Courgette, Feta & Tomato Quiche Tartlets

Indigo, of Happy Love Strawberry, did a great job of coming up with her own recipe. Inspired by a few other recipes, she picked and chose what she liked to craft her
Courgette, Feta & Tomato Quiche Tartlets. She claims that these would be a tasty tea party finger food, but they’d also make for a healthy and portable afternoon snack. These tartlets bake up in a matter of minutes, so keep Indigo’s recipe on hand to use on those lazy days when you’d normally reach for the canned soup. The fresh mint and sprinkle of lemon zest will wake up your taste buds while the combination of carbs and protein give you the energy boost you’ll need to create a sugary treat for dessert…how about a sweet tartlet?!

Millet Salad with Corn and Pepper

When you’ve had it with your rice cooker, and a simple side of mashed potatoes or pasta salad just won’t cut it, then give your dinner plate a make-over with Kate’s adapted recipe for Millet Salad with Corn and Pepper. Unlike enriched white rice, Kate’s Millet Salad is healthy, full of flavor and color!

In her blog, Kate in the Kitchen, she describes how this dish is filling precisely because it’s a grain. Aside from being a bit tricky to cook, if you’re not used to preparing it, Kate offers a few tips on how to make a successful millet salad. She even went so far as to email the author of the recipe book that inspired her to make the salad; be sure to check out her blog for the details!

Coconut-Ginger Scones with Lime-Ginger Curd

I have a confession to make. I admit, there are moments in my life where I get a whiff of some body lotion or hand soap entitled “Vanilla Strawberry Dream” or “Chocolate Covered Marshmallow” and I want to devour it right then and there, aside from all the strange, very inedible ingredients. Of course, I don’t. Instead, I applaud folks like Toontz from Okara Mountain for taking part in The Beauty and the Feast Challenge. Required to make a delicious dessert that includes an ingredient named in a beauty product’s title, Toontz was inspired by Burt’s Bees Citrus and Ginger Root Body Wash! Her Coconut Ginger Scones with Lime-Ginger Curd, I am more than certain, taste a ton better than the body wash! If you’ve ever had soap in your mouth, I’m sure you agree .

What a great combination of ingredients; the warm flavors of the coconut, ginger, and even honey create the base for this perfect-for-summer treat. I applaud you for coming up with such a unique and tasty recipe, Toontz.

Fettuccine with Mushrooms, Sweet Garlic, and Arugula

Mario Batali fans will agree that Claudia did a wonderful job of adapting his Oyster Fettuccine with Mushrooms, Sweet Garlic, and Arugula recipe. She even went so far as to make her own pasta! That’s an amazing feat, in my opinion. But in her blog, Cook Eat FRET, she explains how it really isn’t that daunting of a task. I love how she compares it to therapy! Who knew that making pasta could be so relaxing? I might just have to give it a try. When I do, I’ll definitely put this recipe to use. An elegantly presented pasta dish dressed in wine and decorated with other delicious ingredients makes Batali’s pasta recipe one to keep around for a creative date night in the kitchen.

If you take a quick look at the recipe, you’ll notice that Claudia emphasizes the use of fresh ingredients. I can understand why! Who would want to pair freshly prepared pasta with overly processed cheese?! The fresh ingredients make all the difference and set this pasta recipe aside from all the others.