Meyer Lemon Curd Puffs

Meyer Lemon Curd Puffs

Elegant Meyer Lemon Curd Puffs steal the show on any table. Top with a fresh sliced strawberry. An easy to make dessert your family and guests will love!
Here’s a trick to get a beautiful shell to fill every time. Use a donut cutter.

Meyer Lemon Curd Puff pastry dough
Leave the “hole” in place and bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes until golden brown and flaky.

Meyer Lemon Curd Puff pastry dough baked

When cool, gently remove a layer of the center and voila! You have a nifty shell that’s ready to fill!

Meyer Lemon Curd

Meyer Lemon Curd Puff

Now I promised this would be easy. So on to the scary part. Lemon curd.
There are so many techniques out there for making curd. Some involve boiling and straining then adding butter. Others have you temp the egg and strain and chill and stir and on and on.
I found the easiest way to make a smooth, thick lemon curd is to keep stirring and the control the heat. I periodically take the pot off the burner and let the residual heat cook it a bit. It takes a bit longer, all of about 10 minutes total but it’s worth it.

Meyer Lemon Curd Puffs

Meyer Lemon Curd Puffs

Yield: 9

Serving Size: 1 each

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • curd
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fine Meyer lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Using a donut cutter, cut 9 rounds from the pastry sheet. Bake at 400 for about 12 minutes until golden brown and flaky.
  • Cool on a rack. When cool, gently remove center layer with a spoon.
  • curd
  • Whisk together juice and sugar in a 2-quart saucepan. Whisk in zest and eggs.
  • Cook over medium-low heat about 1 minute stirring constantly with a spatula. Scrape down sides often.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in butter.
  • Reduce heat to low and continue cooking, periodically removing from heat and stirring until curd begins to thicken and slight bubbles form.
  • Pour finished curd in a bowl and cover the top with plastic wrap, pressing it against the curd so water doesn't form on top. Chill at least one hour.
  • Fill cups with curd. Top with a strawberry. Dust with sugar.
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Ultimate Valentine’s Day Round-Up

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and the Social Fabric Community has put together the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Round-Up to help you prepare for the season of love. From tutorials to crafts to delicious recipes, we have something for everyone. We dare you not to fall in love with these ideas!
ValentinesDayRoundup-02

Craft/DIY/Tutorial

Friendly Valentine Candy Jar – Creative Ramblings
Valentine Felt Envelopes – Good Morning Loretta
Valentine’s Day Candy Filled Mason Jar – Savvy Saving Couple
Valentine’s Day Love Bug Craft – Maryland Momma’s Rambles
Last-Minute Quick, Cute Cut-Out Cards – Our Daily Craft
DIY Heart Shaped Massage Bars – Thriftanista in the City
Valentine Memo Chalkboard – Southern Couture
Valentine’s Day Chalkboard Decoration – Pretty in Pigment
Flower Vase Craft – Polka Dotted Blue Jay
No-Sew Ribbon Embellished Cocktail Napkins – Atta Girl Says
Macaroni Art Lace Hearts – ABCs and Garden Peas
Cupid’s Arrow Valentine’s Day Favors – Home. Made. Interest.
Hand Lettered Valentine Notecards – One Artsy Mama
Instagram Magnetic Bookmarks – Happy Go Lucky Blog
Birdseed Heart Valentines – Made with Happy
Valentine’s Day Burlap Wreath – The Farm Girl Gabs
Cute Flower Valentines for Kids – Love, Jaime
DIY Valentine Flower Corsage – Suburban Wife, City Life
DIY Valentine’s Snowglobes – Woods of Bell Trees
Valentine Envelop Chair Backers – 2Paws Designs
Reversible Valentine’s Day/St. Patrick’s Day Banner – Fearlessly Creative Mammas
Mini Bubblegum Machine Valentines – Bubbly Nature Creations
DIY Button Heart Picture Collage – Our Piece of Earth
Kids’ Valentine’s Day Gift with FREE Printable – A Cowboy’s Life
Easy Mesh and Ribbon Valentine’s Day Wreath – My Pinterventures
Snickerdoodle Sugar Scrub Recipe – Sunny Sweet Days
Valentine’s Day Verse on Burlap – Life with Captain Fussybuckets
12 Days of Romance Scavenger Hunt – The Mama Zone
Candy Kiss Ring – So TIPical Me
Valentine’s Day Hand Print Craft – As Cute as a Bug’s Ear
How to Make a Valentine’s Day Ribbon Banner – Aprons and Stilletos
Date Night with a Romantic Treasure Hunt – The TipToe Fairy
Chalkboard Gift Box – Organized Island
Easy Valentines Felt Pillow Cover – Creative Southern Home
Polar Fleece Ruffle Heart Wreath – Joy’s Life
Making A Valentine’s Day Rag Wreath with Fabric Scraps – Third Stop on the Right
Washi Tape Bubble Valentines – Moneywise Moms
Homemade Candles in 5 Easy Steps – Lemon Peony
DIY Felt Ornaments for Valentine’s Day – 3 Little Greenwoods
Butterfly Valentine’s Day Craft – Sarah in the Suburbs
Epsom Salt DIY Valentine Candles – A Day in the Motherhood
I “DOVE” You Printable with Candy – Newlywed Survival
Rainbow Heart PomPom Garland – Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Wishes
Valentine’s Day Printed Burlap Subway – Occasionally Crafty
Pom Pom Cupcakes Valentine Craft – Cute as a Fox
Valentine’s Wooden Door Hanger – We Got the Funk
Hearts Aplenty: Valentine’s Day DIY Decor – Woman in Real Life
Love Letters Simple Valentine’s Day Craft – Craving Some Creativity
Valentine’s Day Coffee Cup Sleeve – Craving Cynchronicity
How to Make a Great Loves Print – My Sweet Sanity
Cross Stitch Heart Pillow – Cutesy Crafts
Free Valentine’s Day Cards Kids Can Make – Happy and Blessed Home

