Tag Archive | summer

Easy Lime Pound Cake

Jun9

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 The Harried Housewife Easy Lime Pound Cake

Easy Lime Pound Cake

Easy Lime Pound Cake

If you’re pressed for time but still want to bake a homemade treat, grab a box of pound cake mix, pick up a couple of limes, and in no time you’ll have a refreshing dessert that no one will guess began with packaged mix.

You probably already have the other ingredients necessary for preparation in your pantry, so it’s as simple as stirring in a bit of lime zest before baking.

One thing is certain: By embellishing packaged mix, it’s easy to savor a tangy treat fresh from your kitchen.

EASY LIME POUND CAKE

1 (16-ounce) package pound cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare it
2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with shortening; dust with flour. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Stir in lime zest. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack set over foil. Cool 10 minutes more. Meanwhile, combine sugar and lime juice in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH just until sugar has dissolved, 10 to 20 seconds. Stir well. Poke a long skewer into the top of cake at about 1-inch intervals; brush lime-sugar mixture over cake. Cool completely. Makes 12 servings.

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Jun3

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Strawberry Fruit Dip

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Ideal for entertaining, this crowd-pleasing recipe takes just a few minutes to whip up. An excellent choice for a graduation party or any other summer get-together, it’s easy to prepare by simply combining a few packaged ingredients.

And it’s just as easy to double or triple the recipe. Serve with fresh strawberries or other seasonal fruits for a refreshing treat as welcome as a summer breeze.

STRAWBERRY FRUIT DIP

1 (6-ounce) carton non-fat strawberry yogurt
1 (6-ounce) carton non-fat vanilla yogurt
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light frozen whipped topping, thawed
Assorted fresh fruit, such as strawberries, pineapple, grapes, kiwi, cantaloupe, for dipping
For dip, in a large bowl, combine strawberry and vanilla yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Serve with assorted fresh fruit. Makes 24 servings.

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Apr22

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Save time in the kitchen and savor homemade cookies with this quick to prepare recipe. Chewy, dark chocolate oatmeal cookies laced with walnuts can be ready in no time by simply embellishing a package of brownie mix with a few ingredients.

Ideal for any gathering, this recipe makes it easy to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends.

FUDGY OATMEAL WALNUT COOKIES

1 (18-ounce) package double chocolate brownie mix
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/4 cup water
1 egg
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, oats, cocoa powder, butter, water, and egg. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed. Stir in walnuts. Shape dough into 2 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; dip fingertips in water and press cookies to slightly flatten. Bake until centers are almost set, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Aug7

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Recipes made with garden-fresh cucumbers are a refreshing addition to the summer menu. Whether it’s to perk up your picnic, accompany your entrée, or share at an outdoor gathering, this old-fashioned salad makes good use of some of the flavors of the season.

A terrific timesaver, it can be prepared up to four hours in advance. Just cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve. It can also be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.

Whatever the occasion, this quick and easy recipe is a delightful addition to any warm weather meal.


CREAMY DILLED CUCUMBER SALAD

2 medium cucumbers, peeled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup regular or light sour cream
Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise; use a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds. Thinly slice cucumbers; place in a colander that’s set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand 20 minutes; rinse and pat dry. In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, onion, dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper; stir in sour cream. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Stir well before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Blueberry Muffins

Jul9

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 NewsTalk & WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

Make the most of blueberry season by baking a batch of old-fashioned muffins. Bursting with flavor, the combination of crushed and whole blueberries make these muffins extra tasty.

Serving a multitude of purposes, these time-honored treats are a delightful addition to breakfast, a tasty seasonal afternoon snack, and an excellent choice when it comes to rounding out the brunch menu.

And they couldn’t be easier to make. So when the occasion calls for a tried-and-true homemade treat, pop a batch of blueberry muffins into the oven. You’ll be glad you did.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

2 cups flour
3/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 15 muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, mash 1/2 cup blueberries with a potato masher. In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla. Stir in mashed blueberries. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely. Makes 15 muffins.

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Jun26

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Satisfy the craving for chocolate and peanut butter by baking a batch of these flavorful cookies. Just in time for July Fourth celebrations, these no-fuss treats are an excellent choice for summertime get-togethers.

Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a hike through the woods, or a day at the beach, these little goodies are terrific for toting anywhere. Enjoy!

