I combined two of my favorite things (potatoes & Boursin) and made this delicious & easy Boursin mashed potatoes recipe. I’m shocked I haven’t thought of combining the two earlier, but I’m so glad I finally did. We all loved these garlicky, buttery potatoes were decadent and delicious, and we all thought they paired well with a juicy steak, steamed artichoke, and simple salad.

Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into same-sized chunks
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2-3 tbsp butter, to taste
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 (5.2-oz) package Garlic and Fine Herbs Boursin Cheese, crumbled

Serving Options: 

• Butter, optional
• Chives, snipped, optional

How to Make Boursin Mashed Potatoes:

Cook the potatoes by placing them in a large pot of well-salted water and bringing to a boil over high heat. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander and return them to the hot pot over the stovetop for a minute or two to steam off excess moisture.

Meanwhile, warm the milk, butter, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste until melted & very warm.

Make the Boursin mashed potatoes by adding the warm milk/butter mixture to the hot potatoes, along with the crumbled Boursin cheese.

Beat the potatoes with a hand mixer or hand masher until creamy and smooth. Taste & re-season if needed.

To serve, spoon the potatoes into a serving bowl and top with a dollop of butter, fresh chives, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

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Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Course Sides

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Large pot
• Colander
• Hand Mixer or Hand Masher

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. russet potatoes peeled and chopped into same-sized chunks
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2-3 tbsp butter to taste
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 5.2-oz package Garlic and Fine Herbs Boursin Cheese, crumbled

Serving Options:

• Butter optional
• Chives snipped, optional

Instructions

• Cook the potatoes by placing them in a large pot of well-salted water and bringing to a boil over high heat. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander and return them to the hot pot over the stovetop for a minute or two to steam off excess moisture.
• Meanwhile, warm the milk, butter, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste until melted & very warm.
• Make the Boursin mashed potatoes by adding the warm milk/butter mixture to the hot potatoes, along with the crumbled Boursin cheese.
• Beat the potatoes with a hand mixer or hand masher until creamy and smooth. Taste & re-season if needed.
• To serve, spoon the potatoes into a serving bowl and top with a dollop of butter, fresh chives, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

We’ve been having a load of hot weather, which makes me want to make simple dinners that don’t heat the house. I used a combination of greens that we had in the fridge, and kept it simple with just a few toppings. The citrus vinaigrette paired well with the other ingredients, and the salad was delicious. This healthy, quick, and simple salad paired nicely with some spicy chicken sandwiches and a fruit salad.

Simple Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Citrus Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar (white wine vinegar will also work)
• Zest from half a lemon + 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Zest from 1 mandarin + 1 tbsp fresh mandarin juice (can also use a Clementine)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½-1 tsp honey, to taste
• 1 small clove of garlic, finely grated
• ⅛ tsp onion powder
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Simple Mixed Green Salad:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 cup baby arugula
• 3 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
• Parmesan, shaved, to taste  ***Vegetable peeler works well to shave the cheese
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make a Simple Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette:

Make the citrus vinaigrette by combining the oil, vinegar, zest & juice from the lemon & mandarin, Dijon, honey, garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste in a small glass jar. Seal with a lid and shake well. Taste & re-season if needed.

Set aside to let the flavors mingle for at least 15-30 minutes before using.  Side Note: You won’t need all of the salad dressing for this salad. Store the remaining vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. 

Make the salad by combining the romaine lettuce, baby spinach, and baby arugula in a large bowl.

Drizzle some of the well-shaken citrus vinaigrette over the greens and toss to coat them evenly. Pour the salad on a serving plate, if desired.

Sprinkle the top with toasted pine nuts, shaved Parmesan cheese, and lots of freshly cracked black pepper to taste.  Side Note: Toast the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over low heat for a few minutes, tossing them occasionally, until golden brown. 

Serve immediately with additional vinaigrette on the side. Enjoy.

