Month: June 2021

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings are one of our favorite burgers. I start these burgers by mixing up the delicious pimento cheese. My pimento cheese is a mixture of extra sharp cheddar cheese, jarred pimentos, mayonnaise, garlic, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. 

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this appetizer for several reasons. First of all, it has all of the great flavor of Mexican Street Corn, with none of the mess and fuss. Secondly, this dip is 

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka is one of my favorite summer breads. I love this bread for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this bread without any fancy equipment. Recently, I made this in a vacation house, using just a bowl and some loaf pans. Secondly, I love how easy this bread is to make. With just a little stirring and kneading, it’s all done. Lastly, I love that this bread makes such great use of all the strawberries that are in season now.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Thermometer- I used a thermometer to make sure my milk was at the proper temperature to bloom my yeast.
  • Loaf Pans- You can use small or large loaf pans. I used one of each and both babkas were terrific.
  • Measuring Cups- I spooned the ingredients in my cups, and then leveled them off with a knife.

The Ingredients Needed for Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

  • Milk- Be sure and use whole milk.
  • Yeast- Use active dry yeast. Don’t use quick rise yeast.
  • Butter- Make sure to use unsalted butter.
  • Jam- Use a jam, not a fruit spread.
  • Pecans- You could also use walnuts.
  • Flour- Be sure and use bread flour. I like King Arthur brand.

How I Made my Babka

  • First, I heated some milk and then bloomed my yeast in it. Use a thermometer to make sure your milk is at the right temperature.
  • Next, I kneaded together the dough. Make sure to knead it for the full eight minutes.
  • Then, I let the dough in a barely warm oven. I like to turn the oven on, just until I can feel any warmth. Then, I turn the oven off and let my dough rise in there.
  • Next, I rolled out the dough and spread the filling on.
  • Then, I twisted the dough logs and let it rise again.
  • Finally, I baked them to golden perfection.

If you’re a bread lover, you need to try this scrumptious Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka.

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka
Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka
Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

A sweet yeast bread filled with strawberries, cinnamon, and pecans.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Eastern European
Servings 2 loaves

Equipment

  • 2 loaf pans

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup whole milk
  • tsp. active dry yeast
  • cup sugar
  • 8 tbsp. melted unsalted butter
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 4 cups bread flour

For the Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Filling:

  • 4 tbsp. softened unsalted butter
  • ½ cup strawberry jam
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp. water

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, heat the milk to 105 degrees. Remove it from the heat, and stir in the yeast. Let this sit for five minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl stir together the sugar, butter, eggs, yolk, vanilla, and salt.
  • Add the yeast and mix well.
  • Add the flour and stir until all is combined. Knead on a floured board for 8 minutes.
  • Put the dough in an oiled bowl, turning to coat it with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and put it in a just warm oven for one hour.
  • Divide the dough ball in half and roll each into a 14×12 rectangle. Mix together the filling and spread some on each rectangle. Roll the rectangles into a log, using the long side. Seal the log, by pressing lightly on the dough.
  • Cut each log in half. Twist two logs together, pinching the ends closed. Repeat with the other two logs. Place each twist in a loaf pan, seam side up, that's been lined with parchment paper. Cover pans and let rise one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the loaves with the egg wash ( to make the egg wash just beat the egg with the water) and bake for about 35 minutes until golden brown and about 180 degrees inside. Let cool for ten minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Then, remove from the pan and continue cooling.
Keyword bread
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Buffalo Chicken and Mozzarella Pizza

Buffalo Chicken and Mozzarella Pizza

Buffalo Chicken and Mozzarella Pizza is our new favorite pizza. I love this pizza for several reasons. First of all, I really like that this pizza dough can be made with just a bowl and a wooden spoon. That means, I was able to make 

Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Feta and Pecans

Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Feta and Pecans

Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Feta and Pecans is one of our favorite June salads. Finally, my farm markets are full of fresh berries, and they are some of my favorite ingredients to cook with. I love this salad for several reasons. First of all, 

Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip

Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip

Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this dip for several reasons. First of all, I adore the pretty pink color of this hummus. Secondly, I really like the flavor the beets impart to the hummus. The beets add a slightly sweet, and almost fruity flavor to the hummus. Thirdly, I love that this appetizer can be made ahead of time. And, lastly, I always feel good about serving this nutritious dish to my family.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Blender- Usually, I make my hummus in a food processor. But, I recently made this in a vacation home, that didn’t have a food processor. So, I made this hummus in a blender and it came out great. Just be sure to put the liquid in first.

The Ingredients Needed for Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip

  • Chickpeas- I really like the Eden Organic dry chickpeas. I bought them at Whole Foods. Instead of boiling and then soaking the chickpeas, in step one, I soaked them overnight. To do this, simply place the chickpeas in a bowl and cover them with cold water. Place them in the refrigerator overnight. Before you cook them just drain and rinse them. You may then only need to cook them for sixty minutes.
  • Tahini- This time I used the Whole Foods 365 brand tahini.
  • Lemon Juice- Be sure and use freshly squeezed juice.
  • Garlic- One of my kids hates garlic, so I just used a half teaspoon of garlic powder.

