Watermelon Margarita Slices

We had a cookout on our patio for the 4th of July and I knew I wanted to keep it pretty classic with burgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, ruffles and chip dip, and watermelon. Somewhere online I had read about poking a funnel into a watermelon and pouring in vodka. This sounded so incredible. However, I found an ever better recipe via my favorite lady, Martha Stewart. You basically turn a slice of watermelon into a margarita. And they were so good! Totally going to be my new summer party staple. I sort of followed her recipe...I never really measure anything so I guess I just used it as a guide line. Also, I would make the simple syrup the day before and let it cool, then mix the liquor with it later. It doesn't make sense to heat it all up on the stove like the recipe calls for. Put the slices in gallon sized plastic freezer bags while everything is marinating. After you take the fruit out, pour off all the delicious, boozy juice to drink later. Mmm...this will probably revolutionize your summer.

It's been awhile

I totally abandoned my Wednesday baking ritual as you could probably tell. I still have been cooking and baking but I took a little break from the internet. It is fun to photo-document what I make and put the recipes online because if anything, I know where to look everything up in the future. So, hopefully, I can get in the swing of updating this thing again. Also, I have been extremely busy with work and now that it is summer, I have a lot of pool time I have to get in!

My birthday was a couple months ago and I got some great cookbooks from my mom...

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar

The great thing about vegan cookie dough is that you can eat as much as you want! Also, I was carrying a plate of just baked gingersnaps over to my friend's house for a cookout and the cookies caught the eye of a man out walking with his friends--He said he had to have one and then gave me a dollar. Hah! My first official sale!






The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City
I devoured this book. It was amazing. David Lebovitz has a great sense of humor and I love his observations about Paris, it's people, and food. Between chapters are recipes for things like Cinnamon Meringue with Espresso Caramel Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce, and Candied Almonds. And, yes, that is one recipe. I love this man.











Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

I have to admit I haven't actually made anything from the cookbook yet, but once I do it's going to be great! So many vegetarian cookbooks are just full of side dish recipes for vegetables and this one has really great complete meal recipes.