Here are a few more summer BBQ favorites: How about you? What’s your favorite food to grill? I just had to share with you the juiciest, most delicious turkey burger on the planet. A burger so delectable, sweet and spicy. One that everyone loves. A healthier and juicy burger with gooey melted Pepper Jack cheese oozing everywhere. You’re going to want to toss these meat-treats on the BBQ this weekend. Invite your friends over, shout it out from the roof-tops… “I’ve finally found it!” (recipe below)
Oprah says: “I believe it may be the best turkey burger in the entire world.” And I couldn’t agree more. If you’re searching for the PERFECT turkey burger this it!
*Watch your e-mail in the next few days for the next Giveaway!* (Hint: a fun to wear, Baked in Maine T-shirt or The Maine Summers Cookbook: Recipes for Delicious, Sun-Filled Days (Hardcover)by Linda Greenlaw
*Note You can find Major Grey’s Chutney in the “International section” of any large grocery store. Of course, if you’re in the U.K. you can find it anywhere..
Directions:
Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola/olive oil until tender. Let cool.
Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours, so they firm up.
Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side (without turning) for 7 minutes or until meat is thoroughly cooked. Top with sliced Pepper Jack cheese. Grill your rolls. Add mayo, salsa or Major Grey’s Chutney to your roll. Pile on some lettuce and sliced tomato. Get plenty of napkins, you’ll need them!
Grilled Romaine Recipe
Grilled Romaine is one of my new favorite salads. Absolutely delicious and very simple to make. I love anything grilled, and just couldn’t wait to BBQ some lettuce! So easy, slice a head of romaine lettuce in half (the long way.) Brush all sides with olive oil and grill until slightly wilted. Dress with Ceasar dressing, add lots of Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, and olives. Everyone loves it. Just love how it gets all sweet, juicy and caramelized. De-lish! What’re your favorite foods to grill??
Ingredients:
(serves 4)
2 heads of Romaine, sliced in half, (keeping the stem ends attached)
Olive oil, for grilling and dressing
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 lemon, quartered
Roasted garlic, minced (optional)
Tomatoes (optional)
Black olives (optional)
*Or serve with your favorite Caesar dressing.
Preparation:
Brush the sliced Romaine (all-over) lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan. Toss on a hot BBQ (or oven broil). Cook (turning once) until the leaves char slightly and start to wilt.
Serve cut-side up. Sprinkle on more fresh Parmesan, add garlic, tomatoes, and olives (optional) Squeeze each with a lemon wedge.
Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients:
1 (5-pound) watermelon
1 Vidalia onion
1 cucumber, sliced (optional)
1/4 cup red wine or balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
6 whole mint sprigs
Directions
In a large bowl, combine everything; the watermelon, onion, cukes, feta and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Salt and pepper. Toss gently and refrigerate.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
The fresh ingredients listed are usually kitchen staples so this is easy to fix in a flash. I’m one for improvising so feel free to use what’s fresh, in season and available.
One of my favorite summer salads, so easy, quick, and healthy. All of my favorites: extra virgin olive oil, lemon, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta and fresh herbs. You’ll get plenty of raves with this one… Last August, my cousin Terry, her husband Steve, and daughter Sidney were visiting Portland, Maine (from New Jersey). In rush, I through together this delicious, Mediterranean style couscous salad with Terry in mind. A real hit, she was crazy about it. I happily added this scrumptious fresh side dish/salad to my long list of favorites. I hope you like too.
1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4″ pieces
1 cup of chickpeas
1 handful black olives
1 lemon and/or lime
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. dill (optional)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, cilantro, dill or basil (your choice chopped)
1/3 cup (or more) feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
METHOD:
Combine couscous, feta, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas and olives in a large bowl. Squeeze in lime or lime juice and I like to grate in a little zest before squeezing the lemon. Add everything else and toss gently.
