Best French and Italian Food Recipe

Lemon Cream Pie Martini

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  I love sweet cocktails in the summer.  My favorites are of course drinks that are inspired by my favorite desserts.  It is no surprise (I am sure) that I love lemon cream pie.  I say it is no surprise because I have a bit of a lemon love affair going on.  I also have a bit of a cake love affair, but that is a story for another day.

This Lemon Cream Pie Martini is truly like the dessert in a cocktail.  It is lemony, smooth, and has the fantastic creaminess that the Whipped vodka provides.  The rim is covered in graham cracker for even more flavor.

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Garlic Beer Marinade for Grilled Chicken

It is barbeque season already and we are in the midst of TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  We are bringing you our favorite summer specialties.  I have been enjoying learning how to cook on the big gas grill.  It made perfect sense.  I am the cook.  Why wouldn't I also be the grill master?

I have also been having a lot of fun developing marinades for grilling.  Most recently I created Lemon Rosemary Marinade and Garlic Beer Marinade for Grilled Chicken.

After enjoying Beer and Garlic Marinaded Chicken at my friend Mary's house several times, I decided to develop a garlic beer marinade myself.  I started with the garlic and the beer.  I chose Black Toad, which boast a deep nutty flavor.  I am not a beer connoisseur, but this sounded promising (I was right).  I have to tell you though, this does not taste like beer just a deliciously flavorful marinade (I am not a big beer fan, I don't like anything stronger than Bud Light.  Don't judge!  It just is).

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Spicy Grilled Corn

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  We hope you had a great long weekend.  We had a fantastic barbeque with our favorite Southwestern flavors and some of our favorite people.  Grilled corn is a staple at any of our grilling get-togethers.  Served along side Lil Texas Barbeque Sliders this Spicy Grilled Corn was the perfect compliment.  


We love the flavor so much, I often use left overs in Black Bean Corn Salsa and our Simple Mexican Skillet.  The deep caramelized corn flavor is unsurpassed!  My dear friend Eric made this at a barbeque a few years ago and every time we had a barbeque I would ask him to make the corn again.  Well, sadly Eric moved away.  So, I had to put on my big girl pants and learn how to use the gas grill.  This corn really takes too long on a tabletop, and I don't have the patience.

Everything is coming along wonderfully, I have made burgers, London broil, corn and some fantastic chicken that I will be sharing in the coming weeks.  I have to say they do not make grill tools for women though.  I am no tiny girl, I am pretty tall.  Even so, I fumble with these oversized spatulas, tongs and basting brushes.  I end up bringing my kitchen tools outside for convenience, but that is making for a very hot hand.  So, I guess grill shopping is in my future.  

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Lil Texas Barbeque Sliders

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A Look Back at the Week of May 21, 2012

What a great week we have been having.  I have truly been in the kitchen jam making every day.  We have about 3 dozen pints of strawberry jam made.  Hopefully that will get us through the year.  We get a lot of requests for jam in our homemade gift baskets we give each Christmas.  Strawberry is the most popular flavor of course, but I can't wait to get to peach jam later this summer.

Nana and Papa will be here in about a week.  Munchkin is so excited to see them.  It has been too long and although we talk on Skype almost every day, I can't wait to hug my parents and to watch Nana read Munchkin a story in her room.  It is amazing how much technology has given us.  Even though we are on opposite sides of the country Munchkin gets to see them each day and play peek a boo.  My mom and dad can watch her twirl and have Munchkin sing to her.  So, we are busy preparing for their visit.

This week has been so much fun as we are having our Summer Grilling Celebration!  It really wasn't all that shocking when I looked at this weeks stats.  The Simple Rosemary Lemon Chicken was the most popular post this week by a landslide!  Like I said in the original article, this chicken was so moist and flavorful.  I made it 6 times before I could get a picture of it.  It freezes and reheats beautifully and not one morsel has gone to waste.


Simple Rosemary Lemon Marinade for Grilled Chicken is easy and delicious! No chopping, no mess, make it in your food processor, marinate and grill!


