Pineapple Coconut Dream Cake

 

Ingredients

For the Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

5 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup pineapple chunks (for garnish)

1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes (for garnish)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans to ensure the cakes don’t stick during baking. For extra security, line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting the ingredients ensures they’re well combined and free of clumps, contributing to a light and fluffy cake texture.

Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This process is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which helps the cake rise properly.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps prevent curdling and ensures the batter stays smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the coconut milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.

Fold in Pineapple and Coconut

Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple and shredded coconut using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cake dense.

Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cakes are cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency.

Assemble the Cake

Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting over the top. Add the second layer and repeat. Top with the third layer and frost the top and sides of the cake evenly.

Garnish

Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top and around the edges of the cake. Garnish with pineapple chunks arranged as desired for a decorative and flavorful finishing touch.

Lemon Rhubarb Loaf with Glaze

 

Ingredients

To whip up your Lemon Rhubarb Loaf with Glaze, gather the following ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1/4 cup lemon juice

Zest of 1 lemon

1 cup rhubarb, chopped (optional for rhubarb flavor)

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a loaf pan.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are fully incorporated.

Mix in Flavors: Add the lemon juice and lemon zest to the mixture, stirring until well combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

Incorporate Rhubarb: Fold in the chopped rhubarb, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool: Once baked, let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.

Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.

Carrot Apple Slaw

 

Ingredients

1 large sweet red apple

1 large tart green apple

1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

10 ounces raw matchstick carrots (about 3 cups)

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)

1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries

Instructions

Core apples and cut into thin slices; cut slices into matchsticks (you should have around 3 1/2 cups julienned apples). Place in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add carrots and stir to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, rice wine vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over apple/carrot mixture and stir to coat. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and dried cranberries. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to blend, or longer if you prefer softer carrots and apples. If a bit of liquid accumulates at the bottom of the bowl, serve using a slotted spoon.

Notes

You may use all yogurt or all mayonnaise if you prefer, but realize that doing so will slightly affect the flavor of the dressing.

Same thing goes for the honey…tweak it up or down depending on how sweet you prefer your slaw.

You can typically buy pre-cut matchstick carrots in the produce section of the grocery store. Try to cut your apples about the same size.

Serves: 4

This recipe is 9 points per serving and that is with using light mayo, no fat yogurt and low fat Ingredients

1 large sweet red apple

1 large tart green apple

1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

10 ounces raw matchstick carrots (about 3 cups)

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)

1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries

Instructions

Core apples and cut into thin slices; cut slices into matchsticks (you should have around 3 1/2 cups julienned apples). Place in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add carrots and stir to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, rice wine vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over apple/carrot mixture and stir to coat. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and dried cranberries. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to blend, or longer if you prefer softer carrots and apples. If a bit of liquid accumulates at the bottom of the bowl, serve using a slotted spoon.

Notes

You may use all yogurt or all mayonnaise if you prefer, but realize that doing so will slightly affect the flavor of the dressing.

Same thing goes for the honey…tweak it up or down depending on how sweet you prefer your slaw.

You can typically buy pre-cut matchstick carrots in the produce section of the grocery store. Try to cut your apples about the same size.

Serves: 4

This recipe is 9 points per serving and that is with using light mayo, no fat yogurt and low fat feta!

credit: fivehearthomefeta!

credit: fivehearthome

Garlic & Lemon Chicken with Green Beans & Red Potatoes

 Ingredients

6 tablespoons olive oil

2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 juiced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 pound trimmed green beans

8 small red potatoes, quartered

4 chicken breasts (bones left in, with skin, about 3 1/4 pounds)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large baking dish or cast-iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish or skillet.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper; add the green beans and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the green beans and arrange them on top of the lemon slices. Add the potatoes to the same olive-oil mixture and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, arrange the potatoes along the inside edge of the dish or skillet on top of the green beans. Place the chicken in the same bowl with the olive-oil mixture and coat thoroughly. Place the chicken, skin-side up, in the dish or skillet. Pour any of the remaining olive-oil mixture over the chicken.

Roast for 50 minutes. Remove the chicken from the dish or skillet. Place the beans and potatoes back in oven for 10 minutes more or until the potatoes are tender. Place a chicken breast on each of 4 serving plates; divide the green beans and potatoes equally. Serve warm.

CRAZY GOOD CASSEROLE

 

INGREDIENTS:

4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 strips of quality beef – cooked and crumbled

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

1 box (16 ounces) dried spiral pasta

1 tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Cook and crumble beef. While beef is cooking, cut chicken into bite-sized chunks. Set cooked beef aside for later use. In the same pan, cook chicken in beef drippings. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.

While chicken is cooking, prepare pasta according to directions. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400.

Drain pasta, return to pot. Add chicken, both cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese – stir to mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Top with beef crumbles then the remaining cup of Monterrey Jack cheese.

Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes, just until cheese is melted and beginning to brown on top

CABBAGE ROLL SOUP

 INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean

1 onion finely diced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

4 cups coarsely chopped green cabbage

2 carrots peeled, quartered and sliced

4 cups beef broth

3 8 ounce cans tomato sauce

1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice

1 bay leaf

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until beef is browned, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the cabbage, carrots, beef broth, tomato sauce, rice, bay leaf and brown sugar to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove bay leaf and discard. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

BAKED CAJUN CATFISH

YOU NEED:

2 catfish fillets

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. onion powder

1/2 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 t. paprika

1/2 t. oregano

½ t. crushed red pepper flakes

½ T. extra virgin olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a small bowl, combine spices, salt and pepper.

Divide the spice mixture and sprinkle half on each catfish fillet.

Place catfish in an oven safe glass dish. Bake at 350 F 25 minutes until fish is flaky.

Serve immediately with steamed vegetables or a salad.