Goat Cheese "Thumbprint" Cookies, with Blueberry Jam Centers

I love goat cheese and I had a block of it I needed to use so I started researching goat cheese in baked goods.  I found this recipe for goat cheese cookies & knew I had to try them.  They were FABULOUS!  The goat cheese made them so soft and delicious - and you can't taste actual goat cheese, in case you don't like it and are worried.  I loved these & will definitely make them again.  Here is the recipe!  I also put too much dough and pressed the cookies down too much on the cookie sheet so mine didn't turn out very "thumbprint"-like, but still tasted great.

Summertime Peach Ice Cream

I made this fresh peach ice cream the other day & it was/is delicious! It makes a TON of ice cream.  It's super easy to make, too.  Definitely give it a try if you like peaches.  This recipe is from Southern Living.

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled, diced fresh peaches (about 8 small ripe peaches)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 (3.75-ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups half-and-half

Preparation

1. Combine peaches and sugar, and let stand 1 hour.
2. Process peach mixture in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.
3. Stir together evaporated milk and pudding mix in a large bowl; stir in peach puree, condensed milk, and half-and-half.
4. Pour mixture into freezer container of a 4-quart hand-turned or electric freezer; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Spoon into an airtight container, and freeze until firm.

Lunch Ideas: Cucumber Avocado Sandwich

I'm always looking for something fresh, light and good for lunches to take to work.  I have been eating these sandwiches this week & they are perfect!  I love the veggie cream cheese spread on them... so delish.  If you need a good lunch idea, here is a nice one to try!

2 slices hearty whole grain bread
 1 wedge Laughing Cow Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread
2 - 3 tablespoons mashed avocado
12 thin slices cucumber
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Toast the bread. Spread each slice of bread with the Laughing Cow Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread on one side. Top the cheese on both slices with mashed avocado. Then, layer the cucumber slices on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper (if desired). Eat open faced or place the two halves together.

Recipe from www.goodlifeeats.com

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs

These concoctions are easy to make (although slightly time consuming with waiting for things to freeze/cool/etc.) and are wonderful for chocolate lovers.  They were a bit too much for my taste, but everyone else liked them a lot.  It's basically a ball of cookie dough, covered with a thin brownie and dipped in melted chocolate.  Chocolate overload!  Here is the recipe.

Blistered Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese Pasta

This is a new favorite pasta recipe... it is SERIOUSLY easy, so flavorful and delicious.  I love it!!!  Here is the recipe:  YUM!

PW's Bruschetta

I had some leftover pasta for dinner but not a ton of it, so I wanted to supplement it with something extra.  I made PW's bruschetta and it was fast/easy/yummy/summery/buttery.  I only used red tomatoes because I made a half recipe.  Which is why mine isn't as pretty as hers.  Among other reasons.

PW's Quick & Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

I love new pasta recipes that are easy for weeknights!  I don't normally love red bell peppers but I wanted to try this recipe anyway.  In doing so, I realized I actually like roasted peppers way more than raw.  This was seriously yummy.  Unfortunately, I only had mozzarella at home and didn't want to get Parmesan at the store.  So my pasta was very gooey with melted mozzarella.  I'm positive Parmesan is a better choice.  Still it was delicious!  I also didn't have fresh herbs and used a teaspoon or so of dry herbs.  I bet fresh herbs would make this even more tasty.  Definitely try it.

PW's PASTA RECIPE

 

P.S. I even used too much pasta (16 oz. instead of 12 oz.) and it turned out.  Definitely use 12 oz. though, or else yours won't be saucy (kind of like mine, as you can see). 

No-Tequila Lime Chicken & Mexican Rice

I made Pioneer Woman's Tequila Lime Chicken, but I didn't have tequila and didn't want to buy tequila, so I just omitted it.  The chicken was delicious!  We put it in tacos with cheese, mashed black beans and PW's Mexican rice.  Definitely a hit!  Here is the recipe for the chicken. And here is the recipe for the Mexican rice, which is yummy and makes a ton for leftovers. 

Caribbean Dream Pie

I was given the New Moosewood Cookbook recently and have tried quite a few recipes from it, all of them really good.  This one is probably the best though, since it's a dessert.  It is really easy to make, for the most part, and is delicious for summer (it's served cold).  Here is the recipe.  To make it easier, you could buy a pre-made graham cracker crust. 

 

Oven Tacos

New weeknight standby.  Way better than normal ground beef tacos!  HERE is the recipe!