Tag: #delish

Posted in From My Kitchen

50 Amazing Ways To Make Homemade Ice Cream

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I scream, you scream, we ALL scream for ice cream, and it’s easy to see why: It’s the perfect dessert whether you’re turning it into a sundae, eating it alongside a fruity cobbler or pie, or enjoying it all on its own (with sprinkles ofc, we’re not monsters). The one issue? Making it at home can be intimidating. We get it, but we’re here to tell you—not only is it completely doable, it’s also SO worth it. From no-churn to completely from scratch, with a few showstopping ice cream cakes thrown in for good measure, we’ve got something here for everyone. Check out our 50 homemade ice cream recipes, then get to scooping!

There are two camps when it comes to homemade ice cream—completely homemade, using milk, eggs, and an ice cream maker; and no-churn, where you combine a little heavy cream with sweetened condensed milk, and freeze. We’ve got a number of recipes here in both categories, each with their own merits. For the former, try our homemade red velvet ice cream, our chocolate ice cream, our peppermint ice cream, or our pumpkin ice cream. For the latter, some of our faves include our mudslide no-churn ice cream, our cookies & cream ice cream, or our cannoli ice cream, but peruse the list and you’ll see—the sky’s really the limit for flavors here. Looking for a fun ice cream project with kids? Our ice cream in a bag or our mason jar ice cream are fun to make and to eat (and are a little educational, to boot).

We’ve also included a few frozen dessert recipes here—while they aren’t ice cream, per se, they’re ice cream-adjacent, so we’re counting them. Our gelato (check out our explainer on it vs. ice cream), sorbet, and granita follow some of the same tenets of ice cream, but with an extra-refreshing twist. Want to turn some of your homemade (or store-bought, we won’t tell) ice cream into something even more spectacular? Check out our copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake, our baked Alaska, our cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream pie, or our strawberry shortcake ice cream cake for ideas. The best part about these? You can change them up with your favorite flavors and toppings every time you make them!

delish!

Posted in From My Kitchen

These 75 Fourth Of July Desserts Will Get More Attention Than The Fireworks

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The desserts are coming! The desserts are coming! Okay, so Paul Revere definitely didn’t say that, but we still think you should start a revolution of your own this 4th of July—against boring desserts! These patriotic, star-spangled sweets will add some festive red, white, and blue to your spread… at least until they’re devoured. From fruity cookies to spectacular cakes, all-American pies to summery popsicles, we’ve got something here for everyone, for every occasion Independence Day could throw at you.

Okay, admittedly, some of these desserts aren’t red, white, AND blue all at once, but we believe in your ability to either make it happen by getting creative with additional ingredients, being content with a more subtle patriotic vibe, or, our favorite, serving multiple of them at once for that full flag effect (like we did with our flag cake).

What do we mean by additional ingredients? Fruit, of course! Cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries are the easiest, tastiest way to add color to your desserts. Start with a white or red base—like our red velvet cake or ice cream, our no-bake whipped ricotta cheesecake, or our white cake—add a variety of fruit, top the whole thing with some whipped cream, and there you have it: the perfect creative interpretation of America’s flag. Check out our red velvet whoopie pies with blueberries, our flag cake, or our berries & cream charcuterie board for inspiration, then get creative with it.

Speaking of fruit, no one would be mad if you served up a variety of classic summer desserts instead of adhering to a colorful theme. Our fruit popsicles, our blueberry surprise, our raspberry tiramisu, or our strawberry crisp are always crowd-pleasers. Looking for something a little more casual? Our strawberry shortcake Rice Krispie treats, our M&M cookie bars, or our cheesecake cupcakes are perfect for sharing at a 4th of July potluck or picnic.

Want to meet somewhere in the middle? A little food coloring, red and blue sanding sugars, and even edible glitter can go a long way in turning something subtle into a show-stopper—check out our lemon-blueberry firecracker Bundt cake to see what we mean. We also aren’t above topping our treats with actual sparklers, so be safe and have fun with it!

delish!

