Strawberry Jam

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

If you grow everbearing strawberry varieties, there’s still a harvest of strawberry goodness to be had this summer. Give this simple jam recipe a try.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled

• 4 cups white sugar

• ¼ cup lemon juice

Directions

• In a wide bowl, crush strawberries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry.

• In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.

• Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C).

• Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process in a water bath.

• If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.

Watermelon Feta Salad

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like a cold watermelon from Bob’s. Give this salad a try at your next cookout for a refreshing take on this summer treat.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved

• 3 cups arugula

• 1 cup sliced red onion

• 2 pounds watermelon, cubed

• 4 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

Directions

1. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the tomatoes, arugula, and onions; toss to coat.

3. Gently stir in the watermelon and feta cheese to serve.

Pineapple Cheesecake Dessert

This pineapple dessert is the perfect cool treat for hot summer days.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs

• 1/2 C unsalted butter melted

Cream Cheese mixture:

• 8 oz Cream cheese softened

• 1/2 C unsalted butter softened

• 2 C powdered sugar

• 20 oz can of crushed pineapple drained (You will using about 3/4 of the crushed pineapple and the other 1/4 in the cool whip)

Cool whip mixture

• 1 8 oz cool whip

• 1/4 C crushed pineapple

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the 2 1/2 C crushed graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and mix until combined

• Using only 2 C of the mixture, press into a 9x9 baking dish

• Place into the oven and bake for 9 minutes

• Remove and allow to cool completely

• Then, place a can of crushed pineapple into a strainer and drain the juice completely

• Using a standing mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy

• Mix in the powdered sugar until incorporated

• Fold in 3/4 of the crushed pineapple into the cream cheese mixture

• Spread cream cheese mixture onto the cooled crust

• Using a large mixing bowl, mix together the last of the pineapple and cool whip together

• Spread onto the top of the cream cheese mixture

• Using the remaining graham cracker crust, sprinkle onto the top of the cool whip layer

• Cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge overnight

Pressure Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Tender, sweet, and sticky baby back ribs that only take 1 hour from prep to plate. If you like them with a little spice, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dry rub. I make this in my 8-quart electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot); a 6-quart pot may require less liquid.

Ingredients

• 2 racks baby back pork ribs

Dry Rub:

• ¼ cup dark brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons garlic salt (such as Lawry's®)

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (Optional)

Cooking Liquid:

• 1 cup beef broth

• 12 fluid ounces root beer

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring

• 1 cup barbecue sauce, or more to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Use a butter knife to cut into an edge of the rib racks. Use a paper towel to grab and lift off the silvery membranes.

• Step 2

  Combine brown sugar, garlic salt, chili powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in bowl. Coat the ribs generously with the dry rub.

• Step 3

  Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot®. Pour in broth, root beer, vinegar, and liquid smoke. Place ribs on the trivet on their sides, with one inside the other. Close and lock the lid and make sure the vent is sealed. Select manual high pressure and set the timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 4

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.

• Step 5

  Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler on the highest heat setting. Place a rack 6 inches from the heat source.

• Step 6

  Transfer ribs to a broiling pan and generously coat with barbecue sauce.

• Step 7

  Cook in the broiler until barbeque sauce is bubbly and caramelized, 5 to 7 minutes.

Fresh Lemon Bundt Cake

With fresh lemon, this cake is the perfect, refreshing dessert for a spring cookout.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups white sugar

• 5 large eggs

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

• 1 large lemon, zested

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a bundt pan.

• Step 2

  Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add eggs one at a time, alternating with flour, allowing each egg and portion of flour to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Stir lemon juice and zest into flour mixture until batter is just combined; pour into prepared pan.

• Step 3

  Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes.

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

Green bean recipes make the greatest side dishes. They take very little time to cook and, depending on the method, even less time to prep. This easy recipe for sautéed green beans is a perfect case in point. It preps in just 5 minutes, cooks in about 10 (depending on how crunchy you like your green beans), and is ready in 15 minutes.

---

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped in half

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ⅛ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning, or more to taste

• salt to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Place green beans into a large skillet and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans just start to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and return to the skillet.

• Step 2

  Add butter and stir until melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Step 3

  Add garlic; cook until tender and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Step 4

  Season with lemon-pepper seasoning and salt before serving.