Glazed Lemon Cake w/ Sugared Strawberries

 If you are a lover of all things lemon then you will flip over this cake!

It is a Barefoot Contessa recipe with a topping twist of double glaze

and sugared strawberries.

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This cake is so moist and mouth-watering!

The addition of the strawberries makes it even more beautiful and elegant.

Glazed Lemon Cake & Sugared Strawberries

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Mix together:
1 1/2 cups flour

2 t baking powder

1 t kosher salt

Whisk:
1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup sugar

3 extra-large eggs

2 t grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

1/2 t vanilla

Whisk the dry ingredients together with the wet batter.

Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and gently fold in with a rubber spatula until well incorportated.

Line a loaf pain with parchment paper and grease with butter spray.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a cake tester come out clean.

Let cake sit for 10 minutes and then pour on lemon-sugar syrup.

(1/3 c fresh lemon juice mixed with 1/3 cup sugar - melt together on stove)

***

Lemon Glaze:

1 cup confectoioner's sugar

2 T fresh lemon juice

(I double this for my cakes)

Drizzle on cake when cooled.

***
Sugared Strawberries

2 cups strawberries, sliced

3 T sugar

Mix until coated and let sit until strawberries are juicy and sweet.

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I am linking to the following parties:

HERE!

Everyday Sisters-Savory Sundays-Sweet Indulgences-Mom's Sunday Cafe-Lark's Country Heart

Jam Hands-My Meatless Mondays-Mom's Crazy Cooking-Joy Of Desserts-Stone Gable

Tuesday Time Out -Hearth & Soul-Sweetology -My Sassy Chef-Cast Party Wednesday

This Chick Cooks-Let's Do Brunch-Miz Helen's Country Cottage-It's A Keeper-Home Sweet Home

Faith, Grace & Crafts-Feed Me Tweet Me Follow Me Home-Bizzy B Bakes-Party Mindie Style

Mangoes & Chutney-Sweets For A Saturday-Ladybird Lane-Strut Your Stuff-Weekend Roundup

The Charm Of Home-La Bella Vita-E'Kat's Kitchen

Creamy Veggie Bread Bowl

Everyone loves a good dip!

They are delicious to eat and a snap to whip up.

 I have the perfect one for you to try and I am certain you will love it as much as I do!

You can serve this dip in the bread bowl as I have done - or it could be

 equally as wonderful in a glass bowl surrounded by bread chunks or crackers.

This would also pair excellently with fresh vegetables as dippers,

 scooped into celery stalks or spooned onto endive leaves.

 This dip is as beautiful as it is yummy!

~*~

Dipilicious Creamy Veggie Bread Bowl

16 oz. Sour Cream

1 c Mayo

1 pkg. Dried Leek Soup Mix

1 5oz. Water Chestnuts

(drain well, dice)

1 pkg. Frozen Chopped Spinach

 (thaw, squeeze dry)

1 c Carrot (grated)

1/2 c Sun-Dried Tomatoes

(finely chopped)

3 T Fresh Italian Parsley

(chopped)

3 T Chives

(chopped)

Mix all ingredients until blended well.

 Chill for several hours to marry flavors.

To Present:

Hollow out a large round bread loaf

(I used Hawaiian Sweet Bread) and fill with dip.

Cube bread loaves (I used French Bread) and place around bread bowl.

Garnish with additional snipped herbs.

Enjoy!

I am linking to my favorite parties:
HERE!

Savory Sundays-Cafe-Lark's Country Heart
 

My Meatless Mondays-Tuesday Time Out -Hearth & Soul-My Sassy Chef-Cast Party Wednesday

This Chick Cooks-Let's Do Brunch-Miz Helen's Country Cottage-It's A Keeper
Recipies I Can't Wait To TryFaith, Grace & Crafts-Tasty Traditions Thursday-
Feed Me Tweet Me Follow Me Home-

Party Mindie Style-The Charm Of Home-La Bella Vita-E'Kat's Kitchen-Mangoes & Chutney-

Ladybird Lane-Strut Your Stuff-Weekend Roundup

Compassion Tea

Compassion Tea

 Psalm 86:15

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion,

and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 111:4

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

Psalm 145:8

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,

slow to anger and great in mercy.

