Rhubarb Cobbler #CookoutWeek

Can you believe that it is already the final day of Cookout Week?  That means it is the last day for you to enter to win this great giveaway arranged by our hosts, the ladies of The PinterTest Kitchen and generously provided by our sponsors.  I posted all about it on Monday in my Welcome Post.

I created an entire meal for you, sharing one recipe each day. Chicken Fajitas on Tuesday. Grilled Salsa Verde to top it with on Wednesday.  A wonderful Grilled Corn Salad yesterday.  Since today is the last day we are going to finish up with dessert.

Rhubarb screams summer to me and it is a staple around this house during this time of year.  I have shared a lot of rhubarb recipes in the past including this amazing Almond Rhubarb Cake, this delicious Rhubarb and White Chocolate Cake, a juicy, wonderful Rhubarb Blueberry Custard Pie , a scrumptious Rhubarb Crisp, a rustic and rich Raspberry and Rhubarb hand pie, and this super Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.  I have also served it as a side for savory dishes like in this Rhubarb Chutney.

But until today, I haven't shared a Rhubarb Cobbler so it seemed like the perfect ending to this incredibly delicious Cookout Meal.  

It is easy peasy to throw together and you partially cook down the rhubarb on the stovetop before assembling so it doesn't take long in the oven at all.  I am fortunate enough to have an oven on my outdoor grill so I just put it in there to bake while I was grilling the rest of the food.  

By the time we were ready to eat, the cobbler was ready to be taken out and set aside to cool. When we were done with dinner the cobbler was still warm and gooey, the ice cream melted right into it creating a creamy contrast to that explosion of sweet tart flavor from the rhubarb and the crisp golden crust of the cobbler.

Don't forget to stop by and see everyone else's final post for this great event that we call #CookoutWeek!!

Rhubarb Cobbler

adapted from Allrecipes.com

4 c. chopped rhubarb

3/4 c. sugar

2 T. cornstarch

1 T. water

1 T. cold butter, diced

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. flour

1 T. sugar

1 1/2 t. baking powder

dash of salt

1/4 c. butter, room temp

1/4 c. half and half

1 egg

2 T. cinnamon sugar (1 3/4 t. sugar mixed with 1/4 t. cinnamon)

Place the rhubarb, 3/4 c. sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan over med high heat.  Bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes, until rhubarb softens slightly and the juice thickens and clears.

Transfer to a 9x9" baking pan that has been treated with baking spray.  Sprinkle with the cinnamon and dot with the diced butter.

Sift together the flour, 1 T. sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the 1/4 c. butter, cream and egg.  Beat at low speed just until combined.

Drop by dollops over the top of the rhubarb mixture.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake in a preheated 400* oven for 18-20 minutes, until topping is crisp and browned and the filling is bubbly.

Remove and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.  Print Recipe

More Great Recipes

An InLinkz Link-up

Grilled Corn Salad with Tomato and Avocado #CookoutWeek

So, here we are at Day 4 of Cookout Week. We are sharing our favorite picnic, potluck, cookout and bbq recipes all week long.  The ladies of The PinterTest Kitchen  invited over 40 bloggers to participate in this great event. Not only are there great recipes, Holiday DIY projects and decorating ideas, there is also a fantastic giveaway for our readers valued at over $400.  You can learn all about the great prizes and enter to win by going to my Welcome Post.

I have been sharing a different recipe with you each day that are perfect by themselves but when all put together will make a complete dinner.  Just in time for the weekend.

Today we are grilling up some ears of sweet corn.  Who can resist corn on the cob with a slight char? I know that I can't.  It is one of our favorite summertime treats and this recipe reminds you how versatile corn on the cob can be....if you can manage to stop your family from grabbing it off the grill and mawing down before you can use it for another dish.

Once the corn is cooked through with some golden brown spots on it, you remove it from the cob. Toss it with some fresh grape tomatoes and avocado chunks then dress it in a honey/lime vinaigrette. Soooooo good.........

You could serve it as a side for many dishes but it was exceptionally good with the Chicken Fajitas I shared with you on Tuesday.  

Whether you serve it on the side or decide to pile it right on the Fajitas, along with the Grilled Salsa Verde, you are going to love this delicious summer salad.