How I Made my Hummus

  • First, I soaked my chickpeas the night before.
  • Next, while the chickpeas simmered, I cooked my beet. I actually cooked the whole bunch of beets. I’ll use the extra in salads.
  • Then, I added all the ingredients to my blender and processed it on the blend cycle.
  • Finally, I chilled it until dinner time.

If you like hummus, you need to try this beautiful and delicious Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip.

Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip
Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip
Red Beet and Tahini Hummus

Red Beet and Tahini Hummus Dip

Hummus flavored with red beets and tahini.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6

Equipment

  • food processor or blender

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup dried chickpeas
  • 1 medium red beet, cleaned
  • 2 cloves sliced garlic
  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • cup tahini
  • cup lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preparing the chickpeas: Rinse the chickpeas and then place them in a three quart saucepan. Fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Boil for three minutes, and then take it off the flame and let it sit for one hour. Drain and rinse the beans.
  • Put the beans back in the pot and cover with water. Simmer the beans until they're tender, for about 90 minutes. You may need to add additional water as the beans cook.
  • While the beans are cooking, make the beet. Place the beet in a three-quart saucepan. Fill the pot with water, until the beet is completely submerged. Cover the pot and simmer for thirty minutes, or until the beet is tender. Rub the beet under running water to remove the skin. Chop the beet into small pieces.
  • Drain the beans and put them in the food processor or blender. Add all the other ingredients and process until the hummus is smooth and creamy. Chill until serving.
Keyword appetizers
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Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Twist

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Twist

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Twist is one of our favorite summer breads. There are several things I like about this recipe. First of all, all you need to mix up this dough is a bowl and a spoon. For that reason, I like to make 

Pepper Quesadillas with Peach and Tomato Salsa

Pepper Quesadillas with Peach and Tomato Salsa

Pepper Quesadillas with Peach and Tomato Salsa are a terrific meatless appetizer or main course. Filled with sweet peppers and onions, these quesadillas are topped with a fruity salsa. I love these cheese quesadillas for several reasons. First of all, I love that these are 

Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls

Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls

Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls is one of our favorite summer salads. I love this salad for several reasons. First of all, it’s a great salad to serve to company. The goat cheese balls will impress any guest. Secondly, I like that this salad can be made ahead of time. Just keep the goat cheese balls in the freezer until you’re ready to bake them off. And, lastly, this is a very versatile salad. Feel free to use different fruits. Plums, nectarines, cherries, and blackberries would all taste great in this salad.

The Equipment I Used

  • Parchment Paper- Use this to line your baking sheet that you freeze the goat cheese balls on.
  • A Salad Spinner- I use this to dry my salad greens and my berries.
  • A Large Bowl- Use a big bowl to toss together all the ingredients. That way, everything gets coated with the vinaigrette.

The Ingredients Needed for Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls

  • Goat Cheese- You can find this in the gourmet cheese section of your market.
  • Panko- These are Japanese breadcrumbs. You can find them in the Asian aisle or the breadcrumb aisle of your market.
  • Spring Greens- Of course, you can use any soft lettuce that you like.
  • Marcona Almonds- These are crunchy baked almonds. I found mine near the gourmet cheeses at the local Kroger.
  • Oil- Use a good quality, mild extra virgin olive oil. I like California Olive Ranch oil.
  • Lemon- Be sure and use fresh lemon juice for the vinaigrette.

How I Made my Salad

  • First, I rolled my goat cheese into balls and dipped it into first the eggs and then the crumbs. You have to squeeze the goat cheese a little bit to form it into the balls.
  • Next, I chilled and then baked the goat cheese balls.
  • Meanwhile, I made the vinaigrette and tossed together the salad.

If you like goat cheese, you need to try this colorful and yummy summer salad.

Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls
Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls
Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls

Berry Salad with Goat Cheese Balls

Spring greens with raspberries, blueberries, peaches, Marcona almonds and baked goat cheese balls.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Freezing time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 5 ounces goat cheese
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 cup panko crumbs
  • 4 cups spring greens
  • 1 thinly sliced peach
  • ½ cup each blueberries and raspberries
  • ½ cup Marcona almonds

Lemon and Honey Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Baked Goat Cheese Balls: Roll the goat cheese into 8 one inch balls. Dip each one in the beaten egg, and then roll them in panko. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for at least thirty minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush the balls with some olive oil and bake for 12 minutes.
  • While the goat cheese balls bake, toss together the lettuce and fruit. Also, place all the vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar, and shake until combined. Toss the salad with the vinaigrette and top with the goat cheese balls.
Keyword vegetables
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One-Bowl Sweet Blueberry Cake

One-Bowl Sweet Blueberry Cake

One-Bowl Sweet Blueberry Cake is a quick and easy dessert. There are several things I love about this cake. First of all, I can mix this whole cake up in one bowl. That means, there’s only one bowl to wash. And, this was especially important