Crazy for Zucchini

Here in the Midwest it has been one long, steamy, sticky summer. And because there has been so much rain, I feel like every time I turn around someone is handing me one monster-sized zucchini. Between you and me, I don’t love zucchini, I don’t dislike it, it’s just not one of my fav veggies. For me, I love roasting it in the oven tossed with some salt, pepper, olive oil and then a quick toss of parmesan cheese and serve.   Since I have been forced to get creative with my over abundance of zucchini, I have found these tasty recipes to try out.

Mom’s Zucchini Bread from www.allrecipes.com:

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Zucchini Oven Chips from www.cookinglight.com:

Ingredients

• 1/4  cup  dry breadcrumbs
• 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/4  teaspoon  seasoned salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  garlic powder
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 2  tablespoons  fat-free milk
• 2 1/2  cups  (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately.

Ziti with Sausage and Zucchini from www.goodhousekeeping.com:

Ingredients

• 1 package(s) (16 ounces) ziti rigate or wagon-wheel pasta
• Salt, to taste
• 3/4 pound(s) sweet Italian-sausage links, casings removed
• 3 medium (about 8 ounces each ) zucchini, each cut lengthwise in half, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 can(s) (28 ounces) whole plum tomatoes
• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

1. In large saucepot, prepare pasta in boiling salted water as label directs.
2. Meanwhile, heat nonstick 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add sausage meat and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to break up sausage. With slotted spoon, transfer sausage to bowl.
3. Discard all but 1 tablespoon sausage drippings from skillet. Add zucchini, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until zucchini is golden, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes with their juice; heat to boiling, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon. Return sausage to skillet. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer about 5 minutes longer.
4. Drain pasta; return to saucepot. Add sausage mixture; toss well. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if you like.

Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers from www.foodnetwork.com (recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentis:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano
• 1/4 cup dried plain bread crumbs
• 1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
• 2 zucchini, ends removed, halved lengthwise and crosswise
• 1 short orange bell pepper, halved and seeded
• 1 short red bell pepper, halved and seeded
• 1 short yellow bell pepper, halved and seeded
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

Directions

Memories of Your Wedding Day

"For the Bride on Her Wedding Day" Memory Journal

What is the first piece of advice you hear regarding your wedding day? Savor every second of it! Right, easier said than done. For most brides and grooms the day flashes by in on big blur.  Moments of Elegance has the perfect gift to capture the day and all the days leading up to the BIG DAY.  It is the “For the Bride on Her Wedding Day” Memory Journal ($28.99).

This relationship journal is the ultimate in personal gifts. It is beautifully outlined with 23 suggested topics about your relationship and the bride’s upcoming wedding. You (with the help of the topics) simply fill out the journal, and give it to the bride. Guaranteed she will be absolutely moved by this gift!

This journal is suitable for a member of her wedding party to fill out for her- such as a BRIDESMAID, MAID/MATRON OF HONOR. Or can also be filled out by another CLOSE FRIEND. We have also designed the topics so the MOTHER OF THE BRIDE can fill it out for her daughter as well!

This journal is a unique and thoughtful gift that you can give at the rehearsal dinner, day of the wedding, or other perfect occasion.

Included, are such topics as:

• Things you’ve done that I’m proud of…
• Things What you’ve taught me- about things, life & myself…
• My hopes and dreams I’d like to share with you…
• What I gain most from our relationship…
• Special wishes for you on your wedding day…
• What If it were the last time we spoke, what I would say to you…

and more!

This will surely be one of the bride’s favorite & treasured wedding gifts because of the thought put into it. It is the perfect way to express your gratitude for your friendship & give your best wishes.

Cheese: 101

Wine and cheese go together like, well, like wine and cheese.  Yet, taking a trip to the local cheesemonger can be a bit tricky because there are just so many types of cheese.  Cheese has been around for like 4,000 years and since people have been making cheese from cows, goats, sheep to buffalo and yaks. Here’s a crash course on CHEESE 101.

Most Popular Cheeses

Blue (Bleu):  Noted for its white and blue-streaked markings, blue cheese has a soft and often crumbly texture. 

Brick:  A softer, yellow cheese available in slightly, soft-medium firm texture. Commonly available in sliced, and brick forms.

Brie:  Has an outer edible white coating and a mild-strong creamy inside. Originally from France, brie is available in wedge and round shapes.

Camembert:  Reputed to be the favorite cheese of Napoleon, Camembert cheese has a soft, yellow inside. Its outer coating is also edible and is usually a grayish-white color. This cheese takes from four to eight weeks to ripen.

Cheddar:  Normal color is white to medium-yellow. Mild to very sharp taste. Firm smooth texture. Comes in numerous shapes and originated in England.

Cheshire:  A semi-firm, mild creamy cheese, loosely textured and crumbly. The flavor of red and white are similar. The red is colored with natural vegetable dye from the seeds of the annatto tree and is the most expensive. They ripen within a few weeks.

Colby:  A white to medium-yellow orange cheese. Has a mild to mellow flavor and has a soft texture similar to cheddar. It is available in cylindrical, pie-shaped wedges. Originated in the U.S.

Edam:  Creamy yellow or medium yellow-orange cheese with a surface coating of red was. Has a mellow and nut-like flavor. Semi-soft to firm texture with small irregular shaped round holes. Milkfat content is lower than Gouda. Usually available in a cannonball shape. Originated in the Netherlands.

Feta:  A curd cheese which is set in a very concentrated salt solution. Made from either goat’s or sheep’s milk. A sharp, salty cheese and usually found chemical-free.

Farmers Cheese:  Similar to cottage cheese and pot cheese, but is pressed into a block form. Usually free of preservatives if bought in bulk from a Deli.

Gjetost:  Golden brown colored cheese with sweet caramel flavor. Made from whey or goat’s milk. Has a firm buttery consistency. Available in cubes or rectangular pieces. Originated in Norway.

Gorgonzola:  Has a creamy white inside, mottled or streaked with blue-green ribbons of mold and a clay-colored surface. Has a tangy, peppery flavor and a semi-soft crumbly texture. Similar to Blue cheese. If made from goat’s milk, it will be best.

Gouda:  A creamy yellow or medium yellow-orange cheese that usually has a red wax coating and a nutlike flavor. Semi-soft to firm texture. Higher fat content than Edam cheese. Contains small irregular shaped or round holes. Comes in a bell shape with flat top and bottom.

Gruyere:  A variation of Swiss cheese, but usually without the use of bleached milk making it higher in vitamin content. If mold inhibitors are added, the information will be on the label.

Limburger:  Has a creamy white interior and a reddish yellow surface. It is a highly pungent cheese with a very strong flavor. Ripens in four to eight weeks and has a soft, smooth texture. Originated in Belgium, Germany.

Mozzarella:  A creamy white cheese made from whole or partly skimmed milk with a firm texture. Available in small round, shredded or in slices.  Originated in Italy.

Muenster:  Has a creamy white inside and a yellow-tan surface. Mild to mellow flavor with a semi-soft texture. Contains more moisture than brick cheese. Available in wedges, blocks and circular cakes. Originated in Germany.

Mysost:  A light brown cheese with a sweet caramel flavor with a buttery consistency. Available in cubical, cylindrical and pie shaped wedges. Originated in Norway.

Neufchatel:  A white cheese with a mild acidic flavor. Has a smooth texture similar to cream cheese but lower in milkfat. Originated in France.

Parmesan:  Creamy white cheese with a hard granular texture and sharp piquant taste. It has less of a moisture content and a lower milkfat level than Romano. Originated in Italy.

Port du Salut:  A creamy yellow cheese with a mellow to robust flavor. Has a buttery texture with small holes. Comes in wedges or wheels. Originated in France.

Provolone:  Has a light creamy interior with a light brown or golden yellow surface. The flavor is mellow and has a smooth texture. May have coloring added and is usually salted or smoked. Originated in Italy.

