Tag Archives: summer fruit

Four Berry Muffins

Posted in AP's Favorites, Bread, breakfast, brunch by

This is one of my favorite recipes from my well-loved Ina Garten cookbook, Barefoot Contessa At Home. I use a mix of whatever berries I have available and these easy muffins turn out delicious every time.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1-1/4 cups milk
  • 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups of fresh berries (any combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries)
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line muffin tins with paper liners.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.  In another bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and melted butter.  Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture, pour the wet mixture into the well, and stir until just combined.  There will be some lumps but don’t overmix the batter!  Add the berries (cut up strawberries if using) and sugar and stir gently to combine. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups to fill the liners.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean and the tops are nicely browned.

Makes 18 mouth watering muffins!

Alyene’s Blueberry Peach Feta Salad 

Posted in low-carb, salad, side dish, vegetarian by

My friend Alyene shared this delicious fruit salad one summer day while we enjoyed a concert in the park. It has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and fresh flavors! Tossed in a lemon basil vinaigrette, it’s an easy and delicious salad to serve in summer at a bbq or picnic! 

Servings: 4

Sweet, salty and fresh! A perfect combination.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 2 peaches (or nectarines)
  • 2 Persian cucumbers or an English cucumber
  • 2-4 oz feta 
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh basil (sliced thinly) or you can substitute fresh mint. 
  • Salt and ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Making this salad is as easy as making a simple everyday lettuce salad. Dice the peaches or nectarines, slice the cucumbers, and add them to a serving bowl along with the blueberries.

Whenever I make a recipe with feta, I prefer to use block feta and crumble it myself. I feel that the flavor is better, it isn’t as dry and it doesn’t have any of the anti-caking agent in it that pre-crumbled and pre-shredded cheeses contain. For this salad recipe you can crumble or cube the feta cheese.

The final step is to make the lemon vinaigrette. Combine the lemon juice, dijon, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper in a jar. Thinly slice the fresh basil or mint, otherwise known as chiffonade and add it into the mix. Screw on the lid and shake it until it’s well combined. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss everything together. You can eat the salad immediately or refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.

The salad keeps for a couple days in the refrigerator. The peaches will get softer and the feta will start to break down the longer it’s in the fridge, but it still tastes great!

You can do some steps in advance (dressing and cutting up ingredients) but it is best to toss  all the ingredients just before serving.

Summer Peach and Tomato Salad

Posted in AP's Favorites, salad by

DFTSI Summer Peach and Tomato Salad_6482

Savor every last bit of summer with this delightful combination of ripe summer peaches and fresh tomatoes. This beautiful salad is both simple and delicious. The tart accents of balsamic vinegar and the sweet peaches are devine!
Servings: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes

Summer Peach and Tomato Salad

Ingredients
1 large (or two small) peach sliced into wedges (select ones that are just a little bit firm, not too soft)
1 handful of cherry tomatoes sliced into quarters
4-5 fresh mint  or basil leaves chopped (slice them with scissors)
¼ cup  good EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1/8 cup good balsamic vinegar (I like 41 Olive’s lemon-infused balsamic, apricot-infused balsamic))
¼ cup pine nuts or chopped walnuts
Salt and Pepper

Directions
Arrange the nectarine and tomato slices on a platter.
Drizzle with oil and vinegar followed by the nuts and mint.
Sprinkle with freshly ground salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Note: You can chop fruit and plate it up to an hour in advance but wait to dress it and add mint just before serving.  You can also serve this salad on individual salad plates or a family platter.

DFTSI Summer Peach and Tomato Salad_6484