Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

summer school fruit kabobs & fruit dip...

this sunday for dinner i decided to let my kids assemble the fruit skewers. not only did it keep them out from under my feet, but they were so excited to have a job! after i prepared all the fruit in seperate bowls & put them on the table with the skewers, my 6 year old said-- mom, this is just like at school making patterns. he was so right. i told the kids to make different patterns with the fruit & them tell me what the pattern was. it was both fun & yummy! so let your kids make some "pattern kabobs" & serve them with this yummy dip! everyone will enjoy it!

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{picture courtesy of flickr}


{cinnamon & lime fruit dip}

1- 8oz. package softened cream cheese
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 TBSP brown sugar
zest & juice of 1 lime
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon

beat together cream cheese & sweetened condensed milk until light & fluffy. add all remaining ingredients. whip until combined. chill at least 4 hours, made a day ahead.

Friday, May 27, 2011

sister hooker's creamy rhubarb pie...

for anyone who is still checking this blog... yes, i'm still here:) with the school year & PTA coming to end, i feel like i have got to get back on the blogging wagon. if anyone is even reading this-- thanks for sticking with me! this is a new one i just made yesterday & i have to say i love it & so did everyone else!!! even my friend jen who doesn't like pie... our friendship is now pending after learning of this news;). anyhoo, it's the perfect combinations of sweet, tart & creamy. give it a try soon! & i know i shouldn't promise, because that's a lot of pressure... but i really will be posting regularly through the summer. i've got quite a few new
recipes backing up!

Country Rhubarb Crostata Recipe
{sister hooker's creamy rhubarb pie}

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box

Filling

1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel

1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 1/2-5 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb, sliced about 1/4-1/2 inch thick

Topping

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 375°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate as directed on box for One-Crust Filled Pie (do not trim or flute crust).

In medium bowl, mix 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and the orange & lemon peel. Stir in eggs and sour cream. Add rhubarb; toss gently. Spoon into crust-lined pie plate. Fold edges of crust over filling, ruffling decoratively.

In small bowl, mix topping ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling.

Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until crust is light golden brown. Cool at least 3 hours before serving. Cover and refrigerate any remaining tart.

***i made this again yesterday & i doubled the crumble topping...even better!



Thursday, November 4, 2010

sticking with the apple theme:)

this is one of my favorite fall dessert recipes! it is light, satisfying, but not too sweet! a zeppole is like an Italian doughnut. fried & crispy on the outside, light & fluffy inside. i prefer mine with some whipped cream, maybe even cinnamon whipped cream! give them a try this weekend!

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{sweet apple zeppole's}

1 large apple, peeled & grated- about 1 1/2 cups

1/4 cups sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour

4 eggs

Vegetable oil for frying


Cinnamon Whipped Cream


1 cup whipping cream

2 TBSP powder sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla


In a medium sauce pan combine the butter, salt, sugar & water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat & stir in flour. Return pan to medium heat & stir constantly until mixture forms a ball. About 3-5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, add eggs one at a time. Incorporating each egg completely. Beat until smooth. Add grated apple & stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate while mixing whipped cream.

Combine all cream, sugar & cinnamon. Beat until thick & fluffy. Add vanilla & stir until combined.


Meanwhile pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until oil is ready... *check tip.

Carefully drop a rounded TBSP of dough, 4-5 at a time, into hot oil. Cook until golden & puffed up, turning once or twice. About 2 minutes each side. With a slotted spoon, remove from oil, drain on paper towels, toss with cinnamon sugar. Transfer to serving dish. Serve cinnamon whipped cream on side for dipping.

* press bottom tip of a wooden spoon onto the bottom of the pan. if bubbles come from the bottom of the pan around the spoon handle, the oil is ready:)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

the perfect pair... or should i say pear?

pears are in season & this is the perfect salad for fall! the sweet juicy pears with the crunchy pecans & salty cheese all works so well together, add a great tangy honey dijon dressing & you've got an amazing side dish for any fall get together! come over & get all the details!


Two Isolated Pears
{fresh pear & gorgonzola salad}

fresh spring mix salad greens
fresh pears, thinly sliced
toasted or candied pecans
crumbled gorgonzola cheese


~creamy honey dijon dressing~

1/2 cup good dijon mustard
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
2 TBSP sugar
1-1 1/2 cups oil

mix all ingredients except oil in the blender or food processor. blend until combined. slowly add oil in a slow steady stream until emulsified. serve on the side of the salad.

