Blueberry & Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Yes, it's been a while. I could list all the reasons why I haven't been blogging lately, but instead I'll keep it short and just say I'm glad to be back! It feels good to flex my culinary/photo muscles again. and what better way to get back into the swing of things, then with my favorite fruit ever...blueberries!

These Blueberry & Lemon Cheesecake Bars taste like summer. If summer were made with creamy, decadent cheesecake. The first step is to make the graham cracker crust. It's super easy, all you need are graham cracker crumbs and butter.

Then, it's time to cook blueberries along with sugar to create a sweet, syrupy blueberry jam of sorts. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries, but while it's summer, I recommend using fresh.  Lemon juice and lemon zest are added for a bit of freshness. In my opinion, lemons and blueberries were basically made for each other.

 Speaking of blueberries and lemon, if you love this flavor combination as much as I do, check out my Blueberry Lemon Bars.  They are crazy delicious!

Blueberry & Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (About 12-15 full graham cracker sheets)

8 tbs. Melted butter

Filling:

24 oz. Cream cheese, softened

2 large Eggs

1 Tbs. Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

1.5 Tbs. Lemon zest

Juice from 1 lemon

Blueberry Swirl

1.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

1.5 cups granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9 baking pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
2. Use a blender or food processor to grind graham crackers into a fine crumb. Add to a large mixing bowl, and stir in melted butter. Mix until thoroughly combined. The texture should be similar to wet sand, and hold shape when squeezed. If it does not, add another tablespoon melted butter.
3. Press mixture into the bottom of the lined pan, making it as even as possible. Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
4. Time to make the blueberry swirl! In a small saucepan on medium heat,  add the fresh or frozen blueberries and granulated sugar. Stir to coat the blueberries in the sugar. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, and begin to crush the blueberries with your mixing utensil as you stir. Allow the mixture to boil for about 10-15 minutes. Soon it will begin to reduce and become a sticky, juicy, and slightly thick texture. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. The mixture will cool as it thickens.
5. As the blueberries cool, add the softened cream cheese and eggs to a stand mixer. Turn on to medium low, and allow the two ingredients to fully combine. Add sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest and juice and continue to blend until all ingredients are smooth and creamy. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides if necessary.
6. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the crust. Drop spoon fulls of the blueberry mixture on top. Use a chopstick or knife to swirl the blueberries across the cream cheese filling.

7. Place in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. The sides of the bars will become puffy, and golden brown. As the bars cool, they will begin to sink. Allow to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, then transfer them to the fridge to cool for about 2-3 hours. Remove foil and bars from the pan, and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Salted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Browned butter. Toasted coconut. Coarse sea salt. Gooey bittersweet chocolate. Are you in?

Created for the 4th Annual Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap, these cookies are a toasted, browned and salty twist on the basicl chocolate chip cookie. If you haven't heard of the Food Blogger Cookie Swap before, it's an annual event hosted by Love & Olive Oil and The Little Kitchen in which bloggers make and send each other cookies. Partnered with the Cookies for Kids Cancer Organization, it's a fun event that also raises funds. Win, win.

Skillet Pumpkin Bread with Pecans and Chocolate Chips

Have you ever made a skillet cookie before? Instead of rolling out individual cookies, you simply spread the dough into the skillet and bake. Totally easy, and then you have one, huge awesome cookie. I took inspiration from skillet cookies to make this pumpkin skillet bread.

I love this bread because it's dense, rich, and can be enjoyed as a dessert, or as a decadent breakfast. I recommend eating warm with a big ol' scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Because, well....duh.

Skillet Pumpkin Bread with Pecans and Chocolate

2 sticks butter (plus a little extra to butter the skillet)

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 tbs. vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.
2. In a stand mixer, blend together butter and sugars until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, and thoroughly mix. Add egg one at a time, blending in between each addition. Add vanilla extract, and blend until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. 

3. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet, one cup at a time. Don't over mix. Add pecans and chocolate chips. 

4. Lightly grease your skillet, and spread the dough evenly into the skillet. If you'd like, add a little extra pecans and chocolate chips to the top.
5. Place in the oven, and let bake for 35-45 minutes. The bread should be golden, and a knife should come out clean when a knife is inserted.
6. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool slightly. 