Ricotta:  A normally white cheese with a somewhat sweet, nutlike flavor. Usually made from cow’s milk, whole or partially skimmed with or without whey and resembles cottage cheese.

Romano:  A yellow-white cheese with a greenish-black surface and a sharp flavor. It has a hard granular texture and is available in wedges or grated. Similar to Parmesan but made with whole milk giving it a higher fat content. May contain a number of preservatives. The best is made from sheep’s milk. Originated in Italy.

Roquefort:  Has a white creamy interior and may be marbled or streaked with bluish veins of mold. Usually made of sheep’s milk and has a peppery flavor with a semi-soft crumbly texture.  Originated in France.

Stilton:  Has a creamy white inside with streaks of blue-green mold. Made with cow’s milk and milder than Gorgonzolaor Roquefort. The texture is semi-soft and is more crumbly than Blue cheese. Originated in England.

Swiss:  A light yellow cheese that has a sweet nut-like flavor and a smooth texture with a variety of different size holes. It has a good firm texture and is available in rectangular forms and slices. Originated in Switzerland. May use bleached milk to give it the yellow color. This will reduce the vitamin content. One ounce equals 105 calories.

Tilsit:  Has ivory to yellow semi-soft interior. Made from raw milk and ripened for about five months.  Originated in Germany.

How To Buy Cheese:

1. Be Bold, Be Brave – ask questions, ask to try a slice, ask what is in season, yep, cheese has seasons!
2. The Nose, Knows — smell your cheese. If it smells sour or like a barnyard it is past its prime.
3. Crack is Wack — if the cheese is cracked or starting to dry up around the edges, just say no.
4. Taste Test — ask for a slice and also ask for wine pairings too.
5. Treat Your Cheese Well– Your cheese was made by hand with love, so when you take it home be sure to wrap it in wax paper, plastic wrap or foil and store in a humidity controled door. Never FREEZE your CHEESE.

How To Build the Perfect Cheese Plate:

There are five cheese types and you will want to draw from each to build the perfect cheese plate. The five styles of cheese are:  fresh, washed-rind, bloomy, pressed, and blue. Then add some palate-cleansers (olives, nuts, bread) and flavor-enhancers (honey, quince paste, fruit preserves, or aged balsamic).

Fresh cheeses are soft, mild-tasting and creamy: Anything without a distinct rind is considered a fresh cheese. They range in flavor and texture from fresh mozzarella, ricotta, or goat cheese to salty brined feta.

Washed-rind cheeses are bathed in liquid, whether beer, wine, or water to encourage the development of helpful bacteria that add tons of complex flavor. Meunster’s the most common washed-rind cheese available here; you might also see Taleggio or Raclette in your store.

Bloomy cheeses are rich and intense, with creamy insides and a semi-firm, edible white rind. Brie, traditionally made with raw milk. Other favorites are Brillat-Savarin, Pierre Robert, or the super-runny St. Marcellin.

Pressed cheeses are firmer, with harder rinds. Most hard and semi-hard cheeses fall into this category, from Parmigiano-Reggiano, Romano, and Asiago, to Cheddar, Gouda, and Gruyere. Their flavors are all over the map — Parmigiano-Reggiano is deep and nutty; aged Gouda is butterscotchy and young is creamy; and Cheddar can taste like anything, depending on its age.

Blue cheeses are shot through with veins of penicillin. They’re usually creamy, sometimes with a salty crunch in spots. Stilton and Maytag Blue are classics, as is Roquefort, but check out Cabrales for truly complex flavor or mellow, nutty Fourme d’Ambert.

We hope that this post will help you “cut” the cheese. Get it. “Cut” the cheese. Sorry, had to insert at least one bad joke!

Ah, Tequila !!!