Make sure you take a look at all the other Cookout Week posts being shared today.  You will find them following my recipe.  Did you remember to enter the raffle??  Don't miss out on that great opportunity!

Grilled Corn Salad with Tomato and Avocado

adapted from Epicurious

4 ears fresh sweet corn, husked

1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and diced

juice of 1 1/2 limes

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

2 T. honey

salt and pepper to taste

Place corn onto grate of gas grill over med high heat and cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through with some brown spots.  Cut the corn from the cob and set aside to cool.

Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper.  Add the avocado and toss to coat. Add the tomatoes and corn and toss gently until coated. Print Recipe

More Cookout Recipes and Ideas

An InLinkz Link-up

Grilled Salsa Verde #CookoutWeek

Welcome to Day 3 of Cookout Week where we are sharing our favorite picnic, potluck, cookout and bbq recipes all week long.  The ladies of The PinterTest Kitchen have gathered over 40 bloggers to participate in this great event. They have also arranged for a fantastic giveaway for our readers valued at over $400.  You can learn all about the great prizes and enter to win by going to my Welcome Post.

Yesterday I shared this amazing recipe for Grilled Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas.  When I made this dish I topped the Fajitas with a smoky, spicy Grilled Salsa Verde that I am sharing with you today and a wonderful Grilled Corn Salad that I will be sharing with you tomorrow.

I started out by grilling up some wonderful fresh veggies to put into this salsa.  I had some sweet Vidalia Onion that I slice and put into a grill pan.

And some Tomatillos, Poblano Peppers and a Jalapeno Pepper that I tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and placed right onto the grill grates to soften and char.  I got the idea for this salsa from one for Roasted Salsa Verde found in Cuisine at Home.  I adjusted the amounts and the ingredients to meet our tastes and used the grill instead of the oven for roasting.

I ended up with this vibrant and beautiful salsa that brought some brightness and heat to the fajitas. This salsa is also delicious with chips and can be used in any dish that you enjoy with red salsa.  This salsa lasts for 2 weeks in the refrigerator and could be preserved canning it using the water bath technique for longer shelf life.

I know that you will enjoy this vibrant, bright and delicious salsa and I know you will find other recipes that you can't wait to try following this recipe.

Grilled Salsa Verde

adapted from Cuisine at Home

5 Tomatillos, husked

3 Poblano Chiles

4 (1/4") slices of Sweet Onion

1 Jalapeno pepper

1 T. olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1 handful cilantro leaves

juice of 1/2 a lime

1 t. sugar + more to taste

Toss the tomatillos, poblanos, onions and jalapeno in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Place on a grill over med high heat and grill until charred and softened.  You may wish to use a grill pan for the onions so they don't fall through the grates.

Remove from grill and remove the charred, waxy skin from the peppers.  Place the tomatillos, peppers, and onion into the bowl of a food processor.  Add the garlic, cilantro. 1 t. sugar and lime juice.  Puree to desired consistency, adding water if salsa is too thick.  Taste and season with additional sugar and salt if desired.  Print Recipe

More Cookout Creations

An InLinkz Link-up

Red White and Blue Bundt #July4Recipes

Our friend, Ellen of Family Around the Table, suggested we all post a #Patriotic theme on our blogs today to help our readers prepare for the upcoming July 4th Holiday.  Ellen suggested we share table settings, decoration tips, DIY projects and, of course, recipes.

Here is Ellen's invitation:

July 4th, 1776 is the date the Second Continental Congress adopted The United States Declaration of Independence effectively ending British rule. Now we celebrate our independence each year on July 4th with fireworks, picnics, parades and backyard barbecues across our nation. Join these 11 bloggers as we celebrate and share some patriotic themed recipes!

We have been super busy lately, with no end in sight, so there has not been much DIY except for yard work.  I don't have any new decorations to share and my table settings have been sporadic.  But....there is a always a recipe to share.

This is an easy, peasy recipe from Betty Crocker, using a boxed white cake mix and some food coloring.  You make the cake per package directions, divide the batter, and add the color.  Put the red in the bottom, then add the white and then the blue. No need to swirl, just stick it in the oven.

