Azoresgal~Life on an Island

 This is a quick meal that’s perfect for the lazy days of summer that are upon us . Made with a few simple fresh ingredients, it takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and tastes amazing. For a summer meal that´s light and meatless, you really should give it a try. I promise you will love it! 100 g spaghettini or vermicelli pasta 2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed 100 g cherry tomatoes, chopped 5 basil leaves, shredded To serve 5 basil leaves, shredded 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1.In a large saucepan cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 5 6 minutes, before      draining. 2.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the garlic for about 2 minutes until soft but not    brown. 3.Put in the tomatoes and a pinch of salt and cook for a few more minutes, adding a splash of water.  Cook until the tomatoes are tender and have a saucy consistency. Add the chopped basil. 4.To serve: stir t...

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." - Sam Keen  One of my favorite quotes, and perfect for the middle of August, when not a heck of alot is going on around here. Well not unless you count the swimming, the grilling, the entertaining or the drinking on the patio! This has been one of our favorite drinks this summer. I love a good gin & tonic, it is actually one of my favorite drinks. Now imagine adding summer ripe strawberries and fragrant mint. Trust me it is a winner, you will not regret making it. So go and grab the ingredients, and make yourself some Strawberry Mint Gin & Tonics. While your at it, clear your agenda for the afternoon....and just be lazy...go on..it's the respectable thing to do! 2- 3 large strawberries, stems removed and halved 1 tsp. sugar 4 small mint leaves 1 1/2 oz. gin 1 lime wedge 4 - 6 oz. tonic water Place strawberries, sugar, and mint in a mason jar or tall glass. Muddle to combine. Add gin and...

Well summer has finally made its way to the islands! We have  had some bright sunny, hot days, only a handful so far, but I am not complaining. As soon as we get a glimpse of the sun, the kids and I run outside to the patio and the pool, to soak up the warm rays. Sadly because we have had more rain than sun, things in the garden are not going according to plan. There won't be a whole lot of tomatoes this year. They are still very tiny, and more green than red, but perhaps with some luck we will enjoy some ripe juicy ones as the weeks go by. Fresh tomatoes are perfect for this egg dish, and in turn this egg dish is perfect for the lazy hot days. I have some fond food memories attached to it, I just always remember it as one of my dad's favorite meals, and it also reminds me of summers spent at my Tia Laura's house. It's a perfect little meal, served hot or cold, as an appetizer, lunch or dinner. Mr. G likes these eggs served with thick slices of rustic bread, the kids an...

Cracker what ?? You read that right, a cracker pudding! This dessert is a classic from my childhood, my mom and my aunts always made this for our family parties,birthdays, BBQs. It is fantastic, lots of layers,  nice and light but not to sweet and super easy to make. If you don't tell your guests it is made with saltine crackers, they will think it is puff pastry. The crackers soften up, don't worry they do not get mushy, they flake up, ending up with a puff pastry texture. You will not regret making this, your friends and family will love it ! I promise! Saltine crackers 2 small pkg.  Jello vanilla instant pudding (+ 4 cups of milk) Large tub of  cool whip Topping (pie filling, or fresh fruit) Mix the pudding as directed on the boxes. Put a thin layer of cool whip in a 9x13 pan. Just enough to keep crackers in place. Now start the layers.... 1-Crackers 2-1/2 the cool whip 3-Crackers 4-1/2 the pudding 5-Crackers 6-Rest of pudding 7-Cracker...

Angel food cake is light, airy and fluffy-as-a-cloud! Simple to make, and super delicious, a perfect spring-time dessert that you can make with only a few ingredients. It is lovely served on its own, but is also wonderful served with fresh fruit, or a fruit sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. 1 cup (130 g) cake flour (not self-rising) 1 cup (200 g), plus 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups egg whites (from about 12 large eggs), at room temperature 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Have a 9-inch (23 cm) tube pan ready. (Do not use a non-stick tube pan.) Set oven rack to the lowest position. 2. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. 3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, begin to whip the egg whites on medium speed. When they become foamy, add the cream of tartar and lemon juice. 4. Increase the speed to high and conti...

Nothing says summer like burgers. Now imagine burgers made with chicken, lime, tequila  and with a few extra yummy things added in! How could it not be good? While you have the tequila out, why not make some margarita's to sip on ! 1 kilo//2 lbs ground chicken (I ground up fresh boneless/skinless chicken breasts) 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped 4 cloves garlic minced 1 lime (juice) 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 2 oz Tequila Mix all the ingredients together in bowl. Let flavors mingle, about an hour in the fridge. When you are ready to grill/ or pan fry, form into patties, I got about 10. When burgers are almost done, top with cheese and allow to melt.  Remove from grill/fry pan and place on toasted bun.  Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy! source