Our Growing Edge- May Roundup

I have something a little different in store for you today! Genie, the awesome blogger who runs Bunny Eats Design, contacted us a few months ago to see if we’d be interested in hosting May’s edition of Our Growing Edge! I was so honored to be asked- Genie has done a wonderful job of gathering food bloggers from all over the world into an inspiring, encouraging community.

Every month, food bloggers submit a link of one of their recent blog posts- you can make anything you’d like, the only requirement is that the recipe needs to be something new to you- a new ingredient or preparation or experience. It’s awesome to see bloggers getting out of their comfort zones- the results are spectacular!

Interested in joining in on next month’s roundup? It’s a great experience! For more information, visit Our Growing Edge.

Now that you know a little bit about what a roundup is, let’s jump right into this month’s edition!

watermelon-for-pinterestFirst up! Fa’s Kitchen tackled making watermelon juice– something I’ve never heard of, but it sounds delicious!

Grain-Free-Eggplant-Lasagna

 This recipe made my mouth water! What a creative and delicious way to substitute eggplant for pasta.

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This blog post and recipe blew my mind! Not only does Simona write in both English and Italian, she made homemade matcha noodles. So impressive!

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This looks amazing! Spinach Stuffed Flank Steak– yum!

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My favorite again- pasta! Julie made a delicious looking Carbonara dish, that we’ll have to try.

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Everyday Life Mom made some delicious Almond Butter Bars that look like the perfect post-workout snack!

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Our host, Genie, ended up with 42 figs in her fridge, and shared some beautiful photos of how she creatively used them up.

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Yum!! The Dream Baker whipped up the most delicious looking Chocolate Banana Cake that I’m dying to try.

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Kerene from The Dream Baker also submitted her recipe for Oven-roasted Char Siu (BBQ Pork)– another delicious, mouth-watering recipe.

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Saffron & Honey submitted these gorgeous photos of her recipe for Ramps Raclette. This wasn’t something I was familiar with, but her post made me want to try it out!

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Feijoa- a completely foreign type of fruit. Nom Nom Panda creatively used up her bountiful harvest in feijoa paste.

img_1918-1024x683Becky made the yummiest looking Beet Salad– looks like a perfect summer recipe!

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Chelsea recently highlighted Smorgasburg, in New York City. They stopped by and got donuts from Dough, and oh my goodness- they look amazing.

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Another alternative to pasta in lasagna! Definitely worth trying!

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Last but not least, these absolutely adorable Banana Banana Banana Cake‘s might be one of my favorite links for this month! Isabel from Sweet Loves killed it!

So that’s it! May’s round-up is complete!

our growing edge

 

Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

My Daughter and I- Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

I love strawberries – don’t you? I love them in yogurt, in smoothies, in salads and my favorite – just all by themselves. I found this flower stand by our house and the guy there sells THE BEST strawberries. Seriously, best ever! When I told him how much I enjoy his strawberries, he got a big smile on his face and said, “yes, we have the best strawberries”. So cute! I’m so spoiled now that I only want to buy from him!

I remembered this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction that uses strawberries in a coffee cake and I knew I had to try it. It was delicious and is great for breakfast, but would be a great dessert too. It was a bit labor intensive, and I used quite a few dishes, but it was worth it.

My Daughter and I- Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake 1

Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake

Ingredients:

Crumb Topping:
3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 Tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Cake:
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup (60g) butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup (120ml) milk*
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
2/3 cup (134g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

8-10 fresh strawberries, sliced*
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Glaze:
3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8-in or 9-in springform pan with non-stick spray. Springform pan is required. Set aside.

Make the crumb topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut the butter into the mixture with a pastry blender or mix with hands until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set in the refrigerator until ready to use. This crumb mixture must be chilled. I used my food processor. It was really fast – worth the extra dishes!

Make the cake: In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the egg and melted butter together on medium speed until combined. Add the milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until thoroughly mixed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Set aside.

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. With the mixer running on low, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Pour into the prepared baking pan.

In a medium bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth. Add remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 cup granulated sugar and beat on medium speed until combined. Spread over the crumb cake batter. Layer with sliced strawberries. Top with the crumb topping and gently press the topping into the batter.

Bake for 55 – 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out free of cake crumbs. I covered the cake with aluminum foil after 40 minutes to help avoid the top from browning too much. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before glazing. I forgot the glaze completely. But I’m sure it would be delicious.

Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla together. Remove the sides of the springform pan and drizzle the glaze over the cake. The cake will stay fresh covered at room temperature for 4 days.

Make ahead: Bake the cake as directed and freeze without the glaze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake for 20 minutes at 200 degrees to warm it up. Glaze before serving.

Cindy

Fashion Friday- Real jeans? What are those?

I don’t ever wear real, denim jeans anymore. I hope I’m not alone in this. All my “jeans” are really more jeggings- way stretchier and comfier than the original. I’ve tried on real jeans a couple of times recently, and I just can’t convince myself that I’d wear them. Comfort is king.

Madewell Boyjean

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But boyfriend jeans?? Maybe, just maybe, I could get behind those. These jeans from Madewell are super cute and actually look comfortable. Time will tell if I actually end up wearing real jeans again at some point 😉

 

And now for the rest of Fashion Friday, which happens to have nothing to do with jeans. Real or otherwise.

Journey to Bali Top

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I love the color and fabric of this top- it dresses up the otherwise casual tank top.

Montauk Me Through It Bootie

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These are adorable and seem really versatile.

Forest Trove Plaid Hi-Lo Top

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My favorite type of top.

Woven Shift Dress

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This dress is on sale at Nordstrom right now- it comes in a ton of cute patterns and colors, and is only $21.90.

Dew as I Do Ring Set

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This is just plain gorgeous.

North Caicos Printed Dress

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So summery and cute.

Free People Sweet Talk Dress

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This is an unusual pick for me, but something about the unusual silhouette and length caught my eye. It could be super cute on.

Have to Tri These Earrings

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These are simple and pretty, but a little unusual with the wood.

Saltwater Sweets Top

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Have you seen all the gorgeous Rifle Paper Co. products floating around lately? If you haven’t, look them up- such beautiful stuff. Anyways, this pattern reminds me of something they’d make.

 

That’s it for today! Have an amazing weekend!

Sweet Potato Hash

My Daughter and I- Sweet Potato Hash

Jordan found this recipe on one of her favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess and we decided to try it. We made it for dinner, because we love breakfast for dinner and it was quick and easy and very delicious!

I adjusted the recipe a bit, mostly for quantity, and we all loved it- I’ve made it several times already. The recipe says you don’t need to peel the sweet potatoes and I agree. I’ve tried it both ways and it’s just not worth the time to peel them, they soften up enough while cooking.

My Daughter and I- Sweet Potato Hash 1

Sweet Potato Hash

3-4 sweet potatoes, cut into cubes

1-2 tablespoons minced garlic

6-8 pieces of bacon, cut into pieces

1 onion, chopped

Salt and pepper

Italian seasoning

 

The first thing you’re going to do is quarter up the bacon slices and throw them into the heated pan. Let them sizzle and cook and smell up your place real good. While the bacon is doing its thing, you can chop the sweet potato down to bite size pieces. When the bacon is cooked through (not all the way crispy yet) drain the grease if there is too much. You want to have a few tablespoons left in the pan. If you’d prefer, you can drain the bacon grease and add some other oil. Toss in the sweet potatoes and cover.

At this point, cut up the onion and garlic and add to the pan.I like the potatoes to cook till they brown, which can take about 15-20 minutes. It depends on how many potatoes you used/heat/pan. Add in the seasonings and stir. The recipe calls for fresh rosemary, which would be good too. Let this cook for a couple minutes. While you’re finishing the rest of the meal.

In a separate pan, you can get your eggs going, so everything is ready at once.

 

Recipe modified from A Beautiful Mess

 

Cindy & Jordan

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeye Bars

My Daughter and I- Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeye Bars

We’ve posted this recipe before – but it’s worth reposting! This is by far one of the easiest recipes ever. It includes just a few ingredients that you probably have right now! They’re perfect if you need a quick dessert to take to a potluck, or boxed up for an adorable teacher’s gift. Whatever the event – this recipe is a keeper.

My Daughter and I- Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeye Bars 1

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeye Bars
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

I did mine in the food processor while the butter was melting, you want small crumbs.

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, or milk chocolate if that’s your preference. I used Trader Joe’s dark chocolate chips this time and the flavor for rich and not very sweet.

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat, add in the peanut butter and stir until melted. Add in the powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs and mix well.

Pour into an 8×8″ pan that is lined with aluminum foil and greased. Spread evenly.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring each time until completely melted. You don’t want to overcook it, just melt it. Pour over the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly.

Refrigerate to set. When you’re ready to cut into bars, it works a bit better to bring the bars to room temperature. If you don’t, the chocolate tends to crack a bit. Using the aluminum foil, you can remove the whole batch from the pan and cut evenly. They are rich, so cut into small squares.

Cindy