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Diane Kaufman

I am a middle aged Mermaid who is following her passion. I created my own business- Mermaid Cottages Vacation rentals on Tybee Island, Georgia. I adore WordPress and want to learn as much as possible.

The Deen Family Dinner minus the Deen’s

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Now that the busy, busy season is over ( but we are still busy with visitors during this glorious September season!) we have a bit of time on our hands to have some fun. Hallie, one of our favorite Tybee friends put together this little dinner party last weekend . Here is her invitation:
“I’m writing to invite you over to my home on Saturday evening for the first of many Deen Family Dinners (minus the Deen’s). This time we will split the responsibility and have everyone bring something — the only pre-requisite is that it has to be a Deen Family recipe (i.e. a recipe from any one of their cookbooks or their websites). This can be any Deen Family recipe from Paula to Jamie, Bobby to Bubba. I will provide the main course — which will be something from the boys new cookbook Take It Easy (which is a fantastic cookbook ….you must stop by Seaside Sisters and buy you one). Hallie”
 

 

We all loved the idea and I jumped on this big time. I so enjoy cooking especially with a theme attached. We starting the evening out with Cucumber Martini’s and Candied Bacon …. yes- an appetizer only our Paula could put together. The recipe is from the Deen Family Cookbook-you basically lay bacon on a cookie sheet, pour bourbon on top and then sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake until crisp… People couldn’t stop with just one piece! This is right up there with Paula’s Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding we make for the annual holiday party! 

 

Here’s the items I made an amazing appetizer- shrimp dip , then a savory Blue Cheese Cornbread Bread Pudding ( btw– did any of ever use the word savory to describe food before we all started watching the Food Network? I know I didn’t!) For desert I made the big thick Carrot Cake with pecans and coconut from Corrie Hiers ( Paula’s niece) complete with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting! On top of the cake, I had soaked dried apricots in bourbon and then placed on top fo the cake to look like little carrots and then fresh mint on top to look just like miniature carrots.All of my recipes I prepared came from the Deen Family Cook book which you can see on http://www.pauladeen.com/  
 

 

As you can see from the pictures, even Paula showed up for the party. True- she was a little stiff and didn’t move from the one spot – guarding the buffet table, but she didn’t stop smiling! We knew she was having lots of fun. As did all of us!

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More figs!

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Thank you Martha for this amazing recipe you sent to share! We’re looking forward to your return to Tybee this fall! I spent the morning kayaking the Back River this morning and thought about you and all your many friends who love these waters so much.

Everyone- here’s the tremendous recipe to enjoy!

Fig and Stilton Salad

Ingredients

3/4 cup ruby port
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons hazelnut oil or walnut oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon mild-flavored (light) molasses
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1-2 cups figs, quartered
Note: You may substitute the wines for any red, and the oil with vegetable or olive oil. Also, I substituted honey for the molasses.
1 5-ounce bag mixed baby greens (about 10 cups loosely packed)
4 ounces Stilton cheese, crumbled (about 1 1/4 cups)
Preparation
Whisk everything but the figs in a medium bowl to blend. (Dressing can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Bring vinaigrette to simmer in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Simmer until dressing is slightly syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add figs and simmer for another 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
Divide greens among 6 plates. Sprinkle cheese over greens. Ladle warm dressing and figs over salads and serve.

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The Fig Adventures

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My summer goal was to take advantage of these wonderful summer figs which grow on Tybee and find some great recipes to enjoy. As I rode my bike all over the island, I’ve been noticing some enormous fig trees bearing fruit! The challenge was would the squirrels and birds get the ripe figs or would I….. I managed to find enough figs to make a couple of delicious fig cakes with cream cheese frosting ( recipe came from the Southern Living cook book. 

http://www.southernliving.com/). My bike basket picture shows the fruits of my forging where I found several dozen ripe figs AND another bird nest that had fallen from the trees during a recent wind storm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monday Night Mermaid Musing..

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Monday night and almost ready for bed- but some thoughts….. I loved Patrick Swayze in North and South- the TV mini series. I think it was one of the reasons I wanted to badly to move to the South. To have someone like him who would ride up on that horse and rescue me after those darn Northern Aggressors destroyed everything in the Southland– ah- that was the dream…. Everything else he did after that was just a bonus- he had me at North and South forever… Rest in peace Patrick…

We’re taste testing the 3 coffees to decide which one will be Mermaid Morning Bliss- Sandi Postle– if you’re reading this- we need to have you as part of the taste testing since it’s your name! Savannah Coffee Roasters is the local coffee company we’re working with for the coffee- it all smells good and since I don’t drink coffee – I’m sure my taste test panel will select the right one!

We made it to the next round of the Shine A Light project! Now the judges- who include Diane Von Furstenberg and Ellen DeGeneres will be selecting the final three companies. After they’ve selected the final three, then we’ll all be able to vote. And as they say at the Academy Awards- it’s truly just an honor to be nominated!!!! http://shinealight.ivillage.com/

Kayaking tomorrow morning on our beautiful Back River with the dolphins… can’t wait!

And lastly- our girl Miley has started her new tour- but the music video she made while here on Tybee is on YouTube.. I’ll find it soon and add to the blog for all to enjoy…

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