Why You Shouldn’t Refrigerate Bananas

Unlike a microwave, you can put whatever you want in your refrigerator. For every article on the internet that claims you should never put bananas or tomatoes or basil in your refrigerator, there’s another article outlining a very legitimate scenario w…

Unlike a microwave, you can put whatever you want in your refrigerator. For every article on the internet that claims you should never put bananas or tomatoes or basil in your refrigerator, there’s another article outlining a very legitimate scenario where refrigerating any of those ingredients would make sense.

So, instead of composing a rigid “banned foods” list for your refrigerator, we figured it’d make a bit more sense to dive into a few scenarios where the refrigerator could shorten an ingredient’s lifespan. From there, you can decide for yourself whether or not an ingredient belongs in your refrigerator.

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The Viral Miso & Banana Cake That Taught Me to Love Upside-Down Desserts

The pineapple upside-down cake went viral long before social media. The concept first appeared in the 1920s as an elegant, sophisticated dessert that took home the gold medal in a now-famous Dole recipe contest, and after that the recipe was passed fro…

The pineapple upside-down cake went viral long before social media. The concept first appeared in the 1920s as an elegant, sophisticated dessert that took home the gold medal in a now-famous Dole recipe contest, and after that the recipe was passed from housewife to housewife. Even to this day, its popularity hasn’t waned. Now considered a retro classic, it still makes appearances at potlucks, picnics, and barbecues, and its trendiness is easily explained: It’s super delicious, easy to make, and truly a work of art.

Classic versions of this dessert features pineapple rings and maraschino cherries that are arranged in the bottom of a cake pan with butter and sugar, then topped with batter and placed in the oven. Once the cake is baked, it’s inverted to reveal the gem-like fruit. And while the pineapple version made the upside-down cake widely known in North America, the concept was around long before then. Upside-down cakes used to be known as skillet cakes, which pre-date the modern oven, going all the way back to the Middle Ages. They were made in—you guessed it—a skillet over a fire or stovetop in which you’d first caramelize the fruit and sugar, then cover it with a batter. Once cooked, it was flipped to expose the beautiful self-saucing cake. For centuries, chefs and home cooks alike have experimented with different fruit and cake combinations to create a world of endless upside-down cake possibilities.

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Rose Sangria

Summer in France means a lot of things in France. En masse vacations, a blissfully empty Paris, price increases (which happen during August, when everyone is out of town – of course), and vide-greniers and brocantes, known elsewhere as flea markets, where people sell all kinds of things. If you’re lucky enough to take a trip to the countryside, the brocantes are amazing. But some…

rose sangria recipe

Summer in France means a lot of things in France. En masse vacations, a blissfully empty Paris, price increases (which happen during August, when everyone is out of town – of course), and vide-greniers and brocantes, known elsewhere as flea markets, where people sell all kinds of things. If you’re lucky enough to take a trip to the countryside, the brocantes are amazing. But some small towns in France also have little antique shops that are always worth poking around in. And when your other half has a station wagon, well, the possibilities are endless. (And sometimes voluminous!)

peach for sangria

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Fruit Skewers

Fruit skewers are a fun and festive appetizer or snack! This healthy treat is easy to make and pleases everyone.…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Fruit skewers are a fun and festive appetizer or snack! This healthy treat is easy to make and pleases everyone.

Fruit Skewers

Looking for a fun appetizer idea or healthy snack? Try Fruit Skewers! Everything tastes better on a stick, right? This is a simple concept that’s more like an idea than a recipe: but it makes everyone go crazy for pure, fresh fruit. Use whatever fruits you like and if desired, serve with our favorite 3 ingredient fruit dip! The skewers are perfect for a summer appetizer, snack ideas or even a healthy dessert. We recently served these after a summer meal al fresco and it was the perfect after-dinner treat!

