Not the prettiest, but undoubtedly the most delicious chip and dip recipe for the summer, especially when you are by the water. We have been making this recipe for years, and we have barely known a trip Marion without it. Don't be scared of the clams in this recipe, even if you have never liked them (which was myself until about 5 years ago!). Make this this weekend, and on your next beach getaway, and enjoy!
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Family friends are just the best. My sister and Kelly boast that they are friends 28 years in the making and 2nd generation best friends, which is a hard thing to come by! I am a friend of 27 years and also a 2nd generation best friend... oh the life of a middle child. Long story short, our daddio's became best friends in medical school, our moms have been partners in crime and lifelong friends upon meeting, and we have been growing up together ever since.
Kelly and her wonderful husband had their first baby a month ago, and I was long overdue to meet precious baby Gloria! I obviously could not show up without mass amounts of food for the new parents. I wanted to bring something that would last well for a few days, but also freeze well so they had reserves for weeks to come. It has been in the 90's here in D.C. recently, and the thought of forcing someone to eat lasagna in this type of heat felt criminal, yet another thing to consider was making something that is agreeable to most people - not too spicy, not too rich - something that anyone and everyone could appreciate. A lot of different things to think about! I kept coming back to stuffed peppers, but have only ever had the ground meat version, that you have to season A LOT to enjoy... and I have never really loved them, to be honest. So, as I have been really into shredded chicken this summer, and I couldn't help but think this was the perfect meal to bring them, I decided to combine the two, and hope for the best! I loved knowing that they could enjoy them for dinner, and that Kelly could also pop one in the oven for a nice, homemade lunch without any effort. The ease of this meal can apply to anyone's busy work week, need for a freezer meal, or big dinner party! Mid-July through September, I try and use tomatoes as often and as much as possible. They are so much tastier, and the colors of all of the different heirloom tomatoes are too hard to resist. I haven't resorted to canning yet, but the second I have a kitchen bigger than 8' x 2', I probably will! I also have BIG dreams to have a garden similar to the one in "It's Complicated" one day where I will certainly overdose on tomato plants - but all in good time. So... expect a lot of recipes with them to come over the next few months! This is a very quick, colorful, fresh, and yummy recipe perfect for dipping, and also perfect for topping any fish, chicken, and even sliced steak dinner. Its wonderful on top of a salad, and packs wonderfully as a topping for an office lunch that is anything but boring. Wes and I had it over top of some grilled sea bass filets seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika last night (below...) and it was really delicious!
Testing watermelon margaritas is a tough, tough job! I have the apartment to myself this weekend, and these are going to be the perfect accompaniment to my book and I on the roof! These are such a beautiful and fun summer cocktail, and if you make these in July and August (this weekend!!), when watermelon is so sweet and yummy, it eliminates most of the need for a lot of additional sweeteners. I also like a more tart and lime tasting marg, so I think they are just perfect!
Let me tell you about the engagement party that was thrown for Wes and I by my amazing sister, brother-in-law, and parents on the 4th of July! The theme of the party was a surprise, and all we really knew was that there would be the town of Marion's yearly firework display at dusk from the barge that parks itself right in front of our house, and enough food and drinks to go all night.
Everyone who has been married knows that you always want to give a direction when it comes to gifts for engagement parties and showers. Wes and I love to cook (obviously), and even more than that, we love to entertain. As soon as we got to my parents house in Marion, MA, it took me about five seconds flat to locate the invitation to the party that has been kept hidden for months, to find out that everyone was to bring a gift geared towards our love of entertaining - and that "anything Mariposa would do". Pure glee! A Mariposa themed party was so perfect for us and our lifestyle, and with a direction like that - no one could mess it up! I am pretty sure we might be the first to ever have this theme, but we should definitely not be the last! We love every platter, picture frame, catch-all tray, bar accessory, and bowl that we got, and I know we will use and love them forever. Here are some pictures from the night - including our loot (love these boxes), the gorgeous flowers, our incredible hosts, and the most stunning night surrounded by our family. Next up: the big day! A few summers ago we had the pleasure of taking a family trip to Greece that was totally unforgettable, and we absolutely fell in love with the food. From the grilled calamari rings as big as your head, the fried cheese, greek salads galore, the list goes on - we all left with full tummy's, tons of pottery, and The Food & Wine of Greece cookbook. This tzatziki recipe has become one of our party staples! Literally, if you've been to a Burke party in the last 2 years, you have had this recipe. It is so much fresher and flavorful than any store-bought version, makes enough for a crowd, and lasts in the fridge for a solid week. This recipe only gets better as it sits, so get it made and out of the way a few days before your party for easy, do-it-ahead entertaining. We love having it on hand to top salads, and dip veggies into all week... and all in all, it is just a delicious, healthy, and feel good recipe!
Total comfort meal right here! For some reason I am still able to find spaghetti squash in my grocery store ... and I have no problem grabbing one every time I can. Wes and I have also been trying to find new recipes that include sausage, since we are on chicken overload! We both loved this recipe - it was a little bit spicy, super filling, and just plain cozy to curl up on the couch with and some E! news (Wes's favorite!). Even if you have to save this one for the fall when spaghetti squash is back in full force, it is worth it! Enjoy!
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