Lavender Lemonade

IMG_5686

There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than an ice-cold lemonade. Scented with lavender, this lemonade takes on a gourmet status. Tart from the fresh lemons, sweet from the sugar, combined with the floral aroma of the lavender, this is one drink you will not want to put down. Make it a spiked lemonade by adding a shot of vodka!

IMG_5690

I had an inkling that this drink would be so good that I would not have the will power to stop drinking it. Man I know myself well because I was right! Luckily, I did not have to worry about the extra calories because I used ZERO, an all natural sweetener. Great stuff! For more information visit WholesomeSweeteners.com.

IMG_5697

Lavender Lemonade- makes about 8 cups

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/4 cup Wholesome Sweetener’s ZERO or 1 cup plain sugar
  • 1/4 cup agave
  • 2 1/2  tbs dried lavender
  • 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 cups water
  • ice

In a medium sauce pot, bring 2 cups water, sugar, and agave to a boil. Once boiling, turn off heat and add dried lavender. Allow lavender to steep in sugar mixture until cooled. Once cooled, add freshly squeezed lemon juice and 4 cups of water. Pour over ice and enjoy!

IMG_5681

Wholesome Sweeteners did send me this product…which I love! Check out this post for a full review! 

Absolutely Avocados Giveaway!

IMG_5865

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a luncheon celebrating Gaby Dalkin’s new cook book Absolutely Avocados, and as a parting gift she gave us the book and a bag of delicious California avocados.

9781118412114.pdf

I love avocados and eat them all year long. I will gladly pick guacamole and chips over a dessert any day. GASP….I know!!!! So naturally, the first section in the book that I examined was of course the guacamole chapter. There was everything from Mango and Cilantro Guacamole to Cajun Shrimp Guacamole.

IMG_5880

But the recipe that really caught my eye and got my taste buds tingling was the bacon-cotija guacamole. Smoky bacon and sharp crumbly cotija cheese paired with a creamy avocado…um YES PLEASE. Even Baby Ben couldn’t get enough! Every time I turned around he would dip his chip into the guacamole and suck it off…and then give me this look!

IMG_5867

All I can say is genius. This girl is a freaking avocado goddess. The flavors and textures were fantastic. I cannot wait to try all of the 79 recipes in the book including the avocado chocolate chip cookies and brownies (I know right!)

IMG_5879

But wait….I want one of you to go on the avocado journey with me! One of you lucky readers will win your very own copy of Absolutely Avocados and a box of fresh California avocados delivered to your door!

The nitty gritty:

Giveaway is open to US residents only. Winner will be picked using random.org on July 1st, 2013 and will have 72 hours to respond with their mailing address. If winner does not respond within that time, another winner will be picked. This is not a sponsored giveaway nor are these affiliate links, I just want to share some Avocado love!

To enter:

Subscribe to The Seaside Baker (in the upper right hand corner)

Like The Seaside Baker on Facebook

Follow The Seaside Baker on Instagram

Follow The Seaside Baker on Pinterest

Follow The Seaside Baker on Twitter

Leave a comment telling me that you did all that tedious, yet fun stuff! If you are already a follower, just comment telling me so, and you will be entered to win too.

Good Luck!

Now onto this magnificent recipe from the book, Absolutely Avocados.

Bacon-Cotija Guacamole

  • 4 strips bacon
  • 3 Haas avocados
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more if desired
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped serrano chile pepper
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Tortilla chips, for serving

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lay the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer and transfer to the oven. Let the bacon cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until crispy, turning the bacon over once in the middle of cooking time. Remove baking sheet from oven and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Once the bacon is cool enough to touch, chop it into bite-size pieces and set aside.

Cut each avocado in half lengthwise. Remove the pit from the avocado and discard. Remove the avocado from the skin, and place the avocado flesh in a bowl.

Add the cilantro, cotija cheese, serrano pepper, lime juice, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mash with a fork until half smooth and half chunky. Fold in half of the bacon. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Garnish the guacamole with the remaining bacon, and add more crumbled cotija cheese if desired.

Serve immediately with tortilla chips. Serves 4.

IMG_5881

Blackberry and Lime Curd Trifle

IMG_5710

I love blogging. I love baking and photographing, connecting with my followers and meeting new people. What I don’t love about blogging: researching new recipes and falling onto a recipe that I cannot get out of my head. A recipe that literally make me drool. A recipe that my taste buds will not be happy until these flavors touch them. Which in return, makes be behind grow 2 inches.

