Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Strawberry Meyers Lemonade Cocktail #NMVspring #Giveaway

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Cindy Kerschner

I received a sample bottle of vanilla extract to create a cocktail from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Recipe and opinions are my own. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas is also giving a lucky reader their own bottle to enjoy! I received no further compensation. Details to enter the contest are located in the rafflecopter below.

Spring is in the air! Time to celebrate. Warmer weather is here and outdoor fun is on its way. Mother’s Day and graduations are just around the corner.
What better way to celebrate than with a fruity cocktail?

Strawberry Meyers Lemonade Cocktail uses the best fruit spring has to offer. That would be sweet, juicy strawberries and those orangey tasting Meyers lemons. Add vanilla syrup made with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas and enjoy!

Yum

Strawberry Meyers Lemonade Cocktail

Ingredients

Vanilla Simple Syrup

¾ cup water
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract

Strawberry Puree

8 frozen strawberries
Enough water to make 1 cup

Cocktail

1 ounce fresh squeezed Meyers lemon juice
2 ounce Vanilla Simple Syrup
1 ounce vodka
3 ounces strawberry puree
2 cups frozen strawberries

Instructions

Vanilla Simple Syrup

In a small saucepan, add water, sugar; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until syrup reduces, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat. After syrup has cooled, add vanilla extract and stir. Refrigerate unused syrup in an airtight container.

Strawberry Puree

Pulse the 8 frozen strawberries and water in a blender

Cocktail

Fill a rocks glass with frozen strawberries
Stir together lemon juice, vodka, syrup and puree. Strain over frozen strawberries.
Garnish with Meyers lemon wedges if desired.

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Here are some tips and tricks from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas for creating the perfect drink at home:

Use frozen fruit or juices in lieu of ice cubes to keep beverages from getting watered down.
Instead of using simple syrup to sweeten your drink, use a spoonful of marmalade or jam to add a fruity flavor along with sweetness.
Turn to punches or pitcher-style drinks for large parties. They are easy to mix ahead of time and ensure that you will spend the evening socializing with your guests instead of tending bar.
For mixed drinks, keep additional soda, sparkling water or juice on hand to make alcohol-free versions for children or adults not imbibing.

Connect with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas for news, updates and more great recipes!
website www.nielsenmassey.com
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in beverage, cocktails, strawberry, What's For Dinner? | Tagged cocktail, lemonade, strawberry | 17 Comments

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #142

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Cindy Kerschner

Welcome to another fun Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!
Please share your recipes, crafts and DIY projects with our friends!
Before we get started let’s say, “Congratulations” to last week’s winners!

You can find the links to our Host Favorite Picks here at Daily Dish Magazine!

Continue reading →

Posted in What's For Dinner? | 5 Comments

Souper BLT #WeekdaySupper

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Cindy Kerschner

Souper BLT soup combines the best of the BLT in one bowl. Switch the lettuce for kale and it is both delicious and nutritious!

I love blt soup. Not made with heavy cream or greasy bacon. Spring is here, so soups need to be lightened up a bit. That doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice flavor.

Fresh tomatoes, vegetable broth, basil and kale make the base for this soup. I topped it with freshly cooked, crumbled bacon bits and garlicky croutons. Adding these lovelies right before serving or at the table will keep the crunch factor.

Buying kale in bulk is the way to go. I like to blanch it and freeze it for soups, stews and casseroles.

Roma tomatoes work great for fresh tomato soup. You can blanch these tomatoes and peel off the skins. Take the seed out if you like. I chop the whole thing and throw it in the pot.

The cooking time is so short that the tomatoes don’t get mushy. Chunky tomatoes, firm kale and a bit of crunch from the croutons works for me!

You could add onions or celery too, but I didn’t since I don’t put those in my BLT Sandwiches. Hmm, maybe swapping kale for lettuce in BLTs might be a good idea. What do you think?

Yum

Souper BLT #WeekdaySupper

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

3 cups freshly chopped Roma tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup chopped blanched kale
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 strips crisp bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup croutons

Instructions

Place tomatoes, broth and kale into a 2-quart saucepan.
Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute.
Reduce heat. Add basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until tomatoes are softened and flavors blend.
Place soup into bowls and top with crumbled bacon and croutons.

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Enjoy all these delicious Weekday Supper ideas from the Sunday Supper Group!

Monday – Sizzling Seitan Fajitas by Cooking Chat
Tuesday – Souper BLT by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Wednesday – Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps by Feed Me, Seymour
Thursday – Garlic Shrimp, Spinach and Bacon Wrap by Daily Dish Recipes
Friday – Creamy Chicken in Potato Cheesy Baskets by The Petit Gourmet

Posted in #WeekdaySupper, bacon, soup, tomatoes, What's For Dinner? | Tagged #WeekdaySupper, bacon, blt, kale, soup, tomatoes | 7 Comments

Strawberry Fritters #BreadBakers

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Cindy Kerschner

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here.
Links are also updated after each event on the BreadBakers home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. This month Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla has chosen breads from around the world that are traditional for Easter, Passover or Springtime.

Spring means Strawberry Season around here. We have several pick your own farms in the area to take advantage of the bounty. Most strawberry patches mature towards late spring. That gives me plenty of time to experiment with store bought berries.

Fritters are fried batter desserts similar to doughnuts. They also make great breakfast treats. Fritters are popular with my PA Dutch heritage. Usually fritters are made with with seasonal fruit and dipped in glaze like their doughnut cousins. Apple and blueberry are area favorites. I chose strawberries instead for my deep-fried indulgence. A quick drizzle of confectioner’s sugar and water icing is all they need.

The batter should be a bit thicker than pancake batter.

Fry until browned on both sides. This takes about 4 minutes per side at 365 degrees.

Drain on paper towels.

Arrange on a platter and drizzle with confectioner’s glaze.

Yum

Strawberry Fritters #BreadBakers

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 to 1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries

glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 Tablespoons water or milk

Instructions

Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla.
Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt.
Alternate adding a bit of flour mixture with adding milk.
Stir in strawberries.
Fry at 365 degrees, about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Remove and to drain off excess grease place fritters on paper towels.
Mix together powdered sugar and water as needed to get drizzle consistency. Drizzle over fritters.

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Here’s our International Easter/Passover/Spring Bread Basket, in alphabetical order…