Author: Terry McDaniel

Summer is synonymous with backyard barbecues filled with laughter, good company, and, of course, delicious food. If you’re looking to make a memorable contribution to the festivities, why not bring a homemade banana cream pie? In this blog post, we’ll explore why a banana cream pie is the perfect dessert to share at a summer BBQ.

The Ultimate Summertime Treat:
When it comes to summertime desserts, nothing beats the cool and creamy delight of a banana cream pie. Its luscious banana filling, velvety custard, and buttery crust offer a refreshing escape from the heat. As the sun shines and temperatures rise, your homemade banana cream pie will be the star of the BBQ, enticing everyone with its irresistible flavors.

A Crowd-Pleaser for All Ages:
One of the best things about banana cream pie is its universal appeal. From kids to adults, everyone loves the sweet combination of bananas and cream. By bringing a banana cream pie to the summer BBQ, you’re ensuring that everyone will have a dessert they can enjoy. It’s a fantastic choice for those with dietary restrictions too, as it can easily be made gluten-free or dairy-free.

Showcasing Your Baking Skills:
Bringing a homemade dessert like a banana cream pie not only demonstrates your culinary prowess but also adds a personal touch to the BBQ. Your friends and family will appreciate the effort and love that went into creating such a delicious treat. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert baker – there are countless simple and foolproof recipes available that will help you achieve pie perfection.

This summer, elevate your BBQ experience by bringing a homemade banana cream pie to share. Its delectable flavors, universal appeal, and personal touch will make you the star of the gathering. So grab your apron, whip up a delicious pie, and get ready to delight everyone with this classic and beloved dessert.

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For 25 years, the Butter Bell crock by L. Tremain has been the original and best solution for keeping butter fresh, spreadable, and free from spoilage or odors. Modeled after the original French beurrier, this two-piece design combines functionality with elegance, allowing you to serve and store butter conveniently at the table. In this blog post, we explore the ease of use and versatility of the Butter Bell crock, making it the ultimate choice for butter enthusiasts.

Freshness That Lasts:
Say goodbye to hard, unspreadable butter and hello to soft, creamy goodness. The Butter Bell crock preserves butter’s freshness for weeks without the need for refrigeration. With its airtight seal, this crock protects the delicate flavor and texture of butter, ensuring every spread is as delightful as the first. No more dealing with spoiled or odorous butter!

Simple and Versatile:
Using the Butter Bell crock couldn’t be easier. Just pour 1/3 cup of cold water into the base, firmly pack the lid with softened butter, and replace the lid onto the base. That’s it! The crock’s straightforward design makes it suitable for all types of butter, whether it’s store-bought or homemade. You can even get creative and add fresh herbs or spices to create delicious flavored butter for a gourmet touch.

Perfect Portion Size:
Each Butter Bell crock holds one stick or cube (1/2 cup or 125 grams) of butter, ensuring you have just the right amount for your needs. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, using it for baking, or enhancing your favorite recipes, the crock provides a convenient and hygienic way to store and access your butter whenever you need it.

Elegant Tableside Serving:
The Butter Bell crock’s inverted bell-shaped lid and crock base make it a stylish addition to any table setting. Not only does it keep your butter fresh, but it also adds a touch of sophistication to your dining experience. Gone are the days of unsightly butter dishes or messy wrappers on the table. With the Butter Bell crock, serving butter becomes an elegant affair.

Embrace this timeless kitchen accessory and elevate your butter experience to a whole new level of freshness and convenience.

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Ice cream has a way of evoking nostalgic memories, times filled with joy and laughter. For many of us, the fondest memories are often tied to a particular flavor or a special person who made our ice cream experience even more magical. I wanted to share a journey that celebrates the heartwarming tradition of homemade ice cream, as we explore the nostalgic delight of the ice cream my grandpa made me as a kid and how I am now passing on that love by making ice cream for my grandkids.

The Magic of Grandpa’s Homemade Ice Cream:
As a child, my favorite ice cream was the one my grandpa made. The anticipation of waiting for the ice cream to churn and the sheer delight of savoring its creamy texture and rich flavors created memories that have stayed with me throughout my life. Chocolate was my favorite.

Passing Down the Tradition:
Now, as a grandparent myself, I have embraced the art of making homemade ice cream to create new memories with my own grandkids. It’s a beautiful way to connect with them, share stories from my childhood, and pass down a treasured family tradition. My daughter likes raspberry with chocolate, swirled, but others like just the raspberry so we crush chocolate and put it on top for her.

