spinach salad w/ grilled ham & peaches

1 pound boneless ham steak

4 peaches, halved (leave the skin on!)

3 Tbsp EVOO

salt & pepper

1 hass avocado

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

3/4 lb baby spinach

1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

croutons

*Preheat grill to medium-high.  Brush the ham and peaches with EVOO and season with salt & pepper.  Grill the peaches about 5 minutes, just until softened.  Grill the ham about 8 minutes (turning once in that time) until slightly charred.  Let cool.

*Thinly slice the ham.  Cut peaches into wedges.

*Dressing:  puree the avocado with the buttermilk and lemon juice; season with salt & pepper.

*In large bowl combine spinach, ham, and peaches.  Add dressing and toss.  Top with croutons and goat cheese.

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adapted a smidge from Everyday

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Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce

1/2 stick butter

1 large yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 (12-oz) can Dr. Pepper

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbsp tomato paste

2 tsp ancho chili powder

1 tsp white pepper

1 tsp kosher salt

1. In medium saucepan, cook and stir onion and garlic in hot butter over medium heat about 10 minutes until onions are tender.  Add all other ingredients.  Reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, 15 minutes.  Cook, uncovered, until sauce begins to thicken, 20-30 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Cool sauce for 10 minutes.
2. Puree sauce in pan with immersion blender, or transfer to a blender jar, cover, and blend until smooth.
3. Serve over hot dogs (in their buns).

Yield: 4 cups sauce

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from Elizabeth Karmel via BHG

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frozen fruit

Freeze your own fruit!  Seriously, it’s so easy, and tastes so good!  Cut-up or leave whole, put on cookie sheet (I cover mine with wax paper or silicon sheet), put in freezer, and then transfer to freezer ziploc bag.

Our favorites so far…

• whole strawberries (perfect for shakes & smoothies)
• blueberries (eating frozen or adding to pancakes)
• pineapple (cut into chunks, then eat frozen or for smoothie)
• bananas* (cut into circles, sprinkle w/ sugar, freeze, then eat frozen)
• raspberries & blackberries (eat frozen, for shakes/smoothies, add to jello, thaw for ice-cream)

I haven’t tried peaches… yet, but really want to.

What are your favorite fruits to freeze?  I’d love to hear and get some more ideas, especially now when fruit is at it’s best!

*I also freeze over-ripe bananas, in their peel, to use for banana bread at a later date

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lemonberry smoothie

Don’t let the simplicity fool you… this is so good, and so refreshing on a hot summer day!

Blend…

frozen strawberries (I freeze my own during the season, or buy whole frozen berries from Costco)

prepared lemonade (not the powdered stuff!)

sugar to sweeten

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Idea:  Freeze in dixie cups w/ popsicle sticks for a homemade popsicle!

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pineapple crush

Blend & Enjoy!

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 frozen very ripe medium banana

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from JulieCooks!