Lavender & Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

July 29, 2012
Lavender and honey give a flavorful twist on traditional balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing.


Well, I'm continuing my experiments in cooking with lavender, and my second experiment did not disappoint.  Just as in the lavender lemonade, I really enjoyed the fragrant, floral notes of the lavender in this Lavender & Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette.  I guess I'm a fan of the flavor of lavender!

And being an assistant beekeeper to my beekeeper hubby, I'm always on the lookout for new recipes in which to use our honey harvest.  So how could I resist trying out the lavender and honey combination of this balsamic vinaigrette?  I couldn't.



I also did a little experiment within my lavender experiment.  I wanted to see just what the dried lavender 'brought to the party,' so to speak, in this dressing ... how much flavor it imparted, etc.  So I decided to make the exact same dressing ~ minus the lavender ~ to see. 

Well, let me just say ... the lavender brings a lot  to this dressing party!  In comparing the two, I actually wasn't a fan of the lavender-less version after tasting the lavender-infused one.  (But you all know me, I'll keep working with the lavender-less version to tweak the ingredient proportions ... 'cause I think a honey-balsamic vinaigrette dressing would be wonderful).

Served with a very simple salad, the lavender in this dressing really shines through! 

Have you experimented with cooking with lavender?  I'd love to hear your favorites.

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!



lavender honey balsamic vinaigrette dressing recipe, lavender vinaigrette dressing recipe, honey vinaigrette dressing recipe, balsamic vinaigrette dressing recipe
Salads
American
Yield: about 2/3 cup
Author:
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Lavender & Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Lavender & Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Lavender and honey give a flavorful twist on traditional balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing.
Prep time: 35 MCook time: Total time: 35 M

Ingredients:

  • 6 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 T. balsamic vinegar
  • 2 T. honey
  • 1 T. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 tsp. coarse grain mustard
  • 1 tsp. dried lavender flowers

Instructions:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together. 
  2. Let stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Whisk again and serve. 
  4. Store in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Created using The Recipes Generator


12

Lavender Lemonade

July 17, 2012
Lavender Lemonade ... you'll fall in love with its beautiful and calming shade of pink, and its fragrant floral flavor of lavender.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Pitcher of Lavender Lemonade Image
17

Kiwi Sangria Popsicles

July 15, 2012

The title of the Southern Living  magazine article from which I adapted these popsicles was "Serve a Cocktail on a Stick" ... ummmmmm, okay!  You really don't need to twist my arm on that one.

And since these have kiwi in them, I decided they were just perfect to give a whirl for this month's installment of the Eating the Alphabet challenge - letters K or L.  The original recipe was for white peach sangria pops, with a little splash of kiwi and raspberry ... I decided to change it up to be just kiwi with a touch of raspberry.  I think you could put in just about any fruit you'd like!

Remember these cute little Dixie paper cups?  That's what you'll need to whip up these popsicles.


First mix up some white wine, white grape juice, sugar, and fresh lemon juice ... and pour it into the cute little cups.


Then drop in a raspberry and some kiwi.


(Optional)
Next, get inquisitive about the wine-and-fruit combination ... give it a little taste ... decide it tastes really good ... and serve up an un-frozen popsicle for the chef.   You know, 'cause this cookin' stuff's rough and the chef deserves it.

Then cover each cup with a small piece of aluminum foil and make a small slit in the center of the foil with a knife ...

 ... and insert a popsicle stick through the slit.

You're ready for the freezer! 


Now one big tip I can give is to make sure you've cleared a spot in your freezer to put these before you're standing there with the freezer door wide open, one hand precariously holding a plate of liquid popsicles, and one-handedly trying to rearrange the entire freezer contents.

I might have learned that the hard way.

When you're ready to enjoy your popsicles, just peel off the paper cup and enjoy away!

Mmmmm.  Popsicles are all grown up.




Kiwi Sangria Popsicles
Source:  Adapted from Southern Living  magazine's White Peach Sangria Pops, July 2012
Ingredients
2 1/4 c. dry or semi-sweet white wine*
3/4 c. white grape juice
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. fresh lemon juice
12 raspberries
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
12 (3 oz.) paper cups
12 wooden popsicle sticks or ice cream spoons


Directions
1.  Combine wine, grape juice, sugar, and lemon juice in large measuring cup.  Stir until sugar dissolves.  Pour mixture into paper cups.  

2.  Quarter each kiwi slice.  Drop a raspberry and four kiwi quarters into each cup.

3.  Cover each cup with aluminum foil.  Make a small slit in the center of each cup's foil and insert a popsicle stick.  Freeze 8 hours or until firm.

*NOTE:  For this batch I used a semi-sweet sparkling Moscato.

Enjoy!




19

Homemade Pimento Cheese

July 11, 2012
Pimento Cheese is a Southern institution!  This classic creamy cheese spread is perfect on crackers and in classic pimento cheese sandwiches.  And with this recipe, it's super easy to make your own tasty pimento cheese at home.

Bowl of Homemade Pimento Cheese Image
12

Classic Oreo Icebox Dessert

July 2, 2012
Who doesn't love an Oreo?  Well, they're even better in this classic Oreo Icebox Dessert, with creamy layers of Oreos, pudding, and whipped cream.  Yum!

Classic Oreo Icebox Dessert image


I have been craaaaaaving  this Oreo icebox dessert for about a month now, ever since our end-of-school ice cream party when my 'room mom' brought in Oreos for the students to put on their ice cream.  Yes, I'm highly suggestible ... advertising works very well on me, especially when there's chocolate involved.

Who doesn't love an Oreo?  They're even better in this classic dessert, with creamy layers of Oreo, pudding, and whipped cream. 

I went right out that afternoon and bought a package of Oreos so I could whip up this tasty dessert.  But can you believe I didn't actually make it until this  weekend?

Let me tell you, my friends, that's showing some serious restraint for me!  It's sad to say, willpower is not one of my key strengths.

But alas, I succombed to the call of the Oreo.

No-Bake Oreo Icebox Dessert image

I love Oreos.  And as much as I love them, I think I love them even more when they're surrounded by layers of pudding and whipped cream.   Like in this no-bake Oreo icebox dessert.

It looks innocent enough, right?  Just some whipped cream with a sprinkling of crushed Oreos?

Ah, but then you cut in and reveal the delicious and devilish layers lurking inside!  Creamy goodness we all can love.

No-Bake Oreo Icebox Dessert photo

Taking advantage of instant chocolate pudding and prepared whipped topping to create its creamy layers, this no-bake dessert truly couldn't be any easier to make.

Simply create the bottom layer by mixing crushed Oreos and a bit of melted butter, and pressing the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.  Then mix together softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and some Cool Whip.  Layer this up with chocolate pudding, more Cool Whip, and a sprinkling of crushed Oreos on top for one delicious dessert.

Taking advantage of instant chocolate pudding and prepared whipped topping to create its creamy layers, this no-bake dessert truly couldn't be any easier to make. 

Chill the prepared dessert for at least eight hours, or overnight, to allow everything to meld together.

Then once the dessert has chilled, quick ... grab your fork!  Oh, and your glass of milk to go along with your Oreos ... you'll still need it.

Check out these other super tasty no-bake desserts:

No-Bake Oreo Icebox Dessert picture
Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground.  We'd love to have you back soon!

oreo dessert recipe, no bake oreo dessert, oreo icebox dessert recipe, desserts made with oreos
Desserts
American
Yield: about 12-16 servings
How to Make Oreo Icebox Desserthttps://youtu.be/6KO7F9vhGKsDemonstration of how to make classic Oreo Icebox Dessert
Classic Oreo Icebox Dessert

Classic Oreo Icebox Dessert

Who doesn't love an Oreo? Well, they're even better in this classic Oreo Icebox Dessert, with creamy layers of Oreos, pudding, and whipped cream. Yum!
Prep time: 60 MinInactive time: 8 HourTotal time: 9 Hour

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) package Oreos, crushed
  • 6 T. butter, melted
  • 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 c. confectioners' sugar
  • 1 large (5.1 oz.) box instant chocolate pudding + milk to prepare, as specified on the pudding package
  • 1 large (16 oz.) container Cool Whip whipped topping

Instructions

  1. Set aside about 1/4 cup crushed Oreos. Mix remaining crushed Oreos with the melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish.
  2. Combine cream cheese and confectioners' sugar; mix well. Fold in 1/2 of the Cool Whip until well combined. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crushed Oreo layer. Chill for 20 minutes.
  3. Prepare chocolate pudding according to package directions. Spread over cream cheese layer. Chill for 20 minutes.
  4. Spread remaining Cool Whip over the pudding layer. Sprinkle reserved crushed Oreos on top. Chill for 8 hours or overnight before serving.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. You can use 1/3-less-fat Neufchatel cream cheese, sugar-free instant pudding (the ounces on the package will be less), and lite Cool Whip - and it will still taste delicious.
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Classic Oreo Icebox Dessert ~ Who doesn't love an Oreo? Well, they're even better in this classic Oreo Icebox Dessert. With layers of Oreo, pudding, and whipped cream, it's total yum!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com
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