It comes out of the oven looking like a normal bundt cake.  Let it cool and then decorate it up to your liking.  The original recipe had you coloring your frosting red white and blue as well.  I just melted up some canned, prepared frosting, drizzled it over the cake and added sprinkles.

When you slice it you have a beautiful red white and blue celebration for your Holiday table.  My colors were very subtle as you can see.  Should you want deeper, richer color you will need to add much more food coloring.  I think an overabundance of food coloring changes the flavor of the food. That might all be in my head but I take it easy with the food coloring, none the less.

Make sure you scroll past my recipe to find links to all the other fun, festive, holiday ideas being shared today. I have also linked this post to Celebrate 365.  Check out all the fun posts there as well.

Red White and Blue Bundt

source: Betty Crocker

1 white cake mix

water, egg whites and cooking oil as listed on the box

red and blue food coloring

1 can prepared white frosting

Patriotic sprinkles

Make the cake as directed on the box.  Remove 2 cups of the batter, placing each into it's own bowl. Tint one cup red and the other blue.  Pour the red tinted batter into the bottom of a bundt pan that has been liberally treated with baking spray.  Pour the white batter directly onto the red.  Pour the blue batter in a ring around the center of the white batter.  Place in a preheated 325* oven and bake as directed on the box, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake removes cleanly.

Remove the cake from the oven to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before turning it out of the pan to the rack to cool completely.  

Remove desired amount of frosting from the can to a glass measuring cup. (I used about half a can). Place in the microwave for 30 seconds, until melted.  Place the cake onto a serving platter and drizzle with the melted frosting.  Top immediately with sprinkles. Print Recipe

More July 4 Recipes

• Apple Slab Pie by Palatable Pastime
• Berry Phyllo Cups with Lemon Cheesecake Cream by Caroline’s Cooking
• Best Fruit Kabobs by Feeding Big
• Patriotic Cupcakes by Family Around The Table
• Red Velvet Dulce de Leche Poke Cake by Frugal Pantry
• Red, White and Blue Berry Macaron by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Red, White and Blue Bundt by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Red, White & Blue Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Red, White & Blue Nachos by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Red, White and Blue Sangria by Simple and Savory
• Red, White and Blue Scones by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas #CookoutWeek

I am so excited to be sharing some recipes with you for #CookoutWeek2017.  This is such a wonderful event and it is all thanks to the ladies at The PinterTest Kitchen.  They not only wrangled up a slew of bloggers to share their favorite Cookout Foods and Recipes but they also gathered up numerous sponsors so that you, our readers, can enter a fantastic giveaway worth over $400. Wooohoooooo...Run over to my Welcome Post and enter right now!  I will wait to share my recipe for these amazing chicken fajitas until you return.

Welcome back....I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are the lucky winner!!  Even if you don't win this amazing prize package you will still be the winner, winner chicken dinner when you serve up this great meal that I am sharing with you all week long.  

We are grilling up some vegetables to make a grilled salsa verde, and some corn to make a great, fresh salad with tomatoes and avocados.  You can pile those on top of a cheesy grilled tortilla that is covered with a juicy tender chicken breast that is marinated in honey and lime, 

Or you can enjoy that delicious roasted corn salad as a side instead of on top...but better yet....do both!!

Today, let's start with the chicken fajitas. I adapted this recipe from one I found in my 2008 issue of Cuisine at Home.  I think the best tip that I got from this recipe/article is to grill the cheese right onto the tortilla rather than serving it in a bowl to be added afterwards.  Using this method you don't lose on drop of that ooey gooey cheesy goodness.

The marinade is a wonderful mix of ingredients that you probably already have on hand.  Whisk together some lime juice, honey, garlic and hot sauce and pour it into a gallon size plastic bag that seals shut.  Add your chicken, press out the air and refrigerate for a half an hour while you enjoy a refreshing Mango Peach Margarita.

After a half an hour, carry that Margarita out to the grill, along with that bag of chicken, and grill over medium heat until it is perfectly cooked to a tender, juicy 165*.

Don't miss all the other great recipes being shared during #CookoutWeek.  You will find links to all of them being shared today immediately following this recipe that served 6 adults with leftovers.

Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas

adapted from Cuisine at Home

3 large or 6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs)

Juice of 3 large limes

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. minced garlic

2 dashes hot sauce

12 large flour tortillas

1 (2 cup) package shredded Mexican Blend Cheese

Wash and trim the chicken and place into a gallon size plastic bag that seals shut.  Whisk together the lime juice, honey, garlic and hot sauce.  Pour over chicken, press out air, seal and refrigerate for 1/2 an hour.

Heat grill to medium.  Remove chicken from marinade, discarding the marinade. Grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165*. Remove from grill and set aside to rest for a few minutes while you make the tortillas.

Reduce grill to low heat and grill tortillas for about a minute, flip over and sprinkle with some of the cheese.  Continue to cook until cheese melts.

Slice the chicken breast into 1/4" pieces and serve along with the tortillas and your desired toppings. Print Recipe

More Amazing Cookout Fare

An InLinkz Link-up

Welcome to #Cookout Week and a Great #Giveaway

 

 Get those grills fired up... because it's #CookoutWeek 2017! This week, I'm joining forces with over 40 food blogger friends to bring you delicious recipes perfect for every backyard BBQ, picnic, summer party, or cookout. We also have a fabulous giveaway featuring products from the brands who have made #CookoutWeek possible! You can enter below to win:

• From blog host The PinterTest Kitchen: $100 Amazon gift card, to use to buy all the supplies you need for your next cookout
• From our sponsor The French Farm: A gift pack of gourmet products hand-crafted by small businesses and using only the finest ingredients - La Favorita Genovese Pesto, Caprichos del Guadalquivir Cadenera Orange Marmalade, and L’Abeille Occitane Lavender Honey
• From our sponsor Smokin'-Os: A sampler pack of their "smokin'-os" wood rings, to help you add wood-fired, smokey taste to your grilled foods, even if you don't own a smoker
• From our sponsor Primal Kitchen: $200 of Primal Kitchen goodies, including condiments made with avocado oil and bars and shakes with grass-fed collagen
• From our sponsor Langers Juice Company: Your choice of 10 bottles of Langers Juice, with flavors including traditional Apple and Grape, as well as interesting mixes such as Pineapple Orange Coconut, Cranberry Blood Orange, and Mango Peach
• From our sponsor True Made Foods: A 3-bottle sampler pack of sauces with real flavors made from real vegetables and less sugar - Ketchup, BBQ, and Veracha

This prize pack has an ARV of over $400! You have until July 1 at 11:59 PM to enter by following our sponsors and bloggers on social media.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay tuned... remember, throughout the week, all of the participating bloggers will be posting delicious cookout recipes.  I am posting a dish each day so that by the end of the week you will have a complete Cookout Dinner to enjoy for the weekend.  It is quick.  It is easy.  It is delicious.  I can't wait to share it with all of you.

Here are all the bloggers who are part of #CookoutWeek 2017.

• The PinterTest Kitchen • 
• 2 Cookin Mamas • 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm • 
• A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures •
• Amy's Cooking Adventures • 
• Ashees Cookbook • 
• Baking Sense •
• Body Rebooted • 
• Bottom Left of the Mitten • 
• Chef Sarah Elizabeth • 
• Cook's Hideout • 
• Cookaholic Wife • 
• Cooking with Sapana • 
• Eat, Drink, Be Healthy! • 
• Fairyburger • 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice • 
• Family Around the Table •
• Fix Me a Little Lunch •
• For the Love of Food • 
• Full Belly Sisters •
• Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks • 
• Home Sweet Homestead • 
• Join Us, Pull up a Chair • 
• Kate's Recipe Box • 
• Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats • 
• Little House Big Alaska • 
• My Southern Sweet Tooth • 
• Our Good Life •
• Oven Tales By Syama • 
• Palatable Pastime • 
• Rants From My Crazy Kitchen • 
• Savory Moments • 
• Seduction in the Kitchen • 
• Sidewalk Shoes • 
• That Recipe • 
• The Freshman Cook • 
• The Mad Scientists Kitchen • 
• The Pajama Chef • 
• The Redhead Baker •
• The Saucy Southerner • 
• The Spiffy Cookie • 
• The Weekday Gourmet •
• Tramplingrose • 
• Turnips 2 Tangerines •
• Uncle Jerry's Kitchen 

As one of the bonus entries in the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post... what is your favorite dish to eat at a cookout?

