Just Peachy

Summer around the Carolinas means peaches.  Lots of juicy, sweet peaches.  In fact, the peach is South Carolina's state fruit.  Most summers, we can drive a short distance over the border into South Carolina, and be met with a plethora of peach stands.  Sadly this year will probably be a little different.  There was a late freeze in March, and so a lot of the peach crop was ruined.  If you happen to be lucky enough to find peaches this year, this is the recipe for you.  You can eat it on its own, with vanilla ice cream or with oatmeal.  These Honey Roasted Peaches meet my three criteria for a good recipe - 1.Easy 2. Healthy 3. Delicious.

Honey Roasted Peaches

Step 1:  Wash the peaches.

Step 2:  Cut the peaches in half and remove the pit.

Step 3: Place peach halves in a shallow glass baking dish.

Step 4: Cut several small pads of butter. They should be about 1/2 t each and there should be enough for each peach half.

Step 5: Place a pad of butter in center of each peach half.

Step 6: Drizzle honey over peaches.  *Bonus points if you use your neighbor's honey from their hives.

Step 7:  Sprinkle peaches with cinnamon.

Step 8:  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  Remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 9: Enjoy!

How does your garden grow?

One of the best things about summer is fresh food.  We love tomatoes around here and grow a few varieties.  I love watching out my window to find my kids snacking from the garden.  They love the cherry tomatoes, the pear tomatoes, and can sometimes be found sneaking on a roma.  An easy meal to make with your little ones is a simple caprese salad.  Best part?  Half of the ingredients can be grown in your own yard.  Don't have room for a full garden?  You can grow tomatoes and basil in a container and keep it on your porch! This is an easy one for kids to make with very little help from start to finish.

Step 1: Gather your basil.

 Step 2: Cut the tomatoes.  You can use Romas (like we did today) or halve cherry tomatoes.  We use 4-5 Romas.

 Step 3: Add the Mozzarella.  Mozzarella pearls are perfect for this.

 Step 4: Add the fresh basil. Little hands have fun breaking the basil into small pieces instead of chopping it.

 Step 5: Add Olive oil (about 4 Tablespoons).  We love to add a little balsamic as well.

 Step 6: Add salt and pepper.

 Step 7: Mix it all together.

 .... And enjoy!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Make Lemonade

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This recipe is a favorite around here during summer.  It is easy, delicious and better for you than all of the powdered versions at the store.  

Step 1:  Cut 5-6 lemons in half.

Step 2:  Use a juicer to juice the lemons.

Step 3: Pour lemon juice through a strainer.

Step 4: Pour 1 cup of water into a small pan.

Step 5: Add 1 cup of sugar.

Step 6: Heat on stove over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved.  Stir constantly.  This will make a simple syrup.

Step 7: Add syrup to lemon juice.

Step 8: Add 4 cups of cold water.

Step 9:  Add ice.

Step 10: Stir well.

Step 11:  Enjoy!