7. Serve warm from the oven with chocolate sauce and ice cream on top, or enjoy the next day for breakfast. 

Curry & Chickpea Soup

Around this time of year, I'm ready to move on from summer. The warm weather and long days are great, but I'm ready for sweaters, scarves, leaves on the ground and pumpkin everything. This week, I decided to ignore the sun and make some hot, comforting chickpea soup. Take that summer!

Are you ready for fall, or are you holding on tight to the last weeks of summer? If the thought of fall is a bummer, this soup might change your mind. Slightly spicy, the carrots and zucchini bring the crunch while chickpeas fill you up. This soup would be great with chicken as well!

Curry & Chickpea Soup
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups carrots, chopped (about 5 carrots)
3 cups zucchini, chopped (about 2 medium zucchini)
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
45 oz. chickpeas, drained and rinsed (3 cans)
5 cups chicken broth, low sodium
14 oz. low-fat coconut milk
4 tbs. curry powder
2 tbs. coriander
2 tsp. fish sauce
lime juice from 1/2 lime
1 tbs. sriracha sauce
1/2 tbs honey
3 tbs. cornstarch
fresh cilantro

1. In a large stock pot, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and turn to medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally.
2, Add carrots, garlic, curry powder and coriander. Stir to thoroughly combine. Add chicken broth and coconut milk and turn heat to high.
3. Once soup reaches a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer. Add chickpeas, fish sauce, green onion, lime juice, sriracha sauce and honey.
4. Cover, and let cook for 15-20 minutes. Uncover, and add zucchini. Cover and allow to cook for another 10-15 minutes.
5. Uncover, and add salt, pepper and more sriracha sauce to taste. Turn heat off.
6. Spoon about 1 cup broth from soap, and place in a small container. Whisk in cornstarch quickly, to avoid any clumps. Pour cornstarch mixture back into soap and stir to thoroughly combine. You can skip this step if you prefer a thinner soup.
7. Pour soup into bowls, and garnish with plenty of cilantro. This soup is also great stale bread or tortilla chips, and fresh chunks of avocado.

Meet Benjen!

Oh hey there blogosphere! 

I didn't intend on taking such a long blogging break, but hey, it happens. I think I have a pretty good excuse though. I have been too busy looking at this cute face!

This is Benjen (name comes from Game of Thrones), my new Corgi/Australian Shepherd puppy, aka: the cutest thing in the entire world. He is currently 15 weeks, and is the sweetest little nugget of a dog. 

Kale Salad with Roasted Yams and Raspberry Dressing

It's officially summer. I'm sure many of you have been feeling it for weeks, but here in the PNW, summer takes a little longer to kick in. Today was actually the hottest day of the year so far, 85 degrees!

Don't get me wrong, I love the sun. But anything over 75 degrees I start realizing I have no summer clothes, I'm sweating and probably burnt. But I'll stop complaining, because with summer comes BERRY SEASON. YESSS.
 

Sweet Potato, Bacon, Arugula and Pesto Pizza

The real name of this post should be, "Sweet Potato, Bacon, Chicken, Onion, Walnut, Pesto and Arugula Pizza." But, for some reason it just didn't have the same ring. Instead, I chose to focus on the stars of this pizza: sweet potato, bacon, arugula and pesto.

On Sunday, Tommy and I almost ate the entire thing...it was that good. The sweet potato + bacon + pesto combination is crazy delicious; it's slightly sweet, salty, and creamy. Then throw in some crunchy walnuts, onions, and spicy arugula? Yep, eating the whole pizza. 

Lemon, Honey and Ricotta Ice Cream

It's ice cream season! Not that ice cream goes out of season. But, there is something incredibly satisfying about eating an ice cream cone on a sunny day.

Speaking of eating ice cream cones, let's get our technique straight. This is important. Do not bite into your ice cream cone, because that's barbaric. Tilt your head slightly, and lick while rotating the cone.

Concentrate on the bottom to catch the drips, but don't let the top get too top-heavy. Keeping the scoop of ice cream even is important. Why? Well, because I'm OCD when it comes to eating ice cream cones...obviously :).

