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Showing posts with label refreshing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label refreshing. Show all posts

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Summer Burger Night: Vadouvan-Spiced Lamb Burgers and Zucchini

I cannot believe it is already mid-August - football season is going to be here before we know it! In an attempt to soak up these amazing summer nights we made burgers last night! This recipe is so easy and a twist on the classic! The best part is how fresh everything tastes - and all of the ingredients are affordable!



Ingredients:
8
Ounces Ground Lamb & Beef Blend
2 Hamburger Buns
¾ c Panko Breadcrumbs
½ c Plain Low-Fat Greek Yogurt
1 Romaine Heart
1 Lemon
1 Red Onion
1 Zucchini
1 Bunch Mint
3 T All-Purpose Flour
1 T Vadouvan Curry Powder



Directions:
1. Zest the lemon for 2 teaspoons and then quarter the lemon.
2. Pick the mint off the stems and cut off the root end of the lettuce.
3. Halve the buns.
4. Cut the zucchini into 1-inch-thick rounds and peel and halve the onion.
5. Thinly slice 1 half of the onion and small dice the other half.
6. Combine of the Greek yogurt and 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl and add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Combine the remaining Greek yogurt, half the mint and the juice of 2 lemon wedges in small bowl
8. Mix the zucchini in a bowl and add salt, pepper and half the vadouvan curry powder.
9. Place the flour and breadcrumbs in 2 separate bowls.
10. Then, take each individual zucchini slice and completely coat each in the flour and then dip in the coating mixture (step 7) before coating in the breadcrumbs and transferring to a plate.



11. Place the ground lamb, lemon zest, diced onion and remaining vadouvan curry powder in a large bowl and add salt and pepper and mix.
12. Make two ½-inch-thick burgers.
13. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium until hot in pan on the stove.
14. Add the burgers and cook 4 minutes per side.
15. Transfer to a plate; cover with foil and set aside in a warm place.
16. In the same pan, heat a thin layer of oil on medium-high until hot and add the breaded zucchini rounds in a single layer.
17. Cook zucchini 4 minutes per side and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
18. Add the buns to the same pan and toast 3 minutes per side.
19. Add lettuce and sliced onion to the buns and top each with a cooked burger and a  few spoonfuls of the yogurt sauce and mint.
20. Split the cooked zucchini rounds and burgers between two plates and garnish with lemon wedges!

Let me know if you make any adjustments to the recipe. I thought this was delicious and will definitely make it again!

Kristin

Friday, August 7, 2015

Summer Ratatouille & Parmesan Polenta Recipe

Last night my little brother came over for dinner and I wanted to make something different for him since I normally default to grilling since he is 21 and not picky! But, this time I tried a recipe I found online (it's by BlueApron but I didn't get it as part of the meal delivery so I just picked up the ingredients at the store) and it turned out pretty well (I made a few variations based on what I had in the house). I made Summer Ratatouille & Parmesan Polenta and all three of us liked it!  I have included the recipe below and would love to hear if anyone else has similar recipes or variations as well.




Ingredients 
1 ½  C Yellow Cornmeal
1 Small Baguette
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Beefsteak Tomato
1 Red Bell Pepper
2 Zucchini
1 Red Onion
1 standard Eggplant
1 Bunch Oregano
2 Tablespoons Butter
⅓ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese




Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. 
2. Wash and dry the fresh produce. 
3. Cut off and discard the stem ends of the eggplant and zucchinis; medium dice. 
4. Peel and mince the garlic. 
5. Cut out and discard the stem, ribs and seeds of the bell pepper and then medium dice. 
6. Peel and dice the onion. 
7. Dice the tomato. 
8. Slice the baguette. 
9. Pick the oregano leaves off the stems and discard the stems.
10. In a large pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add the eggplant in a single, even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, or until softened and browned. 
11. Transfer to a large bowl.
12. In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add the zucchinis; season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. 
13. Transfer to the bowl of eggplant.
14. In the pan heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add the onion, bell pepper and half the garlic and season with salt and pepper. 
15. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly browned.
16. Add the tomato to the pan of onion and bell pepper; season with salt and pepper and cook for  5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened slightly.
17. Add the browned eggplant and zucchinis; season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
18. While the ratatouille cooks, in a large pot, heat 4 cups of water and a big pinch of salt to boiling on high. 
19. Once boiling, gradually add the yellow cornmeal, whisking to break up any clumps. (i did this very slowly as it really likes to clump)
20. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until thickened. 
21. Remove from heat. Add the butter and ⅔ of the Parmesan cheese. Whisk until thoroughly combined; season with salt and pepper to taste.
22. In a small bowl, combine the remaining garlic and 1 tablespoon of olive oil; season with salt and pepper to taste. 
23. Place the baguette slices on a sheet pan, cut sides up. 
24. Top with the garlic oil and remaining Parmesan cheese; season with salt and pepper. 
25. Toast in the oven 6 to 8 minutes and remove from oven
26. Divide the Parmesan polenta and finished ratatouille between 2 bowls and garnish with Oregano.
27. Serve with the garlic-cheese toasts on the side. 

I also made some sangria to go with the dinner and it was amazing! I will post that recipe soon :-).




Let me know if you enjoyed this too!

Kristin

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Raspberry Limeade Granita from Southern Living Magazine!

Now that summer is in full swing in Charleston I decided to try out new cocktail recipes. Yesterday, I made a Raspberry Limeade Granita and so far this is my absolute favorite. The recipe came in my Southern Living magazine and it centers on fresh fruit!



It was so easy to prepare but does take about 5 hours to make (since you freeze the ingredients). I made a few variations to the printed recipe so I will include mine below!

Ingredients:
1 cup raspberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)
1 1/2 cups simple syrup (recipe below)
1 shot of rum per glass served 
1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Process the raspberries, strawberries, lime juice and simple syrup in a food processor until smooth. Pour into bowl that is freezer safe. Freeze 4 to 5 hours and stir ~1 time per hour so mixture looks like this:


When ready to serve scoop out mixture for glass and pour over 1 shot of rum. Then, garnish with fresh blueberries!

This was delicious and a hit with my friends so I definitely recommend trying this one out. 

The simple syrup recipe is below!

Simple Syrup:
Ingredients: 
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Boil both ingredients in a saucepan over high heat. Once ingredients begin to boil stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Then, remove pan from heat and allow to cool completely before using.


Let me know what you think and if you do any variations to the recipe!

Kristin