Kiwi Creme Brûlée #SpringSweetsWeek

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Cindy Kerschner

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Kiwi Creme Brulee

Kiwi Creme Brûlée adds a light kiwi taste to a classic custard dish. I combined sweet, tender kiwi berries with sweet-tart kiwi. A perfect brunch dish to welcome spring.

Welcome to Day two of #SpringSweetsWeek 2021 recipe sharing and giveaway hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks!  This year 24 food bloggers from around the country are sharing over 100 sweet recipes that are perfect for the spring season.

Our #SpringSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes.  Thank you to Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Door County Coffee, Circulon, Taylor and Colledge, and Nairn’s for your generosity.

We would love if you would take a moment to read about it and the prizes that you can win here!

I recently made my first Creme Brûlée for Melissa’s Family Baking Challenge. Creme Brûlée is an easy dish that just takes several steps to keep in mind.

kiwi creme brulee

A few tips to make a better Creme Brûlée:

  • If you are adding fruit, strain the custard through cheesecloth lined fine sieve. It will look like just liquid, but this set up smooth and silky as a Creme Brûlée.
  • Use hot, hot water for your water bath. The hotter the water the more even cooking.
  • Gently torch the sugar crust just to a golden brown. I used super fine sugar but regular sugar is okay too.

Kiwi Creme Brulee

Don’t forget to scroll down to the Rafflecopter and enter our giveaway!

Kiwi Creme Brûlée

Kiwi Creme Brûlée

Print Recipe
Servings 3 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Peeled and diced Kiwi (I used 1/4 cup kiwi and 1/4 cup kiwi berries from Melissa's Produce )
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup sugar (I used Dixie Crystals)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup extra fine sugar for Brûlée topping
  • 1/4 cup slices kiwi and kiwi berries for decoration

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, bring cream and kiwi to a simmer, stirring often. Cook for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow mixture to steep for about 30 minutes at room temperature to infuse flavors.
  • Blend cooled mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together yolks and sugar until light and lemon colored, about 1 minute. Gently fold in cream mixture.
  • Lay cheesecloth over a sieve and strain custard base through it to remove pulp and ensure a silky smooth Brûlée.

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place 3 6-ounce Creme Brûlée or shallow dishes in a roasting pan. Pour custard into dishes and place pan on middle rack in the oven. Pour hot water into pan about halfway up the sides of the custard filled dishes. Bake until set but still jiggly in the center (about 35 to 40 minutes. be careful to not overbake. Custard will set up the rest of the way as it cools. Remove from water bath and cool at room temperature about 15 minutes before refrigerating. Cool in refrigerator at least 2 hours and up to 2 days before applying sugar crust.
  • Brûlée tops by sprinkling a thin layer of super fine (regular sugar is okay too) evenly over the top. Torch by passing flame in small circles, over the top. Sugar should start to bubble. Apply flame just long enough to brown. Crust will harden as it cools. Top with sliced fruit if desired. 

Tuesday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Door County Coffee & Tea Co., Circulon, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor and Colledge, and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Posted in #SpringSweetsWeek, dessert, fruit, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | 13 Comments

Key Lime Lavender Curd #SpringSweetsWeek

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Cindy Kerschner

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Key Lime Lavender Curd adds tart, sweet key lime flavor to versatile curd filling. Serve as is or use in pie, doughnuts or even cake filling!
Key Lime Lavender Curd

Welcome to #SpringSweetsWeek 2021 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks!   With the weather warming up and flowers beginning to bloom let’s celebrate with spring sweets and a fun giveaway!   This year 24 food bloggers from around the country are sharing over 100 sweet recipes that are perfect for the spring season.  So say goodbye to the snow and cold and get ready to enjoy the best spring treats like cupcakes, cookies, pies, dessert boards, and even a few beverages!  Our #SpringSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes.  Thank you to Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Door County Coffee, Circulon, Taylor and Colledge, and Nairn’s for your generosity.  We have an incredible giveaway with six amazing prizes and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and the prizes that you can win!

Check out the amazing prizes you can win in our #SpringSweetsWeek Giveaway!

Door County Coffee & Tea Co. is giving away one $50 gift certificate to doorcountycoffee.com so that one lucky reader can try any of their amazing coffees and teas.