Honeydew and Coconut Popsicles

There was a time when my dad went through a major Otter-Pops phase. On dreary weekends, I remember him eating them like popcorn during movies. Of course I joined in occasionally, reaching mostly for the purple or red flavors. The best part was when the pop had melted a bit, and you got to suck the sugary-goodness out of the plastic tube. Ah, simple pleasures.

Lazy Sunday Links

Happy Sunday all! Today I'm going to be spending the day with my mom, grandma and sister to celebrate my (late) birthday. I'm also going to be putting together a post for some popsicles. Oh, and Game of Thrones season finale, but that goes without saying. Hope you have a great Sunday, here are some links to start browsing.

• Bourbon + ice cream = genius. I recently broke out my ice cream maker for the first time this year, and I can't wait to try this recipe. 
• These videos of dads doing their daughter's hair are so cute. Using a vacuum to create a pony tail is actually really smart! 
• I have become interested in soap making lately, and these Glycerine Soap Gem Stones look so beautiful and easy to make!
• Why Isn't Game of Thrones Uncool? Because it's the best, duh. 
• If you call a cake, "breakfast cake," does that make it an appropriate first meal of the day? Of course it does, as evident by this beautiful Blueberry Breakfast Cake.
• This tutorial for updating your knife block looks so easy, and is super cute!
• I have been trying to put together a gallery wall for a long time. It's tough to gather so much art that you really love, but I think this Floating Clouds print by Siiso will be a great colorful addition. 
• You've probably already seen the adorable "Dear Kitten" video by Friskies, but if not, go watch. It's pretty adorable. 
• Holy cow, this Hanging Floral Chandelier by Design Sponge is gorgeous!
• Lol, My Thesis is one of my favorite Tumblrs. 
• If you love Craigslist as much as I do, here are 18 Useful Tips Every Craigslister Should Know.
• Cookies that tell me I'm awesome and hot? New favorite cookie. 

Roasted Red Pepper, Basil & Salami Grilled Cheese

The past few weeks I have been trying to eat a lot healthier. I have also been going to the gym, and it feels great. But every now and then, you gotta indulge. Sometimes, you need to stop counting calories, and just enjoy something really decadent. Treat yo self, ya know?

Speaking of the gym, why is it so dang hard to go? I always enjoy it when I'm there, and I feel great it's over, but I really drag my feet when it comes to getting in that building. What helps motivate you to go to the gym? Wait, back to treating yourself!

Green Tea & Coconut Donuts

Aren't donuts just the cutest? They are such happy little morsels, and it makes me really happy to bake them. Watching them puff up in the pan, and then decorating them with frosting and toppings...yep, I love donuts.

These green tea donuts are incredibly moist, and full of green tea flavor. The toasted coconut on top gives them a little texture. I have been trying to incorporate more coconut oil in my cooking/baking, and it really gives these donuts some extra coconut taste.

Crispy Garlic Eggplant Fries

Burgers just aren't the same without crispy french fries nearby. While making burgers last night, I realized I had no potatoes. Crisis! So, I went for a healthier, lighter, fry-route. Incredibly easy to make (and even easier to eat) these eggplant fries are my new favorite burger companion.

Blueberry Lemon Bars + Spring Picnic Giveaway

I hope you all had a great Easter! Mine was pretty basic; I visited family, ate some ham and relaxed. I also made these monstrous blueberry lemon bars. When I say monstrous, I mean it in the best way! With a incredibly thick, creamy and tart filling, these lemon bars are the ultimate spring dessert.

I'm especially excited about this recipe, because it's part of a picnic menu put together by the awesome Lauren, of Love Lola. Below are four delicious recipes perfect for your next (and maybe first!) spring picnic.

Picnic Menu

• Appetizer: Avocado and Feta Salsa with Homemade Tortilla Chips  - Emily at Sweet to the Soul
• Beverage: Sparkling Cherry Limeade - Mary Beth at Annapolis & Co       
• Side Salad: Super Spring Salad - Meghan at Stir and Scribble
• Sandwich: Grilled Vegetable Sandwich - Lauren at Love Lola        

This Spring Picnic series not only features awesome recipe, but also includes a fun giveaway! Enter below to win your very own picnic basket, so you can safely transfer these lemon bars and other goodies to your picnic :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Strawberry Balsamic Cheesecake Bars

While I'm an autumn person through and through, it's hard to deny the beauty and warmth of spring. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising, allergies are thriving and my heat bill is going down. Also, berries are in season. Yay spring!

