T.W.O.

Taylor Bay + Bugaloos

Published on July 31, 2014July 30, 2014 by T.W.O.1 Comment

We took an excursion to Chalk Sound for the day and visited Taylor Bay. It’s a secluded beach with white powdery sand and beautiful blue waters. You can walk about a quarter mile out with the water only going up to your knees. Definetly bring your snorkels, there are fish, coral and maybe even a turtle or two that you will find further out. We also, well mostly our brother, decided to make a spa day out of our visit too. Taylor bay has great “clay sand” to exfoliate your skin. The Caribbean version of the Dead Sea according to our brother! This beach is a little tricky to find and don’t expect a parking lot. After making a left on Ocean Point Drive, we turned into a residential area. Not seeing any signs we asked a local and he directed us to a path that looked like it didn’t go anywhere. Well it did – and once we walked down the path and turned the bend we were all in pure awe. Taylor Bay is a MUST when visiting Turks & Caicos.

Bugaloo’s

Located in Five Cays Settlement, this beach side restaurant was the perfect lunch spot! Great views, friendly people, fantastic food and drinks! It was the first place on our trip where we ordered conch. Conch Salad, Coconut Conch Fritters, Conch Sandwich – – – we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed it! It wasn’t our last time ordering it, that’s for sure! The Provo Punch was a great drink for this hot and humid afternoon – it’s a blended drink with tropical fruit. If you really want to make it a good, good lunch – – ask for a topper!!! After lunch we headed down to the beach and picked up two conches to take back home. The conch diver showed us the art in catching conch and removing the mollusk out of the shell. It was amazing to see these beautiful shells just lying on the beach. Won’t find these in California, that’s for sure!!!

And we made a pit stop for ice cream at…..

Ice Cream Fudge Sandwich Bars

Published on July 30, 2014July 29, 2014 by T.W.O.4 Comments

I scream, you scream – – – we all scream for ice cream!!!! We know for a fact you will be shouting at the top of your lungs for this recipe. The are a delicious summer time dessert to serve at your next bbq or pool party!

Ice Cream Fudge Sandwich Bars

Ingredients:

– 1 batch Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Recipe HERE)
– 2 pints chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, softened slightly
– 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce, warmed
– Seran wrap

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Set the cookie dough in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Place a sheet of s warn wrap on top and evenly press or roll the cookie dough to fill the pan.
Remove the saran wrap and bake the cookie for 14 minutes, until lightly browned. Let the cookie cool completely in the baking pan.
Invert the cookie onto a work surface and slide it back into the baking pan, bottom side up. Trim the edges if necessary. Scoop the ice cream over the cookie in large dollops.
Place a sheet of saran wrap on top and press or roll the ice cream into an even layer. Freeze for 1 hour, until the ice cream is just firm.
Remove the saran wrap. Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce all over the ice cream. Freeze for 1 hour longer, until firm.
Invert the baking pan onto a cutting board and tap gently to release the cookie bar. Flip the cookie bar over so it is ice cream side up.
Using a sharp, heavy knife, cut the bar in half crosswise, forming two 9-by-6 1/2-inch rectangles. Sandwich the cookie bar rectangles together and press hard to seal. Wrap in plastic and freeze for at least 1 hour, until firm.
Cut the sandwhiches into bars and serve or freeze up to 2 weeks in a airtight container.

Villa del Sol

Published on July 29, 2014July 29, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

Villa del Sol was our home for the week when we visited Turks & Caicos. It was the perfect place to stay with our group of 6. The 3 bedroom and 3 bath villa was located on Grace Beach on Provo Island. The updated kitchen, open living spaces and large bedrooms were great amenities for us. The outdoor space had a lot of outdoor furniture, a hammock, beautiful pool and access to the beach. The beach was amazing – secluded, clean and big enough for our lounge chairs, paddle boards and fruit rum drinks. We can’t wait to go back and stay at Villa del Sol.

The Green Chopped Salad with Jerk Chicken

Published on July 25, 2014July 25, 2014 by T.W.O.1 Comment

It’s the last day of chopped salad week and since we had left over jerk chicken we are going to create a salad using our left overs and what we had in our cabinet. We all know that cooking can get expensive and wasteful if you aren’t smart about your meals and grocery list. So T.W.O. has the perfect Green Inspired Chopped Salad for you!

The Green Chopped Salad with Jerk Chicken

Ingredients
For the Salad:
– 2-3 heads romaine lettuce
– 4 cups jicama
– 1 cup soy nuts
– 1-2 jerk chicken*
– 2 mangos
– 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes
– 2 cups hearts of palm
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 1 cup red and white mixed quinoa, cooked
– 2 ears corn
– Cilantro Lime Dressing

*For the chicken: (Found HERE)
– 2 large chicken breasts
– 1 cup World Harbors Jamaican Style Jerk Marinade

Directions:
1. Prepare the Jerk Chicken as stated HERE
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Add the chicken to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 25 minutes or until done. Based the chicken with the remaining marinade 15 minutes into cooking for more flavor.
5. Chopped the cooked chicken breast into cubes and mix into the salad. Add salad dressing, toss and plate.
6. Time to eat!

Jerk Chicken & Mango Chopped Salad with Toasted Quinoa & Avocado

Published on July 23, 2014July 22, 2014 by T.W.O.4 Comments

We are going to spice this Chopped Salad Week up with a Jerk Chicken & Mango Salad recipe. It’s a great summer salad that anyone can make. It contains protein, fruit and vegetables. The toasted quinoa adds a crunch to the salad without having to include croutons. Grab your salad bowl and lets start chopping!

