Creamy Chocolate Mousse Pie is one our favorite Thanksgiving pies. I love this pie for several reasons. First of all, I love that this pie can be made a day or two before Thanksgiving. Secondly, I like that this pie is quite inexpensive to prepare. …
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup is one of our favorite autumn meals. I start this soup by roasting some fresh sugar pumpkin. Of course you can also use butternut squash. Next, I add the roasted pumpkin to a blender along with some cooked onion, chicken stock, …
Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake is one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this dessert by mixing together a rich lemon cake batter. Then, I make a fluffy cream cheese frosting and spread it all over the cake. We like this cake for several reasons. First of all, I like that this cake makes just 8 small servings. Unless we’re having a party, my small family doesn’t require a huge cake. Secondly, I like that I can make this entire beautiful cake in under one hour. That makes it perfect for even busy weekday nights. And, lastly, we all love the rich lemon blueberry cake and the creamy frosting.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
3 six-inch round cake pans- You’ll need these to make this cake. You can find these mini cake pans in the baking section of the craft stores.
An Electric Mixer- You’ll need this to mix up the batter and make the frosting.
A Food Scale- For perfect baking results every time, be sure to weigh your flour and sugar.
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR lemon blueberry LAYER CAKE
Flour- Be sure to use all-purpose flour. I always use King Arthur brand flour.
Sugar- Use granulated sugar for the batter and powdered sugar for the frosting.
Blueberries- Be sure to use fresh blueberries. Frozen blueberries will probably dye the cake blue.
Eggs- Use large eggs. Make sure they are at room temperature.
HOW I MADE MY CAKE
First, I greased my pans with nonstick baking spray.
Next, I mixed together the batter. Be sure to mix everything together until it’s well-blended.
Then, I made the frosting. Whip it together until it’s perfectly creamy and fluffy.
Finally, I frosted the cake and pressed the walnuts on.
If you like blueberries, you need to try this rich and delicious Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake.
Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
A 3-layer 6-inch lemon blueberry cake topped with cream cheese frosting.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray three six inch round cake pans with baking spray. Line with parchment rounds and spray again.
In a bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for two minutes, until it is creamy. Then, add the sugar and beat four minutes until fluffy. Then, add the beaten eggs, one at a time, and blend until just combined. Then, add the lemon extract and stir until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, add the flour and milk in 5 parts, starting and ending with the flour, and beat on low until just combined.
Bake the cakes for 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the pans cool on a rack for ten minutes, and then remove them from the pans. Let them cool completely on the racks.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, vanilla, and butter. Then, sift in the powdered sugar, and whip until blended.
Spread frosting all over the cake, between the layer, on the sides, and on top.
Blueberry Buttermilk Cornmeal Biscuits are one of our favorite summer teatime treats. To make these quick biscuits, I make a sweet buttermilk cornmeal biscuit dough. Then, I fold in blueberries and lemon zest. After I bake the biscuits, I top them with an easy glaze …
Caprese Burgers with Basil Mayonnaise are one of our favorite summer burgers. I start these Rastelli’s Wagyu burgers by making a creamy mayonnaise in my food processor. Next, I cook the burgers in a cast iron skillet or we grill them outside. Finally, I top each burger with the Basil Mayonnaise, …
Red Leicester Lobster Chowder is one of our favorite summer soups. I start this chowder by cooking carrots, celery, and leeks until they are tender. Then, I add in homemade chicken stock and red potatoes. Finally, I add cream and cooked lobster. We like this soup for several reasons. First of all, I like that this soup can be made ahead of time and reheated. Secondly, since I used shelled lobster meat I was able to make this chowder very quickly. And, lastly, we all love the rich and creamy flavors in this lobster soup.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
A Dutch Oven- I always use an enameled cast iron Dutch oven. I used my Staub Dutch oven this time.
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR Red Leicester LOBSTER CHOWDER
Butter- I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter.
Carrots- Be sure to peel your carrots well.
Leeks- These add great flavor, but you can also use onions. Be sure to wash your leeks well.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. I like to make it in big batches and store it in my freezer.
Heavy Cream- If you like, you can substitute whole milk for some of the cream.
Lobster- If you can buy cooked lobster meat it will save you a lot of time.
Cheese- I used Red Leicester Cheddar Cheese. You could always just use extra sharp cheddar cheese though.
Potatoes- Use red potatoes but peel them first.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves of garlic, and store them in my freezer.
HOW I MADE MY CHOWDER
First, I cooked the celery, carrots, and leeks until they were soft.
