Brussel Sprouts Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 1/2 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• Dash crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1 C thinly sliced Brussels Sprouts
• 1/4 C thinly sliced Red Onions
• 1/2 C shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 large store bought Flatbread or individual flatbreads will work too
• Additional Parmesan cheese for serving, if desired
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, 1/4 c of parmesan cheese, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, crushed red pepper, salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.  Ad the sliced brussels sprouts and sliced red onions.  Cook for 3 minutes, just until Brussels sprouts and red onions are softened. Set aside.
4. Place the flatbread on a large baking sheet.  Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the flatbread with a spatula.  Top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese, remaining parmesan cheese, brussels sprouts and onions.
5. Place the flatbread in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and the flatbread is golden brown.  Remove from the oven and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top.  Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, if desired.  Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

From: Katie Delahunty

Lemon Blueberry Cake with Whipped Lemon Cream Frosting

Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks, 8 ounces) butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups (13 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
• 4 large eggs (7 ounces), room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (storebought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
• 2 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Whipped Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 1/2 cups (18 ounces) powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Garnish:

• Fresh lemon slices
• Fresh blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with at least 2-inch sides with parchment paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray (see note above for pan variations). Set aside.
2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer (or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream together the butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes (don’t cut down the time on this step).
3. Add the eggs and vanilla until well-combined, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined and a few dry streaks remain.
5. Add the buttermilk and lemon juice to the batter, and stir by hand, folding the batter until just combined.
6. In another bowl, toss the blueberries with the 2 tablespoons flour (see note above). Add the blueberries and remnants of flour to the batter and fold in by hand with a spatula or wooden spoon until just-combined. Overmixing may result in a tough, dry cake.
7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until just baked through. The top will spring back lightly to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
8. Let the cakes cool for 5-10 minutes in the pans before turning them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, whip the cream cheese and butter together with a handheld electric mixer or with an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and mix on low speed (so the powdered sugar doesn’t fly everywhere) until combined. Increase the speed to medium and mix until creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream and whip the frosting until very light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
10. When the cake has cooled completely, place one round on a platter or plate and spread the top evenly with frosting. Place the other cake round upside down on the frosting and press just lightly. Continue frosting with a thin spatula or offset spatula until the top and sides of the cake are evenly frosted. Garnish with blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.
11. This cake, once frosted, lasts very well in the refrigerator for several days (I’ve made it up to two days in advance before serving). Take it out an hour or two before serving or serve chilled, your choice!

Notes:

Zest the lemon(s) before juicing them (it will cut down on the number of lemons you need to use). Speaking of number of lemons, you’ll need about 4-5 lemons for this recipe, plus more if you want to garnish the cake with lemon slices.

As stated in the ingredients list, frozen blueberries work well in this cake. The baked cake is slightly wetter around where the blueberries bake into the cake but it’s not too noticeable, in my opinion. Remember not to thaw them first. I’ve actually noticed that the blueberries don’t sink to the bottom of the cake as often with frozen blueberries – I think it’s because the flour adheres to the blueberries better, helping them cling to the batter. I’ve never tried it but I suppose you could try just barely misting fresh blueberries with a bit of water (maybe 1/2 teaspoon max!) before tossing with the flour to help prevent sinkage. To be honest, it doesn’t really bother me if the blueberries tend to gravitate toward the bottom of the cake but if you are more particular, there’s an idea for you.

Also, the frosting makes for thick layers of frosting in between the cake layers and on the top and sides. If you like a little less frosting-to-cake ratio, you could probably cut down the frosting ingredient amounts or just use less and save the rest of the frosting to spread on other goodies.

I’ve often spread the batter into 3 8-inch pans (with at least 2-inch sides) but find more often, I simplify and bake it in 2 9-inch layers.

