FOOD: Pavlova with Summer Fruit

Hi there readers of Made By Girl, Amanda here from A Life Well Lived sharing a quintessential summer dessert recipe - Pavlova -  fancy name for a simple dessert. Pavlova is one of my favorites, especially in the summer because it is basically a vehicle to eat lots and lots of whipped cream. Plus the fruit this time of year is pure perfection.

 Pavlova looks like it takes a lot of technique - but it doesn't. If you have a stand mixer or hand mixer that will help. Other than that it is whipping together egg whites and sugar until they are glossy and hold stiff peaks (Here is a tip, if you are not sure if the peaks are stiff, remove the whisk attachment and hold it up. If the meringue holds its shape and doesn't sag or droop then it is good to go) Pavlova is a meringue based desert and meringue is basically baked egg whites and sugar. Which means they are gluten and dairy free.

The whipped cream in the Pavlova is not dairy free but all in all this dessert is fresh and light. If you wanted to go dairy free, just use coconut milk instead of whipped cream.  (Here is a great tutorial on how to do that) You have free rein on what you want to top the Pavlova with. I used berries and peaches but you could use just about any fresh summertime fruit.  Best part of all, the meringue portion of the Pavlova can be made a day in advance, just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap when it is cool.  When you are ready to eat it, top with whipped cream and fruit. It is a crowd pleaser that looks like you have been in the kitchen for days.

• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. almond extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• lots of fruit, such as berries and peaches

Preheat oven to 250F Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl until soft peaks form. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon meringue onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment or a silpat. With the back of a spatula form meringue into a circle/oval shape about 1 inch thick. It doesn't have to be perfect.  Bake meringue for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until meringue is not sticky or tacky to touch Remove meringue from oven and let cool completely.  Right before serving whip cream, sugar and vanilla extract together until soft peaks form. Spoon that onto meringue and top with a lot of fruit. Serve immediately.

-images by amanda fredrickson

Read More

FOOD: COWBOY COOKIES

Cowboy Cookies Hi there, Amanda here from A Life Well Lived and today I am excited to be sharing with you my all-time favorite, go-to cookie recipe, my recipe for Cowboy Cookies Cookies are a timeless treat. They never go out of style and people are always happy to eat them. More than happy to eat them.  Can you resist a cookie? I certainly can't. So even though I came up with this recipe about 10 years ago, it is still a winner in my book and friends and family ask for them time and time again.
 

I am not sure where the name Cowboy Cookies came from. Maybe because they are so hearty? Regardless, they are a crowd pleaser. People can be pretty opinionated when it comes to cookies. Some like oatmeal, some like chocolate chip. Some like them crispy while others like them chewy. This recipe covers all of your based. It is packed with chocolate chips, oats, coconut flakes and my personal favorite part, butterscotch chips -  they are tasty and perfect. They are also crispy on the outside and all sorts of chewy on the inside - the way that I like my cookies.

Also, here is a trick after you pull them from the oven, sprinkle some sea salt lightly on top. The salt really brings out the sweet of the cookie as well as emphasizes the other flavors. They are so good, I promise. I dare you to eat just one. Enjoy!

Cowboy Cookies:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder 
1 tablespoon baking soda 
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 sticks butter (at room temperature) 
3/4 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cups packed light-brown sugar 
2 large eggs 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
1/4 teaspoon almond extract 
1 cups semisweet chocolate chips 
1 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 
1 cups sweetened flake coconut 
1 cups butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl. In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars and beat to combine until light & fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and butterscotch. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.


-post by amanda

Read More

FOOD: Strawberry Popsicles with Greek Yogurt

Hi there, Amanda here from A Life Well Lived bringing you an easy, refreshing, and healthy treat just in time for spring strawberry popsicles.  I know these aren't the hardest things to make but sometimes simple is just better.

If you can't tell from my previous posts here on Made By Girl, I like recipes that serve as a foundation for many recipes. Recipes that can be adapted and changed depending on the season, the event, or even my mood. Just like the creme brûlée and the palmiers that I posted here before, these popsicles can be adapted to whatever flavor you want.

As long as the method is the same, you can't go wrong. So, since Spring is upon us and that means the start of strawberry season here in California(not to mention warmer weather!), I thought I would make strawberry popsicles with greek yogurt. Only 4 ingredients to get you to the perfect healthy warm weather treat.

Also, I don't know about you but I love dessert. I mean love it so much that I need to have something sweet after every meal. These popsicles are not only easy but they are also healthy so I won't feel guilty if I eat one or three at a time. If you want to switch up the flavors, you can try watermelon in the summer or peaches or maybe even cantaloupe or mango. Whatever fruit you can blend can be made into popsicles.

Strawberry Popsicles with Greek Yogurt:

• 1 8-oz containers of vanilla yogurt
• 1 lb carton of strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup honey

In a blender, blend together the yogurt, berries, and honey until smooth. Pour into the popsicle molds. Press on the lids and transfer to the freezer to freeze overnight. Makes 12 popsicles.



-post by amanda fredrickson

Read More