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Simple Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Small glass jar
• Large Bowl

Ingredients

Citrus Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar white wine vinegar will also work
• Zest from half a lemon + 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Zest from 1 mandarin + 1 tbsp fresh mandarin juice can also use a Clementine
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½-1 tsp honey to taste
• 1 small clove of garlic finely grated
• ⅛ tsp onion powder
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Simple Mixed Green Salad:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 cup baby arugula
• 3 tbsp pine nuts toasted
• Parmesan, shaved, to taste ***Vegetable peeler works well to shave the cheese
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Make the citrus vinaigrette by combining the oil, vinegar, zest & juice from the lemon & mandarin, Dijon, honey, garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste in a small glass jar. Seal with a lid and shake well. Taste & re-season if needed.
• Set aside to let the flavors mingle for at least 15-30 minutes before using. 

  Side Note: You won't need all of the salad dressing for this salad. Store the remaining vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Make the salad by combining the romaine lettuce, baby spinach, and baby arugula in a large bowl.
• Drizzle some of the well-shaken citrus vinaigrette over the greens and toss to coat them evenly. Pour the salad on a serving plate, if desired.
• Sprinkle the top with toasted pine nuts, shaved Parmesan cheese, and lots of freshly cracked black pepper to taste. 

  Side Note: Toast the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over low heat for a few minutes, tossing them occasionally, until golden brown.
• Serve immediately with additional vinaigrette on the side. Enjoy.

This is the best and easiest corn on the cob recipe, and I doubt I will ever cook fresh corn on the cob any other way again. Using a microwave is the quickest, easiest way to get freshly cooked corn on the cob that keeps its texture and taste, and it doesn’t heat the house! This method has you steam the corn directly in the husks. Once it is cool enough to handle, you cut off the BOTTOM of the cob and squeeze the corn out of the husk, along with all the corn silk. Easy-peasy, and the corn tastes fantastic & not waterlogged.

Easiest Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

• 3 ears of corn, husks kept on!

Serving:

• Butter
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make the Easiest Corn on the Cob:

Place the ears of corn, husks intact, in the microwave.

Cook for 7-8 minutes for three ears.  Side Note: 1 ear of corn cooks for 4 minutes; then add 1-2 minutes per additional ear, depending on the microwave’s power.

Carefully remove the ears of corn from the microwave and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Using a very sharp knife, cut off the bottom of the corn (stem end) about one row of corn in from the stem.

With your hands on the top, uncut side of the corn, squeeze and slip the corn from the husk, which will also remove the silk.

Serve with butter, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Enjoy.

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Easiest Corn on the Cob

Course Sides

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Cook Time 7 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Microwave
• Sharp Knife

Ingredients

• 3 ears of corn husks kept on!

Serving:

• Butter
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Place the ears of corn, husks intact, in the microwave.
• Cook for 7-8 minutes for three ears.  Side Note: 1 ear of corn cooks for 4 minutes; then add 1-2 minutes per additional ear, depending on the microwave's power.
• Carefully remove the ears of corn from the microwave and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Using a very sharp knife, cut off the bottom of the corn (stem end) about one row of corn in from the stem.
• With your hands on the top, uncut side of the corn, squeeze and slip the corn from the husk, which will also remove the silk.
• Serve with butter, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Enjoy.

I’ve always wanted to make a key lime pie, so when I stumbled upon a whole bunch of key limes on sale at my grocery store, I scooped them up. I decided to make a recipe for mini key lime pies from Sally’s Baking Addiction that looked fun. The key limes take time to juice, but it’s worth the effort. The mini key lime pies were delicious, with a sweet, buttery crust and a perfect tart-and-sweet filling.

Mini Key Lime Pies

Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheet graham crackers)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Filling:

• 4 oz full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (14-oz) can of full-fat sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup key lime juice (about 20 key limes)

Serving:

• Whipped cream
• Lime zest

How to Make Mini Key Lime Pies:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin trays, 1 with 12 cupcake liners and 4 in a second tray (since this recipe makes only around 16). Set pans aside.

Prepare the crust by placing 12 whole graham cracker sheets in a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs.

Combine the fine crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy.

Press a heaping tablespoon of graham cracker mixture down into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and very compact.

Pre-bake the crusts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.

