A Perfect Scare ~ A Recommendation

This is the perfect scary, classic movie. It has elements of autumal colors, suspense, mystery , magic and spiders ... getting ready for halloween! Something Wicked This Way Comes is a thrilling, mysterious tale.

First Day Of Fall, A Yummy Recipe To Celebrate The Season ~

Apple Cinnamon Roll Cupcake ~

Recipe link- click on Title. Looks yummy, I will be making this today.. Sounds so good!

It's Been A Year This Month ~

 

When I started our blog a year ago this month, I never even imagined what fun and all the enjoyment it would give to me. Starting out as just something to update friends and family on our current interests and experiences, it has become much more than that. Thinking of what I want to create and the ideas for the posts has really kept me motivated and inspired. Some months It seems I have more to say than others but I like to keep things organic and real, my second blog helps to give me an outlet for fashion and design, which is great! So excited about another year for hopefully many more years to come of blogging.  We always appreciate you stopping by and hope you keep enjoying Our Haven Place!

Love, Megan And Daniel -

We Love Glee, Hope They Win An Emmy Tonight!

The Kitchen Cupboard, Mediterranean Flavors

Hummus-

12 oz chickpeas, soaked overnight

1 small dried red chili

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds or ground cumin

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 clove, peeled

1 1/2 tablespoons tahini ( sesame paste)

4 tablespoons extra -virgin olive oil

fresh lemon juice ( 2 tablespoons)

Rinse the soaked chickpeas and put in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and simmer for1 1/2 hours ofr until tender, skimming as necessary. Drain, saving a little of the cooking water.

In a mortar and pestle pond the chili and cumin with teaspoon of salt. In a food processor, finely chop the garlic, then add chickpeas, chili, cumin and  tahini and pulse them until smooth. Add the salt, pepper, oil and lemon juice to taste. If you prefer the hummus a bit thinner, add a little of cooking water until you're happy. Enjoy with pita bread!

Tomato Feta Pasta Salad-

1/2 pound fusilli ( spirals) pasta

kosher salt

good olive oil

1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium -diced

3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced

1 pound good feta cheese, medium -diced

6 sun- dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For Dressing-

 5 sun- dried tomatoes in oil, drained

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, diced

1 teaspoon capers, drained

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup freashly grated parmesan cheese

1 cup packed flat leaf parsley, chopped

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water with a splash of olive oil to keep it from sticking. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun- dried tomatoes.

For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth.

Pour dressing over pasta, sprinkle with parmesan and parsley, and toss well. So Yummy and flavorful.

(Recipe from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa)

Lamb Burgers-

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh mint

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce ( recipe follows)

5 petite pita rounds

Garnish: sliced cucumber, chopped pistachios if you like, fresh mint

In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, garlic, mint, parsley, cumin, coriander, pepper and salt. Shape mixture into 5 patties.

Preheat grill to medium- high heat (350' to 400' degrees). Spray grill with nonstick nonflammable cooking spray. 

Grill, covered with grill lid, for 7 to 8 minutes on each side, or until an instant- read thermometer inserted in the center of patty reads 160' degrees.

Spread desired amount of cucumber sauce over each pita round. Top each with lamb patty. Garnish with cucumber, pistachios, and fresh mint, if desired.

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce- 

2 cups plain greek- style yogurt

2/3 cup peeled, seeded, and diced cucumber

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

In a small bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, pistachios, salt and pepper. Cover and chill.

(Recipe for lamb burgers and sauce from Paula Deen, love her.)

Yes, I Found It!

This is our all time favorite painting. Which I just found, finally online. It moved around with us for so many years. It's back in our storage unit in Las Vegas, I miss it so much and it made me so happy to see it again.  It's by the artist Gary Kelly which for some reason I forgot. I love the colors and the beautiful parisan street. Of course I think it's also very romantic. So Lovely!

Great Summer Reads ~

I'm really into cookbooks, I seem to take them to bed and read them like novels.

 I just love the personal stories and beautiful photographs.

The summer is a great time for cooking or for a lighter, healthful side, grilling.  Here are some fun cookbooks as well as fun beauty/ life-style books.

