Strawberry Lime Pops

Beat the heat this summer with these simple, fresh, and delicious Strawberry Lime Pops!

Hot and humid summer days call for cold and refreshing snacks. Frozen treats to be exact. And what's even better is when those treats are homemade, like these deliciously fruity strawberry lime pops. Made with just a few simple ingredients, you can't go wrong. No added preservatives, artificial flavors, corn syrups, etc. Just real fruit and a little bit of sugar. That's it. 

These pops are so simple to make - whip up a quick batch of simple syrup, then pop the cooled mixture into a blender with some sliced, fresh strawberries and the juice of a couple fresh limes. Blend it well, then add it to your popsicle mold. Freeze for a few hours and voila! Real strawberry lime pops made with fresh summer fruits. What's better than that?

Heirloom Tomato & Basil Pizza

Gorgeous, fresh Heirloom tomatoes are the star of this simple but tasty summer pizza!

One of my favorite things about summer, other than the beautiful sun, gorgeous blue skies and warm temps of course, is the bountiful fresh fruits and veggies we get here in Michigan. I can hardly wait for this time of year since we get so much available to us that is grown locally. 

I'm first in line when our nearby farmers markets open up, and can't wait to get my hands on all the produce. I'm a sucker for a fresh, juicy, ripe tomatoes. From tossing them in a salad, to making a spicy salsa, to topping a pizza, the options are endless with tomatoes.

Orange Cream Shake

Thick, creamy, and citrusy, this shake is the perfect treat on a hot summer day!

When my kids were little, I loved taking them to the mall to walk around and let off some steam. One of their favorite stores to go to was Gymboree. My mom and I went nuts over their clothes (I'm pretty sure we owned stock in that place!) and the back of the store had a little play area with toys and a TV playing their videos. I can still envision it like it was yesterday, my boys sitting in those little rocking chairs, singing and clapping along to the video, watching and listening intently. Seems just like it was yesterday.

Sorry, I'm getting a little teared up here! Anyway, during our little outings we often went to Olga's to have lunch. My mom and I have always loved their Greek salads and pita sandwiches, and the boys loved their three cheese Olga's, curly fries, and the orange cream coolers. The cooler is like an orange shake, and my boys could suck them down in the blink of any eye! They literally drank every last drop.

Skillet Cinnamon Apples

These easy to make skillet cinnamon apples are a delicious side dish or topping for pancakes and ice cream!

It's still a few weeks away but I'm already planning out my sides for Thanksgiving. We always have the standards - dressing, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes - but each year I like to add a few new recipes too.

I made these Skillet Cinnamon Apples over the weekend and right away I told my son, these are going on our Thanksgiving table! They are simple to make, budget friendly, and they taste absolutely amazing. Who knew that just a few ingredients could turn into something so divine?! 

Baked Bacon Mac & Cheese

Warm, cheesy, and gooey, this delicious homemade baked mac and cheese is the perfect meal for those cool Fall days!

Happy first day of Fall! To celebrate the first official day, I'm sharing with you one of our favorite warm, comforting meals. 

This is the best mac and cheese recipe ever. Well, at least in my opinion. And my kids think so too. It's really cheesy and gooey and has bits of bacon throughout. It comes together pretty quickly, only baking in the oven for about 15 minutes, so it's a perfect weeknight meal. Bake some rolls or garlic bread and whip up a salad and dinner is served!

Spice Cake with Lemon Curd Filling

A moist and tender spice caked filled with a surprise of luscious lemon curd!

This month our Blogger Recipe Challenge group was fortunate enough to be sponsored by Love Cooking Company. They sent each of us a Mrs. Fields Fill N Flip Round Baking Pan and put us to work! This pan is like nothing I'd ever seen before. It's unique design leaves a spot in the center of the cake to add a filling, then the other half of the cake goes on top and covers it all up! Super cool if you ask me.

Cardamom Pecan Pound Cake

This deliciously tender pound cake is spicy-sweet in flavor and pairs perfectly with a cup of Chai tea!

I was feeling the need for some comfort food the other day and decided to bake a cake. This isn't just any ordinary cake though. It's a moist and tender pound cake. A pound cake filled with the warm flavor of cardamom and topped with crunchy pecans. And it totally made me feel better.