From Mels Kitchen Café
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/lemon-blueberry-cake-with-whipped-lemon-cream-frosting/

Greek Pork

Ingredients:

·         3-4 pounds pork roast, cut into 2-3-inch chunks

·         1/4 cup chicken broth

·         1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

·         2 teaspoons dried oregano

·         1 teaspoon onion powder

·         1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced)

·         1 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt

·         1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

For Serving:

• Flatbread/Pitas
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Lemon Wedges

Directions:

1. Place the pork in the insert of the Instant Pot. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture over the pork, turning the pork pieces a few times to coat in the mixture.
2. Secure and lock the lid; cook on high pressure for 50 minutes (select Manual and dial up or down to 50; the IP will start on it’s own and beep when the cooking time is finished). Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the pressure. Shred the pork with two forks and keep warm in the Instant Pot until ready to serve.
3. Serve the tender pork with flatbread/pitas and tzatziki, lettuce, and tomatoes OR serve it over rice or on a salad.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 55 Minutes
Total Time: 90 Minutes

Found on Mel's Kitchen:

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/tender-greek-pork-instant-pot-or-slow-cooker/  

Lemon Drop Mini Cakes

Mini Cakes:
1 Lemon Cake Mix

1 Pkg Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

4 Eggs

1 1/4 C. Sour Cream

1/2 C. Milk

Mix all together and bake in a mini muffin tin. Use a #100 cookie scoop to fill the tins. Bake 325 F for 12 minutes.

Lemon Glaze:

3 1/3 - 4 C. Powder Sugar

Lemon Zest

2 Tbls unsalted butter (melted)

1/4 C. Fresh lemon juice

1/4 C. Warm Water

Mix all together. Add more powdered sugar if needed.  It is better to have a thicker glaze. If it is to runny it will run right off the mini cakes, take a long time to dry and be a sticky glaze.  After the glaze drys you want to be able to run your finger over the top of the cakes without any stick.

Topping:
Raspberries or other berry/fruit

Once cakes have baked flip upside down on a wire cooling rack.  Once cooled dip the bottom of the muffins in the glaze.  (Start with 3 1/2 cups but if the glaze is too thin add more powdered sugar) Let the glaze dry then top with a berry or fruit.

Yield: 8 dozen

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

2 lbs of Chicken

McCormick Grill Mates, Mojito Lime Marinade - optional

Lemons

1 Cup of Chicken Broth

2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

2 Cups Whipping Cream

2 Tbsp Butter

Green Onions Chopped

3-4 Cut up Mushrooms (about 2 oz)

1 Can of Artichoke Hearts Cut up

1/4 tsp Pepper

3/4 tsp Salt

Linguine Noodles

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1.    Defrost Chicken and marinade in your favorite lemon or lime marinade. I prefer McCormick Grill Mates, Mojito Lime Marinade.

2.    Cut lemon in half and cut off the ends to make two flat surfaces for grilling.  

3.    Bring chicken broth to a boil then add lemon juice and whipping cream.  Bring to a boil again and then add butter one Tbsp at a time.  

4.    After the butter has melted lower the temperature to medium low.  Add green onions, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, salt and pepper and simmer until sauce becomes creamier and mushrooms are cooked. (About 15 mins)

5.    Grill the chicken and lemons and boil the noodles.

6.    Serve sauce over noodles and squeeze the grilled lemon on top.  You can top with grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Note: You can mix the noodles and sauce together before you serve. 

Oven Roasted Garlic Lemon Parmesan Zucchini

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs Zucchini (4-5 small/medium)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp zest of a lemon
2 cloves garlic (crushed or finely minced)
3/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a rimmed cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

Cut Zucchini into 4th (or halves if you want bigger pieces and it makes it easier to put the cheese on).

In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, lemon zest and garlic.  Brush the mixture over the top of the zucchini.  Try to get some of the garlic and lemon on each piece.  Then sprinkle the tops with the parmesan cheese.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Bake in preheated oven for 11-13 minutes then adjust the oven rack near the top and broil for several minutes until the parmesan is golden brown.  They are best if served warm.

Guacamole

Ingredients: (Party Amount)

5 avocados
2 green onions
1 lemon
red tabasco to taste
salt & pepper to taste
2 spoonfuls of salsa/pico to taste

or

1 avocado
1/2 lime
salt to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together until creamy and smooth.  Enjoy with chips, on a salad or sandwich!