Red Velvet Berry Parfaits

It's time to celebrate once again, the last summer hurrah.   Labor Day weekend is almost here and boy do I have a wonderful dessert for you!

I saw a recipe on Rattlebridge Farm  for a Red Velvet Berry Crumble and was so wowed by it that I new I was going to do a variation of my own...parfait style.  It's the perfect red, white, and blue dessert to go along with many holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July (Independence Day) and especially Labor Day.

Since I only wanted to make a few of these parfaits, I took some help from my grocery store and bought 2 slices of red velvet cake and deconstructed them for my parfaits.  You could use red velvet cupcakes, brownies, or pound cake.  I've seen most of these in our local Ralphs market.  Add some vanilla or cheesecake flavored pudding, some berries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream all layered in pretty dishes and you are set.  Easy as pie!

The taste is unbelievable too.  I mean, who doesn't love red velvet cake?  There are whole books just on the stuff.  It's the bomb, and is highlighted in this dish!

So if you are planning a get together, BBQ, or any family gathering for the weekend, this is the perfect dessert.  Hope you enjoy it...we gobbled it up!



Red Velvet Berry Parfaits

serves 4

1 pkg. sugar-free vanilla pudding (or cheesecake flavored)
2 c 2% milk
2 store bought red velvet cake slices (or cupcakes, brownies, pound cake, etc.)
handful of fresh blueberries
handful of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
handful of fresh raspberries

vanilla ice cream 

Make the vanilla pudding according to package directions using the milk.  Allow to set up in the refrigerator for 5 minutes before using.  

Cube the red velvet cakes and place several in the bottom of 4 dishes or glasses.  Top with a large dollop of pudding.  Add a few more pieces of red velvet cake and divide all the berries among all the glasses.  Top each with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Place a blueberry on top.  Serve.

Asian Cucumber Salad

This is 4th of July week and I have a million things to do to get ready for the big day.

We always have a pool party and do some grilling with friends.  Then it's off to watch fireworks and I can't forget the dessert, which is something that involves fruit such as grilled pound cake and peaches or berries, or a delicious parfait.   But, we can't forget to top it with a scoop of homemade ice cream.  It's a tradition in our family to make ice cream on the 4th of July, and it would be sorely missed if we didn't make it. 

I have a lot of recipes ready for you this week to choose from for your Independence Day bash.  Let's start with a nice fresh side dish that has been in our family for quite some time. Our Asian Cucumber Salad is so refreshing and make the perfect side dish to sliders, chicken, burgers, and even ribs. Let's just say that this didn't last long in my house.  I even caught MGG in the kitchen later eating my leftovers I had saved for lunch!

Kitchen Tip:  If you use English or Hot House Cucumbers, you won't have to peel them (love that!). For regular cucumbers, you will need to peel them like I have done in these pictures.

I know you will enjoy this.  It's easy to put together, and you can make it ahead, which is always a plus in my book!

Be on the look out for more dishes over the next several days.  You won't want to miss them.
Enjoy!




Asian Cucumber Salad

Serves 8

4 large cucumbers, sliced, peeled if necessary, and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
Ground black pepper

In a large bowl, add cucumbers and salt and allow to stand 5 minutes to draw out the moisture. In a small mason jar add the vinegar, ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Shake to combine and set aside. Drain your cucumbers of any collected liquid. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and then cover and chill 1 to 24 hours. Before serving add your chopped mint, and toss to combine. Season with black pepper and serve.

4 Favorite Burgers

Summer is here and the 4th of July is around the corner!

That means grill time....that means burger time!

We usually go all Americana on our 4th of July menu, keeping it to burgers and hot dogs.

So if you are craving a good juicy burger pick one of my four favorite choices.  Each are perfect for a party with friends and family.  Perfect for the 4th of July festivities, and so easy to make!

Here are the recipes starting in the upper left - going clockwise!  Enjoy!!

The Mushroom Swiss Burger

The Best Stuffed Grilled Cheeseburgers

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Grilled Santa Fe Burger

What hamburger wouldn't be complete without a great bun? If you are adventurous then try this...

Homemade Hamburger Bun Recipe

And to quench your thirst...

 Land of the Free Lemonade

Strawberry Angel Cake

Did everyone have a wonderful 4th of July?

