My Cooking Spot

When Girl Meets Kitchen

How to Make Simple Syrup – Vanilla & Lavender

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Vanilla Simple Syrup

The summer is here in all its glory and splendor and it is time for a cool drink; don’t you agree? Whether the weather calls for a refreshing cup of iced mint tea, your favorite chilled coffee beverage or an evening summer cocktail, they could all use a little sweetness. But dissolving sugar in an iced drink is simply impossible. But stop right there! Don’t you dare go out and purchase expensive and artificially flavored syrups, simply make your own! It’s easy and tastes so much better than store bought! It’s a wonderful staple to keep on hand and a necessity for any home bar.

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Herb Butter on Sweet Summer Corn

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Herb Butter on Sweet Summer Corn

Summer. It’s finally here! One of my personal favorite ways to while away the summer days is spending time outside any way that I can. In New York City it was always a challenge, no car to escape the city, no mountain to climb to feel the solitude, no hammock to relax in while the hours slipped by. So I would walk by the water, wander in Central Park, take in the farmers market or go to one of the many street festivals. It was at such a festival that I had my first taste of Street Corn. I was instantly hooked!

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Quick Appetizer Hacks to Save Time

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We all love throwing a little get together, or a large get together. But putting together all those recipes and making it look good can take a lot of time. I am sure we can all think of a time or two when we have had to run to the store and grab one of those veggie trays, or already pre-made appetizers that don’t look too pretty.

But we can change that up right quick, and our guests will be none the wiser. With a few tricks and adjustments, we can take a few items from the store and turn in into looking like it was made for a magazine photo shoot.

We are all busy and with these changes we can have some delish food and save some time for other more important things, like getting the house ready, or sipping a glass of wine.

These tips of 98% bought and 2% homemade, makes life easier and this can also be good tips if you need to bring something to a dinner party, or for the hostess.

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To see all the appetizer hacks to make life easier, you can see them here.

One-Step Homemade Butter + 5 Recipes

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Have you ever thought of making your own butter? Or ran out of butter, but couldn’t run to the store? Did you know that you can make your own butter in just two-steps with 1 or 2 ingredients?

I had no idea either.

But, you can take some heavy cream, whip it up and make some delicious, fluffy butter. It is ideal for those recipes on pinterest where they make their gourmet butter with herbs and spices.

Ingredients

  • 1 cups heavy cream
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Place in food processor and mix until you reach the consistency you desire. If you like your butter a little loose and spreadable, don’t mix as long. You may need to press your butter with the back of a spoon to get rid of the excess liquid.

If you would like to make gourmet butter, add your ingredients with the liquid before turning into butter. Refrigerate and serve. Mold into butter logs if desired.

 

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 5 Herb Butter Recipes

Italian Herb Butter

  • fresh parsley
  • chopped 2 teaspoons fresh oregano
  • chopped 1 teaspoon fresh basil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Cilantro Lime Butter

  • 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Garlic Herb Butter

  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 – 2 tsp parsley
  • 1 – 2 tsp chives
  • 1 – 2 tsp basil

Lemon Herb Butter

  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Savory Herb Butter

  • 1 Tbsp minced chives
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh dill
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • dash garlic powder
  • dash cayenne pepper