peony, Author at The Peony Life

Edamame & Arugula Spread

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

Edamame & Arugula Spread is a great alternative to the popular Bruschetta

Crostini has always been one of my favorite go to appetizers. They’re easy & quick to make and are a heartier cocktail hour food. If you’re coming over to my house odds are there will be some cocktails or wine involved. I always want to have some appetizers on hand to soak up the alcohol. Don’t judge! I confess that normally I make my heirloom tomato bruschetta but I felt like switching things up. This Edamame & Arugula Spread was the perfect option!

Your edamame should look like this before adding to the food processor. Remember to remove the beans from the shells!

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Olive Tapenade with Rosemary & Basil

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

Olive Tapenade with Rosemary & Basil. A simply addicting appetizer!

YUM! This olive tapenade makes me want to dance. It’s so freaking good! I just can’t deal. This is DELISH served on Baked Parmesan Crisps, alongside a cheese platter, slathered on crusty bread or on slices of cucumber for a healthier approach. I made this the other night to have with a cheese platter and it was just as good as I remembered….

Mushroom & Arugula Fusili with Pistachio Mint Pesto

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

Mushroom & Arugula Fusili with Pistachio Mint Pesto

This addicting recipe transpired when I had a craving for pesto pasta but didn’t have any basil at home. My basil obsession prevailed and we ate our entire supply. I’m still impatiently waiting on a new batch to flourish. In the mean time, what could I make that would satisfy my craving?…

Turkey Meatballs with Fennel & Carrot

August 14, 2015 by peony 2 Comments

Turkey Meatballs with Fennel & Carrot are a healthier meatball alternative without sacrificing the flavor.

My other half & I recently returned from a European vacation and meatballs were on the menu everywhere in Greece. Let me tell you, these people do not play when it comes to their meatballs! I’m slightly embarrassed to admit how many times I ordered them over the course of our stay but they were simply addicting!

Homemade Meatball Mix: Oregano+onion+basil+mint+parsley+thyme+cumin

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Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata & Balsamic Glaze

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

A SIMPLE DRIZZLE OF BALSAMIC GLAZE AND A FEW BASIL LEAVES HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE FINAL PRESENTATION

Bur-ra-ta translated from Italian literally means ‘buttered’. It is a a typical product of Puglia, a region in the south of Italy and it is absolutely one of my favorite cheeses. Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from a combination of mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside is a combination of both mozzarella and cream, producing a unique, soft texture. It’s so delicate and just plain decadent! Even

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Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting. The perfect cupcake!

When my fiancé gifted me with a kitchen aid mixer, it seriously changed the game at home. Full disclosure: I’m not much of a baker. I love to decorate cupcakes & cookies occasionally, but I don’t have the same passion for baking as I do cooking. I would much rather make Halloumi Saganaki with Strawberry Salsa instead of a cupcake any day….

Sinfully Simple Watermelon Salad

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

REFRESHING SALAD YOU CAN ENJOY IN THE HEAT!

If you were to open my fridge at any given time, you could pretty much guarantee there would be watermelon inside. It’s definitely my favorite fruit; I often snack on it when I’m blogging. Sounds messy right? Nah! Watermelon is simply misunderstood.

I texted my mom the other day asking her why we didn’t have watermelon when I was growing up. I remember eating it at my friends houses but never at home. I thought maybe it was really expensive and my mom was just being economical(totally something she would do). She responded, explaining it was too high maintenance; it wasn’t about…

Baked Parmesan Crisps

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

DRESS UP YOUR CHEESE PLATE WITH THESE EASILY MADE CRISPS

These are quite possibly the most delicious cracker alternative ever! You will never want to buy crackers again; they are that good.

I was having friends over one night and planned on putting together a cheese platter with a few other snacks. I had to run to the market to grab a fresh loaf of bread and shocker; I forgot it! I left the market without the one thing I went there to buy. I know I can’t be the only one out there who’s done this. It’s so …

Lazy Pea Soup with Fresh Mint & Crème Fraîche

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

SERVE IN A WHITE DISH TO MAXIMIZE THE POP OF COLOR

This recipe is a freaking all-star in my eyes for a variety of reasons. It’s insanely quick and simple to make and the combination of flavors is on point. I’ve never made this for someone and not had them ask for seconds and/or the recipe. That’s always a promising sign!

FROZEN PEAS ONLY TAKE 3 MINUTES TO BOIL

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Calzone

August 14, 2015 by peony Leave a Comment

SERVE THE CALZONE WITH A LIGHT SIDE SALAD

This recipe was totally inspired by my deep love & appreciation for Seinfeld. In my opinion, George Costanza is the greatest television character ever created; period. For those of you who aren’t Seinfeld aficionados, I strongly suggest you give it a try. It’s the only show (aside from The Golden Girls) where the jokes never get old, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Actually, I’m watching ‘The Calzone’ episode right now and this ‘short, stalky, slow-witted bald man’, has me in stitches….