The Barefoot Kitchen Witch

Caramelized Eggplant and Balsamic Shrimp Wrap with LAND O’LAKES 4 Cheese Italian Blend

I was quite surprised and delighted when Kitchen PLAY invited me to participate in their “30 Days of Outdoor Dining” event, which is running from June 25th through July 24th. 

Once I’d agreed to the posting date, I was given the “secret ingredient” info:  LAND O’ LAKES 4 Cheese Italian Blend.  

Mozzarella with Natalie and Mozzarella with Basil

Yesterday afternoon the kids and I went to my sister’s house.  I was helping Natalie with a cooking project for school, and after we did that, I showed her how to make mozzarella! 

Baby Octopus's Garden

What with all the outdoor work we've been doing, meals are rather quick and simple affairs.  Lunches are mostly sandiwches, and dinners are built around whatever we pick from the garden and maybe some sort of protein and rice or pasta. 

Last night, after a sweltering day, I ended up cooking on three burners, which did nothing to help cool the house down, but oh well.

Herb Crust Pizza - One Crust, Many Toppings

I made a bunch of pizzas last night.  Just for fun, I added some dried herbs to the dough. 

Here's what I used for the dough:

Summer's End Lasagne

I started making dinner around nine this morning.  After yesterday's summer-like heat, this morning there was a very chilly breeze shaking up the leaves and cooling things down.  The perfect day to make a sauce...

Basil and Nasturtium Pesto Crostini with Fresh Mozzarella and Candied Cherry Tomatoes

(from my old blog...) 

Maybe they're really Bruschetta. They're sort of both and neither.

Feel free to correct me.

Anyway.  About this yummy little appetizer....