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Raspberry Crumble Bars

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Raspberry Crumble Bars are so delicious and easy. Daughter, Megan, introduced me to this great recipe and it hits the mark with my love of raspberries and a crunchy oatmeal base. For some reason, the childhood saying of ‘yummy, yummy in my tummy’ comes to mind.

Raspberry Crumble Bars

INGREDIENTS:

Raspberry Filling

  • two 12-ounce bags of frozen raspberries (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (more depending on tartness of your berries)
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • juice of one lemon

Crumble Layer

  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 cups brown sugar (loosely packed)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups melted butter (I prefer salted)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Prep Raspberries: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place raspberries in a large colander. Run warm water over them for a minute, and then let the liquid drain out for about an hour until softened and thoroughly drained (see notes). Mix raspberries with sugar, flour, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
  2. Soft Delicious Crust: Mix the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, and salt together into a crumble-like mixture. Press two thirds of the crumble into the bottom of a 9×13 pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes.
  3. Bake: Arrange the raspberry layer on top of the baked bottom layer. Sprinkle with remaining crumble. Bake for another 25-30 minutes.
  4. Finish: Remove from oven. They will need a little time to set up into “bar” formation, so chill them for a few hours to get them really solid. Orrrr… cut into it right away and eat it like a soft fruit crisp! You should be able to remove them from the pan easily by pulling up on the edges of the parchment paper.

Recipe from PinchofYum

Cookies and Bars

Chocolate Crinkles (Dairy Free)

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Chocolate Crinkles were a favorite cookie of my childhood. Through the years I made them for my kids as well. Now the grandkids can enjoy them and help, especially rolling the dough in the two sugars. We made our cookies bite size and they were perfect. Little bites of chocolate perfection and…bonus…dairy free!

Chocolate Crinkles (Dairy Free)

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cups all-purpose flour (130 grams)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (65 grams)
  • 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed (165 grams)
  • ¼ cup white sugar (50 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup oil (60 milliliters)
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla sugar or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For rolling

  • 1/2 cup white sugar (100 grams)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (65 grams)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix using your hands. At first it will seem like there isn’t enough liquids and like the mixture is dry and grainy. This is fine. Keep mixing until you see the mixture develop into dough.
  3. Roll the dough into about 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters size balls.
  4. Roll each ball first in the granulated sugar. Then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar.
  5. Place the balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Add more powdered sugar on top of the balls.
  6. Preheat the oven to 325°F or 160°C . Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Recipe from thetasteofkosher.com

Cakes · Family Favorites

Dirt Cake

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Making pies and cakes from real dirt was part of my childhood. I gave that up years ago, but this Dirt Cake, made by daughter, Megan, was a real treat. A kid of any age loves this cake. Megan made with real whipped cream–delicious!

Dirt Cake

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 2 (3.5 ounce packages instant vanilla pudding mix)
  • 3.5 cups milk
  • 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed OR 12 ounces freshly whipped cream (1.5 cups heavy cream, 1T. powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla whipped to stiff peaks)
  • family size package OREOs
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Chop cookies very find in food processor. The white cream will disappear.
  2. Mix butter, cream cheese and sugar.
  3. In a large bowl mix milk, pudding and whipped topping (or whipped cream) together.
  4. Combine pudding mixture and cream mixture together.
  5. Layer in 9×13″ dish or use clean flower pots, starting with cookies, then cream mixture. Repeat. Top with layer of crushed cookies.
  6. Chill until set and ready to serve.
  7. Optional: Add gummy worms on top for fun!

Recipe from All Recipes

Cookies and Bars

Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

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Gluten-free, dairy-free peanut butter cookies with only 4-5 ingredients. Wow! These cookies are amazingly good. I love the salt and sweet combination. If you don’t like the salt, leave it out. My daughter, Megan, made these and the grandkids loved them, as did the adults.

Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups smooth peanut butter (see note at end)
  • Coarse-grained sea salt, to finish
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the light brown sugar and eggs until incorporated. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the peanut butter and mix with a spatula until smooth and completely incorporated, and until no ribbons of peanut butter can be seen. You know the dough is ready when it has the consistency of Play-Doh.
  3. Using a scoop or a spoon, form the dough into 12 approximately 2-inch (2- to 2 1/4-ounce) balls and place them on the prepared rimmed sheet pan. For smaller cookies, use a heaping tablespoon.
  4. Sprinkle the dough balls lightly with coarse-grained sea salt just before baking. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, turning the rimmed sheet pan once halfway through baking (for smaller cookies, bake for 16 to 18 minutes). When finished, the cookies will be lightly golden and cracked on top. Let cool completely before serving.
  5. You can bake these cookies as soon as the dough is prepared, but they will retain their shape better if you freeze them for 15 minutes before baking. 

Chef’s Tip: While the all-natural stuff works just fine, Skippy is our peanut butter brand of choice for this recipe as we’ve found it retains the dough shape best. These tasty cookies are gluten-free!

Recipe from Oven.ly

Family Favorites · New Favorite

Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing

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Thai food is a favorite, especially if it includes a peanut dressing. I love the IowaGirlEats.com blog and, again, this one did not disappoint. It would be a great side salad, sans the chicken, as well. It’s so yummy! You can make the salad, adding dressing only to the portion you are currently eating. This is a new favorite for my menu planning!

Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 cups coleslaw mix (green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot mix)
  • 1/2 red pepper, sliced into thin matchsticks
  • 1 chicken breast, cooked then shredded
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons peanuts, finely chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • For the Thai Peanut Dressing:
    • 4 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter (I used Smucker’s Natural)
    • 2 Tablespoons honey
    • 2 Tablespoons warm water
    • 1-1/2 Tablespoons gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using traditional soy sauce)
    • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
    • juice of 1/2 large lime (slice remaining 1/2 lime into wedges)
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    • heaping 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 large or 2 small cloves garlic, pressed or minced
    • salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Add ingredients for Thai Peanut Dressing into a mason jar or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Taste then adjust lime juice and/or add water to thin if necessary.
  2. Add remaining ingredients into a large bowl. Drizzle desired amount of dressing on top then toss well to combine. Scoop into bowls then serve with lime wedges.

Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

Italian Dishes

Italian Sausage & Peppers with Cauliflower Gnocchi

cathysmaha1 Comment

Cauliflower Gnocchi at Trader Joe’s has been on my list for the past year. While I had my reservations about it, I was blown away with how good it was in this dish. I browned the sausage a bit before baking to release some of the grease. It is now a favorite recipe and so easy to prepare!

Italian Sausage & Peppers with Cauliflower Gnocchi

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 onion, yellow or sweet, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic salt
  • 4 sweet Italian sausages, cut into fifths
  • Bag of Trader Joe’s frozen cauliflower gnocchi (or gnocchi of your choice)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  3. Add onion, peppers to the center of the pan, drizzle with olive oil and season generously with garlic salt. Toss to coat.
  4. Spread into an even layer and roast for 10 minutes.
  5. Add Italian sausages and frozen gnocchi and roast for 20-30 minutes until sausages and vegetables are cooked through and gnocchi are golden grown. Stir halfway through the process.

Recipe from Iowagirleats

Cakes · New Favorite

Lemon Yogurt Cake

cathysmaha1 Comment

Lemon Yogurt Cake is a moist, delicious cake that can be served on its own or served with fresh berries. I must admit I messed up the recipe and it still turned out great. The recipe read in such a way that I thought the 1/3 cup lemon juice was added to the cake batter. Yikes! I quickly added another 2/3 cup flour to the batter and crossed my fingers. It turned out just fine and added more intense lemon flavor to the cake. I poked holes in the lemon cake (much like my Rum Cake) to assure that the lemon juice/sugar mixture penetrated the cake. I liked the result but that’s the reason for the holes in the cake. I added the glaze and had to take a taste! So, so good. I froze half of the bread and it was good as fresh when I pulled it out of the freezer.

Lemon Yogurt Cake

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided (reserve 1/3 cup for step 3)
  • 3 extra-large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (reserve for step 3)

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it’s all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.
  4. When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.
  5. For the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.

