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Archive for the ‘Desserts’ Category

Anyone else loving these hot, hot days lately?!?  We’ve been spending a lot of time on the lake just trying to stay cool.  Although, when the water is already 80 degrees, even that doesn’t seem to be refreshing enough.  One thing that is always instantly cooling though is some sort of ice cold, slushy treat.  This watermelon granita is perfect for those “fry an egg on the sidewalk” type of days.  It is light, refreshing, simple, and a little bit boozy!

(Printable Recipe)

Watermelon Granita

Adapted from What’s Gaby Cooking

Ingredients

  • 6 cups watermelon, the redder or riper the watermelon the more vibrant the granita will be
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 4 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 cup vodka (optional)
  • Chopped mint leaves (optional)

1.  Blend watermelon in a blender until smooth.

2.  In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat.  Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.  Remove from heat.

3.  In a large bowl, combine watermelon, simple syrup, lime juice, and vodka until combined.  Pour mixture into baking dish and freeze for 2 hours.  Remove from freezer and using a fork, scrape the mixture to form ice chunks.  Return to freezer for another 1-2 hours.  Once desired slushy treat texture has been met, serve it up.  Enjoy!

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Last weekend I was browsing some light and healthy snacks on a few websites, when I came across one for cucumber and basil ice cubes.  What a great idea!  In the summer I often add thin cucumber slices to my water.  It’s light, refreshing, and makes me feel like I’m at a spa.  So without thinking it through too much, I rushed into the kitchen and 5 minutes later was filling up my ice cube trays.  I made a tray of cucumber and basil and one with just plain cucumber.  Later that day, I started thinking about those ice cubes.  Now….what happens to ice cubes when they melt?  You got it, I was left with cucumber and basil pieces floating in my water.  Not so spa like.  I decided to spare you the pictures of that flop.  On the plus side, these popsicles were a success.

The lemon juice and zest give these popsicles a nice zing and really wake up the raspberry flavor.  Just as quick as the 5 minute ice cubes, except the end result is much, much more appealing.  Stash this recipe away for the warm summer days and have fun playing around with different flavors.  Watermelon, cantaloupe, very berry, stawberry mint, or mango lime sorbet in popsicle form?   Yes please!

Thanks for stopping by!

(Printable Recipe)

Raspberry Strawberry Popsicle

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup frozen or fresh raspberries
  • 1/4 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1-2 tbsp agave (depending on how sweet you want it)

1.  If using frozen berries, allow to thaw for about 10-15 minutes.  Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend together.

2.  If you prefer the popsicles less seedy, pour mixture through a sieve before placing in popsicle mold.

3.  Place mold in freezer for a 2-4 hours or overnight.  Enjoy!

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A while I ago I was professing my happiness for finding new items while grocery shopping.  The last few years Meyer Lemons have been all over the blogs.  Ofcourse, the first time I saw a recipe with “Meyer Lemons” I had to google what it was all about.  I actually just though it was a brand of lemon….oops!  Ever since, I’ve had my eye out for this special citrus and FINALLY found some this year!  You can imagine my excitement once I had my arms full.  I was practically dancing in the produce section, which isn’t at all odd for me.  Growing up I would tap dance up and down the isles, which I’m sure my mom loved.  And to this day have been known to bust a move if the song catches me just right.

Now on to the hard part.  Which recipe do I choose??  Brent’s work was having a cookout in a few days and he signed up for a dessert.  He stumbled on to the very talented White on Rice Couple blog and sent me this recipe.  If you haven’t already, go check them out.  Awesome photography and recipes!!  These bars are wonderfully sweet and full of lemon flavor, but they don’t have the bite or tang of a traditional lemon bar.  Although I’m not a huge fan of lemon bars, I love the bright yellow color!!  So springy.  If you have a houseful of lemon lovers on Easter, try out this dessert!

