
- alaskan chowder
- fajitas
- black bean salsa
- roasted corn salsa
- cilantro sauce
- cilantro dressing
- cilantro tabouli
- rice with peas & cilantro
- Blue Cheese Pasta Salad
- maple leaf duck breasts
- jenni's pasta salad
- mary's croissants
- mary's margaritas
- scalloped potatoes
- gazpacho
- watermelon gazpacho
- strawberry pie
- morning smoothie
- beef bourguinon
- vichysoisse
- chocolate mousse
- july 2010
- mary's croissants
- mary's margaritas
- scalloped potatoes
- may/june 2010
- shrimp boil
- easy inexpensive invites
- ways to say thank you
- a spring fling
- food and wine pairings
- mushroom meatloaf
- perfect picnic salad
- classic potato salads
- traditional potato salad
- hot peppers
- beef brisket
- devil deviled eggs
- deviled eggs
- garlicky spinach dip
- kabob marinade
- beet, green bean salad
- bahamian potato salad
- grilled tuna with sauce
- asparagus risotto
- mascarpone custard
- garbanzo bean salad
- fabulous flank steak
- rhubarb bars
- ice cream pie
- march/april 2010
- name that "tini" contest
- easy bridal triva games
- nearly newlywed game
- a housewarming party
- derby hats
- scrumptious stacks
- kentucky derby party
- date bars
- ham loaf
- egg-citing recipe
- chicken rub
- chicken on a throne
- pork with leeks
- beans & avocado salad
- mint julep
- chicken cabbage salad
- braised lamb shanks
- rack of lamb
- salad stacks
- february 2010
- night at the kasbah
- baby shower activities
- personalized gifts
- a valentine idea
- choosing a menu theme
- how to form a club
- grannie's salmon log
- butterscotch dessert
- sherry's divatini
- cruise mixology
- barbecue salmon
- a love feast
- toasted pita
- "salsa" guacamole
- january 2010
- build your own nachos
- birthday parties
- 24
- chinese new year
- peanut butter club
- tons of themes
- Minnesota hot dish
- shrimp and grits
- raspberry salad
- fae's seafood creole
- feta chicken
- cherry chip cookies
- mary ann's halibut
- december 2009
- an evening with fondue
- best chili ever
- dana's zippy omelets
- HELEN'S COOKIES
- mae's hershey bars
- meredith's oreo balls
- mash potato martinis
- Annie's Pesto Crescents
- luminaries
- wine game & party ideas
- sparkling wines
- top 10 seasonings
- Christmas Eve festivities
- november 2009
- sushi saturday
- Popcorn Balls
- allyn's hawaiian martini
- divalicious
- italian wines
- wild rice soup
- nutty wild rice salad
- mae's spaghetti
- diva drinks
- turkey day ideas
- football fun
- it's the guys' turn
- game night
- cuba cucina
- mother to son
- Chuck's apple pie
- short ribs
Dear diva friends,
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click here to take survey We love your many comments and recipes...this one came from a dear friend, all the way from Abaco in the Bahamas!
Oh, Pat is one fabulous cook!
“Here's a new salad recipe I thought you might be able to use on your site."
Blue Cheese Pasta Salad
8-oz dried pasta shells, cooked and drained
4-oz blue cheese, crumbled
2 c toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 c celery, chopped
1/4-1/2 c mayo
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 T pesto
Gently toss all ingredients together and chill several hours.
“Of course I fool around with this recipe adding some Italian dressing to the mayo mix, some fresh herbs and instead of all pasta, adding half blanched, cold cauliflower to cut back on the carbs.”
Here's another recipe from Pat...
"I've also discovered Maple Leaf duck breasts which I dry rub with 5 spice powder, salt and pepper. I put them in the refrigerator for two days, uncovered on a rack so the skin dries out. Right before I saute them, I cut the skin and fat only in a diamond pattern (try not to cut into the meat). Saute on medium heat, fat side down for about 5 min. Drain off the fat and continue browning until the skin is brown and crispy. Turn over and cook on the meat side until desired doneness. I check with an instant read thermometer and usually cook until they're about 120-130 degrees. Let rest for awhile, then cut in thin slices. I always saute an extra breast or two for cold duck salad the next day."
Pat's daughter, Jenni, gave me this pasta salad for a large gathering. Jenni has learned from the best!
Jenni’s Pasta Salad
Dressing:
1 ¾ c soy sauce
¼ c sugar
2 T fresh ginger, grated
¼ c rice vinegar
½ c creamy peanut butter
¼ t pepper
1 ½ c olive oil
Heat until blended and set aside to cool.
Salad:
2 lbs large corkscrew pasta, cooked
1 lb shredded carrots
2 bunches green onions, chopped
6 oz sesame seeds, toasted for 2 minutes
1 lb peapods, plunge into boiling water for 20 seconds and rinse in cold water
3-4 lbs veggies, cauliflower and broccoli
Mix together except for the peapods. Pour dressing over and let sit overnight. Just before serving add the peapods.
Serves 50-60!
unique and memorable family and/or friends' traditions...
- •divaclub...gourmet club tips & menus ideas
- • divaparty...ideas & parties, proven to be fun!

- • divalinks...recommended gourmet-related websites
- • divabest...tasty recipes today & in our treasured past
- • divatravel...our favorite eating & drinking adventures
Because...together...
we love to create, collaborate and celebrate!
Carol and Barb
edgy or classic?!
fresh or spicy?!
6 c cubed, seeded watermelon
1 c chopped, peeled English cucumber
½ c chopped yellow bell pepper
1/3 c chopped green onions
3 T chopped fresh mint
3 T fresh lime juice
1 T olive oil
¾ t salt
1/2 t Tabasco
1 minced garlic clove
1 c cranberry-raspberry juice
Combine first 10 ingredients. Pulse one half mixture at a time in the food processor until finely chopped. Place in large bowl, add juice and chill.
Adapted from Cooking Light.
Serve in margarita or martini glasses.
Try a straw or decorative toothpick with a cube of watermelon for garnish.
It's fun to sip or use a spoon.
Enjoy!
6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 red peppers, cored, seeded and chopped
2 yellow onions, chopped
2 large shallots, chopped
2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, chopped
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1/2 c olive oil
1 1/2 c canned tomato juice
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c fresh dill, chopped
*add chopped avocado or cilantro for garnish
In a bowl mix the vinegar, olive oil tomato juice and eggs.
Puree the vegetables in a blender or processor in small batches, adding the tomato juice mixture. Do not completely puree, retain some of the crunch of the vegetables.
Stir in the cayenne, salt and pepper to taste, and the dill. Chill for at least 4-6 hours.
Adapted from the Silver Palate Cookbook.
Use chilled mugs to serve as a first course while the grill is heating up!
Check this out!
Greetings from Crete!
Our spring newsletter is up!
www.cookingincrete.com/
CCS-Newsletter-Spring-2010.html
All the best,
Nikki