Jerk Chicken & Mango Chopped Salad with Toasted Quinoa & Avocado

Ingredients:

For the Salad:
– 2-3 heads romaine lettuce
– 2 zucchini, chopped
– 2 mangos
– 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 1 cup toasted quinoa*
– 2 ears corn
– Cilantro Lime Dressing

For the chicken:
– 2 large chicken breasts
– 1 cup World Harbors Jamaican Style Jerk Marinade

Directions:
1. Marinate the chicken in the jerk marinade and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour. . Remove the chicken from the oven, 15 minutes prior to cooking.
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Toast the quinoa* . See recipe HERE.
4. Add the chicken to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 25 minutes or until done. Based the chicken with the remaining marinade 15 minutes into cooking for more flavor.
5. Plate the salad and top with sliced chicken and dressing.
6. Time to eat!

Summer Chopped Salad with Carne Asada

Published on July 21, 2014July 8, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

In need of a meal for a warm Sunday night? Well, T.W.O. has a great recipe for you. It is a refreshing, light yet hearty salad that will win any crowd over. Learn how to make this chopped salad topped with grilled carne asada and homemade salad dressing. It’s easy and acts as a great Monday lunch option. (That’s if you have leftovers!)

Summer Chopped Salad with Carne Asada

Ingredients:

For the Salad:
– 3 cups butter lettuce
– 2 cups baby romaine
– 2 cans garbanzo beans
– 2 cups fresh strawberries
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 2 cups hearts of palm
– 2 ears corn
– ¼ cup cilantro
– ¼ cup parsley
– ½ cup Mediterranean feta, crumbled

For the meat:
– 1 ½ – 2 lbs lean carne asada
– 2 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
– 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
– Salt
– Pepper

For the Dressing:
– 2 lemons
– ¼ cup white balsamic
– ¼ cup balsamic
– 3 Tablespoon basil infused olive oil
– 2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Place the meat in a Pyrex. Season the meat with the cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder and pepper on both sides. Set aside and let marinate for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Add the meat to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 15 minutes or until done.
5. While cooking the meat, make the dressing. Add all ingredients to a bowl or salad dressing shaker. Set aside.
6. Plate the salad and top with sliced meat and dressing.
7. Time to eat!

Happy grilling!

Peach & Apricot Rosemary Glazed BBQ Chicken

Published on July 9, 2014July 8, 2014 by T.W.O.3 Comments

Summer is one of T.W.O.’s favorite time to cook with fruit! Fruit for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert is a must this time of year. There are so many different ways fruit can be included into a meal – fresh, cooked, barbequed, sautéed, frozen, and blended. This week we decided to add some peaches to one of our favorite barbequed proteins – chicken! This is a great summer dish to have with a glass of Rosé!

Peach & Apricot Rosemary Glazed BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
– ⅓ cup apricot preserves
– 1 cup white wine
– ⅓ cup water
– 4-5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
– 1 peach, sliced into wedges
– 2 chicken breasts
– Salt and Pepper
-Rotisserie twine

Directions:
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Combine apricot preserves, wine, water, 2-3 springs of rosemary and ½ of the peach slices in a sauté or sauce pan over medium heat and stir.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half. Meanwhile, start the barbeque.
4. Baste the chicken with the glaze and tie the rosemary and peaches around the chicken so that it is secure.
4. Place the chicken on the barbeque. Baste the chicken with the glaze each time you flip the chicken. Cook until done.

Enjoy!

Roasted Artichokes

Published on July 7, 2014July 2, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

Artichokes can be prepared many ways – steamed, fried, microwaved, broiled. Since it is summer time and barbeque season, T.W.O. decided to ROAST their artichoke. Check out how to make this easy, delicious recipe!

Roasted Artichokes

Ingredients:
– 1 large artichoke
– 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
– 1 Tablespoon balsamic
– 2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat barbeque.
2. Slice the artichoke in half.
3. In a pot, add ½ water and steam the artichoke for about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from pot. Pour the olive oil and balsamic on the interior portion of the artichoke. Season with garlic powder and salt and pepper.
5. Place artichokes on barbeque cooking each side for about 8-10 minutes on low heat.
6. Remove from the barbeque and let stand for 5 minutes.
7. Plate and serve. Don’t forget to cut the artichoke heart out!

Peach Burrata Caprese Salad

Published on July 2, 2014July 1, 2014 by T.W.O.5 Comments

With the 4th of July approaching us, T.W.O. decided to create a spin on the Italian dish and make it more of an All-American salad. Adding peach to the traditional dish compliments the flavors of the basil, heirloom tomatoes and burrata. Happy 4th of July!

Peach Burrata Caprese Salad

Ingredients:
– 1 large heirloom tomato
– 1 large yellow peach
– 1 package of Belgioioso burrata
– 10 – 12 basil leaves
– 3 Tablespoons Balsamic
– 2 Tablespoons basil infused olive oil
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Slice the heirloom tomato lengthwise to make rounds
2. Slice the peach.
3. Wash and dry the basil leaves.
4. To assemble: place the heirloom tomato on a plate, followed by peach, basil and burrata.
5. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic over the salad.
6. Top with salt and pepper.

Enjoy and cheers to a fun filled 4th of July! Happy Birthday America!