Easy 2-Ingredient Raspberry Coulis

We had a meeting for our Young and Marrieds group yesterday and I made a no bake chocolate cheesecake as my dessert contribution. It was made with 70% dark chocolate so it was intensely chocolaty and much-loved by hubby who is a huge fan of dark chocolate and I have been a recent convert of his. :)

Strawberry and Raspberry Fool

Hello summer! I love June not only because I was a June bride (we just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on June 19!) but because it means the beginning of berry season. From here on the freshest and juiciest strawberries begin to appear on the market to be followed by raspberries, blueberries, cherries, you name it!

Strawberry and Pecan Clafoutis

It's Strawberry season, woohoo!!! My family are strawberry fanatics - we always have them at home especially for my kids as it's their favorite fruit to snack on. Of course, I love to bake with them, too. The freshest and juiciest strawberries always make any baked goods deliciously delightful!

25 Fantastic Recipes to Celebrate Memorial Day

When we first came to the USA, nearly 12 years ago, one thing that truly struck us was the patriotism of Americans. In the small town where we used to live in Michigan so many houses have the American flag hoisted in their front lawn. In the Philippines, we only do this, if at all, during our own Independence Day and after that, the flag goes back to the closet and won't be taken out again until the next year. But here, it's there pretty much the whole year through. 

Homemade Sweet Tangy Barbecue Sauce

I grew up in a small island in the Philippines called Marinduque. Our island is a little far away from Manila or other big cities. If you wish to go to the city in another province you have to ride the ferry or a big passenger outrigger boat. The nearest one would take you at least 3-4 hours to reach and that is by sea and certainly not for the faint-hearted and those prone to sea sickness. We're a little isolated that way. While we have small grocery stores in the various towns, our beautiful island has yet to be graced by a modern and big supermarket that you normally see in the big city.

Mango Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

My family loves frozen yogurt. When we still lived in Holland, MI we would often visit the local store that sells frozen yogurt (fro-yo, as its known) and have that as a dessert. I find, however, that store-bought ones can still be loaded with so much sugar and so may not necessarily be a healthier alternative to ice cream after all. I thought it would probably best to make one at home so you can certainly control the sugar content without sacrificing taste and ensure that it's a truly wholesome dessert.

Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken and Steak Taco Bar

My husband and I love spicy food! We prefer food that has complex flavor, full of yummy spices that delight the taste buds. When we came to the USA, over ten years ago, one of the first things we looked for was a good Indian restaurant as we love Indian food. Unfortunately, at that time, there wasn't any reasonably good Indian restaurant where we resided so we were quite sad and thought we may no longer have our favorite food for a long time (unless we visited another city). Thankfully, the situation all worked out well as that motivated me to learn how to cook. If spicy food won't be readily available, then I must do something about it. I am glad that because of this I learned how to cook curry and other Indian and even Thai specialties. Necessity is indeed a good motivator!

Cornell Chicken Barbecue (Cornell Formula Sauce)

Last year, one of our friends from church invited as over for dinner. I watched as she masterfully grilled the chicken which we would have for dinner. I knew it would be a wonderful dish as the aroma coming from the grill smelled wonderful. It was amazing - the most tender, juicy and flavorful grilled chicken we have had in a long time. I am sure, I ate quite a few pieces.

Strawberry-Blackberry Summer Trifle

Nothing screams of summer deliciousness than a classic English Trifle. It is a chilled dessert composed of creamy thick custard, fruits, sponge cake (often soaked in sherry, wine,  liqueur, etc - totally optional, of course), fruit juice or jelly, whipped cream all arranged in beautiful layers and placed in a deep glass bowl so everyone can gawk at it and appreciate its gorgeousness. The flavors and textures are fantastic and every bite promises your palate every bit of yumminess. How can you resist?

25 Fabulous No Bake Desserts

Summer is finally here! Yes, I feel the hot and humid weather is already in full swing. With days like this, who wants to turn the oven on even if the excuse is baking your favorite dessert? It's just not worth it sometimes, unless you don't mind sweating while you're baking. I do. So, I searched the internet for the best No Bake Desserts so we can still enjoy our sweets without having to sweat! Enjoy and please visit most, if not all, of these fantastic sweet treats!

Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

I never thought the day would ever come that I will be able to make my own ice cream. Granting that the concept of a Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream is not original (I can imagine so many variations on the internet!) the fact is, I made this version on my own, by hand...well, aided by the ice cream maker for churning (though I did make some of it without the ice cream maker just to see if it was possible at all to make ice cream without one). I am quite proud that I did it. Am sure my parents would be so proud, too! :-) I can now check-off the ice cream on my must-try list and can begin experimenting on many other delicious possibilities!!!

Berry Medley Bombe

For those who want to make ice cream but fear that they cannot make it because they don't have an ice cream maker, have no more fear the Bombe is here! The Bombe Glacée, or simply a bombe in English, is an ice cream dessert frozen in a spherical mold so as to resemble a cannonball, hence the name.

Mixed Berry and Pecan Cobbler

Nothing speaks more of summer than a fruit cobbler. Love this dessert’s versatility because you can pretty much use your favorite summer berry or fruit with it. While it does require some baking, when you top it with pouring cream or ice cream, it certainly becomes a deliciously refreshing summer dessert.

Chocolate Cherry Banana Muffins (or Loaf)

It's the last few days of Cherry season here in Michigan. I'd feel quite sad ordinarily 'cause we are huge Cherry fans but, thankfully, in this lovely state of ours - one fruit season may end but others continue. Thankfully, we can still satisfy our summer fruit cravings with blueberries and blackberries which are currently in full swing and will continue on until August.

Extra Special Mango Float

Ohhh summer. I've had a few requests for this special Filipino dessert called Mango Float. For some reason I never got to make it and then finally summer came so I decided this is the perfect time to make it! I am glad I did!

Cherry-Almond and Chocolate Oatmeal

It's still Cherry season here in Michigan and that means I have a few recipes coming up on the blog featuring  Cherries. We love Cherries and though Michigan produces roughly 70 of the tart Cherries in the US and has over 3.8 million Cherry trees, it's a shame we haven't ventured on Cherry picking yet.

Italian Fruit Salad

  

 

It's that time of year when so many summer fruits are in season. Summer time is my favorite season in Michigan because beautiful berries and other fruits abound. My favorite local fruits are Blueberries and Cherries! I think the Michigan variety are the best. Juicy, plump and just oozing with fruity goodness! Blueberry season has officially began and soon we'll be going blueberry picking. Me and the tots can't wait to do so! If only this season will never end. :-)

3 Course Picnic Meal: Holland Farmer's Market Chef Series

Every Wednesday and Saturday the Farmer's Market in our town is open from May until the end of November. I often go here during Saturdays with the tots so we can check the lovely produce each vendor sells and also just to relax and be with other people. Every Saturday they feature a chef from a local restaurant for their Chef Series program.

Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake

I have been making my Blueberry Sour Cream Cake for awhile now which prompted me to try pretty much the same recipe but using fresh strawberries instead! Am I glad I did! Of course, I used the Demarle Non-stick bakeware to make it perfect - particularly the lovely Sunflower Mold.