Monday, September 27, 2010

peaches 2 delicious ways...

the peaches are on & they are sooooo delish! i have been using them like crazy & i just can't get enough! i made this bread pudding to take to work & they insisted i posted the recipe.

& the pie... i got the recipe from the lady at my local fruit stand & it is also to die for! the crust, if you would call it that, is so light & airy! perfect compliment to the peaches & cream!

i am sorry that i don't have picture of the finished dishes! my camera is locked in my buffet & i have lost the key:( so thanks to my sweet friend brookie for the perfect pic! check out her blog as well as the blog she guest blogs at.

basket-of-fresh-peaches


{Brit's Raspberry Peach Bread Pudding}

2 loaves french bread, cubed & left out overnight
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup half & half
3 cups sugar
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoon vanilla
6 large peaches, peeled & cubed

In large bowl combine cream, half & half, sugar, eggs and vanilla. add Cut bread into cream mixture, coating bread well. Let stand 20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes to allow cream to absorb completely. add peaches & mix.

Raspberry sauce
5 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple juice

in a small sauce pan, combine raspberries, sugar and apple juice, stirring over medium heat, until sugar is dissolved.
Layer a 9x13 dark baking dish 3/4 full with bread mixture, pour fruit filling over bread mixture, spreading evenly, top with remaining bread. place on a cookie sheet to avoid oven cleaning:) Bake 40-50 minutes at 375 degrees. Serve warm. Top with vanilla sauce & whipped cream.

vanilla creme anglaise

1 cup cream

1 cup half & half
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup, sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste


in a small sauce pan heat cream & half & half until scalded
(just before boiling) in a small boil mix egg & yolks & sugar.
ladle half of the cream mixture into the
egg mix while whisking, to avoid scrambling. add eggs mix to the rest
of the cream & bring back to scalding & add vanilla bean paste.
remove from heat immediately.


{Fruit stand peach pie}

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans, i toasted mine- i think almonds might be good too!
12 saltine crackers, crushed

in a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. add baking powder, vanilla and sugar. beat again to to stiff peaks. fold in saltines & pecans. pour into a buttered pie plate & spread around the bottom & sides of the dish. bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. the crust will poof up & then fall. let cool completely before filling.

8-10 large sweet peaches, i used new haven
1-2 tsp. fruit fresh

peel & slice peaches. place in a bowl & sprinkle then toss with fruit fresh. fill cooled crust will peaches & top with whipped cream.


Monday, April 12, 2010

the first of two tasty spring salads...

i first had this salad at a family dinner when my sister-in-law brought it. it didn't have the topping then, but i have made it with & without & prefer it with! i love the difference in textures & flavors. it is perfect for any of your spring & summer eats!

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{Markae’s Fresh Grape Salad}


2 lbs. green grapes

2 lbs. red grapes

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla


1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans


Wash & pat dry grapes. Arrange in a bowl & stir until evenly mixed in colors. In an other bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar & vanilla. Beat until smooth. Pour over grapes, stir together. Refrigerate overnight.

In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar & pecans. Transfer grapes mix to a serving dish & sprinkle with sugar & nut mix. Return to fridge until ready to serve. Serve chilled.


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

little lemon mousse cups...

i love these little individual desserts! they are so simple, light & delicious! if you have any spring luncheons coming up or even looking ahead to mother's day-- these would be the perfect ending to any meal. let me know what you think.

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{jeanette's little lemon mousse cups}

24 jumbo cupcake liners

24 pecan shortbread cookies (pecan sandies)


1-3 oz. package lemon jello

1 cup boiling water

3 TBSP lemon juice

1-8 oz. package cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1-12 oz. can evaporated milk, well chilled


Place metal bowl, beaters & the can of evaporated milk in the freezer for 1 hour.

Place cupcake liners into cupcake pan. Press a cookie into the bottom of each liner. Set aside.

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add lemon juice. Cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, until syrupy, then beat until light.

In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar & vanilla. Add to jello mixture. Mix until all blended.

Whip chilled evaporated milk, on low speed, until full volume or beaters leave a soft peak. Blend & fold with jello mixture. Spoon into cookie lined cupcake liners. Refridgerate overnight. Top with fresh raspberries & raspberry sauce.


{Fresh Raspberry Sauce}


1 half-pint package fresh raspberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1 cup seedless raspberry jam


In a small sauce pan cook together raspberries, sugar & water. Bring to a boil, turn down heat & simmer for 4 minutes. Pour into a food processor. Add raspberry jam. Beat until smooth. Cool completely.


