omg-pie.

Although we’re not officially in warm weather just quite yet, that doesn’t mean it can’t taste like summer! Here’s a recipe that’ll make you think you’re smack dab in the middle of July!

Recipe: Bill Smith’s Atlantic Beach Pie!

This is a newer version of a pie that is commonly served at seafood restaurants on the North Carolina coast. Chef Bill Smith has been serving it at Crook’s Corner and at special events for about a year. He calls it the easiest recipe in the world. Makes one pie.

For the crust:

1 1/2 sleeves of saltine crackers

1/3 to 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter

3 tablespoons sugar

For the filling:

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup lemon or lime juice or a mix of the two

Fresh whipped cream

Coarse sea salt for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Crush the crackers finely, but not to dust. You can use a food processor or your hands. Add the sugar, then knead in the butter until the crumbs hold together like dough.

Press into an 8-inch pie pan.

Chill for 15 minutes, then bake for 18 minutes or until the crust colors a little. While the crust is cooling (it doesn’t need to be cold), beat the egg yolks into the milk, then beat in the citrus juice. It is important to completely combine these ingredients.

Pour into the shell and bake for 16 minutes until the filling has set. The pie needs to be completely cold to be sliced.

Serve with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of sea salt.

XO, The Bloom TDL

(image via pinterest)

Bark.

Chocolate for breakfast? Why not?! This delightful, unexpectedly easy sweet treat can be made and enjoyed with just a few simple ingredients. White chocolate chips, we prefer Ghirardelli Classic White Chips, plain Greek yogurt, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, dried raspberries, toasted granola and roasted pumpkin seeds are all you’ll need for this salty, sweet combination that’ll be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, in a healthier way!

In a glass bowl, melt down 1 1/2 cups of white chocolate chips in a microwave. Place the glass bowl in the microwave for fifteen seconds, remove and stir the chocolate, place back in the microwave for another fifteen seconds, repeating until all chocolate is all melted. No more than one minute total. Add 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt to the melted chocolate, stirring until completely mixed. On a sheet pan, place a layer of parchment paper down onto the pan. Pour the melted chocolate and yogurt mixture onto the pan, spreading it out flat, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Place sliced strawberries, blueberries, granola and the pumpkin seeds on top of the yougart mixture. We don’t list measurement for the toppings, add what you like, in the portion you prefer.

Cover baking pan with aluminum foil and place in the freezer for one hour. Once bark is solid, break into pieces and ENJOY!

Note: Milk or dark chocolate can replace the white chocolate, if you prefer. Also, fresh fruit can replace the dried fruit, if eaten within a day or two. 🍓🫐

XO, The Bloom TDL

(images via pinterest)

sidecar.

We have discovered some of the most incredible deep fried bits of dough, with the exception of the famous Krispy Kreme, of course. If only for smell-o-vision!

These perfect gourmet doughnuts are all the rage with their perfect exterior crunch and tender moist cake inside. With too many elegany flavors to mention, we’re highlighting the top twelve for this week. They also use an organic, sustainable palm oil that gives the outside “crust” that unique texture.

We’ve tried the Butter and Salt, the gluten free Chocolate and the Old Fashion, not featured here. They delighted our tastebuds and elevated our outlook on a cleaner dessert. Although they are as delicious as they come, one cannot live on sweets alone. They are a treat every six months or so, talk about willpower!

So if you happen to be anywhere near a Sidecar doughnut location, give them a try, you won’t be dissapointed. We never are, unless regret sets in for not getting a few more of each!

Note: Call ahead to see what flavors are left for the day, they do tend to sell out.

XO, The Bloom TDL