Monday, June 30, 2014

Red White and Blue Cake for July 4th

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  I had to start the week with something red, white and blue because of we're just days away from the 4th of July..  This dessert cake looks impressive and perfect for your July 4th celebrations, but it's just simple and easy to put together.  You use some of your favorite store bought dessert products to help you make this fun cake.  Even if you don't like to bake... you can do this. 




Ingredients:
1 box red velvet cake
1 tub whipped topping
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)
1-2 cups blueberries

Directions:
Make cake per package instructions.   Bake in two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans according to cake box package instructions. Allow cake to completely cool before your proceed to next step.




Mix sugar with whipped topping. If you want the "icing" less sweet then omit the sugar. Top one layer of cake with half the whipped topping then stack the the 2nd layer of cake with whipped topping.  Finish off with the blueberries.  Chill for 2-3 hours then serve.  Enjoy.





Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Curry and Comfort's Weekly Sunday Summary 6/23/14 thru 6/2914

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Happy Sunday Everyone!


Hooray!!!  Summer is in full swing... we're at the end of June and the next big holiday is.... JULY 4th!

I have some wonderful picnic and bbq food in store for you this week.  So let's get ready for some fireworks and red/white/blue festivities.

This past week has some wonderful dishes and here they are....

 






Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Friday, June 27, 2014

My Best Blueberry Muffins

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I call these my best blueberry muffins because these really are the best blueberry muffins I have ever made and eaten.  They are light.. fluffy.. moist and well.. pretty perfect.  I have made several blueberry muffin recipes in the past and I think I got the right formula with these ones.  My entire family commented how light and moist these turned out and even my son (not the biggest blueberry fan) gobbled a few up saying how good they were between bites.  I can't wait to play with this recipe and try other berries now.

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Wet ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup yogurt (whole fat, plain)
1/2 cup milk whole milk
1 stick butter (8 Tbs or 1/4 cup) melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla
 2 cups whole fresh blueberries

Optional glaze
3Tbs powdered sugar
1/2 Tbs water or up to 1 Tbs


 Directions:
Sift dry ingredients into  bowl.  Whisk wet ingredients together  except blueberries.  Add dry ingredients and fully incorporate without over mixing.  Add blueberries.
Fill into a well greased or sprayed muffin tin (I did not use liners) Bake at 375 degrees for 17-22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Serve hot or at room temperature. Keep in airtight container.  Enjoy.

Note: You can make the optional sugar glaze  by mixing the powdered sugar and water then top the muffins when they have cooled down.

 

Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Pina-Colada Smoothie (Throwback Thursday)

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2011 photo
June of 2011 I wrote:  A Pina-Colada Smoothie screams summer.  Can't you just imagine yourself sipping this cool drink pool side?  Well, I've got 90 degree weather and no pool so I guess I'll just enjoy what I can have... this  refreshing drink.   I made my version non-alcoholic, but you can always add some rum and have yourself a little party.





 

 Ingredients:
2-3 cups cleaned and cored pineapple
2-3 cups unsweetened coconut milk (not canned)

1/2 cup ice cubes
splash of rum (optional)
Sweetener (see note) 

Note:  you can also add sugar, honey or agave syrup to sweetened your drink if you like.  My pineapple was very sweet for me, but my husband wanted his with a little sugar. I personally like mine with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.  I suggest if you like it with a squeeze of lime you add it to your glass and not the whole pitcher.

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender with the pineapple until it's a smooth drink and serve.   Makes about 4 servings.




Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Chili Dogs in a Lettuce Bun (Low Carb)

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I'm all about saving on unnecessary calories and eating low carb these days.  I was so excited when I realized I could make my chili dog recipe low carb friendly by switching out the bun for a few baby romaine lettuce leaves.  The romaine lettuce gives a perfect shape for the hot dog and to make it less messy so I tripled up on the lettuce for the bun.  I also kept all the filling from falling out by taking an extra leaf and placing it on top of the hot dog to make it seal in all the fixings.  My kids munched on their traditional bread hot dog buns and I indulged (wink) with my low carb lettuce option.  I love when that can happen. 


