AND THE WINNER IS...

Loaves n Dishes had it's first ever giveaway, and it's come to a close.

After much anticipation a winner has been chosen.

The winner is Celeste!

Celeste you lucky ducky...please email me at:  loavesndishes@gmail.com so that we can exchange information.

Thank-you to those who entered, both those I've known for a while and to the new followers!

BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING plus DILL CROUTONS

In the heat of summer I just crave salads, so you’re probably gonna see quite a few salads, or salad related posts…it’s inevitable.  Don’t even try to fight it, just sit back and enjoy the ride!

When it’s super-hot outside, I’m all about a salad of crisp veggies and a cool, light dressing.  Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is just that.  True buttermilk dressing doesn’t have mayo or sour cream; it’s just buttermilk and lots of herbs.  It’s definitely thinner than a bottled or mixed dressing, but it’s just a cool and refreshing dressing. 

An added bonus to Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is that it’s low in fat, only about a gram of fat per serving.  Don’t get scared off by the fact that it’s low-fat, it’s really herbaceous and full of flavor.  I wouldn’t steer you wrong!

For me a salad also needs an element of crunch, so I made some summery Dill Croutons, which are perfect to serve with a green salad and Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, but would also be really tasty served with Gazpacho!

Just a reminder that if you haven’t done so already; today is the last day to enter the Anthropologie Summer Giveaway!  I’ll announce the winner tomorrow (Wednesday).

 

Here’s what you do.

This dressing is about the herbs, so add just 1/2 clove of garlic that has been smash into a paste.



Whisk in a bunch of tarragon, dill, and chives that have been finely chopped; also add a little salt and pepper.
Refrigerate for at least 1/2 an hour.



Spray or brush some good olive oil on baguette slices.



Grate some fresh cheese over the that; I like Pecorino Romano.

Turn the bread over.  A nice little cheese crust will develope on the bottom...Yum!



Spray or brush the other side of the bread with oil, sprinkle the dill and a little salt & pepper, and more cheese.
 



Bake at 400 degrees until the croutons are toasty and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.



Serve Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and Dill Croutons over a crisp salad with tomatoes and sweet corn!

BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING plus DILL CROUTONS 

BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING

Makes 1 ¾ cups

1 ½         cups      Buttermilk

½            clove     Garlic, smashed to a paste

1             Tbsp.     Fresh Tarragon, finely chopped

1             Tbsp.     Fresh Dill, finely chopped

1 ½         Tbsp.     Fresh Chives, finely chopped

¼            tsp.        Salt

¼            tsp.        Pepper 

1.       Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl, using a whisk.

2.      All the flavors to marry by putting the dressing covered, in the refrigerator for at least ½ hour.

Serve over a green salad, or sliced tomatoes.  You may like to add blue cheese as well.

Note:  Because of the fresh herbs, the dressing will only last about 3 days in the refrigerator.

 

DILL CROUTONS

Makes about 24 croutons 

1                           French Baguette

2             Tbsp.     Olive oil

1/3         cup        Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

2             tsp.        Fresh dill, finely chopped

¼            tsp.        Salt

¼            tsp.        Pepper 

1.       Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.

2.      Slice the baguette on the diagonal a little more than ¼ inch thick and lay the bread slices on in a single layer on a sheet  pan (or two depending on the size or your pan).

3.      Spray or brush olive oil on one side of the bread, sprinkle cheese on it.  Flip the bread over, and spray or brush olive oil on that side of the bread, sprinkle dill  and salt & pepper on the top and sprinkle more cheese on top of that.

5.      Bake until the croutons are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. 

Serve with salad or soup.

 You may also like:

Nectarine (or Peach) and Feta Salad

 

 



ANTHROPOLOGIE GIVEAWAY + SUMMER FUN!

This Giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered!

Summer can get so busy with all the summer fun to be had; and this past week was just that for me! 

I kinda have a lot going on in this post so bear with me!

First I wanna let you know that I’m on Blog Lovin.  I recently imported all the blogs that I followed in Google Reader to Blog Lovin!  I don’t know what took me so long, it’s a great way to read and organize the blogs that I like to read.  Looove it! 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Second, I’m having my first Giveaway!  I found these adorable Whale measuring cups and Merfolk tea towels at Anthropologie and I'm smitten with them.  They are totally summery, and I just love the shades of blue and aqua!  I did not receive the items from Anthropologie; I just loved them and bought them as a great gift to give to one reader as a thank-you for following Loaves n Dishes!

