Puff pastry Tomato tartlets

I am in love with these cute little tartlets! Today I made these for the second time this week. These are the simplest, quickest (relatively!), and most delicious little treats I have ever made. The reason they are so easy to make is the ready made puff pastry crust.

Creamy beef curry

Lately I have been really craving Asian food or more specifically Indian inspired flavors. But it has just been too hot and humid to cook something hot and spicy. Yesterday, however, we had a slight cool down and I finally had a chance to try this recipe that's been sitting on my desk for a while, just taunting me with its potential deliciousness.

Orzo salad with Vegetables and Herbs

This will be the last posting from our 4th of July menu. This Salad became an instant summer favorite when I first made it just about 15 years ago. My husband can't get enough of this stuff! It is full of summers best veggies and I got to use some of my beautiful mint that is growing right outside my kitchen.

Potato and pea salad with Chive Aioli

Of all the hundreds of potato salad recipes out there, this is by far the most unique and delicious tasting one that I have ever found. The potatoes are actually the star of this dish and they are not swimming in mayo! 

Marinated chicken drumsticks

This was our 4th of July lunch meal, consisting of marinated chicken legs (we call them drumsticks), potato salad and Orzo salad (recipes still to come), plus water melon. It wouldn't be a real Midwestern BQ without corn on the cob, so we had that available too.

Raspberry blueberry trifle (red white and blue)

Happy Birthday America! The big 4th of July week end is winding down. Thousands of pic-nicks and family barbecues are coming to and end. Now we are all waiting for the fireworks to round out the evening. In our case this means going across the street and watching our neighbor's private little fireworks show. Earlier today we hosted a small family gathering at our house doing the traditional bq theme. We served up a bunch of grilled chicken drumsticks (recipe to come), which are always a hit.