Door County Coffee & Tea Co. was founded in 1993 in Door County, Wisconsin. It is a small, family-owned business, roasting coffee the old-fashioned way – in small batches to exacting specifications. The mission has always been to produce some of the best-tasting and highest quality coffee. They have over 100 types of coffee, all of which are roasted right on site. Visit https://www.doorcountycoffee.com/ to see their selection of coffees and teas as well as to find some fabulous recipes.

Dixie Crystals is giving away one propane kitchen torch which is ideal for caramelizing creme brulee or roasting peppers in a snap!

Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Our pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results. Visit https://www.dixiecrystals.com/ for hundreds of recipes, holiday ideas, and plenty of baking videos.

Melissa’s Produce is giving one reader a Fabulous Fruit Fare Basket.  Forget your basic apples and bananas and try faraway tropical fruits such as Mango, Papaya, Gold Pineapple, and Coconut, and exotic treasures like Asian Pear, Kiwi, Pepino Melon, Baby Bananas, Seasonal Tangerines, and Kumquats.

Joe and Sharon Hernandez founded Melissa’s Produce with a decade of produce industry experience in a small, rented produce warehouse lunchroom. The Melissa’s brand is named after Joe and Sharon’s daughter, who takes an active role in the company.  The company’s Food Service Division has become a full-service operation that supplies culinary professionals with staples, exotics and Melissa’s full line of organic produce.  Visit https://www.melissas.com to find the very best fruits, vegetables, gifts, and to get tasty recipes!

Circulon is giving one reader a 5 piece baking set including two 9-inch cake pans, a 9 x 13 baking pan, a 9 x 5 loaf pan, and 10 x 15 cookie pan!   It’s everything you need to get baking in the kitchen.

Circulon’s commitment to detail and design for nonstick cookware makes your time in the kitchen more enjoyable due to their 4 “Must Haves” of everyday cooking.   The first is nonstick performance.  The Circulon TOTAL® Nonstick System of raised circles and triple-layer premium nonstick reduces surface abrasion from cooking utensils to enhance nonstick durability.  Then there’s durability.  Hard-anodized, stainless steel, and aluminum construction is backed by a hassle-free lifetime warranty for built-to-last cookware you can count on.  The last two are even heat distribution and easy clean up.  No matter what piece you buy it is sure to meet your expectations and help you enjoy your time in the kitchen.  To see all the Circulon products visit https://circulon.com/ .

Taylor & Colledge is giving one lucky winner a trio of extract pastes.   One winner will receive Almond Extract Paste, Lemon Extract Paste, and Lavender Extract Paste to help you do your own spring baking!

Taylor & Colledge was founded in 1897 in Australia and has been making extracts ever since!  Their products can be used in two different ways when you baking. Whether you use the products as the fragrant, hero ingredient in your baking, or whether it’s a supporting sidekick, you can be assured that with Taylor & Colledge, it will be a pure, rich, full-flavored ingredient in your baking every time.  Visit https://www.taylorandcolledge.com/ to learn more about their extracts.

Nairn’s Oatcakes is giving away six of their awesome products to one winner.   The winner will receive Nairn’s Gluten Free Original Oat Grahams, Nairn’s Gluten Free Stem Ginger Oat Grahams, Nairn’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Oat Grahams, Nairn’s Gluten Free Caramelized Onion Flatbreads, Nairn’s Gluten Free Rosemary & Sea Salt Flatbreads, and Nairn’s Organic Oat Crackers.

Nairn’s knows a thing or two about oats, they’ve been baking with them since 1896 when John and Sarah Nairn first opened their bakery in Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Since then their team has grown and they have two Edinburgh bakeries.  They have a devoted team at each working on their recipes, mixing techniques, and ever-growing range.  Check out their products and blog at https://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/ .

I’m a fan of lemon curd in lemon meringue pie and pastry. So when I received these key limes from Melissa’s Produce, I had to try a lime take on curd!
Key Lime Lavender Curd
Adding a hint of lavender from Taylor and Colledge rounds out the tartness.
I’ve used bottled key lime juice in Key Lime Pie, but fresh squeezed key limes are so fresh and easy to incorporated into popular dishes. Use a sprinkle of key lime to brighten any dish.
Key Lime Lavender Curd
Key Lime Lavender Curd

 

Key Lime Lavender Curd

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe
Servings 1 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed key lime juice
  • 10 tablespoons sugar (I used Dixie Crystals)
  • 1/2 teaspoon lavender extract (I use Taylor and Colledge)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • In a 2-quart saucepan, whisk together key lime juice, sugar and lavender. Whisk in egg and egg yolk.
  • Cook over medium-low heat, for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides often.
  • Remove from heat and stir in butter. Return to stove and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, removing periodically and stir as it begins to thicken and bubbles start to form.
  • Pour finished curd into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it against the curd so water doesn't form on top. Chill at least one hour before use.