Cookbooks ~

"Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights"

This is such a beautiful cookbook, full of charming stories and yummy recipes. Sophie Dahl is so adorable. Not only is she Author - Roald Dahl's granddaughter (many family stories, so cute). She is a model and a great writer. It was so enjoyable. I'll keep reading and making these recipes, throughout the years. It's a keeper!

"Recipes From An Italian Summer"

This is a wonderful book if you love to cook. It gives great idea's on grilling plus how to jazz up family favorites. I just love the cover! So bright and friendly.

"The Taste Of Summer"

This book is so helpful, with tons of useful information, It makes cooking so easy, especially during the summer months.

---------------------------------

Beauty And Lifestyle Books ~

"The World's Best- Kept  Beauty Secrets"

I've learned alot from this book. From fashion idea's, tricks of the trade and diet information. It's fantastic!

"Getting The Pretty Back"

Growing up in the 80's actress Molly Ringwald was our Audrey Hepburn. Since she is also a red head I so looked up to her. She has such charm and a wonderful sense of style, plus she has many of the same interests as I do, so I connected to alot of her stories. She also included some yummy recipes. She talks about family, staying true to who you are and growing older with a sense of  humor  as well as having fun and being kinder to yourself. Loved!

Enjoy the Summer!

Happy 4th Of July America~

The Kitchen Cupboard~ Salsa And Yummy Guacamole!

I haven't written a recipe in a while so here are some mouth watering favorites.

Tomato Salsa -

2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped ( I don't really like cilantro so I skip it..)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 onion, chopped

In the container of a blender or food processor, combine tomato, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Pulse to desired consistency. Add onion, and pulse three times. Cover, and chill. It's so good ~ 

Roasted Corn, Pepper And Black Bean Salsa -

4 roma tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

2 poblano peppers, cut in half lengthwise

2 cups fresh corn kernels ( about 3 -4 ears)

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

4 green onions, sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 500'degree's. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Place tomatoes and peppers, skin side up, on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle corn kernels around peppers. Bake for 20 minutes, or until vegetables look blistered.

Place tomatoes and peppers in a resealable plastic bag; seal, and let stand 10 minutes to loosen skins. Peel and chop tomatoes. Peel peppers; remove and discard seeds, and finely chop. Place chopped tomatoes, peppers, and corn  in a large bowl. Add black beans, green onions, oil, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Delish!

( Salsa recipes from Paula Deen)

 Megan's-  Holy Guacamole-

4 avocado's, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped

2 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 half red onion finely chopped, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

( I sometimes go without the tomatoes, It's great either way.)

In a large bowl, combine avocado, tomato, onion , lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a fork or I use a potato masher. Mash to desired consistency. Serve immediately. I love it served with pita chips.

I think you will like this recipe, I came up with it many years ago, friends and family love it!

I hope you try and enjoy these recipes.  Super easy, tasty and fresh!

All Things Summer~

 What we like about summer. From childhood memories to what we enjoy right now .  

A Fun Day At The Museum ~

Last week Daniel and I spent a wonderful day looking at an art exhibition of American Impressionism from 1870-1940. We love history so seeing America through the eyes of these masterful artists was great fun. It was extremely thought provoking. The whole time we were walking around I was thinking of my Grandpa Judd, who was also an artist and painter, who also used oil paints.  He painted his surroundings as well. The beautiful peaks of the Red Mountains and glorious wild flowers and  sun sets in his small Utah town. I always feel him around me when I see nature or any kind of art. He inspires me.
 We also  saw an amazing exhibit of photography from Clyde Butcher, who takes beautiful black and white photographs of the swamp and marsh lands and the National Parks here in Florida. We loved it! Such a lovely day. Here are some of the artists we saw.-

The Cooper's Come For A Visit~ And A Trip To St. Augustine FL.

This And That ~ Our Love Of Old Windows

40th Anniversary Of Earth Day

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, We Love It!

A Day At The Farm Stand ~

In The Garden ~ Beautiful Inspiration

Zest For Life- Lemon Cake

Lemon Cake Recipe-

Ingredients needed:

1/2 pound ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 extra- large eggs at room temperature

1/3 cup grated lemon zest ( 6 to 8 large lemons)

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

3/4 cup buttermilk room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 Recipe From The Barefoot Contessa, my favorite Lemon Cake - Delish!

*Just click on the post title above ( Zest for Life- Lemon Cake) it will link you to Food Network to print out full recipe* Enjoy!!