Blueberry Crumb Bars

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Blueberry Crumb BarsI’ve still been having good luck getting delicious, local blueberries. But, I know the days are numbered. So with anything else in season right now, I’m trying to make the most of it while I can. We’ve been so busy out on the water, or at the beach this past few weeks I feel like I’ve barely had any time in the kitchen. Which is a blessing and a curse in my book…

One thing I did have time to whip together last week were these delicious blueberry crumb bars. I’ve made them a few times now, and we always love them. They’re a breeze to bring together, and if stored in the refrigerator, are a perfect quick sweet to pair with a glass of milk all throughout the week (if they last that long!). The shortbread crusty is nice and sturdy; there’s nothing worse than a bar that buckles under that first bite, am I right? And the filling is just perfect – sweet with a hint of brightness from the addition of lemon zest.

And I know I sound like a broken record when I say this – but I can’t wait to try them with other fruits. Blackberries, raspberries, or maybe a mixed berry combo? Will have to make another batch before berry season is over. Maybe take them out to the sandbar with us to share…because sadly, I know our days “knee deep in the water somewhere” are numbered for this season too! 

Blueberry Crumb Bars

1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.

In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Source: adapted from AllRecipes via Smitten Kitchen

Macadamia Key Lime Pie

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Macadamia Key Lime Pie

When I first saw this pie in a recent issue of “Taste of Home” I literally gasped. I bought all the ingredients the next time I went to the supermarket, and them promptly kept on putting it off – for one reason or another. I got around to making it this week, and let me just say that my waistline is wishing that I’d kept putting it off…because I found myself eating close to half of the damn thing by myself!

It’s a no-bake pie, which is always a winner this time of year. Although, I did end up toasting the pie crust for a few minutes – to bring out the rich flavor of the macadamia nuts in the crust. I loved the use of shortbread cookies instead of the traditional graham as well! The filling had plenty of pucker from the addition of fresh lime juice and zest, but was balanced out with a perfect sweet creaminess.

A simple garnish of fresh whipped cream, lime slices, and chopped macadamias makes this one gorgeous pie! Perfect for any summertime soiree, or to brighten a dark winter’s day alike. This one is definitely a keeper!

Macadamia Key Lime Pie

For the crust:
1 cup shortbread cookies, finely crushed
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted

For the filling:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 lime, zested
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
1 lime, halved and thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small bowl combine cookie crumbs, macadamia nuts and sugar. Mix in butter. Press onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch pie plate using the bottom of a drinking glass. Bake for 5 minutes, remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream cheese until smooth. With mixer on low, carefully pour in milk, lime zest, and lime juice. Increase speed to medium and beat until mixture is combined and thickened. Transfer to crust. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

In a small bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; spoon or pipe onto pie. Top with slices of lime and macadamia nuts.

Source: adapted from Taste of Home, June/July 2013

Homemade Doggie Treats

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Homemade Doggie Treats

Four-legged friends have always been a part of my family. I pretty much grew up on Noah’s Ark – with cats, dogs, horses, and chickens around. And, animals are definitely a part of our little family’s circle now. Duke, our sweet mutt that we found on Craigslist four years ago, is most definitely our shining star. He’s kind and calm, and loves nothing more than to go out on the boat and swim with the boys. We couldn’t ask for a better pup.

So, it’s nice to be able to make him a homemade treat too. This is totally a basic guideline, ingredients can be easily added and substituted. If we have leftover spent grains from homebrew day, they make a great addition in place of the oats. Cheese or cornmeal are also great ideas to switch up the flavor.

No matter how you decide to make them, I’m sure your puphead will be thrilled at the prospect of a homemade doggie treat. And, I’m always thrilled at the prospect of cutting out processed junk from another member of my family’s diet. Here’s to all the furry friends of the world!

Homemade Doggie Treats

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together peanut butter, honey, oil and chicken broth. In a separate bowl, combine flours and oatmeal. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

Place dough on flour dusted surface. Roll or press dough out to about 1/2” inch thick. Use a small bone cookie cutter to cut out cookies, or just cut into squares using a pairing knife.

Roll out leftover scraps and cut out as many as possible. Put cut out cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. Cool for 2 hours before storing in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Source: barely adapted from Shared Sugar

Crab and Corn Chowder

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Crab and Corn Chowder

A couple of weeks ago we played tourist on our little island of Chincoteague, left the boys with my mom and dad, and walked down to Main Street…which, is just literally at the end of my parent’s street. There aren’t many shops – a small bakery, a little wine and cheese shop, some tacky beach t-shirt shops, and a few really fun and funky boutiques. We ventured in The Flying Fish Gallery, and amongst all the fun things they had in the store – my ceramics honing sense immediately zeroed in on these gorgeous oversized mugs. I thought how pretty would these be with a cream of crab soup or chowder in them? I couldn’t wait to get them home and fill them up with something!

Seems like everything is in season right now here on our beautiful Eastern Shore. Crabs are running great, thought they got a late start. Dad got a bushel in his 2 pots he has off the dock in just 4 days last week. That’s a lot of crabs for very little work, folks! We went and had steamed crabs for lunch, and he sent me home with the leftovers to pick.

Corn is in season everywhere right now, and this chowder really showcases the sweet, fresh flavor it lends. Let me just say that this soup was nothing short of phenomenal. All the flavors married so well, and I loved that you could taste the individual ingredients. The crab, the corn, the onion, the garlic, the potatoes…all off them working together in perfect harmony, but one not overpowering the other. Will be making this one again and again! The epitome of a Maryland Eastern Shore summer.

Crab and Fresh Corn Chowder

2 Tbsp butter
olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
2 starchy potatoes (like Russet), peeled and diced
6 fresh ears corn, shucked and rinsed
1 lb crabmeat, picked clean of shells
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 Tbsp butter

Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme and cook until the vegetables are good and soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and stir to coat everything well, cook for 2 additional minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the heavy cream and the potatoes, return to a boil, cover, and cook on medium heat for about 7 minutes until potatoes are tender.

Cut the corn kernels off the cob and add to the soup, along with the crab meat. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the corn is soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the parsley, and stir in the butter until melted. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

Source: adapted from Tyler Florence