Ringing the Dinner Bell!

Helllllloooo! The dinner bell is ringing and it's time I provided a delicious recipe or two to share with all of you! So, instead of me just rambling on lets hit the ground running. The first recipe that I have for you today is a very easy one but it'll be great to make for a picnic or possibly something that you can bring to a family reunion or maybe a bbq...you get the idea.

Awwww... how cute!? Hey Kat, why don't you go on romantic picnics?

Ok...first off, that's none of your business! Second... *silence* Kat? .....Hellllloooo? *continued silence* Ok.... I'm sorry! Please stop being quiet...it's creepy! Yup! That's how you do it, ain't nothing scarier than an angry woman staring at you in complete silence. Anyway, here is the first recipe...

Fruit Salad with Lemon-Lavender Syrup

• 1/4 cup sugar (or other sweetner)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lavender buds (or 1/2 Tbsp. dried lavender buds)
• 5-7 lbs stone fruit (such as apricots, peaches, cherries, etc.), chopped 

In a small sauce pan, mix sugar, water, and lemon juice then bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add lavender buds and simmer 1-2 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside. Let steep for at least 15 minutes. Mix fruit in a large bowl and drizzle with lemon-lavender syrup. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 1-2 days. 

I decided that for this post, the theme is going to be BBQ/Picnic. So basically anything that you would want to take to a picnic or cookout. The next recipe I am providing is a great option to dip your chips in.

White Bean Basil Hummus

• 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained. 
• 2 cloves garlic.
• 2 Tsp. balsamic vinegar.
• 1 Tbsp. tahini. 
• 1/2 Tsp. sea salt.
• 1/4 Tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more for garnish.
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish.
• 1 lemon, juiced.
• Handful of fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish.

Blend all ingredients, except basil, in a food processor until smooth (about 3 minutes), scraping down sides when necessary. Garnish with additional basil leaves, olive oil and freshly ground pepper.

Next I have another sweet and savory side that anyone would love to have at a cookout. Trust me when I say, you'll be scoring big points with this recipe.

 Mini Corn Dog Muffins

• 1/2 cup melted butter.
• 1/2 cup sugar.
• 2 eggs.
• 1 cup buttermilk.
• 1/2 Tsp. baking soda.
• 1 cup gluten free cornmeal
• 1 cup all purpose flour (gluten free, if desired).
• 1/2 Tsp. salt.
• 8-10 all beef hot dogs, cut into 1" bites.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl then whisk to combine. Add eggs then whisk to incorporate, then add buttermilk and whisk. In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, cornmeal, flour and salt then stir to combine ingredients.Add dry to wet mixture, whisk in two batches. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray then spoon 1 Tbsp. of the batter into each muffin cup. Place one hot dog bite into the middle of each cup. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until cornbread is golden brown. Cool in mini muffin tin for 5 minutes before serving.Store leftovers in the refrigerator then re-heat for 20-30 seconds before serving.

Well the dinner bell has rung and I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed these delicious recipes! Next time you have a picnic or a cookout that you're attending, try out these recipes...I bet your friends and family will just love it!

See You Tomorrow!