And finally, I wanna tell you what I’ve been up to (why I haven’t been posting) last week!

 

Billy and I took a day trip to Miami Beach (SoBe).  We spent the afternoon having lunch at 11th Street Diner a DDD featured restaurant that Billy wanted to check out.  A stop in front of the Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive is always cool.  We also took a walk on the beach that was covered in tanned, fit bodies.

You know how you pick up one those itty bitty strings that are supposed to be a bathing suit and you wonder who on earth can wear that...the girls who frequent this beach can:(  It's a frowny face because I'm happier when I believe that know one looks good in those suits.

Colorful lifeguard towers dot the white sand of South Miami Beach.

We only live about an hour north of here, but our water doesn't have that turquoise hue!

We stopped by one of our favorite haunts News Cafe for iced coffee, it's open 24 hours has great food and it's a great place for people watching.

Since it was rush hour when we were ready to go home we decided to drive highway A1A to go home.  A1A is the road that goes up the coast, it's not so fast, but it's scenic.  Needing to eat dinner, I remembered that Grampa's Bakery,  was another DDD featured restaurant in Dania Beach.  Yes two Diner's Drive-Ins and Dives restaurants in one day...we're crazy like that!

For the 4th of July we spent the evening on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.  Delray is a happening little city that has some kind of festival, or art show going on at least once a month.  There are also lots of restaurants up and down the Ave.  A couple of good ones...Caffe Martier for lunch, and Tramonti for dinner.

We watched the fireworks at Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.

No matter which weekend it is, this street is always hopping!

Billy and I were invited by our friends Bob and Laura to they're new place in The Lower Keys for the weekend along with our buddies John & Tammy.

The gateway to the Florida Keys...here we go!

On our first night we captured the Killer Key Deer on camera!

Sunrise...I could wake up to this every morning!

By morning light the Killer Key Deer look cute and cuddly.

Don't let the spots and cuteness fool you; this ain't Bambi! 

Bob & Laura took us to the Blue Hole to see a couple of alligators which live there, but we didn't see them.  We did see plenty of turtles, and birds.

 

People of the Keys are laid back and super friendly.

One of the friendly local residents pointed out this lovely to me at the Blue Hole.

We dined at the Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key, really yummy!
If you're curious you may research what a square grouper actually is.  Hint: it's not a fish, and it's not legal!

This is sooo the Keys!

It was too cloudy to see the sun actually set at the Sunset Pier in Key West, but the tourists and entertainers still packed the place!

After the sunset in Key West we had dessert at Square One, Laura had eaten there in the past and loved it...it was definitely a good call by Laura!

Laura made us Dutch Babies for our good-bye breakfast...so yummy!

You know I'll be recreating this!

We didn't see any whales...but we did see frolicking dolphins.

I even like how these ceramic whales look when they're neatly stacked.

The store couldn't keep these towels in stock.  They are 100% cotton, and measure 21 x 28 inches.  The top, bubbles and fish on the Mermaid towel are embroidered; and on the Merman towel the top and mustache are embroidered.

This gift is valued at $70.

I'll be drawing for this summery fun gift for the kitchen in one week, on July 16th, 2013!  The drawing is open to addresses in the U.S and Canada.

If you are my family member you are not eligible for this drawing (It may seem suspicious if you were to win!)  I do love you & thank-you for your support! 

To enter the drawing follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and/or Pinterest.

Please leave me a separate comment for each way you've entered, if your user name is different then the name you commented with then please mention your user name in your comment.  One comment is one entry.

If you already follow me on any of the above mentioned, just leave me a comment (with your user name) telling me that you do.

Don't worry that you don't see the comment immediately, it goes to moderation and then will be visible after moderation.


Thank you again for stopping by and for following Loaves n Dishes!  Good-Luck!!!

WATERMELON TARRAGON AGUA FRESCA + 4th of JULY COOK-OUT ROUND-UP

Canada Day passed me by…Happy Belated Canada Day to my fellow Canucks…yet I’m barely on the ball as far as getting it together for the 4^th of July!  

This is the time of year that I’m getting ready for our yearly vacation so honestly my head is not in the game.  I did clear my head enough to whip up a really refreshing drink for that hot Independence Day BBQ, or just to enjoy while sitting around the pool. 

If all you have is a kiddie pool that works too!

Ooh, or how about the slip and slide...on second thought... I’m pretty sure I’d slip and slide myself right into the emergency room now a days, I’m not as agile as I once was.

