My kid.  I love her completely.

Her hugs. Listening skills. Eye contact. Thirst for knowledge. Hugs. Witt. Sense of adventure. Genuine interest in what you’re saying.

Having said that, there is an I want this now and my listening skills have gone out the window at this moment, because I want this now quality about her that I admire. Go get it girl. Which is exactly what she did last week.  I’ll tell you more about that, after I introduce our newest savory dish.  I made a bit of heaven. Rosemary Ham & Swiss Savory Bread Pudding…inspired by a Sunday’s with Shelby outing (which on occasion happens on a Saturday).

My kid, aka Shelby, has lived in a very nice townhome in a great town for 3 years.  Albeit OTP (outside the perimeter).  Those that know the Atlanta scene will recognize that there’s a clear divide between ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of the perimeter.  Side note, most every time we have a Sunday’s with Shelby outing we rely on my car’s navigation system to direct us to the newest hot spot eatery.  And when ‘Rosie’, my car’s navigation spokesperson, says….in 200 yards, turn left on Peri. Meter. Center.  We crack up.  Please tell me you too have named your navigation spokesperson.  Anywho, she’s been yearning to live closer to the action.

She’s forever combing social media, Craig’s list and the like for an opportunity to make the move.  Often what she found was price prohibitive and when something affordable became available it was snatched up faster than the last chicken nugget on the platter.

Shelby’s luck took a turn for the better.  My phone lit up with text messages and pictures with captions.  ‘Potentially mine!!’ ‘This is perfect and I was the first one to come across it.’ ‘Hardwood floors, high ceilings, lots of light.’ ‘The rent is perfect and a prime location!!!!’ followed by six emoticons (the one with the teeth clenched).  Then the phone rang, ‘Eeeek!!! It’s so perfect mom, they even have the same picture in their living room that I have.’ ‘I’m on my way to meet them.  It’s meant to be.’

Stop right there.  When your kid says it’s meant to be, you might as well jump on the band wagon ’cause their mind is made up.

Yep.  Within a week, she was signed, sealed and delivered.

Saturday, after passing a few blocks of cool urban vibe, I arrived at her new destination…Eeeek!…OMG! My first thoughts were that my mom would have loved Shelby’s new neighborhood. Sundays with Shelby are about to get a whole lot hipper.

Not to mention she’s only blocks away from an entrance point to the BeltLine.  An urban renewal project that utilized abandoned railroad tracks to create miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails, connecting parks and green spaces to shops, restaurants and neighborhoods.

After I had my OMG I want to live-your-life moment, we headed off on foot to Krog Street Market.  Designed to be as authentic as the 1920’s warehouse it’s built in. A west-coast style market, in the heart of Inman Park, with a rich history in cooking.  It was originally home to the Atlanta Stove Works.

Atlanta Stove Works introduced a revolutionary form of cast-iron cooking. I researched and soaked in the stories behind the story.  Inman Park is rich in history, the first street car suburb in Atlanta. Street cars have recently been reintroduced to Atlanta, and while they’ve been met with mixed reviews, I hang on to the nostalgia.

We arrived at Krog Street Market hungry!!  The choices were diverse.  Shelby went with the Pimento Cheese Club from Fred’s Meat & Bread with a side of BBQ Fries with White BBQ Sauce.  Whoa.  Applewood smoked bacon, fried green tomato, poblano pepper, spicy mayo, piled into a grilled pimento cheese sandwich. Great folks, passionate about sandwiches and speaking my love language.  Collectively, we didn’t even finish half of this creation.

I couldn’t get past the vast array of choices from Yalla.  The best way I can describe them is as a Middle Eastern Chipotle.  Lots of fresh punchy ingredients, well-balanced with veggies and proteins, prepared in 1 of 3 ways, delivered by a skilled and dynamic staff.  I went with a Pita Sabich.  Hummus, fried eggplant, labne, tahini, amba, herbs, hard boiled egg.  Oh my!

While waiting for our meals to be prepared we discovered several ‘viewing windows’ where eateries were preparing dishes…or in this case making bacon.

We were at Fred’s when I was drawn in to what the gal in the window next door was hand mixing.  At first I thought chicken salad, with bread chunks and greens. Long story short, I dug in and learned she was making Savory Bread Pudding Muffins.  Brilliant.

It’s taken me 800+ words, many pics, and a bunch of pride for my kid’s choice of a new neighborhood to cut to the chase.  Rosemary Ham & Swiss Savory Bread Pudding delivered as individual servings are pure heaven.  The next day I recreated my interpretation for this recipe.

I chose Boar’s Head Rosemary & Sundried Tomato Ham, we first discovered it here, and paired it with Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheese, and sundried tomatoes.  Added day old bread cubes and soaked with seasoned beaten eggs with cream.  Spooned into ramekins or muffin tins and into the oven for about 20 minutes.