This is exactly what happened when I stumbled upon Sugar Hero’s Blackberry Lemon Trifle. Her pictures and description must have made everyone want to dash into the kitchen and whip up their own Trifle.  I know that’s what I did, and here are my results.

IMG_5722

Conveniently, we had just stopped by our friend’s garden and my daughter picked a castle sand box full of fresh juicy blackberries. I was out of lemons so I opted for a lime curd, which combined with the blackberries and the coconut pound cake, made my heart skip a beat. Bliss. The perfectly refreshing summer dessert.

Now if you do not have time to make everything by scratch, everything can be purchased at your local grocer and thrown together in about 10 minutes. However, if you do have time, I would urge you to make it from scratch. The flavor combination will take your taste buds on a trip to some far away island where the ocean is bright blue and the palm trees are swaying in the wind.

IMG_5714

Don’t get discouraged by all the steps. The curd can be made up to a week in advance and the pound cake can be made up to 2 days in advance. You can do it!!!!

I used this pound cake recipe (from the previous post) but did not use the glaze. I did however sprinkle the toasted coconut in between the luscious layers. If you are not a coconut fan, use this recipe.

IMG_5745

Lime Curd

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cups fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp lime zest
  • 2 eggs, beaten

Beat together sugar, butter and zest. Add eggs, one at time, mixing well. Add lime juice and beat until combined. Pour the mixture into a small pan and cook on medium, stirring constantly. When it is just about to come to a simmer, and has thickened (will coat the back of your spoon), remove from heat. It will thicken up more as it cools. Once it is cool enough to touch, place in a bowl, cover and refrigerate until cold, about an hour.

Smashed Blackberries

  • 24 ounces fresh Blackberries
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 tsp lime zest

In a bowl combine blackberries, sugar and zest. Mix together smashing the blackberries slightly.

Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Whip on high until cream has doubled in size and forms stiff peaks.

Assembly:

Cut pound cake into 1 inch cubes. Layer on the bottom of 6 small individual serving dishes or 1 large trifle bowl (3-4 quart bowl) with a single layer of cake cubes. Spread a thing layer of whipped cream on the cake layer. Spread a thin layer of lime curd followed by a layer of berries and if desired, a layer of toasted coconut. In the individual dishes I was able to do 2 layers. In the large dish, repeat assembly until full. Finish with whipped cream and fresh berries.

IMG_5712

 

 

Lime Coconut Pound Cake

IMG_5746

Yesterday I returned home from a fabulous weekend in Austin, TX. It was my first time in Texas, and boy did we live it up! I am pretty sure we tried every type of food and every local brew. I am still in such a food comma, so this post will be short!

IMG_5741

After having spent the weekend in 95 degree weather, I knew I wanted something fresh and light. Now, I know that pound cake is traditionally neither fresh nor light, but I had bigger plans for it (in an upcoming post).

IMG_5745

Despite being a dense cake, this pound cake is freshened up with lime zest and juice. The coconut extract that is added to the batter creates a light pillow-y center (it’s 3am and describing this cake is difficult. Just make it, it won’t disappoint, I promise!).

IMG_5738

Lemon Coconut Pound Cake

  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons coconut milk (or regular milk)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Mix all dry ingredients in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Combine the eggs, milk, lime zest and juice, and coconut extract in a separate bowl. Mix and set aside. Add butter and half of the egg mixture to the dry flour mixture. Beat until combined (about 30 seconds). Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the rest of the egg mix. Gently mix the entire batter with a wooden spoon.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Lime Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 cup toasted coconut

In a bowl combine powdered sugar, lime zest, lime juice and milk. Stir until smooth. If it is still too thick, add milk in increments of 1 tsp at a time. Pour over pound cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut!

IMG_5748

Boredom Curing Cookies

IMG_5659

For some reason our internet has not been working for the past two days. I never realized how much I depend on it until now. Nor did I realize how much we can get done without it!

My house is spotless, my toilettes have been cleaned, and I have finally claimed victory over my endless mountain of laundry. I also have about 5 new posts for you all…baked, photographed and edited!!!

IMG_5670

It seems that I am not the only person to be going stir crazy. Since we do not have cable, my kids rely on Netflix and Hulu to watch TV. Well no internet means no TV too! I have to admit…that has been enjoyable.

My 10 year old actually went outside and played with his brother and sister and read a book. After doing all of this, he still came to me later that night complaining of boredom.

