Happy Nectarine Day!

Blogger of the Day: Chloe at Chef Chloe
Pubs:
Chloe's Vegan Desserts
Chloe's Kitchen
Chloe's Quick-and-Easy Vegan Party Foods
Chloe's Vegan Chocolate Classics
Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen

Lemon cake is one of my favorite summer desserts...even better when topped with luscious nectarines! This yumful recipe from Cupcake Wars winner Chef Chloe is so easy...it's perfect to serve as a fancied up dessert or just as a casual snack on a sunny summer afternoon. And nectarines top off anything deliciously...vegan ice cream and yogurt and pancakes are twice as nice with sliced nectarines. Grilling them amps up their sweet tangy flavor so give them a go on savory things too like panzanella salad, fried rice, BBQ'd tofu...whatever you like!  :)

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Grilled Nectarines

Rustic Peach Galette

End-of-Summer Frittata

Mexicali Sliders

Avocado Pesto Pasta

Oyster Mushroom Tacos with Sweet Mango Salsa

Cajun Yam Fries

Blueberry Cinnamon French Toast

Beach Cookies

Mahalo Mud Pie

Raspberry Tiramisu Cupcakes

Chocolate Beer Cupcakes with Irish Whiskey Buttercream

Chef Chloe is supersparkling camera candy...enchantingly cute, witty, smart and always full of smiles! She's a natural ambassador for living a delicious vegan life...here she is in action!  :)
Mango Masala Panini and Avocado Rueben Sandwiches
Falafel Sliders with Avocado Hummus
Double Double Drive-Thru Burgers
Homemade Pasta with Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce
Warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip
5-Ingredient Apple Pie
Baked Sprinkle Donuts
Close-tess Cream-filled Cupcakes

What do you enjoy pairing with nectarines? Which cooking shows do you watch regularly? Who is your favorite vegan YouTube chef?  ;)

Check out the rest of our 2014 Daily Food Holiday and Featured Blogger Series!

Swingin' into Summer with Sweet Nectarines!

Happy 1st Day of Summer!
Celebrate the sunshine with nectarines...peaches' fuzzless cousins.  ;)

Banana Nectarine Smoothie 

from Peggy at Allergy Free Test Kitchen

Pear Nectarine Smoothie Machine 

from Emily Levenson

Nectarine Oatmeal Topped with Caramelized Nectarines 

from Jackie at Vegan Yack Attack

Napa Salad with Nectarine & Chili Tofu Croutons 

from S.Boulton & S.Duquet at Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Tomato and Nectarine Salad with a Korean Dressing 

from Michael at Herbivoracious

Vegan Fennel and Nectarine Millet Salad 

from Samantha at Greener Ideal

Pistachio Tarts with Lemon Cream and Nectarines 

from S.Boulton & S.Duquet at Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Vegan Nectarine and Apple Cake 

from Selva at Poppies and Papayas

Raw Nectarine Dream Cookies

 from Alayna at Thyme Bombe

Note...I like to use "freestone" nectarines, especially if I will be slicing or chopping them. They're so much easier!
"In freestone types, the flesh separates readily from the pit. In the clingstone type, the flesh clings tightly to the pit."
(Source: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/peaches.html)
Some varieties of freestone nectarines to look for: Arctic Snow, Early Scarlet, Fantasia, June Princess, Mericrest, Red Diamond, RedGold, Stark Ovation, Summer Bright, Summer Diamond, Summer Grand, SunGlo
Or ask the produce manager at your store which ones are freestone...they may even cut one open to show you!  :)

On Sale!
Organic Nectarines and Peaches at Outpost Natural Foods through June 25th.  :)

How are you celebrating the start of summer?