Knock Your Boots Off Tex-Mex Burger is a Tex-Mex flavor inspired, full loaded burger.  Served on a bed of guacamole with a heaping scoop of Pico de Gallo it is FIESTA of southwestern flavors wrapped up into one amazing burger.


Never miss out on fries with your burger again.  Simple and delicious Grilled Sweet Potato Fries are the perfect barbeque treat!  They crisp up perfectly with a fantastic caramelized flavor.  Reheat in the oven at 425 for 12 minutes, flipping once.  YUM!


This fabulous Strawberry Lime Margarita is simple and amazing!  Made with lime simple syrup the depth of flavor is masterful.


I have to admit that this fantastic creation was Chad's idea.  No worry about who gets the biggest slice or messy pie serving at the party.  This Fresh Strawberry Pie Trifle boasts a luscious strawberry flavor that leaves your mouth watering for more.  I have to say, I have eaten more than my fair share of these trifles and I have no regrets, packed with fresh strawberries it is almost health food, right?

Have a beautiful weekend, enjoy your day of remembrance for those we have lost while serving our country.  My great grandpa served our great nation many moons ago.  To all our soldiers and military families we thank you for your service and sacrifice.   Thank you for keeping us safe and defending our constitution.

We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at the week.  We love to hear your comments and feedback, so if you make or bake any of our recipes, please let us know.  We would love to link you up on our Featured page.

Have a fabulous weekend,

Donna, Chad and Munchkin
❤ ❤ ❤

Fresh Strawberry Pie Trifle

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  Its a fabulous Friday here and we are ending this week with a spectacular strawberry creation.  This is your very own slice of heaven; a fresh strawberry pie transformed into a striking trifle. 
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Strawberry Lime Margarita

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  It's Ladies Night and tonight we are fixing the most fantastic cocktail to top off the Knock Your Socks Off Tex-Mex Burger that we wrote about yesterday. 

I know we have had a few Margaritas in the last month, but I can't help myself.  When I discuss cocktails with TSRI's Mixologist and Cocktail Artist, Chad I always have a rather convincing argument when it comes to Margaritas.  This week it was only logical to make a margarita to go with the Tex-Mex burger we were featuring.  Either way, my drink request and his mouthwatering creation...

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Knock Your Boots Off Tex-Mex Burgers

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  We are enjoying a whole month of grilling and summer dishes.  Today, we are talking serious burgers, seriously!  This burger is a FIESTA of southwestern flavors, some of my favorites wrapped up into one amazing burger.  Believe me when I say, I ate the whole thing!!  I could not stop myself it is so good.

This burger is incredibly moist with a nice little kick. Served with Grilled Sweet Potato Fries, this burger is a member of the clean plate club.  I tell you there was not even a crumb remaining on my plate!
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Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

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Simple Rosemary Lemon Marinade and Grilled Chicken

Welcome to TSRI's Summer Grilling Celebration!  We are so excited about summer and the thought of charcoal and barbeque grills, caramelized grill marks on meat, fruit and veggies!!!  Our home has had lingering smells of barbeque in the air and an empty menu planner filled with nothing but possibilities!  Until now.  We have been developing and testing the most scrumptious recipes.  We are going to be sharing some of our favorite grilling and summer treats in the coming weeks.  We will be enjoying TSRI's Grilling Summer Celebration until June 18th when we will begin our one year anniversary celebration with another amazing giveaway.  Make sure you keep checking back. 
 
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A Look Back at the Week of May 14, 2012

Happy Saturday Slow Roasters!  This has been an exciting week here at TSRI.  We have been working on the blog and some fabulous recipes this week.  Additionally, I finally had an opportunity to make and enjoy some fresh Strawberry Jam.  It is amazing!  I am going to write up a new post with the original recipe that includes some tips for jam making next week.  Sometimes a refresher is good.

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Lemon Frozen Yogurt with Strawberry Basil Puree

Happy Friday!!  I can't believe it is Friday already, but I am excited for the weekend.  We have had a bit of a crazy week.  Crazy good!  Work is busy and Munchkin is growing so fast.  I can't believe she is 2 1/2 already, I still want to cuddle her like a newborn.

