Ode To Mom....HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ~with A Side Of Lemon Squares

I would do anything my mother asked of me. However, Mom is the kind of woman that WOULDN'T ask, not wanting to impose on her family and friends. That's the kind of woman and special Mother she is; loving and kind, always there to lend a hand or a word of encouragement. Mom is our biggest cheerleader as we go through life, traveling our own road. She's an extraordinary woman and I am honored to call her my mother and friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER, WE LOVE YOU 
~ALL FOUR OF THE P'S!

In honor of Mom's birthday here is one of her favorite recipes, Lemon Squares! 
She loves just about anything that's TART!!

Me Me's LEMON SQUARES

Tart, rich, perfection and ridiculously addictive, these Lemon Squares, 
are the perfect blend of sweet and sour! Mom loves this simple recipe and so do I!
MAKES 24 4-inch or 48 2-inch LEMON SQUARES

INGREDIENTS

For the Crust

• 1 1/2cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup {1 1/2 sticks} cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Lemon Filling

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest from 2 lemons
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 WHAT TO DO

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover a 13 X 9 inch pan with non -stick foil.
• Combine ingredients for crust in a food processor or by hand - I just use my hands....easier clean up. Mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of prepared pan and bake until crust is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the lemon filling: In a bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Mix well and pour over warm crust. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature or refrigerate about 1 hour. I eat one as soon as they come out of the oven! I can never wait until they cool!
• Using non-stick foil helps when lifting the lemon squares from the pan - it's a good thing.  Cut into small squares. Top with confectioners sugar if desired. 

On Mother's Day I blogged about Mom. If you care to read more about her or see lots of pictures click here. Make a batch of Lemon Squares and call up your mom for a wonderful visit....You'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

SUMMERY FRUIT TARTS

A twist on regular fruit tarts – the crust is actually a cookie!

MAKING HOMEMADE ICEES!

Here's an easy way to make Icees, create fun memories with the kids and keep cool this summer - all at the same time!

LOBSTER CORN CHOWDER

When local corn is available, I can’t get enough of it. As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, I love to make LOBSTER CORN CHOWDER. It’s summery yet hearty enough to serve big bowls for dinner. 

First, I make the stock with the lobster shells and corn cobs, then add lots of fresh corn, lobster meat, potatoes, bacon, celery, and some fresh chives. This is summer comfort food at it’s best—I may just have to make a pot this weekend!

PICKLED SUMMER STRAWBERRIES

Pickling isn't just for cucumbers anymore! You can reinvent pickling by using unusual ingredients, such as strawberries.  Preserving summer fruits towards the end of the season allows you to continue enjoying your favorite flavors throughout the fall and into the winter. This recipe uses a vinegar-based brine that preserves the strawberries. The vinegar based brine is very easy to make. After a few days in the refrigerator you will have a delicious sweet and salty treat. If kept refrigerated, these strawberries will last for up to two weeks. Eat them straight out of the jar, or enjoy them in salads and sandwiches, on ice cream and appetizers or along side a cheese platter. Your options for using pickled strawberries are endless, ENJOY!

5 Homemade Summer Salad Dressings

I may have mentions on a few occasions [tongue-in-cheek] that I am slightly addicted to salads. From the crisp to the crunch and the bursts of flavor in between, summer is just not the same without salads made with fresh produce. Same goes for salad dressings. Why by store-bought brands when you can quickly and easily make your own dressings -- minus the additives, plus all of the fresh goodness. Find one on the list below and give it a try. You never know, you just might find a new favorite!

10 WAYS WITH WATERMELON

June is upon us and our little family has already started eating our favorite Summer food –WATERMELON! Just one look at a watermelon and I begin to feel relaxed and stress-free. I'm sure many of you have great memories of watermelon – fireworks, parades, picnics, seed-spitting contests, thumps and such!

Cookies and Cream Icebox Cake

What makes a cake? Flour, sugar, greasing and lining pans, whipping and beating and spending all afternoon in the kitchen? I'll admit, I have a few cake recipes that are labor and time intensive — but this wouldn't be one of them. Containing all of four ingredients, and no bake time, this is the quickest and easiest cake I've ever made. Not to mention one of the best!