Ingredients for fruit skewers

Fruit skewers work with just about any fruit: so you can get as creative as you like! There are a myriad of artistic ways to combine fruits and thread them onto skewers. For our version, we picked fruits our family loves: because to be honest, we’ve got a few picky fruit people (sorry cantaloupe, you’re not a fave!). Here’s what we chose and a few other ideas:

  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon
  • Pineapple
  • Grapes
  • Blueberries
  • 12-inch wooden skewers
  • Other fruits that work well: Cantaloupe, oranges, kiwi, honeydew melon, purple grapes, blackberries, and raspberries
Fruit Skewers

Tips for threading fruit skewers

It’s easy to make fruit skewers and you can go in many different directions! Choose a rainbow of fruit, or go more monochrome with just 2 or 3 colors of fruit. The way you cut the fruit changes the look as well! Here are a few tips and ideas for threading the skewers:

  • A 12-inch skewer or smaller is a nice size. Avoid skewers that are very long as they are awkward to eat off of (especially for children).
  • Pre-cut fruit makes for quick prep. We got pre-cut pineapple and watermelon here, which is easy to find in the produce section of your grocery store. Or you can cut from the larger fruits: here’s how to cut pineapple and how to cut watermelon.
  • If desired, cut strawberries into a heart shape. Cut a notch into the top when you remove the stems, and you’ve got an instant heart shape! It looks nice on a skewer.
  • Determine a theme. Are you going rainbow? Red white and blue? Anything goes in skewer-land: just get creative.
  • Use cookie cutters. Want to get over-the-top cute? Use cookie cutters to cut shapes into watermelon or cantaloupe (like stars or hearts).
Fruit Skewers

Serve with fruit dip if desired

It’s optional, but we love serving fruit skewers with our famous 3 ingredient fruit dip. It’s so simple whip up and tastes incredible: tangy, lightly sweet and perfect for fruits of all kinds. All you’ll need is Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Head to the recipe below: and we promise it will become a favorite in your house! We’ve got it memorized over here.

Fruit Skewers

More easy appetizer recipes

These fruit skewers are perfect as a summer appetizer: but they work in any season and for any occasion! They’re also perfect for healthy snacks and even a refreshing treat after a meal. Here are a few more fun appetizers you’ll love:

This fruit skewers recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free (without the dip).

Print
Fruit Skewers

Fruit Skewers


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 16 skewers

Description

Fruit skewers are a fun and festive appetizer or snack! This healthy treat is easy to make and pleases everyone.


Ingredients

For the fruit skewers

  • 16 strawberries
  • 16 watermelon chunks (fresh or pre-cut)
  • 16 pineapple chunks (fresh or pre-cut)
  • 16 green grapes
  • ¾ cup blueberries

For the fruit dip (optional)

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Cut a notch into the strawberries to remove the stems and create a heart shape (see photos). If necessary, cut the pineapple and cut the watermelon into bite-sized chunks (buying pre-cut fruit makes for speedy prep).
  2. Thread the fruit onto 12-inch wooden skewers.
  3. If desired, make the dip: stir together the Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 day before serving.
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Fruit skewers

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Apple Nachos

Apple nachos are the best easy and healthy snack! This simple concept is irresistible to kids and adults alike. Confession:…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Apple nachos are the best easy and healthy snack! This simple concept is irresistible to kids and adults alike.

Apple Nachos

Confession: we often run out of snack ideas (even as cookbook authors!). Here’s a healthy snack that’s captured our 5 year old’s imagination, and subsequently ours: Apple Nachos! This simple combination of sweetened yogurt, almonds and apple slices is so refreshing and delicious, it’s hard to stop sneaking bites. It’s really just loaded apple slices, but it’s all in the branding, right? Here’s how to make this fun snack.

Ingredients in apple nachos

These apple nachos were inspired by our 5 year old, and now they’ve become a favorite family snacks! He picked out a kids cookbook from the library and as he was paging through, he landed on a picture of apple nachos. We made them together and from the first bite, he was hooked! This recipe is our spin on the concept from that book (Super Foods for Super Kids, which we’d recommend!). It’s so simple to whip up and a great way to incorporate healthy foods into your snacking, whatever your age. You’ll need:

  • Apples
  • Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Peanut butter (optional; omit for nut allergies)
  • Sliced almonds
  • Cinnamon
Apple Nachos

Notes on the yogurt drizzle

This apple nachos recipe is so simple, you can whip it up without looking at a recipe. The drizzle is similar to our Yogurt Fruit Dip or Peanut Butter Dip, which we often make simply by stirring together the ingredients without measuring. Here are a few notes about the drizzle:

  • Use Greek or plain yogurt. Plain yogurt has a looser texture; Greek yogurt will be thicker.
  • Add peanut butter if desired, but it’s not required. We like it both ways.
  • If it’s thick, add water 1 teaspoon at a time to get to a consistency that’s easy to dollop onto the nachos. We add up to 1 tablespoon water when using Greek yogurt and peanut butter, but it all depends on the brand and type of yogurt and whether you’ve added PB.

