other times of the year, we would sleep in the guest bedroom in our little single beds. When we would get all tucked in, my Gram would light a candle and tell us a story. One of my favorite stories that she told was of her Mom, my Noni making jelly. She would start by telling us about how hard Noni worked and what a strong woman she was, then she would begin to talk about the jelly. Noni was making grape jelly and as she was stirring the pot she looked out of the window to see the family cow had gotten out of its fence.  She went out into the yard in such a hurry, she forgot about her jelly. By the time she corralled the cow and got back into the kitchen, the jelly was burned in the bottom of the pot. Back in those times, that was a big loss for a family who was on a very fixed income. I can imagine her disappointment.

 

I am not sure why but I was always so enthralled by this story.  Maybe I saw the grown-up me being like my Noni. Maybe I saw my jelly making days ahead. I am not sure, but that is one story that I never got tired of hearing. Of course, my grandma was a great story teller and kept us hanging on every word.

After her story she would stand up kiss each of us and head downstairs. As she went, she would say "Good Night Mrs. Calabash." And my little sister and I would reply, "wherever you are." To this day my sister and I say this to each other! Although I don't see them everyday, my family is my staple.... wherever any of us are.

Grilled Strawberry Balsamic Brie Sandwich

OMG! This might be the best thing that I have ever made!!

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a "sandwich kind of girl." I know that sandwiches are portable and convenient to eat almost anywhere, but it is just not my thing. Give me good bread, some cured meat (ie prosciutto or salami) and a little cheese and I am in heaven.  I think one of the reasons that I do not like the common sandwich is because most everyday sandwiches or "sandwich places" use lunch meat / cold cuts / deli meat or whatever you want to call those slivers of fatty sliminess. A slice of deli ham makes my skin crawl in ways that most people can only contribute to creepy crawly things. Can you say fatty, salty, chemical laden and most important of all, did this really come from an animal?

But this sandwich, now this sandwich... I can eat everyday. It has simple ingredients and simple tastes. The sweet strawberries, crusty bread and the creamy, buttery cheese are amazing together. The little tang of balsamic really adds depth and a dynamic to the whole thing. This was the sandwich of my dreams! If Subway would start pumping out something this fresh, I would be the first in line. But instead of holding my breath on that thought, I will make my own strawberry sandwiches. I think I am addicted.....

In this post, I want to pay homage to my Dad who made me this awesome baking board and carved the wooden spoon in the picture. I have toted this board around with me for the past 10 years. It is huge and smooth and perfect for rolling out any dough. It is one of my prized possessions. Remember our motto here at Bonbons and Biscotti- Love Begins In The Kitchen.  I think of this board as a little piece of love I keep with me in my kitchen. It is heart warming to have a little of my family's love around always.

5 Minute Strawberry Cobbler

I have personally declared this Bonbons and Biscotti's Strawberry week. I am sooooo excited!! This weekend I bought a huge basket of strawberries at a local farmer's market and I have been busy in the kitchen. This afternoon after working all morning in my veggie garden I set about the task of making Strawberry Prosecco Jam. I know.... sounds awesome huh? You should have smelled it!!!

After finally cleaning up all my sticky jelly covered pots and utensils, I realized that I had not eaten anything since about 10 am. I quickly remembered this awesome single serving mug of strawberry delight that I had made before and absolutely fell in love with. Yeah.... I know it is dinner time!! Real food?? What is more real than warm strawberry deliciousness all for me. Sometimes we need to celebrate ourselves and everything we accomplished. Here's to Me and a day well spent!!!

Oh... I almost forgot, stay tuned for that Strawberry Prosecco Jam. It is coming soon....

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

Growing up, Valentine's Day was one of those holidays that I looked forward to. I couldn't wait to trudge through the snow to the old Hill's in Ebensburg to pick out my school Valentine's Day cards. I would look at the pictures and the sayings, always making sure the sentiment was right and the character was cool enough for that year. My sister was there too. She would look and look and then ultimately chose Barbie. She was always so pleased with herself and her choice (even though it was evident from the beginning what she would choose) and that would make us smile.  I carefully chose which student in my class got each Valentine and I never signed my name with a pen or pencil. I had a special Valentine's day stamp: a red stamp of my name "Rebecca" surrounded with little hearts that I happily pressed on the back of each card.

But the best part of Valentine's Day was always waiting for me on the kitchen table!!  It was from my Dad. Every Valentine's Day, my dad would go out of his way to make our day special. No matter what shift he worked, us three girls would walk into the kitchen at some point on Valentine's Day and find roses, little boxes of chocolates and a Valentine's Day card. Of course, my mom's would receive the largest bouquet: a big bundle of red roses sitting in the middle of the table. My sister and I would receive smaller vases of yellow or pink roses.  It was tradition for my Mom to read her card and cry. My Dad is a man of few words and his cards to my Mom (no matter the holiday) always seemed to say the absolute right things. Seeing how happy my Mom was on Valentine's Day getting those flowers from my Dad is one of my best Valentine's memories.  My Mom always take the time to take pictures of all the gifts then we would open chocolates, smell roses and say how beautiful everything was.  A lot of times my Dad was not even around when we received our gifts because he was working night shift and had already left for work while we were at school, but every year, there were our roses.

I am not a big believer in showing love through material means but I know that is not what my Dad was doing. He was letting us know that we were his family: "his girls" and even though he did not say it often, he made it known that  we could always count on him. He reaffirmed that commitment every February 14th. Even though his roses stopped arriving on Valentine's Day after I moved out of the house and started my "real" life,  I still think about those flowers every year and know that he is still there for me. He is one of the strongest people I know, and over the years he has offered me his quiet support and sound advice when "the going has been tough." Maybe it is because he and I are so alike but no one can speak to me in tough times quite like my Dad!! I am thankful everyday to have this strength in my life.

I believe that the little things that people do for each other make the biggest memories and the most meaningful gifts. Make a memory this year with someone you love. Happy Valentine's Day!

Strawberry Riesling Slush

Ready for the weekend? I don' know what the weather is going to be where you are but here is SC it is going to be in the 90s. Why not sit on your back porch with a group of friends and share a frosty summer drink? I have the perfect one here. So simple and you can prepare it before and have it in the freezer for that after work drink or the group of unexpected friends that stop in for a chat. Make extra and make it tonight!