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

20 Recipes For Your First Dinner Party That Everyone Will RAVE About

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’re like me, your social feeds are filled with girlies throwing creative themed dinner parties at a rate that almost seems unbelievable. I love entertaining friends and family, but I’m only human, and the idea of presenting a spread (especially with recipes I’ve never made before) to loved ones fills me with a healthy amount of fear. That’s why, when hosting, I need a foolproof recipe that I know will have my family and friends raving while I stay cool as a cucumber—that’s where these 20 recipes come in. Each of these recipes is not only delicious and exciting enough to stand apart from weeknight rotations, but they are surprisingly easy to master, whether you’re an experienced or novice home cook. From restaurant-level dinners to crowd-pleasing apps to big-batch drinks, there is an idea for you here that will impress your guests and leave your night stress free, so you can get back to what’s important: sharing a meal with those you love.

Need more dinner party inspo? Check out all of our side dishes, cocktails, and potluck desserts to fuel your next party theme.

delish!

Posted in From My Kitchen

Blackberry-Peach Salad

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Packed with fresh fruits, cooling cucumber, and juicy tomatoes, this vibrant summer salad works as a colorful centerpiece to lunch or dinner, or as an accompaniment to fish or grilled meat. The combination of juicy peaches, tart blackberries, fresh herbs, and toasted walnuts piled over zesty honeyed ricotta packs an incredible punch. Read on for our best tips on how to make this salad.

Sweet & savory:
With the summertime sweetness of the fruit, savory notes are needed in this salad. Enter: juicy Castelvetrano olives, which lend a mild brininess, as well as the shavings of blue Stilton that are scattered on top of the salad before serving.

The dressing:
We love this salad on its own so much that there’s no real need for a fussy dressing. A generous drizzle of peppery olive oil and a big squeeze of lemon juice with some flaky salt is all that’s needed, but if desired, the addition of white balsamic vinegar would be lovely.

Substitutions:
The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility; you can change up many of the components with anything you love or want to use up. If you’re unable to get hold of fresh peaches, yellow mangos or nectarines work just as well. The Stilton can also be swapped for another blue cheese, feta, goat’s cheese, or cotija.

Serving:
The salad is best served fresh and at room temperature. Serve as is, or with some crusty bread to mop up any delicious leftover fruit juice and ricotta. It can also be piled up next to grilled chicken or lamb at a BBQ. Take out the cheese, and you have the perfect side to a beautiful piece of salmon or a seared tuna steak.

delish!

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

50 Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas For A Special Night In

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Creating a Valentine’s Day to remember can be a minefield. But it doesn’t have to be! Whether you just hate crowds, missed the boat on a reservation, or simply want to show off your cooking skills, these romantic dinner recipes practically shout, “I love you.” Pinky promise, it’s never been easier to impress with our special chicken, steak, seafood, or pasta dinners for a cozy night in this Valentine’s Day. All these recipes are a step above usual weeknight fare without being too complex or time-consuming, so you can instead put all your energy into making sure your sweetheart feels extra loved. This Valentine’s Day, get inspired to cook something spectacular at home with this list of our 50 best romantic dinners. They’re certainly a recipe for romance, that’s for sure. 😉

But what if you’re not a chef? Don’t worry, we got you. Everyone loves being cooked for, and remember, it’s the thought that counts! Stick with something simple and classic, like our linguine with clams, our Greek salmon, or our chicken Alfredo, or make a night out of cooking something more involved together. No matter the outcome, if you put some love into it, your meal will come out delicious and memorable.

Hoping to give your boo that nice steakhouse experience but without the sit-down meal upcharge? Check out our tomato butter roast chicken our lobster risotto, or our steak au poivre. They only look difficult to pull off at home.

Craving comfort food? V-Day is smack dab in the middle of winter, after all. Try our one-pan cheesy sausage gnocchi, our spaghetti & meatballs, or our Detroit-style pizza. They’re sure to warm your bones (and your heart!).

Got a vegetarian or vegan sweetie? They’ll be so impressed at how thoughtful you are when you serve them something like our mushroom piccata pasta, our polenta with wild mushroom ragú, or our Thai red curry coconut noodles. These dishes are also a little lighter than your average fare, meaning you can really go all out for dessert. 😍

Want more ideas for impressing your beloved this Valentine’s Day? Try serving a fun cocktail or the perfect bottle of wine with your meal—check out our guides to both reds and whites. And don’t forget about snacks and apps to keep your bae busy while you cook too.

delish!

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”