Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Yummies: Oh Summer Fruits! Please don't go! We heart you! Berries and peaches and tropicals...oh my!




You've heard it before and now we say it again...(this time with tears welling up in our eyes from sadness...or maybe that's just from the horrible fires) we are summer lovers and heart everything that glorious summer has to offer...the beach, weather, the beach, bbqs, picnics, bikinis, flowers...but what we will miss the most about the end of summer?...

The glorious fruits!
We uber HEART summer fruits!

There is nothing juicier, sweeter, higher in antioxidents, more versatile and just plain more fantastic to eat than summer fruits...

So why don't we take advantage of Miss Summer (it has to be a woman...so warm and bright...sorry boys) and run to your nearest farmers market (best and most fresh fruits and veggies there...they actually taste like what they are supposed to) and load up on her fruits.


Take said Summer Fruits and cook like you have never cooked before...you will be in Summer Fruit heaven...

Oh P.S. you don't even have to cook...just wash and devour!  But keep a napkin handy...they are messy (in the best most juiciest way possible!)

So with out further adieu, here are just a sprinkling of our most favoritest summer fruit recipes...

Nothing says summer like ripe delish berries...so easy, so juicy, so tasty and tartly sweet...perfection!



If you are in the mood to bake with them rather than just finish the basket off while driving home from the market (not that, that's what we do..just sayin) we found and tried an amazing Berry Lemon Shortcake recipe.

It's soooo good you will be the toast of the town...or not if you eat the whole thing like me with out sharing...hey...it's that yummy!

It's filled with berries and custard!!!!!!!!! Done and Done!


OMG what we wouldn't give to have a ripe juicy peach right now!!!

Uggh...why did I have to eat them all yesterday?  Oh well...at least I still have time to go get more :) and I will buy extras so I can make one of our most fanstastical favorite desserts ever! (Yes it's that good!)

Fresh Peach Cobbler!!!  





Here you go!  Just don't drool into the bowl you are prepping in!
4 cups of fresh peaches, sliced.
1 ¼ cups of flour.
1 cup of sugar.
½ cup of brown sugar.
½ cup of margarine.
1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
1 teaspoon of lemon peel.
½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
¼ teaspoon of salt.
Preparation Instructions:
Combine 1 cup of flour, ½ of cup sugar, the salt and the cinnamon.

Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles corn meal.

Combine the sliced peaches, lemon juice, lemon peel, ½ cup of sugar and ¼ cup of flour; then spoon into greased nine-inch square dish.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over top of the peaches.

Cover and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. Then remove the cover and bake for another 40 minutes.


Go here for the whole recipe ;)  you will be super happy you did!


Speaking of the gloriousness of peaches...

We found an amazing way to start your day or just an amazing way to make all of your friends and neighbors fall into heartville with you when you give them the slice of this delish Yogurt Peach Almond Cake.  Yup you read that right...now stop drooling ;)

Lurving Almost Bordain Site!  Sooo great!


Oh cherries!  Why do you tease us so?  You are so crispy, juicy, sweet, tangy, bright, flavorful and portable.  And why oh why do we finish the whole bag you come in before we can even make this next delish recipe?



How amazing is a fresh cherry pie? (No not the song silly boys)


If you say not..then chances are you have not had a fresh one!  Just try Summer's most famous dessert and you will be a fan for life.

Up next is one that actually hurts my heart.

My mom used to make this for me during summer parties and again, sharing was tough for me.  It is by far one of my most favorite desserts ever created and now I pass the Fruit Pizza torch to you...enjoy and you're welcome!


The crust is made from Sugar Cookie dough...ding!  The fresh summer fruits are coated in a zesty citrus glaze...ding ding!  And they sit atop a ridiculous sweet cream-cheesy filling!  DING DING DING!!!

Here is the recipe...take care of it!  (tear)

Hello Pineapples!  We super heart you too!  Why do you have to go??!?!??!!



