BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDER SLIDERS

BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS

2/3 cup Frank’s hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
4 cups shredded chicken**
12 KING’s Hawaiian sweet rolls
1/3 cup Ken’s Sweet Vidalia Onion dressing
Green leaf lettuce or cabbage mix, optional
Thinly sliced Mozzarella cheese

  • In a large sauce pan combine the hot pepper sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a SLOW boil, removing from heat as soon as it bubbles.
  • Add the chicken and stir to coat.
  • Spread a layer of the dressing on each roll or better yet make a slaw with the dressing and a cabbage mix or the lettuce.
  • Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese, lettuce if using and a scoop of the chicken mixture.
  • Serve and enjoy!

NOTES: **A rotisserie chicken works great when you’re in a time crunch! I prefer to pan sear a few breasts for shredding when I have time.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS in CAJUN HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

ROASTED ASPARAGUS in CAJUN HOLLANDAISE SAUCE – serves 4
1 1/2 pounds asparagus
2 1/2 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya Mama Creole Seasoning
Pinch paprika, for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Cover baking sheet in foil.
  • Snap off woody asparagus ends.
  • Arrange asparagus in a single layer on baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil and seasoning, turning to coat.
  • Roast until asparagus is is tender and beginning to darken in color.
  • Top with sauce and serve immediately.

SAUCE
8 tablespoons salted butter
2 LARGE egg yolks
Juice of 1 small lemon
1/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya Mama Creole Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Frank’s original hot sauce

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan until sizzling.
  • Pulse egg yolks in a small food processor.
  • Add lemon juice.
  • VERY SLOWLY drizzle in the hot butter. Sauce will immediately begin to thicken.
  • Add the Cajun seasoning, pepper and hot sauce, blending JUST until combined.
  • Drizzle sauce over asparagus and serve immediately.

NOTE:  If sauce thickens too much, add 1 tablespoon hot water at a time until you reach desired consistency.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 16 of 2019

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a wonderful week and weekend.  I know many of you are on Spring Break and hope your weather is cooperating!

Can you believe we’re already 4 months into 2019?  Easter is late this year and there’s only 253 days until Christmas!  Why does time seem to be going so fast?

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This is the craziest prediction I’ve seen in a while – look at Thursday’s high – there must be some weird anomaly about to come through our area.  This is the longest stretch of expected sunshine since last fall, but alas it is actually gray and about to rain right now so I’ll believe the high AND the stretch of  sun when I see it 😀 It’s early here and I’ve yet to actually get dressed, but I have my favorite jeans and long sleeved blue t-shirt set out.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE coffee (I’m trying a weak cup here and there), banana & yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
  • LIVING AREAS… needs a bit of tidying
  • KITCHEN… clean and ready for a new week
  • YARD… fence repairs continue and so does the garden weeding.  Every time I get the weeding just about finished it starts raining again and the weeds grow right back!
  • BLOG… a few new recipes to put the finishing touches on…
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing this week
  • APPOINTMENTS… Drop off rings for flashing…
  • TO DO… paperwork, errands, a few phone calls

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY Starting to put together a list of packing items for our upcoming family reunion.  There will be so many weather changes and the time at the beach that I’m really having to put some thought into the layers I’ll need not to mention the bedding and towels for the rental.  Most of the groceries will wait until we get there, but a few of the specialty items for the bloody Mary’s and such as well as the “bread and Butter” gifts for my SIL are already packed and waiting 😀

I’M READING From her Love Letters series about WWII

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH not much – we’ll be making that BIG change this week some time

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Hubby has been working hard between bouts of rain at getting the fence repairs/replacement done. The snow really accelerated the need as there are a few sections that really started the BIG sag after the snow sat on them. The termite tracks and rotted areas were disintegrating from all the moisture.

He’s such a perfectionist.  It is completely level and he even made himself a spacer template so each board is exactly the same distance apart.  Unfortunately, there are over 500 boards plus the gate!

I think it’s taken him longer to take down each section and remove the nails than it has to put up the new sections.  Fortunately, he’s been able to reuse the posts and the termites were only in some of the planks.