We had a beautiful one, but I'm tired now.  Who thought of putting a holiday in the middle of the week anyway?  Don't get me wrong.  I love the work 2 days of 1 day and work 2 days.  I think I could get used to that...but not when that one day off is a late nighter....watching fireworks and all!  We had a nice time grilling and swimming, then going over to one of the studio back-lots for a fireworks show.  Lots of fun!  How did you all celebrate?  I'd love you to share your stories.

On to today's post.  This one is for all those that are experiencing HOT HOT weather right now.  During the summer months I try to keep the oven off as much as possible.  But we still want to have dessert on occasion.  One that is light, tasty, and uses fresh ingredients such as seasonal fruit.  This Strawberry Angel Cake is just perfect for that!

I had in mind to make a favorite cake of mine called Angel Lush Cake from Kraftrecipes.com which takes a angel food cake, cut into 3 layers, and filled in with vanilla pudding and pineapple and topped with strawberries..yum!

Then I was looking around on Cookinglight.com and found a similar idea for a Strawberry Angel Cake  which uses a strawberry and cream cheese mixture as the filling.  It was beautiful because it was actually "iced" with non-dairy whipped topping!  This stuck in my head.  It was so simple, but just beautiful looking.  The very next day, I got a post from Robyn of  Add a Pinch and it was her version of the Cooking Light Strawberry Angel Cake!  Robyn has a gorgeous site!!  You should all take a trip over there and say "hi!"  Anyway, Robyn made this even simpler  and I was overcome by the need to make this.

This is a no bake recipe, that you can put together in under 20 minutes.  Taking some help from a store bought angel food cake, you are halfway there!  Don't you just love those types of recipes? 

I went a step further with her version and modified it a bit by making it a little more carb friendly.  I bought a sugar-free angel food cake.  Tastes just as good as the sugar version, however, the carb count is dramatically reduced which helps with the diet you know!  

This turned out so light and refreshing, just perfect for a summer dessert.  A no-bake dessert, that would be perfect for the a holiday, or any other nice occasion.  It looks so pretty too!  Like you spent a lot of time, when in reality, you didn't!

Enjoy!!



Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe
adapted from Cooking Light

serves 10

1 pint strawberries 

1 T. sugar

1 prepared sugar-free angel food cake
1 (8-ounce) container lite Cool Whip

Hull and slice strawberries placing them in a bowl. Add 1 Tablespoon of Sugar and mix. Allow to sit for 10 min while you start to prepare the cake. Slice the cake in half and spread a layer of lite Cool Whip on the bottom layer of the cake.  Top with the sliced strawberries, being generous with you layer.  Place the top of the cake back on.  Taking your lite Cool Whip frost the top and sides of the cake.  Lightly cover and place in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to set up.  Slice with a serrated knife and serve.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Happy 4th of July!

Time to celebrate America's independence.  How will you celebrate?  Do you have a big BBQ out back, go to someone house with some potluck food?  Have a great pool party, or just stay low key and watch some fireworks?

The 4th of July has always been special to my family.  Growing up we had neighborhood parades that I proudly participated in, my bike all decked out in flags, and red, white, and blue streamers.  So many memories!  Then we would always have a great afternoon grilling and eating great food, followed by going to the local firework display.  A long and super fun day!

These days, I sill like to celebrate.  Although I don't decorate my bike anymore (hehe!) I do love to break out all the patriotic dishes, and decorations and make piles of food!

Grilling on this holiday means "All American" food to us.  Hambugers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, and grilled corn all fit the bill.  So with that in mind I decided to make you a burger.  Not just any 'ole burger, but a stuffed burger.  Stuffed with Blue Cheese!  Oh my!  This is such a great combination for a burger.  I'm usually a purist with them, but not this combination.  It is excellent!  Truly!

Stuffed burgers are everywhere now on the internet.  They are easy to do.  You just make take the amount of meat that you would make in 1 whole burger and split in it half to form two thin patties, of the same size.  Place your stuffing ingredients, in this case Blue Cheese, on the bottom pattie, and top with the other one.  Crimp the edges to make a tight seal and your done!  A stuffed burger.  That's all there is to it, but the payoff is amazing.  Trust me!

 

Doesn't this look good?  Cheesy gooeyness!

So get out all your holiday decorations....

Try my Land of the Free Lemonade...

