Monday, August 17, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: Summer Food: Blueberry Lemonade To Beat The Heat


Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND --  Grandma's Blueberry Lemonade

                                     The Advocate photo: HEATHER MCCLELLAND 


Dennys Food and Recipes: Summer Food: Blueberry Lemonade To Beat The Heat: From Denny:  Blue food.  It's pretty to look at and cooling in this summer heat.  Blueberries are the very essence of summer.  Did you know the silvery bloom on blueberries is a naturally protective waxy coating?

Most people don't wash them until just when ready to eat.  Well, that doesn't work in our house so I pour a large bowl of water, add about 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar and let the entire plastic box and blueberries soak for about 5 minutes to kill bacteria.  Drain the entire box well, dry off a bit with a towel and throw back into the fridge.  Usually, a reputable grocery store - and even from the farm - they give the berries a quick vinegar wash to brush off leaves and bugs.

We all like to dine on blueberries by the handfuls as snacks, toss them on to the breakfast cereal or yogurt and make breakfast muffins. Here's a new twist: how about blueberries in your homemade lemonade?

This interesting recipe (from our local newspaper food writer) combines two fruit syrups:  a blueberry syrup and a lemon syrup.  You only use the blueberry syrup to color the lemonade to your preference.  The remaining blueberry syrup can be used on pancakes, waffles, toast or even in salad dressings.  OK, you got me, this lemonade is so doggone pretty!  Great idea for summer entertaining...


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Friday, August 14, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: 3 Tasty Compound Butters To Compliment Your Recipes



Associated Press photo by Matthew Mead -- Compound Butters



Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: 3 Tasty Compound Butters To Compliment Your Recipes: From Denny:  Whether you are grilling or baking in the oven specially infused butters offer wonderful flavor choices to celebrate your food!  Chef Sara Moulton is known for easy recipes that can be done at home with a minimum of fuss.  She's also one of my favorite food teachers as she is so relaxed, giving even the novice cook a boost of confidence.

Her first recipe is for an herb butter.  Do you have some favorite herbs that you just can't cook without?  This recipe is all about your favorite combination of herbs, though she does suggest a few to get you started.  While you could substitute a Vidalia sweet onion in place of shallots, well, shallots are that much sweeter, and, oh, so wonderfully flavorful so try to find them in your area.  Shallots, a favorite of classically trained chefs, are usually in plentiful supply in the spring and summer months, often into autumn.

Are you more in the mood for a citrus butter?  Chef Moulton combines the zest and juice of lemons and limes for a sublime summer taste that everyone will enjoy.

How about something more substantial for those manly men who enjoy a great grilled steak?  Oh, this recipe is for you!  Combine this steak butter with Dijon mustard, a fresh finely minced garlic clove and Worchestershire sauce (we prefer Lea & Perrins at our house though you could use the brand you like),

If you can't grill outside just use a grill pan on the stovetop to get those prized grill marks, turn it over and place it in the oven to finish.  When ready to plate make sure the steak plate has been heating in the oven. Place a large slice of this steak butter onto the plate and then place the steak on top of the butter.  Talk about awesome taste as the butter melts on the very hot plate, spilling out like a gravy for your steak!  That's the method all the old steakhouses of the 1940's and 1950's used before restaurants went to open charcoal or wood fired grilling.

The beauty of all these butters is that all you have to do is roll them into logs and wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze until ready to use.  Just slice off the amount you need and return it to the freezer.  How simple is that?  You can make these up way ahead of when you will need them...

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: 3 Tasty Compound Butters To Compliment Your Recipes



Funny Friday Weekend Mug



Funny Friday Weekend Mug


Tell the world how you really feel about coming back to work.

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BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce

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BBQ Grilling: Goat Cheese Stuffed Grilled Sweet Potatoes


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Try Grilled Summer Cooling Puttanesca Gazpacho


Associated Press photo by Matthew Mead -- Grilled Puttanesca Gazpacho

                                                 AP photo/Matthew Mead


Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Try Grilled Summer Cooling Puttanesca Gazpacho: From Denny:  Fancy a cold soup to counter the ridiculous hot heat of the summer?  Gazpacho is everyone's favorite, especially when entertaining for large groups.  This version involves grilling all those delicious veggies like red bell peppers, poblano peppers, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and a head of fresh garlic.

Let the charred peppers cool before removing the skins and the inside seeds and membranes. Squeeze the cooled soft garlic cloves out of their papery skins and into the food processor.  Add the delicious flavors of capers, Kalamata olives, anchovies, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Make the soup as chunky or as smooth as you like.  Chill well before serving.  To serve, garnish with yummy ricotta cheese and fresh torn herbs like cilantro and basil.  Then sit back and wait for the compliments to arrive!...