Check out all these delicious recipes from our Spring Sweets Week bloggers below. Don’t forget to scroll down to the Rafflecopter to enter our fantastic giveaway!

Monday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Door County Coffee & Tea Co., Circulon, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor and Colledge, and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Posted in #SpringSweetsWeek, dessert, fruit, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | 24 Comments

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Cindy Kerschner

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs slow cooked to even tenderness, topped with a spicy apricot preserve sauce. A great entrée to serve with pasta, rice, sautéed vegetables or your favorite side!

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

This week on Monday 1/11, Wednesday 1/13 and Friday 1/15 our Festive Foodies group celebrates all thing slow cooked for #NationalSlowCookerMonth! All dishes needed to incorporate a slow cooker in some way. Don’t miss out on all the great slow cooker ideas and links at the end of the post.
Thanks Ashley from Cheese Curd in Paradise for hosting our event!

I’m a big fan of dark meat chicken. It stays moist and cooks up tender easier than white meat. Don’t get wrong, I do enjoy a good chicken breast recipe. But for slow cooking, it’s either a whole chicken or thighs for me!

Always brown meat before adding to your slow cooker. The browning process really draws out the flavor!

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

This dish gets it’s spiciness from horseradish, brown mustard and a dash of granulated garlic. You can add heat with red pepper flakes or a bit of cayenne pepper. I would avoid any hot sauces or fresh pepper in this recipe.

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • sauce
  • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Instructions
 

  • Season thighs with salt and pepper. Brown thighs in oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, for about 2 minutes per side. Place browned thighs in the slow cooker. Add orange juice. Cover and cook on low for approximately 3 hours until thighs reach 180 degrees. 
  • While chicken cooks, prepare sauce. Whisk together apricot preserves, horseradish, mustard and garlic. Set aside.
  • Place cooked chicken on a plate. Heat sauce in a microwave proof container or 1 quart saucepan until warmed. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serve.

Welcome to our #NationalSlowCookerMonth Celebration! 

This week we are celebrating all things slow cooker! We have delicious recipes from across the country to fill your meal plans with delicious slow cooker recipes!

Posted in chicken, slow cooker, What's For Dinner? | 12 Comments

Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Cindy Kerschner

Sweet Potato Lentil Soup slow cooked serves a hearty meal you can serve two ways. This soup can be served as a stew or puree.
sweet potato lentil soup

This week on Monday 1/11, Wednesday 1/13 and Friday 1/15 our Festive Foodies group celebrates all thing slow cooked for #NationalSlowCookerMonth! All dishes needed to incorporate a slow cooker in some way. Don’t miss out on all the great slow cooker ideas and links at the end of the post.
Thanks Ashley from Cheese Curd in Paradise for hosting our event!
I liked using a slow cooker to make this soup. Steady even temperature keeps the soup from boiling and getting mushy. Cooking lentils this way gives you a choice how to serve it. I preferred puree. The soup still has texture but all the flavors blend into one bite.
sweet potato lentil soup
Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Keep the herbs of thyme and rosemary as sprigs so you can easily remove them before pureeing soup. I used an immersion blender but processing in batches in a regular blender works as well.
Heating the broth and tomatoes first before adding it to the slow cooker gives the vegetables a head start. Total time in the slow cooker was 3 hours.

Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup lentils, cleaned and rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 3 cups diced, peeled sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 14.5 ounces (14.5 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes or diced tomatoes
  • 3 sprigs thyme, extra for garnish
  • 1 sprig rosemary, extra for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg, extra for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup pepitas for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Bring broth and tomatoes with juice to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg and salt.
  • While liquid heats, add lentils, sweet potatoes, onion, thyme and rosemary to the crockpot. Pour hot liquid over mixture. Cover and set
    for 3.5 hours on low. Check at 3 hours for doneness of lentils and sweet potatoes.
  • Remove herb springs. Puree to desired thickness. Garnish with pepitas and additional herb sprigs and nutmeg if desired.

Welcome to our #NationalSlowCookerMonth Celebration! 

This week we are celebrating all things slow cooker! We have delicious recipes from across the country to fill your meal plans with delicious slow cooker recipes!

Posted in lentils, soup, sweet potato, What's For Dinner? | 14 Comments