Recipe

Valentine Cupcakes – Home Maid Simple
Valentine’s Day Cakes – Charleston Crafted
Red Velvet Pudding Cups – Mostly Homemade Mom
Blood Orange Panna Cotta – Mooshu Jenne
Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts – Drugstore Divas
Cranberry Bliss Bars – Swanky Recipes
Valentine Rice Crispy Treats – Midwestern Moms
Chocolate Valentine Sandies – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
M&M’s® Red Velvet Brownies – Julie is Coco and Cocoa
Nutella Filled Conversation Hearts – A Million Moments
Conversation Hearts Martini – JVKOM Chronicles
Valentine’s Day S’mores Dip – Our Mini Family
M&M’s® Red Velvet Blondies – The NYC Talon
Valentine’s Day Cheesecake Brownies – West of the Loop
Red Velvet Cheesecakes – Houseful of Nicholes
Chocolate Kiss Valentine’s Day Cookies – Moscato Mom
Chocolate and Candy Valentine Popcorn – Made by a Princess
Easy Valentine’s Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies – Janine Huldie
Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe – Scrappy Geek
Coeur a la Creme with Raspberry Sauce – Graceful Order
Love Dipped Wafers – Sparkles to Sprinkles
Valentine’s Day Bento Lunch – Diana Rambles
“Blackened” Seafood Medley for a Low-Calorie Valentine’s Dinner – Broken TeePee
Sweet Salty Fudge – Foody Schmoody Blog
Valentine’s Day Covered Pretzels – Texas Type A Mom
Valentine’s Popcorn – Mommy’s Bundle
The Easiest Valentine’s Day Fudge Recipe – Young at Heart Mommy
Valentine’s Day Butter Cookies – Ilona’s Passion
Valentine’s Day Blondies – Saving You DineroSuper Healthy Pomegranate-Cranberry-Almond Smoothie – Easy Cooking with Molly
Brownie Cut-outs – Tramplingrose
Puppy Valentine’s Day Cookies – Staying Close to Home
Valentine OREO Brownie Bar Recipe – As Mom Sees It
Strawberry-Vanilla Ice Cream Pie – Johanny’s Kitchen
Strawberry Filled Chocolate Cake – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Chocolate Raspberry Truffles – Food Lovin Family
Honey Bee My Valentine Cakes – I Don’t Have Time for That
Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Parfaits – Living a Sunshine Life
Homemade Strawberry Syrup – Day by Day in Our World
Cranberry Hootycreek Cookies – Momma DJane
Red Velvet Donuts – Frugal Family Tree
Strawberry Mocha Granola – Strength & Sunshine
Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Tales of a Ranting Ginger
Chocolate Shot Glasses – The Bewitchin’ Kitchen
Chocolate Pretzel Kisses – Just 2 Sisters
Valentine’s Candy Bark – Life with the Crust cut off
Chocolate Kiss Shooter! – Housewives of Frederick County
Super Simple Valentine’s Day Candy Hearts – My Real Food Family
Easy Strawberry Crinkle Cookies – Meatloaf & Melodrama
3 Ingredient Strawberry Brownies – Fun Things to Do in Central Mass
Nutella Baked Brie – Basil and Bubbly
Easy Cupid Crinkles – Creative Southern Home
Valentine’s Day Edible Tic Tac Toe Game – A Frugal Friend
Valentine’s Day Ombre Sweet Treat – Tastefully Frugal

