• Fourth of July Series part 1 ~ Lynchburg Lemonade Cocktail

    Hello there!  Today I’m kicking off a mini series in honor of the Fourth of July (insert fireworks here; boom! pow! ooooo! ahhhh!).

    Whether you are headed to a big party, the park for a picnic, or just having a small gathering at your own place, the four recipes I offer to you over the next few days will help make your Independence Day celebration delicious.  The idea is that you can make these ahead of time and at the start of the party.  They will keep and still be enjoyable as they come to room temperature so you too can enjoy the holiday!  Serve these four for a complete party or add to it crudites, chips and dips and a green salad and you have the ultimate (and low maintenance) spread.  Additionally, these recipes can easily be doubled or halved to make just the right amount for your shindig.Lynchburg Lemonade ~ Living the Savory Life

  • Tradition and Italian Style Steamed Mussels

    Italian Style Steamed Mussels ~ Living the Savory LifeI’m a lover of tradition.  Whether it be a husband and wife taking a 45 minute Sunday drive every week to share their favorite breakfast muffin, a group of girlfriends meeting up for a weekend away from all corners of the country, or an annual family photo album (yes, our 2013 album is “still in the works”).Italian Style Steamed Mussels ~ Living the Savory Life

    Traditions make you feel a part of something bigger than just you; something to look forward to and something to treasure.  They connect you to others.  I have a lovely tradition I share with a friend I’ve had since early childhood.  It is something we both look forward to.  It first started when I was living in Seattle and she was (and still is) living in San Francisco.  I traveled a lot for my job then and when I could, I would route through San Fran stopping in to say hello to my friend I grew up with in Vermont.  We would have a night out for dinner, or perhaps a Sunday brunch,  but after high stress hectic work weeks, we were both just as happy to have chilled out evenings at her house, cooking in her fantastic kitchen and just having a good ol’ catch up.  There’s one meal we ALWAYS make.  You see, I CRAVE the salads she makes and she quite likes my mussels.  So we grab a bottle (or two) of wine, a beautiful French baguette, she makes the salad, and I make the mussels.Italian Style Steamed Mussels ~ Living the Savory Life

  • Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

    Beet and Goat Cheese Salad ~ Living the Savory Life

    Today I want to share with you one of my favorite flavor combinations; beets and goat cheese.  There’s just something about it.  An earthy roasted and sliced beet combined with the creaminess of goat cheese and finished off with the zip of a vinaigrette.

  • Side Dish ~ Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    I’ll be up front right now; I have a lot of side dishes coming your way! Normally, my protein is the star and hogs all the glory but lately, I’ve been making my side dishes the star and the main protein has taken the back seat a bit. It’s nice to change things up a bit!

    I’ll give you a few hints…. You’ll see some beets and some cauliflower, maybe some cucumbers and even some broccoli stems in LSL posts in the near future. I know, you’re intrigued by the broccoli stems aren’t you? Why should the florets get all the attention?? The stems are wonderful!

    Well, I guess we should put those all aside for the time being and let the Brussels sprouts be star today!Bacon Brussels Sprouts ~ Living the Savory Life

  • In My Kitchen ~ June 2014

    Another month has gone by which means another In My Kitchen post!  Please have a look at what I have to share with you and then head over to Fig Lime and Cordial to see the rest of the In My Kitchen posts from around the world.

    June is birthday month here at LSL and though it is only my second birthday year here in Australia, I still struggle a little as it is winter here and for more than three decades my birthday has always been in summer.  No worries though.  I’m hoping that Perth gives me a very mild and sunny winter’s day.  In any case, I’m hoping to have a couple “birthday” kitchen things to show you next month!

    This month, however, I have In My Kitchen, this beautiful head of lettuce.  It was given to us by friends who grow using aquaponics (a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics).  Isn’t it beautiful?  And it was so delicious.  I enjoyed it with cherry tomatoes and avocado topped off with balsamic vinaigrette.  Really lovely.In My Kitchen ~ Living the Savory Life

  • Drunken Chicken Wings

    Sometimes I think I live under a rock.  I mean where was I when all my friends in college were headed to ten cent wing night?  Where was I when platters of 100’s of buffalo wings were ordered for every football Sunday of the season?  Where was I?!?!

    Late to the party I tell you!  Late to the party!Drunken Chicken Wings ~ Living the Savory Life

  • Return from Hiatus and Kale and Turkey Stew

    Well, I’ve returned.  I’m back from my unintended hiatus.  I never intended on being so inactive here at LSL this month but two trips taking up two weeks away from the house have made things crazy.

    We’ve had so much fun and I plan on telling you all about it in upcoming posts.  In good time my friends.  In good time.Living the Savory Life

  • Turkey “Cobb” Salad

    When thinking of what to put together for dinner this past week, I was really thinking of a true Cobb salad.  Chicken, egg, avocado, blue cheese and bacon among a pile of greens and tomatoes and onion.  All of this of course to be topped off with a thick and creamy dressing.  You know, one of those salads that end up with more calories than a bacon cheeseburger?

    Yeah, that’s what I really wanted.

    Using my better judgement (for once) I opted for this Turkey “Cobb” Salad instead.  Beautiful, fresh leafy greens topped with chopped turkey, thinly sliced carrot, sliced cucumber, chopped tomato, blanched green beans, blanched broccoli, and topped with a lightened up buttermilk ranch dressing.Turkey "Cobb" Salad ~ Living the Savory Life

  • Buttermilk and Herb Marinated Chicken Served on a Bed of Spinach

    Buttermilk and Herb Marinated Chicken ~ Living the Savory LifeFriends, I have a great one for you today!  Huge HUGE hit in this house.  Any leftovers are great for salads and sandwiches the next day.  In fact, I’m a little sorry that I didn’t make extra so there would be leftovers.  Buttermilk and herb marinated chicken on a bed of spinach looks very elegant but cooks up quickly which makes it a possibility for the mid-week menu.

  • Clean Eating Chicken and Bok Choy Soup

    It’s no big secret; we eat very well.  Some are very rich and hearty meals.  Comforting like a warm fluffy blanket.  Part of enjoying all of those rich and delicious meals is balancing them with lighter, yet equally satisfying dishes.  Something basic and simple and clean.  This is one of our go to dinners when we need something healthy, hot, simple and satisfying.

    I like to serve this soup in these cute little red woks that I found at a local kitchen shop.  The soup you see in them is just barely two cups.  The woks aren’t really big enough to cook in but are fun for serving!

    Clean Eating Chicken and Bok Choy Soup ~ Living the Savory Life