The bonus is that my SUV smells like a cedar chest from picking up all the boards. 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – BUTTER CHICKEN MEATBALLS
TUESDAY – SHEET PAN CHICKEN & ROASTED VEGGIES
WEDNESDAY – CHILI GLAZED MEATLOAF
THURSDAY – FRENCH ONION CHICKEN MEATBALLS
FRIDAY – CASHEW CHICKEN
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – We did decide on an Easter menu around here.  Looks like we’re having ham with a cherry glaze, roasted baby potatoes with asparagus, Ambrosia salad and carrot cake.  What is on your Easter dinner menu?

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

WHISKEY FIG COMPOTE

FIG COMPOTE – Makes 1 1/2 cups

6 ounces (about 22 whole) dried Mission figs, stems removed
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup golden rum
Juice from one LARGE lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Combine figs, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid has thickened slightly and has turned a rosy, golden shade, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Stir in vanilla extract and cool the mixture for 10 minutes.
  • Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth.
  • Serve on a nice sourdough crostini with cheeses, English muffin or use to fill cookies.
  • Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

OR

WHISKEY FIG COMPOTE – Makes 1 1/2 cups

7 ounces dried Mission figs, diced
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup water
Juice from one LARGE lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
1 pinch salt

  • Combine figs, sugar, whiskey, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer until liquid reduces by half, about 30 minutes.
  • Cool before serving.
  • Serve on a nice sourdough crostini with cheeses, English muffin or use to fill cookies.
  • Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

BALSAMIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN

I realized recently that I AM posting almost daily, but I’m kind of in a rut in as much as I’m just posting the recently successful recipes without much conversation to go with them. I promise to get better. 😀

Eating in general is still a HUGE issue for me (and ALWAYS will be for the rest of my life), BUT I LOVE to cook and my family still needs to eat, so why should they suffer my limitations?  I may only get a few bites of each meal, but I promise they do NOT go to waste.

Hubby swears he HATES cooked mushrooms (little does he actually realize how much I use them in recipes like Bolognese where they are cooked down into the sauce that he’s been eating for years!!!!!!!) so the VISIBLE mushrooms in any recipe end up on any plate, BUT his! 😀 LOL I even sometimes have to cook the mushrooms in a separate pan to keep him happy if he’s hanging around the kitchen while I’m cooking, which if I’m honest I prefer to be alone while cooking.  I seem to be more creative and get better inspiration during “alone” time. 😀

Because of my limitations in eating I rarely eat starches anymore, BUT this recipe is especially good with mashed potatoes to absorb all that glorious gravy!

BALSAMIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
FRESH ground Himalayan sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1/4 cup STRONG balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup chicken stock.
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme

  • Generously season chicken breasts with FRESH ground Himalayan sea salt and black pepper, to taste.
  • Dredge through the Wondra flour.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add chicken breasts and sear for 2 minutes.
  • Flip chicken.
  • Add onions and garlic to pan sauteing for a minute.
  • Add mushrooms, sauteing a couple minutes.
  • Add vinegar, broth, honey and thyme.
  • Cover and cook 5 minutes.
  • Turn chicken and cook a few minutes more until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove chicken to platter and keep warm.
  • Cook 5 minutes more to reduce sauce.
  • Add butter.
  • Serve over chicken with mashed potatoes and/or your favorite veggies.

HAWAIIAN MILANESA

HAWAIIAN MILANESA
Beef top round, cut into 4 thin milanesa steaks
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced on the diagonal
1 stalk celery, sliced on the diagonal
3 green carrots, sliced on the diagonal
1 shallot halved and sliced thin
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 cup pretzels
1 cup animal cookies
2 eggs, room temperature
3 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
PREPARED rice

  • Grind pretzels and animal cookies into a fine dust. Pour into a shallow dish.
  • Whisk together the eggs until well blended.
  • Immerse steaks into eggs.
  • Dredge steaks into pretzel dust.
  • Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add steaks and sear 2 minutes per side.  Remove steaks and keep warm.
  • Add carrots and celery to skillet, sauteing until beginning to soften.
  • Add shallots and garlic, sauteing a few minutes more.
  • Add chicken broth and cook a few minutes until reduced.
  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, pineapple juice and cornstarch into a slurry.
  • Stir pineapple and slurry into the vegetables cooking to desired consistency.
  • Serve over steak and rice.

