Easy Lemon Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

5 years ago From The Kitchen
Here I go again! Loving my coconut desserts! This recipe is both easy and delicious.

1 can (13.6 oz.) coconut cream, well stirred

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 tbsp. pure lemon extract

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1, 7 oz. bag sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350F.

Reserve 2 tbsp. of the coconut cream for the frosting. Beat the cake mix, remaining coconut cream, 1/2 cup of the coconut, eggs and lemon extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed for three minutes. Spoon batter into paper lined cupcake tins (I used the large size tins), filling 2/3 full.

Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool in pans then on racks. Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting – beat butter, reserved coconut cream and cream cheese until well blended. Gradually add the powdered sugar beating on low speed until smooth. Frost each cupcake amply, then dip (see pictures) in the coconut lightly. Be sure to roll the cupcake around to get well covered in the coconut. ENJOY!

Garbanzo Bean Salad

5 years ago From The Kitchen
This simple salad can be mixed together in no time as an easy summer side.

2 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together, chill and serve

*try serving with freshly toasted pita bread and tzatziki

4 Ingredient Key Lime Pie!

5 years ago From The Kitchen

If you’re in a hurry and need a dessert, I highly recommend the recipe on the back of the Nellie and Joe’s key lime juice.  Just 4 ingredients and done in no time.  It’s one of my go-to summer recipes! In the picture above, I made a shortbread crust as an alternative to the traditional graham cracker crust.  Equally as delicious. To order this product just click here Nellie & Joe Key West Lime Juice.

blend all ingredients together, pour into pie shell and bake in preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes. Cool completely and chill before serving.

Zucchini Wraps

5 years ago From The Kitchen
These are served chilled and uncooked. A perfect refreshing summer side!

Serves 6

3-4 narrow approx. 6″ long zucchinis

1 pkg. garlic and herb Boursin cheese, room temperature

fresh marinara sauce (optional)

Cut the top and bottom off the zucchini. Using a cheese slicer or mandolin, slice a thin layer off and discard.  Continue to slice as many thin layers as you can get from each zucchini, discarding the “top” and “bottom” slice, these are the slices with the peel. Lay the slices out on paper towel lined cookie sheets and salt lightly.  Allow to “sweat” for about 10 minutes.  turn the slices over and repeat. This draws out the excess moisture from the zucchini. Dab any extra moisture with a paper towel.

Using 4 slices for each serving, weave the zucchini slices together as shown.

Place a small amount (approx. 1 tbsp.) of the softened boursin cheese in the center and fold the slices over as shown to form a neat package. Gently turn the package over and place on serving dish. Serve chilled.

I spread a small amount of chilled fresh marinara sauce and a light drizzle of basil pesto on a platter and placed the zucchini packets on top of that. You can also present these on individual plates for real some real “wow” factor.

Homemade Ice Cream

5 years ago From The Kitchen

This recipe is for use with an ice cream machine. I have done this recipe in two different machines, one in which you add the traditional ice and salt and the other in which you use a pre-frozen container* both with equally good results. This is a super-easy basic vanilla recipe and can easily be customized by adding your own desired ingredients such as chocolate chips, cookie dough, etc.

Ingredients:

3 cups heavy cream

2 1/4 cups half and half (I have used fat free here as well)

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 tbsp vanilla

Combine all the ingredients and stir well until the sugar has dissolved. From here follow the instructions on the machine of your choice. I used the Deni brand, in which you slowly pour the liquid into the machine as it is churning. Ice cream is ready when it is thick and has a soft serve consistency. I then transfer the ice cream to a container for storage in the freezer.

*I have provided links below for various ice cream makers including the Deni brand I used. Just hit to purchase or see details.

Tuna Poke Bowl

5 years ago From The Kitchen

Serves 6

6 small sushi grade ahi tuna filets, cubed

1/2 head romaine lettuce thinly sliced

1 package of farrow, cooked and cooled

1/2 a cucumber, thinly sliced

2 mangos, cubed

2 avacados, cubed

1/4 cup fresh ginger, very thinly sliced

Garnish –

2 scallion stalks chopped into small rings

1 sheet nori seaweed, thinly sliced (optional)

black or white sesame seeds for garnish

Tuna Marinade –

2 tbsp. sriracha

2 tbsp. light soy sauce

1 tsp. sesame oil

Prepare the tuna marinade by mixing the ingredients together.  Add the cubed tuna and set aside.