Let’s start with dessert first. A luscious Sweet Raspberry Teacake. Then a few of your favorite appetizers, ( including world-famous Popovers) followed by the Maine course. Then, let’s get into the delicious details of this generous giveaway sponsored by Hood Dairy. *Featuring a famous-maker, high-end, stand mixer (yes, it’s what you’re thinking!) A $100.00 gift card, and printable coupons. *Just scroll down to get more info about the giveaways..
Bake the lovely Sweet Raspberry Teacake and as always, let us know how much you love the cake in the comments section at the end of this post or visit us on Facebook.
So, who’s the lucky winner going to be for that must-have, fancy stand mixer, or the $100.00 gift card? Just go “like” the Hood fan-page on Facebook to enter the contest and WIN !
Have a very Happy Easter, and let’s get started!
Lisa xo
Now that everyone has their Easter eggs colored it’s time to concern ourselves with the more important things. Some of us hide candy filled eggs around the yard. Others go to church, or bake a ham. Me? I don’t like green eggs and ham. But as you know, I’m always thinking about food. Are you having ham, lamb or spam?
Recipe: Sweet Raspberry Tea Cake
Makes 1 cake
CAKE
1 cup Hood® Sour Cream
1 cup Hood® Half & Half
2 sticks unsalted butter, plus 2 Tbsp to coat the pan
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 tsp vanilla extract
3½ cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
ICING
2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp Hood® Half & Half
½ pint fresh raspberries
Cake:
Before starting, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Generously coat a large 6 cup bundt pan with 2 tbsp of unsalted butter and set aside. Preheat oven to 325°.
In a large mixing bowl, sift dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) together and set aside.
Thin out the raspberry jam with the vanilla extract in a small bowl and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the remaining unsalted butter until smooth. Add in the sugar and beat on high until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs in one at time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Mix in the sour cream.
Add the dry ingredients in thirds, alternating with the Half & Half, being careful to not over mix. Carefully fold in ½ of the raspberry jam mixture, but do not incorporate completely.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Take the remaining raspberry jam mixture and spread it over the batter in the pan, being careful to stay away from the edges. Pour the remaining cake batter into the pan. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake. Cool completely and remove from the pan.
Icing: Combine the Half & Half, vanilla, and confectioners sugar in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Pour the mixture over the top, allowing the icing to fall down the sides of the cake. Garnish the top with fresh raspberries and serve.
Everyone needs a simple recipe for deviled eggs to call their own. I have some delicious tips and options, so you can make your own signature batch of deviled eggs. Yes, I know, there are so many variations of this classic party dish. I’ve included several excellent choices below, from classic to spicy. Finally, a healthy, low-carb, and amazing appetizer that everyone will love. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.
~ You and your Devilish eggs are about to get really popular.
Ingredients:
The classic recipe:
12 eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard, yellow, brown or Dijon
2 teaspoons lemon juice (or vinegar)
1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon white or black pepper
dash of cayenne or Tabasco sauce (that’s what makes it deviled!)
2 tablespoons minced scallions, chives, or parsley (garnishes)
1 teaspoon paprika
* Optional Variations:
1 tablespoon sweet relish (for all the southerners)
1/2 teaspoon Coleman’s dry mustard (hot as Hell!)
1 tablespoon minced shallot or onion.
1 tablespoon horseradish
2 tablespoons pickle juice (from the jar)
2 tablespoons olive juice (dirty!)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon tarragon
1 teaspoon Old Bay
1 teaspoon wasabi
1 teaspoon curry
1 teaspoon cumin
bacon
caviar
* Notes: Fresh eggs are more difficult to peel. You can use week old eggs to make it easier. Go for it! Just be sure to use only one or two of your favorite spicy seasonings.
Directions:
1. Place the eggs in a medium saucepan; add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook gently, and as the water begins to boil, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 10 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice-water bath to cool. Follow this method and your eggs won’t turn green.