With berries becoming sweeter (and cheaper!) I was inspired to bake these bars. Balsamic vinegar and strawberries might seem strange to some, but it's a flavor combination that I love (example: this sandwich). Cooking fruit with a little sugar and vinegar brings out the sweet and tart flavors all at the same time. Throw in some cream cheese and a buttery crust...yup, it's good.

Really good.

Banana Oat Donuts with Chocolate Ganache

Sometimes I feel really guilty for wishing time away. You know, when you're sitting at work and think, "God I can't wait for the week to be over." Or, "I just want it to be summer." These feelings are often valid because the future has the possibility to be better than the present. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it's not.

Instead of pining for the theoretical future, I need to start embracing the present. Because when embraced, the here and now can be pretty damn awesome. This thought dawned on me while outside on a sunny afternoon, dipping donuts in chocolate while my cat and curious neighbor watched from the window. That moment was small, it was silly and it was great.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Sometimes when attempting a new dish, magic happens. The planets align, you get in your groove, and the dinner gods smile upon you. This is what happened when I made this macaroni and cheese. Then again, when a dish is full of blue cheese, buffalo sauce and macaroni pasta...you're setting yourself up for success.

Iceland via Instagram

Hi all, I hope you're having an awesome Sunday so far. Mine has been full of coffee and catching up on some blogs. So far so good.

Tommy and I returned from Iceland on the 8th, and it was honestly the best trip ever. Returning to real life was tough because we both had so much fun. Iceland has always been a destination I wanted to visit, and I'm so glad we made it happen. The country is beautiful, the people are incredibly nice and the food was amazing.

I will make a larger update about Iceland soon (I have about 500 pictures to go through, ahh) but in the meantime, here is a peak at our trip via Instagram! You can find me on Instagram @Amandakerz

Guest Post: Chocolate Chip Donuts with Blueberry Glaze

Today I'm really excited to have Lauren from Love Lola here to share with you this amazing recipe for Chocolate Chip Donuts with Blueberry Glaze. Holy yum! As you may know, I'm a huge fan of blueberries and love throwing them in my recipes (ie: Balsamic Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Blueberry & Peanut Butter Green Smoothie, and Red Velvet and Blueberry Ice Cream), so these donuts are right up my alley.

If you haven't checked out Lauren's blog before, what are you waiting for? Not only do her recipes look awesome, Lauren is an expert when it comes to sneaking healthy ingredients into a dish! This Blackberry and Beet Chocolate Cake looks incredible, and she even has a whole collection of tasty gluten-free recipes.

Take it away, Lauren!

Lazy Sunday Links

While I love a good lazy Sunday, that is not in the cards for me today and I couldn't be happier! This afternoon I'm boarding a plane to go to ICELAND! Ahhhhhh, I'm so excited. I have never been overseas before, and Iceland has always been one of my top travel destinations.

It's amazing how easy it is to travel when you simply decide to do it. You just decide to save your money, buy a plane ticket, then hop on that plane. Sure, it's a little more complicated than that...but not by much. So after you check out all these fun links, go make some travel plans! :)

• This Earl Grey Tea Cake with Blueberry Cream Cheese Frosting looks auh-mazing. 
• Iceland is magical, and this video is adorable.
• These proposed changes to nutrition labels are pretty awesome. They give you a more realistic look at serving sizes, and calories. 
• Traveling is awesome, but your skin might argue otherwise. Here are some products to save your skin post-flight. 
• Speaking of skin, have you heard this trick to get rid of a pimple? Might have to try it!
• Melyssa has some great tips for filing your taxes as a blogger.
• I'm getting excited for Wes Anderson's new movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel. I love these behind the scenes videos! 
• Watching Kate Moss age "20 years in 10 seconds" is amazingly underwhelming.
• How accurate are the expiration dates on your food? I usually depend on my nose to find out if my food has gone bad. The former president of Trader Joes has an awesome idea to sell this "expired" food at a low cost. 
• I always have a few lemons on hand. Here is a handy trick for making them last four times as long. 
• 10 Ways to Do Everything Faster. I seriously need to type faster. Confession: I only type with two fingers. 
• Kitties and ice cream artwork? Yes please!