Blueberry Lemon Bars

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again,
but I love pretty much anything with lemon in it.
Savory eats, sweet treats and drinks with lemon are all my jam.
So when I found this recipe, it quickly went on my list of things to make.

Not only did it sound amazing,
but it seemed like a cinch to make too.
I don't think a week went by before I whipped one up,
and it was completely devoured in just two days!!!

Keep reading to see how I made these yummy Blueberry Lemon Bars!

The Goods:

Graham Crackers

Butter

Granulated Sugar

Lemons

Eggs

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Blueberries

Put your graham crackers in a large zipper bag

and then begin to crush them to make crumbs.

I used an entire pack and had more than enough.

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar and lemon zest.

Mix with a fork until everything is combined and crumbs are moistened. 

Press the mixture into a greased 8x8 pan and bake for about 10 minutes.

It make take a little longer depending on your oven.

Remove from oven and cool completely.

While the crust is cooling, it's time to make the filling!

In a large bowl, add the entire can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 egg yolks.

Whisk those together until combined. 

Next add the lemon zest and lemon juice.

Stir the mixture to incorporate the zest and juice.

Finally, add the blueberries to the lemon filling...

And gently fold in your fresh blueberries.

Pour the filling over the cooled crust and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.

Filling should be set and not jiggle at all.  

Remove from the oven and let cool for at least an hour.

Do your best to be patient because this helps the bars set.

Finally, cut the bars into squares to be devoured by your friends!

You can tell I was a little inpatient and did cut the bars a bit too early.

Don't be like me and wait until the bars are fully set!

They still tasted absolutely amazing, 

but weren't as pretty as I'd like if I'm being honest.

Lemon Blueberry Bars

Inspired by Moms Need To Know

For the Crust:

1 1/2 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

8 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

3 Teaspoons Lemon Zest

For the Filling:

2 Egg Yolks

1 (14 Ounce) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

1 Cup Fresh Blueberries

1. Put your graham crackers in a large zipper bag and begin to crush them to make crumbs.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar and lemon zest. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and crumbs are moistened. 
3. Press the mixture into a greased 8X8 pan and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. It make take a little longer depending on your oven. Remove from oven and cool completely.
4. In a large bowl, add the entire can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 egg yolks. Whisk until combined.
5. Next add the lemon zest and lemon juice and then stir to incorporate both.
6. Finally, add the blueberries to the lemon filling and gently fold them in.
7. Pour the filling over the cooled crust and bake for about 15 minutes. The filling should be set and not giggle at all.  
8. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least an hour. Do your best to be patient because this helps the bars set.
9. Finally, cut the bars into squares to be devoured by your friends

Roasted Cauliflower Quinoa Bites

After making Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites,

and then following those up with Quinoa Pizza Bites,

I decided that I really liked the ease of eating these,

so I set out to make a brand new version of my own!

I'm a big fan of the flavor of roasted cauliflower,

so I knew right away I'd be using that.

And after tossing a few ideas around with a co-worker,

I knew I wanted to include lemon and parmesan as well.

Let me show you how easy it is to make these tasty

Roasted Cauliflower Quinoa Bites!!!

The Goods:

Quinoa

Roasted Cauliflower

Yellow Onion

Garlic

Eggs

Lemons

Parmesan Cheese

Salt

Pepper

Parsley Flakes

Cook quinoa according to your package directions.

In a large bowl, combine your cooked quinoa, roasted cauliflower, 

diced onion, minced garlic, both eggs, most of your parmesan cheese, salt, 

pepper and parsley to your liking, lemon juice and zest and mix to combine.

Stuff filling into greased mini muffin pans

and top with remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes,

until tops are nice and crisp.

Cool in muffin pans for about 5 minutes,

then remove and finish cooling on wire rack.

Roasted Cauliflower Quinoa Bites

3/4 Cup Uncooked Quinoa

1 1/2 Cups Water

2 Cup Roasted Cauliflower

1/2 Cup Diced Yellow Onion

2 Cloves Minced Garlic

2 Eggs

Salt, Pepper and Parsley To Taste

1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Juice and Zest from 1/2 a Lemon

1. Cook your quinoa according to package directions.
2. Roast your cauliflower (I did mine with juice and zest from 1 lemon, salt, pepper and olive oil.)
3. In large bowl combine everything (reserve 1/4 of the cheese for topping) and mix well.
4. Stuff filling into greased mini muffin pans and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until tops are nice and crisp.
6. Cool in muffin pans for about 5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on wire rack.

Friday Night Madeleines

This past Friday night was near perfect for me. I did a few quick chores after work, showered and then met up with my neighbor, who also happens to be one of my best friends.

We had decided earlier in the day that we were going to have a nice relaxing night at home with some take out. After a little more discussion, we decided to still get the take out but to get some wine and dessert too! We browsed the desserts at a local market's bakery, but after not finding anything we loved - decided we'd make Madeleines after eating our dinner.

So on the whim, we our relaxing night turned into a little less relaxing, but with added deliciousness!

These really aren't that difficult to make, but keep in mind you need the special Madeleine pan. Take a look at how to make this these amazing cookies!!!

The Goods:

Flour

Sugar

Salt

Butter

Eggs

Vanilla

Lemon Zest

The special Madeleine Pan!!

Butter the pan thoroughly.

All buttered.

And floured too!

Zest a lemon.

Crack two eggs.

And melt the butter.

Mix the sugar and the eggs...

Until they're combined.

Add the lemon zest, vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Mix well. 

Add the flour, incorporating it in small batches.

And mix that well too!

Then mix in the melted, cooled butter...

Little by little.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

And bake!

After baking about 8 or so minutes.

Cooling and waiting to be eaten!

Nom nom nom!

I want one NOW!!!

Go make some. You'll thank me! 

Also accepting cookies as thank you's!!! :)