Month: April 2021

Strawberry and Arugula Salad Pizza

Strawberry and Arugula Salad Pizza

Strawberry and Arugula Salad Pizza is a deliciously different pizza. I start this pizza by making fresh pizza dough in my bread machine. Then, I top the pizza with fig preserves and Italian fontina cheese. Next, I bake the pizza for about twenty minutes. Just 

Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette is a delicious spring salad. I love this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that this salad uses fresh fruit. It’s a nice change from all vegetable salads. Secondly, this whole salad takes just minutes 

Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins

Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins

Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins are one of my family’s favorite treats. I love these muffins for several reasons. First of all, they are great for many occasions. They make a great breakfast, or after school snack. And, they are also great to serve at brunch or a birthday party. Secondly, this recipe uses ingredients I always have in my house. Thirdly, this is a very quick recipe to prepare. And, lastly, these muffins taste absolutely delicious.

The Equipment Needed

  • A Muffin Pan- You will need a standard 12 cup muffin pan for this recipe.
  • A Food Scale- For perfect results, please weigh your flour and sugar.
  • A Sifter- Use a sifter to sift together your dry ingredients.
  • An Electric Mixer- Of course you can easily mix these by hand, but I used my mixer.

The Ingredients Needed for Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins

  • Eggs- Be sure and use large eggs.
  • Sugar- Use white granulated sugar.
  • Butter- Please use unsalted butter.
  • Milk- Use whole milk.
  • Sour Cream- Be sure to use full fat sour cream.
  • Cocoa Powder- Use unsweetened cocoa powder. I used Hershey’s brand.
  • Chocolate Chips- I used Guittard brand.
  • Candy Coated Chocolates- I used m&m brand.

How I Made my Muffins

  • First, I let all my ingredients come to room temperature. I also melted my butter in a small saucepan, and then let it cool.
  • Next, I sifted together all the dry ingredients.
  • Then, I mixed together the wet ingredients.
  • Next, I stirred the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. At this point, be careful to not over stir. Everything should be just combined.
  • Then, I divided the batter evenly between all the muffin cups.
  • Next, I baked the muffins for 15 minutes. I added the candy coated chocolates and baked them five minutes more.

If you love chocolate muffins, you simply must try these scrumptious Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins.

Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins
Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins
Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins

Candy Topped Chocolate Muffins

Chocolate chocolate chip muffins topped with candy coated chocolates.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins

Equipment

  • 12 cup standard muffin pan

Ingredients
  

  • cups all purpose flour (210g)
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar (200g)
  • 10 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup candy coated chocolates

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line the muffin cups with 12 cupcake liners.
  • Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a bowl, and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs. Add the butter, milk, vanilla and sour cream. Then add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Add the candy coated chocolates to the top of each muffin and bake five minutes more. They're done when they spring back when lightly touched.
  • Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for five minutes, and then remove them from the pan to continue cooling. Serve warm or cooled.
Keyword breakfast
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Black Truffle Cheese Focaccia Bread

Black Truffle Cheese Focaccia Bread

Black Truffle Cheese Focaccia Bread is an easy yeast bread for beginners. I love this black truffle focaccia for several reasons. First of all, most of the ingredients are items I already have in my pantry. Secondly, this recipe doesn’t require any special equipment. Thirdly, 

Chocolate Peanut Trail Mix Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Trail Mix Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Trail Mix Cookies are filled with peanuts, pretzels, and chocolate covered candies. I start these cookies by making my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough. Then, I stir in the pretzels, nuts, and candies. Finally, I chill the dough and then bake the cookies 

Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread

Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread

Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread are one of our favorite sandwiches. I start this sandwich by mixing together a lamb and herb mixture and baking it in a loaf pan. Next, I thinly slice the meat, and grill it along with the homemade pita. Then, I put the lamb in the pitas along with my creamy yogurt spread. Finally, I add sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. All in all, this is a delicious and flavorful meal.

The Equipment Needed

  • A Food Processor- This isn’t essential, but it’s really helpful for mincing up those onions.
  • A 9×5 Loaf Pan- Use this to bake your meat.
  • A Meat Thermometer- This is very helpful for checking to make sure your meat is fully cooked.
  • A Grill Pan- Use this or a skillet to grill both the meat and the pita.

The Ingredients Needed for Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread

  • Ground Lamb- Try and find very finely ground lamb, if possible.
  • Garlic- I like to buy the prepeeled cloves and keep them in my freezer.
  • Cayenne Pepper- Adjust the amount according to how spicy you like your food. I used a whole teaspoon in my lamb, because we like a little spice. If you don’t like spicy foods, just leave out the cayenne.
  • Fresh Herbs- If you can’t find fresh herbs, just use a half teaspoon of each dried herb instead.
  • Yogurt- For best flavor, use whole milk yogurt.
  • Yeast- If you’re making the pita, use instant yeast. I’ve used both Fleischman’s and Red Star Platinum yeast.
  • Flour- For the pita, be sure and use bread flour.