Milagro Silver Tequila

Tequila, ever wonder why it can cost $13 a bottle or $139 a bottle? And what is it anyway? Tequila is  made from the Blue Agave or tequila agave plant that starts out as a large succulent, with spiky, fleshly leaves. Tequila is produced by removing the heart of the plant when the plant reaches its twelfth year. A twelve year old Agave plant can weigh anywhere from 75 to 200 pounds. The leaves are removed and heated to remove the sap, which is then fermented and distilled.

So,why is some tequila more expensive than others? If it is 100% Blue Agave it is more expensive, than say others made from 51% that is made with sugar water, corn liquor or other additives.

“Types” of Tequilas:

1. Blanco (“white”) or plata (“silver”):white spirit, un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels.
2. Joven (“young”) or oro (“gold”):is silver tequila with caramel or food coloring added. Examples are Jose Cuervo Gold or Sauza Gold.
3. Reposado (“rested”): aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels.
4. Añejo (“aged” or “vintage”): aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years in oak barrels.
5. Extra Añejo (“extra aged” or “ultra aged”): aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels. This category was established in March 2006.

Here are a few top rated Tequilas :

Milagro Silver ($30) – This entry-level tequila is made from hand-selected estate-grown 100 percent agave.

Don Juilo Resposado($38) – The agave that goes into this bottle is grown as long as 10 years before it’s cooked, fermented, and distilled. Unlike some resposados, which are aged a mere two months, Don Julio gives this bottling eight months of beauty sleep in American white-oak bourbon barrels, which can’t be reused stateside.

Don Julio Reposado Tequila

How to make a Perfect Margarita in 4  Steps:

Step 1: Chill your margarita glass, then dip the rim of the glass into a plate of coarse salt.

Step 2:  Put 2 oz. tequila, 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice and 1 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice.

Step 3:  Shake three times and strain into your glass.

Step 4: Garnish with lime wedge.

Here’s a “Mixing A Margarita” video on ehow.com. For more everything you’d ever want to know about Tequila, please visit TEQUILA.net.

BBQ Grill Gadgets

As you know, every true barbecue grill master needs gadgets. Whether you are a newbie or a grill master, every grill cook needs tools. Here are the “tools” that will make you the king or queen of the grill:

BBQ Fork Thermometer  by Picnic at Ascot ($30) — Ever ask is it over-done? Is it under-done? Now you’ll have the answer with this handy meat thermometer with settings for beef, lamb, port, chicken or turkey. Available at the Cooler-Store.

Barbecue Branch Skewer by Chef’n  ($12) — Grill your meat and your veg with this handy dandy extra long skewers. Available at Chef’s Resource.

Motorized BBQ Grill Brush ($24) — Get your grill clean with this brass-bristle grill brush. ( For the technically challenged, you can use half an onion, it cleans and seasons the grill. Available at As Seen on TV.

Barbecue Condiment Set($30) — Not really a gadget, per se, but super cute! Set your condiments in style with these mini ceramic barbecue grill set. Available at Kitchen Kapers.

Salt-and-Pepper-Shaker Set ($7) — Is it a burger? Nope. It’s a salt and pepper shaker! Available at Peir 1 Imports Stores.

La Paloma

If you are looking for a summer cocktail that is muy refreshing, but not as much work as a margarita, then you must try La Paloma (Spanish for “the dove”). It’s tangy, tasty, and refreshing.

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Salt the rim of a tall glass.
• Combine the tequila (2 oz), lime juice (splash), and salt in a glass.
•  Add ice, top off with grapefruit soda (6 oz), and stir.

Enjoy with good company and pair with homemade guacamole and chips. Perfect drink for a steamy and sticky summer evening.

Unique Wedding and Party Favors

The last thing you want your guests to say at your wedding or party is “I’ve seen that before.” You want your special day to be a one of a kind, super unique event.  One of the more popular  trends for wedding favors  or party favors is to plan a reception, bridal shower or party around a theme. The most unique are the ones that speak to your own personal style, flair or cultural background.  