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Try Grilled Summer Cooling Puttanesca Gazpacho


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BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce

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BBQ Grilling: Grilled Puttanesca Gazpacho

Summer Food: Blueberry Yum Yum Cake Says It All



Sophie Name Dog T-Shirt

Sophie is a sweet pup -and wise - she deserves the very best!  More products like mugs and t-shirts, ornaments available in this Sophie name, so come see.
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Saturday, August 8, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Goat Cheese Stuffed Grilled Sweet Potatoes


Associated Press photo by Matthew Mead -- Goat Cheese-Stuffed Grilled Sweet Potatoes

                                            AP photo: Matthew Mead 


Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Goat Cheese Stuffed Grilled Sweet Potatoes: From Denny:  This is a delicious unusual recipe twist for the popular sweet potato.  We all know that goat cheese is a low salt and low fat alternative to the regular highly salted - OK, totally yummy - cheeses.

I've tried goat cheese as the soft melting quality cheese in my omelets and found it a bit sour in comparison to  my favorite cheddar cheese but eventually created a medley of white cheddar, fontina or mozzarella in addition to just a touch of goat cheese for my favorite blending of flavors..

Yet that slightly tangy sour taste is the perfect healthy complement to the very sugary sticky sweet potato.  This recipe also adds fresh thyme and olive oil for aromatic delight and lots of fresh garlic and butter for robust flavor.  To sweeten it up a bit the zest of an entire orange is added for that citrus brightness that pairs so very well with sweet potato!

It's advised you slice the sweet potato in thick chunks so it is easy for the thick smear of cheese, oils, herbs and citrus zest to adhere better.  If you like your potatoes to have a bit of crispness on the skin, then open up the aluminum foil in the last 10 minutes of grilling to brown and crisp up a bit.

Also note that you will require a microwave to partially bake the potatoes before placing on the grill.  This recipe is best done at home instead of at some remote fishing camp with no electricity - like we have so many of here on the Gulf Coast, especially Louisiana. :)

This is such an easy recipe it is kid friendly and a good choice to help teach the kids to learn how to grill by helping you with the prep work.  What creative kid would not enjoy smearing a gooey mess onto those sweet potatoes?  I rest my case. :)  Enjoy!

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Goat Cheese Stuffed Grilled Sweet Potatoes


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BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce

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Louisiana Seafood Reusable Shopping Bag



Check out awesome Louisiana eating: oysters, shrimp, crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya
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Thursday, August 6, 2015

A Truth Journal: Why is Trump Catching on Fire? What Would His Cabinet Look Like? The Hilarious Lowdown





A Truth Journal: Why is Trump Catching on Fire? What Would His Cabinet Look Like? The Hilarious Lowdown: From Denny:  My fellow media are flabbergasted that billionaire Donald Trump is rising so fast in the Republican polls.  The media is so entrenched in their collective bias that they refuse to take his candidacy seriously.  Hold on to your hats, folks, because Trump will survive far beyond the summer flavor of the month.  Come on; we all know that former President Bill Clinton secretly got him to run as a way to help clean house on the Republican candidates, paving the way for Hillary to win.  Well, that strategy just might backfire since Trump is catching on with the disgruntled middle class.

Well, Trump may be stupidly wealthy but he still knows how to talk Middle Class in his brash Brooklyn accent.  In fact, Trump reminds me much of the very bold personality of President Teddy Roosevelt. And, he is every bit as passionate about his views, with plenty of real fire in the belly running for President that the American public likes in a presidential candidate.  We certainly are not seeing any of that fire in the belly with any other Republican candidates and only with one Democrat candidate, Bernie Sanders...



Funny Normal Is Boring Mens Wallet

Check out this funny saying promoting the human race! Plenty more products like mugs and t-shirts, even shower curtains and pillows available in this fun design.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce


Grilled Red Onions and Shishito Peppers With Peanut Sauce is a simple and fast dish that plays up the smoke and char.

                                                                      AP photo


Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce: From Denny:  When it comes to summer entertaining we all like to fire up the grill.  Well, here's a finger friendly recipe for those chili pepper nibblers and snackers who want to try the latest Shishito pepper sensation in the food world.

The peanut sauce is a medley of awesome flavors: smooth natural peanut butter, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce and your favorite hot sauce.  All that's left to do is add some other good recipes to your party menu like this grilled chicken dunked in that famous Alabama White Sauce!

