Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather We are outside dancing in the rain today, so excited to have rain and cool off the earth and give our little plants and veggies some water.  You can dance in the rain with us or come in and have some of this wonderful Mixed Berry Galette and some  Key Lime Ice Cream and of course plenty of Lemonade and Iced Tea.   I can't wait to see what you have brought to share today so lets get it on the table, we have some real special  Back To School Treats Today! This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Southwestern Egg Casserole   at Joyful Homemaking Back To School Breakfast Back To School Whole Wheat Banana Muffin   at Mostly Homemade Mom Morning Snack Butterfly Cupcakes   at Five Brothers One Sister Back To School Snack K is For Kite School Snack Idea   at Crystal and Company Lunch Pineapple Shrimp Salad    at Lori's Culinary Creatio...

There is nothing better than the flavor of fresh Gazpacho and this salad is fresh and full of flavor.  We are so fortunate to have fresh peppers, tomatoes, onions and basil in our garden that this salad is one trip to the garden and then just put it together and enjoy. Gazpacho Salad Gazpacho Salad Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 2 cups cucumber, diced 1/2 cup green bell pepper,diced 1/2 cup red bell pepper,diced 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper,diced 2 cups tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup red onion, diced 3/4 cup fresh basil, sliced 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper dash or two cayenne pepper Directions Wash, peel and remove the seeds from the cucumbers then dice Dice the peppers tomatoes and onions Cut the fresh basil in strips Mix all the vegetables and basil in a serving bowl Pour the vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper into a jar, cover the jar a...

We have had a  plentiful berry harvest this year and there is nothing like a Fresh Berry Galette dessert for dinner, a casual meal or a special afternoon treat.  This Mixed Berry Galette offers the freshness of the berries and the rustic appearance of the galette. We have served this lovely dessert for dinner parties and a simple lunch on the back porch.  I am excited to share it with you today. Mixed Berry Galette Mixed Berry Galette Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients For The Crust 1 cup all purpose flour 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold butter 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1-2 tablespoons ice water  For The Filling 1/4 cup strawberries, sliced 1/4 cup raspberries 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon corn starch 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees Line a baking pan with parchment paper T...

Well folks remember when I said to remind me about the cool temperatures and that I didn't think a little heat would hurt us, and that is enough of that.  It was 104 degrees today and I am headed for the cooler.  When it gets this hot, I am not to motivated to bake or even cook a lot, I just mainly want to eat cold plates and cook in the outdoor kitchen.  I am looking for every excuse to stay under the cooler.  I just sliced some ice cold watermelon come on in and sit down and we will share this watermelon and talk about the menu for next week. Sunday Grilled Chipotle Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce Roasted Corn Black Bean and Pineapple Salad Grilled Smashed Potatoes Cold Melon Slices Mexican Rolls Key Lime Ice Cream Monday Chipotle Chicken Wrap Miz Helen's Salsa Left Over Key Lime Ice Cream Tuesday Ruben Burgers Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges Creamy Blueberry Bars Wednesday...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather Do you feel a certain pressure to hurry and get all the summer things done?  Along about the second or third week in August I always sit down and access the summer list and try to prioritize the remainder of the items on the list, there is never enough time.  Lot's of folks are getting children ready to start back to school and packing in last minute vacation's before the school life begins again.  Some are getting ready to begin the fall church and civic season, we just feel that change coming.  I sure am glad you were able to take out time from your life today and sit for a while with us to enjoy some good food and fellowship.  Let's get in your basket and see what you have brought to share today, I'm hungry aren't you? This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Honey Berry Stuffed French Toast   at Living Better Together Morning Snack Watermelon Lime Slushie   at...

We are Ice Cream lovers and make a lot of homemade ice cream in the summer.  We really enjoy different flavors as well as the old fashioned vanilla.  One of the Ice Cream flavors that we have really enjoyed this summer is Key Lime, it just adds a tart flavor to the sweet taste of the ice cream. Key Lime Ice Cream Key Lime Ice Cream Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup milk 1 1/2 cups half and half 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup Key Lime Juice 2 teaspoons Key Lime rind, grated fine Directions In a small bowl mix the unflavored gelatin with 1/2 cup milk and set aside until the gelatin blooms In a large bowl mix the half and half, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and salt Add in the bloomed gelatin to the half and half mix and mix well Pour into chilled ice cream canister and freeze according to your ice maker instructions Garnish with grated key lime rind Print R...

Canned Stewed Tomatoes Through out the year I use a lot of stewed tomatoes in my cooking, in casseroles, soups, stews and a paring with vegetables.  When we have an abundant tomato harvest, as we have had this year, we like to can and preserve as many of the tomatoes as we can. We eat and give away baskets of tomatoes through the season, but we always have enough to preserve.  This is a great Garden to Table recipe.

Yes that's right August is here already, and so is the hot weather.  We actually have been so blessed this summer with cooler weather that a little hot is not going to hurt us, would you like to remind me of that in a couple of weeks?  I have got a  Summer Harvest Bread in the oven and it smells so good, would you like to come back on the porch with me and have a glass of iced tea and a slice of this bread fresh out of the oven.  Let's take a look at next weeks menu. Sunday Country Ribs with B-B-Q Sauce Slow Cooker Baked Pinto's New Potato Salad Cherry Pie Monday Spicy Zucchini Stix Fresh Black Eyed Peas Stewed Okra and Tomatoes Corn Bread Left Over Pie Tuesday Ranch House Casserole Mexican Veggie Toss Salad Baked Tortilla Chips Cinnamon Ice Cream and Mexican Wedding Cookies Wednesday Kid Friendly Pasta Salad Cold Salad Plate Cheesy Dill Biscuits Watermelon Th...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather Happy August Ya'll  August, its here already and here comes the heat.  We have been so blessed so far this summer, we have had the coolest summer in years and have enjoyed every minute of it.  The rain is a different thing, we haven't had enough and our churches are starting to pray for rain.  Here at the cottage we are wrapping  up the harvest and beginning to think about the fall garden.  I am so happy that you could come out today and enjoy this beautiful day with us here in the country.  We have the tables set up near the upstairs patio today under the trees where it is really cool.  Lets get  your food on the table, I can't wait to see what you have brought to share today.   This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Coconut Crusted Stuffed French Toast   at Will Cook For Smiles Refreshing Cantaloupe Slush   at This Southern ...