On medium-high speed, beat in the egg yolks, scraping down the sides as needed. On high speed, beat in the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice until combined.

Pour the filling evenly into each crust.

Place in the oven and bake for 15–16 minutes, or until the centers of the pies only slightly jiggle.

Remove from oven and allow the pies to cool at room temperature in the pan set on a wire cooling rack.

Once cool, place the muffin trays in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

To serve, once chilled, top the key lime pies with whipped cream and lime zest if desired. Enjoy.

Store leftover pies in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 1 week.

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Mini Key Lime Pies

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Cooling/Refrigerating Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 16 mini pies

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 2 Muffin Tray plus 16 Cupcake Liners
• Food Processor
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 12 full sheet graham crackers
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Filling:

• 4 oz full-fat brick cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (14-oz) can of full-fat sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup key lime juice about 20 key limes

Serving:

• Whipped cream
• Lime zest

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin trays, 1 with 12 cupcake liners and 4 in a second tray (since this recipe makes only around 16). Set trays aside.
• Prepare the crust by placing 12 whole graham cracker sheets in a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs.
• Combine the fine crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy.
• Press a heaping tablespoon of graham cracker mixture down into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and very compact.
• Pre-bake the crusts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
• On medium-high speed in a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat in the egg yolks, scraping down the sides as needed. On high speed, beat in the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice until combined.
• Pour the filling evenly into each crust.
• Place in the oven and bake for 15–16 minutes or until the centers of the pies only slightly jiggle.
• Remove from oven and allow the pies to cool at room temperature in the tray set on a wire cooling rack.
• Once cool, place the muffin trays in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, once chilled, top the key lime pies with whipped cream and lime zest if desired. Enjoy.
• Store leftover pies in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 1 week.

I had a craving for a salad for lunch, and instead of making my go-to vinaigrette, I wanted to try something different. I ran across the viral recipe video for Chipotle’s signature salad dressing, and thought it sounded delicious. This quick & easy chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe is sweet, smoky, and spicy, making a delicious salad dressing that makes any salad extra tasty, especially a Southwestern salad.

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe)

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 3-4 tbsp water, to taste, depending on desired spiciness & consistency
• 3 tbsp sauce from adobo pepper, to taste
• 2½ tbsp honey
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup vegetable or avocado oil

How to Make Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe):

Place the red wine vinegar, water, adobo pepper sauce, honey, oregano, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste in a blender. Blend until well-combined.

Gradually pour in the olive oil while blending. Taste and re-season if needed.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Print

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe)

Course Condiment

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup +/-

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Blender, Food Processor, or Immersion Blender

Ingredients

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 3-4 tbsp water to taste, depending on desired spiciness & consistency
• 3 tbsp sauce from adobo pepper
• 2½ tbsp honey
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• ½ cup vegetable or avocado oil

Instructions

• Place the red wine vinegar, water, adobo pepper sauce, honey, oregano, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste in a blender. Blend until well-combined.
• Gradually pour in the olive oil while blending. Taste and re-season if needed.
• Serve immediately or store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

We love hummus in my house, and I try to always have some on hand. I stumbled upon a quick and easy olive hummus recipe I found on The Healthy Foodie that sounded perfect because I had olives that needed to be used up. This tasty hummus was creamy, flavorful, and loaded with small bits of olives, which tasted great with flatbread and fresh veggies.

Olive Hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 (15-oz) cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed, drained, and skins removed
• ½ cup tahini
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt, to taste
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives, chopped, plus more for garnish if desired
• ¼ cup Castelvetrano green olives, chopped, plus more for garnish if desired

How to Make Olive Hummus:

Remove the skins by placing the drained & rinsed chickpeas in a large bowl filled with water. Gently rub and pinch the beans together between your hands and fingers, which will allow the skins to slide off the beans and float to the surface.  Side Note: This step is optional but highly recommended as it creates an ultra-creamy hummus. 

Make the hummus by placing the drained chickpeas in the bowl of your food processor, along with the tahini, water, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white vinegar, garlic, and sea salt to taste. Process until smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Scraping the sides, as needed.