Well, before you do we will make an amazing Pineapple Sorbet to celebrate your gloriousness...how's that sound?

  Um yum!  We got this one off of one of the cutest sites ever!  Kissmyspatula!


Fresh Pineapple Sorbet
Tweaked from The Perfect Scoop, by David Lebovitz
Ingredients
  • 1/2 ripe pineapple, peeled and cored (about 2 cups)
  • 8-10 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • small squeeze of fresh lime juice (optional)
Method
Slice the pineapple into chunks and puree in a blender with 8 tbsp of sugar and water until smooth.  Taste, then add up to 2 tablespoons additional sugar, if needed.  If the pineapple is fairly ripe, you should be good to go.  You don’t want to add more sugar than you need or the sorbet will end up tasting far too sweet.
Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Eat right away if you like your sorbet on the softer side.  For an icier treat, leave it in the freezer for 3-4 hours before serving.
Oh...this one would be amazing at your next dinner party!

Yummy yummy in our tummies!!!!!!!!  

Don't feel like baking anything to enjoy the fruits of summer?  Just toss them all into a bowl and eat...easy breasy and unbelievable!!!





P.S. The best thing about Summer Fruits and eating all of these recipes???  The weather is warm enough to just go outside and exercise the desserts away!



P.P.S. Sorry for the late post!  We Labored all day yesterday we broke our brain!



xoxo t.w.h.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Yummies: Yes we like pina coladas...and gettng caught in the rain! We heart Pineapples! (and getting caught in the rain)...


As we drape our bodies across beach chairs (yes...we were wearing lots 'o spf and hats), watching our gorge friends and families frolic in the warm crystal water, the only thing that would quench our undying thirst for anything tropical (even Miss Me ran out and bought a sarong 'cuz she couldn't get enough of island life) was a plate full of sunshine yellow, juicy, sweet, tart decadent...PINEAPPLE!

Ahhhhh...that word alone makes our mouths water and bellies growl.

And what a better way to quench our tropical and pineapple fever on a beach chair on a 88 degree Hawaii day then to drink it!

Bring on the pina colada!

As much as the party girl inside us would totally heart doing an entire blog about the genius of the pina colada...we will resist and blog about the hero of the pina colada (besides the rum) the one...the only...pineapple!

Think of a fruit that is as versatile as a pineapple and we think you may come up a wee bit short. The pineapple is a perfect wonder food.

It's sweet, tart, juicy, flavorful...it can be eaten any time of day with out the voice of your mom yelling at you that you are going to ruin your appitite.


Pineapples can be breaky, lunch, dessert, a drink, a garnish, a snack...you can make them sweet or savory...

They can do anything! Grill them (yup it's suuuuper good), serve 'em in salad, on top of a steak (we will hold judgement meat lovers), use in ice cream or cake, kabob 'em, freeze them, cut and devour...we can go on and on... (cue Bubba from Forest Gump talking about shrimp...oooh we think they are amazing with shrimp too!)

Not only are they super yummy...but they are super foods. Chock full o' vitamin C, B1 and magnesium..they are also filled with enzymes that help break down proteins.

Got a tummy ache? Forget the tums TV watchers and grab some pineapple. This super fruit is shown to help intestinal disorders and calm children's tummy aches.


Don't have a tummy ache or just rather slather this perfect food on your face?
Good! 'Cuz Pineapple is good for your skin too! The aha (alpha hydroxy acids...fancy!) in the fruit will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles!!!!!!! Bring it on!

If pineapple isn't in season when you are ridding your beautiful face of lines (umm there is NOTHING wrong with lines, PS, we just thought we would give you the option) here is a fantastic mask to help.


P.S. Some people even claim that a pineapple can help induce labor when a baby is overdue ;)


OK...the time has come...now that you have learned how fantastically wonderful the pineapple is...we would love to show you some of our fav ways to enjoy it.

Our personal favorite way to enjoy it (well our fav for the last few days at least) is in a drink!


