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Lemon lovers puff pastry tart

I confess. I have a serious thing for lemons: on my clothes, in my decor, and definitely in my desserts. The more tart lemon flavor in foods, the better. At this point in my addiction, I’m just a step away from biting directly into the bitter fruit to get my fix. Yesterday I had a hankering for something lemony and sweet but rather than fuss with meringues or cakes, I decided to get right to the good stuff. I had a puff pastry in the refrigerator and handful of lemon (because, of course!), so I got to work. This easy tart takes nearly no time. Very thinly slice two lemons and remove their seeds. Coat both sides of the slices in sugar, and arrange on top of the pastry puff. I also scored about a 1/4″ edge around the pastry to help give it a crust to grab on to.…

It’s not summer without strawberry, rhubarb pie

I wait all year to make certain pies, and this weekend it was finally strawberry rhubarb season. I “borrowed” some from my family, with the promise of returning it in pie form. In the world of sweets, we’re definitely a “pie family.” Cake just never hits the spot like a flaky pie crust bursting with summer fruit. This recipe is filled to the brim with juicy strawberries and tart rhubarb. It’s so simple, it will quickly become one of those recipes you can make from memory. And that’s how a simple summer pie should be — who wants fuss when there’s pies, pools, and picnics to attend. Feel free to use your favorite homemade pie crust, or pick up one from the store. And make sure you make this pie soon. Before you know it, rhubarb season will be over, and you’ll have to wait another year! Strawberry Rhubarb pie Serves 8 Ingredients 2…

Springtime lime cookies

These lime cookies are buttery and bursting with tangy citrus flavor. They’ll remind you of a pleasant spring day. Enjoy alone or with tea or milk. Just enjoy them before some else does — These cookies never last long! Springtime lime cookies Ingredients Icing 1/3 cup confectioners sugar 2 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp butter, room temperature 1 tbsp lime zest Cookies 2 tbsp lime juice 1/3 cup milk 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup white sugar 1 egg 2 tbsp lime zest 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a small cup, combine the milk and 2 tbsp of lime juice. Let stand for up to 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until combined. Add 2 tbsp lime zest and the…

These are the 100 best brunch spots, according to OpenTable users

Nothing says “I love you Mom” more than a Bloody Mary and eggs benedict. Or maybe the new spring weather has just put some pep in your step and you’re feeling more energized to actually put on pants before noon. Either way, OpenTable is here to help. The restaurant reservation app has rounded up the top 100 brunch spots for 2018. Nearly 45,000 restaurants were considered based off of 12 million customer reviews. The top restaurants were then sorted into different categories like “great for brunch,” for example. From California cool brunch spots to which New York dining destinations, the list includes winners from 24 states plus Washington, D.C. California took the most top spots with 19 winning restaurants, followed by New York with 15, D.C. and Pennsylvania, each with nine a piece. Here are all of the 2018 Best Brunch winners listed by state. California Beachcomber Cafe – Crystal Cove – Newport…

Get ready for Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day, May 8

In case you missed out on Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day and Dairy Queen’s free cone, the universe is giving you another chance for a free frozen treat. Häagen-Dazs is offering its own Free Cone Day soon. On Tuesday, May 8, from 4 to 8 p.m., walk into any Häagen-Dazs scoop shop and received one free scoop of ice cream or sorbet. Choose from flavors like White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle or Espresso Chocolate Cookie Crumble, or keep it light with fruit sorbet flavors like Mango or Lemon. Get it to-go in a cup, cake cone or sugar cone. https://twitter.com/HaagenDazs_US/status/989528704941359104 For the past decade, Häagen-Dazs has used its Free Cone Day as a way to raise awareness for honey bees. The population has been disappearing at an alarming rate, and without them, the food system would be altered drastically. For Häagen-Dasz, that means flavors like Strawberry, Rocky Road and Mango…