To assemble the poke bowls –

Distribute the lettuce equally among 6 bowls. Top with the cooled farrow. Arrange the remaining vegetables atop the farrow or on the sides of the bowls.  Top with the seasoned tuna.  Garnish with the sesame seeds, seaweed and scallions. Serve immediately.

 

 

Dried Lemon Slices 

5 years ago From The Kitchen

These crispy lemon slices are perfect as garnish on salads or presented on a crudité platter. I had never seen them before, but the chef at a local restaurant where they are served told me how to make them. After a little experimenting, I got the results! So here goes….

Very thinly slice up a lemon, discard any large seeds. Place the slices on a silpat covered baking sheet. Place them in a pre-heated very low oven, 150 – 175F for at least 2 hours. Check that they do not get browned. You don’t have to turn them or anything. If more time is needed, just keep them in for longer. The key here is to dry them out. When they seem crisp enough, you can remove them after cooling completely. I have left them in the oven, once I turned it off and this worked fine as well. Be sure to store in a container with air flow. Use within a few days.

Lemon Souffle Cheesecake

5 years ago From The Kitchen

With less than 5 ingredients, this dreamy light lemon souffle cheesecake is the perfect treat to welcome long-awaited spring! 

Ingredients:

1 lemon

5 large eggs, at room temperature

8oz cream cheese, at room temperature

14oz sweetened condensed milk

Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Helpful Equipment: • 8″ Round Springform Pan

Directions: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). You will need at least 2.5-in deep 8-in springform pan. Cut 3.5-inch-wide long strip and 8-inch round circle of parchment paper. Line the sides and the bottom of the springform pan with the prepared parchment paper. Set aside.

Zest and juice the lemon. You should get about 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Separate the egg whites and yolks. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minute. Add condensed milk and beat for another minute. Then add the egg yolks and lemon zest with lemon juice. Continue to beat until well combined, 2-3 minutes.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until hard peaks form. Make sure the bowl and the beaters are squeaky clean and free of grease. (Tip: Egg whites at room temperature are easier to beat and reach hard peaks faster.) Fold in half of the whipped egg whites into the cream cheese mixture. Then add the remaining egg whites and gently fold until well-combined and no white streaks are visible.

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and tap on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles. Place an empty baking sheet on lower rack of the oven and pour about 2 cups of boiling water. Put the cake pan on the middle rack above the rack with water bath. Bake for 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and cool the cake in the oven for 30-40 minutes.

Remove the sides of the springform pan and gently peel off the parchment paper from the sides. Cool completely on the counter, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, when the cake is chilled and set, gently remove the parchment paper from the bottom and place the cake on a platter. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Store the cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.

All images and text ©Shinee D. for Sweet & Savory by Shinee

Garlic Lemon Baked Tilapia

5 years ago From The Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

4 tilapia

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

5 tbsp. butter, melted

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Juice and zest from 1/2 a lemon

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Season tilapia with salt and pepper and place on a small baking sheet.
  2. Mix together butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and zest then pour over tilapia. Place lemon rounds on top and around tilapia. 
  3. Bake tilapia for 10-12 minutes or until fish is fork tender.

Lemony Asperagus Pasta

5 years ago From The Kitchen
This dish is the taste of spring.  So fresh, could be served as a main course or a side.
INGREDIENTS
 
1 lb. penne pasta
1 lb. thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2″ pieces
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 c. dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
1/4 c. fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
 
DIRECTIONS
 
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Cook asparagus until crispy, then season with pinch of salt. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Cook onions and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Add heavy cream, white wine, lemon juice, and zest. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Add in salt, Parmesan, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and mix until well combined.
  4. Turn off heat and mix in pasta, asparagus, and parsley until well coated. Add small amounts of pasta water until you reach desired consistency. Serve with more grated Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes.