Pasta al Limone (With Shrimp)

This pasta dish is creamy and flavorful. The ingredients are simple and easy to find many times I already have them on hand. It's not a difficult dish to make but it is so good. perfect quick weeknight meal.

Kakigori at the Kabuki Cafe- Epcot

Kakigori, a Japanese shaved ice was on my top three to you have as far as snacks this trip. For one you can get sweetened condensed milk on top, two you can get sweetened condensed milk on top. It's also Florida, it's hot.

Salmon Chowder

Salmon Chowder
It's finally getting cooler around here. It was 38 degrees this morning. I will say that it's colder here at 38 degrees than it was at 38 degrees in Maryland because of the humidity. It just chills you through. I'm loving it so I can't complain. Bundling up, wearing layers, and boots. It's wonderful. I decided to make some Salmon Chowder. It's so easy and quick to make. The ingredients can be kept on hand, if the salmon is frozen. Even the vegetables can be flash frozen after being diced. Set the carrots, celery, and onion on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once frozen transfer them into a container or freezer bag. They do not need to be thawed before cooking. Just keep in mind they they will have ice on them. Be very careful putting them into hot oil.

Bunches of Berries in Bars

One of the fantastic things about our move is that I found a great wholesale fruit and vegetable source. I admit, typing that out it sounds lame. I'm okay with that though because this awesome place will have avocados by the case, 48 for $37.50, blueberries in 9 ounce packages 12 for $7-10, 12 ounce packages of raspberries 14 for $14, 10 artichokes for $8,  organic packs of produce that end up being $1 a pound. It's amazing and awesome. That's how these bars came about. We love fresh berries and were eating them by the handful. The kids were taking 14 ounce packs of raspberries for lunch.  I purchased 28 packs. Yes 28. In the end I had 3 packs that needed to be used up. We ate a bunch. I still have blueberries in my fridge that I can freeze for later also.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bundt Cake

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bundt Cake

Sometimes you can cake, sometimes you want cheesecake. Sometimes you want both. This cake is similar to the Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake muffins we love. Layers of pumpkin cake, a layer of cheesecake filling, topped off with a cinnamon streusal or a pumpkin spice glaze. Despite all the layers it's very easy to put together and bake up. This is the perfect coffee cake, Afternoon tea cake, or after meal dessert.

Blue Box Mac and Cheese (Instant Pot)

 So, I grew up eating boxed Mac and Cheese. It was an "American" food, so my mom didn't make it from scratch. It's still a comfort food for me. My youngest however, LOVES THIS STUFF. She really does. We have it about once every other month at most, but it's still a treat. We all like it really. It's so easy to follow the instructions on the box and do this on the stove top, but if you have an Instant Pot. I'm going to save you the trouble of washing a colander also. Because you won't need to drain this at all. I have done up to two boxes in my Instant Pot using a method that someone posted on the Instant Pot Community page. It's just so simple.

Pumpkin Butter and Pumpkin Butta (Instant Pot)

Pumpkin Muffins slathered with Pumpkin Butta? Yes, please.

PUMPKIN SEASON IS UPON US! I love pumpkin. Love seeing those cute little sugar pumpkins pop up in stores and at the Farmer's Market. Not that I go to the Farmer's Market a ton. I love sweet pumpkin treats and like to have them year round. These two recipes can be made during peak pumpkin season and kept in the freezer to be enjoyed later.

Instant Pot Cheesecake

 Topped with Lemon Curd, this Cheesecake is AMAZING.

Cheesecake? In a pressure cooker? No way! I thought the same thing, but it really does make sense. Wet environment so it doesn't crack or get dried out. I recently joined the Instant Pot Community page on Facebook, it's the official Instant Pot page. There are some amazingly talented and helpful people on there. All the pictures of food are very inspiring. However, like I said, I wasn't sure about cheesecake. I like mine dense. With a little browned/dry heat crust on the top. I still wanted to try this method though. For one it takes about 40 minutes to cook instead of an hour+ in the oven. So I gave it a go. If you have ever made a cheesecake off of this blog before, you'll recognize this recipe. With a few changes, but go with what you know right? The biggest change is of course the cooking method. Also how cute a little 7 inch cheesecake looks. I mean really. It's just cute. 

You need to do some planning ahead to make this cheesecake. It doesn't take long to put it together or cook it, but the cooling time is essential to help it set and for the flavors to develop. I won't judge you if you decide to just scoop it out with a spoon but it may be jiggly and runny. But it's cheesecake, all cheesecakes need to cool completely. 

Blind bake for a nice crust that isn't soggy.

