Zucchini Carpaccio

Beef carpaccio is one of our Dad's favorite dishes. Whenever we go out to eat, if any kind of carpaccio is on the menu, he must try it. A few summer's ago, we came across a recipe in some magazine for Zucchini Carpaccio and tested it out. We have since forgotten where the recipe came from and just use the recipe we made up. This dish is a great summer starter for any meal. We like to serve it on a giant platter where everyone can grab what they want and go back for more. You could also make it on individual plates for a more formal dinner. You can swap out the mint for any fresh herb (we sometimes make it with tarragon). This dish is super versatile! 

xxx Ivy & Eve

Serves 4 as an appetizer or side dish

Ingredients:

2 large zucchini

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 lemon

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated (grate your own cheese, it is always better that way)

5-7 mint leaves

salt and pepper

mandoline slicer (We got ours from OXO)

Directions:

1. Slice the zucchinis very thinly with the mandoline. 
2. Arrange on a platter, overlapping the slices slightly in one layer.
3. Stack the mint leaves on top of each other and cut into fine slivers.
4. Drizzle with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lemon on the top.
8. Sprinkle the mint on top.
9. Enjoy!

Watermelon Lime Basil Popsicles

Midsummer in the Valley brings high temps and if you're lucky, long days spent by the pool. This past weekend was no exception, and we decided to concoct a popsicle recipe for something tasty and refreshing. Watermelon was our choice for the base, light, refreshing, and crisp. We then picked a lime to add some zing, ending with a little basil. Summer fruits are naturally sweet so we didn't use any added sugar making them surprisingly healthy. We used our Zoku Quick Pop Maker which freezes popsicles in as little as 15 minutes! We ended up eating the whole batch before we even thought about cleaning up! We think these little pops turned out perfectly. They are refreshing and ready for a poolside staycation!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Makes 6 Zoku quick pops or 6 regular popsicles.

Ingredients:

• Diced fresh seedless watermelon
• 1 Lime (juice)
• 2-3 Basil leaves

Directions:

1. Dice watermelon into cubes, place in blender. Blend till you make around 2 cups liquid. 
2. Squeeze 1 lime into watermelon slurry. blend for 30 seconds.
3. Place 2-3 leaves of basil in blender. (amount depends on preference). Blend till pieces are small but not tiny. (size is also up to preference).
4. Pour mixture into popsicle molds. We use the Zoku Quick Pop Maker.
5. If you use the Zoku Quick Pop Maker let freeze according to directions, making 2 batches for a total of 6 pops. 
6. If you use a regular popsicle mold, place in freezer for a few hours until frozen. 
7. Serve or Store!

The Mighty Cherry Margarita

In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, we wanted to share one of our favorite margarita recipes! These cherry margaritas combine Ivy's need for sweetness and Eve's preference for fresh flavors. We like to make these when cherries are in season, and we can buy them at our local farmers market, but we have also used thawed frozen cherries with equally tasty results. These margs are perfect for warm summer days by the pool or at your next backyard bbq. ¡Salud!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Makes one cocktail.

Ingredients

• 12 fresh sweet cherries, pitted

• 1/4 cup tequila

• 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

• 2 tbsp. blue agave syrup

• 1 tbsp. Triple Sec

• Sparkling water (optional)

• 1 lime slice, for garnish

Directions

1. Place cherries in a cocktail shaker (or whatever you have on hand) and muddle them with a muddler or a wooden spoon until they are mashed and juicy. 

2. Add tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, agave syrup, and ice.

3. Cover cocktail shaker tightly and shake well. 

4. Pour and filter into a glass of ice. 

5. ¡Salud!

TIP: If you would like to add a bit of bubble to your marg (or you like a more mellow cocktail), add a splash or two of sparkling water (or bubbly, we won't tell!)