It’s been a trying week in my kitchen, and it’s only Wednesday. To start out the weekend, I discovered the door to our stand up freezer in the basement was left ajar for a couple of days. It needed a good cleaning out anyways, but still, talk about a waste. Then, to make matters worse, when cooking dinner on Friday evening – the propane tank that fuels the cook top ran out. We only have to have it filled once a year, and I guess it just slipped my mind. That meant going until Monday without a propane delivery. Thankfully, we have a beast of a grill with a handy side burner. It’s saved our butts more times than I can count when we’ve been without electricity for an extended period of time.

However, one thing that I couldn’t do on my trusty grill was preserve the 15 lbs of strawberries we picked on Saturday afternoon. So, we went over to my Mom’s house yesterday to can, and it was a great afternoon. Mom always enjoys spending time with the boys, and it was nice not to have them pulling on my apron strings when I was in the process of canning. Hot jars + boiling water + toddlers just makes me nervous!

I couldn’t be happier with how this jam turned out. At first taste, it’s pure delicious strawberry.  But, comin’ up from behind is a lovely smokey, slow burn from the chipotles. I intended to do one batch of this, and one batch of a traditional strawberry jam. But, I loved this so much that I went ahead and did a double batch. I can’t wait to try it mixed into BBQ sauce, brushed onto grilled pork, or making a fun dipping sauce for coconut shrimp. Definitely plan on entering this one into my local fair come August!

Strawberry Chipotle Jam

6 cups strawberries
1 can chipotle chiles in adobo (I used about 3/4 of a can)
6 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 package powdered pectin

In a food processor or blender, process the chilis and berries in a food processor (pulse), being careful not to over process, you want some pieces of berry. Pour berry mixture, lemon juice, and pectin into a large pot.

Cook, over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until mixture comes to a boil. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Return to a rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.

Immediately pour the hot jam into hot jars and put the lids on. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

Source: adapted from SB Canning and The Ball Blue Book Guide To Preserving

We went strawberry picking this weekend! The pick-your-own orchard down the street from us didn’t have strawberries available this year. Their beds aren’t covered, so the frost got to all the blossoms. Total bummer! As it worked out though, here on the Eastern Shore, there is never a strawberry patch too far in the horizon.

We went to the homebrew shop on Saturday, and on the way there was a farm that had pick-your-own berries available. You take a tractor ride to get to the patch, and Andrew has been talking it ever since. Took virtually no time to fill up 2 boxes of berries, totaling about 17 lbs. Andrew was a great helper this year too! He did a great job only picking the ripest and reddest of berries.

I’ve got some great stuff in the pipeline with these beauties! First off, this delicious strawberry yogurt cake. I whipped this up on Saturday night to enjoy as a light breakfast on Mother’s Day morning. So fresh, light (yet dense!), and incredibly moist – it was the perfect treat with my cup of coffee on Sunday. Came together really easily with ingredients you more than likely already have in your fridge and pantry. As an extra bonus, I got to use my Bundt pan, which I often feel gets neglected. Berry season is in full swing here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and is heading north. Get while the gettins’ good, folks! Enjoy!

Strawberry Yogurt Cake

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 Tb. lemon juice, divided
Zest of 1 lemon
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
8 oz. plain or vanilla, Greek yogurt
1/3 cup buttermilk or milk
1 tsp vanilla exract
12 oz. fresh strawberries, diced
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325*. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan (10-15 cup pan.) Sift together the 2 ¼ cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the lemon zest and set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 Tb. lemon juice. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. Add the buttermilk and the vanilla, and mix until combined.

Toss the strawberries with the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Gently mix them into the batter.

Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled whisk together the remaining 2 Tb. of lemon juice and the powdered sugar. Drizzle over the top of the cake.

Source: adapted from A Spicy Perspective

It’s no secret that I have a love for margaritas, in any incarnation. Here’s another one to add to the list! Watermelon margaritas. They’re a bit reminiscent of an agua fresca – the epitome of light, fruity freshness. But, you know, with tequila.

I added a splash of Triple Sec to the recipe, as I don’t feel right calling something a margarita without a) lime or b) Triple Sec. I loved the use of the orange simple syrup, it was delicious and added some complexity to the simple sweetness of the melon. With summer just around the corner, we’ll all have wedges of watermelon stashed away in our refrigerators and coolers. This is a fabulous and fun way to use it!

Watermelon Margaritas

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
3 wide strips orange zest
12 ounces watermelon cubes (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2/3 cup white or silver tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec
Lime wedges

In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil over high. Reduce to a simmer and cook until sugar dissolves, 3 minutes. Let syrup cool in a bowl.

In a blender, puree watermelon cubes until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on solids, into a pitcher (you should have about 1 cup juice).

Stir in syrup, lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec. Fill salt-rimmed glasses with ice, then pour margarita mixture over top. Garnish with lime wedges.

Source: adapted from Martha Stewart

I’m not stretching the truth when I say that this is the best chocolate cake you’ve probably ever had in your life. Sure, it may not be enrobed in a layer of fancy ganache, or umpteen pencil-thin layers. This is a cake your grandmother would have made. I entered it in my local fair last year, and it took 1st prize. For this small town, that is a whole lot of prestige, people.

The cake is dark and super moist – yet, very light and airy. The secret is the hot cup of coffee in the batter. And then, there’s the frosting. Oh, the frosting. Rich and chocolaty with a hint of coffee from a touch of instant espresso powder. Isn’t it funny how adding a bit of coffee can really help to boost the different notes in chocolate? Love it! It’s an easy cake to make too. Bakes beautifully, and the frosting is very easy to spread and work with. My favorite cake, hands down. I’m confident it will continue to be a favorite for many years to come!

Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Butter, for greasing the pans
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Chocolate Frosting:

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut)
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don’t whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

Source: Barefoot Contessa At Home by Ina Garten

I’m so glad that I made these to share with you guys, because I had forgotten how much I loved them. I first had them back in my order-out almost every night days of my youth. I would always get a veggie wrap from a local waterfront restaurant on Chincoteague, and if I was lucky, these crispy potato rounds came alongside. That “luck” pretty much coincided with the fact that they had leftover baked potatoes from the night before.They eventually took the veggie wrap off the menu, and I started making my own spicy potato rounds.

Now, I don’t usually have extra baked potatoes hanging out, but it’s worth it to bake a few in advance to make these. I’ve also successfully done a quick cook on the potatoes by microwaving them for a few minutes, then letting cool for about 20 minutes before slicing and frying. They’re absolutely delicious, a cross between a potato chip and a french fry. And, I love the spicy kick that the Cajun seasoning adds! Make sure you add it as soon as it comes out of the oil, adheres to the potato much better while they are still hot. These make a simple sandwich for dinner a little more special. Enjoy!

Crispy Cajun Potato Rounds

2.5 lbs russet potatoes (about 6 medium), cooked and cooled
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp kosher salt, optional
1 quart vegetable oil, for frying

Line a large plate or platter with several layers of paper towels. Place vegetable oil into 5 qt dutch oven and bring to 375 degrees.

Meanwhile, slice potatoes in 1/4-inch thick slices. Fry potatoes in batches, being careful to not overcrowd the pan, for about 2 minutes. Remove potatoes to paper towel lined platter to drain. Season with seasoning and additional salt (if desired) immediately. Repeat with remaining potatoes.

Note: the fried potatoes can be kept warm (and remain crispy)  in 200 degree oven for up to 30 minutes.

Have you ever had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful state of California? We went a couple years ago to see my mother-in-law in Ventura, and had the time of our lives! Everything that you’ve heard about it in books, movies, and television – is completely true. Gorgeous weather, sweeping vistas, sprouts galore, and rubbing elbows with movie stars…

Okay, maybe it was more like standing in line behind them at Magic Mountain, but whatever. For the record, Breckin Meyer is just as cute in person. We had a great time visiting the LA Farmer’s Market and Grand Central Market (very ethnic. Lamb head, anyone?), Pink’s Hot Dogs and all the other cheesy Hollywood stuff, the pier at Santa Monica, and of course no California trip would be complete without a trip to In-N-Out.

They are a small burger establishment, that has a bit of a cult following. And, for good reason. Their menu is limited; burgers, hand-cut fries, and shakes. If you’re looking for a chicken sandwich, salad or a Happy Meal, you won’t find it there. Nothing is frozen – everything is prepared fresh to order. They also have a “secret” menu, with things that are not found on the ordinary menu. One of which, and probably the most popular, is the “Animal Style”. A homemade special sauce similar to Thousand Island, dill pickle slices, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and mustard – which is seared directly onto the burger patty on the grill, and the pièce de résistance, plenty of grilled onions. “Double double” refers to two beef patties, instead of one. In the past few years, they’ve branched out to a couple neighboring states – but nowhere near here! I read their rule of thumb is it has to be within a day’s drive of corporate headquarters?

At any rate, I was in love – ate as many as we could before we had to return to the East coast. We came home, and I turned up pregnant a month or so later. Biggest craving of that pregnancy? You guessed it! Thankfully, the good people at Serious Eats had done a whole writeup about it. I bookmarked it, but never got around to making it. Last week, Maya at Alaska From Scratch posted them and it jogged my memory. I rearranged the menu plan for the week to make room for these burgers, and am so thankful that I did. They were spot on!  Going down in the recipe books for sure. While I can’t wait to get back to California for everything else under the sun, at least I’m not wanting for In-N-Out anymore!

“Animal Style” Double Double

makes 2 double cheeseburgers

For the sauce:
2T + 2t mayonnaise
1T ketchup
2t sweet pickle relish
1/2t distilled vinegar
1/2t sugar

For the onions:
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp canola oil, for frying
salt
water

For the burgers:
1 lb ground beef, formed into four 1/4 lb patties
1/4 cup yellow mustard
2 slices American cheese
8 dill pickle chips
1 tomato, thickly sliced
Iceburg lettuce leaves, torn into bun size pieces
Hamburger buns, no seeds, toasted

For the sauce, combine ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside (or cover and refrigerate until ready to use).

For the onions, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onions, coat with oil and salt generously. Cook, stirring and tossing often, adding small amounts of water (1T at a time) whenever onions appear to be dried out (you’ll need to add water several times). Cook 10-15 minutes until onions are very soft and browned. Set aside.

To make the burgers, heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Toast the interior of the buns in the hot pan. Place into a 200 degree oven to keep warm. Season the patties with salt and pepper. Place into hot pan. While they cook on the first side, spread 1T of mustard onto the raw sides of the patties. Flip. Place a cheese slice on each patty. Remove patties from pan when cheese is well melted and burgers are cooked through.

To assemble, on the bottom bun, spread a generous amount of the sauce. Top with 4 pickle chips followed by tomato and lettuce, then burger patties. Place the grilled onions directly on top of the cheese. Complete with top bun and serve.

Source: adapted from Serious Eats via Alaska From Scratch

Cinco de Mayo is this weekend, and I’m pretty excited about it. Any excuse to stuff my face with queso and margaritas – count me in! I don’t have a new Mexican recipe to share with you guys this week, but I didn’t want to let it slip by without sharing a few of my favorite recipes from the past.

If you’re still looking for ideas for your menu Saturday, look no further. These are all dishes I’ve made again, and again in my kitchen – and still can’t get enough of. Enjoy!

Beef tacos. One of my “go-to” meals on those nights I don’t feel like cooking, these beef tacos are a million miles away from the junk that comes in a box. I enlist the husbands help to fry tortilla shells, makes for a quick dinner.

My notorious chicken enchiladas with red chile sauce. My husbands favorite, hands down. Been making these forever, and for good reason. You’ll not find a better enchilada! Be prepared to be disappointed by any other enchilada in a restaurant – I don’t even bother ordering them anymore.

Ahh, guacamole. For someone who refused to even try an avocado, I’ve come a long way. I usually make up a batch of pico de gallo to go along with the guac. A tortilla chip can’t ask for 2 better BFF’s.

Carnitas. Beer braised. Crispy. Pork. Need I say more? Seriously, make this. Good in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas. You’ll be eating off of it for a week!

Love, love, love this spanish rice. Goes with just about anything, and leftovers are fabulous in a burrito with some black beans.

These shrimp enchiladas have become my new favorite dinner. Words can’t express how delicious they are. This is what we’re having for dinner on Saturday night!

And, what’s Cinco de Mayo without something to wash it all down with. Going to pick up my first flat of local strawberries on Saturday morning, and I’m looking forward to making up a big pitcher of these that night. These strawberry margaritas are still going strong as my current drink of choice! Consider yourself warned, they go down too easy.