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    Hi! I'm Jess. Thanks so much for visiting my site. Here you will find all sorts of information - about me, glimpses into my personal life, session posts, galleries, & pricing information. You can also find links to my twitter & facebook pages - as well as use the contact form to ask questions or just give a shout out. I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by!

Zucchini Insanity


I planted two this year on the basis that squash bugs ate BOTH my plants last year and this way I would have a back-up should they strike again. Due to the lovely addition of Bug Spray, both plants are thriving and we are overloaded with zucchini. Seriously. Every night for dinner.  A few weeks ago I also put out a call on G+, twitter, & FB for favorite zucchini recipes. I thought I’d compile them all and share! Any other you love, just leave a comment with a link. Okay, here we go:

Parmesan Crusted Baked Zucchini Sticks

Zucchini Carbonara - this looks delicious!

Zucchini & Corn Quesadillas

Baked Zucchini with Mozzarella – had these last night. YUM.

Zucchini Fritters – on the menu for early next week

Zucchini Bake with Feta & Thyme – on the menu for early next week

Breaded & Fried – dip in an egg, coat in bread crumbs, and then fried in a pan over the stove

Chicken & Zucchini Casserole – I didn’t have yellow squash, but used zucchini & carrots. Tasted great.

Zucchini Frittata - on the menu for Saturday night

Chocolate Zucchini Bread- I’ve done plain, and w/chocolate chips, but never just chocolate. Excited to try this one.

Zucchini Cookie Sandwiches – Jeremy just posted this early this week and I’m dying to try them.

Blueberry Zucchini Muffins - I’m a sucker for muffins.

Italian Tortellini Soup

Zucchini Marinara Subs - like this twist on meatball sandwiches. Planning on adding in a few meatballs to make it non-vegetarian.

Grilled Garden Salad- still waiting for my corn to come in for this

Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Rolls - not sure I’m brave enough to try these – lol

Garden Chowder (originally discovered at Zupas and one of our favorites) – 2 medium zucchini chopped, 1 med onion chopped, 2 T fresh parsley, 1 t dried basil, 1/3 c butter. 1/3 c flour, 1 t salt, 1/4 t pepper, 3 c chicken broth, 1 t lemon juice, 2-3 tomatoes diced, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 can corn, 1/3 c Parmesan cheese grated, 2 c shredded cheddar cheese. Saute zucchini, onion, parley & basil in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt & pepper. Gradually stir in chicken broth. Add lemon juice. Mix well. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, milk & corn; bring to a boil. Reduce head, cover & simmer for 5 minutes or until corn is tender. Just before serving, stir in cheeses until melted.

Added to spaghetti sauce w/meatballs & pasta

Add to stir fry

Skewered & grilled with steak, potatoes, tomatoes, onions

Zucchini Lasagna – don’t have a specific recipe, but easy enough to find

Season w/rosemary & olive oil, grill with onions, peppers & sweet potatoes in a grill basket

Zucchini Pasta Toss – Heat some oil in a wok, add 1-2 cloves crushed garlic. Slice zucchini then saute in oil until cooked. Add cooked pasta plus basil, oregano, and balsamic vinegar. Serve with crumbled feta cheese or Parmesan.

Zucchini Bars - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium), 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, 48 pecan halves, if desired ( I didn’t use the pecans),

Browned Butter Frosting
6 tablespoons butter (do not use margarine), 6 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 8 to 10 tablespoons milk ( This sounds like a lot of frosting so if you want you can try halving the recipe first and seeing if you want less on them, if you discover you don’t you can always make more! This frosting is what made them extra yum! It’s kind of a hardened glaze almost)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 15x10x1-inch pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in zucchini and pecans. Spread in pan.
3. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until light golden brown; remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until smooth and spreadable. Spread Browned Butter Frosting on cooled bars. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Top each bar with pecan half.
*Frosting is also an AWESOME cinnamon roll frosting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Karen Bourne - August 11, 2011 - 2:48 pm

They all look delicious!

Marcus & Aubrey Engaged

I love how dynamic these two are! We decided to incorporate their love of the outdoors & rollerblading into their session and I’m so glad we did. Thanks for a great time!

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Tara - August 11, 2011 - 3:29 pm

These look amazing!! You are so talented, and they are such a gorgeous couple! They look like a lot of fun.

Jess - August 11, 2011 - 5:17 pm

Thanks sweetie!

Andy & Alli’s Utah Wedding

Such a fun wedding! Alli & her mom did an AMAZING job on their backyard reception. So many details, such gorgeous lighting, a perfect day!

 

 

 

 

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Karen Bourne - August 9, 2011 - 6:54 am

I know the little sister of the bride! She was a student at the school where I taught and I taught her class the history lessons. The other second grade teacher would teach all of the science lessons and we’d trade our classes with each other so that we’d only have to plan one unit instead of two!:) How fun to make that connection. Also, beautiful pictures, but looks like it was easy because you had beautiful subjects and surroundings.

Jess - August 10, 2011 - 9:49 pm

Karen – That is so funny!! I love it. Sammy is the cutest sister ever!

Karli & Ryan Formal Session

Wow! I love the way these turned out. These two are getting married today so I can share their formal session. We started in American Fork, and then raced the sunset to the top of Suncrest Ridge between Salt Lake & Utah County. I’ve never had a shoot up there, but the view of the valley is amazing and we couldn’t have asked for a better sunset!

 

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Karen Bourne - August 5, 2011 - 12:17 pm

These are amazing!!

Richie & Alicia – Salt Lake City

Wow. What an amazing, vibrant couple. I love their outlook on life, their musicality and the way he looks at her. Mmmm… love. Its the best! We did a formal session about 3 days before the actual wedding – both at the Rio Grande Station and then around the SL Temple. I LOVE formal sessions. It makes the wedding day so much more relaxed!

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Cody & Kylee Formals

These two are such troopers!! They were married in the Logan LDS Temple and we shot their bridals the night before. Having never shot in the area, we found some pretty random places to take photos (side of the road in the middle of a construction zone anyone?). I’m so happy with the way they turned out and can’t wait to show you their wedding!

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