Oven Baked Zucchini Tots

I am rolling in the zucchini this year! Madison and my neighbor have given me several
and my own plants are finally beginning to produce. I've been making zucchini muffins,
zucchini fritters, grilled zucchini and using it in veggie quesadillas. I've also been freezing
zucchini to use in soup and veggie quesadillas this fall and winter.

I've had this recipe for zucchini tots in my recipe box for a long time and finally got
around to trying it last week and they are delicious! The recipe is super easy!  I use a
Pampered Chef mini muffin pan.

We enjoyed the tots for dinner with grilled chicken and a big salad, but I also put a
few in the freezer for later. I'm going to reheat them in my air fryer!

Zucchini Tots

1 cup shredded zucchini (I left the skin on)
1/3 cup diced onion
1 large egg
1/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
*I also added fresh parsley since I have it in my herb garden right now.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray.

Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix until combined.
Using a small spoon or cookie scoop drop mixture evenly into mini muffin cups,
pressing the mixture down a little with the back of the spoon.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield - about 20 tots depending upon the size of your mini muffin pan.

Enjoy!

Zucchini Muffins

Like many of you my daughter and I started flowers and vegetables from seed this spring
while we were staying home all of the time due to the pandemic. Watching our little seeds
turn into sprouts was fun and rewarding! I planted herbs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber,
nasturtiums, chamomile and zucchini in pots. Next year I would love a raised bed or two!

Mini Blueberry Galettes #SummerDessertWeek

This post was created for #SummerDessertWeek. I received samples from some of

our sponsor companies, but as always, all opinions are my own.

We just returned from our annual summer vacation to Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

and we had the best time! We've been going there almost every year for the past twenty
years and we just love it! I posted lots of photos on my Instagram if you want to see some
of our fun.

Now that summer is in full force, our Farmer's Market is bursting at the seams with garden
vegetables, beautiful flowers and fresh berries. I just couldn't resist picking up some
blueberries for these mini blueberry galettes. Summer dessert couldn't be any easier!

Grilled Spicy Lime Shrimp Tacos with Black Bean & Corn Salsa

This post is in partnership with Le Creuset.  All opinions and photos are my own.

All of the fresh fish and shrimp tacos we enjoyed on vacation earlier this month left us
craving for more, so I decided to use my new Le Creuset Signature Square Skillet Grill
to make some Grilled Spicy Lime Shrimp Tacos with Black Bean & Corn Salsa at home.

Watermelon Slushies

Zucchini Pizza Bites

My parent's garden is going strong and my mom has been supplying me tons of zucchini.
I have been freezing zucchini for soup this fall and making veggie quesadillas and
chocolate chip zucchini bread too.  I love zucchini so much and would love for you to send
me your favorite zucchini recipes!

Homemade Watermelon Ice Pops

Remember when you were a kid and you begged your mom to buy those freezer pops
that came in a big box filled with long plastic tubes of colored sugar water?? They
probably weren't the healthiest treats to have around, but boy were they good on a
hot summer day!

Healthy Strawberry Shortcake and a prAna Giveaway!

This post is in partnership with prAna and Stonyfield.  
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.  

Ahh summer.  My favorite time of year!
I know summer doesn't technically arrive for a couple more weeks, but hey it's June,
so that's good enough for me!

These beautiful warm days have me craving light, refreshing treats and soft, comfortable
clothing.  As soon as I get home from work, I trade my dress clothes for t-shirts, shorts
and flip flops! They feel so much better!

A few months ago I shared my love of prAna, a stylish and sustainable line of clothing
and accessories you can wear every day.  I have partnered with Stonyfield and prAna
again to share my latest favorite top, a healthy sweet treat and a fabulous giveaway!

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield Organic and Wayfair.
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I can't believe it's the second week of August already!
Summer is flying by!
Between our little deck containers, my parents huge garden at the farm
and visits to our local farmer's market our fridge is bursting at the seams
with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dinner is so easy during the summer.

Blueberry Corn Salad

I'm going to miss summer!
It's been so nice to go out on our deck and grab a cucumber and a handful of cherry tomatoes
or stop by my parents farm for potatoes, zucchini or whatever vegetables they may have an abundance of.

On my visit this week mom gave me a bag of corn on the cob and some green peppers.
Since this will probably be the last of the sweet corn I decided to make a special salad for our
labor day weekend cookout.

Summer Fun with Fruttare Fruit Bars

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Fruttare, but all my opinions are my own. #itsallgood #pmedia http://my­disclosur.es/OBsstV 

Remember Sunday when I told you how much I love summer.
Well have I got a summer treat for you!

Now that the temperatures have warmed up we opened our swimming pool.
Pool time is my fave!
I love relaxing by the pool with our friends and neighbors.
Floating on rafts, soaking up the sun, catching up, eating cool treats and drinking cocktails.
Yep I love summer!