1 Peter 3:8

Finally, all of you be of one mind,

having compassion for one another;

love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

Join me in a celebration at the following tea parties:

TEACUP TUESDAYS-TERRI

http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

TEA FOR TWO-WANDA LEE

http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR-PAM

TEAPOT & TEA THINGS TUESDAY

http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/

TEA TIME TUESDAY-SANDI

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

TEACUP TUESDAY-MARTHA

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

TEAPOT & TEA THINGS TUESDAY-WANDA LEE

http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Baking Up A Cure

Baking Up A Cure

is a 3-Day Virtual Bake Sale.

 ALL proceeds are donated to the

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

~*~

I have the honor of participating in this event and supporting

my beloved friend, Lark, @ Lark's Country Heart.

This is one devoted lady who sacrifices tremendously

to raise money for breast cancer.

Lark will be running in this race - please show your support

by visiting the blog site and bidding on the dessert of your choice!

I am donating 3 different baked goods for this fund-raiser.

There are so many decadent treats to choose!

Here is a sampling of dishes by Concetta's Cafe:

Strawberry Bread

&

Vermont Honey

Award Winning Brownies

Chocolate Chip Streusel Cake

Please go visit Lark on her site and see the amazing things she

is doing to benefit others.  Her compassion is matchless and

the energy she possess is never-ending!

I am so blessed to know her and take part in her passions!

Join us!!
Link to Virtual Bake Sale - HERE!

Italian Lentil Soup

Homemade Italian Lentil Soup

~*~

My Signature....

This is the quintessential Italian pot of love!

I grew up enjoying this heavenly soup made by my

 Italian Nana - the original Concetta!

Everything she made was mouthwatering delectable! 

I miss her and all that she made so special.

I love chopping veggies and prepping for soups!  It is so relaxing to me. 

Veggies sauteeing in olive oil....mmmmm....makes my home smell like heaven! 

It will be ready soon!

We love to serve lentils over Ditilini pasta with lots of Parmesan cheese!

Concetta's Signature Lentil Soup

~*~

1-2 bags of lentils

(soak in cold water overnight or for a few hours)

 ***

Saute in 2-3 T olive oil the following finely chopped vegetables until soft:

2 large onions

5-6 celery stalks

3 carrots

5-6 garlic cloves 

Season well with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

***

Add 1/2 ~ 3/4 c white wine and simmer down.

Add lentils to pot and stir well. 

Add chicken and beef stock to cover lentils by 2 inches - 8 to 10 cups.

You may use any broth you like - even veggie broth to make it completely vegetarian.

Add the following herbs & spices to your taste:

Adobo Seasoning

Parsley

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Basil

Oregano

2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes

Add 1 Bay Leaf

***

You can also add a can of crushed tomatoes to soup

and 1 T of tomato paste when sauteeing vegetables!

Simmer for 2 hours until beans are tender.

Enjoy an Italian staple with your family!

Mangia! That's True Amore!  

I am linking to my favorite parties HERE!

and at Joy of Desserts!

Hawaiian Fruit Dip & Cinnamon Sugar Crisps

Hawaiian Fruit Dip

&

Cinnamon Sugar Crisps

~*~

...delicious fluffy cream studded with pineapples and coconut!

This dip is so delightful - you will just fall in love.

It pairs so beautifully with fruit - but is absolutely over the top

if scooped into a graham cracker crust and served as a pie...mmmmm!

I also love to mix mandarin oranges into this decadent dip.

Hawaiian Fruit Dip

~*~

Mix together the following ingredients

 until well blended and creamy smooth:

1 c milk

1/2 c sour cream

1/2 c coconut

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding

1 can crushed pineapple w/ the juice

1 can mandarin oranges - drain

(optional)

~*~

Serve with sumptuous fruit bites and cinnamon sugar crisps!

Cinnamon Sugar Crisps

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Cut pie dough using a butterfly cookie cutter.

(or any shape cutter)

Pierce border outline with fork.

Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.

Bake @ 350 until lightly golden.

I am linking to the following favorite parties HERE!
and at Joy of Desserts!

Cool Lime Pie

This is a refreshing pie that is puckery-sweet!

If you love limes then you will love this pie. It is easy to whip up with delicious results.

Cool Lime Pie

1 Graham Cracker Crust

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 can Limeade Concentrate (thaw)

1 9 oz. Whipped Topping

1 T Fresh Lime Juice

Blend milk, limeade and juice well with an electric mixer.

Fold in whipped topping.

Freeze until firm.

Enjoy!

