Is This Blog Any Good? You Cheddar Believe It!

One of the many things Steve and I have discovered since moving to the UK is the greek cheese – Halloumi. Its commonly known as squeaky cheese because you can hear it squeak when you chew it – I promise it’s not as weird as it sounds.

It not very expensive and it makes a great appetizer when you’re grilling out – also it can be used to make a burger for a vegetarian. You can fry it – I don’t though. I like the grill marks and the crunch it gives. It’s not a melty cheese, it keeps its shape and firmness even when cooked. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got this brand from Aldi – not sure if it’s available in the US but keep an eye out for it. I imagine places like Whole Foods or stores with cheese counters would carry it – or if you know of a local greek or mediterranean place.

Now get out there and get your grill on!

 

 

Summer Dessert

Now that it’s finally warming up (not here in the UK but I imagine its beautiful in other parts of the world) Steve and I like to get our grill on. And when I say Steve and I, I mean me. I am the grill master of our house. I prep the food, grill it and serve it because I am a grillin’ badass good hostess.

The veggies I grilled on Saturday

Since its too nice to be cooped up inside cooking with a hot oven I like to make dessert on the grill to save clean up and impress the guests! Grilled fruit is one of my favorite things. In Georgia I would grill peaches all the time. If you haven’t tried it – do. So amazing! Make a bourbon simple syrup and pour over peaches and ice cream. Hello heaven in your mouth.

Since peaches

Love my gri

aren’t a thing here, or their not in season (sad I know) I like to grill pineapple. I bought a massive one at Costco (yes we have Costco) and chop it up and toss it on the grill for a summer treat.

 

If it’s super cold. which happens when the sun goes down, sometimes I grill them in the house on our cast iron skillet – hello best £20 I ever spent!

No mint on this one

Once they’re nice and grilled – must have the grill lines, I toss them in glasses to look fancy and if I have a sprig of mint I put that on top.

Of course, what goes perfect with grilled fruit? Fresh, hand whipped cream! I just put double/heavy cream in a bowl and whip it till it’s just firm, sprinkle in sugar to taste and serve it with any and all fruit. So yummy!

Do you have a favorite summer dessert? Anything out of the ordinary you like to grill? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

The Best Little Sheet Cake In Texas

Everyone knows Texas

Almost everyone loved Texas

And we all know everything’s bigger in Texas

So it comes as no surprise that the most decadent, chocolaty, gooey dessert I make is from Texas. Its called the Texas Sheet Cake.

It’s a crowd pleaser, it’s pretty cheap to make, doesn’t require any fancy ingredients and it’s easy to serve and clean up after. I whipped one up in under an hour on Saturday before we had some friends over for the first BBQ of the year.

I may be chefy – but I know where to turn for some of my favorite dessert recipes- a woman who knows her way around a ranch and a kitchen – Ree. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “don’t mess with perfection” – this is one of those times. I follow her recipe to the letter. I’m sure you could elevate it with fancier ingredients or some wow display – but I don’t think it’s necessary. This is a gooey, chocolate mess and should be enjoyed that way!

Since this weekend was a 4 day weekend (hello UK bank holidays!) we hosted our first BBQ at the new house. Unfortunately it wasn’t nearly as warm as it’s been the last few weekends but then again – bank holidays are notorious for so so weather. We invited Steve’s friend from his D&D group Ed and his lady Jess as well as our neighbors at our favorite cafe Richfields – Dan & Suzie and their chefs Jeff and Quiey. Dan was nice enough to be grillmaster so I could hang out and chat (you read that right – in our house I’m the head chef and grill master).