Building Cherished Memories:
As we gather around the churn, laughing and sharing stories, a sense of warmth fills the air. Making ice cream together has become a tradition that strengthens the bond between generations. The joy of seeing my grandkids’ faces light up when they take that first spoonful of their own creation is a priceless reward. These moments will remain etched in their memories, just as my grandpa’s homemade ice cream still lives vividly in mine.

The magic of the ice cream my grandpa made me as a child has inspired me to pass down this tradition to my grandkids. Making ice cream together has become an opportunity to bond, explore creativity, and indulge in the simple pleasures of life.

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In the summertime, salads make for a fantastic dinner option as you can grill the protein and avoid using the oven, resulting in a delicious meal. A simple and delicious salad dressing can be made with just three ingredients: oil, seasonings, and acid. A high-quality oil like extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil is essential for getting the most health benefits from your salad. These unrefined oils contain healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin K found in greens.

While salads are a healthy addition to our daily diet, they may not be appealing if they don’t taste good. Adding a flavorful oil-based dressing or avocado can enhance the taste of the greens and make them more appealing to eat.

Making a delicious salad dressing with high-quality oil and seasonings can not only improve the taste of your salad but also maximize the health benefits of the greens. So, next time you prepare a salad, be sure to use a tasty and nutritious dressing to make it a habit you’ll enjoy.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2023/05/14/healthiest-salad-dressing/70185591007/

Some Half Baked Harvest Salad Dressing recipes:

Recipe Index

As I was unpacking my latest haul from the grocery store, I caught a glimpse of my kitchen counter and had to laugh. There they were: a set of plastic containers with lids that snap on and off, all neatly organized in a row. It wasn’t always this way, of course. There was a time when I would have rolled my eyes at the thought of getting excited about Tupperware. But now, later in life, I have to admit that there’s something undeniably satisfying about a good set of food storage containers.

Maybe it’s because I’ve spent years dealing with flimsy, leaky containers that never seem to stack quite right. Or maybe it’s because I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and functionality in my adult years. Whatever the reason, I’ve fully embraced my love of Tupperware, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

So yes, I may be old enough to appreciate a good Tupperware set, but you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s to growing up and finding joy in the little things – like perfectly organized leftovers and snap-on lids that never fail.

My absolute favorite:

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The Gaines family has a recipe for a chocolate pie that is a family favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The smooth chocolate filling, crumbly chocolate crust, and homemade whipped cream come together to create a mouth-watering dessert that everyone will love.

The first step in making this delicious chocolate pie is to prepare the crust. The crust is made from a combination of flour, cocoa powder, sugar, butter, and egg yolk. Simply mix the ingredients together until a crumbly dough forms, and then press the dough into a pie dish. Bake the crust in the oven until it’s crispy and set aside to cool.

Next, it’s time to make the chocolate filling. This recipe calls for semisweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in a saucepan over low heat. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Once the chocolate mixture has melted, slowly pour in the egg mixture and stir until well combined.

Pour the chocolate filling into the cooled pie crust and bake in the oven until the filling is set. Let the pie cool to room temperature before serving.

To top off this delicious dessert, make your own whipped cream using heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat the ingredients together in a bowl until soft peaks form, and then spread the whipped cream over the top of the chocolate pie. Try making the Gaines family’s chocolate pie. With a crumbly chocolate crust, smooth chocolate filling, and homemade whipped cream, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So go ahead and indulge in this mouth-watering dessert, and don’t forget to share it with your family and friends!

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Tortillas are a staple of Mexican cuisine, and nothing beats the taste of fresh, homemade tortillas. Whether you’re making tacos, burritos, or just serving them with your favorite dish, homemade tortillas are a delicious addition to any meal.

The process of making tortillas is simple and straightforward. It starts with masa harina, a type of corn flour that is made from dried corn kernels that have been soaked in limewater. The masa harina is mixed with water and sometimes salt to form a dough, which is then rolled out and cooked on a hot griddle.

One of the benefits of making tortillas at home is that you have complete control over the ingredients. You can choose to use organic or non-GMO masa harina, or add in other ingredients like herbs or spices for extra flavor. You can also adjust the size of the tortillas to suit your needs – make them small for tacos, or larger for burritos.

Another advantage of making tortillas at home is that they are fresher and healthier than store-bought tortillas. Many commercial tortillas contain preservatives and additives to extend their shelf life, whereas homemade tortillas are made with simple, natural ingredients.

In addition to their delicious taste, homemade tortillas are also a fun and satisfying kitchen project. Rolling out the dough and cooking each tortilla on the griddle is a hands-on process that can be enjoyed with friends or family.

If you’ve never made tortillas at home before, give it a try. You may be surprised at how easy and rewarding the process can be, and how much better homemade tortillas taste compared to their store-bought counterparts.

Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas.