Cavatelli with Snap Peas and Carrots is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this dish by making homemade cavatelli. But, if you don’t have a cavatelli maker, you can always use purchased cavatelli. Then, I make a tasty lemony butter sauce and cook …
Lemony Salmon on Potato Pancakes is one of our favorite springtime meals. I start this meal by frying crispy potato pancakes. Then, I top the pancakes with lemon butter salmon and fresh asparagus and peas. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, …
Carrot Cake Muffins with a Cheesecake Swirl are one of our favorite springtime muffins. I love making these on Easter morning for a festive holiday brunch. I start these muffins by making a carrot cake batter filled with coconut and walnuts. Then, I swirl the muffins with a creamy swath of cheesecake batter. We like these muffins for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these muffins in less than an hour. Secondly, I like that these muffins are not too sweet. That makes them feel more like a breakfast than a dessert. And, lastly, we all love the delicious flavors in these muffins.
The Equipment I Used
A Muffin Pan- You’ll need a 12 cup muffin tin to make these muffins.
A Pastry Bag with a Large Round Tip- Use this to swirl in the cheesecake filling. This time I used a star tip, and I don’t recommend it.
An Electric Mixer- I used this to beat together my batter. But, you could also do it by hand.
A Food Processor- Use this to whip the cheesecake filling. Or, do it by hand.
A Food Scale- For the best baking results, weigh your flour and sugar.
The Ingredients Needed for Carrot Cake Muffins with a Cheesecake Swirl
Cream Cheese- Use a brick cream cheese, not a whipped cream cheese.
Sugar- You’ll need granulated sugar. I always use Domino sugar.
Butter- Your butter should be nice and soft.
Carrots- You’ll need about three medium carrots.
Sour Cream- Use full fat sour cream.
Coconut- You’ll need unsweetened coconut flakes. I used the Bob’s Red Mill brand.
How I Made my Muffins
First, I made the cheesecake batter and let it chill in the pastry bag.
Next, I made the carrot cake batter. Make sure everything is incorporated, but don’t overmix.
Finally, I baked the muffins. About half way through, I swirled in the cheesecake.
If you like carrot cake, you need to try these scrumptious Carrot Cake Muffins with a Cheesecake Swirl.
½cup eachunsweetened coconut flakes and chopped walnuts
2cupsall purpose flour (240g)
1tsp.ground ginger
1½tsp.ground cinnamon
1tsp. eachbaking powder and baking soda
¼tsp.salt
1cupsour cream
1tsp.vanilla
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a 12 cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
In a food processor, cream together all the cheesecake swirl ingredients and beat them until they're whipped. Put the filling in a pastry bag with a large round tip, and set it into the refrigerator to chill.
In a mixing bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, and sugar. Then add the eggs, coconut, walnuts and carrots and beat until combined.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices. Stir them very gently into the batter. Do not overmix. Add the sour cream and vanilla and stir until just combined.
Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups. Bake for 12 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven, and pipe a cheesecake swirl into the top of each muffin. Actually press down into the muffin slightly.
Reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake about 12 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the carrot cake portion of the muffin comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for five minutes, and then on a wire rack for ten minutes.
Crispy Sesame Chicken Bowls are one of our favorite chicken dinners. I start this dish by deep frying chicken until it’s super crispy. Then, I make a sweet caramel sauce to coat the chicken in. Finally, I serve the sesame chicken on top of rice. …
Easy Vanilla Cheesecake Tart is one of our favorite springtime desserts. I start this tart by making a quick crust out of cookie crumbs. Then, I make a no bake creamy cheesecake filling. After it chills in the refrigerator, I top the tart with colorful …
Lemon Basil Lobster Linguini is one of our favorite lobster dishes. I start this dish by steaming the lobsters. Then, I steam asparagus and boil linguini. Then I toss it all together with a lemon butter sauce. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this dish in less than an hour. And, If I start with precooked lobster meat, I can make this dish in thirty minutes. Secondly, I like how easily this dish reheats. I just reheat individual portions in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the sweet lobster and buttery linguini.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Pot- You’ll need your biggest pot, or two smaller pots to steam the lobsters.
The Ingredients Needed for Lemon Basil Lobster Linguini
Lobster- You’ll need four pounds of lobsters to make this dish. Or, you’ll need about three cups of cooked lobster meat.
Asparagus- Use the freshest asparagus you can find. If you want to maintain a bright green color, prepare a bowl of ice water. Then, drain the steamed asparagus and add it to the ice water. When the asparagus is cool, drain it again.
Butter- I always use Kerrygold unsalted Irish butter.
Garlic- I buy the peeled cloves of garlic. Then, I store them in my freezer.
Peas- Use thawed frozen peas. I like the Earthbound Farms organic frozen peas.
Linguini- I always use Barilla linguini. Cook it until it’s just al dente.
Cheese- You can use Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
How I Made my Lobster Pasta
First, I steamed my lobsters. You can check to see if they’re cooked enough by pulling off one of the tails. But, I find 12 minutes cooks them perfectly.
Next, I removed all the meat from the shells. This can be the most time consuming part of the process.
Finally, I made the pasta and sauce and tossed it all together.
If you like lobster, you need to try this rich and delicious Lemon Basil Lobster Linguini.
Lemon Basil Lobster Linguini
Steamed lobster tossed with linguini, asparagus, peas, and basil, in a lemon garlic butter sauce.
1bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut in three inch pieces
12ounceslinguini
6tbsp.butter
3clovesminced garlic
1cupthawed frozen peas
¼tspred pepper flakes
¼tsp.kosher salt
¼cupchopped basil
2tbsp.lemon juice
1tbsp.lemon zest
½cupgrated Parmesan
Instructions
Bring 2 inches of water to a boil, in a very large pot.
Add the lobsters, and hold down the lid to kill the lobsters quickly. Steam them for 12 minutes.
Remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it into one inch pieces.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, for the pasta. Cook the linguini until al dente. Also, cook the asparagus: Bring an inch of water to a boil in a three-quart saucepan. Add the asparagus and simmer for 6 minutes. Drain both the linguini and asparagus and set aside.
As the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet, and add the garlic, on low heat.
Cook for a minute, and then add the peas, asparagus, red pepper flakes, and lobster.
Cook for another minute, and then add the drained pasta and lemon juice. Take the pan off the heat and toss everything together. Put in a serving bowl and top with the basil, lemon zest and cheese. Serve with lemon wedges.
Chicken Ramen with Spring Vegetables is one of our favorite springtime soups. Actually, this soup is so hearty that it can be a complete dinner. I start this soup by simmering up a ginger chicken filled broth. Then, I fill each bowl with this broth, …
Homemade Cheese Ravioli with Bolognese Sauce is one of our favorite pasta dinners. I start this dish by making my rich and delicious Bolognese Sauce. My recipe makes a lot. So, I always have some tucked away in my freezer. Then, I make my homemade …
Lemon Butter Ravioli with Asparagus is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this dish by making homemade ravioli. Then, I make a lemon butter sauce. Finally, I toss it all together with steamed asparagus. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that this is a meatless meal. While we enjoy eating meat, we also like to have lots of meatless meals. Secondly, I like that this sauce comes together in about fifteen minutes. And, lastly, we all love the fresh springtime flavors in this dish.
The Equipment I Used
A Ravioli Form- You will need this to shape your ravioli.
A Food Scale- For perfect ravioli, be sure to weigh your flour.
A Rolling Pin- You’ll need this to roll out your dough.
A Large Skillet- I like to make the sauce in a large skillet. That way it’s easy to coat your ravioli in all your sauce.
The Ingredients Needed for Lemon Butter Ravioli with Asparagus
Lemon Juice- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Asparagus- Find the freshest asparagus you can. Make sure the tops aren’t frayed. That’s a sign of old asparagus.
Oil- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. I like California Olive Ranch brand.
Butter- Since butter is one of the stars of the dish, use a good quality unsalted butter. I like to use Irish butter, like Kerrygold.
Basil- Fresh basil adds lots of herby flavor to this dish.
Pine Nuts- These can be tricky to find. This week I found mine at in the baking section of my market.
How I Made my Sauce
First, I steamed my asparagus. Be careful to not overcook them.
Next, I cooked the garlic in the butter. Be sure to not let your garlic burn.
Finally, I tossed together all ingredients and garnished them with the basil, lemon zest, and pine nuts.
If you like asparagus, you need to try this fresh and delicious Lemon Butter Ravioli with Asparagus.
Lemon Butter Ravioli with Asparagus
Steamed asparagus tossed with butter, lemon, garlic, Parmesan and cheese ravioli.
1bunch asparagus, trimmed, and cut into two inch pieces
36cheese ravioli
2tbsp.extra virgin olive oil
7tbsp.unsalted butter
4clovesminced garlic
4tbsp.lemon juice
¼cupbasil leaves
1cupgrated Parmesan cheese
2tbsp.lemon zest
¼cuppine nuts
Instructions
In a three quart saucepan, bring two inches of water to a boil. Add the asparagus, cover, and simmer for 4 minutes. Drain well.
Heat a large skillet with the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cook the garlic for a few minutes, and then add the lemon juice and asparagus.
Cut the rest of the butter into thin slices. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter until it is melted and a nice sauce forms. Add the ravioli, and cheese, tossing everything together, until the pasta is completely coated in sauce.
Begin by making the Ravioli Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a second smaller bowl, mix together the chicken fat or oil, yolks, egg and milk. Stir these liquids into the flour with a fork. Then, knead it on a floured board for 12 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for one hour.
Next, make the Ravioli Filling: Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Cut the dough in thirds. Roll out the first third of the dough on a floured board until it's an ⅛ of an inch thick, into somewhat of a rectangular shape. Flour your ravioli form. Drape the dough loosely over the form. Use your finger to press the dough lightly into each cavity. Fill each cavity with about a teaspoon of cheese filling. Fold more dough on top of the filling. Dust the dough with flour and use the rolling pin to seal the edges. Invert the form to release the ravioli. Cut away any dough scraps. Repeat with the other two thirds of the dough. Place the ravioli on a flour dusted sheet pan. Cover loosely with plastic.
Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil, and add a teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook six ravioli at a time for about five minutes, or until they float to the top. Drain well and repeat with the rest of the ravioli.
Lemony Fettuccini with Peas and Burrata is one of our favorite springtime meals. I start this dish by making a lemony, peppery, garlicky olive oil sauce. Then, I fill it with peas, prosciutto, and Pecorino Romano cheese. Finally, I toss it with egg fettuccini and …