ITALIAN Chicken and Noodles

ITALIAN Chicken and Noodles

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts or tenders
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped *see notes
1 1/2 cups of finely chopped carrots
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Sweet paprika
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/3-1/2 cup chicken broth
Prepared noodles
Prepared mashed potatoes (noodles AND mashed potatoes were grams AND great grams way favorite way of serving this)

  • In a large sauce skillet, melt butter and avocado oil.
  • Add generously seasoned chicken pieces. Pan sauce 2-3 minutes per side until JUST cooked through. Remove to cutting board for shredding.
  • Add carrots, cooking until they begin to soften.
  • Add celery and onions.
  • Add tomatoes, bay leaf, paprika and minced garlic.
  • Add in chicken broth, stirring to blend.
  • Reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are cooked through and tender. If gravy is too thin, see notes.
  • Remove bay leaf, add in chicken pieces and heat through.
  • Fold in noodles.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes immediately.

NOTES:

  • A can of petite diced tomatoes can easily be substituted.
  • If it is too thin, then make a slurry from a tablespoon or 2 of the gravy and a tablespoon or 2 of cornstarch. Add into the pan, stirring constantly, but gently to blend until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Great grams always started with a whole chicken and would boil it down to pieces and use the cooking water as the broth which adds white a bit of flavor.

CARAMEL APPLE PIE MONKEY BREAD BOMBS

Caramel Apple Pie Bombs are a version of Monkey Bread that SCREAMS YUMMY!  The beauty of this recipe is the ease of changing up flavors by changing the seasonings (Pumpkin Pie seasoning and pears or cherries and a little vanilla or black peppercorns and a cream cheese glaze) as well as baking it as either a pull apart bread or individual rolls just as easily.  As you pull one open and a river of sweet caramel runs out over the apple pieces you know you’ve found heaven.  😀

CARAMELS APPLE PIE MONKEY BREAD BOMBS adapted from the Slow Roasted Italian
BOMBS
4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled cored and diced
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
18 caramels, unwrapped and divided
12 frozen Rhodes dinner roll dough balls, defrosted

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a 9×9 baking dish.  Set aside.
  • Combine the apples, 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon in a ziploc bag.  Toss to coat.  Set aside.
  • Unwrap the caramels and cut into quarters. Set aside.
  • Melt remaining butter in a small bowl.
  • Mix together the remaining brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinamon in another small bowl
  • Lightly flour your counter top.
  • Using a rolling pin flatten each dough ball into a circle about 3 inches across.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the apple mixture and 6 of the cut caramel pieces.
  • Carefully pull each side over the center to create to seal and then roll the dough into a ball. Be careful not to make it too thin.  You do NOT want to be able to see through the dough.
  • Roll each ball in the remaining melted butter and then the cinnamon mix before placing seam side down in the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with any of the remaining cinnamon brown sugar mix.
  • Bake the bombs for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and they are no longer doughy.

SAUCE
12 caramels, unwrapped
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

  • Place the caramels and the heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted, 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval.
  • Once you have a smooth mixture, set aside to cool.
  • Remove the apple pie bombs from the oven and drizzle with the caramel sauce.
  • Serve and enjoy!

BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO CHICKEN BITES

Chicken and cream cheese spread stuffed into jalapenos, rolled and wrapped with bacon and then grilled. YUMMY!

BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO CHICKEN BITES adapted from Trisha Yearwood

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3-ounce package cream cheese (I use herbed cream cheese spread), softened
8 LARGE jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded
8 slices bacon

  • Generously season chicken thighs with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Saute chicken pieces until browned and cooked through.
  • Move chicken to cutting board and dice small or shred.
  • Stir chicken pieces into softened cream cheese.
  • Wrap each roll with one piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. (These look a bit odd today because I only had half slices of bacon).
  • Grill until bacon is brown and crispy on both sides.