Sometimes when we get caught in the 'thick' of the chaos that is life, you get sent a reminder of how blessed you are.  I got that 'memo' the other day and am so grateful for that moment.

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Classic Amaretto Sour

Sometimes the classics are all you need.  After weeks of creating holiday drinks; that entailed everything from infusing jalapenos in tequila to making peanut butter cocktails, we here at The Slow Roasted Italian needed to cleanse our palates and get back to simple.  We decided a delicious classic sippin' drink was just right.

Chad and I love everything amaretto.  He loves amaretto cake, amaretto icing, amaretto ice cream, and especially DiSaronno Amaretto.  So when he found this recipe it was a no brainer.  2 simple ingredients, 1 delicious taste!  It doesn't get better than that!

So, Slow Roasters, go to your kitchen grab your amaretto and your lemon juice and prepare for the splendor that is the Classic Amaretto Sour.

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Peanut Butter Fudge Chocolate Cake

Today we have a very special cake for you.  This Peanut Butter Fudge Chocolate Cake is incredible.  4 layers of moist chocolate cake covered in a thick rich peanut butter frosting that tastes just like peanut butter fudge.  Piped on top is a fabulous simple ganache and a sprinkling of peanuts.  I love to make cakes and it makes me happy when they are beautiful, so for this occasion I chilled the ganache and made a beautiful border on the top and bottom.  You can pour the warm ganache over the cake, if you prefer.

The chocolate cake is a fantastic one bowl cake.  I even used a whisk to make it.  It doesn't get much more simple than that.
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Honey Dew Melon Fruit Bowl

When I was planning our Mother's Day Brunch a fruit bowl and dip was the perfect fruit option.  The fruit bowl is easy, eye catching and delicious.  When served with a Sweet Lemon Yogurt Dip and a Raspberry Lemon Prosecco Cocktail you have the makings of a perfect brunch.

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Broccoli Cheddar Turkey Egg Bowl

I love starting the week with a low calorie high protein breakfast.  Make ahead breakfasts are certainly my thing lately.  I love eggs for their nutritional value but also because there are so many options and they reheat so perfectly I can make a bunch on Sunday and just reheat them all week long.

This Broccoli Cheddar Turkey Egg Bowl meets all the criteria for great nutrition, incredible flavor and ease of preparation.  Prepared with frozen broccoli florets, defrosted, these are quick to make and quick to disappear.
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A Look Back at the Week of May 7, 2012

Happy Saturday Slow Roasters!  This has been an exciting week here at TSRI.  We have been busy working behind the scenes all week.  There are some fantastic changes coming up in the next month or so and I am very excited to share them with you.

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Sweet Lemon Yogurt Fruit Dip and a Mother's Day Brunch

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Raspberry Lemon Prosecco Cocktail

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Happy Thursday It's Ladies Night

Happy Thursday It's Ladies Night.  We are excited to share today's cocktail with you, we have something special for your Mother's Day celebration.

Post will be up soon, check back in the afternoon!

Donna and Chad
❤❤❤

Perfectly Frozen Basil Lemonade

Temperatures have been heating up here in the valley of the sun.  After an afternoon working in the garden, all I want is a very refreshing drink.  I was just lucky enough to purchase a case of fabulous lemons from our co-op and they have been calling to me.  I have such a lemon 'thing'.  I am on a kick.  I have been making and enjoying lemon everything, I tell you.  If you have an amazing lemon creation for me to try, Facebook me the link.  I have been joking about having an "I love lemon month".  I love when the intense lemon flavor makes your mouth pucker.  ♥

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Simple Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders

Hello and Happy Tuesday TRSI readers!   Today we are sharing these chicken tenders that I dearly love.  I can not seem to get enough of them.  The chicken is delightfully tender and juicy on the inside and the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese form this incredible crunch.  Then the rosemary ties it all up in the perfect flavor package... Oh, my mouth is watering thinking about them.  Munchkin and I thoroughly enjoyed these every time I made them.  I served them with Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce that I had in the freezer.  Perfect compliment!  Chad does enjoy them too, but is stuck on the Healthy Homestyle Baked Chicken Nuggets.