How I Made my Gyros

  • First, I made my pita bread dough in the bread machine and then baked it in the oven.
  • Next, I mixed together the lamb mixture and baked it.
  • Then, while the lamb baked, I made the Cucumber Yogurt Sauce.
  • Finally, I grilled the lamb and the pita and served everything.

If you like the gyros served at Greek restaurants, you need to try these delicious homemade Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread.

Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread
Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread
Lamb Gyros

Lamb Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Spread

Lamb pita sandwiches stuffed with Cucumber Yogurt Spread and fresh vegetables.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 9×5 loaf pan
  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. each ground cumin and black pepper
  • ½ tsp. each kosher salt and cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp. each fresh rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano
  • 4 pita breads
  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 cup each grape tomatoes, sliced red onion, sliced cucumber

For the Cucumber Yogurt Spread:

  • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 cup peeled English cucumber, shredded
  • 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper, so that it hangs over the sides of the pan.
  • In a food processor, finely chop the onions. Then, put them in a clean dish towel and wring out all the moisture. Put the onions in a large bowl along with the lamb, garlic, and all the herbs and spices. Stir until well combined.
  • Pack the meat mixture tightly into the pan, and bake for forty minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf measures 160 degrees. Cool on a wire rack and then in the refrigerator for 3 hours or overnight.
  • While the meat cools, make the Cucumber Yogurt Spread. Place the cucumber in a clean dish towel and squeeze out all the liquid. Place the cucumber in a bowl along with all the other ingredients and stir them together.
  • Slice the meat thinly, and grill it along with the pita on a oil greased grill pan.
  • Serve the meat on top of or inside of the bread, with the sliced vegetables and Cucumber Yogurt Spread.
Keyword lamb
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Easy Bread Machine Pita Bread

Easy Bread Machine Pita Bread

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 pitas

Equipment

  • Bread Machine

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup water
  • 3 tbsp. plain full fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • cups bread flour (300g)
  • 1 tsp. instant yeast

Instructions
 

  • Place all the ingredients in your bread machine, in the order recommended by your manufacturer. Process on the dough cycle.
  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle, about a quarter inch thick.
  • Bake on two parchment lined baking sheets, for about five minutes, or until they puff up. Cut each pita in half and use a knife, if needed, to help along the separation.
Keyword bread
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pancakes

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pancakes

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pancakes are one of our favorite breakfasts. To begin these pancakes, I dip some strawberries in melted chocolate. While the chocolate hardens, I make my chocolate chip pancakes. Then, I top the pancakes with chopped strawberries. Next, I drizzle melted milk chocolate 

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze is one of my family’s favorite dinners. To start this dish, I bread and fry chicken cutlets. Then, I top the chicken with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Finally, I drizzle everything with balsamic glaze. I love this dish for 

Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a fast and fresh main course salad. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I can have this on the table in a less than thirty minutes. Secondly, I can make this early in the day, or even the day before I serve it. And, lastly, this is a great way to include more vegetables in our diet.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Salad Spinner- Use a salad spinner to dry your lettuce. This allows the vinaigrette to coat all the leaves.
  • A Salad Bowl- I like to toss my salads in a big bowl so that the dressing can coat everything.
  • A Small Jar- Shake your dressing in a jar. It’s the easiest way to do it.

The Ingredients Needed for Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

  • Olives- I like to use Kalamata olives for this recipe. Make sure to remove the pits before you serve them.
  • Feta Cheese- Keep the leftover cheese in your freezer, and then you’ll have it for your next recipe.
  • Shrimp- I always buy frozen Gulf shrimp.
  • Oil- Buy a mild, good quality extra virgin olive oil. I like the California Olive Ranch brand.
  • Lemons- I’ve been using Meyer lemons lately. If you can find them they’re really great.

How I Made my Shrimp and Salad

  • First, I cooked my shrimp. It’s important not to over cook the shrimp. It’s also important to drain the shrimp well when they’re done boiling.
  • Next, I made my Lemon Vinaigrette.
  • Then, I tossed all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

We really enjoyed this salad. So much so, that I made it two nights in a row this week. If you like shrimp, you really need to try this yummy Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.

Shrimp Topped Greek Salad
Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Shrimp Topped Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

A main course shrimp topped salad topped with a Lemon Vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound large Gulf shrimp
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp. each red pepper flakes and fennel seeds
  • 4 cups spring mix lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, halved
  • 1 cup chopped feta

For the Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. Meyer Lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preparing the shrimp: Bring a three quart saucepan, half full of water to a boil. Add the salt, thyme, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds and shrimp.
  • Boil the shrimp until they're pink and firm. If the shrimp are fresh this will only take a couple of minutes. If the shrimp are frozen, this will take about five minutes. Drain the shrimp in a colander and chill while you make the rest of the salad.
  • In a small jar, shake together all the Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette ingredients.
  • In a large bowl, toss together all the vegetables, shrimp, and as much vinaigrette as you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal
Keyword fish, seafood
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Blueberry Scones with Meyer Lemon Glaze

Blueberry Scones with Meyer Lemon Glaze

Blueberry Scones with Meyer Lemon Glaze are my new favorite teatime treat. I love these scones for several reasons. First of all, these scones only take about fifteen minutes of hands on time. As you know, I adore treats that are quick and easy to