**

Garnish with lime zest and fresh cut lime slices.

**

You can make a scrumptious homemade crust by crushing 24 graham crackers

and adding 1/4 c sugar and 1/2 stick melted butter.

I am linking to these amazing parties HERE.

Apple Crisp

Celebrity Cook Along

featuring Bobby Flay

and hosted by the magnificent Lynn @

Happier Than  A Pig In Mud

Come on over and check out one of my favorite blogs and

all the recipes created by other glorious bloggers.

~*~

I chose a luscious Apple Crisp to showcase insead of something 

inpspired by the famous grill.  We had storms all afternoon in sunny Florida.

The sky was black and the rain was coming down in torrents!

I was unable to get to the store until late tonight so my BBQ was not an option.

This decadent dessert did not disappoint!  

Layers of different apple varieties with a sweet cinnamon sugar  

all baked up with a buttery crumb topping!

Lip-Smacking Sensational!!

****

Apple Crisp

15 apples, peeled and sliced

(I used: Granny Smith-Braeburn-Pink Lady-Fuji)

1/2 c cinnamon sugar mixture

1/2 c Orange Juice or Cider

Topping:

2 c flour

2 c sugar

2 sticks butter, cold

Mix all together in a food processor until it is crumbly in texture.

********

Layer sliced apples in an ungreased 9x13" pan.

  Sprinkle each layer with cinnamon sugar.

Pour orange juice over the apples.

Sprinkle with crumb topping.

Bake @ 400 for 45 minutes.

The apples will be bubbly goodness!

~*~

I would serve this delicious dish with a big scoop

of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce!

But tomorrow we are having a big family day at a beach park

so I will just wrap it up tight for us all to enjoy at the picnic table !

I am also linking this to other favorite blogs HERE.

Scripture Tea

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me

all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Isaiah 32:18

My people will live in a peaceful habitation, and in secure

dwellings and in quiet resting places.

Psalm 59:16

I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your

lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold

and a refuge in the day of my distress. 

Numbers 6:25

May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you.

Psalm 65:11

You crown the year with Your goodness,

and Your paths drip with abundance.

I am linking to the following parties:

TEACUP TUESDAYS-TERRI

http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

TEA FOR TWO-WANDA LEE

http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR-PAM

TEAPOT & TEA THINGS TUESDAY

http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/

TEA TIME TUESDAY-SANDI

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

TEACUP TUESDAY-MARTHA

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

TEAPOT & TEA THINGS TUESDAY-WANDA LEE

http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Orange Blossom Dream Cake

Summer Sunshine On A Plate...

This cake is... in a word...delightful. Moist...decadent...yummy!

Originally known as Pig Lickin' or Pig Pickin' Cake -

 this incredibly delicious cake will win your heart.

I have made a few changes to the recipe that truly puts it over the top!

Orange Blossom Dream Cake

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Cake

1 box yellow cake mix

1 can mandarin oranges & juice (11 oz.)

3/4 c oil

4 eggs

Mix all together until well blended. Pour into a buttered 9x13" pan.

Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes or until a pick comes out clean.

Place on a wire rack and poke holes on the entire top with a bamboo stick or fork tines.

Spoon glaze on hot cake.

Cool on rack and then place in refrigerator until completely cool.

Ice cake with frosting and chill until time to serve.

***

Mandarin Orange Glaze

1/2 c mandarin orange juice

(drain another can and reserve oranges for frosting)

1/4 c powdered sugar

Mix together well and pour on top of hot cake.

***

Dreamy Frosting

1 9oz. container whipped topping

1 small package instant vanilla pudding

1 can crushed pineapples with juice

1/2 c sour cream

reserved mandarin oranges

Stir together until well mixed - top cake.

I am linking to the following parties:

Mom's Sunday Cafe  - Lark's Country Heart - Time Out Tuesday - Hearth & Soul Blog Hop

This Chick Cooks - Miz Helen's Country Cottage - Coupon Cooking - Faith, Grace & Crafts

TidyMom - Whipperberry - The Charm Of Home - Feed Me Tweet Me Follow Me Home Friday

Party Mindie Style - Sweet Tooth Friday - Bake With Bizzy - Simply Sweet Home

Sweet As Sugar Cookies - Sweetology - E'Kats Kitchen - Lady Bird Lane - La Bella Vita

Cast Party Wednesday - Strut Your Stuff - Joy of Desserts

~*~