Lobster Rolls with Tarragon and Chives are one of our all-time 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, …
Linguini with Vodka Sauce and Basil is one of our favorite easy dinners. I start this dish by making a quick vodka sauce, which is a tomato sauce with a hint of vodka and cream. Then, I toss the sauce with linguini, basil, and parmesan …
Beet and Feta Yogurt Dip is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I start this dip by cooking a beet until it’s tender. Then, I simply process it in the food processor along with feta, yogurt, garlic, milk, lemon juice, and honey. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this fetacheese dip in just about thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that I can make this dish ahead of time. Thirdly, I like that this dip is easy enough to make every day but is fancy enough for company. And, lastly, we all love this delicious creamy dip.
The Equipment I Used
A Food Processor or Blender- I used a food processor to make this dip. You could also use a blender.
The Ingredients Needed for Beet and Feta Yogurt Dip
Feta Cheese- Use a good quality feta cheese. I used the Mt. Vikos brand.
Beets- I like to use a fresh beet. I didn’t just prepare the one beet this meal called for. I made two bunches of beets. I used one for this dip, and the rest I sliced up and drizzled with honey and served them as a side dish with dinner.
Garlic- I use the peeled cloves, which I store in my freezer.
Yogurt- Use whole milk Greek Yogurt. I always use the Fage brand.
Milk- I used whole milk. This helps thin out the dip.
Lemon Juice- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Honey- I used a little honey to give a hint of sweetness to this dip.
How I Made my Dip
First, I cooked the beet. Cook the beet until they’re fork tender.
Then, I processed all the ingredients in the food processor.
Finally, I served the dip along with cut up veggies.
If you like feta cheese, you need to try this rich and creamy Beet and Feta Yogurt Dip.
Beet and Feta Yogurt Dip
Beet and Feta Yogurt Dip
A creamy yogurt and feta dip tinted pink with beets.
Begin by cooking 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. Finely mince the beet in the food processor. Remove all but two tablespoons of the beets from the food processor and reserve for another use.
To the beets in the food processor add all the other ingredients and process until the dip is smooth and creamy. Chill until serving.
Serve with vegetables. I used endive, carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes.
Creamy Lobster Jalapeno Dip is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I start this dish by stirring together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Monterey Jack cheese, jalapenos, and lobster. Then, I add more cheese on top and bake it until everything is warm and bubbly. …
Easy Strawberry and Blueberry Crumble is one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this dessert by stirring together strawberries and blueberries along with sugar and cornstarch. Then, I mix together a buttery oat and coconut crumble topping. This all gets baked together until it’s …
Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze are one of our favorite summer treats. I start these scones by mixing up a sweet and rich scone dough. Then, I stir in almost a cup of fresh summer peaches. Finally, I pipe on a sweet vanilla glaze. We like these scones for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these scones in just about thirty minutes. That makes them super easy to make for breakfast or teatime. Secondly, I like that these scones use ingredients that I always have in my pantry. That makes them fairly inexpensive to prepare. And, lastly, we all love the fresh peachy flavor in these scones.
The Equipment I Used
A Pastry Blender- You’ll need this to combine the butter into the dry ingredients. You could also use two knives or your hands.
A Pastry Bag- I used this to pipe on the glaze. But you could just use a spoon to drizzle on the glaze.
The Ingredients Needed for Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze
Flour- Use all-purpose flour. I like the King Arthur brand.
Butter- I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter for my baking. Your butter should be very cold.
Cream- Use heavy cream. Don’t use light cream of half and half.
Milk- Use whole milk.
Sanding Sugar- I use this to top the scones. You can also use turbinado sugar or granulated sugar.
Other Sugars- Use granulated sugar for the scone batter. Use powdered sugar to make the glaze.
How I Made my Scones
First, I used my pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour. You need to cut the butter in until it’s the size of small peas.
Next, I stirred in the wet ingredients. It’s important to not overmix the dough. Just stir until no streaks of flour remain.
Then, I baked the scones until they were golden brown.
Finally, I piped on the glaze.
If you like peaches, you need to try these delicious Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze.
Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze
Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze
Vanilla scones speckled with fresh peaches and topped with a vanilla glaze.
