Hurrican't

Ham and Cheese Biscuits

Eyes have been glued to the television this week as the East Coast was slammed with stranger-than-strange weather. Earthquake tremors and a hurricane in 5 days, what gives Mother Earth? Don't be mad at me, I've started to compost.

Be assured that we Manhattan-ites remained unscathed even though days ago we prepared for the worst. Local stores nearly sold out of bottled water and flashlights. (If I have to hear the phrase "hunker-down" one more time...)

Me and Mr.*From Scratch stocked up on water and supplies nonchalantly throughout the week. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that we started to get worried. By then the media and overall mood in the neighborhood was bordering on panic. We went back and forth to the grocery three more times for extra water. (In our defense, the media was saying be prepared for up to 5 days without power or water.)

See you in September!

Thanks for stopping by! This blog is taking a break until around the first of September. Check back then for new and exciting recipes!

Best,
*Girl From Scratch

Summer Bumper

Zucchini Fritters

I refuse to believe that summer is winding down, but it's hard to ignore when the school supplies are on sale at Target. Sigh. Where has the time gone? It seems as if it all just began.

One of the best things about summer (to me) are the fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables that are in peak season. Right now zucchini, and other squash, are showing up abundantly at the markets in my area. Others who are lucky enough to have a vegetable garden, may have more of this bumper crop then they know what to do with. You came to the right place!

Today's recipe is good... Really good. It might be one of my top favorites that I've blogged about, and I do not toss that claim around lightly. (It's that delicious.) Me and Mr.*From Scratch made these Zucchini Fritters on a stay-in date night, we paired it with roasted salmon, mixed vegetables and some chilled white wine. I am not exaggerating when I say that almost every bite was followed by a "Wow! These are real good!"

I am definitely adding this to my permanent repertoire and hopefully so will you. Enjoy!

Zucchini Fritters

Cast of Characters: Zucchini, parmesan cheese, oregano, parsley, onion, eggs, flour.

Grate zucchini and onion with a cheese grater.

Add all herbs and flour. (I also added, salt, pepper and garlic powder.)

Add cheese and slightly beaten egg. Mix all ingredients together.

Get pan super hot and coat with olive oil. Put spoonfuls in pan and flatten slightly.

Flip when golden brown and then put on a paper-towel lined plate.

Pair with plain yogurt for dipping, but I think marinara sauce would be awesome too! 
Original Recipe:
Zucchini Fritters- Martha Stewart Living

This would be a great vegetarian main dish with a substantial salad, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for a small gathering. What are you doing with your bumper crop this summer? (Is there anything else besides zucchini bread?)

The Best of Times is Now

Documenting that I rode my bike around the island in 3 inch wedges. I felt very Brooklyn.

For the last 9 days we've been living it up on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. We've spent time sunning on the beach, swimming at the pool (lots of jellyfish right now), and laughing in the kitchen. My family loves to cook, so it's been fun making our favorite recipes and spending lots of quality time together around the stove.

Me and Mr.*From Scratch were also lucky to sample some fantastic local restaurants that wowed even our cynical Manhattan palates.

(Okay, let me be completely honest for a moment: I feel like it takes several days for my husband and I to shed the jaded New Yawk demeanor that we've developed since living here. We must look like complete jerks when we arrive at the Savannah Airport, clothed in black, pale and Vitamin D deprived, chained to our iPhones, making a beeline towards the airport Starbucks saying things like, "Why is everyone so friendly?" and "How do people function at this hour without a quad espresso?" I kind of feel like that snooty couple from the Griswold's Christmas Vacation. But I digress...)

The food we ate on this vacation was out of this world, so this week's post has no recipe, just a collage of "The Best" of what we ate. Enjoy!

The delicious buttery bird that my vegetarian brother, taking one for the team, basted to perfection. Thanks Sam!

Homemade strawberry daiquiris with homemade whipped cream. My family don't mess around.  

Tomato and Feta Pizza from the restaurant "It's Greek to Me"

Cincinnati-style chili made by Uncle Ted. Here's more about a  my hometown's famous chili.

The best hush-puppies ever. At the  Crazy Crab.

Taco Night at the beach house with the family.

My husband reveling in crabmeat glory. Everything tastes better dipped in drawn butter.

We had a great vacation! I'm happy to be going back to the city-that-never-sleeps and diving into my kitchen with some great new recipes. There are still a lot of summer flavors left to enjoy and then we head into September which means Fall is just around the corner. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for next week's exciting recipe.

 (Extra Credit: Name the musical that this weeks title is from!)