(Printable Recipe)

Meyer Lemon Bars

Recipe from White on Rice Couple

Crust Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Lemon Curd Ingredients

  • 10 large egg yolks
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • Finely grated zest of 4 Meyer Lemons
  • 3/4 cup fresh squeezed Meyer Lemon juice (6-8 lemons)
  • 13 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cut into small chunks

Crust Directions

1.  Cream the butter and sugar until light and fully with a paddle attachment on the mixer.  Combine the flour and salt, then with the mixer on low, slowly add to the butter mix.  Mix just until combined, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl a couple times.  (The texture of the finished mix will vary depending on how warm your kitchen is.  Cooler kitchen=crumbly texture   Warmer kitchen=more dough like texture.  Either way will be ok, just chill the dough a little longer after forming it into your baking dish if your kitchen is warm – see step 3).

3.  Form dough mix into an even layer in buttered baking dish, bringing dough 1/2″ up the sides of the dish.  Chill 30 min.

4.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake crust for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.  Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Meyer Lemon Curd Directions

1.  Combine egg yolks, sugar, meyer lemon zest and juice in a saucepan.  Gently cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 12-15 minutes.  Make sure to stir constantly so film doesn’t form.

2.  Remove from heat.  Add butter, couple of pieces at a time, stirring until fully incorporated.  Add salt to taste.

3.  Strain through a fine mesh sieve, then pour curd into finished crust.  Place bars in refrigerator until fully chilled (atleast 3 hours).

4.  Cut bars into desired squares or triangles.

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I can tell when I start to get spring fever because my meals start to lighten up.  The hearty soups and stews are pushed to the back of the recipe binder and the lighter fare is front and center.  I get about as excited to clean out and re-organize my recipes as I do to clean out and re-organize my closet each season.  In fact, I’m not sure which one would win.  At any rate, the new magazines started flowing in for the month and beneath the pile of mail was the new Vegetarian Times.  Oh how I love getting this inspiring, drool worthy magazine each month.  Let the page flipping begin……

As much as I love dark chocolate, usually after a normal, weeknight meal I want something cold and fruity.  I normally opt for some sort of popsicle, especially the Trader Joe’s Strawberry Fruit Floe’s.  Um, yum!  So ofcourse when I saw how simple this sorbet was to make I was off to the freezer.  Next time I would add a little more lime juice and maybe a bit of zest to punch up the lime flavor a bit.  But overall this recipe was so simple, light, and perfect for my weeknight treats.

(Printable Recipe)

Easy Mango Lime Sorbet

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen mango chunks
  • 1/2 cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1.  Thaw mango chunks for 15 minutes.  Place in a blender or food processor and puree with agave nectar and lime juice (add more lime juice or water if needed to puree).

2.  Transfer to shallow glass or metal bowl or baking dish and place in freezer.  Freeze for 35-45 minutes, stirring puree every 15 minutes or until ready to serve.

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Ssshhhhhh……….I’m sharing a family secret with you all today!

Well….it’s kind of a family secret.

Supposedly some family members were at a bar, had this drink, asked what was in it and since then it has evolved into a family favorite night cap.  My dad is Master Hummer Maker.  If we are being honest here, he’s also been dubbed Master Griller, Master of Margaritas, Master Salty Party Mix, and Master of Acronyms.  The man has an acronym for everything and I love that about him!!  I had to consult the Master on the “official” recipe over weekend.  Between you and me, I think he adds more shots than he says but I’ve never heard a single complaint about how delicious they are!  I mean really, how can you go wrong with this combination?!?

Happy Weekend Everyone!  Cheers!!

 

(Printable Recipe)

Hummers

Serving Size:  2

Ingredients

  • 1 shot Vanilla Vodka
  • 1 shot Baileys
  • 1 shot Kahlua
  • 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream (I used Edy’s Slow Churned)

1.  Combine all shots and 1 1/2 cups of ice cream in blender.  Blend until smooth.  Add ice cream, 1/2 cup at a time, until desired consistency is met.  Serve immediately.  Garnish glasses with shaved/grated chocolate, nutmeg, or whatever your tastebuds desire.  Enjoy!

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