Fruttare Fruit Bars are the perfect pool time treat for everyone that stops by.
Fruttare Fruit and Juice bars are bursting with real fruit taste and refreshing juice.


I decided to make some cute labels and deliver Fruttare Fruit Bars to some of our friends
to let them know our pool is now open and the summer fun can begin!
Of course I had to add a pom pom or two :)

I purchased my Fruttare bars from Target, but they are also available at Walmart and many other
retailers nation wide. I decided on Mango and Black Cherry.
Next time I think I will get Pineapple.
They offer so many flavors it hard to choose!
Maybe by the end of summer I will have had a chance to sample them all :)

Fruttare Fruit Bars are a great treat to have around for the kiddos, but I thought of another way
my friends and I could enjoy them when it's Girl's Day by the pool!
Fruttare Fruit Bar cocktails!

Place Fruttare Fruit Bars into a wine glass and add champagne, sparking wine or sparkling water.

Refreshing, fruity and tasty too!

I can't wait to serve them to my friends!

Need some cake to go along with your Fruttare Fruit Bars?
I think these cuties would be perfect.
You can find the recipe here.

Happy summer my sweet readers!
Enjoy!

Walnut Pesto

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year!
I love the warm temperatures, hanging out with friends at our pool, wearing flip flops every chance I get and eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies.

I also love having fresh herbs right outside my kitchen door!

My basil has been doing pretty well, so I decided to make some pesto. 
I hardly ever use pine nuts and didn't have any around, so I decided to try walnut pesto.
I think I will make it this way from now on!
It was delish on my pesto baked salmon with couscous and veggies!

This recipes makes a small batch, but it was perfect for just the hubby and me.
Feel free to double the recipe if you need more.

Walnut Pesto

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
4 T freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove
juice of half of a fresh lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Pulse basil and walnuts together in a food processor.
Add the garlic and olive oil and pulse again.
Add parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Pulse just until blended.
Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides and pulse a few more times.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipe from Kiss My Spatula

Strawberry Bars

Check out all of these cool fruit tools I received from OXO!
We eat a lot of fresh fruit around here, so I was super excited when this package arrived!
 


















I decided to try out the OXO Strawberry Huller for the strawberry bars I made for my girl's night.
I'll have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about how well this little tool would actually work, but it was amazing! See how well it removes the stem and leaves all at once!
I will definitely use this little gadget ALOT this summer!
Love OXO!!

Strawberry bars just scream summer.
Cookie crust, sweetened cream cheese and strawberries - yum!

Strawberry Bars

1 pouch Sugar Cookie Mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 lb. sliced fresh strawberries
1/3 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 bake dish with cooking spray.
Make sugar cookie dough according to package directions with 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 egg.
Press cookie dough into prepared pan evenly.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown.  Cool completely.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, vanilla extract, sugar and lemon juice.
Spread on cooled crust.  Place sliced strawberries over cream cheese.  Microwave strawberry jam for 20-30 seconds.  Brush melted jam onto strawberry slices.  Refrigerate until set, at least one hour.
Store leftovers in the fridge.

Cilantro Corn Salad

Whenever I visit my parents during the summer it's like winning the farmers market jackpot.
I go home with bags of fresh corn on the cob, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.
Oh and a mason jar full of beautiful zinnias.
My parents have the best garden and they love to share :)

Summer is the perfect time for cold salads and this corn salad is delish.
Use corn cut off the cob if you have it, but it's almost just as good with frozen corn.
Give it a try and let me know what you think.

You may also want to try some of my other favorite summer faves - Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad and Honey Lemon Pasta Salad.

Gotta love summer!!

Cilantro Corn Salad

8 ears fresh sweet corn or 4 cups frozen corn

1 large red pepper, chopped

1/2 of a red onion, chopped

1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/3 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Cut the fresh corn off the cobb or add the frozen corn to a pot and steam for 3 to 5 minutes in 1/4 cup water.

Remove the lid and cook, stirring, 2minutes more or until water evaporates.

Toss the corn with all other ingredients and chill.

recipe from The Driveway of Life

Watermelon Cupcakes

We were invited to a get together after the championship summer league swim meet yesterday, which by the way, our Madison took 2nd place in the 50 meter Backstroke - woo hoo Mads!

We are so proud of you! Anyway, back to the party....I had found these adorable gummy watermelons last weekend, so I thought I would make watermelon cupcakes. I used a box strawberry cake mix for the pink fruit of the watermelon since I have never seen watermelon cake mix. Maybe Betty Crocker should consider this......what do you think Betty???

Then I made homemade buttercream frosting, tinting it green for the rind. I topped them off with the cute gummy watermelons. The gummy's taste really like watermelon, which was nice since the cupcakes obviously did not. I thought they turned out cute and are a nice touch for a summer picnic.