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)

Cacao.

Who here likes fudge? We don’t like it, we love it! Especially the version we used to make, it was a special recipe handed down from generation to generation. But, it was loaded with sugar and heavy cream. Ahh, those were the days! Being that’s not the best choice anymore, we’ve found a healthier version. It’s vegan and gluten free! Replacing the traditional chocolate chips, we use cacao powder instead for some nutritional value. We prefer all organic ingredients, however if they’re not available, simply use what’s available at your local market. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

2 cups cocoa butter

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/2 cup all natural, creamy almond butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon celtic salt

1 cup cacao powder

Instructions

In a microwave safe bowl, melt your cocoa butter in the microwave, taking it out and stirring after each minute. Continue to whisk it until it is completely melted and smooth. You can also melt it on stove top, whisking it constantly.

Add the maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla to the bowl. Whisk until smooth and completely combined. Add the celtic salt and cacao powder and whisk until completely smooth.

Pour the mixture into a 9×5 bread pan lined with parchment paper. Refridgerate for two hours. When fudge is completely hardened, pull the parchment paper up to remove it from the pan. Place on a cutting board and cut into 18 square pieces.

Note: It’s delicious with coffee!

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)

pb&j.

We love a really good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Quality bread, creamy salted peanut butter and sweet fruit jam, delish!

Have you ever made your own peanut butter? This super creamy, homemade peanut butter has just two ingredients and is so delicious, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making all along.

Ingredients

• 3 cups dry roasted & salted or unsalted organic peanuts
• celtic salt, to taste, (if using unsalted peanuts)

Instructions

• Place the peanuts in a medium food processor.* Process until very smooth, stopping every 30 seconds to 1 minute to scape down the sides of the bowl, as necessary, and to give the food processor’s motor a rest. The mixture will be chunky at first. Then, it’ll thicken into a ball, and finally, it will become creamy and smooth. The whole process should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

Notes

Makes about 1 cup.

*Note: I use my 7-cup Cuisinart or KitchenAid food processor. If yours is much larger, you may want to increase the amount of peanuts so that there’s enough quantity to blend well.

Enjoy!

XO, The Bloom TDL

(image via pinterest/recipe:loveandlemons.com. recipe altered to our taste with organic peanuts and celtic salt instead of sea salt)

“salad.”

No one needs to feel deprived when this appetizing dish is considered salad! These cubed fruits are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and flavor! Avocado, cucumber, tomato, watermelon and feta cheese are the main ingredients, however you can use any variation you like! Why wait for the weather to warm up before enjoying a beautiful “salad” like this?!

Note: Year round, farmers markets carry most of these fresh-from-the-farm ingredients.

Ingredients

For the salad squares:

• 1 mini seedless watermelon
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tomato
• 1 avocado
• 2 oz. block feta cheese
• fresh herbs, basil and mint

For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil and mint freshly snipped
• salt and cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

For the dressing:

• Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and snipped herbs, until thoroughly mixed.

For the salad squares:

• Cut salad ingredients in equal size square pieces. Arrange in 4 x 3 rows on individual serving plates. Garnish with snipped herbs. Drizzle with dressing.

Enjoy.

XO, The Bloom TDL

(recipe susan randall: simple healthy kitchen with slight changes to our liking, she adds coriander seeds to the dressing and chives instead of mint, images via pinterest)

peppermint.

Whether you enjoy peppermint or not, you have to admit Williams Sonoma takes it seriously! From their iconic Peppermint Bark, to their beautifully colored Peppermint Snaps, in reusable clear glass jars by the way, to the latest and greatest Peppermint Bark coffee! If you’re not on Peppermint overload, you are a TRUE lover of this red and white confection!

Our top pick is their Peppermint Bark Paws! They’re crafted from custom-blended Guittard white and dark chocolate, and infused with double-distilled peppermint with crispy cocoa rice crisps added for a crunchy texture! If that wasn’t enough deliciousness, they add in little peppermint candy bits for the “cherry on top.”

We think a little goes a long with quality, as do these unique, perfectly sized, handcrafted holiday candies! During this time of year, we enjoy a few pieces with a cup of coffee unwinding after the day is through. Afterall, it is the holidays!

It’s fun to stroll through the shop and see for yourself what Williams Sonoma is doing these days. During Thanksgiving, they were brewing up their hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks, such a delight to smell those familiar holiday scents!

Here’s the fastest way to find everything seen here and more from their online stores!

Williams Sonoma

Happy Holidays!

🌟❤️🌟

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

XO, The Bloom TDL