NOTE: Be sure to wear plastic gloves when handling fresh jalapenos. The oil will attach itself to your hands and is not easily washed away. Even an inadvertent swipe of the hand close to your eyes could be a VERY unforgettable and unwelcome experience.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 15 of 2019

Be sure to join us by linking up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  I hope you had a wonderful week full of springtime, sunshine and were as productive as you hoped to be!  My week was busy and productive despite everything 😀

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING Guess what?  It’s raining!  I know that’s a HUGE surprise to you LOL 😀 This has been such a wet and sloggy winter and appears to be turning into an even wetter and sloggier spring!  It was supposed to pour all weekend, but Saturday was just cold and windy with the wet stuff starting later in the evening.  Yesterday was just SUPER wet with almost 2 inches of rain.  I did venture out to the grocery store and that was enough for me!  I’m not going anywhere today, not even outside probably so I have on yoga pants, a favorite coffee t-shirt and fuzzy socks.

This week comes with an upgraded warning… “As a result, heavy rain will continue to surge into the area prompting rivers to rise. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Landslides and debris flows are possible during this event. Areas below steep slopes and in canyons are at risk from landslides. Do not drive through flooded areas or roads. The water may be too deep or there may be unseen damage to the roadway. A Flood Watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent in the watch area. Prepare to take immediate action if flooding is observed or a warning is issued. “… ” * Through this evening * Storm total rainfall amounts are expected to be 4 to 8 inches. Amounts could exceed 10 inches in localized areas of the Curry coastal ranges. Lesser amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected over inland Douglas County and 1 to 3 inches around Grants Pass. * Extensive runoff is likely due to saturated soils from preceding rainfall. Rapid rises are expected on all major rivers, with flooding possible along smaller creeks and streams. Areal flooding is possible in urban areas and pastures. There is also a threat of landslides, rock falls, and debris flows which could cause roads to be impassable. ”

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Green tea, cheerios and a banana

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
  • LIVING AREAS… deep clean done
  • KITCHEN… deep clean done
  • YARD… fence repairs continue as weather permits
  • BLOG… party link up updating continues
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing at the moment
  • APPOINTMENTS… a couple
  • TO DO… paperwork…

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY We have an upcoming family reunion for hubby’s LARGE Italian family.  We haven’t been in several years while we were working on the House from Hell  in Texas coupled with my surgeries and health issues so we  are really looking forward to going this year.  It has been moved to a more central location for everyone (YAY the beach location we scouted out last year won out). 

Hubby’s recently widowed sister didn’t want to drive herself so asked us to go with her which of course we are thrilled to do and be able to spend even more time with her.  She’s rented a 5th wheel at the RV campground and the 3 of us will be staying together. I LOVE being able to help my favorite SIL (shhhh don’t tell the other SIL’s she’s my favorite) 😀

The 3 of us are also going to spend some time visiting their elderly father who is sharp as a tack, but his body is just giving up on him so he doesn’t get along very well.  We’ll go to him since he won’t be able to go to the reunion.

SOMETHING INTERESTING I READ This BLOG POST AND this follow up BLOG POST over at Debbie Dabble Blog about the disenchantment of blogging is a MUST read if you’re into blogging for yourself and the friends you make along the way and NOT the ads and popularity ratings.  Especially if you just need a reinforcement of why you blog for personal enjoyment.  I really agreed with most ALL of her points.  Reading this also had me readjusting the parties and link ups I participate in (again). 😀

I’M READING Letters across An Open Sea which is the prelude to Ava Miles’ third series, The Merriams – Wild Irish Rose #1. 

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH There really isn’t much on the DVR – we’re getting ready to switch companies around here so we’ve stayed on top of any back-up so as NOT to be disappointed with losing too much on the DVR.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I’m actually getting the Christmas Cacti to bloom yet again this year! I re-potted my mom’s for her and mine had gotten so big I had to split it in two and re-pot it also.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN JALAPENO BITES
TUESDAY – PORK CARNITAS TACOS
WEDNESDAY – ITALIAN CHICKEN & NOODLES
THURSDAY – PINEAPPLE CASHEW CHICKEN & NOODLES
FRIDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – C.O.R.N.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OAT BARS

This is one of those recipes that I LOVE(d)! BUT had to rework to lower the sugar so I could have just 1 bite! I now cut them into really small squares so they are easier for me to eat without a reaction and they actually last longer too 😀

Here’s the original recipe that I believe came off the box of graham crackers many moons ago.  I will follow it with the “NEW” recipe with a much reduced sugar.

