Blueberry Monkey Bread

All the ooey-gooey-ness of Monkey Bread, with the delicious flavors of blueberry & cream cheese. 

An ooey-gooey delicious way to start your day!

So I'm pretty sure I'm the nicest wife EVER....since I let Jorden sleep in until 10:00 on Saturday...! I seriously can't remember the last time I slept until 10:00 - even when I "sleep in" it's more like 8:30 these days. But Jorden told me the one and only gift he wanted was sleep - a chance to sleep in, and maybe an afternoon nap. One out of two is not bad....right? (Don't worry...we got him some actual gifts, too).

Of course....what I haven't told you is that Jorden sleeping until 10:00 actually benefited me....(you didn't really think I was that nice, did you??) Because somewhere in my Father's Day planning I got the idea that I was going to make this Blueberry Monkey Bread, despite the fact that I had no recipe and I'd never made monkey bread before! And midway through executing the plan, when I had blueberry pie filling all over my pajama pants and cream cheese icing spattered across the kitchen....Jorden staying in bed an extra hour suddenly started to sound like a good idea!

So when he came down at 9:00, and I lovingly said, "You're down so early....you can go back to sleep!", it was really because I needed the time. And because I love him.....(of course...!) But mostly because I needed the time. To scramble the eggs and fry the bacon and cut the fruit and pour the juice and make the coffee. And to finish the monkey bread! And let me just say....it was totally worth it!!

If I could something this ooey-gooey and delicious for breakfast every weekend, I would TOTALLY let Jorden sleep in! Even if it meant I had to make it. It was like blueberry pie meets monkey bread and they go swimming in cream cheese icing. Yeah, it was good.

The only problem? I ate waaaaay too much. And then I ate more the next morning, because of course we had to finish it up. And I'm pretty sure I would have eaten it all, if it weren't for Jorden and the girls helping me out. I guess I might need to stay far away from the next batch. (Who are we kidding...!? That is SO not going to happen!!)

Blueberry Monkey Bread
4 cans Pillsbury biscuits
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3 oz. cream cheese
3 Tbsp. fat free half & half (or milk)
1 tsp. lemon juice

1. Unroll biscuits and cut into quarters.
2. In a large bowl, mix 1/2 c. flour, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/4 c. softened butter, and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon until crumbly. Add quartered biscuits and stir gently to coat.
3. In a medium saucepan, mix 1 can blueberry pie filling and 1 stick of butter. Bring to a boil and stir for 2 min. Remove from heat.
4. Pour blueberry sauce over biscuit mixture and stir gently to combine.
5. Pour biscuits and sauce into a greased 6-cup bundt pan. Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min, or until golden brown.
6. While bread is baking, prepare icing by mixing powdered sugar, cream cheese, half & half, and lemon juice until smooth.
7. Remove bread from oven and cool 5-10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
8. Drizzle with icing; serve warm.

Enjoy! (Clearly we did!!)

While you're here, be sure to check out some of my other delicious breakfast recipes!

Rhubarb Crumb Cake

 Cookie Butter Morning Buns

Cinnamon Biscotti Dunkers

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling....

I hope you feel right at home!

-Cathy

Father's Day & the Bloglovin' Bandwagon

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day weekend! Ours was jam-packed (what weekend isn't!?) but so much fun! We had a soccer party for Ellia Friday night, and Saturday we celebrated Father's Day with Jorden. We let him sleep until 10:00, then made him a big breakfast, planted a vegetable garden, played outside, and had dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant. Sunday we had my family over to celebrate Father's Day with my dad (that's him with my three girls in the picture)...and since there are two new babies in the family, we got to spend the afternoon holding babies! 

Does it get any better than that!??

(It really doesn't!!) I hope your weekend was full of good things, too!

Now that the weekend is over, it's time for me to take care of some business. First order of business? Bloglovin'. For those of you who have been following Lemon Tree Dwelling on Google Friends Connect, as of July 1st, Google Friends Connect will no longer exist. Which means that all my lovely followers will have no way to keep in touch with me....unless they follow me on bloglovin'!

Whether you're a regular or a first-timer here at Lemon Tree Dwelling, I'd LOVE to have you! And while you're at it, if you don't already follow me on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or RSS Feed, feel free to sign up so you don't miss anything!

Let's keep in touch!!

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...

I hope you feel right at home!

-Cathy

 

Sicilian Spinach Salad

Classic Sicilian flavors on a bed of fresh spinach, drizzled with fresh basil vinaigrette.
A deliciously flavorful salad, perfect for summer.

Back in college, before the low carb craze, I developed an entire relationship over baskets and baskets of bread. Let me explain. Sometime early sophomore year, I met my now good friend Erin. We were opposites from the beginning - she was loud and outgoing, had tons of friends and was always up for anything....especially if it involved a party! I was much more quiet and reserved, more likely to have a few close friends, looking for good conversations and deep connections....and not much for parties at all! And yet, somehow, we just clicked.

We would ride the city bus from Marquette's campus to an Italian restaurant called Louise's. I'm not sure how we chose it or why....but it quickly became one of our very favorite places to be! And I honestly think it was because of the bread! As soon as we would order our meals (always a BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad), they would bring out a basket of fresh-baked focaccia bread with seasoned dipping oil. And we would eat bread and talk - about school, boys, friendships, family....LIFE. And when the bread was gone, we'd ask for another basket, and sometimes even a third.....until we were ready to head back to campus, hours later.

It's funny....we always ordered the exact same thing. And stuffed ourselves silly with bread. Looking back, I think it's because it was never really about the food. It was about the friendship, and the time together. The food was just a bonus! It's one of the things I love most about food - the way it brings people together. As an adult, Louise's is still one of my favorite restaurants. Of course, when we go there, I do a few things differently. Like only eating a few pieces of bread instead of a few baskets. Like trying not to overstay my welcome (no more 3 hour visits!) Like ordering new things on the menu...although the BBQ Chicken Chop is still high on my list.

Another one that's high on my list is their salad with goat cheese, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes. Since ordering it at Louise's, I've used the same ingredients on pizza (amazing!) and in a pasta dish (Sun Dried Tomato Pasta). Now that summer is here again, I decided it was time to go back to the salad....and I made a delicious basil vinaigrette to go with it! I plan to make this salad a lot this summer, hopefully with friends. Because if there's one thing I know to be true about myself, it's that I can really bond with someone over a delicious meal.

Sicilian Spinach Salad
2 c. fresh spinach
2 oz. creamy goat cheese
1/4 c. sun dried tomatoes
1 Tbsp. pine nuts

Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
1/3 c. olive oil
1/3 c. white wine vinegar (white vinegar will substitute fine)
1 Tbsp. minced red onion 
1 Tbsp. fresh basil
1/2 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix all ingredients until thoroughly blended.

Enjoy!

Looking for another summer salad recipe? Be sure to check out some of my Berrylicious Summer Salad!

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...

I hope you feel right at home!

-Cathy

My First Post at The 36th Avenue!

Tropical Spinach Salad w/Sweet Lime Vinaigrette - I'm over at The 36th Avenue sharing this recipe today!

Hey Everyone.....guess what!? It's Friday!! I am so excited to enjoy a beautiful Father's Day weekend and hopefully plant our garden! What do you have planned? I'm also excited because today my first contributor post is up over at The 36th Avenue! I am so excited to be working with Desiree and contributing to her lovely blog. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello to me over there - I'm sharing the recipe for this Tropical Spinach Salad w/ Sweet Lime Vinaigrette! A new summer favorite!

Also, don't forget to enter to win a $100 Target Gift Card in my Summer Fun Giveaway, going on now! (Click the logo for details!)

I'll be back here later with another yummy summer salad....I hope to see you then!




Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling....
I hope you feel right at home!
-Cathy

Lemon Shortbread Parfaits

Single-serving parfaits made with lemon, shortbread, and toasted coconut are simple and delicious....
and sure to impress!

In case you haven't figured it out by now, I seem to have an obsession with lemon. I suppose the name Lemon Tree Dwelling is a bit of a giveaway....but I must admit, when I chose the name even I didn't realize the extent of my love for lemon. I guess you're never too old to learn new things about yourself, right?

I especially love lemon in the summertime. There's something so refreshing about it, and its bright yellow color reminds me of sunshine. Yep, I'm obsessed! So you can imagine my excitement at having recently discovered lemon curd - a thick, creamy, lemony spread that tastes just like lemon bar filling....and can be used in so many ways! I may or may not have been known to eat it straight from the jar.......

.......but I've also been busy finding all sorts of fun ways to use it! Remember my Lemon Bar Muddy Buddies? Lemon curd! Or my Lemon Raspberry Phyllo Tarts? Also lemon curd! And those are just the recipes I've shared with you (there are plenty more where they came from)! One of the quickest, easiest ways I've discovered to use lemon curd is to spoon it on top of a shortbread cookie and sprinkle powdered sugar on top....it tastes just like a lemon bar, without all the work!

But if you really want to impress, there's only one way to go. These cute little Lemon Shortbread Parfaits are incredibly quick and easy....but so elegant that no one would guess they hardly took any work at all! You want to know the secret? Yep, you guessed it. Lemon curd!! My new lemon obsession....and soon to be yours, too!

Lemon Shortbread Parfaits
1 shortbread cookie, split in half
2 Tbsp. lemon curd
1 tsp. toasted coconut, plus a little more for topping
whipped cream
lime zest

In a small parfait dish, layer: 

• 1/2 shortbread cookie, crumbled
• 1 Tbsp. lemon curd
• 1/2 tsp. toasted coconut
• 1/2 shortbread cookie, crumbled
• 1 Tbsp. lemon curd
• 1/2 tsp. toasted coconut
• whipped cream
• top with toasted coconut and lime zest

Toasted Coconut 
Spread 1 c. coconut in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 6-8 minutes, shaking pan periodically to toast all sides.

Enjoy!

Be sure to check out a few of my other favorite summer desserts!

Strawberry Shortcake Pops

Red, White & Blue Sugar Cookie Cups

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...

I hope you feel right at home!

-Cathy

Lemon Basil Spritzer

A simply delicious spritzer made with champagne, lemonade, and basil simple syrup.
Light, refreshing, and perfect for a hot summer day!

I read recently that 3 pm on Wednesdays is the time when women look most tired. And I thought to myself NO KIDDING! It's right smack dab in the middle of the week....too far after last weekend to feel any of its benefits, too far away from the coming weekend to even be excited. We are bogged down in homework and housework and weekday craziness....and the end feels nowhere in sight! Yep, around here,Wednesdays always feel like a feat!

So I decided that this Wednesday I would make you a drink....just in case your Wednesday ends up feeling like mine! I used some of my favorite summer flavors - basil and lemonade - to make a summer spritzer that is as delicious as it is refreshing! And it's incredibly easy, so it won't add to the craziness. (Don't worry....I'm watching out for you!)

This drink was inspired by a drink I had at a restaurant called Houlihan's a while back....(back in the days when I actually saw my friends, that is...!) We would meet there periodically for happy hour, and we would sample the different fun drinks on their menu. One of them (my favorite) was Strawberry Basil Lemonade. It was SO good, and so different from anything I had ever had! From that point forward, I was SOLD.

Sad to say, Houlihan's is no longer around. But lucky for me, I discovered that making basil syrup is incredibly easy....especially when you have your own basil plant! I make it often and I share the recipe with everyone I know. When you find a good thing, you can't keep it to yourself, right? Unless, of course, we're talking about one of these Lemon-Basil Spritzers around 3 pm on Wednesday....!

Lemon-Basil Spritzer
1/2 c. champagne (for a non-alcoholic version, substitute club soda)
1/2 c. lemonade
2 Tbsp. basil simple syrup
ice

1. Fill glass 1/3 full with iced (crushed is best!)
2. Add 1/2 c. champagne, 1/2 c. lemonade, and 2 Tbsp. basil simple syrup and mix.
3. Add additional basil syrup, if desired. 

Basil Simple Syrup 
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. loosely packed fresh basil leaves

Bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in fresh basil leaves; remove from heat, and cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Be sure to stop by and check out these other delicious summer drinks!

Peach Melba Sangria

Summer Citrus Shandy

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling....

I hope you feel right at home!

-Cathy

Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Fresh, tart rhubarb in a deliciously rich and moist coffee cake with a buttery crumb topping - a little piece of heaven for your morning.

Growing up, we always had a big rhubarb plant in our backyard. My mom used to make Rhubarb Crisp as a special summer treat. She would serve it warm, with vanilla ice cream on top. Mmmmmmm. The only problem was that, as a child, I wanted nothing to do with rhubarb. Clearly I didn't know what I was missing! Luckily, my tastes have changed since then...and these days, passing up a rhubarb treat would be completely unheard of!

Summer Giveaway {$100 Target Gift Card}

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! Friday was the last day of school for us, which means it was our first official weekend of summer....and we packed it full! Dinner at Cheesecake Factory, a Farm Breakfast, Nora's 2nd birthday celebration, a day with friends, and plenty of time to ride bikes and enjoy the beautiful weather! This week we start tennis lessons for Ellia and a sports camp for Greta....all I can say is it's a good thing summer days are long!

To help you start your summer off right, I've teamed up with a wonderful group of bloggers to bring you 10 Fun Summer Ideas and an awesome giveaway - a $100 Target gift card!