Here are some recipes being shared today

An InLinkz Link-up

Cinnamon Rhubarb Muffins #MuffinMonday

It's rhubarb season again and what better way to use up some rhubarb than with some light fluffy muffins with a cinnamon sugar topping?

These muffins that I'm sharing with you on the Muffin Monday are adapted from a recipe found at Fine Cooking. They were written as a sour cream muffin but I used half sour cream and half ricotta cheese since that was what I had in the refrigerator.  I also used almond extracts as I was out of vanilla.  They were absolutely delicious and lasted exactly 2 hours once they were baked.  I took a few to a friend's house and the rest were gobbled by me, Frank and our Little Miss.

Cinnamon Rhubarb Muffins

adapted from Fine Cooking

2 c. flour

3/4 c. sugar

2 1/2 t. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. baking soda

pinch of salt

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. ricotta cheese

1 T. milk

1 stick butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs

1 1/2 c. small dice rhubarb

Cinnamon Sugar for sprinkling (1 t. cinnamon + 1/4 c. sugar)

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

In med. bowl whisk together the sour cream, ricotta, milk, butter and eggs. 

Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients all at once into the well.  Stir just until combined then fold in the rhubarb.

Divide the batter between 12 cup muffin tin that is treated with baking spray or lined with paper cups. Sprinkle generously with Cinnamon Sugar.  You can make your own cinnamon sugar using the amounts indicated above.  Store any extra in a sealed container or baggie in a dry location.

Bake in a preheated 400* oven for about 20 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center removes cleanly.  Print Recipe

More Marvelous Muffins

• Black Raspberry & Brown Sugar Muffins from Farm Fresh Feasts
• Chocolate Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins from Food Lust People Love
• Cinnamon Rhubarb Muffins from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Mango Muffins from Passion Kneaded
• Maple Oatmeal Muffins from Making Miracles
• Zucchini and Roasted Corn Muffins from Karen's Kitchen Stories

#MuffinMonday is a group of muffin loving bakers who get together once a month to bake muffins. You can see all our of lovely muffins by following our Pinterest board.

Updated links for all of our past events and more information about Muffin Monday, can be found on our home page.

Let the Visiting Begin.....and the Weekly Menu

Our son from Denmark, Dian, his girl, Helena and their baby, Jordan, arrive this afternoon for a 3 week visit to the USA.  We are so excited to meet Helena and Jordan and can't wait to spend time with Dian who was fondly referred to as "Bratski" while he lived with us.

This is the first day of company from out of town staying with us for the summer.  My brother, Larry, and his wife, Mary, arrive July 6th for the month.  While they are with us, some of Mary's friends are coming in from California too so we will have them for a few days as well.  It is going to be a hectic, busy, fun filled summer!!

Yesterday was spent going to the Farmer's Market, Butcher and Grocers to have full cupboards, pantry and refrigerator for our guests.  The afternoon was spent on yard work and then we attended a Graduation party for Frank's cousin's son.

Today we are going to 9:30 am Mass and then heading over to a neighboring town for an Art Fair. Dian and family should be arriving to the house about 3 or 4 pm.  Tingting and Melody will be over to welcome them.  Dian was living at our house and attending school with Tingting.  It was he who let us know that she needed a home for the second semester.  We invited her to stay with us and the rest is history. 

Dian's favorite food while he was here was hamburgers so that is what we are serving for his first dinner home. We are going to play the rest of the week by ear.  I have a meeting at church to attend on Monday afternoon and we are picking John and Kirsten up at the airport late Wednesday evening when they return from Japan.  I can't wait to hear all about their trip.

So here is the Weekly Menu....it may be switched up depending on what activities we decide on during the week but at least I will have a plan in mind.

Saturday

Graduation Party

Sunday

Hamburgers

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Meatless Monday

Spinach and Cheese Ravioli

Caesar Salad

Tomato/Blue Cheese Salad

Garlic Bread

Tuesday

Chicken Enchiladas

Spanish Rice

Refried Beans

Wednesday

Meatballs in Mushroom Gravy

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Steamed Broccoli

Thursday

Asst. Grilled Sausages

Asst. Salads

Fish Friday

Shrimp Scampi

Pasta Agli Olio

Lahma Bil Basal #EatLikeAnEgyptian

Today marks the end of Ramadan, a time of prayer and fasting for those of the Muslim faith, reminiscent (to me) of the Lenten Season of the Christian Community.  This Holiday is known as Eid al-Fitr.