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for finishing
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, combine butter, shortening and peanut butter. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sugar and brown sugar; beat until combined. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Gradually beat in as much flour mixture as possible; stir in the rest. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in additional sugar, place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press cookies with the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass to slightly flatten. Bake until centers are set and edges are crackled, 7 to 9 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Food Lion Launches Fresh Website – New Design Makes it Easy to Shop, Save, and Plan for Recipes like Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Jun10
Food Lion, Harried Housewife Recipes - Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Food Lion has debuted a new website that makes shopping, saving, and planning for mealtimes the ultimate in ease. Included in the many enhancements is Food Lion’s New Recipe Portal which has this recipe for Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad and forthcoming Harried Housewife Recipes.

Another exciting feature of this new website is a personalized dashboard that makes it easy for you to access your information in a snap.

Food Lion Harried Housewife Recipes

All you have to do is sign up for an MVP card. It’s easy to do, then just log in and you’ll see all of your personalized information such as your saved favorite recipes, digitally uploaded coupons, shopping lists, savings for the year, etc. You can customize your dashboard as you go!

This personalized feature is not only fun and easy, but it also saves time and is helpful to those watching their budgets. The new Food Lion website, based on customer feedback, is designed to provide time-crunched folks with digital enhancements to ensure easy mealtime preparation.

Whether it’s the Recipe Portal,

Food Lion Recipe Portal Harried Housewife Recipes

Coupon Hub,

Food Lion Coupon Hub Harried Recipes

Shopping List,

Food Lion Shopping List Harried Housewife Recipes

Savings Tracker,

Food Lion Savings Tracker Harried Housewife Recipes

or any other feature, Food Lion’s freshly designed website makes it easy to save money and simplify your grocery shopping experience.

Enjoy!

Food Lion Website Harried Housewife Recipes

 Thanks to Food Lion for sponsoring this post.

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

May1

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Spring Greens Salad

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Celebrate National Salad Month, and the warmer weather, with a lighter dish filled with color and texture. A refreshing mix of seasonal salad greens along with strawberries, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts drizzled with tangy balsamic poppy seed vinaigrette is both tasty and nutritious.

And you can always add cooked chicken breasts or your choice of lean protein, if desired. Whichever way you prefer, this refreshing recipe is an appetizing start to National Salad Month.

SPRING GREENS AND STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
12 cups spring salad greens
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts
For vinaigrette, in small bowl, combine vinegar, olive oil, honey, poppy seeds, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and strawberries. Whisk vinaigrette and drizzle desired amount over mixed greens and strawberries; toss to combine. Arrange on a large platter or 6 plates; sprinkle with blue cheese and walnuts. Makes 6 servings.

Easy Whole Kernel Cornbread Muffins

Sep12

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Easy Whole Kernel Cornbread Muffins

Easy Whole Kernel Cornbread Muffins

Easy Whole Kernel Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread muffins are good enough on their own, but when they include whole kernel corn, they’re even better. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe makes good use of packaged corn muffin mix.

Whether you use fresh, frozen, or canned corn, a batch of savory muffins can be on the table in a jiffy. So if you’d like to add a tasty twist to cornbread without spending a lot of time in preparation, it’s as simple as embellishing store-bought mix with whole kernel corn and a few pantry staples.

Enjoy!

EASY WHOLE KERNEL CORNBREAD MUFFINS

1 (8.5 ounce) package corn muffin mix
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup regular or reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup cooked corn or 1 (8.5 or 8.75-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10 muffin cups or line with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine corn muffin mix, flour, and sugar. In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, and butter. Add to corn muffin mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in corn; divide among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 16 to 19 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Serve warm or cool. Makes 10 muffins.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Aug8

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Zucchini is a versatile veggie that finds its way into many dishes during the summer months. From appetizers to desserts, this prized squash is the star ingredient in countless dishes. And when it comes to baking bread, chocolate and zucchini is a delicious flavor pairing.

Moist and rich in taste, it’s a good idea to bake this bread in four miniature loaf pans so you can savor some now and stash the rest in the freezer to enjoy later. You also can add a cup of chopped walnuts along with the zucchini and chocolate chips, if desired.

However you prepare it, this recipe makes it easy to savor a slice of summer.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Confectioners’ sugar (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottoms of four 5×3-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, coffee granules, and baking powder. In a separate, large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, butter, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips. Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, if desired. Makes 4 miniature loaves.

*Note: Bread may also be baked in two 8×4-inch loaf pans instead of four 5×3-inch loaf pans; increase bake time to 50 to 55 minutes.