Friday, February 12, 2010

judy's cherry-berries on a cloud...

judy is my friend, mykelle's, mom. she has a recipe box worth gold:) this is just one of the many amazing recipes from her repertoire. this would be a perfect treat for Valentine's Day. whip it up for your special someone!

  • {judy's cherry berries on a cloud}

  • 6 egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • FILLING:
  • 1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • TOPPING:
  • 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
  • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form (do not underbeat). Spread evenly in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 275 degrees F for 1 hour; turn off oven (do not open door). Let cool in oven overnight or at least 12 hours.

  • Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth; gently fold in whipped cream and marshmallows. Spread over meringue. Chill for 4 hours. Cut into 16 pieces. Combine topping ingredients; spoon 1/4 cup over each serving.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

kesley's pretzel jello salad...

i have had 3 people call me for this recipe this week & each time they ask if it's on the recipe blog & i have to answer no. but why isn't it??? i don't know why i haven't posted it yet. so here it is!

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{kesley’s pretzel jello salad}


2 c. crushed pretzels

3/4 c. melted butter

2 tbsp. powdered sugar

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese

8 oz. Cool Whip

1 c. powdered sugar

1 lg. box raspberry,strawberry or blackberry Jello

2 cups frozen berries of any kind


Mix together pretzels, melted butter and the 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Then press in 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip and 1 cup of powdered sugar; pour over pretzel crust.

Dissolve large package of raspberry Jello in 2 cups boiling water. Add 2 packages of frozen raspberries not drained. Mix well and pour over cream cheese. Chill for a couple hours.


Sunday, September 20, 2009

just delicious banana bread...

i have had some other banana bread recipes that i have really liked, but they all seemed to have things that i didn't just have in my cupboard.  the thing that i love about this one is that it is moist, perfectly simple, oh so tasty & has nothing in it that you wouldn't just have.  so let you bananas go brown & get a baking:)

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{just perfect banana bread}

4 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 3/4 cup flour
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 sticks butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
in a large bowl, cream together butter & sugar.  add eggs & vanilla, beat until light & fluffy.
sift in flour & salt.  mix well.  
in a small cup, dissolve soda into warm water & add to mixture.  blend in bananas & nuts.
pour into 2 regular sized or 6 mini greased loaf pans.  bake for 60-75 minutes for regular sized or 45-55 minutes for mini loafs.  let cool 5 minutes before removing.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

don't forget...

to make this, this weekend!  this is one of my favorite cakes & i don't ever miss an opportunity to make it!  hope you all have a very happy holiday & partake of some really good EATS!

flag cake
{Flag Cake}

2 1/4 sticks butter, at room temperature

3 cups sugar

8 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda


Frosting:

4 sticks butter, at room temperature

3-8 oz. packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1 pound confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 half-pints blueberries

4 half-pints raspberries


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 18 x 12 x 1 1/2

sheet cake pan with Pam for baker”s or Baker’s Joy.  Cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add eggs, then add sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.  Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a bow. With the mixer on low speed,

add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.


For the icing, combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix just until smooth.  Spread 1/2 of the icing on top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the star section of the flag with a

toothpick. Pipe two rows of icing, then place 2 rows of raspberries, alternating, to form the stripes of the cake. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.


Before covering cake with plastic wrap,  place toothpicks in the corners & a few in the middle of the cake to keep the plastic from touching your work of art:)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

strawberry lemonade bars...

when you get creative in the kitchen good things don't always happen:)  lucky for all of us this time the outcome was delicious!  it is no secret that i am in love with anything lemon!  but the strawberry in this really balances out the flavors.  i know the recipe is long, & it seems like a lot of steps, but they aren't hard at all.  they are perfect for summer or any other time!


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{strawberry lemonade bars}

~crust~
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour

in a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar & salt until light & fluffy.  add flour & mix until just combined.
line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper that hangs over the long sides.  spray parchment paper & sides with non-stick cooking spray.
press crust into the bottom of pan.  bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until just starting to turn golden.

~lemon curd layer~
8 egg yolks
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

in a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients & pour over hot crust.  return to oven & cook for an additional 25-30 minutes.  chill in the fridge while making the next layer.

~lemon cream layer~
2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
grated zest from 1 lemon

1 pint strawberries, hulled & sliced

in a medium bowl, whip together all ingredients until thick & fluffy.  spread over cooled lemon curd layer.  arrange the sliced strawberries over the top of the cream layer.  place in the fridge to chill while making strawberry glaze.