Try some killer side dishes

Grilled Romaine Salad 

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Grilled Greek Potato Salad

Heirloom Cherry Tomato and Grilled Corn Salad

AND....have a Blue Cheese Stuffed Burger!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers

serves 4

1 lb ground sirloin

salt & pepper

1/2 c crumbled blue cheese

Divide ground sirloin into 4 sections.  Take each section and form to equal sized patties.  Place 2-3 tablespoons of blue cheese crumbles and place it on one of the patties.  Top with the other pattie crimping edges to seal.

Cook on a preheated grill over medium heat.  Cook for 8 minutes total turning once halfway through.  Serve on toasted buns with your favorite burger toppings.

Southern Sundays

Happy Southern Sundays!

It's time to celebrate our country's Birthday! The 4th of July, Independence Day, is right around the corner.

I thought it would be fitting to have a themed linky party this week in honor. So please bring your best 4th of July recipes to the party and show off your favorite dishes!

Last week we had a super fun party.  We had two recipes that were outstanding with the crowd, and I'd love to feature them today.  Please take a moment to visit the creator's site and say "hi!"  They really put their heart into these dishes...and it shows!

Congratulations on this week's featured recipes!

Fried Green Tomatoes

By Deana of Country Momma Cooks

Decadent Chocolate Fudge Cake

By Winnie of Something Sweet

I want both of these...right now!

Thank you all for joining...such great entries!

So remember this week we are having a themed party!  The theme is "4th of July dishes".

Let's party again and see what wonderful things you are cooking up this week!

Guidelines:

Please become a follower by joining my site with Google Friends Connect in the right side bar.
Link back to your specific recipe and not to your main site.
Link back to Southern Sundays either in your post, or grab my Southern Sundays Button located in the right side bar.
Please visit a few of the links in the post and say hello to your fellow bloggers!
Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!

Product Review: Williams-Sonoma The Ultimate Burger Starter

Don't you just love trying new products in search of "GOLD"??

Found it!

With this product I hit the Motherload!

Seriously.

Back in June I was attending a technique class at the Williams-Sonoma store and spotted an item of interest way across the room.  I could hardly stand it not being able to pick it up and read the ingredients as the class was only half way through.  Classes are GREAT there, by the way.  I recommend taking one if have the ability to do so!

So when we finished I scurried right over and nabbed a jar of their "The Ultimate BURGER STARTER".

Click on this link to see the product on their site:  The ultimate burger starter
Here's what Williams - Sonoma says about it:

The world’s best burgers begin with our savory seasoning blend. Quick and easy to use, it’s the simple secret to juicy, succulent meat with incomparable flavor.

• Classic American recipe pairs sweet caramelized onions with a signature medley of herbs and spices.
• Dijon mustard, roasted garlic and aromatic Worcestershire sauce add depth and complexity.
• Perfect for grilling or panfrying ground beef, turkey or pork.
• Also great for meatballs.
• Quick and easy – just combine 2 tsp. Burger Starter per 1/4 lb. of ground beef or turkey and cook as desired.
• 10 oz.
• A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Ingredients: Sweet onions, natural roasted onion flavor, kosher salt, dehydrated roasted garlic, dijon mustard (distilled vinegar, mustard seed, salt, water, white wine, citric acid, tartaric acid, spices), extra-virgin olive oil, black pepper, brown sugar, italian flat-leaf parsley, garlic powder, worcestershire concentrate (vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, tamarind, natural flavor), dehydrated onions, mustard powder, citric acid



Review:  I don't usually like to add stuff to my burgers.  Boy was I wrong...  Now I'm converted.  This product is the BOMB!  It's depth of flavor from the onion and Worcestershire sauce give it a great beefy flavor.  It just adds a zest to the burger, like a gourmet restaurant style meal.  You only need to use a very small amount per burger, so this will last a long time!  Good cost savings there.  The item prices at $10.00 for 10 oz. 

You can add it to your grilled burgers, or the ones you pan fry on the stove.  It would be excellent in meatloaf, or meatballs!  Try it with Salisbury steak too!

You HAVE to try this....I kid you not.  I'm stocking up on this baby!  I even bought one for my sister, Sue, and my mom in Tennessee.  This product is on my A list of items I use often.

Here's a pic of our 4th of July burgers where I used this.  MGG says MMMMGood!

Happy 4th of July!!! Tablescape

Happy 4th of July!

A friend sent me this comment on Facebook and I thought it was so appropriate that I had to share:

"Remember this as you celebrate this weekend! The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American Soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them...they fight because they love what's behind them. "

Here's some great ideas for a pretty 4th of July tablescape.

