The "Cottage" part Trois

I am enjoying my time up here at "the cottage". It is really hot and tonight, the breeze is whipping the trees around into a frenzy.  I love this time of year.  Here are some pictures of paradise.

I hope your day was as stunning!!

Rosie

My jewellery

While away on holiday at "the cottage" I make jewellery to sell to the tourists up here. In the past, I sold my jewellery at the local Saturday morning Farmer's market but this year, I plan to  sell my jewellery at a consignment store.  It will save me alot of time. Below are some examples of the jewellery that I make.

I use a lot of genuine pearls, gemstones and crystals, with silver plated findings.  Let me know what you think.  I may want to start a website to sell my jewellery.

Enjoy!

Rosie

Building a salad

This just might be the best salad I have EVER made and I have made some doozies (spelling?) I must say!!

Rosie's Quinoa Salad

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1 box quinoa

Cucumber

Feta cheese

Yellow pepper

Tomatoes

Cilantro

Leftover blackened fish

Prepare the quinoa as per directions on the box.  While still hot, spoon some quinoa onto a plate and lay some blackened fish on top.  I used cold leftover blackened sole which I made last night and the heat from the cooked quinoa, will heat up the fish just enough. (See my previous post for the "Summer Salad") for the recipe for blackened fish/chicken rub.  I wasn't kidding when I said I eat this EVERY DAY!  Layer on the feta cheese and keep building with the other ingredients, finally topping with the chopped cilantro.  You do not need a dressing for this as once the fish warms, the rub spices will meld with the salad.  All you need to do is toss to amalgamate all the flavours.  I challenge you to make a more tasty salad!!!

Rosie

Here, I build the salad: (oops! Start at the bottom)

Oops!!!!! Start from the bottom here and work your way up.^

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Summer salad

Up here at "the cottage" you can't help but eat healthy.  You are surrounded by fruit orchards and fields of fresh produce with an abundance of healthy food.  One can't help but be inspired to create new, healthy dishes.

Here is a salad recipe I conjured up 2 nights ago.  It combines sweet and savoury flavours, my favourite!  I just started pulling ingredients out of my fridge and came up with this. I call it " Rosie's Quick Salad".

Rosie's Quick Salad

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Romaine lettuce - chopped

1 can peaches and cream corn

Feta cheese

1 package dried figs

1 can black beans

Leftover blackened chicken pieces

Cracked pepper

Lighthouse Garden Veggie Salad dressing

Apple cider vinegar

1 package Dan-D-Pak Ranger mix (mostly peanuts)

Basically, you just need to do a lot of sprinkling for this recipe. I made 1 individual salad for me (and had leftovers) but this recipe yields plenty for several salads. Assemble each salad individually. (Somehow it is easier that way!) 

Cut up the washed romaine lettuce.  Arrange the lettuce on individual plates. Sprinkle with drained corn (approx. 1-2 Tablespoons) per salad. Sprinkle with drained and rinsed black beans (approx. 1-2 T.)  Cut up the figs using kitchen shears and sprinkle on the salads. (Approx. 3-4 per salad).  Sprinkle feta cheese on each salad.  Arrange pieces of leftover blackened chicken breast to each salad.  (I had 1 breast leftover from dinner the night before).  Add freshly cracked pepper.  Top with the Dan-D-Pak ranger mix or cashews or peanuts. ( I love putting something crunchy on my salads so often add nuts or seeds of some kind.  I usually have some seed mix blend for salads in my fridge at all times)

Top with your favourite salad dressing.  I think this salad lends itself well to something light and creamy so I combined Lighthouse Garden Veggie Ranch Dressing with a little bit of apple cider vinegar (or you could use a little milk) until it is a thin, milky consistency.  Top the salad with the dressing.

I have recently discovered a recipe for a rub for Blackened Fish or Chicken and have tweaked it and now cannot get enough of this rub.  I have been making this and using it on fish or chicken almost daily now and never seem to get tired of it.  It is so simple and so delicious and best of all, so healthy.

Blackened Fish/Chicken Rub

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1 1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. dried oregano

3/4 tsp. garlic powder (not garlic salt. You don't want it too salty)

1/8 tsp. salt (or to taste)

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I use less as this is spicy for me)

1/4-1/2 tsp. freshly cracked pepper

I usually double this recipe.  The above will cover about 4 small pieces of fish on both sides.

Wash and pat dry your fish or chicken.  Rub the rub on both sides of the meat and fry at a high heat in olive oil, using a sturdy frying pan. ( Some recipes call for a cast iron frying pan, but I have used regular ones as well).  Heat until the meat is cooked, turning to cook thoroughly. For chicken, I buy chicken tenders or cut up the chicken breasts into strips, so that they will cook faster. For fish,  I usually use sole fish as it is easy to find, but any firm white fish will do.  I guarantee you will love this recipe!  Let me know if you make it and if you become hooked like I did!!!

Rosie

At "The Cottage" part deux

It seems I am having a bit of difficulty getting into sewing right now.  I wonder why?

Rosie

At "The Cottage"

I am on holiday at "the cottage" and of course, I brought my sewing machine and quilt fabric with me.  Since I cut all the pieces out last year, I plan to finish it this year and go home with a completed quilt top.  I think I can do it! I also brought along some pretty Amy Butler fabric, to make myself a sun hat.  It gets awfully hot up here so hiding under a wide brim sure helps. ( It also helps hide the margaritas I'm sipping lakeside). I will show pictures of the hat once I finish it and also pictures of the quilt once I start it here.  I am just getting over a really nasty summer cold and haven't felt much like sewing yet, but I will soon.

Suffice to say, I have a very beautiful view to inspire me.  The mountains are beautiful and just down that path, about 100 feet or so, is the warm lake.  What a lovely summer place!

Rosie