A few years ago, a group of girls and I decided we needed to celebrate a landmark birthday with landmark trip. None of us were particularly concerned about the number, but it seemed like an excuse people accept for special activities. Between the four of use, we are pretty well traveled and we thought we should find some place none of us had ever been. So we landed in … [Read more...] about Portuguese Custard Tarts
Grilled Sweet Tea Glazed Pork Chops
Memorial Day is coming and marks the official start of summer party season. Millions of people will be firing up the grill for the long weekend and beyond, and here in the South, they’ll be making endless pitchers and jugs of ice cold sweet tea to keep things cool. So I decided to combine the two for the perfect summer meal. I’ve always found that brining is a great tool … [Read more...] about Grilled Sweet Tea Glazed Pork Chops
Strawberry Mint Vinaigrette
It’s always nice to whip up a simple, homemade dressing for a salad, and this one is really special. A little sweet from the berries with the nice summery hit of mint. And it’s a great way to use up some berries lingering in the fridge. I love it on a salad of fresh butter lettuce tossed with slice strawberries, salty feta or goat cheese and crunchy pecans. It also goes … [Read more...] about Strawberry Mint Vinaigrette
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
The strawberries are here, but with the exceedingly strange weather we’ve been having this year, I am a little worried it is going to be an abbreviated season. So I have been making the most of what I have. I keep a big colander of berries in the fridge and snack on them throughout the day, I’ve put up jars of jam and I have been baking up a storm. I love this too-brief … [Read more...] about Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
Hot Milk Cake and Strawberry Caramel Sauce
Leaf through the pages of any old Southern community cookbook, and you are likely to come across a version of this cake. And it might not draw your eye, being so plain and simple. I am sure I flipped past many times before I actually stopped to read one. But once I get intrigued, I search these recipes out and combine, refine and test them until I have an updated version … [Read more...] about Hot Milk Cake and Strawberry Caramel Sauce