6tbsp.cold unsalted butter, cut in half inch cubes (84g)
2egg yolks
½cupheavy cream
¼cupwhole milk
1tsp.vanilla extract
¾cuppeeled and diced peaches
2tbsp.sanding sugar
For the Vanilla Glaze:
1cuppowdered sugar, sifted
½tsp.vanilla extract
3tbsp.heavy cream
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture, until it all resembles small peas.
In a small bowl, mix together the yolks, milk, cream, and vanilla. Stir it into the flour mixture just until no streaks of flour are left. Stir in the diced peaches.
Dump the mixture onto a floured board, and pat it into a one inch thick circle. Using a floured knife, cut it into 8 wedges. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet, spaced two inches apart from one another.
Brush each wedge lightly with some heavy cream and sprinkle with the coarse sugar. Bake them for twenty minutes, or until they're light brown.
Make the glaze by combining the sifted powdered sugar with the vanilla and heavy cream. Use a piping bag to apply the glaze to the scones. Serve warm.
Curried Chicken Tostadas with Pickled Onions is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this by braising Spicemode Golden Curry seasoned chicken thighs with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and chicken stock. Then, I shred the chicken and served it on crispy baked tortillas …
Summer Corn and Shrimp Risotto is one of our favorite summer suppers. I start this dish by cooking fresh-from-the-farm corn in butter. Then, I make a creamy risotto and stir in the sweet corn. Finally, I cook shrimp and garlic in olive oil and serve …
Summer Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes are one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this dish by making coconut shortcakes. Then, I fill them with coconut whipped cream and sliced strawberries. We like this dessert for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this whole dessert in just about thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that this dessert can be made ahead of time. And, lastly, we all love the buttery biscuits, sweet strawberries, and fluffy coconut whipped cream.
The Equipment I Used
A Pastry Cutter- You’ll need this to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
An Electric Mixer- Use this to whip your cream.
A Sheet Pan- You’ll need a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
The Ingredients Needed for Summer Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes
Cream- Be sure to use heavy cream, not light cream, or half and half.
Coconut Extract-You’ll need this to flavor the whipped cream.
Strawberries- Use fresh strawberries.
How I Made my Shortcakes
First, I made the shortcakes. You’ll need to use the pastry cutter to cut all the butter into the flour. After you do this, handle the dough gently. It’s important not to handle the dough to much. Otherwise, the biscuits will be tough.
Next, I whipped the coconut cream. Put everything in the mixer. Start on low power, and gradually increase the power until the cream is nice and thick. Don’t overmix the cream or it will turn into butter.
Then, I split the biscuits in half and layered on the whipped cream and the strawberries.
If you like strawberries and coconut, you need to try these yummy Summer Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes.
Summer Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes
Summer Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes
Coconut Shortcake Biscuits filled with strawberries and coconut whipped cream.
10tbsp.cold unsalted butter, cut in half inch pieces (140g)
½cupunsweetened coconut flakes
1cupfull fat buttermilk, plus two tablespoons, divided
For the Coconut Whipped Cream:
1cupheavy cream
2tsp.granulated sugar
1tsp.coconut extract
To Assemble the Shortcakes:
2cupsstrawberries, sliced, and mixed with 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Begin by making the Coconut Biscuits: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour until the butter is the size of peas. Stir in the coconut. Set aside two tablespoons of buttermilk. Using a fork, gradually stir in a cup of buttermilk. Try and stir as little as possible. On a floured board, pat the dough into a one-inch-thick rectangle. Using a four- inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits. It's okay to reroll the dough but try to handle the dough as little as possible. Place the biscuits on a heavy, parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with two tablespoons of buttermilk and sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar. Bake them about 15 minutes or until they're light brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
For the Strawberries: Mix the strawberries with the sugar.
Make the Coconut Whipped Cream: In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat together all the ingredients until the cream is fluffy. I used a piping bag with a star attachment to pipe on the cream but you can just spoon it on the biscuits.
Split the biscuits and layer on the strawberries and coconut whipped cream.
Italian Chicken Cobb Salad is one of our favorite chicken salads. I start this Cobb salad by roasting both chicken breasts and red peppers. Then, I layer them on a bed of arugula along with prosciutto, eggs, mozzarella cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes. Finally, I drizzle …