Memorial Day One

Happy Memorial Day!  Below you will find some of our favorite recipes using seasonably available ingredients.  Oh, I've waited so long to say that - I love this time of year!

First up, I made rhubarb cake - everyone LOVED it...especially our dog who ate the majority of them when we weren't looking.

I used this rhubarb cake recipe:  Rhubarb Cake in Ice Cream Cups
BTW, this cake recipe is super good and would be fabulous not in the cups. 
After I mixed the cake, I filled each ice cream cup 3/4 full and baked at 350 for 30 minutes.  I let the kids decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.  Aren't they cute?

Rhubarb Cake in Cups - on my Grandma's Platter

Next up, I made Leek Soup.  Friday, I became quite intrigued when I found some leeks growing....they are so pretty and all along I thought they were chives.  Anyway, here's a great leek soup recipe:  Potato Leek Soup  I loved it, the kids did not (surprise), but I'll be able to eat it for lunch all week.

Potato and Leek Soup

Up next:   COLD PRESSED ICED COFFEE.  I have a slight obsession with good coffee.  Friday I had the best iced coffee at Backroads in Hayward, so I decided to make it myself.  I believe in buying good coffee from a local roaster - in my case that's Backroads Coffee and Tea which I have visited almost daily for the last 15 years.  Yup, not exaggerating here either.   

Cold Pressed Iced Coffee

DIRECTIONS

Add grounds to a glass pitcher or a large french press.  Boil water and add to the grounds.  If using a french press, do not plunge the grounds to the bottom.  Let sit in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.   After a few days, either strain out the coffee grounds with a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth, or press down the plunger on the press.  Store in the fridge and serve with ice.  I like to freeze coffee in an ice cube tray so the coffee does not become diluted.  Add milk, cream or 1 tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk for a true treat.  I like to add stevia to my iced coffee. 

BTW, I planted a stevia plant this year and I'm VERY excited to see if I can dry it and make my own sweetener.  Today I ate a leaf and it tasted very sweet and good - just like the stevia I buy at the store. 

Stevia Plant

Last but not least, we fired up the grill and made some delicious kabobs.  I cut up veggies and steak and marinated overnight in worchestire sauce.  Everyone LOVED them.

Greta Assembles Shish Kabobs

What did you do cook over Memorial Day?

Thanks for reading,

Kristin