Author: Cynthia

Posted on

Fresh Strawberry Snack Cake

Strawberry snack cake is a rich and delicious dessert with a soft, moist crumb that’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.

Strawberry Snack Cake

Strawberry Snack Cake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course afternoon tea, Dessert
Servings 12
Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick or ½ cup)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • Powdered sugar or whipped cream for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. 
  • Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.
  • Place butter, sugar and zest into the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium-high speed until pale, about 4 minutes. 
  • Add eggs one at a time to the mixing bowl. Continue beating and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
  • In another bowl, mix buttermilk and vanilla. 
  • Add a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Continue beating until nearly combined, then add half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat, ending with the last third of the flour mixture; beat until just combined. Stir in lemon juice.
  • Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.  Arrange strawberries on top, pressing down lightly. 
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (or an internal temp of 210ºF), 50 to 55 minutes. 
  • Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  • Top with powdered sugar or whipped cream before serving, if desired.
  • Hack:  Don’t have buttermilk?  Mix 1½ teaspoons white vinegar or lemon juice into ½ cup milk.  Let it stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until it’s thickened and curdled.  Another option is to thin sour cream with a bit of milk or water until it reaches the consistency of heavy cream.
  • Hack:  Feel free to use your favorite berry in this recipe!
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: To easily zest a whole lemon, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin and finely chop it. Lay unused zest in a single layer and freeze. Store, tightly wrapped, in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: Puree any leftover lemons in the blender or food processor for use in recipes such as cakes, cookies or bread. Freeze the puree for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  Leftover lemon juice can be frozen for up to 12 months.  Pour the juice into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer until solid.  Transfer the cubes to freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for storage.
Keyword afternoon tea, cake, easy, fresh fruit, snack, strawberries

 

Did you know? Just 8 strawberries will provide 140 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids.  Check out some more fun facts here!

Suggestion:  Orange quick bread is another delicious treat made from fresh fruit!

Posted on

Homemade Garlic Herb Butter

Homemade garlic herb butter combines a few simple ingredients to create a culinary powerhouse, coating everything it touches with delicious flavor!

Homemade Garlic Herb Butter

Homemade Garlic Herb Butter

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Condiment
Servings 1 tbsp
Calories 102 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup salted butter, room temperature, temperature (1 stick, 4 oz)
  • 2 cloves crushed or minced garlic (2 tsp)
  • 1 tsp dried chives

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine butter, cloves and chives.
  • Allow butter to sit for one hour before using.
  • Hack: Refrigerate leftovers in a tightly covered container for up to 1 month.
  • Hack:  Add ½ tsp salt if using unsalted butter.
  • Hack:  Substitute your favorite herb, such as basil or rosemary, for the chives!
  • Hack:  Spread on toasted baguettes or use it to make garlic bread!  You can toss it with pasta, or stir it into mashed potatoes or rice!
Keyword condiments, easy, garlic bread, garlic butter, garlic herb, garlic spread

Does homemade garlic herb butter have actual health benefits?  Yes!!

Suggestion:  Substitute this homemade herb garlic butter for the oil in these easy pan-seared scallops/shrimp!

Posted on

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Pasta

This fresh-tasting cilantro lime shrimp pasta brings together simple ingredients to make an outstanding dish that’s healthy and easy to make!

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Pasta

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Pasta

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 3
Calories 530 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp butter (¼ cup or ½ stick)
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 8 oz shrimp, uncooked, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tsp dried chives
  • 2 tsp dried cilantro
  • 2 tbsp sauvignon blanc
  • 6 oz whole grain spaghetti, cooked

Lime butter:

  • 8 tbsp butter (1 stick or 4 oz), softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp)
  • 1 tbsp  hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp  lime juice