"What is Eid al-Fitr? The arabic name Eid al-Fitr translates to 'festival of the breaking of the fast' in English. It marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal."
from Mirror.com

My friend, Sue of Palatable Pastime invited us to Eat Like An Egyptian in support and celebration with our Muslim friends.

When I finished my Google search to learn what this holiday was all about, I conducted another to find an Egyptian Recipe.  Many of the Middle Eastern Foods that I am crazy about: hommus, baba ghanouj, chicken shwarma, mujadara, baklava, stuffed grape leaves, and kebabs are included in this group.

I also found a recipe for this delicious, tender Beef in Rich Onion Broth that I knew would be easily adaptable to the crockpot.  

I had a funeral to attend that was several hours away.  It was on a Wednesday and we watch our Little Miss Melody on Wednesdays so Frank remained home with her so I could attend with our friends, John and Kirsten.  I left him with this recipe from Allrecipes.com and asked him to make it and then put it in the crockpot to finish cooking so that we could enjoy it for dinner when we returned home.I forgot to tell him to reduce the amount of water for the crockpot version. So the gravy was not very thick.  We chose to just use a slotted spoon and a little ladle for the au jus.  You can halve the amount of water or use a roux to thicken the gravy if you prefer.

When we walked in the door our mouths started watering.  It smelled delicious and we couldn't wait for Frank, who was returning Melody to her mom, to get home so we could eat.  Frank served this up with white rice and corn.  This is no surprise, Frank always chooses white rice over brown and corn is the only vegetable he ever makes when he is cooking dinner.  Not that I am complaining.....I am always very grateful that he is always so willing and able to step up to the (dinner) plate.

The recipe was adapted only slightly.  We used 2 lbs of beef instead of 1 and where it called for a bay leaf, Frank read basil (probably because of the name of the dish) and plucked one from my basil plant to add instead of the bay leaf.  Oh.....and, of course, it was made in the crockpot.

Lahma Bil Basal (Beef in Rich Onion Sauce)
adapted from Allrecipes.com 

2 lbs. beef stew meat
2 T. butter
1 T. canola oil
2 large Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 bay leaf (or basil leaf works too LOL)
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 c. water ( I would lower this to 3/4 c for the crockpot)

Melt the butter and oil in a large skillet over med high heat.  Season the beef with salt and pepper. Add the beef to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.  Transfer to a slow cooker along with the onions, bouillon cubes, water and bay leaf.  Set on low and cook for 6-8 hrs. Print Recipe

More Enjoyable Egyptian Eats

• Aish Baladi from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Baklava from All That’s Jas
• Egyptian Feta Spread from Cooking with Carlee
• Egyptian Mint Lemonade from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Ful Medames from Caroline’s Cooking
• Lahma Bil Basal from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Macaroni Bechamel from Palatable Pastime

Black Currant and Rosemary Tea Ice Cream #DairyMonth #InspiredbyNature

Along with Dairy Month, we are also having a Progressive Dinner that is Inspired by Nature. We have been celebrating all things dairy this week under the guidance of my friend, Carlee of Cooking with Carlee.  Today is the last day of the event.  It has been amazing and the recipes shared so far have been out of this world!!  You can find the recipes by looking at #DairyMonth in any social media platform and you can enter a giveaway sponsored by Cabot Creamery by going here.

While this was going on, my friend Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla was hosting a progressive dinner party sponsored by Charles Viancin and the Republic of Tea.  Six of us were provided products from both sponsors and assigned a day and a theme for our blog post.

You can see what the others made to bring to the party by going to their individual blogs and searching #InspiredbyNature.  You can also find us by that hashtag on social media platforms.  While we did receive products, we received no monetary compensation and all opinions are strictly our own.  You can enter the generous giveaway by visiting my Welcome Post.

Some of the kids were able to come over to celebrate Father's Day with Frank last weekend.  I started the afternoon with this beautiful cheeseboard featuring Cabot Cheeses and drinks, poolside.  It was a gorgeous sunny day following a brief thunderstorm.