We're having an outdoor party.

The table is set with a red, white, and blue theme.

A sweet red basket holds patriotic napkins, flatware, drinks, glasses. and patriotic flags.  The white flatware tied in bundles with a deep navy colored napkin are a great touch! 

A white colander is all set to hold slice of watermelon and other fruit.

The place settings consist of a red wicker charger, a navy blue plate peppered with white dots in a floral fireworks pattern.  A salad plate in a lighter blue version also in a white dot floral pattern.  A white bowl tops the set.  So pretty!

Some great ramekins used for condiments will keep in the theme...

Simple and easy...that's always best...oh and to have fun!  Happy 4th of July!

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

What better way to celebrate our county's independance than with a good 'ole American sandwich!

Not just any old sandwich, but one that has the flavors American's love....BBQ.

Now this sandwich is not just any 'ole meat....it PORK...and not a typical smoked pork, cause I don't have a smoker.  But, it certainly does have the smokey flavor, AND the pork is slow cooked and pulled just like a real smoked pork.

The trick is that I used a slow cooker....yes, a crock pot...and it came out tender, moist, and falling off the bone!

Don't let this fool you, this sandwich packs a great punch.  I also used my special Chili Rub I posted yesterday, which gives this great "smokey" flavor. (click on the link to go to the Chili Rub recipe)  Make sure to add this step it's crucial!

This pulled pork sandwich is in the spirit of the Carolina BBQs.    The meat is slow cooked, over indirect heat.  Using a pork shoulder, the meat is "pulled" or shredded.  The all important sauce is a vinegar based sauce which I bought (more on that later) and is used to flavor the pork after the slow cooking is complete.  This sauce is typical of North Carolina.  In South Carolina they tend to use a mustard based sauce, but I like the vinegar base myself!

This is not a "quick" meal by any means, so it takes some time and planning.  Great for a large crowd, a party, celebrations, holiday, or weekend meal.

So let's pull some pork!!!

Take a 4 1b. boneless pork shoulder.  Rub the pork with my chili rub all over, on both sides.  Really rub it in there. 

Place the pork fat side up in a 5 quart slow cooker.  As a basting, add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 stick of butter.  You can put some of the butter on top of the pork so that it melts and seeps in to the meat.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or under very tender.

Remove pork from slow cooker and place on a cutting board to rest and cool enough for you to handle.  I've pulled off the top fat layer here... see that great crust, and the seasoning??

Meanwhile heat up the BBQ sauce in a sauce pan on your stove over low heat.  I purchased a North Carolina Sauce called "NC Barbecue Sauce" from "The Pit".  Purchased from Williams-Sonoma.  The Pit Western-Style North Carolina Barbecue Sauce: A famous blend of pureed tomatoes, tangy cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses and local wildflower honey, this spicy-sweet sauce comes from The Pit Authentic Barbecue in Raleigh, North Carolina; 12 oz.  You can purchase this here:  The Pit - Carolina BBQ Sauce .

You might need several bottles if you are serving a large crowd!

Remove and discard any excess fat from the pork.  Using 2 forks, shred the pork.

Place the shredded pork in the sauce pan and mix with the BBQ sauce.

Toast the hamburger buns using the broiler for about 2-3 minutes until nice and brown.

Top buns with the saucy pork mixture, add a pickle if you like!

See how yummy, makes you want some huh?
Now I served this with a "special" cole slaw...which I'll share with your tomorrow!

So fire up the...hmmmm...slow cooker, and get you some BBQ pulled pork going!  Enjoy!












BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Serves 8

4 lb. boneless pork shoulder
1 c chili rub
1 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 bottle of BBQ sauce, North Carolina Style (I used "The Pit")
8 hamburger buns, toasted
pickle slices are optional

Rub your pork with the chili rub mixture, rubbing on all sides.  Place pork in a 5 qt. slow cooker.  Add apple cider vinegar and butter to the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until very tender.

Remove from cooker and place pork on a cutting board.  Let cool for several minutes.

Heat BBQ sauce in a medium sauce pan over low heat.  Shred pork using forks.  Place shredded pork inside the sauce pan stirring to coat completely.  Allow to simmer while you prepare the sandwiches.

Toast hamburger buns in the broiler 2-3 min until golden brown.  Top the bottom bun with pork mixture.  Cover with the top bun.  Serve with pickles if desired!