Party

How to Throw a Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Party – Amber Nicole Blogs
Valentine’s Day Party for Tweens – Soiree Event Design
Love is in the Air Valentine Table – Not Just a Mommy
Valentine’s Day Tea Party – The Peanuts Gang

Printables

Easy Valentine’s Printables – I am the Maven®
Printable Valentine’s Day Lunch Box Notes and Coupons – Gluesticks Blog
“I Love You Like” Valentine’s Free Printable – C’mon Get Crafty
4 Free Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages – Saving More than Me
Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt Clues – Mom on the Side
Valentine Gift for Kids {Free Printable} – Fun on a Dime
Crayon Valentines Printable – Mom’s Messy Miracles
Tic Tac Toe XOXO Valentine with Free Printable – Housewife Eclectic
Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids – Simple Living Mama
2 Free Printable Valentines (Owls) – Altamonte Family
Love is in the Air Valentine Card – Making of a Mom
Matchstick Valentine Free Printable – Frenchie
Valentine’s Day Lunch Box Notes & Jokes – Coupons are Great
I “Wheelie” Like You Car Valentine Printable – Artsy Momma

Round-Up
Valentine’s Day Guide – The Ranting Latina!
24 Frugal Valentine’s Ideas – Real: The Kitchen and Beyond
7 Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day – Downshifting PRO
5 Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts for Bloggers – That Chic Mom
Top 5 Romantic Restaurants to Eat at in East Greenwhich, Rhode Island – Mama Luvs Books

Other

War Room Movie Night – A Beautiful Exchange
Pairing Chocolate with Wine & Spirits – In Good Taste
Valentine’s Day Make-up Tutorial – Glam Hungry Mom
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home – Natasha Byrd
Can you feel the love tonight with all these great Valentine’s Day inspired activities?

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Beef Multigrain Pilaf #SundaySupper

Beef Multigrain Pilaf dinner

Beef Multigrain Pilaf collage

Beef Multigrain Pilaf

Beef Multigrain Pilaf blends lean beef, brown rice, barley, wild rice and vegetables into a flavorful pilaf. A satisfying, well-balanced meal your family will love!

This post is sponsored by the Beef Checkoff in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Live a Flavorful Life in 2016

Preparing healthy, balanced meals is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families. Lean protein found in beef, presented along with whole grains, and choices from the vegetables and fruit category, is a great start to living a flavorful life.

The Beef Checkoff can help.

The Beef Checkoff Logo

Good nutrition doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. A 3 ounce serving of lean beef provides almost half of your daily value for protein.

Besides protein, iron and B-vitamins can help satisfy you and maintain a healthy weight, build muscles and fuel a healthy and active lifestyle.

What exactly is a lean cut of beef?

The Beef Checkoff website describes a lean cut of beef as having less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 mg of cholesterol.

I learned a great tip there that when shopping for lean beef to look for the words, “loin” or “round” on the package.

The Beef Checkoff has a handy tool on their website where you can get all your questions about beef answered. It’s called The Interactive Butcher Counter.

My first stop was to find a lean steak to make my Beef Multigrain Pilaf. I hit the Explore a variety of cuts button. All the popular steak cuts appear. There are pictures of each cut, too!

When you click on a cut, you learn more names for that cut, recommended cooking methods and nutritionals.

Look for the cuts with the green lean icon : leanbutton1 (2)

The Interactive Butcher Counter also has links to recipes and tips for preparing flavorful, tender lean cuts.

Based on all suggestions from The Interactive Butcher Counter, I chose a boneless strip steak.

