Simple Summer Pasta

I love cooking pasta dishes, but when summer rolls around it's hard to twirl your fork around a rich, warm red sauce. I opt for a summer pasta dish that is lighter, fresh and so simple to create:

1 box pasta (capellini or linguine work well)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Boil water for the pasta. While the pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large sauce pan over medium heat. When warm, add the garlic, and stir for two to three minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic). Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to heat the tomatoes while the pasta continues to cook. Once the pasta is al dente, strain and pour into a large bowl. Turn off the heat under the sauce pan of tomatoes. Add the chopped basil and stir. Pour tomato mixture over the pasta. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese & enjoy!

Make Your Own Sprinkles Cupcakes

I decided to whip up a batch of cupcakes for a fun little occasion. While browsing through a few cupcake recipes, I came across the recipe for Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes. I was immediately sold on this recipe, which has fresh strawberries in the batter and the frosting. I decided against Sprinkles' traditional frosting application and used a very wide frosting tip. Don't they look SO yummy? They are. Honestly, they are so delicious -- the frosting is perfection with a hint of strawberry. I had to restrain myself from eating the leftover frosting with a spoon.

Here's the recipe. Go ahead and pin it -- you'll thank me later!

Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes

• 2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2. Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
5. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

Strawberry Frosting

• 1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
• Pinch of coarse salt
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 
  
• Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

Recipe via Martha Stewart

Summertime Sips

Today I'm guest posting over at Love and Hot Chocolate while Amy enjoys a cruise with her new fiance. I've highlighted two great summer drinks -- perfect for sipping on your patio or deck on a warm night. It's still a little cool here in Chicago, but once we get another warm front, you can find me out on the porch with one of these concoctions in hand:

Vodka | Watermelon | Honey | Glass

Club Soda | Sugar | Mint | Limes | Glass

I'm feeling...

image

Along with some wonderful gifts, Santa also brought me the flu. I've been feeling under the weather since the day after Christmas. Today is the first day that I've started to feel a bit better, but I can't seem to shake this cough. My husband and pup have been taking good care of me, and I finally got some real meds yesterday. I'm hoping I can kick this sickness in the butt by the end of the weekend and get on with 2012!

On a happier note, I wanted to share something that I posted earlier in the week on my other blog... Cupcakes for two! I spotted this amazing recipe on How Sweet It Is earlier in 2011. Two cute little cupcakes - one for you and one for a friend, or two for you if you don't feel like sharing! I like baking cupcakes, but rarely do because I don't need a dozen of them sitting on the kitchen counter tempting me. Next time I have a sweet tooth, this recipe will be what I reach for!

Homemade Granola Bars

I generally love any treat that involves oats -- cookies, crumbles, granola, etc. While going through my recipe box the other morning, I came across an older recipe (one that Annemarie of Brunch of Saks posted way back before she was gluten free) that I'd adapted and stashed away for homemade granola bars. With all the ingredients on hand, I made a batch of these yummy bars. They make a great snack or morning treat. The Mr. loved them, saying the recipe was one of his favorites when it comes to snacks I've made.

The best part about the recipe is that you can add various ingredients to it in order to customize your bars -- for example, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate (if you want a sweeter snack).

4.5 cups oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup softened unsalted butter

3/4 cups honey

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

3-5 tablespoons shredded coconut

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, brown sugar and coconut. Add the honey and vanilla, mixing well. When the mix is well combined, add the softened butter in chunks. I find it best to mix with my hands in order to break everything up. Press the mix into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 in. baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 18-22 minutes. Cut in to chunks or strips and enjoy!

Porch Party Cocktails

Summer days are dwindling, but I'm still enjoying our outdoor porch space for dinner or a cocktail. It's nice to catch a cool breeze and do a little people-watching on the street below. Here's a roundup of summertime cocktails that are perfectly refreshing and definitely porch party worthy:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 -- recipes and images via Martha Stewart

15 Desserts in Jars

I love the look of, and the cute idea of, desserts in a jar. What a clever and fun way to serve dessert at a party! I stumbled across 15 recipes for delicious desserts in a jar, and had to share them with you. Check them all out {here}, and see two of my favorites below:

Neopolitan Cake

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Pinterest + Pantry

Photos of yummy food and accompanying recipes are easy to find on Pinterest -- but, have you ever made a recipe you've pinned? I finally turned a recipe pin into a meal over the weekend! {This} amazing Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad was a re-pin on Pinterest weeks ago, and was absolutely delicious in real life. The recipe was simple, and I had most of the ingredients in my home already. I chose to roast an entire chicken (to use the rest as leftovers), but you could use leftover chicken pieces from cooked breasts or a store bought cooked chicken. Next time, I'd use less rosemary than the recipe calls for -- other than that, I wouldn't change a thing!