French Dip, Baby Dip. Pressure Cooker/Slow Cooker

We've had these French Dip sandwiches several times over the course of about two months. They are so easy to make and we all, aside from Pixie, really enjoy them. Pixie prefers to eat every component but the onions separate. I am not even sure if I can call that a win or not. These sandwiches are not medium rare/rare beef sliced and served with Au Jus. That's a whole other post that you can use this here beef for. Making the Au Jus from any pan drippings, but like I said, that's a whole other post. This sandwich has a slow cooked, all day tender, juicy beef. I top the beef with caramelized onions, and gooey cheese after I slather butter and horseradish mayonnaise sauce on the crusty rolls.
DROOOLLL...

The beef for these sandwiches can be made in a pressure cooker, I use an Instant Pot so the directions are for that brand electric pressure cooker. You can also make them in a slow cooker, I have done both. You know, for educational purposes.

Use your favorite beef stock or bone broth for this, I make my own with beef bones, vegetables, 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaf. I cook it on MANUAL, HIGH, 240 minutes. I freeze it in ice cube trays and in 2 cup portions. Find more Freezer Tips here.

Quick Vanilla Lemon Curd with Vanilla Bean Yogurt

Let me start off by saying that I will never never make Lemon Curd any other way as long as I have an Instant Pot. It's so ridiculously easy. There's no standing over the stove making sure this doesn't scorch on the bottom. It only takes like nine minutes of cooking time. I keep using my Instant Pot more and more. The yogurt was also made in the Instant Pot. Both were pretty hands off, other than the straining bit for the yogurt.
If you like a certain yogurt that's sold in what looks like deli containers, that's starts with the letter "N". I'm telling you this is better. Granted it's not as sweet, but I prefer not as sweet.
The Lemon Curd is perfect for scones, on top of ice cream, yogurt, in between layers of sponge cakes, on top of cheesecakes. I've eaten it off of a spoon. It also freezes well if you ever need to use up a bunch of lemons.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Give Peas A Chance Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

MMMMM cheeeeessssyyyyyyyy. I only recently started liking potatoes in my adulthood. I'm not sure if that's because all the butter and cheese I put on them, or if I really actually like potatoes. Whatever the case, these Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are so dreamy. This recipes is a MILLION times better than this sad recipe here. Thin tender slices of potatoes, creamy roux with melty cheese/s. Whats not to love? 

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Hello everyone! I know I'm posting fifty billion pumpkin recipes (or it seems like it to me), but I love pumpkin so here I am embracing the season. Creamy, flavorful, warm, quick to make for a weeknight meal. Serve it with salad, turkey sandwiches, or a brie and cranberry grilled cheese.

Spiced Pots De Creme

MMM... fresh whipped cream, creamy Spiced Pots De Creme, berries. 

If you are a chocolate lover and want a rich creamy dessert this one is for you! It's one that my children can make. The batch you see here was made by my ten year old (that's why there's so many pictures, I was so proud of her). So easy, if you can boil water, you can make this! I still helped pour the hot cream into the blender though, because hot liquids and we're home cooks not chefs. I've dubbed this the summer of "more time in the kitchen" for the kids. It's such a huge blessing that we can all be in the kitchen working together and not be cramped. I'm feeling so thankful for having the space we have now. I'll share some pictures soon!
What are you all doing this summer? No travel plans here. Maybe a few day trips but that's about it.

Gorilla Bread

This easy to make Gorilla Bread is perfect for brunch!

Hello everyone! It's so close to summer break I am getting antsy! By the time this post goes live my children will finally be on Summer break! We don't have any travel plans but I just can't wait to have my kid at home. What are your summer plans? I know we'll be doing lots of cooking and taking our lunches to the park. But other than that we'll play it by ear. One of the great things about being in our home is that there's room for everyone to be in the kitchen! It's been such a blessing. I'm hoping that the kids will get to cook more and more.

Summer Squash Casserole

This dish is a wonderful way to have summer squash. Usually we stir fry it, steam it, or boil it. Everyone here loved this and we're not big fans of casseroles. Summer Squash Casserole is so easy to make, my 10 year old prepared this one. Your kids can help crush crackers, cut veggies, and mix the topping for this. If you're kids are working on counting, let them count out the crackers. It's a very forgiving recipe. I like to add little more squash because I usually have extra on hand.

Super Strawberry Cake and Shakes!

Is it strawberry season yet? I can't wait! I enjoy strawberries just by themselves. But I also think they are fantastic in this cake, which also has pureed strawberries in the batter. I also chopped strawberries and put them in the middle frosting layer.
Strawberry Freezer Jam is something DH grew up on. I haven't made it in ages!

Diva makes a mean Strawberry White Chocolate Milkshake too.
How do you enjoy your strawberries? What's your favorite Summer fruit?