I was so giddy about the results that within minutes of picturing, I was on the way to to Share the Love.  We exchanged hugs, how you doings, and then they went straight in.  Two thumbs up from two of Lemony Thyme’s biggest fans.  Love.

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Rosemary Ham & Swiss Savory Bread Pudding

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 3 cups day-old bread, cubed
• 1 cup diced Boar’s Head rosemary ham or favorite
• 1 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatoes fine diced
• 1 cup cream
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. Mrs. Dash garlic & herb seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• butter for remekins

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, add ham, cheese, sundried tomatoes, and bread cubes.
• In a separate bowl, beat eggs with cream and seasoning and pour over meat/cheese/bread. Mix well and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Spoon into 8-ounce buttered ramekins or muffins tins.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set.

The post Rosemary Ham & Swiss Savory Bread Pudding appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Wrapping up a fabulous April, spent celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month.  Our Mediterranean Grilled Cheese Sandwich, layered with basil pesto, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, and cheese, was phenomenal.  All that goodness was sandwiched between two slices of fresh baked Jackalope Real Bread.  Let me tell you a bit about that.

My friend Annabelle, aka California Country Gal, sent me a pouch of her grain-free, gluten-free, sugar-free multi-purpose baking mix to try.  We chose to make a rustic loaf and as it was baking the aromas swirling around the kitchen said ‘fresh baked bread….oh my.’ Wow.

We added fresh chopped sage, because well….our sage is thriving.  And fresh herbs.

The results were amazing.  Annabelle’s grain-free ingredients yielded a gorgeous loaf of bread.  Most importantly the texture was bread-like.  I’m not sure what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised.  After we slathered several slices with butter and scoffed them down standing at the counter…I declared a grilled cheese must happen.

Some of my favorite flavors came together so nicely in this Mediterranean Grilled Cheese.  Fresh basil pesto, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, parmesan & Jarlsberg cheese.

For my gluten-free friends and sugar-free, ‘starch belly’ free fans, check out Jackalope Good Food Company @jackalope good food company for all of Annabelle’s Good Food products.  A grilled cheese sandwich is in your future.

xo, Libby

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Mediterranean Grilled Cheese {Gluten Free}

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 slices Jackalope Grain-Free Bread
• fresh basil pesto see recipe link in post
• artichoke hearts quartered
• sundried tomatoes
• grated parmesan cheese
• grated Jarlsberg cheese
• butter for pan grilling

Instructions

• Heat skillet over medium heat. Melt 1 Tbl. butter.
• Layer bread slice with basil pesto, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and Jarlsberg cheese. Top with second bread slice.
• Pan grill until golden brown, carefully turn over and grill until second side is golden and cheese is melty.

The post Mediterranean Grilled Cheese {Gluten Free} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Baked Sweet Potato {with Sautéed Mushrooms & Spinach topped with Jarlsberg Cheese}.

Recently someone asked me, “with all the cooking you do, what is your favorite ‘type’ of food or genre if you will….American Favorites, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, etc.”  I thought about it for a minute, I certainly love most ALL food….but what came out of my mouth was absolutely accurate.  “I love vegetables most.”  All vegetables, prepared most ways.  I could give up Italian if I had to (even though I’d miss it) but I could NOT give up veggies.  I just couldn’t do it.

It is with that in mind that I made this Baked Sweet Potato {with Sautéed Mushrooms & Spinach topped with Jarlsberg Cheese}.  I happened to have mushrooms & spinach on hand that day, however they could have easily been exchanged with zucchini & onions or cauliflower & kale or Brussels sprouts & bacon.

Did you catch that?  You get the idea, a potato is a blank canvas waiting seasonal flavor.  Sauté your veggies with fresh herbs and aromatics then pile them high on top of your Perfectly Baked Sweet Potato.  If you happen to have some of that awe-mazing Jarlsberg Cheese Dip on hand, why not?!!

The post Baked Sweet Potato {with Sautéed Mushrooms & Spinach topped with Jarlsberg Cheese} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

At our last family pot-luck gathering, my sister-in-law brought a crock full of the most glorious cheese dip.  Jarlsberg Cheese Dip to be exact.  She served it cold with a sliced baguette.  I’m sure I never let it out of my sight or reach for the entire evening hour before it was devoured for it’s heavenly goodness.  She shared that she had bought this tub of love at her local Kroger supermarket.  I promptly sought out the closest Kroger and bought 2 tubs (plain and jalapeno) and a baguette.

Remarkably when the next morning rolled around there was still enough left in the tub to create this masterpiece.  The Jarlsberg BLT with Fried Egg.  Muahhhh…

I have since done some research and found that Jarlsberg Dip can be recreated at home if you don’t have a Kroger near by.  Check out this easy recipe by Betsy at My Five Men.

The post The Jarlsberg BLT with Fried Egg appeared first on Lemony Thyme.