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lemon

Tasty

Meyer Lemon Bars

December 18, 2013

Meyer Lemon Bar Unedited

The first day we toured our home we noticed there was a Meyer lemon tree in the back yard… I made a mental note that day to make lemon squares, and two years later, I still have yet to do so.  With the recent turn in weather, my poor little tree is having a tough time, so I have been trying to pick as many lemons (that haven’t fallen victim to frost) and whip up some special treats – namely Meyer Lemon Bars!

Meyer Lemon Bars

via Dinnervine

Crust: 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

Filling: 

  • 7 tablespoons freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 7 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease & flour a 13×9 glass pan.
  2. Make crust by combining dry ingredients, then cut in softened butter with your hands or a pastry cutter until well incorporated.
  3. Press crust mixture into bottom of 13×9 pan (I used a bottom of a glass to make sure it was evenly pressed).
  4. Bake crust for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Make filling by whisking all listed ingredients (the fresher the juice/zest the better!)
  6. When crust is done, remove from oven and pour filling mixture over crust and bake for 25 more minutes or until filling has set.
  7. Remove from oven, let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  8. Cover and transfer to fridge.   Once chilled cut bars and serve.

Aerial Lemon Dessert

These were quite the hit… and the perfect make ahead dessert!

Meyer Lemon Squares

Sip

Manzarita

November 29, 2013

Manzarita

I was looking for some fun cocktails to kick off our Thanksgiving meal (isn’t cooking more fun with a cocktail!?)… and came across quite the line-up of fun libations.  BUT tequila? In a autumn cocktail?  I was intrigued and had to try it… I introduce to you… the Manzarita (“manzana” is apple in Spanish).

Apple Tequila

Manzarita 

  • 2 oz blanco tequila
  • 3/4 oz elderflower liqueur
  • 1 1/2 oz apple juice or cider
  • 1/2 lemon, quartered
  • pinch of ground cinnamon
  1. Muddle lemon and cinnamon in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice, tequila, elderflower liqueur, and apple juice and shake well.
  3. Strain into an ice filled glass and top with a dash of cinnamon.

I was blown away with how much I enjoyed this… and a little tequila never hurt anyone at a family gathering (some of you may welcome it more than others 🙂 ). Cheers!

Fall Tequila Cocktail

Tasty

Lacinato Kale Salad

November 13, 2013

Lacinato Kale Salad

I came across this salad a few months ago and have been addicted ever since.  I can’t believe I haven’t shared it yet, because my routine as of late, has been to go to the farmer’s market and get 3 bunches of kale for $5 and whip up this salad Sunday night for work lunches for the week.

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I love this salad for many reasons… mainly because a. it tastes great, b. it’s easy to make, and c. you can make it days before you eat it (how many salads can you do that for!?).

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So make sure to head on over to MarinMamaCooks.com and check out my favorite salad recipe!  I also like to use ricotta salata instead of Parmesan to mix it up!

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*It is also recommended that you don’t use any paper-like leaves in your salad… so tune in next week to see what you can do with that leftover kale!

Sip

Spooky Cider

November 1, 2013

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for a quick and easy autumn cocktail? Or the perfect concoction to mix up for your next fall party? Look no further!

Giant Ice Cube

Spooky Cider

  • 2.5 oz of bourbon
  • 6 oz apple cider
  • 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Grated ginger

Place all ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker and give it a few good shakes… strain into a low ball glass and add a large ice cube.

This is also a great pitcher drink to whip up for a party!

Apple Ginger Lemon Cider

Spooky Cider (Pitcher Quantities )

  • 3 cups bourbon
  • 1 1/3 cup apple cider
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • Grated ginger

Mix in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Bourbon Cider

Sip

Ginger Bourbon Fizz

October 11, 2013

Ginger Bourbon Fizz

After going to Hard Water (an American Whiskey Bar) this past weekend, I’ve been inspired to whip up some bourbon based drinks.  With the 80 degree temps it was important to find a drink that was also refreshing, introduce the – Ginger Bourbon Fizz.

  • 2 oz Bourbon 
  • 1 splash (about a Tablespoon) of ginger simple syrup
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 cup of Club Soda

Ginger Bourbon Fizz Ingredients

Fill a glass with ice and add bourbon, syrup and lemon juice.  Stir and top with club soda. Enjoy!

Bourbon Fizz