Soufflé

Cheese soufflé is one of my favorite vegetarian meals.  It can serve 3 for a light dinner or 4 for a lunch.  The other day I had a smaller group for dinner, just my husband, myself and one child.  So I decided to make cheese soufflé.  I like to use Alton Brown's recipe; it is almost foolproof.  Every time I cook it I get a gorgeous meal.  

With soufflé or any sort of eggs as a matter of fact I enjoy bread.  As I've posted before I also like to make my own bread.  This bread is a pesto bread that is an old recipe from Bon Appétit.  I love to make it in the summer when I can use the basil from my garden mixed with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.  It makes it just that more special.

We rounded out the meal with a green salad of local greens and of course some wine.  Unfortunately not mine since I'm waiting for my second batch of lettuce to grow for the fall.  As usual I dressed it with a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. 

Bon Appétit 

and as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth

A Day at the Gardens

I love gardens and now matter how much I think I'll be better about our yard in the summer I can't make it perfect. So I love to visit gardens for inspiration and relaxation. This weekend my husband and I spent a few hours at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens.  This is about 30 minutes from our house and we of course have never been.  I have heard about them watching the local news; there is an annual Christmas light show in the winter.  I would really like to go one year.  However in the summer the flowers were beautiful and there were 3 weddings going on.  I've included some beautiful pictures from our afternoon.  

I always love rose gardens.

I'm standing under a grape and green bean arbor.

A super cute fairy garden.

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Dining in Sarasota Florida

A few weeks ago I posted a few of my favorite recipes for all of the fresh fish my husband caught during our family vacation to Long Boat Key.  Honestly most nights we eat in; this way we can stay at the beach longer or enjoy the pool until when ever we want.  However sometimes it is really nice just to go out to dinner or lunch and not have to do dishes.  When I go out I really am very picky. We've tried several places in the area but a few are new this year to us and others have stood the test of time.  So I thought I'd put together a list of a few good restaurants that my whole family enjoys.

Rick's French Bistro  was new to us this year.  If you like simple French food this is it.  The restaurant is run by Rick and his wife who does all of the cooking.  There is seating for about 40 so call ahead for reservations.   We went twice and both times the food was lovely.  The menu is very small, but I enjoyed my salmon plate followed by lamb chops and creme brulé.  They also have a small wine list and you can also bring your own wine for a uncorking fee.  We enjoyed our first dinner so much we came back at a later day. As a side note it was so nice to speak in French to people who are not my students.  

C'est la vie was another new to us restaurant.  We went there for lunch and I really enjoyed their salade nicoise.  Other members of my family loved their omelets and of course desserts.  They have a wonderful pear tart and great breads.  A couple of times I went into town just to pick up good bread and dessert for the night.  

The Old Salty Dog has been a family favorite for many years.  The restaurant doesn't look like anything from the outside yet you are sitting right on the water enjoying your food. I really like their mussels and with a glass of Chardonnay I could stay their all day.  

Portofinio is another long standing family favorite.  You can order pizza out or go for dinner.  The restaurant is part of the Long Boat Key Club and looks out onto the marina. I love their caciucco, a fish stew.  

Bon Appétit!

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth