Category: Quick

Cookies and Cream Donut Milkshakes

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I had the opportunity to try a featured milkshake at Bassett’s Ice Cream using Tastykake’s new Cookies and Crème Mini Donuts.

The donuts are the first offering from Tastykake Scoop Shop™, an ice cream-inspired line of sweet snacks. Scoop Shop Cookies & Crème Mini Donuts are available everywhere Tastykake is sold for $2.99 per 9.5oz bag or $1.79 for the six-count single serve option.

The Scoop Shop line features fan favorite ice cream flavors in sweet snack form and will be launched in two phases, the first already available, with phase two planned for late April. Leveraging trends in the snacking category, Tastykake Scoop Shop explores the crossover of two sweet snacks by borrowing flavor and forms from different categories. The first Scoop Shop item, Cookies & Crème Mini Donuts, blends one of the brand’s top-selling product types with a proven favorite ice cream flavor. And they really nailed it, the donuts really do taste like cookies and cream! Phase two combines mint chocolate chip ice cream flavor with a creme-filled cookie for the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich (um, YUM), so be on the look out for those in late April. The new treats create a fun snacking experience that ice cream and sweet snack lovers will appreciate.

To help celebrate the launch in its hometown, Tastykake partnered with another Philadelphia icon and the nation’s oldest ice cream company – Bassetts Ice Cream – a full-service frozen dessert distributor. I was thrilled to try this partnership from two brands with tons of Philadelphia history, more than 250 years of combined history in Philly! I headed over to Reading Terminal Market (fun fact: my husband and I were actually married in Reading Terminal) to try the limited-edition milkshake item. Kirby the Krimpet, the Tastykake mascot, even made an appearance!

The milkshakes are made with Bassetts’ cookies and cream ice cream, chunks of Tastykake’s Cookies & Crème Mini Donuts, and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and garnished with a Cookies & Crème Donut. The shakes are sold at Bassetts’ original retail location in Reading Terminal Market for a limited time.

I swear they made these Donuts and milkshakes just for me, Cookies and Cream is my favorite! So naturally, I wanted to try to make my own version at home, this recipe for Cookies and Cream Donut Milkshakes. I picked up two pints of Bassetts’ cookies and cream ice cream, a bag of Tastykake Cookies & Crème Mini Donuts, milk, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream, and I was ready to go!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Bassetts Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 6 Tastykake Cookies & Crème Mini Donuts, divided
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • Whipped cream, to taste

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Sweet Potato Pancakes with Brown Butter Pecans

Note: I was sent a box of Krusteaz Buttermilk Protein Pancake & Flapjack Mix in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

Happy National Pancake Day! Also known as Shrove Tuesday, coincides with Mardi Gras, the end of Carnevale, and the beginning of Lent. It’s a day to indulge, but you can indulge while still eating something nutritious!

To celebrate National Pancake Day, Krusteaz sent me a box of their new Buttermilk Protein Pancake & Flapjack Mix. This mix is packed with 15 grams of protein per serving! This pancake mix needs just water to become light and fluffy pancakes. For added protein, you can substitute in milk and add eggs to the mix as well!

I decided to up the nutrition of these pancakes with the addition of mashed sweet potato. Not only does it add a bit of sweetness to the pancakes, sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamins A and C.

With all of the protein and vitamins in this recipe, a little bit of browned butter won’t hurt, right? 🙂 I topped these pancakes with a bit of browned butter chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup to make these Sweet Potato Pancakes with Brown Butter Pecans.

Ingredients:

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Lemony Broccoli Pasta

For whatever reason, I do not cook with broccoli. In fact, the last recipe I posted on my blog that included broccoli was in 2012!

I don’t exactly love broccoli, but I started feeling bad about my lack of broccoli in my cooking. So. Here’s a simple but delicious pasta recipe that comes together fast enough for busy weeknights!

This recipe is basically Pasta al Limone with broccoli thrown in. (I love pasta and lemons together. I’ve made Spinach Lemon Ricotta Pasta, Squash Ribbon Pasta with Lemon Herb Cream Sauce, Creamy Lemon Pasta with Vegetables, Linguine with Lemon Sauce, Spring Vegetable Penne with Lemon-Cream Sauce… are you sensing a theme here?)

Ingredients:

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 16 ounces long pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • the zest and juice of 3 lemons
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Kitchen Ingredients Used:

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Baked Cranberry Almond Brie Bites

I know that most of us are probably partied out. But it can never hurt to have some really great (and easy) party appetizer recipes on hand, like these Baked Cranberry Almond Brie Bites, right?

This recipe for Baked Cranberry Almond Brie Bites is a bite-sized version of baked brie wrapped in puff pastry; some versions of baked brie are stuffed with jam and nuts. This mini version uses mini phyllo cups stuffed with brie and cranberry sauce, then is topped with toasted almonds and fresh thyme. Mini phyllo cups (paid link) are typically available in the dessert frozen section of the supermarket.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 box mini phyllo shells (15 shells in each box)
  • 4-5 ounces brie
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon thyme leaves

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Ranch Chickpea Cucumber Salad

I’ve been trying to think up more bring-to-work lunch ideas recently. We tend to just eat leftovers or traditional salads for lunch, which can get boring quickly.

So when my Hungry Harvest (note: this is a referral link) came with absolutely huge cucumbers, I figured I could make a slightly different lunch (or a make ahead side for dinner) with it!

This dish has chickpeas to make it a bit more hearty, red onions for flavor (and color), and of course, cucumbers. I tossed all of those in a lemony, zesty ranch Greek yogurt mixture.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large (or two medium) cucumber(s), cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  •  1 1/2 teaspoons ranch seasoning mix
  • the zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

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Mango Rum Kefir Lassi

I think I’m pretty sure I’m late to the Kefir game here, but at least I’ve finally arrived! Kefir is a culture milk drink that is high in nutrients and probiotics which helps aid in digestion. A 6 ounce serving of Kefir has 6 grams of protein and 20% of your recommended daily calcium, and is actually a more potent source of probiotics than yogurt.

Its tangy flavor works really well in smoothies. So when I saw Cooking Light’s recipe for a Mango Rum Kefir Lassi, I knew I had to try it out. (You can omit the rum to have a really awesome lassi for breakfast as well. But hey, who doesn’t love a cocktail that has some health benefits to it?) A lassi is typically yogurt-based, so Kefir is a really simple substitute.

This Cooking Light recipe is most certainly not a traditional lassi, but it’s really tasty and is packed with good-for-you ingredients: kefir, coconut water, honey, turmeric, cinnamon, mango, and bananas. Yum!

Ingredients (makes 3 servings):

  • 1 cup plain low-fat kefir
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/4 cup spiced rum (I used a coconut-spiced rum), if desired
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (12 oz) bag frozen chopped mango
  • 1 ripe banana
  • ancho chile powder, for garnish

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Grilled Fennel with Parmesan

I don’t think you can ever have too many side dishes to rotate for different dinner combinations, including ones you can make on the grill, like this Grilled Fennel with Parmesan recipe.

One of my favorite ingredients is fennel. When raw, it has a nice anise (licorice) flavor with great crunch. When cooked, fennel becomes sweeter and the licorice flavor more subtle. Typically, you’d roast fennel. But hey, it’s summer. Let’s bring it outdoors!

This recipe is based off a Giada De Laurentiis recipe, and is a tasty side with any grilled protein. I particularly love it with a lemony grilled salmon!

Ingredients: (serves 4)

  • 4 fennel bulbs, tops removed, cut into thick slices, leaving the core intact
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan

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Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn)

One of my favorite summer foods is corn. A nice grilled corn on the cob just makes my day!

But I had never tried Elote before, so I figured it was time to do so!

Elote, or corn on the cob in Spanish, is a Mexican grilled corn brushed with a creamy mixture of mayo, sour cream, cotjia cheese, chili powder, and cilantro.

The result is absolutely crave-worthy!

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for serving
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
  • 4 ears corn, shucked (if possible, keep an inch or so of the stalk for easy eating)
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges, if desired

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Grilled Clams in Lemon Butter Sauce

Now that grilling season is in full swing, I am grilling anything and everything I can, and yes, that includes Grilled Clams in Lemon Butter Sauce!

This recipe for grilled clams is SO easy, and can be made completely on your grill (just make sure you have a cast iron or other grill-safe pot for the sauce, if not, you can make it on your stovetop).

It’s an awesome appetizer to share with friends, just don’t forget the crusty bready for dipping!

Ingredients:

  • 3 dozen clams
  • 2 sticks salted butter (1 cup)
  • the juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
  • 1 scallion
  • 1 sprig fresh oregano
  • 2 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1 sprig fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • ground pepper, to taste

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Rosé Aperol Spritz

This past weekend, my parents threw a surprise birthday party for my sister, and asked that I make a “punch” for the  party. I’m not exactly a punch fan, but I love big batch cocktails, especially this recipe for a Rosé Aperol Spritz!

This one is perfect for the warm weather. It’s a play on a traditional Aperol Spritz, which is made with Prosecco, Aperol, and club soda.

This version, adapted from this Bon Appetit recipe, uses sparkling rosé instead of Prosecco, and “waters” it down a bit for easy drinking with some passion fruit juice and blood orange soda.

Aperol is an Italian liqueur made with oranges, gentian, rhubarb, cinchona and other ingredients that has a slightly sweet orange flavor with a touch of balanced bitterness.

Passion fruit juice can be found in the box juice section of your grocery store. Or, feel free to substitute in another juice of your choice.

Ingredients (serves 4, multiply as needed):

  • ¾ cup passion fruit juice, chilled
  • ¼ cup Aperol
  • the juice of 3 limes (about 1/4 cup)
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 750ml bottle sparkling rosé, chilled
  • 1 (11 oz) blood orange soda, chilled
  • blood orange or grapefruit wedges, for serving

Continue reading Rosé Aperol Spritz

Limoncello Whiskey Sour

Before I go into my recipe for a Limoncello Whiskey Sour, I have to tell you about the upcoming event that inspired it!

My favorite outdoor event of the year is nearly here – Flavors on the Avenue! I am such a fan of this event that I even moved to be closer to it! (I’m only half kidding, but I most certainly did move to the Passyunk Square area partially because of the amazing shops and restaurants.)

source: visiteastpassyunk.com

Flavors on the Avenue is inspired by East Passyunk’s former Flavors fundraiser held under a tent each year. In 2017, the event went from under the tent and into the street.  Adding to the original food and drink offerings, the event now includes family activities, music and retail sidewalk sales. Flavors on the Avenue will be held this Sunday, April 29th, and covers five blocks, lasting six hours starting at 11am.

source: visiteastpassyunk.com

Craft beer, wine and seasonal sips will be available. Look for drinks to be sold by select restaurants out on the street, plus stop by and visit the new Founders Brewing Co. Tasting Tent. Food will be specially priced between $3.00 and $6.00 (average) and be pay-as-you-go from individual restaurants.

source: visiteastpassyunk.com

Participating restaurants and eateries, along with their menus, include:

  • Barcelona Wine Bar –  Vegetable paella
  • Bing Bing Dim Sum –  Roast pork sandwich, cold noodles
  • Brigantessa –  Sausage with giaroinviera relish with aioli
  • Cantina Los Caballitos –  Pork tacos, ceviche
  • chhaya –  Fried chicken and waffles, iced coffee
  • El Sarape Restaurant –  Tacos al pastor, cemitas, pina coladas and homemade water: Jamaica and horchata
  • Essen Bakery – Mini za’atar croissant stuffed with labneh cheese.
  • Filitalia International –  Penne with gravy and meat/cheese sandwiches
  • Fond – TBD
  • ITV Philly/Laurel – Pork Skin with Sour Cream and Onion
  • Izumi – Gyoza (pork dumplings)
  • Le Virtù – Palotte cac’e: egg & pecorino croquettes, tomato, basil
  • Mamma Maria Ristorante – Pasta primavera and chicken cutlets
  • Manatawny Still Works –  Whiskey cocktail, Gin cocktail, vodka cocktail, Sly Fox beer
  • Noir Philadelphia –  Rice balls, poutine (French fries with potato gravy), meatballs w/marina sauce, watermelon salad
  • NOORD eetcafe – Bitterballen, poffertjes
  • Paradiso Restaurant –  Arancini
  • Pistola’s Del Sur –  Seafood ceviche
  • P’unk Burger –  Swiss and bacon slider, cheese burger slider, hot dog, shoe string fries
  • Redcrest Fried Chicken – Spicy chicken slider, fried chicken slider and vegan slider, spicy vegan slider
  • Saté Kampar – Nasi Lemak (rice, peanuts, anchovies cucumber, chilie sauce), Rendang Nasi (beef stew, rice,carrots, cucumber), Nasi Ayma Kurma (chicken potatoes and rice), Teh Tarik (hot milk tea), Coconut Water
  • Stogie Joe’s Tavern – Meatball sandwiches and pizza
  • The Bottle Shop – Variety of beer (12-16 ounce)
  • Vanilya Bakery –  Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches
  • Will byob – Quiche – Bacon and Spinach
  • The Chilly Banana (food truck as part of Nice Things Handmade show

I’ve written posts about this event for years now, including recipes for Pomegranate Tom Collins Cocktails, Watermelon Feta Salad, and Charred Ramp Arancini inspired by offerings at past Flavors.

This year, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite new-ish additions to E. Passyunk, Manatawny Still Works, that I’m thrilled is a part of Flavors on the Avenue this year. Manatawny Still Works opened a tasting room on E. Passyunk late last summer and has been a welcome addition to the Avenue.

I am a big fan of their whiskey, specifically their ever-changing small batch options. Their Coffee Whiskey (Batch #16) didn’t last very long in my house at all, and their latest Pennsylvania Whiskey isn’t going to last much longer!

It’s actually one of a few tasting rooms on East Passyunk. There is also a store, Pollyodd, that sells multiple flavors of Limoncello. So I thought it might be fun to make a cocktail using both – a Limoncello Whiskey Sour!

A traditional Whiskey Sour is made with lemon juice, simple syrup, and of course, whiskey.

Limoncello tends to be on the sweeter side, so I thought it would be a perfect substitute.

Ingredients (serves 2):

  • 3 oz Manatawny Still Works Pennsylvania Whiskey
  • 2 oz Pollyodd Limoncello
  • The juice of 1 lemon (about 1 oz)
  • splash club soda
  • ice
  • maraschino cherries and lemon wedges, for garnish

Continue reading Limoncello Whiskey Sour

Feta Dip

I’m on a bit of a feta kick at the moment. I absolutely love French feta, which is a bit more mild and creamier than the more tangy, crumbly version most people associate with feta cheese.

When I came across a recipe for Feta Dip, I loved the concept, and knew French Feta would be perfect for it.

This dip is a nice alternative to the normal dips found at parties. The flavors are similar to tzatziki; serve with toasted pita or pita chips.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz French feta
  • 1 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 8 oz  cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • the juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 cup chopped deseeded cucumber
  • 1/2 cup multi-colored cherry tomatoes, quartered

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Creamy Snap Peas with Feta

Some nights, you just want to sauté or grill up a protein and have a quick go-to side to make a nice meal without much effort.

So it’s always nice to have a few awesome sides in the rotation, like this recipe for Creamy Snap Peas with Feta.

This recipe for Creamy Snap Peas with Feta would be perfect with a Greek-inspired protein — salmon, chicken, or even lamb.

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces trimmed fresh sugar snap peas
  • 1/4 cup plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
  • the zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese

Continue reading Creamy Snap Peas with Feta

Creamy Avocado Soup

My husband and I have had some fairly heavy (but delicious) food recently. So this weekend, I was in search of something a bit lighter for lunch that would still fill us up, like this creamy avocado soup.

This chilled Creamy Avocado Soup recipe from Cooking Light fit the bill! The soup is bulked up a bit with silken tofu, romaine lettuce, and peas to go along with the avocados.

In fact, it has half of your daily fiber and 9 grams of protein in one serving. And yet, it feels so light!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (12-oz.) pkg. silken tofu, drained
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 3 ripe avocados, peeled and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped tomato
  • 1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

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Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel

I’m kind of on a Sheet Pan kick. I love how simple they are, and how easy cleanup is! And this recipe for Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel is no different!

This recipe is adapted from a Cooking Light recipe to make it a pure sheet pan meal.

I know the combination of flavors may seem a bit odd, but it really comes together in the end. My husband even asked for this to be put in our normal dinner rotation!

Ingredients:

  • 2 small oranges (I used one navel, one blood orange)
  • 2 medium fennel bulbs with stalks
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 6 small shallots, halved
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked rice, for serving

Continue reading Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel

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