easy recipes

Name: Peach Mojito
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2-3 slices of fresh peach; 2 slices lime; 1 sprig of mint; ice; 2 ounces of rum; 1/2 ounce of simple syrup; 3 ounces of soda water

Perfect Peach Recipes for Peach Season

July 24, 2020 by Rachel 21 Comments

As a foodie, fewer things are more exciting than peach season. My husband has always had a knack for picking out the ripest and most beautiful peaches from our farmers market. Of course, this year the markets are looking a tad bit different. So I decided to finally try ordering from The Peach Truck, which has left me with plenty of peach recipes for peach season!

What you need to know.

You can’t walk up and order from The Peach Truck. They take orders online for several months prior to the dates in your area. Packages start at 25-pound bundles to peaches, pecans, and cookbooks.

Before you pick up your peaches from TPT (The Peach Truck), you’ll receive a barcode. You arrive during your allotted pickup time, stand in the line, and scan the code when it’s your turn. The line is honestly a bit daunting, but they are super efficient. I was in and out of line within 3 minutes!

I have my peaches, now what?

Your peaches will be fresh. Like, picked within the last 48-hours kind of fresh! So they won’t be quite ripe enough to eat yet. You’ll want to spread the peaches out on your kitchen counter (if it’s large enough!) or the kitchen table to ripen.

Ripening the peaches will take only a couple of days. You’re going to want to have a plan on how much you can eat and/or bake in a relatively short period of time.

Separate and set aside.

So twenty-five pounds of peaches is a lot. Like, a whole lot! Since you’ve taken the time to get a plan of action in place for your peaches, you can now separate them into what you will use now, and what you will store for later. Instructions for freezing your peaches can be found on TPT’s website.

For those peaches you don’t freeze, I have several peach recipes to help you out!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season.

Sure, you can just eat peaches. But what about grilling them? Or baking them? Or making a delicious adult beverage with them?! We tried the grilling method. Oh my stars, were they delicious! But after some time on the charcoal grill, they were not at all pretty.

Peach Mojito

We also tried making them into delicious and perfect peach mojitos. Y’all! If you love mojitos (and who doesn’t), you will absolutely die for these. They are perfect for a backyard cookout or, heck!, pre-make them for a camping trip!

Yield: 1 drink

Peach Mojito

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 slices of fresh peach
2 slices lime
1 sprig of mint
ice
2 ounces of rum
1/2 ounce of simple syrup
3 ounces of soda water

Instructions

In a glass of choice muddle the mint and lime then add slices of peach.
Add ice.
Then add rum, simple syrup, and top it off with soda water.
Stir and enjoy.

With just the perfect amount of mint and peaches, this drink is incredibly refreshing!

Peach Angel Food Cupcakes

Summertime is not the time for ‘heavy’ desserts, am I right? It turns out that peaches and angel food cake, which is light and airy, are the perfect combination! For these peach angel food cupcakes, I used boxed angel food cake mix, because it was the quickest! But they’re delicious!

If you’re looking to step these up a bit, top them with frozen cool whip and fresh peaches!

Peach Angel Food Cupcakes

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 can of halved peaches (or one pound of fresh peaches)
1 box of angel food cake mix
1 teaspoon of almond extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cut peaches into small chunks.
Follow box instructions for angel food cake. Then fold in peaches and almond extract.
Pour into muffin tin.
Bake for 15 minutes (until golden).
Let cool. Enjoy!

Notes

Add fresh whipped cream to make it extra delicious!

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Backyard Bliss Rosemary Citrus Spritzer

July 21, 2020 by Rachel 21 Comments

I don’t think I’m alone in saying that the Summer of 2020 may go down in history as one of the weirdest ever. We cancelled our big family vacation at the beginning of the pandemic. And, shortly thereafter, I managed to convince my husband that we should just put that money into making our backyard a little paradise. Complete with a backyard bliss Rosemary Citrus Spritzer.

We started with putting up a huge privacy fence. We hired a local contractor off of a Facebook recommendation. Also, we immediately ordered raised garden beds. And then we set into motion a plan to build a deck, complete with a hot tub. If we were going to be home, I might as well make the most of it, right?

Speaking of enjoying it, this Rosemary Citrus Spritzer is the perfect nightcap to be enjoyed on our blissful deck. It’s super refreshing and equally delicious.

First, start with simple syrup.

You start making this Rosemary Citrus Spritzer by preparing your own simple syrup. Sure, you could always purchase simple syrup. But it’s SO easy to make it yourself — and way more delicious!

All you need to make simple syrup is one whole orange, one whole lemon, sugar, a sprig of rosemary, and a sauce pan.

Then, add the spirits — Prosecco, Vodka, and Limoncello

The other thing you need is prosecco. My favorite prosecco is Riondo Prosecco. It’s affordable and you don’t need to use the whole bottle (because it’s a screw cap!). So you can enjoy this one glass at a time — no pressure.

