Yesterday turned into experimentation day in my kitchen. After a long, hot day Saturday helping my mom with a yard sale in Alleghany County, I was ready for a relaxing Sunday puttering around the stove — and, as it turned out, the grill.

While rummaging around the refrigerator for random produce to throw into my scrambled eggs (artichokes, tomato, banana pepper), I saw the bag of green peanuts I bought at Global Foods in Blacksburg last week. They still looked okay, so I set them to boil in a big pot of water and dumped in an unhealthy amount of salt.

Those of you who read the blog regularly know this made the second time I attempted to make boiled peanuts as tasty as the ones at roadside stands. Well, by golly, I did it this time! They took on the trademark dark, chocolate color and the wonderful, briny flavor. Now all I need to do to perfect them is cut back a little on the salt next time and boil them or let them set about one more hour.

The key truly was to just boil the living crap out of them for hours on end. We finally ate them at 4 p.m.

Success number two came in the form of a cannellini bean paste for bruschetta. I’d had something similar at a restaurant at the Biltmore in Asheville and have been meaning to try and duplicate it ever since.

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Happy Independence Day, everyone!
I’m heading out to two cookouts in the Alleghany County area this afternoon. It just always seems right to me to celebrate the 4th out in the country, where I grew up. The skies seem much bigger.
I hope you all have fun plans today, as well. Of course, with celebrating and good times always comes food, at least in my book.
I’ve made deviled eggs for one party today and tried out a new Paula Deen recipe for the later cookout.
The Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad is still gelling in the fridge, but a first taste (or two) suggests that it’s gonna be a big success. I love the flavors of orange, basil, cherry tomatoes and pine nuts, and the grilled chicken gives it serious weight.
I would advise lightening up on the salt in the dressing, though.
In case you’re still looking for an idea for this weekend, I’ll share the recipe from “Cooking with Paula Deen” magazine after the jump.
Have a safe, spectacular holiday weekend!

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