We lurve us a good pina colada...the frozen goodness of the pineapple and coconut will take you away to a tropical heaven.
Here is the classic recipe..super easy and delish...

Pina Colada

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces light rum
  • 3 ounces pineapple juice
  • 3 ounces coconut cream
  • Pineapple wedge
  • Maraschino cherry
  • Ice, crushed

    Instructions:

  • Pour all ingredients into your blender with ice and blend well....oh and drink!
  • Wanna shmance the pants of your dinner guests with a summery pineapple dish?

    How about some Pineapple fried rice?


    Super easy and oh soooo yummers.

    P.S. You can leave out the meat (we do) and substitute with vegan or veg alternatives found at Whole Foods or Trader Joes...


    Need a quick and easy dessert that will satisfy even your toughest critics? Yummy pineapple sorbet will do the trick...


    Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest

  • Directions

    1. In a medium saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved.
    2. In a food processor, puree pineapple with its juice until smooth. Transfer to a metal bowl, and stir in syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and orange zest. Freeze until slightly firm, but not frozen.
    3. Process mixture again in the food processor or beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.


    Remember those upside down pineapple cakes that your parents friends or Aunt Unice would bring over at BBQs?

    The ones with the gross maraschino cherries on top of that goopy and slimy cake topping? Yes, that one...the upside down pineapple cake...



    Welcome to the 2000's! The amazing Roy Yamaguchi of the famous Roy's restaurants has redone that gross looking cake. (thank you!)


    Miss Me and I were lucky enough to devour 2 of them last night (diets? what diets?) and we thought we should let you enjoy them too!

    Here is his famous recipe...you're welcome!

    Roy’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

    7 ounces butter

    5-1/2 ounces (1/2 cup plus

    2-1/2 tablespoons) sugar

    5-1/2 ounces (3/4 cup) dark brown sugar

    3 eggs

    1 tablespoon vanilla

    1 pound (4 cups) cake flour

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    1 tablespoon baking powder

    7 ounces milk

    2 pounds fresh pineapple, cut in 2-inch strips, 1/4-inch thick

    » Sauce:
    1-1/4 pounds butter
    1 pound (2-1/4 cups) brown sugar

    Spray 18 4-ounce molds with cooking oil spray.

    To make sauce: Heat butter and sugar over medium heat and bring to boil, stirring so sugar doesn't burn. Pour 2 tablespoons into each mold; chill 1 hour.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    To make batter: Cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs.

    Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add mixture gradually to creamed mixture and beat until incorporated. Fold in milk and vanilla.

    Arrange pineapple slices over glaze in molds. Top with 1/4 cup batter. Bake 17 to 18 minutes.

    Turn molds over on plates and unmold cakes. Serve hot.


    Wanna just enjoy the Majesty of the pineapple with out cooking it into a recipe...just savor the juicy fruit on it's own?

    Here is a simple how to on cutting the perfect pineapple.

    Cut and devour.

    Freeze a few pieces for an amazing summer (or diet) snack! It's like eating candy!!!

    Too lazy to cut your own? Here's a fun pineapple cutter to make the job easier.


    Yummmmmmm chocolate and pineapple...yes and pllleeeeaaaase.

    2 of natures perfect foods married together? Yup...

    Dark chocolate covered pineapple bites! Mix with popcorn...hee heee...munchies anyone?

    Don't feel like finding these delish bites? DIY fancy pants!


    Still can't get enough of the superb pineapple????? Slather it on your pout with Alba Botanicals shimmery, moisturizing lipgloss.

    Filled with pineapple extract and organic emollients...this gloss will not only give you an Angelina worthy mouth...it will transport you to the islands :)

    We know by now you are madly and deeply in heartville with the pineapple. So here is a way to get a glimpse of it every day and to brighten up those boring walls...


    Have fun...eat...enjoy summer...grab a pineapple and come up with more ways to enjoy it!

    P.S. Need more remedies?...go here!
    P.P.S. Need more recipies?...go here!


    xoxo t.w.h.