For Wine Lovers

“Maison du Vin” Wine Cork Place Card/Photo Holder with Grape-Themed Place Cards (as low as .95) — When two wine lovers wed, perhaps in a lovely vineyard, and the house wine at the reception is naturally spectacular, there’s a favor made just for you. You can share your affinity for wine with guests by choosing this charming place card/photo holder.

A Touch of  Irish

Shamrock/Trinity Love Knot Key Rings (as low as $1.05) — Throughout Ireland, both the shamrock and the trinity love knot are much loved emblems of the country’s culture and spirit. And, these keychain favors bring both together in one special memento.

The Glamour Couple

Crystal Kissing Swans (as low as $2.65) — Add an enchanting touch of elegance to your event with these charming favors.

For more unique wedding or party favors, check out Moments of Elegance’s Unique Wedding Favors Catalog.

MOE’S Fav Things for Summer 2010

Who says that Oprah is the only person who can have fav things? At Moments of Elegance we have  favorite things too. And since Summer 2010 is in full swing, here’s our top ten list:

1. Katy Perry’s “California Girls” because every party needs the perfect sound track and this song has def become the 2010 song of the summer.
2. “Girly” Beers micro brewed beers infused with flowers like Chamomile, Heather, Chrysanthemums.
3. Green (er) summer parties because summer is all about celebrating Mother Earth, so let’s go green.
4. Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, at $14.99 a bottler, this wine packs a whole lotta punch for the price, just had to go there, sorry, lame, but we couldn’t resist!
5. Retro weddings because the idea of a personal wedding just warms the heart and the soul.
6. Wedding Sparklers pretty and priced right at .25 each are the perfect way to add sparkle to your big day or any party!
7. Weber’s On The Grill iPhone App ($4.99) features 250 recipes, hundreds of grill tips and more.
8. The Best Burgers EVER grilling the perfect burger is an acquired skill.
9. Bitters, not bitter, but bitters, you know cocktail seasonings made from roots, bark and herbs can spice up your summer cocktails.
10. Corn on the grill, you can bring a favorite of the state fair home to your grill.

So take that Oprah! That’s  our list of fav things for summer 2010.

Going Retro — Retro Weddings

7 o’clock, 8 o’clock, rock the retro wedding trend.  In case you are wondering,  ”Retro” is anything that reminiscent of the past.  And brides and grooms are embracing vintage details from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Retro is so hot right now, that The Knot.com has an entire site dedicated to Retro Weddings.

If going retro sounds like fun, here are some tips to help you:

1. Think era –Is it the romantic Victorian era that calls you? Or the Rockin’ ’50s. Hone in on an era and then you can create your wedding around it — invites, favors,  and food.
2. Raid mom’s attic –  Just  think how, thoughtful details likeyour grandparent’s wedding pictures can make your day even more meaningful with a touch of nostalgia.
3. Color me retro — Yep, some creative couples have even used colors to retro their wedding, think pink and turquoise.
4. Retro fit your wedding– Nothing says ’50s more than an a-line skirt or ’60s like a micro-mini, you can literally retro fit your wedding fashions.
5. Say retro with music — The easiest way to get your guests in the retro groove is with music.

To accent your retro wedding, with the perfect favors, check out Moment’s of Elegance Retro Wedding Favors Catalog.

Beach-y Wedding and Party Favors

If you are looking for beach wedding or party favors look no further because we got ‘em. You can add a tropical flare to your event, whether you want to create your very own beach resort. You will love our collection of beach party and wedding favors.

Beach Shell Place Card Holders (as low as .55) –Truly real and a natural choice as useful and attractive beach themed favors, these place card holder shells will playfully put your guests in their places!

Coconut Candles (as low as $3.50) — These candles are handmade using pure soy candle wax with cotton wicks for a cleaner, environmentally friendly burn. Ivory colored and coconut scented.

Starfish Design Bottle Opener (as low as $2.05) — These starfish design bottle opener favors are sure to play a starring role as elegant and useful beach themed favors.

For more beach themed favors check out Moments of Elegance Beach and Wedding Favors Catalog.