2. Peel the eggs under running water (it helps somehow). With a sharp knife, halve the eggs lengthwise and/or crosswise. Remove the yolks (with a fork and transfer to a bowl or a food processor along with mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and your choice of the seasonings. Using a fork, whisk, mixer or food processor, blend until smooth.
3. Transfer the egg-yolk mixture to a large food storage bag and twist the very tip of one of the corners. Very carefully snip just a little bit off the twisted end (about 1/8″). Or just get all out fancy and use a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the mixture (or squeeze the bag) into the centers of the egg white halves, with a twisting motion. Eggs can be refrigerated in an airtight container overnight, garnish at the last minute. Have fun with this one!
Enjoy!
Easy Spinach and Artichoke Dip (lite & healthy)
Be the hit of the party with this tasty, hot spinach artichoke appetizer. Everyone really love, love, LOVES this dish! Serve with tortilla chips, crusty French bread or go low-carb with celery sticks. I jazzed this delicious dip up a bit and added some red bell pepper, pepper jack cheese and little lemon/lime zest. I removed some calories by using lower fat ingredients and added a few more vegetables. If you like it hot and spicy (I sure do!) just add some cayenne, red chilis, red pepper flakes or even a jalapeno.
Ingredients
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 small jars of marinated artichoke hearts
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced small
1 small can of water chestnuts (optional)
1/2 cup lite sour cream or Greek yogurt
1/2 cup lite mayonnaise
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
zest of one lemon or lime (optional)
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese (topping)
pinch of cayenne, red chilis, red pepper flakes, or jalapeno (optional)
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a small casserole dish with non-stick spray.
Heat/defrost the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes, strain, then squeeze dry. Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop.
Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir carefully with a rubber spatula and spread into the casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded jack cheese on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, crusty French bread or go low-carb with veggies and such, I like celery sticks.
Enjoy how easy this dip was to make…
Bon Appétit!
Perfect Popovers
Do you every have a craving for popovers? Well, I do. In fact, just the other day I was dreaming about the popovers from Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor. Or even the huge delicious popovers that Mom used to make. I really do love everything about popovers, from the crunchy outside to the chewy middle. For those of you new to this old classic. A popover is a hollow roll best served warm, slathered with butter and jam served hot from the oven…. ahh yes, the perfect popover!
*Another variation of the popover is called Yorkshire pudding… In American Food(1974), author Evan Jones writes: “Settlers from Maine who founded Portland, Oregon Americanized the pudding from Yorkshire by cooking the batter in custard cups lubricated with drippings from the roasting beef (or sometimes pork); another modification was the use of garlic, and frequently, herbs. The result is called Portland popover pudding: individual balloons of crusty meat-flavored pastry.”
Make your own Perfect Popovers….
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease a popover (or muffin) tin. Place oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk (or use a mixer) eggs, milk, and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Add to flour mixture, and whisk until combined.
Fill the popover cups two-thirds to three-quarters full.
Bake for 15 minutes. Resist the urge to open the oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, and bake until well browned and crusty, about 20 minutes. Remove popovers from the oven, and puncture the sides to let steam escape so they don’t collapse. Best served warm.
Simple Grilled, Baked or Broiled Salmon with Asparagus
One of my favorite foods has to be salmon. I love, love, love salmon. Is it the gorgeous color? That fabulous favor? Or all of those wonderful health benefits. Loaded with omega 3′s and vitamin D. Doctors say to eat salmon at least twice a week.
Here’s a 30 minute meal for you with 3 simple ways to prepare salmon: Baked, broiled or grilled. And a “how-to” on roasting asparagus. You’re going to LOVE these easy recipes as much as I do…
Do you have a salmon hater in your midst? My advice is to drown it in luscious lemony Hollandaise. Because everything tastes so better with Hollandaise sauce.