In addition to the perfect prosecco, you’ll need vodka and limoncello. My favorite vodka is a local company, Buckeye Vodka. But you can use any good vodka.

Check out the full recipe!

Yield: 8 ounces

Rosemary Citrus Spritzer

Ingredients

Fresh Rosemary
2 Tablespoons of sugar
Juice from one orange
Juice from one lemon
1 teaspoon of orange zest
1 ounce of vodka
1 ounce of limoncello
1 ounce of coconut water
2 ounces of Riondo Prosecco

Instructions

For the simple syrup:

Add 1 sprig rosemary, sugar, orange and lemon juice, and orange zest to a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer, stir, and cover for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and strain, let cool 5-10 min.

Mixing:

Pour 1 ounce simple syrup into a glass with ice.
Add all remaining ingredients. Stir & enjoy!
Garnish with rosemary and an orange!

This is the perfect drink for your staycation, don’t you think?

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Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad

July 19, 2020 by Rachel 19 Comments

Listen, y’all. I’ll admit Summer is not my favorite season. Not by any stretch. It’s hot and I just don’t like the overwhelming humidity. But ya know what I do like? Easy Summertime meals like this yummy + easy Summertime Frito Salad.

What makes this salad special?

First off, it’s easy. Second, it’s a total guilty pleasure. Third, even my kids will eat it! So I suppose technically it’s only a salad in terms of ‘a bunch of items mixed together.’ You know, in the same way that tuna salad is a ‘salad’.

Honest to goodness, I personally love any salad that is not based in lettuce. It’s true! I just don’t love lettuce! Fruit salad? Yes. Pasta salad? Yep. Ham salad? Sure do love it! Rockne’s Firestone Salad (an Akron classic, if you ask me)? THE absolute best.

But I DO love a good delicious and simple Summertime salad! And, like I have said, this one meets all of the criteria for amazing. It’s fresh, tasty, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from going back for seconds!

Warning: It’s addictive, but not at all healthy!

If you are looking for something to bring to your potluck or end of Summer celebration, look no further than here. But if you are looking for something healthy, please don’t look at this! haha! I mean, seriously, this is NOT one of “those” meals! But it is delicious and it does switch up the normal potluck and mealtime routine.

This yummy + easy Summertime Frito salad will satisfy every craving!

Frito Salad

Ingredients

Fritos 9oz package
2/3 cup Sour Cream
1 Green pepper, diced
1 can of corn, drained (substitute fresh corn for a different take!)
Cilantro (optional)
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs onion powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Dice the green pepper and combine in a large bowl with the drained corn.
Combine the seasonings and the sour cream until well mixed.
Add sour cream mixture to the green peppers and corn.
Just before serving, add in the Fritos and fold to combine. Top with chopped cilantro for an extra special touch!
ENJOY!

Notes

For an extra kick, mix in:

Chopped green or black olives
Minced jalapeno
Sriracha
Diced red onion
Diced tomato

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Smoky Paprika Grilled Shrimp Skewers

July 13, 2020 by Rachel 25 Comments

Guys, it has been HOT across the midwest lately. Like, really, really, hot! In times like these I just cannot imagine turning on the stove or the oven to make dinner (and the other 5,000 meals a day my kids insist on eating). Luckily, the Instant Pot and the grill are my best friends! And these Smoky Paprika Grilled Shrimp Skewers are the most delicious way to beat the heat!

If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll love these! They are just the right amount of ‘heat,’ but perfectly balanced from cooking on the grill! To get in our daily dose of veggies, we take whatever we have ready in our garden! Our zucchini and squash seem to be thriving this first year, so we have an abundance!

Speaking of gardens, this was our very first year growing and planting! Since moving into our new home almost two years ago, we now have plenty of space. We didn’t plant anything last year, as we were still getting settled. But this year I knew I wanted to plant as many veggies as possible!

Chad ordered two raised beds and we assembled them. Naively, I thought this would be enough space for everything. Guys — I was very wrong! While things are growing well and producing fruits and veggies, certain items are completely taking over! I, clearly, did not space seeds and plants out appropriately. And our cucumber plants are wrapping themselves around literally everything else!

I’ve certainly learned a lot with this first garden. And I’m already planning on purchasing several more raised beds after the season ends (in anticipation of next Summer)! In the meantime, we will enjoy the heck out of all of the zucchini!

So if you’re looking for a delicious, easy, weeknight recipe — then look no further than these incredible Smoky Paprika Grilled Shrimp Skewers!

Yield: 6-8

Smoky Paprika Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
red pepper (to taste)
sea salt (to taste)
1 pound of shrimp, peeled and cleaned

Instructions

Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes in water before using.
Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt together in a mixing bowl.
Add the shrimp to the bowl and mix until well-coated.
Let the shrimp sit for a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge, covered.
Preheat the grill (or charcoal grill) to medium heat, oil the grates and grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
Transfer skewers to a plate.
ENJOY!