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Red Onions, Shishito Peppers with Peanut Sauce

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BBQ Grilling: Butterflied Barbecue Chicken with Alabama White Sauce


Too Sexy Retirement Men's Sleeveless Tee


Too Sexy Retirement - my bills tells me so... might as well keep laughing! What does Miley Cyrus know?
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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Butterflied Barbecue Chicken with Alabama White Sauce


Associated Press photo by Matthew Mead -- Butterflied Barbecue Chicken With Alabama White Sauce

                  AP photo: Matthew Mead -- Butterflied Barbecue Chicken With Alabama White Sauce



Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Butterflied Barbecue Chicken with Alabama White Sauce: From Denny:  With all this ridiculous hot weather across the nation we are all left wondering if we are the ones getting grilled!  But wait!  Time to grill that famous summer BBQ chicken, this time with the Alabama White Sauce becoming so popular.

If you are not familiar with Alabama White Sauce it's based on mayonnaise.  Yucky mayonnaise, you say?  Hey, all that oil delivers the spicy flavor of this unusual sauce and the mayonnaise taste is completely changed by the following:  There is plenty of cider vinegar and lemon juice to cut the oil and the addition of cayenne pepper, black pepper and horseradish definitely spices up the taste.  The recipe for this sauce follows so you can make your own...

Dennys Food and Recipes: BBQ Grilling: Butterflied Barbecue Chicken with Alabama White Sauce



Lucy Name Mug


Is your favorite pet named Lucy?  Get a smile every time you sip your coffee or tea that reminds you of her.  "Lucy is in the house!"
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Why Get Involved Men's Sleeveless Tee Tank Top

"Get Involved: if you don't have a seat at the table you are probably on the menu." - Senator Elizabeth Warren
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Monday, July 27, 2015

EU Visitors: How Cookies Are Used on This Blog





Google's suggestion of notification: "We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners."

Denny Lyon's message:  I find the use of cookies annoying and invasive of my privacy as much as yours.  Yes, I use AdBlocker when I surf the web.  Now that the EU won against Google, any one with a simple blog, like here on Blogger, is required to suddenly understand all the legal ramifications and legal language.  

Of course, Google just dumped this on bloggers with nothing but confusing messages of how to notify you of their cookies you already knew existed.  Look below for the links to Google of all their "privacy" notices and other goodies. I'm in the process of figuring out how to install cookie consent notices on all my 26 blogs so this page is the starter for cookies notification.

We all get followed all over the web and reported back to the NSA and other intelligence agencies, collecting data globally.  Use Opera as a free and excellent browser (from Germany) for no reporting at least to the NSA.  Use duckduckgo as your search engine instead of Google or Bing because it comes out of The Netherlands and they do not report your browsing data.

Well, friends, consider yourself "cookie" notified.  Surf the web wisely and don't let these annoying Big Business types spoil your fun.


Cookies notification in European Union countries

Policy requirements for Google Analytics Advertising Features

How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps

Key Privacy Terms




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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

A Truth Journal: The How of World Hate: 9 Christians Killed For What in South Carolina?






A Truth Journal: The How of World Hate: 9 Christians Killed For What in South Carolina?: From Denny:  It really is past due time to get serious about dealing with the issue of World Hate.  Black people think it's "just" about historical racism aimed squarely at them.  Well, that's true - and it's also an ugly part of a much larger and more pervasive problem destroying humanity from within.

Hate is like an invasive weed that chokes out the sunlight and dries up all the nutrients and water that gives Life to the surrounding plants.  Think of this scenario in terms of a nation or a religion and the consequences are staggering...



Time To Love Iphone 6 Tough Case


Oppose Hate in the world: "Love like you nothing better to do with your time." - Denny Lyon
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Russia to Daddy France: Help! Send Money. I'm Overdrawn at the Bank


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GOP Stealing Elections Again As Trial Balloon For Taking Back The White House In 2016?


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

A Truth Journal: Beau Biden: He Gave Politics - And Humanity - A Good Name




Paul Sancya/AP/File - Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who died Saturday, introduces his father, Vice President Joe Biden, at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008

Read on for why this man was so exceptional and how you can benefit from his example.

A Truth Journal: Beau Biden: He Gave Politics - And Humanity - A Good Name: From Denny:  Beau Biden, a rare person in politics, government or anywhere:  he was known as a person of exceptionally good character.  Many of us are saddened at his passing as much as his family.  When we lose a person of such goodness and moral strength who spent his life in service to his country and his family we are all reminded of his example for all of us to do better.

One of those rare politicians given generous authentic praise from both sides of the aisle...