If you're not familiar with cardamom, it has a sweet but spicy taste and is used a lot in Middle Eastern cooking. A little goes a long way with this delicious spice, so you only need a small amount of the ground cardamom in this recipe. The taste is not overpowering at all in this cake, and even my kids loved it!

Asparagus & Cheddar Quiche

Tender, fresh asparagus and sharp cheddar cheese are a tasty combination in this quick and easy quiche! 

Our Blogger Recipe Challenge group was lucky enough to be sponsored by Polder's Old World Market this month! Polder's makes handmade wooden kitchenware that is absolutely beautiful. From measuring cups to spoons to spatulas, every single piece is stunning.

Each of the bloggers received an item to review. I chose the Ultimate Cooking Spoon and quickly fell in love! It's a gorgeous cherry color and is long and lean. I used it to saute my asparagus for this recipe and know I will be continue to use it for many years to come.

Carrot Banana Pecan Bread

A moist and tender banana bread filled with little carrot and pecan jewels!

I love banana bread. Seriously, I'm a self-professed banana bread junkie. During the fall and winter I definitely make a loaf every couple of weeks. I mean, what's not to love about it? 

First off, the scent of fresh baked bread in the kitchen is incredible. Breads with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg especially. It literally perfumes the entire house. A perfect time to bake is when you have company coming over. No candles needed, just the delicious aromas of banana bread wafting through the air.

Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Flatbread

A crispy flatbread topped with roasted cherry tomatoes and creamy ricotta cheese is the perfect summertime lunch!

I'm always looking for new lunch ideas, especially during the summer with my kids home. I like to change things up a bit during the week, and it's always nice to make something with fresh veggies included.

This flatbread "pizza" has quickly become a favorite in our house. Creamy Ricotta cheese is mixed with rosemary and roasted garlic, and a bit of red pepper flakes for a kick, and slathered on top of a delicious Naan bread. Add simple roasted cherry tomatoes, bake until crispy, and you have a delicious, and healthy, lunch. This would make a perfect light dinner as well, paired with a salad. 

Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Flatbread 
Recipe written by The Chef Next Door
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Ingredients:
1/2 cup yellow grape tomatoes
1 garlic clove, whole, peeled 
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
Dash of red pepper flakes
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves picked 
1 flatbread, either store bought or homemade
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the tomatoes and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and gently toss to combine. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl mix the Ricotta with the red pepper flakes, rosemary leaves and a pinch of salt and pepper. Take the roasted garlic clove and smash it with the back of a knife until it becomes almost a paste. Add the smashed garlic to the Ricotta mixture and blend well.

Spread the Ricotta mix evenly over the top of the flatbread, then add the roasted tomatoes. Place the flatbread directly on the top rack of the oven and cook for 10 minutes, until the bottom is crispy and the toppings are warmed through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into quarters.

Bon Appetit!

Simple Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes

Fresh green beans and tomatoes make the best summer side dish!

This dish has quickly become one of my favorites. It uses the freshest of vegetables and is incredibly simple to throw together. Three ingredients, that's all there is to it folks. It's that easy!

It's so simple that I actually feel guilty calling it a recipe. I mean, you toss the ingredients together, roast them in the oven, and you're done. Voila! 

Simple Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes

Recipe written by The Chef Next Door

Print this recipe

Ingredients:
1 pint grape tomatoes

1/2 lb fresh green beans

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Wash and dry the tomatoes and beans and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the oil over the vegetables and use your hands to gently toss them to coat everything well. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Roast the vegetables in the oven for about 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are just starting to burst and everything is lightly browned.

Remove from the oven and eat immediately.

Bon Appetit!

Chopped Greek Salad

A light, refreshing and healthy twist on a classic salad!

Looking for a fresh new salad for your summer dinner table? This Chopped Greek Salad is just the right thing! Lots of delicious chopped veggies tossed with an easy homemade dressing make the perfect combination. The best part is it's super easy to throw together, even if you are short on time.

This salad is a great addition to your side dish repertoire. It pairs well with burgers, chicken, pulled pork, you name it. We will definitely be enjoying it as part of our 4th of July meal!

Pan Grilled Lemon Garlic Pork Chops

Thick, juicy pork chops rubbed with lemon and garlic and pan grilled to perfection! 

I love a good pork chop. It's taken me awhile to get my kids to feel the same way, but a good pork chop can be the perfect canvas for lots of different flavor combinations.