Adapted from Recipe of Ina Garten the kitchn.com

Appetizers · Greek

Mint and Cheese Greek Pies

cathysmaha1 Comment

Cooking with Chef Lucas during the COVID lockdown and cautionary period was a bright light in during dark days. Our family came together to cook together and enjoy a wonderful meal of unique dishes. Mint and Cheese Greek Pies did not disappoint. Thanks to Chef Lucas and InVINtions for offering such a great program and helping our family create wonderful memories.

Mint and Cheese Greek Pie

INGREDIENTS:
  • 6 to 8 z. crumbled Feta Cheese
  • 1 cup cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten (reserve egg white, slightly beaten)
  • 1 handful chopped fresh mint
  • 1 package puff pastry sheets or phyllo dough (puff pastry is easier to handle)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Combine egg and cheese in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Depending on what size appetizer you desire, cut puff pastry into equal size pieces (use phyllo as directed on package). Place a spoonful of filling onto pastry, wet edges of pastry.
  4. Fold pastry and seal with tines of a fork. Cut into 12 squares.
  5. Place pastry onto lined baking sheet, brush with slightly beaten egg white.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Attribution Recipe from Lucas Migliorelli

Soups and Stews

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup

cathysmaha1 Comment

Sometimes you just need a little coconut curry in your life and this recipe, with sweet potato and chick peas is delicious and so easy! My only regret is that I didn’t double the recipe and try freezing for later!

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 15 ounce cans light coconut milk
  • 3 garlic cloves – minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion – chopped
  • 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes – peeled and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper – seeded and diced
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder – I love Sun brand Madras curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Put all ingredients in slow cooker.
  2. Cook 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
  3. Carefully transfer soup to a high powered blender or food processor (you may have to do this in 2 batches depending on the size of your machine). Process until smooth and serve. Serves 4.

Recipe from VeggieChick.com

Desserts · Family Favorites · Italian Dishes

Tiramisu

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Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts and this recipe is heavenly.  I followed Chef Lucas during the COVID lockdown.  When I saw his Facebook Live featured Tiramisu, I was in!  I have found that Ladyfingers from Cost Plus World  Market are best, and appropriately crunchy. The ladyfingers from my local grocery store are soft, so I crisp them up in the oven before dipping into the water/Amaretto mixture.

I’d highly recommend a food scale to get the ingredients right, but I have adapted to U.S. measurements below. 

TIRASMISU

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 eggs
  • 130g sugar (4.58 ounces or .5725 cup)
  • 500g mascarpone (17.637 oz. or 2.205 cup)
  • 125g whipping cream (4.40925 oz. or .55116 cup)
  • 100g amaretti cookies (3.5274 oz. or .44 cup)
  • 30g cocoa powder (1.058 oz. or .1323 cup)
  • 1 package lady fingers
  • 1/2 cup amaretto liquor
  • 1/2 cup caffè (coffee) or water
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Using a tumbler, fill about 3/4 full with 50% Amaretto (or coffee) and 50% water.
  2. Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the glass; flip to get both sides. Place in 9×13″ glass dish.  There should be about 15 ladyfingers per layer.
  3. Crush the Amaretto cookies. Set aside.
  4. Separate the eggs.
  5. Add sugar to the egg yolks.  Mix well.  Add Mascarpone to the egg mixture. Folding in gently.
  6. Add a dash of water to the egg whites.  Beat until stiff peaks.
  7. Fold the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture.
  8. Add Amaretto cookies, crumbled, to the mixture.
  9. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
  10. Fold whipping cream into egg mixture.
  11. Spread 1/2 of the cream mixture over the first layer of lady fingers.
  12. Put cocoa powder in a sieve and sprinkle over the cream mixture.
  13. Repeat the dipping of lady fingers in Amaretto and water and place 2nd layer into the pan.
  14. Spread remaining cream on top of the lady fingers.
  15. Chill the Tiramisu.
  16. When ready to service, sift cocoa powder over the top.
  17. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe from Chef Lucas Migliorelli