Add the chopped olives and pulse only 5-6 times so they will still have texture.

Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before serving.

To serve, sprinkle the top with parsley, additional chopped olives, and a drizzling of olive oil. Serve with flatbread and veggies. Enjoy.

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Olive Hummus

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Lebanese

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 3 cups +/-

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Food Processor

Ingredients

• 2 (15-oz) cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed, drained, and skins removed
• ½ cup tahini
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• Sea salt to taste
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives chopped, plus more for garnish, if desired
• ¼ cup Castelvetrano green olives chopped, plus more for garnish, if desired

Instructions

• Remove the chickpea skins by placing the drained & rinsed chickpeas in a large bowl filled with water. Gently rub and pinch the beans together between your hands and fingers, which will allow the skins to slide off the beans and float to the surface.  Side Note: This step is optional but highly recommended as it creates an ultra-creamy hummus.
• Make the hummus by placing the drained chickpeas in the bowl of your food processor, along with the tahini, water, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white vinegar, garlic, and sea salt to taste. Process until smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Scraping the sides, as needed.
• Add the chopped olives and pulse only 5-6 times so they will still have texture.
• Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before serving.
• To serve, sprinkle the top with parsley, additional chopped olives, and a drizzling of olive oil. Serve with flatbread and veggies. Enjoy.

Warning!!! These delicious spicy chili-crisp edamame are very addictive! Spicy, salty, and so easy to make, edamame is one of our favorite snacks or Asian side dishes. I whipped up this easy edamame recipe to pair with a recent meal of sticky Asian pork ribs, garlic-ginger rice with cilantro, and bok choy with ginger sauce.

Spicy Chili-Crisp Edamame

Ingredients:

• 8 oz frozen edamame
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tsp soy sauce, more to taste
• 2 tsp chili crisp 
• Sea salt, to taste

How to Make Spicy Chili-Crisp Edamame:

Blanche the edamame in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water, over high heat for 3-4 minutes.

Drain and rinse the edamame with very cold water to prevent it from cooking further.

Dry the edamame pods on a clean tea towel (or paper towels) until very dry.

Finish cooking by heating the olive oil, toasted sesame oil, and smashed garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes until golden brown, to season the oil, tossing occasionally. Don’t let the garlic turn dark or burn.

Add edamame to the skillet with the oil and garlic; toss it all together for 1 -2 minutes to get it nice and coated.

Add a splash of soy sauce and chili crisp, stir & cook for only 1-2 minutes, to preserve the green color of the edamame.

To serve, discard the garlic cloves. Transfer to a large bowl, and season with sea salt to taste.

To eat, grab an edamame pod, and use your teeth to pull the little edamame beans out of the shell while holding it. Discard the shells and repeat.  Enjoy.

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Spicy Chili-Crisp Edamame

Course Appetizer, Sides

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Large saucepan
• Large skillet

Ingredients

• 8 oz frozen edamame
• 2 cloves garlic peeled, smashed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tsp soy sauce more to taste
• 2 tsp spicy chili crisp
• Sea salt to taste

Instructions

• Blanche the edamame in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water, over high heat for 3-4 minutes.
• Drain and rinse the edamame with very cold water to prevent it from cooking further.
• Dry the edamame pods on a clean tea towel (or paper towels) until very dry.
• Finish cooking by heating the olive oil, toasted sesame oil, and smashed garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes until golden brown, to season the oil, tossing occasionally. Don't let the garlic turn dark or burn.
• Add edamame to the skillet with the oil and garlic; toss it all together for 1 -2 minutes to get it nice and coated.
• Add a splash of soy sauce and chili crisp, stir & cook for only 1-2 minutes, to preserve the green color of the edamame.
• To serve, discard the garlic cloves. Transfer to a large bowl, and season with sea salt to taste.
• To eat, grab an edamame pod, and use your teeth to pull the little edamame beans out of the shell while holding it. Discard the shells and repeat.  Enjoy.