If you are interested in the Chili Topping for these hot dogs, check out my recipe here:  Chili Dog Recipe


 

Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Chili Dogs

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Hot dogs are perfect summertime food. You can make a whole hot dog fix-it bar for a fun picnic party.  Just have plenty of fixings so everyone can customize their own dogs.   My son was very excited to try a chili dog for the first time.  I think I may have created a chili dog maniac.  He wanted a chili dog for dinner and breakfast the next day too.  This chili dog recipe is really easy and it will really make your hot dogs extra special.



Ingredients:
Hot dogs (your favorite kind cooked through either on stove-top or grill)
Hot dog buns 

Condiments:
Shredded cheddar cheese or mix of cheese
finely diced red onion
finely diced green chilies or jalapeno
mustard


Chili for Hot Dogs:
1lb lean ground beef  (I used 93% lean)
1 small onion finely diced
1-2 cloves garlic grated finely
red chili flakes to taste
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp celery seeds
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 
2 Tbs yellow mustard
1/2 cup ketchup
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
salt and black pepper to taste


Directions:
 Heat 1 Tbs canola oil in pan.  Crumble ground beef well then brown beef with some salt and black pepper.  Next add minced onion and garlic.

Next add cumin, celery seed and red chili flakes and cook for a minute.  Next add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and tomato sauce.

 Cook for 5 more minutes and taste for seasoning.  Keep warm and serve over hot dogs with your favorite condiments and toppings. Enjoy.




Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Watermelon Cake #freshfuitbowl #BBBProduct

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 My family and I love fresh fruit. We love it so much we could definitely forgo a traditional cake for this total fruit Watermelon Cake and not even think we were eating something healthy.  This watermelon cake is so fun to make and it will be a hit at your next summertime party. 

If you adore fresh fruit as much as my family and I do the folks at Good Cook have the perfect bowl for you. The Good Cook 3-piece Bowl keeps watermelon and cut fruit fresher longer.  It's available exclusively at Bed Bath and Beyond right now.  So what makes this bowl so special.  First of all it's big and you can certainly cut up a whole watermelon and it will fit.  It's also got a lid so you can put it directly into the fridge.  The best part is the two part bowl system that allows you to separate the juices from the fruit. My husband was able to pour the watermelon juice right out and make a drink out of it.  It kept our watermelon fresh for several days.  I know we will be enjoying a lot of watermelon and fruit salad this summer thanks to this handy bowl. 

                                                 
 Watermelon Cake


Ingredients:
1 watermelon (pick one that is large in the middle)
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
1 tub (8oz)whipped cream non-dairy topping
1 20oz can of crushed pineapple -drained very well
1/4 cup powdered sugar ( or sugar substitute for low sugar option)
Toasted coconut (optional)


Directions:
Wash the outside of the watermelon well. Then carefully 5 inch slice from the middle section of the watermelon.  Lay the slice flat and cut the rind off.  Then slice the 5 inch thick slice into two equal halves as pictured.   The diameter of my circles were about 5-6 inches. Chill watermelon slices really well until you are ready to assemble.



 Drain crushed pineapple really well.  If you do not do this step, you filling will become runny.  Take a little less than half of the whipped topping and mix with the drained pineapple and sugar. Chill filling for 20-30 minutes before assembling cake.

Place one watermelon circle on cake plate.  I placed wax paper on either side of the cake plate to keep the plate clean.   Top slice with filling.  Top with second slice of watermelon.
 Take remaining whipped topping (if you like add some sugar to taste) The coat the outside of the entire watermelon cake with the topping.  Carefully apply toasted coconut if you desire.

 Decorate the cake as you desire with fruit.  Chill for 30 minutes before your serve.  Slice and use a cake server to place on plates.  This cake is best served the day you make it.  Enjoy.

Note: You can use any fruit you like to decorate the top of the cake such as kiwis, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple etc...










Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.