MAGIC CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS
2 1/2 cups crushed Honey Maid graham cracker crumbs
1 cup melted Land O’ Lakes unsalted butter
1 cup Jif creamy peanut butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup milk chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon butter

  • In a LARGE mixing bowl, stir together the butter, peanut butter and powdered sugar.
  • Fold in graham cracker  crumbs.
  • Press into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
  • Place the chocolate chips and butter in a measuring cup and microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
  • Spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
  • Place in the refrigerator until set.
  • Cut into bars and serve.

AND the new recipe:

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OAT BARS
1 cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (milk chocolate chips work well too)
3/4 cup peanut butter

  • Lightly grease a 9-inch square pan, or line with parchment paper.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
  • Stir in brown sugar, vanilla and salt.
  • Mix in the oats. Cook and stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes, until ingredients are well combined.
  • Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Reserve the rest for topping.
  • Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
  • Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat layer in the pan and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer and press in gently.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm enough to cut.
  • Cut into bars and serve at room temperature.

NOTE: If you are in a real hurry fold the chocolate mixture into the oat mixture before pressing into the pan.  Personally this is my favorite way to make this as it distributes the flavors better.

BLUEBERRY LEMON CHEESECAKE CAKE

I was originally saving this recipe for Easter, but then we had a good friend who had a birthday.  Can I just say he is very hard to buy for?  His wife suggested I just bake him something and this recipe immediately came to mind.  I sent the big cake to him to share with Heather and the munchkins, but I did have to make 2 small ones for hubby and I also. SHHH don’t tell 😀

BLUEBERRY LEMON CHEESECAKE CAKE adapted from Cafe Delites

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Lightly grease an 8-inch round springform pan with cooking oil spray and set aside.

BLUEBERRY CAKE
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (juice from 1 LARGE lemon)
1/2 cup WHOLE milk
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 LARGE eggs
1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 LARGE lemon)
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 ounces FRESH** blueberries (I like SMALL wild blueberries)

  • Whisk lemon juice with the milk and set aside to sour creating your “buttermilk”.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy.
  • Beat in the eggs and zest until light and creamy.
  • Beat in the lemon juice and milk mixture.
  • Add the flour, baking powder and salt, mixing them first on top of the wet ingredients, before folding them in to combine the batter.
  • GENTLY Fold in 3/4’s of the blueberries.

CHEESECAKE
1 cup light cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 heaping tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 LARGE egg
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

  • Beat the cheesecake ingredients together until smooth and lump free, about one minute on low speed.

ASSEMBLY

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Evenly pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
  • Pour 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over blueberry cake layer (DO NOT SWIRL).
  • Pour the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese; then pour the remaining cream cheese mixture over the top to evenly cover the cake.
  • Sprinkle remaining blueberries over the top.
  • Bake in preheated oven 65 – 70 minutes, until the center is just set (it will have a very slight wobble to it). If you find it is browning after 30 minutes, tent with foil being careful the foil does not stick to the cheesecake.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for an hour or so.
  • Once cake has chilled, remove from pan onto a serving dish.
  • Pour the glaze evenly over the top and allow to drizzle down the sides of the cake.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours or over night BEFORE serving.

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE
1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup natural powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons water as necessary for a thinner consistency

  • Beat all glaze ingredients together until smooth.

FINAL ASSEMBLY

  • Prepare glaze.
  • Once cake has chilled, remove from pan onto a serving dish.
  • Pour the glaze evenly over the top and allow to drizzle down the sides of the cake.
  • Add a few fresh blueberries for garnish.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours or over night BEFORE serving.

NOTES: Frozen blueberries can be used, but MUST be completely thawed and drained WELL.