We all love a fruit crisp, and since I had some peaches and raspberries that weren’t getting eaten, I made these mini peach raspberry crisps. The recipe is super easy to throw together, smells amazing while baking, and makes my family very happy.

Mini Peach Raspberry Crisps

Almond Topping:

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cold & diced
• ½ cup sliced almonds

Peach Raspberry Filling:

• 2½ cups fresh peaches, peeled & sliced (about 5 large)
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1½ tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

How to Make Mini Peach Raspberry Crisps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat 4 ramekins with butter or cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the almond topping by combining the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and diced cold butter in a small bowl; work the mixture with your fingers until crumbly and well combined. Add the sliced almonds and work them into the flour mixture; set aside until needed.

Make the filling by combining the peaches, raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl, then mix until the fruit is evenly coated.

Divide the mixture evenly into the ramekins.

Sprinkle the almond topping evenly over each dish.

Bake the mini crisps for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is tender.

Allow them to cool on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes before serving as is or with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy.

Print

Mini Peach Raspberry Crisps

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 4 Small Baking Dishes or Ramekins
• Baking Sheet
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Almond Topping:

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter cold & diced
• ½ cup sliced almonds

Peach Raspberry Filling:

• 2½ cups fresh peaches peeled & sliced (about 5 large)
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1½ tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat 4 ramekins with butter or cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Make the almond topping by combining the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and diced cold butter in a small bowl; work the mixture with your fingers until crumbly and well combined. Add the sliced almonds and work them into the flour mixture; set aside until needed.
• Make the filling by combining the peaches, raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl, then mix until the fruit is evenly coated.
• Divide the mixture evenly into the ramekins.
• Sprinkle the almond topping evenly over each dish.
• Bake the mini crisps for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is tender.
• Allow them to cool on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes before serving as is or with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy.

I made this Italian pastina soup recipe (aka pastina en brodo or Italian Penicillin Soup) because my daughter has a terrible cough and cold right now. I’ve seen so many versions of this viral Italian penicillin soup recipe, but I decided to try one from The Menu Maid because it sounded amazing. I cooked the pasta separately from the broth, so my daughter can make bowls of it in the coming days without the pasta becoming gummy. She had two bowls, along with some crusty bread, and said it was comforting and delicious.

Italian Pastina Soup

Ingredients:

• 1½ tbsp butter
• 4 small carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 whole garlic cloves, peeled & smashed
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• Parmesan rind, optional, but adds umami, flavor, and richness
• 1 cup cold chicken broth or water
• ¾ cup acini di pepe, or tiny star-shaped pasta
• Juice of 1 lemon

Serving:

• Fresh parsley, finely minced
• Parmesan, freshly grated
• Fresh lemon wedges

How to Make an Italian Pastina Soup:

Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add all the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic cloves and season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes, to soften a bit and bring out their natural sweetness.

Add chicken broth, bay leaves, and Parmesan cheese rind. Turn the heat up and bring to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the veggies are very soft.

Remove and discard the Parmesan rind and bay leaves.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the veggies to your blender. Add 1 cup of cold broth (or water) to the veggies. Blend the cooled veggies and broth in your blender until completely smooth.

Pour into the broth and stir to combine. Add the juice of one lemon. Taste the broth and re-season if needed.

Meanwhile, cook the acini di pepe in a large saucepan of well-salted boiling water to al dente. Drain.

Ladle some broth into a serving bowl and stir in the desired amount of drained pasta.

Serve with fresh parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon wedges.

Print

Italian Pastina Soup

Course Lunch, Main, Soup

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or Large Soup Pot
• Blender
• Large saucepan

Ingredients

• 1½ tbsp butter
• 4 small carrots peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 3 whole garlic cloves peeled & smashed
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• Parmesan rind optional, but adds umami, flavor, and richness
• 1 cup cold chicken broth or water
• ¾ cup acini di pepe or tiny star-shaped pasta
• Juice of 1 lemon

Serving:

• Fresh parsley finely minced
• Parmesan freshly grated
• Fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

• Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add all the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic cloves and season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes, to soften a bit and bring out their natural sweetness.
• Add chicken broth, bay leaves, and Parmesan cheese rind. Turn the heat up and bring to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the veggies are very soft.
• Remove and discard the Parmesan rind and bay leaves.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the veggies to your blender. Add 1 cup of cold broth (or water) to the veggies. Blend the cooled veggies and broth in your blender until completely smooth.
• Pour into the broth and stir to combine. Add the juice of one lemon. Taste the broth and re-season if needed.
• Meanwhile, cook the acini di pepe in a large saucepan of well-salted boiling water to al dente. Drain.
• Ladle some broth into a serving bowl and stir in the desired amount of drained pasta.
• Serve with fresh parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon wedges.

We had some bok choy in the fridge, and I had a craving for something healthy yet flavorful, so I made this easy bok choy in ginger sauce recipe from Recipe Tin Eats. This simple Asian side dish is incredibly easy to make and pairs nicely with most Asian main dishes and salads. Instead of a side dish, I served these simple, delicious greens on a bed of garlic rice with a big drizzle of spicy chili crisp. It was such a simple, flavorful, comforting meal, which my son and I happily devoured.

Bok Choy in Ginger Sauce

Sauce:

• 1¼ tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp soy sauce, or more to taste
• 1 tsp Mirin or Chinese cooking wine
• ½ tsp oyster sauce (use vegetarian version if desired)
• ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp water
• Pinch of sea salt
• Pinch white pepper

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp ginger, finely julienned, patted dry
• 3 small bok choy, trim & discard the base, and slice large leaves in half, lengthwise, rinsed well
• 2 tbsp water

How to Make Bok Choy in Ginger Sauce:

Prepare all ingredients (mise en place) before starting the cooking process.

Prepare the sauce by combining the cornstarch with the soy sauce, Mirin, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil until well mixed, and no lumps remain. Add the water and mix to combine.  Side Note: Add water last as it’s easier to make lump-free with less liquid. 

Flavor the oil by heating it and the ginger in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the ginger starts sizzling, cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until it turns light golden and is a bit floppy.

Add bok choy, then toss with the ginger oil for 15-20 seconds to coat.

Steam the bok choy by turning the heat up to medium-high, adding the water, and covering with a lid. Steam for just 45 seconds.

Add the sauce by removing the lid, pouring it in, and tossing for 30 seconds until the sauce changes from murky to clear and thickens. Bok choy should be just a little floppy but still have a soft crunch. Taste and re-season if needed.  Side Note: If your sauce gets too thick, add a tiny splash of water and mix.  

To serve, pour the bok choy and all the sauce into a serving bowl and serve immediately. Enjoy.

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Bok Choy in Ginger Sauce

Course Sides

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2 - 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Large skillet

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 1¼ tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp soy sauce or more to taste
• 1 tsp Mirin or Chinese cooking wine
• ½ tsp oyster sauce use vegetarian version if desired
• ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp water
• Pinch of sea salt
• Pinch white pepper

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp ginger finely julienned, patted dry
• 3 small bok choy trim & discard the base, and slice large leaves in half, lengthwise, rinsed well
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

• Prepare all ingredients (mise en place) before starting the cooking process.
• Prepare the sauce by combining the cornstarch with the soy sauce, Mirin, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil until well mixed, and no lumps remain. Add the water and mix to combine.  Side Note: Add water last as it's easier to make lump-free with less liquid.
• Flavor the oil by heating it and the ginger in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the ginger starts sizzling, cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until it turns light golden and is a bit floppy.
• Add bok choy, then toss with the ginger oil for around 15 seconds to coat.
• Steam the bok choy by turning the heat up to medium-high, adding the water, and covering with a lid. Steam for just 45 seconds.
• Add the sauce by removing the lid, pouring it in, and tossing for 30 seconds until the sauce changes from murky to clear and thickens. Bok choy should be just a little floppy but still have a soft crunch.  Side Note: If your sauce gets too thick, add a tiny splash of water and mix.  Taste and re-season if needed.
• To serve, pour the bok choy and all the sauce into a serving bowl and serve immediately. Enjoy.