Agua Fresca…just the name indicates that it’s cool and refreshing.  Agua Fresca can be made in a variety of ways, but I chose watermelon, cuz watermelon is what I want in the heat of summer.  I paired it with a little tarragon for a lovely herbal note, that’s not too herbal.  While I made mine virgin I’m pretty darned sure that Watermelon Tarragon Agua Fresca would make a tasty summer cocktail.

I’ve also prepared a round-up of some tasty dishes that are perfect for a 4^th of July party, or just for a summer barbecue!

Happy Independence Day Y’all!

Corn Tomato and Avocado Salad

Mango Slaw is great as a side, as well as a topping for hotdogs or pulled pork sammies!

 

Cuz there has got to be potato salad...Dilly Green Bean Potato Salad

This Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burger is always a hit!

 

Vegetarians and Herbivores alike will love Stuffed Portabellas Stacked with Grilled Veggies.

 

For dessert, what's more American than peanut butter?  Peanut Butter and Banana Cake with Peanut Butter and Honey Frosting

More burgers and toppings:
Jalapeno Mayonnaise or Easy Peasy Peach BBQ Sauce

The Most Amazing Asian Burgers 
Greek Burgers with Feta Olive Burger Sauce


 Sides and salads: 
 Penne Pasta with Grilled Veggies and Smoked Gouda
 Beef and Cheese Jalapeno Pepper Poppers
 Nectarine (or peach) and Feta Salad

Desserts:
Chocolately, Coconut & Almond Rice Krispy Treats
Ginger and Lime Scented Pineapple Upside Down Cake


Here's what you do for refreshing Watermelon Tarragon Agua Fresca.
 

About 1/4 of a watermelon will make 4 drinks.

Cut the watermelon into 1 inch cubes.

A little tarragon goes a long way in this drink; you will need about a teaspoon chopped up.

Mint or basil would be great in this as well.

My blender will only do half a batch at a time, so I added half the watermelon and tarragon with a little honey.  Start with the least amount of honey, how much you will need depends on the sweetness of the watermelon.

I added the juice of half a lemon and 1/4 cup of water (the water is just to facilitate the blender).

 If you have a larger blender than go ahead and blend it all together at once.

Blend until the watermelon is pureed.

 Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to marry.

Pour the chilled Agua Fresca through a strainer to remove any seeds and pulp.

To make the drink pretty go ahead and rub a lemon on the rim of the glasses...

...And dip them in a little sugar.  Allow the sugar to set up on the glasses for a few minutes.

Add some ice and the Agua Fresca to the glasses.

Since I wasn't serving my entire batch, I added some lemon flavored club soda to each glass.

If you are serving the batch all at once you may add the soda to the pitcher of Agua Fresca if you like.

Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of tarragon.

WATERMELON TARRAGON AGUA FRESCA

Serves 4 to 6

 

8              cups         Watermelon cut into about 1 inch cubes (about ¼ watermelon)

¼ to ½     cup           Honey (start with ¼ cup and increase the honey depending upon the sweetness of the watermelon)

1                              Lemon, juice of

½              cup          Water

1               tsp.          Fresh tarragon, chopped (mint or basil would also be yummy)

1               cup          Sparkling water or club soda (lemon flavored is nice) 

You may like sugar to rim the glasses, as well as lemon wedges and tarragon sprigs for garnish.

   1.       You will probably need to make the Agua Fresca in two batches, depending upon the size of your blender.  Blend together all of the ingredients except the sparkling water (or club soda). 

   2.       Chill the blended ingredients for at least 30 minutes, this allows the flavor to marry as well as getting cold.

   3.       Pour the cooled Agua Fresca through a strainer into a pitcher.  Add the sparkling water (or club soda right before serving (if you won't be serving the whole batch immediately, then add 2 ounces of the sparkling water to each glass instead of the whole pitcher).

   4.       Pour a little sugar into a saucer or shallow bowl.  Wet the rim of each glass with a little lemon juice, and dip the glasses into the sugar.  Allow them to set up for a minute of two.

   5.       Add some ice to each glass and pour the Agua Fresca over the ice.  Garnish with a lemon wedge and sprig of tarragon.

Notes: 

To make this into a refreshing cocktail, add 1/2 cup of vodka or light rum to the blender instead of 1/2 cup of water.

If you have the fore sight to make this in advance, you may like to make some extra and freeze it in ice cube trays.  You can add Agua Fresca ice cubes, instead of regular ice cubes to the drink to keep it from getting diluted.