Variations on apple nachos toppings

There are loads of ways to make apple nachos. You can keep them healthy-ish and simple like these, which we love because they’re super simple to put together and taste amazing. Or, you can style them as more of a dessert item. Here are a few more topping ideas:

  • Chopped pecans, peanuts or walnuts
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Granola
  • Raisins
  • Peanut butter drizzle (warm it in the microwave so it’s easy to drizzle)
  • Caramel or chocolate sauce
  • Sprinkles
Apple Nachos

More apple recipes

Apples are so versatile for healthy snacks and cozy desserts! We love a good apple dip, and there’s nothing better a good crisp. Here are a few more apple recipes you’ll love:

This apple nachos recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, use vegan yogurt.

Print
Apple Nachos

Apple Nachos


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

Apple nachos are the best easy and healthy snack! This simple concept is irresistible to kids and adults alike.


Ingredients

  • 2 apples
  • ½ cup full fat Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey, plus more for drizzle
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional; omit for nut allergies)
  • 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
  • Cinnamon, for dusting
  • Other toppings: granola, mini chocolate chips, etc.

Instructions

  1. Slice the apples.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, and if using, peanut butter. If it is very thick, stir in up water a teaspoon at a time until it comes to a drizzleable consistency (depends on the brand and type of yogurt and whether you’re using peanut butter).
  3. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the apples. Top with sliced almonds and a few pinches of cinnamon. If desired, add another drizzle of honey or other toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

Inspired by Super Food for Super Kids by Noelle Martin

  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Snack
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Apple nachos

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Homemade Lemon Bars

Homemade Lemon Bars are the quintessential dessert for lemon lovers! You’ll love the shortbread crust and the tangy lemon filling of these classic lemon squares. This post contains affiliate links. It’s finally starting to feel like summer here in Ohio, which typically means two things: The pool is officially open for the season, and you …

The post Homemade Lemon Bars appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Homemade Lemon Bars are the quintessential dessert for lemon lovers! You’ll love the shortbread crust and the tangy lemon filling of these classic lemon squares.

Pie server holding up a sliced lemon bar.

This post contains affiliate links.

It’s finally starting to feel like summer here in Ohio, which typically means two things: The pool is officially open for the season, and you can find me in the kitchen whipping up all of my favorite summer desserts like strawberry tart, s’mores pie, and these lemon bars.

Not all of the recipes here on My Baking Addiction immediately become a household favorite, but this lemon bar recipe has been one of my go-to summer desserts for over 10 years!

The buttery crust, tart lemon filling and sweet sugar dusting is a match made in summer dessert heaven. Serve them chilled for the perfect ending to any summer meal!

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Cherry Hand Pies

Cherry Hand Pies are the epitome of personal pie goodness! Flaky pie crust and sweet cherry filling in a portable pie form – what more could you ask for? This post contains affiliate links. If you’ve been around here for a while, you might have figured out that I love individually sized desserts. They’re just so …

The post Cherry Hand Pies appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Cherry Hand Pies are the epitome of personal pie goodness! Flaky pie crust and sweet cherry filling in a portable pie form – what more could you ask for?

Cherry hand pies arranged on a wire cooling rack

This post contains affiliate links.

If you’ve been around here for a while, you might have figured out that I love individually sized desserts.

They’re just so cute, fun to eat, and are great for parties or taking to potlucks and cookouts.

Mini pecan pies? Better than a full pecan pie. 

Mini pumpkin pies? So much cuter and more fun than a regular-sized pie.

Mini s’mores cheesecakes? Well, I think you get the idea.

And is there a more summer-perfect pie than cherry pie? I feel like there has to be a cherry pie or cherry crisp at every summer barbecue. It’s just the rule!

The minute I see fresh sweet cherries on sale at the store I have to buy them up and pack all of their goodness into Cherry Hand Pies for a portable version of this summer fave.

(more…)

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Strawberry Frozen Yogurt with Summer Fruits and Italian Meringues

I was once on a panel about food blogging and everyone was surprised when I said that at any given time, I have seventeen posts started, either sitting on my kitchen counter or partially written on my computer. With the focus on blogs being a little more spiffy than they used to be, back when you could – for example – write a haiku to…

The best of the season in a bowl! Icy-cold strawberry frozen yogurt and ripe summer fruits and berries, accompanied with a crisp meringue.

Strawberry meringue and frozen yogurt recipe

I was once on a panel about food blogging and everyone was surprised when I said that at any given time, I have seventeen posts started, either sitting on my kitchen counter or partially written on my computer. With the focus on blogs being a little more spiffy than they used to be, back when you could – for example – write a haiku to a espresso-filled chocolate candy, now you’ve got to me a bit more alert as to what you put online.

I never really thought of this space as a bijou, as the French might say, a jewel. It’s unpolished and casual, more so than a cookbook, and a place to share stories and recipes in a freestyle fashion. I love taking pictures and writing stories, but I worry about flaws, goofs, and that kind of stuff. But back in those days, it was kind of fun to share kitchen disasters and things that I wouldn’t put on the blog today. (Which some of you are probably grateful for.)

Strawberry meringue frozen yogurt Sometimes I look back at posts from ten years or so ago, with pictures taken with a point-and-shoot camera, which at the time, was cutting-edge, breakthrough technology. Seeing them now is like looking at pictures of myself wearing bell-bottoms in the 70’s. (And every time I see young men wearing their trousers halfway down their thighs now, I want to yank them up and say, “Dude, I’m doing you a favor. Trust me, you’ll thank me in twenty years when you see the photos.”)

So occasionally I’ll go back and revisit a recipe and a post, like the one for strawberry frozen yogurt, which is one of my favorite frozen dessert recipes, but the old photos were the size of a postage stamp and looked like I shot them in an airplane bathroom. Looking at the photos on the blog right now, I wonder if I’m going to have to update them in ten years as well. But for now, when I see such beautiful fruits at the market, I try to do the best I can, which is really all we can do, isn’t it?

Continue Reading Strawberry Frozen Yogurt with Summer Fruits and Italian Meringues...

It’s Blueberry Season, Baby! Here’s How to Store Them.

Don’t judge me for getting excited about blueberries. I know they’re generally available in the supermarket year-round, but don’t you dare judge me for being extra-excited come late spring, early summer. Because that’s when fresh blue…

Don’t judge me for getting excited about blueberries. I know they're generally available in the supermarket year-round, but don’t you dare judge me for being extra-excited come late spring, early summer. Because that’s when fresh blueberries are at their best. You can drive up to any roadside farm stand or scour local farmers markets and easily stock up on pints of the brightest, plumpest, and absolute sweetest blueberries. (Though, in my opinion, in addition to farmers markets, blueberries deserve to be displayed at a precious gems and minerals showcase.)

Regardless of where you buy them, once you bring them home, these petite berries need to be handled with care. And because I care about you and your fruit, here’s how to pick and store fresh blueberries.

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Raspberry Bars

These Raspberry Bars are as easy as can be to make! This recipe uses cake mix, oats, and brown sugar to create a delicious crumble topping over the top of a raspberry jam filling.  I feel like we’re pretty much stuck in an endless winter situation here in Ohio. Yes, I know it’s only February. …

The post Raspberry Bars appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

These Raspberry Bars are as easy as can be to make! This recipe uses cake mix, oats, and brown sugar to create a delicious crumble topping over the top of a raspberry jam filling. 

Three raspberry bars stacked on a white plate, with more sliced bars in the background

I feel like we’re pretty much stuck in an endless winter situation here in Ohio.

Yes, I know it’s only February. And yes, I also know that us midwesterners should be used to these dramatic weather changes, but it’s still annoying and I’m still going to whine about it.

Guys, it was 65 degrees 2 days ago and now we are expecting yet another winter storm.

One thing I do love about snow days is that Elle and I can get into the kitchen and whip up simple desserts that she can make almost entirely be herself.

Easy recipes like peanut butter pretzel bars, rice krispie treats and these raspberry bars are amongst some of our snow day favorites.

(more…)

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