We had wine, both red (for me) and white (for my daughter, Amy) kept fresh and bug free while we were in the pool with granite bottle caps and glass covers from Charles Viancin.  We also served up some Iced Tea from the Republic of Tea for those wishing not to imbibe.  The references to alcohol in this post are meant for those over 21 years of age.  Please drink responsibly because always........

Take Safety Seriously!!

We played in the pool for a while, visiting and laughing.  Frank's sister, Roz, and her husband stopped in for a while and our friend, Karen, came and spent the afternoon with us as well.  

I had made several of the side dishes ahead of time and stored them in the refrigerator covered with the granite bowl covers that are airtight, leak proof and earth friendly relieving our landfills of the plastic wrap that otherwise would be used.

Just as a side note.  I am featuring the granite series for Charles Viancin today as that is what I was  provided.  However, I have been using these products for years, not knowing anything about the company. I purchased these at a specialty store about 5 or 6 years ago and have used them consistently for all that time.  They have been refrigerated, microwaved and put through the dishwasher and still work and look as if they were brand new.  

I had decided to make a custard ice cream for dessert because my hens have been working overtime lately and I needed to use up some of the dozens of eggs filling my refrigerator.  When I got the Black Currant Rosemary tea I decided to use it in the ice cream, thinking that not only would it be a great flavor but it would be a beautiful raspberry red color as displayed on the package.

I started out by making my custard base of cream, milk and sugar to which I added 3 of the large tea bags from Republic of Tea.

When the cream mixture was steamy, I pressed all of the liquid from the tea bags into the custard and disposed of the bags.  I tempered some egg yolks with part of the cream, incorporated this mixture into the cream mixture and continued to heat it over steaming water until it thickened to the point where a finger ran across the back of the wooden spoon left a trail.  The custard was then transferred to a bowl that was set into an ice bath and stirred until cooled.  

Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hrs. but it is better if you remember to make the custard the night before and let it refrigerate overnight.

While it wasn't the beautiful raspberry color that I imagined it was a pretty caramel color.  More Most importantly it was amazingly creamy and delicious.  Did it taste like black currants and rosemary.....no......Surprisingly it tasted like a Boston Cooler.  This made us very happy because we LOVE Boston Coolers.  It tasted bright and gingery and fizzy.....I have no idea why but it was a wonderful surprise.

Make sure to stop by and visit all the other Dairy Month recipes being shared today.  You will find them immediately following my recipe.

Black Currant and Rosemary Ice Cream

2 c. heavy cream

1 c. 2% milk

3/4 c. sugar

3 large Black Currant Rosemary Ice Tea Bags

pinch of salt

6 egg yolks, room temperature

Pour the cream and milk into the top of a double boiler.  Whisk in the sugar and salt.  Add the tea bags and heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to steam.  Remove the tea bags, pressing to release the liquid into the cream. 

While the cream is heating, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl halfway with ice and water and nesting a smaller bowl inside.

Whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl.  Whisk in 3/4 cup of the hot liquid a little at a time then add this mixture to the cream mixture in the top of the double boiler.  Cook and stir until steamy and thickened enough that a finger ran over the back of a wooden spoon creates a trail that does not close.

Transfer the custard to the top bowl in the ice bath and stir until the mixture is cooled, about 5 minutes.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.

Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.  Serve immediately for soft serve custard or return to the freezer after churning for a harder ice cream. Print Recipe

More Dairy Month Recipes

• Caramel Apple Empanadas {With Cajeta or Dulche de Leche} by Cooking With Carlee 
• Summer Fruit Smoothie by Palatable Pastime 
• Berry Cream Muffins by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Black Currant and Rosemary Tea Ice Cream by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Chocolate Oreo Fudscicles by Family Around The Table 
• Yogurt Banana Pudding Pops by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• No Bake Oreo Cream Pie by Tip Garden 
• Creme Anglaise ('Real Custard') by Caroline's Cooking 
• Buttermilk Parmesan Pork Chops by Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
• Earl Grey Panna Cotta by Culinary Adventures with Camilla 
• Best No Bake Cheesecake with by Feeding Big
• Grandma’s Cheesy Ranch Party Potatoes by Mommie Isn’t Made of Money