Do you have a favorite way to cook fish? Please share it with all of us in the comments section below. Any other cooking questions? Ask away, I’m always here to help…
Baked Wild-Caught Salmon
Instructions:
* Grilled: Light the grill. While the grill is heating, lay the (well oiled) salmon skin side down on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Brush or spray the grilling rack with more oil (to keep the salmon from sticking). Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill; Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn very carefully with a wide spatula and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. The salmon will be slightly un-cooked in the center, but don’t worry; it will continue cooking as it sits. Transfer the fish to a plate, skin side down. Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes or so. Remove the skin before serving
* Baked: Place the salmon on one side of a large baking sheet; cover both sides of the fish with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and lots of salt and pepper. Toss asparagus with another 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper; and set aside. Place the salmon (skin side down) on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Add the asparagus and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
* Broiled: Adjust oven racks to lowest and upper-middle position. Place potatoes on bottom rack. Place salmon (skin side down) and asparagus on the upper rack, turn on the broiler, leave the oven door ajar and broil until salmon is just opaque and the edges are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fish). The potatoes will need about 30 minutes. If you like asparagus less crisp, add it during the last 5-6 minutes.
Transfer salmon to a large platter; add asparagus to salmon roasting pan; continue to roast, along with potatoes, until bright green and just tender, 5 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness. Meanwhile, mix extra virgin olive oil, parsley, dill, capers and juice, scallions and lemon zest in a small bowl; set aside.
To serve…. Garnish with parsley, dill, and lemon wedges. Arrange potatoes, asparagus and vegetables on the platter with salmon. Serve immediately.
*Print the coupons, get shopping, and be sure to visit us on Facebook, and please leave us your comments below, and on Facebook for chances to win! The lucky winner will be announced on or around May 7, 2012. (my birthday!)
Ahhh… Summer is fading fast. I do hope you’re all enjoying the last lovely days of August. We sure had fun didn’t we? Fall is fast approaching, and the local Farmer’s Market’s are filling with fresh seasonal food. Let’s get together and plan some fabulous feasts. What’s your favorite fall food?
* Yes! We have a winner of the “Baked in Maine” T-Shirt Giveaway!Val Vierengel So, Thank you again Val for your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie suggestion (a fall favorite). I’m going to add it to my online bakery. Just e-mail me here: Lisa@bakedinmaine.com and I’ll mail out your new Baked in Maine T-shirt. Oh, and take your pick. Pink or white.
Thank you so much everyone, for all of your comments and most of all your support on Baked in Maine. It really means a lot to me. I couldn’t do it with you. Please feel free to comment, make suggestions, and ask questions. And don’t forget to join Baked in Maine on Facebook for our foodie discussions. Where you can get Baked in Maine everyday!
~ Lisa xo
PS. Stay tuned for my next Giveaway…. Any suggestions?
Here’s another fun giveaway. This time for a free Baked in Maine T-shirt! Be the envy of all your friends wearing this around town. Oh, yes. You have a choice of pink or white. To win, just tell me what your favorite Baked in Maine cookie is. Or tell me about any other cookie that you really just can’t resist. That’s it. I’ll pick a random winner next Monday.
Good Luck!
~Lisa xo
What’s your favorite cookie? Let me know in the comments section below….
100% Cotton. Woman’s and men’s sizes available S,M,L,XL
We have a winner for the fabulous NEW cookbook (by Maine author Dana Moos) The Art of Breakfast. I really loved all of your responses. Interesting enough, all of us everywhere, enjoy the same summer-time fun: Anything to do with the water. Beaches, boats, swimming pools, lakes and the ocean. I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m getting ready to do another giveaway, so let me know what you like best (options below)
Oh yeah! The winner is……. Izzy Keppner! So Izzy, please email me your delivery address and enjoy the cookbook, the beach, cold beer and ice cream with your Granddaughter.
Here are some ideas for my next giveaway. Let me know what you like best in the comments section below….
~Lisa xo
Do you want a Maine cookbook?
This Eat. Cook. Love. t-shirt? (men’s are available)