Then, I added the potatoes and chicken stock and cooked them until the potatoes were tender.
Finally, I added the cream and the lobster.
If you like lobster, you need to try this decadent and delicious Red Leicester Lobster Chowder.
Red Leicester Lobster Chowder
Lobster chowder filled with Red Leicester cheddar cheese, potatoes, and lobster.
1cupheavy cream (or a ½ cup milk and a half cup of cream)
1cupRed Leicester cheddar cheese or other cheddar cheese
2cupscooked lobster, cut in bite sized pieces
2tbsp.chopped chives
Instructions
In a Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the leeks, carrots, and celery and cook on low heat for ten minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
Add the chicken stock and potatoes. Cover and simmer for twenty minutes.
Add the cream and bring it to a simmer. Then add the lobster and cheese and cook for a couple of minutes, just to warm up the lobster. Serve topped with the chives.
BLT Lobster Salad Rolls are one of our all-time favorite family dinners. I start this lobster dinner by steaming two live lobsters. Then, I remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it in small pieces. Next, I combine the lobster with mayonnaise, lemon juice, tarragon, bacon, lettuce, …
Easy Orange Butter Cake is one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this cake by baking up a buttery orange cake. Then, I top the cake with vanilla whipped cream and sweetened strawberries. We like this dessert for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this …
Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette is one of our favorite main course salads. I start this salad by roasting chicken breasts coated in herbs and seasonings. Then, I lay the sliced chicken on top of Spring greens along with blue cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg slices, and crispy bacon. Finally, I drizzle everything with my Shallot Vinaigrette. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that this salad is a complete meal. I serve the salad with bread, but I don’t have to make any side dishes. Secondly, I like that I can make this salad ahead of time. I really like to make dinner early in the day; it makes my evenings so much easier and more relaxing. And, lastly, we all love the tender chicken, crispy bacon, and zesty vinaigrette.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
A Salad Spinner- Use this to dry your salad greens. If your greens are too wet, the vinaigrette won’t cling to them.
A Food Processor- You’ll need this to make the dressing for the Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR COBB SALAD with Shallot Vinaigrette
Chicken- Use boneless chicken breasts. I always use Bell and Evans chicken, because I find it to be the most tender.
Lemon Juice- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Lettuce- I used spring greens, but you could also use romaine lettuce.
Blue Cheese- I like to store my blue cheese in the freezer. Then, I just defrost it before I want to use it.
Mustard- use Dijon mustard.
HOW I MADE MY SALAD
First, I roasted the chicken breasts. Take care to not overcook them.
Next, I made the dressing for the Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Finally, I covered the platter with lettuce, and then arranged the chicken, bacon, eggs, cheese, and veggies on top.
If you like big salads, you need to try this delicious Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette.
Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Roasted chicken, tomato, blue cheese, bacon, avocado and hard- boiled eggs all tossed with a Shallot Vinaigrette.
2tbsp. eachextra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
1tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
½tsp.sugar
¼tsp. eachkosher salt, paprika, and black pepper
4eggs
4cupsSpring mix lettuce
1cuphalved cherry tomatoes
1avocado, sliced
1cupblue cheese, crumbled
4slicesbacon, cooked and crumbled
For the Shallot Vinaigrette:
½cupextra virgin olive oil
¼cupred wine vinegar
2tbsp.honey
1tbsp.minced shallots
1tbsp.Dijon mustard
1clovegrated garlic
¼tsp.black pepper
Instructions
Begin by roasting the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the chicken in a small baking dish and sprinkle the herbs, seasonings all over the chicken. Add the olive oil and butter to the tops of the breast, and drizzle on the balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Bake for twenty minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle. When the chicken is done, chop the breasts in half inch pieces.
Meanwhile while the chicken cooks, hard boil the eggs. Place the eggs in a two-quart saucepan and cover them with cold water. On high heat, bring the water to a boil. Then, turn down the heat, and simmer the eggs for 15 minutes. Drain the eggs and peel them under cold running water. Slice the eggs in half inch pieces, and chill.
Also, make the vinaigrette by processing all the ingredients in a food processor
Put all the spring greens in a large bowl, or on a large platter. Arrange the cooked chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, blue cheese, and tomatoes in rows on the spring greens. Drizzle on as much dressing as you like.
Chimichurri Steak with Salsa Criolla is one of our favorite steak dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make the salsa and chimichurri ahead of time. Now, the chimichurri will darken in color. But if you …