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Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake

Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake

Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake is one of our favorite fall desserts. I start this dessert by mixing together a rich pumpkin spice cake batter. Then, I make a fluffy cream cheese frosting and spread it all over the cake. Finally, I edge the cake with …

Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies are one of our favorite fall desserts. I start these cookies by beating together a sweet pumpkin cookie dough. Then, I top the baked cookies with a fluffy cream cheese frosting. We like these cookies for several reasons. First of all, …

Chicken and Cherry Tomato Salad

Chicken and Cherry Tomato Salad

Hi! I’m Sharon, a home cook and blogger at aperfectfeast.com. Growing up, I didn’t have much interest in cooking or food, but that all changed when my boyfriend (now my husband) gave me a cookbook filled with beautiful food photos. As I cooked my way through that book, I began to love everything about cooking. Now, years later, I still love cooking and especially enjoy creating my own recipes. I hope my blog and Instagram feed inspires people to cook at home more. Since, I really feel that home cooking can be fun and easy, with good recipes and great equipment.

Some of my favorite pieces of kitchen equipment are my Takenaka Special Collaboration Nibble Bento Box and stainless-steel cutlery set. I like to pack my bento box with salads, fresh fruits, and cheese and crackers. Using my bento box allows me to keep all my food items separate so that I can enjoy the distinct flavors of each dish. My bento box definitely makes my food look more appetizing and adds to my enjoyment of the meal. I chose the Meringue bento box because I think white is a nice neutral background for the colorful dishes I compose. My bento box truly adds to my enjoyment of lunch and is one of my favorite dining accessories.

Chicken and Cherry Tomato Salad
Chicken and Cherry Tomato Salad

Chicken and Cherry Tomato Salad

Roasted chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, fresh oregano, kalamata olives and feta cheese all tossed with a Tomato Balsamic vinaigrette.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 367 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic and onion powders
  • 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. each extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups sliced cucumbers
  • ½ cup sliced red onions
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tbsp. fresh oregano

For the Tomato Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. minced fresh oregano
  • ⅛ tsp. kosher salt and black pepper
  • ½ cup seeded and diced plum tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • Begin by roasting the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the chicken in a small baking dish and sprinkle the salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic and onion powders all over the chicken. Add the olive oil and butter to the tops of the breast, and drizzle on the lemon juice. Bake for twenty minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle. When the chicken is done, cut the breasts in half inch slices.
  • While the chicken roasts, make the vinaigrette by shaking up all the ingredients in a small jar.
  • Put all the romaine in a large bowl, or on a large platter. Arrange the cooked chicken and vegetables on top of the lettuce. Drizzle on as much dressing as you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal
Keyword Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Summer Farmstand Tuna Bowls

Summer Farmstand Tuna Bowls

Summer Farmstand Tuna Bowls are one of our favorite warm weather dinners. I start these bowls by roasting corn on the cob. Then, I fill our bowls with spring green lettuce mix, and top them with Natural Catch tuna fillets, tomatoes, avocado, cucumbers, the corn …

Berry Shortcakes with Mascarpone Cream

Berry Shortcakes with Mascarpone Cream

Berry Shortcakes with Mascarpone Cream are one of our favorite summer desserts. I start these shortcakes by making sweet buttery biscuits. While the biscuits bake, I make mascarpone whipped cream and sweeten berries with some sugar. Then, I serve the shortcakes stuffed with the berries …

Easy Summer Peach Tarts

Easy Summer Peach Tarts

Easy Summer Peach Tarts are one of our favorite warm weather desserts. I start these tarts by stirring together an easy tart dough. Then, I make a sweet peach filling and whip up some whipped cream. We like these tarts for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these tarts in just about one hour. Secondly, I like that I can make all the components of these tarts ahead of time. Then, I just assemble them right before serving time. Thirdly, I like that this recipe uses ingredients that I usually already have in the house. That makes this recipe inexpensive to prepare. And, lastly, we all love the buttery dough, the sweet peaches, and the fluffy whipped cream.

The Equipment I Used

  • An Electric Mixer- You’ll need this to make the whipped cream.
  • A Pastry Blender- Use this to cut the butter into the flour. You can also use your hands to do this.

The Ingredients Needed for Easy Summer Peach Tarts

  • Peaches- Be sure to peel the peaches and remove the pits. Cut the peaches in uniform half inch cubes.
  • Flour- Use all-purpose flour. I like the King Arthur brand of flour.
  • Butter- Your butter should be very cold for best tart dough results.
  • Cream Cheese- Use brick cream cheese, not whipped cream cheese.
  • Cream- Use heavy cream to make the whipped cream.
  • Cornstarch- You’ll need this to thicken the peach filling.

How I Made my Tarts

  • First, I made the dough. This dough is very forgiving. You can reroll it if you need to.
  • Next, I made the filling. Simmer the peaches until they are soft but not mushy.
  • Then, I made the whipped cream. Start your mixer on low, and then gradually increase the speed until the cream is light and fluffy.

If you like peaches, you need to make these Easy Summer Peach Tarts.

Easy Summer Peach Tarts
Easy Summer Peach Tarts

Easy Summer Peach Tarts

Four-inch tarts filled with a sweet peach filling and topped with homemade whipped cream.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
chilling time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 8 four inch quiches
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • 8 four-inch tart pans with removeable bottoms
  • An electric mixer ( for whipping the cream)

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
  • ⅛ tsp. salt
  • 2 tbsps. sugar (for the tart dough)
  • 8 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut in half inch pieces (112g) (for the dough)
  • 3 ounces cold cream cheese
  • ¼ cup ice water
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter (for the peach filling)
  • 6 cups peeled peaches, chopped in half inch pieces
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp. sugar (for the whipped cream)

Instructions
 

  • First, make the tart dough. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour, until the flour is fully incorporated, and everything is pea sized. Pour in the ice water, stirring with a fork, until a scraggly dough is formed. Empty the dough onto a floured board, and shape the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes.
  • Roll out the dough until it is very thin and cut out 8 six inch rounds. It's fine to reroll the dough as many times as you need to. Press the rounds into the tart pans, and up the sides of the pans. Prick the tart bottoms all over and then refrigerate them for fifteen minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Place parchment squares in each tart pan, and fill them with pie weights. Bake for fifteen minutes and then cool them to room temperature.
  • While the filling cools, make the whipped cream: In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the whisk attachment on start beating the cream on low power. Start on low and gradually increase the speed to high. When the cream starts to thicken add the vanilla extract and sugar. Beat until the cream is fluffy. I used a piping bag with a star attachment on to pipe on the cream.
  • Make the filling: In a three-quart saucepan, melt the butter on low heat. Stir in the peaches, brown sugar, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Simmer ten minutes, or until the peaches are soft. Cool to room temperature. Divide evenly among the shells. Top with the whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal
Keyword Dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tuna-Vegetable Salad with Lemon Dressing

Tuna-Vegetable Salad with Lemon Dressing

Tuna-Vegetable Salad with Lemon Dressing is one of our favorite no-cook summer dinners. I start this salad by assembling a platter of chopped lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and onions. Then, I top it with Natural Catch White Albacore Tuna Filets. Finally, I drizzle on a …

Honey Barbecue Chicken Tacos

Honey Barbecue Chicken Tacos

Honey Barbecue Chicken Tacos are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start these shredded barbecue chicken tacos by braising boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Then, I stir the shredded chicken into my homemade honey barbecue sauce. Finally, I topped the shredded barbecue chicken with strawberry …

Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles

Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles

Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles are one of our favorite breakfasts. I start these waffles by making an easy banana waffle batter. Then, I top the waffles with homemade vanilla whipped cream, Nutella chocolate spread, sliced bananas, walnuts, and strawberries. We like these banana waffles for several reasons. First of all, I like that these waffles can feed a small crowd. Each waffle easily feeds two people. Secondly, I like serving these waffles for breakfast for dinner. The whole family gets excited when I make these waffles for dinner. And, lastly, we all love the nutty waffles, the fluffy whipped cream, the sweet fruit, and the chocolatey Nutella.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Waffle Iron- You’ll need this to cook the waffles.
  • A Mixer- Use this to whip the cream.

The Ingredients Needed for Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles

  • Flour- Be sure to use all-purpose flour. I always use King Arthur brand flour.
  • Eggs- Use large eggs
  • Sour Cream- I always use full-fat sour cream.
  • Milk- I also use whole milk.
  • Bananas- Use any bananas. They don’t need to be especially ripe.
  • Butter- Use unsalted butter.
  • Cream- Be sure to use heavy cream to make the whipped cream.

How I Made my Banana Waffles

  • First, I made the banana waffle batter. When making waffle batter, it’s important to not overmix the batter. You want to mix in each ingredient, until it’s just combined.
  • Next, I cooked the batter in the waffle iron.
  • Then, while the waffles cooked, I made the whipped cream. Take care to not overmix the cream, or it will stiffen into butter.
  • Finally, I topped each waffle with some Nutella, some sliced strawberries, some finely chopped walnuts, some sliced bananas, and some whipped cream.

If you like bananas, you need to try these hearty and delicious Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles.

Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles
Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles

Nutella-Topped Banana Bread Waffles

Walnut-flecked banana waffles topped with strawberries, Nutella, and whipped cream.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 425 kcal

Equipment

  • waffle maker
  • electric mixer

Ingredients
  

For the Waffles:

  • 2 cups flour (240g)
  • 4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed bananas
  • ¼ cup minced walnuts
  • 4 tbsp. melted butter

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp. powdered sugar

For the Toppings:

  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 cup Nutella
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions
 

For the Banana Bread Waffles:

  • Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Stir in the sugar and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, and then mix in the sour cream, bananas, vanilla and milk. Add the walnuts and flour mixture, stirring just until no streaks of flour appear. Try not to overmix. Stir in the butter.
  • Cook batter in your waffle iron, according to its directions.

For the Whipped Cream:

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the whisk attachment on, start beating the cream on low, gradually increasing the speed to high. When the cream starts to thicken, add the vanilla and sugar. Beat until the cream is fluffy.

For the Toppings:

  • Top the waffles with all the toppings and the whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal
Keyword waffles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Lemony Lobster and Wine Fettuccini

Lemony Lobster and Wine Fettuccini

Lemony Lobster and Wine Fettuccini is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this lobster fettuccini dish by steaming four live lobsters. Then, I make a rich and buttery lemon and white wine sauce. Finally, I toss the lobster and fettuccini with the sauce …