If you’re looking for a dessert recipe to accompany these grilled shrimp skewers, be sure to check out this delicious chocolate tart!

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Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe — Dairy Free

July 3, 2020 by Rachel 31 Comments

If you’re new around here, you may notice that I try to incorporate as many dairy free / vegan recipes into our life as possible. The reason being? Two out of three kids have had some sort of dairy intolerance. If you’ve ever shopped for dairy free products, you know it can get expensive. This is especially true when you have two kids who love yogurt. Enter: dairy free Instant Pot yogurt.

I have long heard about people brave enough to make their own yogurt in the Instant Pot. But I was always super intimidated with the process. I mean, it sounds complicated so it must be, right? I decided to try and figure out exactly what I would need to make it and I quickly realized it was a lot easier than it seemed!

What You’ll Need

Besides the Instant Pot, there were only a couple other “must-have” items for this recipe. First, you will need a vegan yogurt starter. I ordered this one from Amazon Prime and it arrived within 2 days. You’ll also need a cheesecloth, agar agar powder, and a reliable cooking thermometer.

Don’t Get Discouraged!

Once you have all of the items, it’s really quite simple! There’s a lot of waiting. Like, a lot. And I think the ‘time’ of all of it can be intimidating. But don’t let it be discouraging!

Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt

Whatever you do, do not skip the thermometer step! Also, be sure that once the incubation period starts, you leave it. Don’t try and sneak a peek at the yogurt; this will have a negative effect on the results.

Yield: 8 servings

Dairy Free Instant Pot Yogurt

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 day

Additional Time 10 hours

Total Time 1 day 10 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

3 ¼ Cups of Ajoyo Sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
½ teaspoon of vegan yogurt starter
4 teaspoons of powdered agar agar

Instructions

Turn the Instant Pot on by pressing the Yogurt button. Use this function and continue pressing until it reads “Boil.”
Pour Ajoyo Almond Milk into the Instant Pot. Add the agar agar. Whisk to mix well.
Use a cooking or candy thermometer to watch the temperature of the mixture. Wait until the temperature reaches between 110 - 115 degrees fahrenheit (this will take only a few minutes).
Once the temperature is reached, turn the Instant Pot off.
Use a mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth to strain the mixture into a bowl.
Add the vegan yogurt starter to the mixture. Whisk until combined.
Pour the mixture back into the Instant Pot and close the lid. to start the incubation period.
Press the yogurt function, set pressure to “normal,” and set time to 24:00 (hours).
After 24 hours of incubation, remove the mixture from the Instant Pot and place in a covered container in the refrigerator for 10 hours.
Once the yogurt has sat refrigerated for 10 hours, mix the yogurt to combine (some will have settled). Sweeten to your taste (I prefer honey and almonds).
Enjoy!

Once your yogurt is done, top it with whatever you’d like. My kids prefer it a little on the sweeter side, so we use honey and strawberries to give it an extra kick! But I understand that a lot of vegans do not eat honey. You could also try sweetening with vanilla extract!

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Boozy Red, White, and Blue Popsicles Recipe

June 23, 2020 by Rachel 18 Comments

Is it even the 4th of July if you’re not donning red, white, and blue and eating an array of themed foods? No — no it definitely isn’t! If I’m being honest, I am a tad bit obsessed with themed foods. For my eldest child’s first birthday party I used puns and themed foods for literally every. single. thing. While it’s been increasingly difficult to be that ‘extra’ with each subsequent child, I still go all-out for the important parties!

And, even though we’ll be homebound for this Independence Day, we’ll be holding our own little backyard celebration. Complete with mocktails, cocktails, and snacks of all kinds!

My favorite part, by far, is my delicious Boozy 4th of July Popsicles. Patriotic and the perfect adult frozen treat! Sure, there will be other goodies — like red, white, and blue kabobs! And even other adult beverages (helloooo, red wine!). But these “Adult Bomb Pops” are just too perfect.

But the best part of this recipe? Is it’s EASY! No blender required and nothing over the top. Just simple, straightforward fun!

I’m OBSESSED! And you will be, too! If you need a recommendation for freeze pop ziploc bags, check these out here.

Yield: 3 pops

Boozy 4th of July Popsicles

An adult version of the kid-favorite, BOMB POPS! Easy, unique, and FUN!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 bottle of Red, White & Berry Smirnoff Ice
3 ounces of Vodka
3 teaspoons of patriotic sprinkles
3 ziploc popsicle bags

Instructions

Pour 1 ounce of vodka into each of the Ziploc Popsicle Bags.
Pour Red, White, and Berry Smirnoff Ice into bag until fill line.
Add a teaspoon of patriotic sprinkles.
Seal the bag and shake before freezing overnight.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY!

Tell me — what’s your favorite boozy beverage?!

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