Pancakes with blueberries and Lemon Curd

 

Here is a favorite pancake breakfast combo.

Image from Here.

Pancakes (Favorite quick mix is the Kodiak Brand)

Mini Blueberries (Trader Joes sells these in the freezer section or maybe your local grocery store)

Lemon Curd (Trader Joes Brand)

Maple Syrup

Whipping Cream (optional)

*I prefer to put the blueberries on top of my pancakes rather than baking them into the batter.  I also prefer the mini frozen blueberries because you can always have them on hand, and they defrost quickly.

*Lemon Curd--it is RICH!  Just spread a thin layer OR you can add 2-3 TBS into your whipping cream/pwd sugar and then whip them together.

Crepes

This is my go to recipe 

(and image credit) from melskitchencafe.com for crepes.  

I love the simplicity of just throwing everything in the blender!

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS 

• In a blender or large bowl using an electric mixer, combine the eggs, milk, flour, oil (or butter) and salt. Blend or mix on high until the ingredients are well combined. Cover the batter and chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. This helps the gluten to relax, making the crepes even more tender.

Combination Ideas we like:

LEMON AND BERRY

lemon curd
fresh berries (or defrosted frozen combination works great too)
whipped cream

Honey Bunches of oats cereal (or other preferred granola)

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY
strawberries
nutella
cream

BANANA GOODNESS
bananas
mini chocolate chips
whipped cream
nutella
peanut butter

toasted pecans

-If you want to get extra fancy...you can make your whipped cream with add-ins like the lemon curd or Nutella, or cinnamon, etc.

Berry Feta and Pecan Salad

This recipe is SUPER easy.  My kids may or may not think that having fruit in a salad is NOT right, but they eat it anyway!  Others of us with more "refined" taste will make and eat this whenever possible!

Ingredients:

Lettuce Greens (romaine, spinach, etc)

blueberries, raspberries, strawberries

Feta (or blue) cheese crumbles

Sugared Pecans (or toasted)

Dressing:  I like Trader Joes Balsamic Glaze OR you can use a honey mustard vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. raspberry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Summer Pancakes

 

If you want to mix up your usual pancake breakfast...try adding the following:

Fresh or frozen berries

Fresh peaches

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal

Buttermilk or Maple Syrup

Coconut Ice Cream with Fresh Fruit

Picture credit goes here.

Oh, Spring is here and so is my major craving for delicious seasonal fruit!  

My brother-in-law whipped up this simple, colorful, fresh, and beautiful dessert just last night.  I had to post it and share.  

Chop up a variety of fresh fruit such as kiwi, mango, strawberries.  Add other fresh berries.  Generously spoon fruit mixture over coconut gelato or ice cream.

The is the ice cream he used:

Fresh Fig Green Salad

 I had this salad at my sister's house.  I've never had figs in a salad before.  They are so beautiful!  This is a great salad to break away from usual routine!

Fresh Figs, sliced
Fresh Greens (I like to use the mixed greens from Costco)
fresh basil, chopped
diced red onion
goat cheese
optional fruit (blueberries, raisins, chopped apple, pears, grapes)
pistachios (or slivered toasted almonds)

Honey Mustard Dressing:
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. light olive oil
2 TBS dijon mustard
3 TBS honey
3 TBS red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Fruit Pizzas with Lemon Curd

This is similar to my recipe for FRUIT PIZZAS only it has the added flare of a layer of lemon curd.  Follow the recipe as outlined only spread a layer of curd and then a layer of the yogurt/cool whip mixture.  I like the Trader Joes lemon curd.  You can make your own, or go for the easy store bought brand of your choice.

Fruit Pizzas

 For a fun dessert buffet...have a "Make-Your-Own" Fruit Pizza Bar!

Cookies:Mix together
1 pkg white cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
-Form balls into desired size (regular or mini)
-Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes.
-Note: You can use your favorite sugar cookie recipe instead...this is just the easiest way!
Frosting:
Mix together:
1/2 of small carton cool whip
2 yoplait yogurts (I usually either do a berry or lemon/lime)
**(with whatever is left over, use it for a fruit salad or on top of pancakes/waffles!)

Decorate with:sliced strawberries
canned mandarine oranges
fresh blueberries
sliced kiwi

Kale-Blueberry Smoothie

• 1 ripe banana, peeled and frozen
• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• 2 teaspoons ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 2 cups kale leaves, loosely packed
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon raw honey

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth. If necessary, add more almond milk to help your blender process the frozen fruit.