Azoresgal~Life on an Island

This salad is easy to make and has a wonderful fresh flavor. It is a great salad to bring to BBQ's or parties, and great as an quick meal. Serve two or serve twenty, just by adding more or less orzo and veggies. Grill up some chicken  or shrimp and add it to the salad to make it a one dish meal. We are still enjoying summer, so after a day at the beach, this salad hits the spot, quick and delicious ! 2 cups dry orzo, cooked in salted water and drained 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes ½ cup finely diced purple onion 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill / 1 tsp dry  ½ cup sliced black olives 1 cup crumbled feta Cook pasta according to directions. While pasta is cooking chop vegetables and dill. Toss all ingredients together. Toss with  as much dressing as you like. Dressing: ¼ cup red wine vinegar Juice of one lemon Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste 4 Tbsp of  honey ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil Put all ingredients in a salad dressing bottle or in a jar w

Happy birthday, Mr.G ! Although it’s your birthday, my mind is filled with all of the gifts that you’ve given me. The gift of Friendship, we were friends before we even dated, you are my best friend. The gift of Laughter, you can still make me laugh at the drop of a hat. The gift of Music, your beautiful voice and guitar strumming fill our life with a beautiful melody. The gift of family, our chi ldren, they could not have a better father. The gift of Time, always driving somewhere, picking up someone, your free time is often for errands. The gift of Strength, you are my pillar, how many times have you held my hand, picked me off the floor, and put me together again. The gift of Stability, all your hard work , makes it possible for me to stay home, and take care of our family. The gift of Acceptance, having me just as I am. The gift of Love, you picked me, and have defended me tooth and nail, all these years, you take care of me and show me love in so many ways. You see, since you ente

Polenta is new to me. It just sounded so fancy, so complicated and for some reason it just scared me. But this week, I finally bought some, made it and discovered that’s so …NOT TRUE!  This dish was easy and delicious ! This week I have made it twice already. I am hooked and the whole family loved it.  I will not lie, this creamy cheesy polenta, served with a fried egg on top, was just out of this world! 4 cups water/ chicken broth 1/2 tsp salt (to taste) 1 cup quick cooking polenta/ cornmeal 2 Tbsp butter 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese Fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for serving To make the polenta, bring the water and salt to a boil in a large, deep pot. (Polenta  will bubble and splatter.) Reduce the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the cornmeal to avoid lumps. Whisk until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the butter and cheese and serve.  Don't be afraid to add a little more hot water/broth if it gets too thick.

I must warn you the following is yet another zucchini recipe! 3....2...1... Are you still there ? Oh good you are, I promise this one is a keeper. If you’ve got a bunch of zucchini you have to use up or you just can’t get your family to eat zucchini, this is your recipe! Even the pickiest non vegetable eater will love these crispy coated bites of hot zucchini goodness.  3 small to medium zucchini, sliced into sticks 2 large eggs, beaten 1/2 cup flour 1 cup panko or bread crumbs 4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. garlic powder Salt and pepper, to taste In a small bowl, beat eggs with a fork until frothy. In another bowl, place flour, and in a third bowl, place your bread crumbs. Toss the breadcrumbs with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and set aside. Dip the zucchini sticks into the flour, then egg, and then into the bread crumb mixture. Make sure all sides get coated well.. I fried them in olive oil( just enough to cover the sticks about 2 inc

 Tiramisu is a popular Italian  layered dessert, it literally means “pick me up”. I love it, but I am not a fan of the raw eggs, common in most recipes. This eggless tiramisu isn’t exactly traditional, but it is delicious  and it takes minutes to put together. If you get the urge to take the whole dish ,a big spoon and want to hide where no one can see you, and slowly devour it all by yourself, please don´t blame me! 2 pkg lady fingers 2 tubs marscapone cheese 1 box  Jello vanilla or cheesecake instant pudding (3.9 oz box) 2 500ml bags heavy whipping cream 2 cups very strong expresso or strong coffee kalhua/ Tia Maria/ Amaretto/ Frangelico (optional) cocoa powder  Prepare your coffee and let it cool ( you can brew it as strong as you like it). Once cooled mix the coffee and Kalhua (you can use any flavored liquor). Set aside.  Mix the whipping cream, marscapone cheese and instant pudding, until whipped stiff. Set aside.  I use a 9x13 deep dish. Dip the lady f