~strawberry glaze~
1 pint strawberries, pureed in blender or food processor
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP corn starch

in a medium pot, over medium heat, combine strawberries & water.  in a small bowl, combine sugar & corn starch.  whisk sugar into strawberry mixture.  bring just to a boil, whisking constantly.  spread over sliced strawberries.  return to fridge to chill completely.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Ruth Anne's Berry Citrus Salad...

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{Ruth Anne's Berry Citrus Salad}

1 large bag spring mix baby lettuces
1 can mandarin oranges, well drained
1 pint black berries, rinsed & dried
1 pint strawberries, quartered
3/4 cup feta or Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 cup candied pecans


{fresh citrus vinaigrette}

Juice and zest of 2 oranges and 2 limes
1/4 c. sugar
2/3 c. oil
Shake well in a quart jar or whisk vigorously in a bowl.
Toss salad with dressing just before serving! Enjoy!



Sunday, May 3, 2009

Nakole's Tropical Spinach Salad...

this is another amazing recipe from my friend Nakole... who is ready to have a baby any day now:)  i think this is perfect for the upcoming grilling season.  it is sweet & savory & totally delicious!  give it a try for something scrumpiously different!

nakole's tropical spinach salad
{nakole's tropical spinach salad}

~Salad~
6-8 Strawberries, sliced
6 Kiwi, peeled & sliced
2 Mango, peeled & cubed
1 bag baby spinach
1 bag romaine lettuce
1 cup shredded mozerella cheese
1/2 Red Onion, thinly sliced

~Coconut Dressing~
2 cups Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Orange Marmalade
1/3 cup Major Greys Mango Chutney (by ketchup in store)
1- 15oz. can Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut (by mixed drinks in store)
~Makes a lot of dressing. You can cut it in half.

~Garnish~
Dry Pineapple
Sesame Sticks
Banana Chips
Macadamia Nuts
~ I buy the Nutty Guy's brand for the Garnish.
*Also great with Chicken

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Kristin's Fruit Sherbet Dessert...

this is a easy & super refreshing.  this one is perfect to finish off any hot summer day or great for a brunch dessert!
  • 1/2 gallon of pineapple sherbet
  • 1/2 gallon of raspberry sherbet
  • 16 ounce bag of frozen blueberries
  • 1 frozen can of raspberries, with syrup
  • 1 can of crushed pineapple, drained
  • 4 bananas, diced
Let sherbet sit out until soft and then stir the two flavors together.  Then add blueberries, raspberries, crushed pineapple, and diced bananas.  Refreeze.  Take out of freezer to soften about 1/2 hour before serving.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

summer's super yummy toffee dip...

apple dip
{summer's super yummy toffee dip}

2 pkgs Cream Cheese
2 cups Brown Sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 bag Heath milk chocolate toffee bits

Mix cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla together until smooth. Stir in as many Heath toffee bits as you like. Put in a serving bowl and sprinkle with more toffee bits. Serve with apple slices, or any other fruit you like :)
**also tasty with graham crackers or nilla wafers!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

easy freezer strawberry jam...

last week i replenished my freezer with strawberry jam.  i don't have any secret recipe, i just use the one on the pectin package:)  but just incase any of you haven't discovered how easy strawberry freezer jam is... this post is for you!!  i will be honest too- i prefer freezer jam to cooked jam if you have the freezer space.  not only is it so easy, but it tastes so fresh.  i am also posting the tag that i created for the jam i gave as gifts.  i used a 3" circle shaped punch to cut mine out.  you can pick one up at the craft or scrapbooking store.  Enjoy!

 Photobucket
{strawberry freezer jam}

2 cups pureed strawberries
4 cups sugar
2 TBSP lemon juice
1 package powdered pectin
3/4 cup water

In a large bowl, combine strawberries, sugar & lemon juice.  Let sit 10 minutes.  Meanwhile in a small sauce pan- bring water to a boil.  Add pectin.  Bring back to a boil.  Cook at hard boil for 1 minute.  Pour pectin mixture into strawberries.  Stir until sugar is all dissolved. (i usually feel it between my fingers till it is no longer grainy)  Pour into washed & dried containers, either glass or plastic, store in the freezer up to 1 year or in the fridge for 1 month. 



{to get the tag: right click on the image of the tag, "save image as...", save where you want to your computer.  print ( i used a textured card stock).  attach with ribbon, twine or ric rac}

i'll post a recipe for my sister-in-law's super yummy Heavenly Biscuits.  they go perfectly with this jam!