photo credit: Baked Bree

Key Lime Pie is delicious and easy to make. Baked Bree has a fabulous set of photos here: Key Lime Pie

• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (12 to 15 key limes)
• 4 teaspoons grated lime zest
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 11 graham crackers
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Whipping Cream and a dash of sugar for topping 

Whisk the egg yolks and lime zest together, Beat in milk, then juice. 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar in another bowl.

Add butter and stir with a fork until well blended.

Pour into a 9-inch pie pan and press over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Try using the bottom of a measuring cup to make sure the graham cracker mixture forms a firm crust on the bottom of the pie pan.

Bake or about 15 minutes until the crust is lightly brown, remove and let cool to room temperature.

Pour the lime filling into crust, spread evenly, and then bake for 15 minutes until the center sets 

Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least three hours (if you can)

Whip the cream and top......

Corn chowder  and potato scones seemed like a perfect way to round up a cold and rainy day.

Potato Scones from Martha Stewart

• 2 Large potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
• Salt and Pepper
• 3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons) Room Temp plus more for skillet
• 1 Cup Flr
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 pound cheddar diced small

1. Bring potatoes to a boil in a pot of lightly salted water. Reduce heat, and simmer until fork tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well.

2. While still warm, push potatoes through the large holes of a ricer, or use a potato masher to mash them until smooth (you should have 2 1/2 cups). Stir butter into warm potatoes until combined well. Stir together flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then stir into potatoes with a wooden spoon until just combined. Form dough into a ball on a lightly floured work surface. Cover with a dish towel, and let cool for 20 minutes.

3. Dust rolling pin and work surface with flour, and roll out dough to an 8-by-10-inch rectangle. Sprinkle half with cheese, and fold to create a 4-by-10-inch rectangle. Gently roll out. With a floured knife, cut dough into four 2 1/2-by-4-inch rectangles, then cut each in half diagonally.

4. Heat a griddle or a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat, and add 1 teaspoon butter. When it has completely melted and is sizzling, cook 4 scones until golden brown and cheese melts, 3 to 4 minutes per side. 

I saw this recipe recently on Sprouted Kitchen: Lentil Meatballs. These little balls of goodness are easy to make and quite delicious. They were a tad dry and the lemon basil dressing assists. I also think they could be amazing in a red sauce a la spaghetti and meatballs. 

I love the crunchy bits on the baked meatballs and the fennel is divine.

I also love a dish with very little cleanup.

Flatbread ...Alice Waters

• 2 Cups WW Flr
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 3/4 Cup Lukewarm Water
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Mix dry ingredients ...stir in water and olive oil. Knead the dough until moist. Cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Heat cast iron skillet, roll out oval shaped flatbread pieces and cook without oil in skillet flipping as needed. Char over open flame (if you like). 

Above: Cute baby sneaking a taste of dough

Socca is a delicious crepe made with Chickpea Batter and cumin. Tradionally a Parisian street food snack we chose to make it a meal with kale and roasted cauliflower, red onion and green bell. I whipped up some magic sauce to drizzle and WOWSERS.... everyone loves Socca. 

Thanks David Lebovitz for the Socca recipe

How I love these nights filled with friends and food.

I don't own a tv. When we travel, I do love to click on the tv and watch Food Network with the kids. Cooking shows are a family past time when we are in a hotel. Paula Deen has always been one of our favorites to watch and imitate (although we rarely, if ever, make her food recipes).

I am so disappointed with how she has handled/reacted to her diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes... Paula Deen has apparently not addressed the issue of her weight, diet and lack of exercise but rather chosen to become the front person and spokeswoman for a drug called  Victoza^®.

As an important celebrity for middle America, her message of “Eat whatever you want, as long as you take your pill…” is incredibly irresponsible.  

More on this at one of my Favorite Blogs Food Politics.

You are what you eat, Ya'Hear?