Browsing Tag

vanilla

Tasty

Vanilla Almond Milk

April 30, 2014

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In a world of “pre-made” everything, it is really easy to take shortcuts in the kitchen.  Unfortunately there are a ton of preservatives and unhealthy additives in most of the products, so I try to make my own “stuff” whenever time permits.

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Now that I’ve been starting my morning with this shake I wanted to find a way to make my own almond milk… I’ve always thought it was way too much work than it was worth, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case!

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Vanilla Almond Milk 

  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 3.5 cups filtered water
  • 2 dates, chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
  • Optional: ground cinnamon, sea salt
  1. Soak almonds overnight in water (make sure to cover them in enough water, because they really plump up).
  2. Rinse almonds in a collinder.
  3. Put almonds, water, dates and vanilla in a blender.
  4. Blend on high until well combined.
  5. Pour almond mixture into a nut bag over a bowl.
  6. Let milk drain into a bowl and squeeze mixture to remove any liquid (should take 3-5 minutes to release all of the milk).
  7. Add cinnamon, salt or any other flavors.
  8. Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days and shake before you drink it (it will separate).

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Notes: If you don’t have a nut bag you can use cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve – but you will probably have some texture to your almond milk.  Also the nut bag is reusable and makes the whole process so much easier and cleaner… plus it’s under $10! 
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Tasty

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

March 5, 2014

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In preparation for our annual family vacation, the Feezor females have kicked healthy eating into over drive – gotta get swimsuit ready!  That being said, I still have a major sweet tooth, and sometimes it just cannot be denied.

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I have been on the prowl to figure out a great dessert option that is quick, easy and has a little bit less guilt factor.  I introduce you to – the Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie – created by the very talented Shockingly Delicious!  I’m telling you, with 5 ingredients, and no usual gluten free baking ingredients (you know what I’m talking about – aarowroot starch, xanthan gum, tapioca flour – WHO HAS THIS IN THE PANTRY?!), this is a great way to fight a craving before you walk down to 7-11 to binge out on Snickers Bars and Skittles.

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GF Peanut Butter Cookie

via Shockingly Delicious

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I used organic TJ’s)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Blend above ingredients in a Kitchen Aid mixer until well mixed (about a minute or so).
  3. Use a cookie scoop to portion cookie dough to a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet.
  4. Using fork tines, press the usual “peanut butter cookie crosshatch” pattern into the tops of the dough balls.
  5. Sprinkle course sugar (I used raw brown sugar).
  6. Bake for 11 minutes and let cool on baking pan for 5 minutes or so (they are really fragile until they have cooled down).
  7. Let cool completely on a rack and store in airtight container.
  8. Allow yourself to eat one cookie… as to not completely botch your attempt at dieting.

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Now go make them and tell me that you would even know they are gluten free…

Domestic

Last Minute Gift Ideas

December 23, 2013

Gift Bag Scrounging for some last minute present ideas?!  Forgot one of your coworkers?  Need a gift for your gardener? Look no further! I love the DIY approach to holiday gift giving and often find it best to make a little artisan or gourmet treat…

Last year I made homemade vanilla and while it does take a little planning (or at least waiting on the recipient’s end – it takes 3 months to really ferment) it is SO worth it.

Vanilla

This year I went with an infused simple syrup route.  I made my famous (to myself) Ginger Simple Syrup, and attached a homemade ginger ale recipe for the 21 and younger crowd and a Ginger Bourbon Fizz recipe for those that like to imbibe!

Homemade Ginger Ale Mix

Super simple (aside from the sticky mess that your kitchen is bound to fall victim to) and so delicious! Plus infused syrups are now like $12-15 a bottle at the store nowadays… and you easily can whip these up (bottles and all) for around $3!

DIY Holiday Gift

Other quick/less involved gift ideas:

  • wine (BevMo $0.05 wine sale!)
  • gift cards (Starbucks, Jamba, iTunes)
  • candles (I’m telling you… by them on sale when you see them!!!)
  • books (I love a great cookbook or coffee table book – Costco has great ones with CRAZY markdowns)
  • a beautiful frame with a picture of you and gift recipient (girls love pictures)

Bottle Top

What are some other quick and easy gift ideas!?

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

Tasty

Birthday Cake

September 25, 2013

Birthday CakeI finally checked the second “Summer To Do List” item off my list – bake a layer cake!  I used to bake super involved cakes when I was younger, but found it difficult to find the time as I got older.  I really enjoy the process… it’s therapeutic to me.  So when I found my sister was coming into town to celebrate her birthday, I figured when better than now to break out my apron!?

Vanilla CakeAfter many debate about which direction to go in, I decided to create what I deemed a “princess cake.” Basically something your 6 year old self would get a kick out of – vanilla cake, sprinkles, pale pink butter cream frosting… the works!

I doubled this recipe and started with A LOT of eggs, A LOT of butter and A LOT of sugar.  I got to stirring, whipping and baking and after a few hours had 3 relatively flat layers to work with (remember to use a large serrated knife or cake knife to slice off the top of the cake to get an even/flat surface when stacking layers).  Another tip: use a small amount of frosting to ice your cake initially and let “dry” (as shown in the pictures above).  Doing this keeps any crumbs from getting into your final frosting layer.

SprinklesI only used a couple drops of red food coloring to achieve the pale pink color.  I frosted the top and then finished with colored sprinkles.  Next I frosted the edges with a spatula (my kitchen is not fully equipped yet!) and then piped around the edges (let’s be honest it was to hide any issues with the “seams”/edges).

I added a few colored candles and we were all set for happy birthday!

Taylor BirthdayHappy birthday Ta!!