coconut watermelon refresher

I had plenty of watermelon in the fridge and a can of coconut milk and a great memory.  I remembered a great drink I tried while living in Hawaii many moons ago.  This is a simplified version but you can add coconut and pineapple if you wish.  I thought this was just perfect.

coconut watermelon refresher (a quick search and I found Global Table Adventure although I didn't really follow the recipe)
watermelon
light coconut milk
ice cubes

Fill a blender with cubed watermelon.  Pour in half a can of light coconut milk.  Blend until you get the consistency you want.  Pour ice cubes into a goblet followed by your coconut watermelon refresher and add a straw!  Swirl the drink around with the straw to get it nice and cold.  Enjoy!

ice cream cone cupcakes

Today is my ward's first primary picnic of the summer and I put myself in charge of treats.  I showed the primary children all the ingredients for these treats on Sunday hoping to peak their curiosity so they'd come find out exactly what you can do with cake mix, ice cream cones, powdered sugar and sprinkles.  We have a terrific primary and I can't wait for the picnic!

ice cream cone cupcakes (the frugal girls)
1 box white cake mix, batter prepared as directed on the box
1 box ice cream cones (package of 24)

Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions.  Place ice cream cones in a 9x13 pan (you may need more than one).  Fill cones 2/3 of the way full.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until they are cooked through.  Let cool.  If cake rises and bakes over the top of the cone, use a knife to level the cake so it is level with the cone.  Use a 1M Wilton tip to pipe the icing onto each cupcake cone.  Top with sprinkles!

icing
1 big bag powdered sugar
1 cup Crisco
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
water
red, white and blue sprinkles

In a large bowl, beat powdered sugar, Crisco, extracts and enough water to get the consistency of icing you desire.  (I probably used 1/2 cup of water or more but definitely start out with 1/4 cup and gradually add more.)


 

soft lemon sorbet

This sorbet is delicious, no doubt about it.  My oldest made it last night for the sister missionaries.  It had the perfect tartness but was also very sweet.  Just right for the start of summer and went well with the summer salads we served.  I wish I had pulled out some Nilla wafers to serve alongside this sorbet.  Would've been a nice touch.


soft lemon sorbet (Cuisinart)
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped lemon zest

Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to low and simmer without stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes.  Cool completely.  This is called a simple syrup and may be made ahead in large quantities to have on hand for making fresh lemon sorbet.  Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
When cool, add the lemon juice and zest; stir to combine.  Turn the Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker on, pour the lemon mixture into freezer bowl through ingredient spout and mix until thickened, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Note:  Melts quickly; serve and eat right away.

rigatoni with grilled peppers and onions

This salad was SOOOO GOOD!

rigatoni with grilled peppers and onions (Cassie Craves got it from Real Simple) 
2 medium red onions, sliced into rings (I simply halved mine)
2 large sweet bell peppers, cut into quarters
olive oil
kosher salt and pepper
12 ounces (4 to 5 cups) rigatoni
1 bunch spinach, stems trimmed, or one 5-ounce package
1 cup grated Parmesan
3/4 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.  In a large bowl, toss the onions, bell peppers, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.  Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.  Transfer to a cutting board and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.  Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta and return the pasta to the pot.  Add the grilled vegetables, spinach, the reserved pasta water and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan to the pasta and toss to combine.  Top with the basil and the remaining Parmesan before serving

firecracker cake

My oldest and I made this cake together and we can't wait to slice into it tonight.  Can you see the bottom layer is blue followed by white then red?  It's going to be pretty and festive!  We have some yummy food planned for dinner tonight and this cake will top it all off.  Happy Memorial Day!  A special thank you to everyone who has ever fought in any way to protect my country's freedom and for everyone who will continue to do so.  God Bless America!

firecracker cake (Spiced)
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoise white cake mix
water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
red food coloring
blue food coloring
1 container white icing (or make your own but be sure to add a little lemon extract!)
red, white and blue sprinkles

Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Generously grease a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan.  Make cake batter as directed on box.  Pour 1 cup of the batter into a small bowl; stir in red food color until well mixed.  Pour another cup of the batter into a separate bowl; stir in blue food coloring until well mixed.
Pour red cake batter into bottom of pan.  Carefully pour remaining white batter over red batter in pan.  Carefully pour blue batter over white batter.
Bake as directed on box or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool cake 5 minutes.  Turn pan upside down onto a cake plate.  Cool cake completely, about 30 minutes.
When cake is cool, divide frosting evenly into 3 bowls.  Add food coloring into bowls so you have red, white and blue icing.  Snip one corner on 3 different zip-lock baggies.  Pour each color icing into a baggie.  Drizzle the food coloring onto the cake.  We used each color then went over the cake with each color again.  Sprinkle with sprinkles.

food on a stick

My second oldest daughter came home from school yesterday super excited about a couple of books she got at her school library- a cookbook for "cooking school" and an art book for "art class"- classes that she teaches her younger sister and younger brother.  By the time I got into the kitchen she had everyone in aprons, the food was spread out and every child had an assignment.  The only thing she wanted me to do was to get a cutting board down for her- nothing else.  These little goodies are delightful and it was crazy to me that we had every ingredient on hand. The only thing I wasn't impressed about was the name given to this delectable little appetizer.  Food on a stick?

food on a stick (cookbook:  Better Homes and Gardens Snack Attack!)
utensils:
cutting board
sharp knife
measuring cups
twelve bamboo skewers
serving plaste
plastic wrap

6 ounces sliced salami
6 ounces mozzarella or provolone cheese (we used pepper jack- we love it!)
1/2 cups cantaloupe and/or honeydew melon
1 cup purchased large pitted herbed green olives
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes

On the cutting board use the knife to slice salami and cube the cheese.  Use the mellon baller to ball the cantaloupe or a sharp knife to cut it into chunks.
On six of the bamboo skewers alternately thread salami, cheese, and melon balls.  On the other six skewers thread salami, cheese, olives and cherry tomatoes.  Place on a serving plate.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill up to 2 hours before serving.

spinach chicken salad with garlic balsamic vinaigrette

Was this salad tasty or what?!  The caramelized onions in this salad combined with the avocado and soy nuts was outstanding.  I'll be making this again...and soon!

spinach chicken salad with garlic balsamic vinaigrette (slightly adapted from Dinners, Dishes & Desserts)
6 cups torn spinach
1/3 cup shredded carrots
1 avocado, diced
1 onion, carmelized (I thinly sliced the onion and sauteed it in a teaspoon of butter until the onions browned.  I added a little bit of water when it needed some liquid and kept cooking them and adding water until they were perfect.)
2 tablespoons soy nuts
2 small chicken breasts sprinkled with Pappy's and grilled then sliced


garlic balsamic vinaigrette
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

On two plates, layer spinach, carrots, caramelized onions, grilled chicken, avocado and pine nuts.  Thoroughly combine vinaigrette ingredients and pour onto salad.

• 6 cups spinach
• ⅓ cup shredded carrots
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup caramelized onions
• 2 Tbls roasted pepitas
• 1 small chicken breast
• 1 tsp STAR Grilling (Garlic) Cuisine Cooking Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Garlic Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbls STAR Balsamic Vinegar
• ¼ tsp ground oregano
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 3½ Tbls STAR Grilling (Garlic) Cuisine Cooking Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Read more at http://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/spinach-chicken-salad-w-garlic-balsamic-vinaigrette/#GTRKfSRM7VtaEk4j.99

• 6 cups spinach
• ⅓ cup shredded carrots
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup caramelized onions
• 2 Tbls roasted pepitas
• 1 small chicken breast
• 1 tsp STAR Grilling (Garlic) Cuisine Cooking Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Garlic Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbls STAR Balsamic Vinegar
• ¼ tsp ground oregano
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 3½ Tbls STAR Grilling (Garlic) Cuisine Cooking Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl combine all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette. Whisk thoroughly. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan heat oil over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Saute chicken for 6 minutes a side, or until cooked through. Remove from pan, and slice into strips.
3. Divide spinach onto 2 plates or bowls. Top with carrots, avocado, onions, sliced chicken and pepitas.
4. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad to serve.

Read more at http://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/spinach-chicken-salad-w-garlic-balsamic-vinaigrette/#GTRKfSRM7VtaEk4j.99