I haven't blogged this cake, but I just took a vanilla cake recipe. Added strawberries and a tiny bit of strawberry flavoring. :) 

Strawberry White Chocolate Milk Shake

Green Chili Pepper Jack Enchiladas

I love GREEN CHILI, Hatch Green Chili... It's just not readily available around here. The good thing about these enchiladas is that you have options, you can use a canned sauce try to find Hatch Green Chili Enchilada sauce if you are going that route.  You can also roast your own chili. This recipe makes enough for our family of five with leftovers for another meal. You can make two smaller pans and freeze one also. I've only ever frozen enchiladas with corn tortillas though.

The Pepper jack gives this a little bit of a kick, but my five year old eats it with no complaint that it's too spicy. Our most favorite Pepper jack is from Rumiano Cheese Company. No contest. Such a yummy cheese and fantastic company.

You can also use this Green Chile sauce to cook your chicken or pork in, then sub this sauce for the chopped Green Chiles also.

Peppermint Cheesecake Cake

As I FINALLY sit down to write this post I'm thinking, I should make another cake. I really like this cake. It's really good. But I shouldn't, because then I'd eat it. I mean I would share with the people around here but still. I'd be eating this goodness. It's so good. There are two tender vanilla cake layers, a layer of  peppermint cheesecake studded with Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses in this cake, then it's covered with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting. Oh my.

Hello, Sweetie.

I think this may be the cake we make for Christmas this year. Maybe New Year when Sherlock is on. Anyone else watch Sherlock BBC?

Give Peas A Chance Peppermint Cheesecake Cake

2 layers of vanilla cake links to recipes below
1 layer of Peppermint Candycane  Cheesecake- recipe below
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses for decoration

Peppermint Candy Cane Cheesecake

3 packages of cream cheese- 8 ounces each, softened
4 eggs
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream, or plain thick Greek Yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2/3- 1 cup chopped Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses
1 tablespoon flour

Bake your favorite vanilla cake, add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the recipe. Bake two cake layers and let them cool. Wrap well and place in the freezer while you bake the cheesecake. It's best to line the bottoms of the pans with parchment, this is the easiest way to cut parchment to fit HERE.

For the cheesecake-
Prepare the same pan you used to bake the cakes by lining it with foil or parchment. Spray with cooking spray.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Whip/beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy in a mixer. Beat in the eggs until incorporated. Add the sugar, butter, sour cream, and extracts to the cream cheese mixture. Beat well.
Toss the candies in the flour and fold them into the cream cheese mixture.
Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.
Bake the cheesecake for 20-25 minutes- depending on the size of your pan. An 8 inch pan will take longer to cook. It will wiggle in the middle, that's okay, it will set up once cooled.
Let the cheesecake cool completely.

To assemble the cake-
Once cooled loosen the foil around the cheesecake, especially the sides carefully.
Place the cheesecake layer in between the two cake layers. 

At this point you can wrap the cake well and place in the freezer until you are ready to frost the cake.
Add a thin layer of frosting to the cake, it doesn't have to be pretty. It just prepares the surface of the cake and holds in the crumbs. Place this in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Frost the cake with the remaining icing.
Decorate the cake with chopped Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses.

* I use Philadelphia cream cheese, full fat for the cheesecake.
* I use less sugar for the cheesecake, but I don't like things too sweet.

*Use your favorite vanilla cake, make sure it has butter, lots of butter if possible :) Or in a pinch use the Doctored Box method below.

Doctored Box Cake

1 box of cake mix
Add one extra egg
Substitute milk for the water
Substitute butter for the oil, an 1 and 1/2 the amount
Mix and bake as directed.

Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

I love this salad, it's so simple and easy. There are no real measurements I just taste as I go when making it. Or I have my children cut everything up and I season and taste as *they* go. I love having children who are doing more in the kitchen ;)

I know this is more of a summer salad since tomatoes are in season and best then, but I'm quite backlogged on posts. I find I can still get cucumber and tomatoes if I really want them in the fall. I hope you'll try this salad, it's so good. 

Creamed Spinach

Creamed Cheese is an easy side dish that can be made with ingredients that are on hand. 

Pixie and Piglet don't like Creamed Spinach. I don't even understand that. Pixie likes spinach in soups, Piglet  too. I'm not understanding this Creamed Spinach issue though. Oh well, I find often that I just can't win them all. The rest of us think Creamed Spinach is awesome blossom. I love that it's so easy to put together. This is a more lightened version of what's posted HERE. I also streamlined everything so there's not so much, cook, remove and set aside, cook, remove and set aside, stir it all together. I just moved steps around, and make it all in the same pan, no extra bowls etc. Easy peasy. This can be made ahead of time and  frozen. When ready to serve, just heat it in the oven, covered with foil.  If you decide to do that, make the sauce with extra milk, so that it's extra saucy. Once baked, it sauce will absorb.