Black Bean, Quinoa & Corn Patties

Because of popular demand on my personal Facebook page I'm putting up this very delicious recipe that I've been eating for the last week for lunch. Very healthy, tasty and filling! I hope you enjoy. Sorry no fancy pictures. Instagram baby!

Black Bean, Quinoa & Corn Patties

Baby Raquel

I am so fortune to have wonderful neighbors who allowed me try my amateur hand at taking newborn photos of their new baby girl, Raquel. Newborn photography has always tugged at my heart strings, but who doesn't it? Tiny little naked babies, sleeping in odd props with silly looking accessories on their head. It's just too cute for words. This photo shoot has definitely given me a new found respect for newborn photographers. It isn't as easy as it looks, even when you've done everything the experts tell you to, like keep the room at a warm 80 degrees, throw your blankets in the dryer to warm them up, make sure the baby is full and sleepy. Babies just don't sleep that soundly when your propping them up, manipulating their little bodies into different poses and putting objects on their head. I mean who can blame them; I wouldn't be able to sleep either. So as a photographer you need to adapt and just go with what the baby is giving you, and make sure you keep that finger snapping away because just for a mill-a-second, between all the fussing, you may just get a smile or a coy look that's magazine worthy.

Welcome Baby Raquel! 
(and thank you for being my first newborn model} 

Cheddar Bay Breaded Shrimp

The cool breeze is blowing in through the open windows as I type. It's the turn of seasons that I don't mind any longer. I swear it's one of those things that my husband has rubbed off on me after 12 years of telling me that fall is his favorite season. I was never a "fall girl"; I was always a "summer girl". Tanning, beaches, fruity flavored frozen drinks were more my speed, but now a days the thought of soft sweaters, street fairs, apple picking and snuggling up with my hubbie sounds like a perfect day. 

This tasty little recipe is great as an appetizer or a dinner. When you use fresh jumbo shrimp, they are not only tasty but more then enough for an entree. Reminiscent of Red Lobster's "Cheddar Bay Biscuits" these shrimp are breaded with panco and cheddar cheese then baked till golden brown. Then they are brushed with a garlic butter sauce that makes them taste heavenly! Use olive oil if you want to cut down on the fat. Just as yummy! Great little appetizer for the upcoming football season as well.

 Cheddar Bay Breaded Shrimp

 

Strawberry & Mint Champagne Coolers

I'm so excited to announce that I've hit over 100,000 views on my blog since I first started it almost a year ago! I'm so glad that it's been so well received and I hope that everyone is trying and enjoying my recipes. Each recipe that I post is tasted tested by not only my husband and me, but sometimes our friends, family and even coworkers. Thank you so much for following me on my crazy food adventures!

So being that I still had a lot of strawberries left from our strawberry picking adventure, I thought making a nice adult cocktail with some strawberries and fresh mint from the garden sounded just right. This concoction is very light and refreshing. The longer you let the strawberries sit in the mixture, the more flavor the drink takes on. I would suggest making it a day ahead so that all the flavors begin to meld and really enhance the cocktail.

Strawberry & Mint Champagne Coolers

Strawberry Lemonade Yogurt Muffins

So what do you do with all the strawberries you pick at a pick-your-own strawberry farm? You think of every possible strawberry recipe you've wanted to make and you bake up a storm the next day, which is exactly what I did. 

Strawberry Lemonade Yogurt Mufins

(and Strawberry Picking)