Recipe(tried): A Good Time In Maine... Maine Blueberry Muffins, Sweet Red Bell Pepper and Musrhoom Quiche plus 4 Dinner Menus for Friends

Hi Everyone!

It's been a while since I last posted...hope Gladys is feeling much better these days!

We just got back from a fabulous Maine vacation. We were Down East...visited Portland, Freeport, Acadia, Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport and stayed in Lamoine Beach in a sweet 1930's style cottage. Did you know that a cottage on the water is called a camp? I found great antiques in Portland, more specifically, Scarborough. Great yard sales too!! In Portland we stayed at the Black Point Inn in Prouts Neck, a very old and quaint inn. The weather was super cool and we loved it!

In Freeport they have a huge shopping outlet mall; that's where the huge L.L. Bean is. Great shopping! In Kennebunkport, there is Main Street with sweet shops and restaurants all over. We even went to see the Bush Compound on Walker's Point. No need to mention that lobsters and seafood were just delicious!

Bar Harbor was just as beautiful with also it's own Main Street and lots of great shops! We drove on up to Seal Harbor to catch a glimpse of Martha Stewart's summer home...very hard to see. We loved the town of Lamoine and the best breakfast was at the Riverside Cafe. I enjoyed their Red Pepper & Mushroom Quiche one morning and their Blueberry Muffins were to die for!!

We had the best Pizza Bianca at Fratelli's Pizzeria, that is pizza with mozzarella, ricotta, and garlic, yummm!!

While shopping in a book store, I caught a glimpse of a new book out, MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook by Maryjane Butters. What a fabulous book...and the pictures are just beautiful. Lots of antiques, ideas and great recipes. Just right up my alley. Maybe Betsy can feature it here, it is really a fantastic book!! Like the cover says, "it's for the farmgirl in all of us"!!

The time flew by and now we are back home. In August we start looking for a home around the Athens, Georgia area...can't wait, as Southern food is a whole 'nother story!! They are famous for their "meats & three plates".

Here are a few recipes I have tried out since I have been back, they are all yummy!!

MAINE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
Source: Maine Ingredients, Jr. League of Portland, Maine
Makes 12-18 muffins

1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
3 eggs
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. half & half
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 425F. Grease muffin tins.

In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter.

Add eggs, half & half and vanilla. Add remaining dry ingredients. Mix well. Batter will be stiff.

Fold in blueberries. Fill tins 3/4 full.

Bake 23-25 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.

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I did not get the recipe for the yummy quiche I had at the Riverside but this one comes as close as possible to taste.

SWEET RED BELL PEPPER AND MUSHROOM QUICHE

1 cup chopped sweet red bell pepper
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup Vidalia onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
3 Tbsp. butter
1 Pillsbury uncooked pie shell
1 1/2 cups half & half
5 eggs beaten well
1 tsp. salt
pinch of black pepper
pinch of fresh grated nutmeg
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

Saute bell pepper, mushroom, onion, and garlic, in butter; cook until barely tender. Use more butter if needed. Spread veggie mixture over bottom of pie shell.

Combine half & half and beaten eggs; season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour onto crust and a sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake at 275F for 40-50 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Serve with Papas Brava, Blueberry Muffins and fruit cup.

Papas Brava (click here) recipe has been posted before. They are to die for!!

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Now, I have to decide what dinner to cook for my 2 best friends from New York and their Mom. They arrive today to visit their Mom who lives here in Land O'Lakes and I will see them later this week. We have been friends over 30 years, growing up together in The Bronx!

These are the menus I will tell them about:

Menu #1:
Tomato, Garlic and Mozzarella Bruschetta
Chicken Tetrazzini (recipe)
Broccoli Florets with Garlic Lemon Oil
Raspberry Almond Tart

Menu #2:
Parmesan Crusted Thick Pork Chops
Garlic Smashed Red Potatoes
Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad (recipe)
Garlic Sauteed Spinach
Apple Crostata

Menu #3:
Garlic Toasts with Red Pepper Aioli
Chicken Piccata (recipe)
Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Apple Cake Tatin

Menu #4:
Arugula, Tomato & Avocado Salad
Cuban Bread Toasts with Garlic Rub
Cuban Arroz con Pollo (recipe)
Fried Sweet Plantains (recipe)
Tres Leche Cake (recipe)

I will let them know the menus and let them decide...I know my sweet Mama can make the Arroz con Pollo!

Sorry I have not been able to post as often as I would like to but I have been so busy with the yard, looking for homes on-line in Athens, catching up with my books, watching my Monarch butterflies lay eggs and seeing the caterpillars turn into pupae...soooo many things to do and never enough time!!

Hope you are all healthy and well and enjoying Summer and all it's bounty!!

Happy Cooking!! Gina