Explore the fresh flavors of Tabouli quinoa salad

Maybe you call it tabouli, or maybe it’s tabbouleh?  Or, maybe you don’t call it anything because you’ve never heard of it. But what’s important, is the fresh flavors you’re about to behold. Tabouli (pronounced tə-ˈbü-lē) is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. The vegetarian salad is classically made with cracked wheat, loads of fresh parsley and ripe tomatoes — among other ingredients like quality extra virgin olive oil and zesty lemon juice. Originally from Lebanon, tabouli has become one of the most popular salads throughout Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and has become popular in American food in recent years, as well. With so many countries adopting the dish, there are truly endless variations. If you don’t mind dicing and chopping for 20 minutes, you’ll have a fresh and extremely healthy salad full of bright tastes, textures and colors. It’s one of those dishes that measuring out ingredients just isn’t necessary, but I…

Here’s how to spring clean your spice rack

You might be diligent about spring cleaning every year, but when was the last time you cleaned out your spice rack? Spices and herbs don’t spoil the same way produce or dairy does, but time does cause them to lose their potency and flavor. To help you decide what to keep and what to toss, McCormick Spice posted some interesting information on Facebook. According the Maryland-based spice maker, any spice label that says “Baltimore, MD” is way out of date. The company hasn’t produced spices there for at least 25 years. McCormick was founded in 1889 in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, but moved it’s production plant to Hunt Valley, Maryland about a quarter century ago. McCormick recommends replacing their ground spices, like nutmeg, cinnamon or curry, every two or three years, and their whole spices, like cloves, every three to four years. Seeds such as anise have a shelf life of about four…

Rent The Chicken provides backyard birds for fresh eggs and down-home fun

If you’ve ever thought about raising hens but chickened out, Jenn and Phil Tompkins have an egg-sellent solution. The Armstrong County, Pennsylvania couple incubated their company, Rent The Chicken, to be a low-risk introduction to backyard bird farming. The business model is all about giving the general public an opportunity to get closer to one source of food, while taking the hard work and commitment out of raising birds. The concept is simple. For the $400 standard rental package, Rent The Chicken supplies a portable coop, food and water dishes, all the food you’ll need, two egg-laying hens, and some other fun odds and ends. Add $200 and get four chickens for your backyard brood. Rent The Chicken will take care of set-up and delivery as well as walking you through the basic information you’ll need to know to care for and enjoy your chickens, and their eggs, all summer long. The portable coop has a wire bottom and wheels which allow customers…

Carrot cake pancakes are perfect for spring brunch

If you’re a fan of carrot cake, these orange-hued silver-dollar pancakes will hit the spot. With all the spices of traditional carrot cake, and a sweet cream cheese drizzle on top, these tiny breakfast bites taste just like the real thing. Try them for an Easter brunch or even just to celebrate a bright, spring morning. *Note: Pancakes don’t cook that long, so it’s important to only have extremely fine pieces of carrots in the batter. Use the fine side of a cheese grater to get the right size texture. Carrot Cake Pancakes Serves about 4 Pancake Ingredients 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup light brown sugar 3/4 cup buttermilk (or substitute Greek yogurt) 1 tsp vegetable oil 2 eggs 2 tsp quality vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups carrots, finely grated 1/4 cup walnuts,…

Celebrate spring with freebies from Dairy Queen and Rita’s Italian Ice

It might still look like winter outside, but you can celebrate the first official day of spring tomorrow, March 20, 2018, with a free treat from either Dairy Queen or Rita’s Italian Ice (or both, because let’s be real). Both chains are continuing their traditions of bringing in the spring equinox with freebies for fans. Dairy Queen’s fourth annual “Free Cone Day” will be held nationwide. The ice cream chain will hand out one free small vanilla soft-serve cone per person while supplies last. DQ has more than 4,400 U.S. locations. Mall locations will not be participating. The DQ event also serves as a fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Visitors are encouraged to make a small donation to the charity. Last year nearly $300,000 was raised. Rita’s Italian Ice will be giving away free Italian ice as it has done so now for 26 years. The tradition is one many look…