I usually buy a huge pack of chicken (5 pounds) and make these tenders and freeze them.  I portion them in 1 batch increments and they reheat perfectly in about 10-15 minutes at 400°, flipping them half way through reheating.  (Remember to prep your baking sheet with aluminum foil and non-stick olive oil spray when you reheat).  If you don't have time to reheat it may take longer.  Watch your time.

Enjoy these, they are so simple and so delicious.  If you want to get creative you can put them in an oven safe dish and cover in layers of mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.  Fabulous!

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Candied Lemon Slices

Happy Friday Slow Roasters!!!  I am so excited for today's post and FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!!!  Today I have these AMAZING Candied Lemon Slices for you.  Many of you asked about them when we shared the Lemon Curd Meringue Nests.  They taste like a "lemon drop", but better.  Incredibly easy and so delicious.  Recipe follows giveaway details.

Now, on to the reason you are all here. Today Chad and I are celebrating you, our readers. 1,000 Facebook fans! We are so grateful for you all! To say thank you, we are giving away 3 fabulous prizes, worth over $500!!!

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Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

Its time for our Cinco de Mayo cocktail round up!  We have had some real fun putting these drinks together for you. It has been an amazing month of tequila cocktails.  We got a great deal on Jose Cuervo Gold a while back and had bought a bottle, it was sitting at the back of the liquor cabinet when we started planning this months cocktails.  I wasn't a big tequila fan (I really do remember the saying "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR").  Not one to take chances as an adult I can say I haven't had it in many years (probably since college).  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find I reallllllly like this tequila.  We have since purchased another bottle and now have 4 FABULOUS tequila cocktails to add to the Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Round Up!
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Puckered Jalapeño Frozen Margarita

Happy Ladies Night!  I am so excited about this last cocktail creation for Cinco de Mayo.  We have had a fantastic month of Cinco de Mayo cocktails and will be sharing an amazing Cinco de Mayo cocktail roundup this afternoon.  If you missed our Cinco de Mayo party food round up you can check it out here.

Over the last year Chad has been infusing alcohol with various different things.  Some have been a major stroke of genius and others just a major pain to clean up after (hint:  marshmallows and vodka=bad infusion mess).  So I suggested getting into the produce and infusing a jalapeño into something (I am really inventive like that when it comes to drinks).  Chad the "Master of Cocktail Artistry" managed my favorite all time cocktail.  I know I have said that a few drinks along the way were a favorite or made the top 5, but this one beat them ALL out!

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7 Layer Sausage Mexican Bean Dip and Cinco de Mayo Round Up

It's almost Cinco de Mayo and we know you are searching high and low for the perfect party foods.  So, we have gathered our favorites here!  We have dips, salsas, sauces, fajitas, guacamole and a TACO BAR!!!  Also, a new recipe for the old favorite 7 Layer Mexican Bean Dip.
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Deconstructed Fajitas

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I say its time to FIESTA!!!  Tired of tortilla wraps?  Looking for a different way to enjoy your fajitas?  How about over a bed of Spicy Baked Brown Rice?  If this Deconstructed Fajita doesn't satisfy you, this Cinco de Mayo round up of our top picks for every Cinco de Mayo party certainly will!

Stay tuned for a fabulous Ladies Night cocktail tomorrow and  a drink round up perfect for your Cinco de Mayo party!!!

Don't forget our 1,000 Facebook Fan celebration starting this Friday!  We are having a fabulous giveaway and I am so psyched to tell you there will be something for everything.  Something special for our blogger family and a special addition that EVERYONE will love!!!  I am busting to tell you....  Like us on Facebook to get more clues and keep up with our day to day events, photos and meals.

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Individual Sun-dried Tomato and Sausage Ricotta Frittatas

Frittata's are the easiest breakfast dish to prepare.  Using ingredients that you have in your pantry/fridge you can come up with the most fantastic combinations.  Its no secret that I have a deep love for sun-dried tomatoes.  I buy tomatoes by the case, not the pound and keep my fridge and freezer stocked with these fantastic gems.  When making this frittata I looked to ingredients that could bring the most flavor to this ricotta frittata.  Made with hot Italian chicken sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and ricotta cheese it is absolutely delightful.
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