I'd love to hear if any of you are using Pinterest as a virtual recipe box!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! How will you be celebrating? I’m planning on a yummy Mexican lunch and perhaps a margarita to end the night – on the rocks, with salt, of course. The best Mexican food I’ve had to date is from Rosa Mexicano in NYC. The pomegranate margaritas are divine and the guacamole is made fresh at your table in an authentic molcajete. For your cooking & eating pleasure, {here} are a few of their very own recipes!

Fiesta décor and flowers via Style Me Pretty, Margaritas via Martha Stewart

Healthy Frozen Treats

With the warmer weather creeping in, I'm now looking to the freezer for a sweet cold dessert. In a search for some guilt-free treats, I came across a great selection of healthy frozen snacks on Whole Living.com. Two recipes in particular caught my eye -- Frozen Lemonade for something sour yet sweet, and Cinnamon-Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Sandwiches, because... who doesn't like chocolate? If you've got any great healthy recipes that could take the place of the Caramel Macchiato Starbucks ice cream I indulged in tonight, I'd love for you to share!

Memom's Irish Soda Bread

As promised, here is my grandma's recipe for Irish Soda Bread. Memom sure does bake a mean Irish Soda Bread -- I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as my family does!

Image via Pinterest

Ingredients

1.5 cups buttermilk

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 egg, slightly beaten

1.5 cups raisins

3 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Recipe

Combine buttermilk, egg, melted butter and raisins. Set aside. Combine dry ingredients, then add milk mixture. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until well combined. Spoon mixture into a greased and floured loaf 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake for approximately one hour, or until testing stick comes out clean. Let rest in pan before removing. Enjoy!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

No matter if you're Irish or not, you can have a wee bit of fun on St. Patrick's Day by whipping up this inspired recipe. I just love these little potato spuds for an afternoon treat or dessert!

My dad's side of the family has an Irish background. My grandma makes delicious Irish Soda Bread, and I'll be sharing the recipe with you later this afternoon! Until then, put on some green and start looking for leprechauns!

A Taste of Spring

My husband brought a box of strawberries home the other day. A sign that spring is on its way! The entire box was promptly consumed by the two of us – each and every sweet bite making me more and more excited for spring. I just had to go back to the market the next day and pick up another box. For $1.99, wouldn’t you? Then, much to my delight, I spotted this post about a Pinch Cake Lemon Mousse Strawberry Trifle on The Sweetest Occasion. Mmm. I wanted to reach through the screen and have a taste! I think I’ll get just one more box of strawberries and try this treat out. It’s calling my name.

Two Yummy Recipes

While reading blogs yesterday, I came across two recipes that made me want to get in the kitchen right away! This Rosemary White Bean Soup, spotted over at Celebrations at Home, looks perfect for the remaining cool days of winter. I’ve recently taken a liking to Rosemary, and white beans are a healthy choice, so this soup is something I’m going to make soon!

The second recipe I came across over at The Creative Mama is for Lasagna Stacks, complete with arugula, pesto, cheeses, lemon zest and more. Lasagna has always been one of my favorite dishes, but I can never seem to make it perfectly on my own. It’s always such a mess. This non-traditional way of “stacking” the lasagna looks like the perfect alternative!

Hot Chocolate Cake

Doesn't this Hot Chocolate Cake look so delicious? I can just imagine cozying up by the fire with this for dessert! Yum! For the recipe, head over to Real Simple.

Passing along a recipe...

I just stopped over at Celebrations at Home and started drooling when I saw this:

 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crackers

Buttery Crackers (Ritz)

Creamy Peanut Butter

Chocolate Chips (dark or milk chocolate)

 

Spread peanut butter on one side of a cracker.

Place a cracker on top of the peanut butter to make a peanut butter cracker sandwich.
Melt the chocolate chips on a double boiler (or in a glass bowl on top of simmering water in a pot).
Dip the peanut butter crackers in the chocolate and place on parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
Place in the refrigerator to harden.
Eat either chilled or at room temperature.

Just a little sweetness for your Friday...

Cupcake 28 from Ming Makes Cupcakes

Weekend Treat

These Cheesecake-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes are making my mouth water! Don't they look so sweet, creamy and delicious? They look like the perfect weekend treat! Check out the recipe at Swanky Tables.

Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

Over the weekend, I made a big batch of pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing. It was the first time I used the recipe, and it worked wonderfully! I love anything pumpkin-flavored, especially sweets, so this was something I needed to try! The cookies turned out soft and cake-like and the icing is sugary sweet. Yum!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

This cake, featured over on Sweet Paul today, makes my eyes pop! Look at all of that caramel! I've been longing to try the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate that Starbucks makes, but this salted caramel chocolate concoction looks like it just might be better! Have you tried salted caramel with chocolate? It's divine!