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for lime butter and set aside.
  • Melt 4 tbsp butter in a saute pan over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and saute, undisturbed, for 4 minutes or until browned.  Flip the mushrooms and continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.  
  • When mushrooms are uniformly browned, add shrimp, chives and cilantro.  Saute for 2-4 minutes or until shrimp is opaque.  Do not overcook.
  • Add wine and lime butter to the pan.  Continue cooking until lime butter melts and is thoroughly mixed with the shrimp and mushrooms.
  • Toss with spaghetti and serve.  
  • Hack:  Feel free to use your favorite pasta in this recipe or whatever you have on hand!  Cooked rice can also be substituted for spaghetti.
  • Hack: Canned or dehydrated mushrooms can be used in this recipe.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: Shrimp can be purchased individually from the seafood counter at most grocery stores.  They can also be purchased frozen in large portions if you wish to keep some on hand.  Thaw needed amounts before cooking.  
  • Hack: Seafood can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator.  It can be thawed more quickly by placing it in a sealed bag and submerging them in a bath of cold water for about an hour.
Keyword angel hair, cilantro, fast and easy, fast meal, healthy, lime, main course, pasta, quick and easy meal, quick dinner, seafood, shrimp, spaghetti

Did you know?  Shrimp is a healthy addition to your diet.  It provides a high amount of nutrients that aren’t abundant in other foods!

Suggestion:  Tomato and shrimp salad is another great way to take advantage of the healthy benefits of eating shrimp!

Posted on

Homemade Easy Dulce de Leche

This easy dulce de leche is a thick, creamy caramel-like spread made from cooked sweetened condensed milk.  Its uses are only limited to your imagination!

Easy Dulce de Leche

Easy Dulce de Leche

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course afternoon tea, Condiment, Dessert, Snack
Servings 6
Calories 212 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • Water to cover

Instructions
 

  • Remove the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk.
  • Place the can on its side in a saucepan and add enough water to cover the can plus 1”.  Cover the pan with a lid and bring the water to a boil.
  • Turn the heat to low.  Simmer can for 3 hours, rolling it around every 30-40 minutes.  Add water, if necessary, to keep the can completely covered.
  • Use tongs to carefully remove the can from the water.  Allow it to completely cool before opening.
  • Use dulce de leche on ice cream, for cake/pastry filling, spread on cookies, stirred it into your coffee or any other place where caramel would taste good!
  • Hack:  Transfer dulce de leche into a tightly covered container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  • Hack:  I suggest using a solid can (not a pull tab) for this recipe to avoid a rupture.
  • Hack:  Don’t have time to watch a pan?  Put the can in a slow cooker and cover it with water plus 1”.  Set it to low for 8 hours.
  • Hack:  Dulce de leche can also be made in the oven.  Simply open and empty the can into a pie pan or similar size pan.  Cover tightly with tin foil.  Place the pie into a larger pan (so that the pie pan sits comfortably).  Fill the larger pan with ¾" of water.  Bake in a 425℉ oven for 60-90 minutes,
Keyword afternoon tea, cake filling, caramel, coffee sweetener, dessert, Dulce de Leche, homemade, snack, spread, sweet, sweetened condensed milk

What’s the difference between caramel, butterscotch and dulce de leche?  Check it out here!

Posted on

Easy Syracuse Salt Potatoes

Syracuse salt potatoes’ creamy interior is a delicious addition to any meal. The salt doesn’t penetrate the skin but leaves a nicely seasoned crust on the skin.

Syracuse Salt Potatoes

Syracuse Salt Potatoes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs new potatoes
  • 4 cups water (or enough to cover potatoes)
  • 1 cup ` salt
  • Fresh parsley, optional

Instructions
 

  • Wash the potatoes and set them aside.
  • Pour the water into a pan on the stop top.  Add salt and heat over high heat stirring constantly until the dissolves and the water becomes clear again.
  • Carefully add potatoes and cover the pan.  
  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Drain the water from the pan, leaving the potatoes in the pan.  Recover the pan and let potatoes sit, undisturbed until the water has evaporated from the skins, leaving a fine layer of salt.
  • Melt the butter and drizzle over the potatoes before serving.  Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keyword easy, healthy, potatoes, salt, side dish, vegetarian

Potatoes are considered “empty calories” by many but nothing could be further from the truth!

Suggestion:  Use leftover potatoes to make crispy smashed potatoes!

Posted on

Easy Pancake Mix Banana Cake

Today Lily-Rose makes a pancake mix banana cake! This simple recipe is super fast and easy to make, especially if your pantry is running low on supplies!

Pancake Mix Banana Cake

Pancake Mix Banana Cake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course afternoon tea, Dessert, Snack
Servings 8
Calories 418 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.  Coat a 9” cake pan with cooking spray.  
  • Put bananas, egg, oil, brown sugar, milk and extract into a blender.  Mix until well combined and smooth.
  • Measure pancake mix into a large bowl.  Add banana mixture and stir just until blended.  Do not overmix.  
  • Pour batter into the cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.  The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or when the cake reaches an internal temperature of 210℉.
  • Hack:  Cake will remain fresh for about 3 days left at room temperature, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen in serving-sized containers for up to 3 months. 
  • Hack: If your bananas have reached maximum ripeness, remove peels and place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer.  Once solid, place in a sealable freezer bag and store in the freezer for use in recipes that call for mashed or pureed bananas. 
Keyword banana, cake, childrens recipes, cooking video, easy, fast and easy, fruit, instructional video, Khloe Rose, kid friendly, kids recipe, Kindergarten Cook, Lily Rose, pancake mix, quick and easy, simple

To see more videos from Lily-Rose and her friends, check out our YouTube channel!  Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press the notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!

Suggestion:  If you prefer a frosting made with butter, use this basic white frosting recipe!

Posted on

Slow cooker Spicy Red Beans and Rice

Spicy red beans and rice puts a delicious spin on a classic meal eaten the world over. Using a rice cooker and a slow cooker makes preparing them a snap!

Slow cooker Spicy Red Beans and Rice

Slow cooker Spicy Red Beans and Rice

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried red beans
  • 2 cups water
  • 3½ cups vegetable broth
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried cumin
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp Creole seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups cooked brown rice, hot

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours.  Drain and rinse.
  • (NOTE:  The above step can be done ahead.  Drain beans and store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Put beans and broth into a saucepan on the stovetop and bring to a boil over high heat.  Boil for 10 minutes. 
  • Transfer beans and broth to a slow cooker.
  • Add peppers, tomato and spices to the crockpot.
  • Turn heat to low and cook for 6-8 hours or until beans are tender.
  • Remove bay leaf and discard it.
  • Serve with brown rice.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.  Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Keyword beans and rice, brown rice, cajun, convenient, crockpot, dried beans, easy, low calorie, low fat, make ahead, red beans, slow cooker, spicy, vegan, vegetarian

Did you know?  Red beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Use this vegan spicy brown rice to pair with the red beans!

Posted on

Traditional Chinese Shumai Dumplings

Chinese shumai dumplings, made with glutinous (sticky) rice, ground pork and vegetables, are a popular dish in southern China and are often served for Dim Sum.

Chinese Shumai Dumplings

Chinese Shumai Dumplings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 1 Dumpling
Calories 132 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups glutinous (sticky) rice
  • ½ carrot
  • 5 mushrooms
  • 2 green onions
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • 2” knob ginger (1 tbsp)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp sweet bean sauce
  • 1 egg
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Pinch of white pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz pack wonton wrappers (50 wrappers)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the rice according to package directions.
  • Dice the carrot, mushroom and green onion. Set aside.
  • Place ground pork in a bowl.  Mince and add ginger.  Then add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sweet bean sauce, egg and salt.  Massage with hands to mix thoroughly.  
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or wok.  Stir fry pork mixture until no pink remains.
  • Add mushrooms and carrots.  Cook to desired tenderness.
  • Remove pork mixture from pan to a bowl and add green onions and cooked rice.  Mix in olive oil and white pepper.
  • Line a bamboo steamer with cheesecloth.  
  • Take each wonton wrapper and place one tbsp of filling in the center.  Wrap thumb and forefinger into an “O” shape around the wonton.  Use your other hand to wet and pinch the wonton into a bucket shape, leaving the top open.
  • Press filling down firmly and add more filling, if needed, to fill the bucket to the top.
  • Place the dumplings in the steamer in a single layer, pressing down gently to form a flat bottom.
  • Place 1” of water in the bottom of the skillet or wok.  Stack and place steamer over the water and cover.  
  • When the water begins to boil, steam dumplings for 10 minutes.
  • Dumplings can also be air-fried for 7 to 9 minutes at 380℉.
  • Serve dumplings warm with your choice of dipping sauce.
  • Hack:  Leftover Shumai can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen (cooked or uncooked) for up to 3 months.
Keyword Asian appetizers, asian cooking video, Asian cuisine, Asian dumplings, Asian food, Asian side dish, bamboo steamer, Chinese appetizers, Chinese cooking video, Chinese cuisine, Chinese dumplings, Chinese food, Chinese side dish, cooking video, dumplings, glutinous rice, ground pork, homemade Asian cuisine, Homemade Asian food, homemade Chinese cuisine, hors d'oeuvres, instructional video, steamed, sticky rice, Traditional Asian Food, Traditional Chinese Food

