Wednesday, August 31, 2011

corn and zucchini fritters

These are great and a sneaky way to get in veggies for those that are not partial to them - like me!!  Well, I don't mind them but get sick of the same old preparations.  Enjoy!

Total Time: 45 min Prep 25 min Cook 20 min Yield: 6 to 8 servings Level: Easy

Zucchini-Corn Fritters
2 medium zucchini, coarsely shredded
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 ears corn, kernels cut off
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
Vegetable oil, for frying

Toss the zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Wrap the zucchini in a kitchen towel and squeeze dry.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk and egg in a large bowl, then stir in the corn-onion mixture and zucchini. Add the cornmeal mixture and stir until just combined.

Heat about 1/8 inch vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, scoop scant 1/4 cupfuls of the batter into the oil and use the back of the measuring cup to flatten the scoops. Cook until the fritters are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. (You can make the fritters up to 2 hours ahead; reheat in a 375 degrees F oven on a rack set on a baking sheet.)

* If you don't mind tossing half of an egg, I would definitely cut this recipe in half.  It made a ton and I am not sure how well they will reheat.  Do heed their advice on the portion size.  Much bigger and the middle doesn't get cooked fully.  Just make sure to thin them out thoroughly.  To make them healthier, I sauteed the veggies in olive oil instead of butter.  You might could even use 1/2 c of fat-free milk instead of the 3/4 c of buttermilk (they were plenty soupy) and try frying in olive oil.  I haven't tested these last two yet but they might work. *

Monday, August 22, 2011

megan and adi's big day!!!



Whoops, can't figure out to add this and move it down.  So, here is a preview of the ceremony!!!

Last weekend, we celebrated Megan and Adi!  It was an amazing weekend and everyone had a blast!  They got married at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA on Lake Oconee - beautiful!

I hope to link to the photog's photos because I was not able to get as many as I would have liked.  But, here are some until then!

On Thursday night, Adi's parents hosted all the family and friends that were in town for a Bosnian cookout.  It was fantastic!  Here is Brad with some of his family from FL and PA.  Most everyone was outside enjoying the nice weather. 

Hunt, one of the groomsmen, with Megan.  They were Mr. and Mrs. Lakeside High School.  :)

The pool at the Ritz.

View from our suite.

Infiniti pool overlooking the lake.


Bridesmaid luncheon.  The Cali girls weren't there yet.  :(

Megan with me and Lauren - her co-mohs.  :)

The family getting ready for the rehearsal.

View from the top of the hill, about to walk down to the ceremony site. 

Megan and Adi at the cocktail reception after the rehearsal dinner.  This was out by the pool and there was a full moon shining down and reflecting off the lake.  If I had a better camera, I would have a decent photo but oh well...

Lauren, Brad, Aunt Ellie and Dad.

The BEAUTIFUL bride getting ready.

The reveal!  Megan went to meet Adi and take pics before the ceremony.

Brad and I at the ceremony.

Dad with Bill and Debbie.

The happy couple!

With Levi.  So glad my family could make it!

Levi dancing with Mom!

After the reception, we ran into April and Thomas at the bar!!  They were staying there for the weekend with a big group of folks from Athens.

And, late night, we were all serenaded by Hunt.  Who knew he played the piano?!?  We got some Stones, Smokey Robinson and other fun stuff.  April was helping with the lyrics, along with all of us around the piano.  So fun!!

showering amber & alex

Weekend before last, we attended a shower for Amber and Alex Lawrence.  They are adding a boy, Law, to their cute little family. 

Amber showing off a super-cute shirt for their daughter, Georgia Ann.

Me with Gayle and Melanie.  I think my eyes are closed - oops.

Trey, Allen, Brad, Eric and Alex.  These guys have been friends for many, many years!

recipes

For those of you that like to check out the recipes I post, I have added a new link to the right that will make that easier.  Please share any tips or alterations that you may have made and enjoyed!

is it fall yet?

As soon as it gets cool enough, Brad and I will be here every night.  Love our little firepot and adirondack chairs!

apple, bacon & cream cheese sandwich

I am not a sandwich person but this is simply divine and I think you should all try it immediately.  :)


While working at Kiawah, we would go up to Freshfields and eat at Ladles (a lot).  This ABC sandwich was a special and always meant a field trip was in store.

This was my first attempt to recreate it and it will definitely be a work in progress.  But, one that I will enjoy every variation of the way!!

I toasted whole wheat bread and slathered it with a cream cheese spread, thinly sliced Granny Smiths (the only ones to use in my opinion) and crisply cooked bacon strips.  

For the cream cheese, I seasoned it with garlic and basil but used a little too much.  I would say go light on that but, obviously, do so to your taste.   

Good luck and enjoy!!  The work will be worth it - promise!