Beef Multigrain Pilaf

Pilaf is a dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth or stock. It often has meat and/or vegetables added to enhance the flavor. This dish is a perfect way to serve a complete meal starring lean beef!

A good, hearty beef stock made with celery, onions and carrots and a little salt and pepper is a great base to cook your favorite rice. I like to add sautéed spinach and onions to give my pilaf a bit of color. Those onions really soak up the beef juices. Beef Multigrain Pilaf creates a flavor dance in your mouth!

Beef-Multigrain-Pilaf-768x576 1 (2)

Beef Pilaf collage

steak diamond marks pilaf
Grill over medium-high heat until desired doneness is reached. Rest steak for 10 minutes before slicing.

steak for pilaf

Beef Multigrain Pilaf

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Strip steaks
  • 1 pound boneless strip steaks
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Pilaf
  • 4 cups beef stock, divided
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1/4 cup wild rice
  • 1/2 cup barley (quick cook)
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    Prepare steak
  • Place steaks in a one gallon resealable bag. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour marinade over steaks. Refrigerate for one hour.
  • Pilaf
  • While steak marinates, bring 3 cups beef stock, brown rice and wild rice to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 45 minutes until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • In a 1-quart saucepan, bring 1 cup beef stock and barley to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  • In a large skillet, saute spinach and onion in oil until tender. Add rice and barley mixtures to skillet.
  • Grill steak
  • Remove steak from marinade. Pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat until desired doneness is reached. Rest steak for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Add beef slices to skillet, stir, heat thoroughly and serve.
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Connect with The Beef Checkoff through their website, Twitter,Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

Follow the Healthy Meals with Beef Pinterest board for exciting ideas for new lean beef meals.
Beef Multigrain Pilaf

Enjoy these delicious lean beef recipes to help you Live a Flavorful Life in 2016 from Sunday Supper.

Beef Recipes to Live A Flavorful Life in 2016

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

This post is sponsored by the Beef Checkoff in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Posted in #SundaySupper, beef, nutrition, rice, spinach, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

Peanut Crusted Chicken #TheRecipeReDux

Peanut Crusted Chicken

Peanut Crusted Chicken is not what you think. There’s no chunks of peanuts. This chicken is not slathered in peanut butter either. The subtle taste of peanuts comes from a new-to-me ingredient. Powdered Peanut Butter.

Welcome to another addition of The Recipe ReDux!


recipe redux

January 2016 theme is …

A New Ingredient for the New Year!

Pick a new ingredient that you’ve been wanting to try… and cook or bake up a new recipe in the new year. Are you curious about nutritional yeast, fish sauce, matcha, teff – or maybe even ugli fruit? Show us how you’re cooking with something new (to you!) in 2016.

Powdered Peanut Butter is made by pressing most of the oil from freshly roasted peanuts. What’s left is ground into a fine powder. Peanut powder is high in protein yet less in calories than traditional peanut butter. Peanut powder is a good source of protein with almost twice the protein of all-purpose flour.

Using peanuts in powdered form doesn’t change the texture of the breading. In fact it enhances it.

You can substitute some of the breading flour with powdered peanuts. Mix a bit into the crumbs too, for a nutritional flavor boost.

Enjoy this peanutty oven-fried chicken without the guilt of added oils.

Peanut Crusted Chicken

Peanut Crusted Chicken Platter (1280x935)

Peanut Crusted Chicken close up (1280x960)

Peanut Crusted Chicken #TheRecipeReDux

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 1/2-inch thick boneless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup powdered peanut butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 Tablespoon powdered peanut butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375. Lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix together flour, 1/4 cup powdered peanut butter, salt and pepper. On a separate plate, mix together bread crumbs, powdered peanut butter and seasonings.
  • Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then egg, then crumbs.
  • Place coated chicken in prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes at 375. Turn chicken over and reduce heat to 350. Cover and continue baking for about 10 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165.
  • Serve.
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What is Recipe Redux?


recipe redux

As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux is focused on taking delicious dishes, keeping them delicious, but making them better for you. Dietitians Regan Jones (ofReganMillerJones, Inc.), Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly (both of Teaspoon Communications) founded the group on the belief that healthier eating should always taste delicious. As the Latin term “redux” means to revisit or reinvent, we are reinventing the idea of healthy eating with a taste-first approach. We aim to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover.


Posted in #TheRecipeReDux, chicken, peanuts, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | 23 Comments