TOO many green tomatoes....

Here comes the cold weather.... knowing that it was supposed to snow yesterday I did our last and final harvest of the year.

I gathered about 30 green tomatoes and 6 green bell peppers. Since we have already made fried green tomatoes I decided to try something new- Green Tomato Chutney and it is delicious!!! A little on the spicy side but will be perfect to place on top of goat cheese! YUMMM.....

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.....

You don't have to be a guest at The Z to enjoy our delicious cinnamon rolls......you can purchase them by the tray at Olivia's on the square. YUMMM!!!!!! Maple frosting is also included :) Hurry before we sell out. These are perfect to have in the freezer for the holiday season.

Our first red bell pepper from the Z garden!!!!

This mornings breakfast....

Spinach, Onion, Bacon Fritatta

Homemade Vermont White Cheddar Biscuits

Strawberries

Brrrr......

Homemade Marshmellows and Cocoa

YUMMMM!!!!!!

S'mores....

Or rather.....Z'mores!!

Not only do we LOVE traditional s'mores here at The Z but we have recently discovered a new way to enjoy the gooiness of marshmellows, chocolate, and graham crackers!!
I suggest everyone try this recipe very, very soon!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.
Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Fall.....

Not only do I love the fall because of football but also because the crispness in the air gives us a reason to build a fire inside/outside!!! Come to The Z and we will have a marshmellow ready for you to roast!!!

Dinner Delivery......

Homemade Lasagna :)

Our cousin Jenny just gave birth to her second child (precious William!!) so Britt and I decided to make her husbands favorite dish-- Homemade Lasagna. It was a hit and Corey said it was the best he has ever had!!! YUMMMM!

(email me for the recipe.)

Headed to the market :)

We are up bright and early here at The Z....

Just got a to go cup of coffee now I am off to the Midtown Farmers Market...need to get some fresh veggies for the frittata I am making this morning.

Menu-- July 30th

Farmers Market Vegetable Frittata

Homemade Extra Sharp Vermont Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

Hashbrowns

....and coffee, of course!!

Vail- a much needed vacation with the family :)

Australian picnic!

A couple days ago we had the privilege of having an adorable couple from Australia stay with us. They drove from Nashville on the Natchez Trace and were so confused on why there was not any dining options along the way. So, we decided to pack them a nice lunch to eat while they stopped for a relaxing picnic on their drive back. We included a few yummy turkey sandwiches with spinach, mustard, freshly sliced extra sharp vermont cheddar cheese and farmers market tomatoes on delicious whole wheat bread from Bottletree Bakery! I also threw in a couple bananas, freshly peeled carrots, two water bottles, and some fresh baked homemade cookies. As far as I know, they really enjoyed their time in Oxford!! I hope they come back to see us soon :)

Farmers Market watermelon served in a red cabbage cup!

SO fresh!!!!

Sunday Brunch

Good morning!! We have decided to start serving Sunday Brunch every week!! Reservations will be required and the menu will be small but every option is sure to be absolutely divine!!! An example of a menu is:

Eggs Benedict with Country Ham and Homemade Hollandaise

HUGE Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting

Vermont White Cheddar Grits

Hashbrowns

Fresh Berries

The menu will change week to week so be sure to check back on our blog to see what we will be serving!! Call Annie at (713) 927-1295 to make your reservation :)

Homemade Pesto

Ingredients from garden:

onion

basil

oregano

parsley

Not from garden:

a few almonds

olive oil

salt

pepper

Served w/ delicious toasted

Garlic Rosemary Bread from Bottletree Bakery



Now all you need is a glass of wine and you are ready to enjoy....

Our first tomato :)

Tomatoes from the grocery store do not even compare to homegrown.

YUM!!!

Farmers Market purchases....YUM!!

Cantelope, edamame, corn, green tomatoes!

Beautiful tomato and yummy beets!!!

Radishes, carrots, homemade cabbage relish.

Host your next party at The Z!!!

Champagne flutes w/ strawberries

Drinks-- mint from our garden and fresh cut

lemons and limes, tonic water, liquor, wine, etc.

Cheese tray-- Blue and Parmesan, dried apricots and

almonds on top of beautiful swiss chard

Cheese tray-- Goat, Brie, Windsor Red, Virginia Peanuts

and raisins served on swiss chard

Proscuitto wrapped melon

We also made Maple Salmon Bites (one of my favorite appetizers)

The Graduation Lunch Menu:

Beef Tenderloin with roasted grape tomatoes and crumbled blue cheese

Roasted asparagus

Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Vermont White Cheddar Biscuits

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Fried Green Farmers Market Tomatoes!!!!

Fresh Cut Tomato

Soak in egg mixture

Coat with Cornmeal mix

Fry them up!!

And voila-- DONE!!

*Season to taste....we put hot sauce on them for an extra kick :)

Good morning,

All is well here at The Z!!! Brittany and I spent ALL day yesterday making cinnamon rolls. We have started selling them individually at "Olivia's" during the Taylor Farmers Market on Saturday mornings! We are also selling them by the tray in the frozen section at "Olivia's" on the square. We are so excited and hope that everyone will make time to stop by and try them! They are homemade from scratch and are served with a delicius maple frosting. If you have any input or a new frosting you would like to see them served with just let me know and I would be more than happy to test it out!!

Please meet....the man of our house (and hearts).

Colonel Reb.

What says summer more than........

An outdoor BBQ?!?!?

Our garden.....

Mint for sweet tea AND mojitos!!

Sage

Greek Oregano, Sweet Basil, and Rosemary!!! YUM.

Our first tomato!!!!

Onions.

The Z also makes and delivers homemade cakes.....

A couple that stayed with us recently called a few days after their stay and informed me that their daughters birthday was coming up and asked if I would make her a cake and deliver it to the dorms. Her mom said she loves red velvet so that was the plan! I called her best friend and she told me the b-day girl has requested to have a barbie cake so of course, I did what I could.....a red velvet barbie cake!! I will attach a photo....I was very pleased with how it turned out-especially considering it was the first time for me to ever make a cake with a barbie in to!!

(The picture does not do her justice because it was taken with my phone but this will give you and idea!)

Sorry it has been SO long.....we have been so busy here at The Z!!!!!

Cheese Plate+Wine in the evenings....tempting?!

Antique chair that we planted herbs in:
Cilantro
Rosemary
Lavender
Parsley


Our new sign!!



Some front yard landscaping.

Homemade biscuits from scratch...

Prior to being smothered in homemade sausage gravy....YUMMM!!!

Spring is here and I could not be happier!!!! Spring means.....

1) Watermelons!!!
2) Double Decker
3) Baseball Season
4) Sun!
5) Farmers Market is open :)
6) and Many More.....