IMG_5655

Then he asked to make a batch of cookies. Boy did he make mama proud. I gave him the ingredients and measuring cups and let him go to town. His Peanut Butter Pudding cookies were so good, I decided to blog about them!! In an effort to involve my daughter (because he wouldn’t let her help bake) I set up the cookies and she photographed them!! I think we have some future bloggers on our hands!!! I may or may not have just shed a tear.

IMG_5672

These cookies are quick, moist and delicious. Not sure if the pudding has gluten in it, but if it doesn’t they are also gluten free! You can add just about anything to them, (i.e. chocolate chips, raisins, etc.) but we opted for Reeses Pieces. You can also change the pudding flavor to chocolate, which I think would be delicious, or you can leave the pudding out all together. However, they will be a bit crunchier. I love the ice cream scoop effect he got by using a cookie scoop and not pressing them down.

Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 small (3.4 oz) package of vanilla pudding
  • 2 cups Reeses Pieces

Start by mixing together the peanut butter and sugar until combined. Add the eggs, vanilla and pudding mix until completely combined. Stir in Reeses Pieces.

Scoop out 1 tbsp balls and place on a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes.

You will need a large glass of milk or water with these cookies!

IMG_5660

Blueberry Crumble Cookies

IMG_5598

Guess what? It’s officially blueberry season! We have partnered with Whole Foods Market Del Mar for Blueberry Blast Off!

blueberry blastoff

Make sure you add Whole Foods Market to your list of errands today (Friday, May 31st) to take advantage of their awesome blueberry sale! These babies are on sale for $1.99. That is a phenomenal price for blueberries, let alone ORGANIC blueberries! Can you guess where I will be?!? I hope you are all ready for a gigantic wave of blueberry desserts.

IMG_5609

Blueberry crumble is one of the most popular summer time dessert. Well, now in cookie form, this dessert is transportable! No spoons, plates or napkins required! You can enjoy these at a picnic, on the beach or by the pool! Or add some ice cream and make a delicious blueberry crumble cookie sandwich.

IMG_5579

Since blueberries are one of the highest anti-oxidant foods, these cookies must be healthy, right?

IMG_5591

Make sure to follow Whole Foods Market on Facebook and Twitter for fabulous recipes, great sales and awesome tips.

IMG_5606

Blueberry Crumble Cookies

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • For the crumble topping:
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp butter, cold and cut into small pieces.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the cookies:

In a bowl combine softened butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing throughly in between. Add vanilla, mix. Stop mixer and add flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Turn mixer on slow and mix until everything is combined. Using a spoon, gently mix in blueberries.

IMG_5560

For the crumble topping:

In a bowl combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and oats. Add small butter pieces and mix (or knead with clean fingers) until small pea sized clumps form.

Scoop out 1 inch dough balls and place on a lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Gently press dough balls down to create a slightly flattened top. Sprinkle 1 tsp of crumble topping on each top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes. Allow to cool completely before removing from pan. Use a thin metal spatula to remove the cookies, as sometimes the blueberry juices will stick to the paper.

Here are a couple of other blueberries that I thought you may like :P

Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Muffins

Summer Custard Bars

Blueberry Curd and Coconut Shortbread Tarts

IMG_5570

 

Taylor Farms Salad Kits

T asian salad

I do my best to try to make everything homemade, but I have to admit, sometimes this sucks. Making three meals a day will not only exhaust you, but the sheer amount of dishes will ruin a new manicure!!!

This is where Taylor Farms Salad Kits come into play. They are delicious, organic and nutritious. They are the perfect solution to a long day. Easy and complete, these salads could easily be used as a meal or you can add some shredded chicken for a more complete meal. They are also a great side dish served with some grilled meat.

I often times will make a salad, but unless it is saturated with store bought ranch, my kids won’t eat it. These salads however, they loved. Everything was chopped tiny, so even the baby could easily take a bite! The fresh cubed parmesan and salami in the new Italian chopped salad, was a huge hit in our house!

IMG_5549

I served the BBQ Ranch salad with pizza on Friday night and it was scrumptious! The BBQ sauce had a slight kick to it which paired perfectly to the pepperoni on the pizza.

t bbq ranch

My personal favorite was the Southwest Chopped Salad. I loved the combination of chips, salsa and cabbage. It made for a perfect, refreshing lunch for us.

t southwest

What I love most about these salads and this company, is that they use FAMILY farms across the US to produce their product. The farmers all practice sustainable growing and water management.

I will be keeping these in my refrigerator from now on. Make sure to try them out the next time you are at the store!!

t garden vegetable

Taylor Farms sent me these salad kits to celebrate National Salad Month!