Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast Muffins

Are you craving the comforting taste of a warm, cozy breakfast? Look no further! We have just the treat to satisfy your morning cravings – our mouthwatering Cinnamon Raisin French Toast Muffins.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, or as needed for greasing muffin cups

• 2/3 cup half and half

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 3 cups tightly-packed cubed cinnamon raisin bread

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup maple syrup, or to taste (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (180 degrees C). Butter a standard-size 6-muffin tin.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together half and half, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until well blended. Add bread cubes to liquid mixture; stir to coat all bread pieces. Divide batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin.

3. To prepare streusel, toss flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut cold butter into small pieces, then toss with flour mixture. Using a fork or pastry knife, cut the butter into the dry ingredients, until the mixture looks like a combination of coarse sand and small pebbles. Distribute streusel evenly over the 6 muffins. 

4. Bake muffins in the center of the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool muffins on a rack for 5 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup, and serve warm.

Zucchini Patties

These cheesy zucchini patties are easy to make and an excellent way to use up that abundance of zucchini from the garden.

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated zucchini

• 2 eggs, beaten

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup chopped onion

• salt to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. Place zucchini, eggs, flour, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, onion, and salt in a medium bowl; stir until well combined.

2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Scoop tablespoonfuls of zucchini mixture into hot oil and fry, working in batches, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

Air Fryer Grilled Peaches

Grilling peaches in an air fryer is a delightful way to elevate the taste of this summer fruit. The air fryer brings out the natural sweetness of the peaches while adding a touch of caramelization to their tender flesh.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup quick-cooking oats

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 medium peaches, halved and pitted

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Combine oats, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Spoon out some of the flesh of the peaches. Place peaches skin side up into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes. Turn peaches over and spoon 1/2 tablespoon of the oat mixture into each cavity. Air fry until oats are golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Perfect Summer Fruit Salad

This fruit salad is perfect for a backyard bbq or any occasion. There are never leftovers! This is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes, as I think the citrusy sauce really makes it.

Ingredients

Sauce:

• ⅔ cup fresh orange juice

• ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice

• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon grated orange zest

• ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Salad:

• 2 cups cubed fresh pineapple

• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

• 3 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

• 3 bananas, sliced

• 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned

• 1 cup seedless grapes

• 2 cups blueberries

Directions

1. For the sauce: Bring orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, orange zest, and lemon zest to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.

2. For the salad: Layer fruit in a large, clear glass bowl in this order: pineapple, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bananas, oranges, grapes, and blueberries. Pour cooled sauce over fruit; cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before serving.

TexMex Pasta Salad

Try this southwestern twist on a summer favorite at you next cookout.

Ingredients

• ½ (16 ounce) package rotini pasta

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil

• ¼ cup fresh lime juice

• 2 tablespoons chili powder, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 ½ cups whole kernel corn

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• ½ cup diced green bell pepper

• ½ cup diced red bell pepper

• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

• 1 cup chopped roma (plum) tomatoes

Directions

• Step 1

  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

• Step 2

  In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

• Step 3

  Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Easter Chick Deviled Eggs

These Easter Chick Deviled Eggs are a whimsical spin on a classic favorite. These adorable appetizers feature traditional deviled eggs filled with a creamy, savory mixture, artfully garnished to resemble charming little chicks. Perfect for adding a touch of fun to your Easter celebration, these delightful treats are sure to bring smiles to your guests' faces.

Ingredients

• 12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 1 ½ tablespoons yellow mustard

• 1 dill pickle, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, or to taste

• 1 teaspoon pickle juice

• salt and ground black pepper to taste

• 1 carrot, cut into rounds

• 12 slices canned black olives, or as needed

Directions

1. Slice through the top third of each egg, ensuring some of the yolk is included in the slice. Carefully remove the egg yolk from the bottom portion of the egg using a spoon and transfer to a bowl.

2. Mix egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, pickle, horseradish, pickle juice, salt, and pepper. Fill a piping bag or a plastic bag with the egg yolk mixture. Snip off one corner if using a plastic bag. Pipe yolk mixture into the hollowed egg whites creating the chick, ensuring there is enough filling exposed at the top to add eyes and a beak.

3. Slice small wedges out of carrot rounds to create 12 beaks. Add a beak to each chick.

4. Slice olive pieces into small squares to be used as eyes. Add 2 eyes to each chick. Place the egg tops onto each chick so it looks like the chicks are peeking out of the eggs.