This version is light, simple, and made with fresh ingredients that you most likely have at home already. I love the combination of lemon and garlic, the spicy, tart flavors go perfectly with the pork. Plus, these two ingredients are heart healthy! 

Simple Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan

Tender roasted broccoli tossed with fresh Parmesan cheese makes a great side dish for just about any meal!

Simple side dishes made with fresh, local ingredients are the best. Of course I use frozen veggies sometimes, but when I can I love to buy fresh, especially during the summer. Beautiful tomatoes, squash, zucchini and green beans, all waiting to be picked up and turned into something beautiful.

That something beautiful doesn't have to be difficult. Take this roasted broccoli for example. Two ingredients, not including your pantry staples, is all it takes to make a delicious and healthy side dish for your family. TWO ingredients! And it's ready in no time at all.

Strawberry Lime Slushies

Homemade Strawberry Lime Slushies are fresh and fruity and perfect on a hot summer day!

Growing up there was a place called Tastee Freez about a block away from my house. It was the cutest ice cream parlor you ever did see, and I loved to head down there ever summer for treats.

Of course I loved getting soft serve in a cone or even splurging for a banana split, but I also really loved their slushies. I can remember the different flavors they offered like traditional raspberry and cherry, and also the out of the ordinary bubble gum. I have many fond memories of my parents and I at that parlor, as well as my friends and I riding our bikes down there for a treat. Man do I miss that place! 

Simple Raspberry Crostata

Simple and fresh, this rustic pie tastes just like summer.

It's that time of year again when beautiful fresh fruits are in full swing at the farmers market. I know we can get them all year round, but summer yields the sweetest blueberries and raspberries, the biggest strawberries, and every other gorgeous fruit you can dream about.

I've been stockpiling tons of berries in my frig. Some just for snacking, others to turn into beautiful dishes, like this one. It's fresh, healthy, and so simple that you can have it on your table in no time.

Chocolate Lava Cakes

A decadent chocolate cake with a warm, gooey center!

 

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm a chocoholic. I can't live without chocolate and manage to have a small piece almost every day. Whether it's a little slice of cake, a chocolate chip cookie, or even a piece of candy, I need to satisfy my sweet tooth.

These delicious Chocolate Lava Cakes will do the trick to tame that craving. They are super simple to make and perfectly portioned, and in less than 30 minutes you can have a warm, ooey gooey chocolate cake all to yourself. And no worries, this recipe makes four little cakes so all the peeps in your family can have one of their own, and not steal yours!

Double Chocolate Loaf Cake

A tender and luscious chocolate loaf cake filled with an extra surprise of mini chocolate chips!

So I made this Double Chocolate Loaf Cake last week. I started out trying to develop a chocolate bread recipe, but this is what I came up with. Not that I'm mad or anything. This is actually better than what I had planned in my head. 

It's a nice thick cake, kind of gooey in the center, with chocolate chips throughout. It's simple, yet decadent. The cake is perfect alone, or you could add a dusting of powdered sugar on top, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce. It's also good alongside a scoop of ice cream.

Chocolate Chip Bars

Soft, cake-like chocolate chip bars, perfect with a cold glass of milk!

These Chocolate Chip Bars are like a cookie, but also a bit like a cake. I know, I know, that sounds weird! But by using cake flour the bars puffed up and became crispy on the edges and soft in the center. Filled with milk chocolate chips they are ooey, gooey and just down right delicious. The kids and I loved dunking them in a cold glass of milk, just as you would a cookie. They are also good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Not that I tried that myself. Nope, not me. 

Mini Strawberry Chocolate Chip Donuts

Filled with mini chocolate chips and a delicious strawberry flavor, these mini donuts are perfect for breakfast or as a snack any time of the day!

This month I'm happy to share that one of our Blogger Recipe Challenge Group sponsors is Belgoods Bakeware. Belgoods offers silicone bakeware such as muffin pans, spatulas, baking mats and my personal favorite, the Mini Donut Pan. When I found out that we could pick a product to review, I knew the donut pan was for me! I mean, come on. It was a simple choice for this donut lover.  

I received my pan and I have to say I was quite impressed. This little guy is flexible, unbreakable, easy to clean and is oven safe to 445 degrees. The next step was trying it out!

I had a lot of fun developing this delicious mini donut recipe. I was thinking of spring and summer and wanted a flavor to reflect that. I also wanted the recipe to be somewhat healthy!