Now We're Cooking

Things you didn't know you needed until you walked into a kitchen store, a...
-Multi-cherry pitter
-Citrus Juicer
-Garlic Press
-Digital Thermometer
-Rolling Knife Sharpener
-Induction Adapter Plate
-Cutting Board Oil
-Milk Frother
-Grill Cleaning brush
-Microplane
-Wireless probe thermometer
-Grapefruit spoon

& Sooo much more! Stop in 11am-4pm Monday through Saturday to find your new favorite gadget!

Fun with the red, white and blue!!🇺🇸🎂🎆

Fourth of July Fun - Part 2!

When it’s summer and you’re taking food to parties, it’s a good idea to decide how to transport your creations. Think of bowls with lids, charcuterie trays with snap on covers, and containers with built in ice reservoirs. Plastic wrap always works in a pinch. Also consider the effect of the heat on your food.

Snack Trays

Red, white and blue is a good place to start. Sausage, white cheese, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, red peppers, jicama, strawberries, and blueberries are good places to start. Blue corn chips add a crunchy texture. Add dips and spreads to finish off your assortment. Cut vegetables into stars for a fun touch.

Bean and Corn Salad

Bean salads can be easier than potato salad and are so versatile.

This version uses one can each of white beans, kidney beans and corn. Chopped carrots, red and green peppers and carrots add color and crunch.

In a large bowl, whisk the juice of 2 limes, 1 teaspoon of cumin and about ¼ cup of olive oil. Add the vegetables and stir to combine. Add chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Add 1 cup of cooked white rice for a different twist.

What’s an outing without cake? This is a non- chocolate version of Texas sheet cake. Using a baking pan with a snap on cover makes this so easy to transport.

White Texas Cake

2 cups flour (all-purpose)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp baking soda
1 cup butter
1 cup water
2 large eggs room temperature
½ cup sour cream
1 tsp almond extract

Frosting
1/2 cup butter (cubed)
1/4 cup milk
4½ cups powdered sugar
½-1 teaspoon almond extract (depending on the level of flavor you like)
1 cup slivered almonds, or sprinkles!
INSTRUCTIONS
Cake
Preheat oven to 375° and grease a 15"x10" baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in the bowl of your stand mixer or one you use with your hand-held mixer.
In a small saucepan, combine the butter and water. Bring to a boil until the butter is completely melted, then carefully pour and stir into the mixing bowl with your dry ingredients.
Now add in your eggs and sour cream. Beat until combined.
Pour the cake batter onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and prepare the icing.
Frosting
In a large saucepan combine the butter and milk, bring just to a boil until the butter is melted.
Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and the almond extract.
Pour/spread over the warm cake, sprinkle with the slivered almonds and allow icing to set up and cake to cool.

Fun Fourth of July snacks! Cheers for the red, white and blue!🇺🇸⭐️🇺🇸

⭐Fruit Platter Ideas
Thread banana chunks and strawberries, alternating colors to form the stripes of the flag. Place blueberries in the corner for the union.

Make individual snack cups with strawberries, blueberries, cheese sticks and pretzels. Add small flags or stars to keep with the theme.

Use cookie cutters to cut out pound cake, vegetables and fruits.

⭐Make-Ahead No-Bake 4th of July Brownie Batter Dip

Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles

Whipped cream, for topping

Method:

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until fully combined and fluffy.

Step 3: Fold in the mini chocolate chips and half of the patriotic sprinkles.

Step 4: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 5: Top with whipped cream, the remaining sprinkles, and a few extra chocolate chips for decoration.

Step 6: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend and the dip to firm slightly.

Step 7: Serve chilled with strawberries, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, pretzels, and marshmallows for dipping.

⭐RITZ Cracker Toffee

Ingredients
54 RITZ crackers
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar *can also use dark brown
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

Instructions
Line a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 jelly roll pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Spray it generously with nonstick baking spray.

Add RITZ Crackers to foil. 54 crackers which is a sleeve and a half.

In a small sauce pan, add light brown sugar and butter. Constantly stir mixture over medium-low heat. Once butter is melted, set a timer and allow mixture to gently boil for 3 minutes. You will want to constantly stir it even when it is gently bubbling.

Once mixture turns into thick with no grit, spread it over the crackers. Place pan in a 325° Fahrenheit oven and bake for 9 minutes.
After toffee is done baking, remove from the oven and place it on top of the stove. Sprinkle on 2 cups of chocolate chips and spread using a rubber spatula.
Once chocolate is evenly spread, add holiday sprinkles.

Allow pan to set on the stove top for ten minutes before adding the entire baking sheet to the freezer and freezing until hardened, about 15 minutes. If you have no room in the freezer, chill in the fridge for about 45 minutes by placing the pan on oven mitts away from any plastic or perishables.

Once set, carefully slice the toffee into pieces and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T1QW9ZD_DHLG73Dql0yyUc5vJkJywZUpk8LWtb88-Ak/edit?usp=drivesdk