MIA: May

So you probably noticed that I have been MIA for quite some time...Last you heard from me, Oatmeal Snack Bars were all the rage. But trust me, I have not solely been eating snack bars for the past 4 months. Quite the opposite, actually. I have had a slew of events to attend this summer (a graduation, bachelorette party, birthdays, reunions, and wedding...to name a few)--all of which consisted of mouth-watering bites and innovative recipes. Sadly this blog was put on the back back burner, as I prepared dozens of recipes in addition to working full-time and preparing for graduate school. Yes, being far too busy with other real-life issues is my excuse for being MIA. But I am back! And I have so much to share from my summer excursions. Let's start with May: 

At the beginning of May, Brendan and I spent a wonderfully relaxing weekend on the Cape, which included doing lots of laundry, cooking some delicious meals, and seeing my cousin perform in her last high school musical: West Side Story. 

Friday night dinner
Sausage, Mushroom, & Basil Pizza

Pizza with roasted asparagus

Saturday morning breakfast
Spinach omelette with roasted sweet potatoes and fresh strawberries

The following weekend, we trekked up to Hamilton, New York for my brother's college graduation. Damn, I felt old (and still do). Saturday evening's celebratory feast was a simple, yet decadent Italian buffet. Everyone from the family contributed to the meal. My contributions included bringing all the cured meats and cheeses, and making Dried Cherry and Ginger Cannoli for dessert. They were frickin' phenomenal and surprisingly easy to make. That said, I did not make the cannoli shell...just the filling.

The final weekend of May--Memorial Day--I hosted my very first bachelorette party for one of my best friends from college. There were no strippers or raunchy dance clubs. It was a simple and relaxing event. We spent the weekend at my parents' house on Cape Cod lounging around, catching up on life stories, eating lots of delicious food, having a late-night dance party, and taking turns shooting a BB gun outside. 

The bride-to-be practicing her sharp-shooting skills
Photo by Ebbe Sweet Photography©

Saturday night's menu

--Guacamole

--Salsa

--Double-Layer Beef Tacos (just the beef mixture, not the double layer part)

--Blackened Shrimp Tacos

--Lentil Taco mixture

--Margaritas

Sunday night's menu 

--Caramelized onion and shallot dip (recall that I also made this for New Year's Eve)

--Sweet and Spicy Pepperonata

--Spring Vegetable Penne

--Salad with feta, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Marcona almonds

--Lots of wine 

Overall, May was a pretty successful culinary month. More to come on the food and adventures from June, July, and August!