Calligraphy Bird Thank You Note Cards (Pk of 10)


Elegant calligraphy bird scrolls a show case for your finest occasions: wedding, anniversary, graduation, birthday and more


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Saturday, May 23, 2015

Dennys Food and Recipes: Memorial Day Easy Recipe Travels Well: Beef Taco Pasta Casserole


Advocate file photo  --  Taco Pasta Casserole is an econical, easy-to-make dish everyone will like.

Dennys Food and Recipes: Memorial Day Easy Recipe Travels Well: Beef Taco Pasta Casserole: From Denny:  Looking for a new family favorite that doesn't break the bank or take forever to make?

It's a simple, straight forward main dish that can travel well to family reunions, potluck dinners, picnics and Memorial Day or Labor Day and summer outings with friends and family when a dish is requested to bring to the event.

It's an easy dish for Saturday night casual or a busy week night when the family is going in twenty different directions as you can scoop up a serving and reheat it in the microwave with ease...


Sports Blue Soccer Women's All Over Print T-Shirt


A blue abstract background with a bold lettering of your favorite sport by Louisiana artist Denny Lyon.  

More products and t-shirt styles available in this design for men, women, kids and babies - like note cards, padfolio, blankets, jewelry and more!

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Monday, April 20, 2015

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month



Photo provided by Loews Hotels --  April is grilled cheese month, the perfect time to make Cafe Adelaide's take on Louisiana Crawfish-Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese With Smoked Tomato-Shrimp Bisque and Pickled Charred Chile Salad.

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month: From Denny:  Now this is an exotic version of the humble comfort food:  the American grilled cheese sandwich.

You have no idea how hard it was when visiting Austria a few years ago when I attempted to explain how to make a simple grilled cheese sandwich to a local chef.  It was a seriously foreign concept to them.  They didn't have a clue.  Lots of delicious local cheeses yet no Austrian version of a grilled cheese sandwich!  Imagine that.

This Louisiana version comes from executive chef Carl Schaubhut of Café Adelaide in New Orleans.  Of course, as seafood, this rich sandwich is considered Lenten season friendly.  Serve by pairing it with the shrimp-tomato bisque soup. Here in Louisiana we always look for an excuse to enjoy our bountiful seafood so why not go meat free on Fridays even when it isn't Lent?  (You know, that special time that arrives after Mardi Gras and before Easter.)  Our restaurants enjoy creating Lenten season menus, always topping themselves from the year previous!...


World's Awesome Mom Woven Throw Pillow


Remember Mother's Day - Check out who is top cat in this family tree: Mom!  
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Monday, February 2, 2015

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video

From Denny:  Now if everyone in politics and every CEO in Big Business would read this, think how much people would quit hating their jobs, their bosses and their politicians!


Joyful X 2 Bathmat
Joyful X 2 Bathmat


Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video: From Denny:  Have you ever noticed that when you are filled with Joy that your whole world is suddenly harmonious and everything just falls into place?  Joy is contagious too.  When you feel good, everyone around you feels good too!

While not everyone is called to enter into the decades long rigorous training to become a mystic for the benefit of humanity, a lot can be learned and practiced in everyday life to better enjoy life's journey.  Practicing Joy is practicing healthy spirituality, regardless of religion or no specific religious preferences at all.

Joy is a central principle for the human spirit.  Joy sustains us through life's sorrows   and disappointments.  Joy acts as a counter balance while climbing out of depression or grief, dealing with past trauma and the ensuing PTSD, keeping us from sinking down further into negative emotions and thoughts.  Joy is important to safeguard not just our mental, emotional and spiritual health but it has a direct positive benefit upon our physical health too.

Adults often develop habits that steer away from Joy.  Babies laugh hundreds of times a day.  How much have you laughed out loud today?  How much have you laughed in the past month?  Do you find your world crumbling around you, feeling out of sorts and grumpy, thinking limiting thoughts, focused upon how little is going your way? ...


Joyful X 2 Padfolio



Inspire: Keep your Joy up and flowing to attract order and harmony into your life all year long!  
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com - see what's new!  Thank you to those who are supporting this effort.  You rock!  

Proceeds go to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (Louisiana) and to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for all the awesome help they have given to the children of the Gulf Coast.  

Developing this online gift store is one of the ways of how I keep my Joy up, focusing upon creativity that creates proceeds for charities doing great work.

*** Joyful x 2 design found in the Denny Lyon Gifts store @ Cafe Press in these sections:  beddingstationery and inspiration (plenty of style choices for women, men, baby and kid's t-shirts and hoodies.)