easy entertaining – Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com Seeker of sunshine + exquisite food Sun, 03 Feb 2019 18:29:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.1 96532064 Salt Block Salad http://floridagirlcooks.com/salt-block-salad/ Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:15:52 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=990 Who knew that a big chunk of salt could be so versatile in creating an array of foods from appetizers to desserts? I love my salt block and I am left extremely satisfied every ...

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]]> Who knew that a big chunk of salt could be so versatile in creating an array of foods from appetizers to desserts? I love my salt block and I am left extremely satisfied every time I cook with it. You would think that such a huge block of salt would leave your food with a strong salty flavor but it imparts just enough of the salt flavor to enhance the flavor of your food. I wanted to make a salad for our family dinner recently and put together some of my favorite fresh ingredients atop the salt block just a few minutes before serving. Even my two toddler sons enjoyed it! Feel free to pair this with San Pellegrino’s Aranciata Rossa for a citrus kick! I hope you enjoy this perfect salt block salad this spring or even summer!

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Salt Block Salad

Ingredients

1 – 8 oz package of pancetta, coarsely shredded
6 oz of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 – 8 oz bag spinach, stems removed
1 tbsp thyme leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Prepare

1. Coarsely shred pancetta and place around the outter part of the salt block.
2. Place spinach all around the center of the circle on the salt block.
3. Top with tomatoes, thyme, and freshly cracked black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve and enjoy!

Salt Block Salad
Serves 4
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Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 - 8 oz package of pancetta, coarsely shredded
  2. 6 oz of cherry tomatoes, halved
  3. 1 - 8 oz bag spinach, stems removed
  4. 1 tbsp thyme leaves
  5. 1 tbsp olive oil
  6. 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
  1. Coarsely shred pancetta and place around the outter part of the salt block.
  2. Place spinach all around the center of the circle on the salt block.
  3. Top with tomatoes, thyme, and freshly cracked black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve and enjoy!
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/

salt block salad, salt block, salad, cooking with a salt block, easy entertaining, healthy eating, dinner, lunch

salt block salad, salt block, salad, cooking with a salt block, easy entertaining, healthy eating, dinner, lunch

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]]> 990 New Years’ Eve Menu http://floridagirlcooks.com/new-years-eve-menu/ Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:28:45 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=994 Are you stuck on what to make for your New Years’ Eve Menu to entertain your guests? Well, look no further because this is the perfect and quick menu to whip together and still ...

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]]> Are you stuck on what to make for your New Years’ Eve Menu to entertain your guests? Well, look no further because this is the perfect and quick menu to whip together and still have time to enjoy the rest of the night and ring in the new year in style! The biscotti is the only thing that can be made ahead as the other items are best served freshly cooked/opened. I paired this fanfare up with some Classico Virgin Olive Oil Bruschettini bread and aged De Nigris Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and International Collection Garlic Infused Olive oil and LaMarca Proseco.

New Years’ Eve Menu

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Salted Grilled Asparagus

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Grilled Oysters with Spicy Tarragon Butter

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Yeasted Blinis with Cream Fraiche and Caviar

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Winter Charcuterie

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Chocolate Chip Biscotti 

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new years eve menu_floridagirlcooks_04

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]]> 994 Salted Grilled Asparagus http://floridagirlcooks.com/salted-grilled-asparagus/ Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:22:51 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=982 Asparagus is my husband’s favorite vegetable and I make it at any chance that I get. I usually stick to the same ole’, same ole’ way of making it either boiled or baked, so ...

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]]> Asparagus is my husband’s favorite vegetable and I make it at any chance that I get. I usually stick to the same ole’, same ole’ way of making it either boiled or baked, so I conjured up this recipe and figured grilling them would make it even more appetizing. With all of the good we indulged in on New Year’s Eve we figured we had to through something green and healthy into the mix so this was the perfect addition to our NYE 2015 spread. Feel free to get wild and top these salted grilled asparagus with nuts, cheese, or grated lemon to spice things up!

Salted Grilled Asparagus

Ingredients

1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup tsp Himalayan salt + additional for topping
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Prepare
1. Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil over high heat.
2. Boil the asparagus for five minutes, remove and drain water.
3. On a grill over high heat, grill asparagus for 3 minutes and turn cooking another 3 minutes.
4. Transfer asparagus to a plate and top with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Serve while warm.

Salted Grilled Asparagus
Serves 4
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
22 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
22 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed
  2. 1 tbsp olive oil
  3. 1/4 cup tsp Himalayan salt + additional for topping
  4. 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
  1. Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Boil the asparagus for five minutes, remove and drain water.
  3. On a grill over high heat, grill asparagus for 3 minutes and turn cooking another 3 minutes.
  4. Transfer asparagus to a plate and top with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Serve while warm.
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/

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]]> 982 WINTER CHARCUTERIE http://floridagirlcooks.com/winter-charcuterie/ Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:46:44 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=992 I love putting together charcuterie boards whether big or small. It’s a thing I grew up enjoying at the family table and still do whenever there are family gatherings. I’m a “picky” eater as ...

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]]> I love putting together charcuterie boards whether big or small. It’s a thing I grew up enjoying at the family table and still do whenever there are family gatherings. I’m a “picky” eater as in I like to pick and eat small bites at a time but enjoy different flavors and textures so for me it’s the perfect treat. I wanted something bold for our New Year’s Eve charcuterie board and I’ve always wanted to try the peppered salame from Boar’s Head. Before trying it I will say brace yourself because it is an extreme of pepper punch to you palate at first. The combination of sweet and salty along with the pepper makes it a good combination and balances out all of the flavors. I hope this winter charcuterie brings you warmth and happiness and may good things be laid in your path for 2016!

Winter Charcuterie

Ingredients

1 – 8 oz. log of Boar’s Head Peppered Salame
1 – 8 oz. block Boar’s Head Canadian Cheddar
1 – 11 oz. Biltmore Estate Fig Preserves
4 oz salted pepitas
4.5 oz. package of 34 degrees Natural Crisps

Prepare

1. Thinly slice the cheese and salame and a mandoline for perfectly even slices.
2. Serve with all of the ingredients on a wood board with a serving knife and enjoy!

Winter Charcuterie
Serves 8
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Save Recipe
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Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 - 8 oz. log of Boar's Head Peppered Salame
  2. 1 - 8 oz. block Boar's Head Canadian Cheddar
  3. 1 - 11 oz. Biltmore Estate Fig Preserves
  4. 4 oz salted pepitas
  5. 4.5 oz. package of 34 degrees Natural Crisps
Instructions
  1. Thinly slice the cheese and salame and a mandoline for perfectly even slices.
  2. Serve with all of the ingredients on a wood board with a serving knife and enjoy!
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/

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