Chinese shumai dumplings are a popular dish is southern China.  They are often served during Dim Sum, a communal midday meal consisting of tea and a large range of small, shared plates.

Although you can use any dipping sauce that you enjoy, Yuhongs dumpling sauce, listed in this recipe, is by far my favorite!

Posted on

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

This simple and delicious perfect poached chicken breast is ready in less than 15 minutes and is great for use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken!

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 3
Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (¾ lb total)
  • 4 cups water (or enough to cover)
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (½ tsp dried)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • 2 slices fresh onion
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken breast(s) in a saucepan and cover with water.  Add rosemary, salt, pepper, bay leaf, garlic, onion and lemon juice.  
  • Cover the saucepan with a lid and put it on the stovetop over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer and lower heat to medium-low.  Simmer until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160℉, about 6-10 minutes, depending on the size of the breast(s).
  • Remove chicken from water and allow it to cool.*  Cut it into thin slices.
  • Yield: 2.25 cups shredded or diced chicken
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. 
  • Hack:  Although I have listed particular spices in this recipe, you may adjust this according to your individual taste.
Keyword boneless skinless, chicken, easy, fast and easy, healthy, low calorie, low fat, poached, quick and easy

Handle chicken with care!  Click here for some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses that can be associated with raw poultry.

Suggestion:  This recipe works well for any recipe that uses cooked chicken such as Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad, Easy Homemade Ramen Noodles or Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.

Posted on

Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

The perfect morning treat, these moist lemon poppy seed muffins are bursting with bright citrus flavor and drizzled with a perfectly sweet lemon glaze.

Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Servings 12
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups  light cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 eggs
  • 8 tbsp butter, melted and cooled (1 stick or 4 oz)
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Glaze:

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • coarse sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉.  Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with baking spray.
  • Stir two tbsp of lemon juice into the cream and set aside.
  • Mix flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together cream, lemon zest, eggs, butter and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add cream mixture to flour mixture and gently mix just until incorporated.  Do not overmix.
  • Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or to an internal temperature of 200℉, 20 to 25 minutes. 
  • While muffins are baking, simmer sugar and lemon juice together in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns into a light syrup, about 3-5 minutes.  
  • Place muffin tin on a wire rack. Brush hot muffins with lemon syrup and sprinkle with coarse sugar. 
  • Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool for another 10 minutes before serving.
  • Hack: Tightly cover muffins and store them at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: To easily zest a whole lemon, use a vegetable peeler and chop finely to use in the recipe. Lay unused zest in a single layer and freeze. Store, tightly wrapped, in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • Hack: Puree any leftover lemons in the blender or food processor for use in recipes such as cakes, cookies or bread. The puree can be sealed in a bag and stored in the freezer.
  • Hack:  Leftover lemon juice can be frozen for up to 12 months.  Pour lemon juice into an ice cube tray and place in the freezer until solid.  Transfer to freezer bags or freezer safe containers for storage.
Keyword breakfast, childrens recipes, cooking tutorial, cooking video, dessert, kid friendly, lemon, lemon juice, lemon poppy seed, Lily Rose Kindergarten Cook, muffins, poppy seed, snack, sweet tart, sweets

Did you know that poppy seeds are rich sources of a number of nutrients?  Click here for more information!

Suggestion: Use leftover poppy seeds to make this oil-free lemon poppy seed dressing!

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram