Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Ingredients:

Crust
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 t. salt

Filling
1 c. fresh lemon juice
2/3 t. lemon zest
1/2 c. pureed strawberries (about 3/4 c. berries)
1 1/4 c. sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.

2.  Begin by making crust.  In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until smooth and fluffy.  Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly.  Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer.  Bake for about 17 minutes, until set at the edges.

3.  While the crust bakes, prepare the filling.  In the bowl of a food processor, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, strawberry puree, sugar and eggs and process until smooth.  Add in flour, baking powder and salt, then pulse until smooth.

4.   Gently pour the filling over the hot crust when it has finished baking.  Return pan to oven and bake for 23-26 minutes, until the filling is set (There will be a light colored “crust” on top from the sugar in the custard— nothing to worry about).

5.  Sprinkle the bars with some powdered sugar.  Cool completely before slicing and use a damp knife to ensure clean slices.  Store bars in the refrigerator, especially on a hot day.  Makes 24 bars.

Source:  baking bites
 

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

When I saw this video I felt an immediate impact.  What a unique experiment that has significant meaning in the lives of women in particular.  How we see ourselves does affect EVERYTHING in our lives.  What I wouldn’t give for a do over in the self image department!  Wouldn’t this be a great activity to do with a group of your female friends?

Let this video really sink in and take away from it some small way that you (we) can appreciate your (our) true selves just a little more.  I know for me that it sometimes feels like I’m trying to turn the tide to get in a better frame of mind.  But, what’s important is that I never stop trying; that I always remember from whence I came—trailing clouds of glory.  

Salmon With Mango Chimichurri

Fruit salsas are the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish.  The absolute best fish to try with this is triggerfish if  you can get it.  Salmon is great too.  As you can tell from the picture I like a lot of salsa with my fish.

Ingredients:

1 mango, peeled, pitted, and diced small
1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1/4 c. oil, plus more for grilling
2 T. lime juice
salt and pepper
6 salmon fillets (2 pounds)

Directions:

1.  Stir together mango, cilantro, red pepper flakes, oil, and lime juice; seaon with salt and pepper.

2.  Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.  Clean and lightly oil hot grill.  Season salmon with salt and pepper and lightly brush with oil.  Grill until salmon begins to turn opaque, 4 to 6 minutes.  Flip and cook until opaque throughout, 4 to 6 minutes.  Transfer to a platter, spoon chimichurri over top, and serve.

Source:  Unknown

Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream Sauce

Here’s another winner in the enchilada department.  You cannot go wrong with this creamy sauce.  I’ve always been a fan of poblano peppers.  Try them in all your Mexican dishes.  They are wonderful in chicken chili!

Ingredients:

2 T. olive oil
1 medium white or yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 poblano peppers, stemmed and thinly sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
8-10 flour tortillas
4 c. shredded cooked chicken
2-3 c. Monterrey Jack cheese
optional garnish:  fresh cilantro, sour cream, and/or shredded cheese

Avocado Cream Sauce Ingredients:

2 T. butter
2 T. flour
2 c. chicken broth
3/4 c. sour cream
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. pepper
2 California avocados, peeled and pitted
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
juice of 1 lime

Directions:

1.  First make the avocado cream sauce.

2.  Melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.  Add the flour, whisking until golden and bubbly, about    2-3 minutes.

3.  Slowly whisk the broth into the flour mixture.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.

4.  Stir in the sour cream, cumin, salt, garlic powder and pepper, whisking if necessary to remove any lumps.

5.  Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a blender or food processor.  Add avocados, cilantro and lime juice and pulse until smooth and well-blended.  (Be very careful blending hot liquids – the heat will expand!  So be sure to remove the lid occasionally so that the heat can escape.)

6.  Season with additional salt or pepper if needed.

7.  In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion, poblano and jalapeno, and saute for 5-6 minutes until the onions are cooked and translucent.

8.  Remove from heat.

9.  To assemble the enchiladas, place a tortilla on a flat surface.

10.  Spread a tablespoon or two of the avocado sauce down the middle of the tortilla.  Then layer on some of the vegetable mixture, shredded chicken and cheese.

11.  Carefully roll the tortilla and place it seam side down in the baking dish.

12.  Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

13.  Drizzle the top with about half of the remaining avocado cream sauce, then cover the dish with foil and bake for about 20 minutes, or until tortillas are heated through and begin to harden.

14.  Remove from the oven, then serve individual enchiladas, drizzled with the remainder of the avocado cream sauce.  You can also garnish with additional cilantro, cheese, and/or sour cream.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

Here’s a twist on traditional strawberry shortcake that is super easy and one of those great make-ahead recipes that saves you time in the kitchen.  I made it for my daughter’s birthday since she loves strawberry shortcake.  Try it, you’ll like it!

Ingredients:

2 packages of Hostess Shortcake Cups (8 cakes)*
1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
15-20 ripe, fresh strawberries**
1/4 cup plus 3 T. vanilla sugar
whipped cream and chocolate syrup for adornment

Directions:

1.  Grease an 8 (or 9 inch) springform baking pan.

2.  Tear shortcakes into 1 inch pieces and lightly press into the bottom of your baking pan.

3.  Press slightly room temperature ice cream evenly over shortcake, smooth.

4.  Freeze for 4 hours before removing the springform pan.

5.  Top each slice of ice cream cake with strawberry sauce and whipped cream.

Strawberry Topping Instructions:

1.  Clean and cut stems from the strawberries.

2.  Cut into 1/2 inch chunks and place into flat bottom dish.

3.  Coat with 1/4 cup vanilla sugar and stir.

4.  Wait 30 minutes, then crush strawberries with a potato masher.

5.  Sprinkle remaining vanilla sugar over strawberries and stir.

*I used 3 packages (18 cakes) of the dessert spongecakes that you find in the produce section by the strawberries.

**I used regular sugar.

Source:  foodfamilyfinds.com

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Mexican and pasta…….a win/win recipe. I used a creamy salsa dip instead of plain salsa and it gave the recipe a nice flavor. My family loved it. I have a chicken version of Mexican stuffed shells that I created. I will blog that at a later date. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions
sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a frying pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely. While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

2. Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

3. After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed. Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.). Serve with sour cream.

Source: Adapted from “A Pinch of This & That

This entry was posted in Pasta and tagged .

Good Morning Pumpkin Pancakes

Really……I do try so hard not to be obsessed with pumpkin! This week I made pumpkin mac and cheese, pumpkin hot chocolate and these pumpkin pancakes that I’ve been making for decades. I like to put mini (as well as many) chocolate chips in them too! Don’t use regular size ones because it overwhelms the star of the show………the pumpkin of course!

Ingredients:

2 Cups biscuit mix
2 T. packed light brown sugar
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 t. ground allspice
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 T. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla

Directions:

1. In large mixer bowl combine biscuit mix, sugar, cinnamon and allspice.

2. Add evaporated milk, pumpkin, oil, eggs and vanilla; beat until smooth.

3. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup batter onto heated and lightly greased griddle. Cook until top surface
is bubbly and edges are dry. Turn, cook until golden.

Source: Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast