Lemon-Lime and Thyme Cookies

First let me say, Happy Easter! What are your plans today?
I'm up early making potato salad for lunch after church.
This is the first year since I was a kid that I have a proper Easter dress. I can't wait to wear it. Do you dress up for Easter?
Need a treat for today.....
Lemon-Lime and Thyme Cookies are the perfect Spring treat. Almost a shortbread cookie but not with a crunchy. The flavor will have your friends asking "hmmmmm,what is in this?"

The recipe, from Joy the Baker, suggests a method of combining the zests and sugar in a way that brings out the essential oils and perfumes the sugar. The link is to her website for Citrus Sables, a similar recipe without the thyme.

While her recipe calls for forming the dough into a log and cutting circles, I had some extra time so I rolled out the dough and made flowers. Fun and festive for Spring.

Happy Easter!

Carrara Pastries

I've blogged before about my love of Cafe Firenze and now Carrara Pastries is open in Moorpark as well. So many delicious Italian pastries available that you won't be able to try just one. I sampled more than my fair share and I can't wait to go back.

What's your favorite pastry?

Potato Zucchini Cakes- Joy the Baker

I have found my new favorite cookbook and it's written by Joy from Joy the Baker. Every picture has me drooling and running to the kitchen. Thank you so much to Deb at Kahakai Kitchen for sending it to me. A message to friends and family- you'll be receiving this cookbook on your birthday, it's that good.
The first thing I made and will be making many more times- Potato Zucchini Cakes. I couldn't find the recipe on Joy's website and I hesitate to share it because of copyright issues so please go buy the book. You won't be dissappointed.

Topped with sour cream and paprika. Every bite is crispy-savory-deliciousness.

Here are the cakes frying beautifully in oil.

And another close-up of yumminess. May I suggest making these for Easter or Passover?

Do you have Joy's cookbook? What have you made?

Van de Kamps- Parchment Bake

I must admit, I rarely eat fish. It's just not something I crave. But, my husband enjoys it so when I was offered the chance to review Van de Kamps I was excited to try it out. I tried the garlic butter tilapia which I served with salad and potato/zucchini cake (post to follow).

The fish comes frozen in parchment paper which you bake and serve. The parchment paper was a great baking method since it locked in moisture and the fish cooked evenly. My taste verdict- I didn't care for but that's because I don't really care for fish other than ahi tuna. My husband's taste verdict- "it's good as far as frozen fish is goes." So while we probably won't be buying this again, I did pick up a box of Van de Kamps fish sticks, because who doesn't like fish sticks?

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Van de Kamps Parchment Bake.

What Could It Be????

I love when I get mail that isn't bills. It's even more fun when it's a big box on my front porch.

What could it be?

Oh Wow! Fun baking stuff.

And delicious cookies!

Thank you so much Erica. I won her giveaway at Itzy's Kitchen. Check out her awesome blog.

Pizza Spaghetti Bake

Any other huge pizza fans out there? I have the phone number memorized to my favorite pizza place. Favorite toppings? I love tomatoes and black olive. Yum Yum! Good ole pepperoni works too. If you're also a spaghetti fan you're going to like this dish. I'm sure it would also be a pleaser among kids.

I swapped the pork sausage with ground turkey and I wouldn't do it again. It really needed that sausagey element. Also, I'd use jarred pizza sauce next time and at least 2 cups more sauce than the recipe calls for. I like my pizza and spaghetti saucey.


Pizza Spaghetti Bake 
from Plain Chicken and MyRecipes.com

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (1-lb.) package mild ground pork sausage
2 ounces turkey pepperoni slices (about 30), cut in half
1 (26-oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8-oz.) package shredded Italian three-cheese blend

Cook spaghetti with 1/2 tsp. salt according to package directions. Drain well, and place in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. Add pepperoni, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until slightly crisp. Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage; pour pasta sauce over sausage. Arrange half of pepperoni slices evenly over pasta sauce. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses. Arrange remaining half of pepperoni slices evenly over cheese. Cover with nonstick or lightly greased aluminum foil.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes; remove foil, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and just begins to brown.
 

Can't wait to read about your favorite toppings. Any I have to try? Please don't say anchovies.

Ham, Cheddar and Apple Bake

It's Sunday afternoon and I've lost the motivation to do anything but blog and nap. It's been a busy weekend with my family and even though I have many chores waiting for me, I'm going to procrastinate and share this recipe with you instead.
I put the recipe together the night before, store it in the fridge and then bake it off in the morning. I take a chunk to work with me and it keeps me full until lunch.

I came across the recipe over at Framed Cooks 
I swapped the pears for granny smith apples and the brie for sharp white cheddar. I finish the recipe with a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. Delicious!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun or had a nice long nap?