Recently

Just thought I'd post a few recent Instagram photos. You can follow me @misspleasenote. 

Click here to learn how to make that lasagna. It's one of my all time favorite recipes.

Simple Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Another recipe? Why not? I was watching Martha Stewart yesterday and saw her make a roasted spaghetti squash. I've never made one so I decided to give it a try. This recipe is really easy and delicious! It's the perfect summer side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash, cut in half and seeded
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated

Start by drizzling the squash with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Roast in a 425 degree oven for about an hour. 

When the squash is cool enough to handle, gently scrape the insides out and transfer to a bowl.

Toss with remaining olive oil, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese.

Top with a little more parmesan before serving.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Steak

Impress your dinner guests with this stuffed flank steak. It looks fancy but it's actually pretty simple to make. Mix and match ingredients below based on your own preferences.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak
• 1 cup blue cheese
• 10 oz fresh spinach, cooked (or a package of frozen spinach, thawed)
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
• a pinch of salt and pepper

Score the meat and pound it with a meat mallet (or a rolling pin) to flatten it out a bit. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then add all of your other ingredients.

Roll the steak and secure it with toothpicks (one toothpick every inch). Cut the roll into slices between the toothpicks.

Place the slices on a cookie sheet and broil them until desired doneness is reached, flipping once.

Strawberry Dream Cake

I found this recipe via America's Test Kitchen and made it for Mother's Day this year. I've made quite a few cakes in my day but I honestly think this is the best one I've ever baked. If you're a strawberry fan, you have to give this recipe a try.

Ingredients:
Cake

• 10 ounces frozen whole strawberries
• 3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 6 egg whites, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and softened

Frosting

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and softened
• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 12 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
• a pinch of salt
• 8 ounces fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

Heat the oven to 350 and put a rack in the center. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom. Put frozen strawberries in a bowl, cover, and microwave until most of the juices are released (about 5 minutes if thawed, 8 minutes if completely frozen). Over a saucepan, using a fine strainer, press the strawberries through. Save the solids. Bring the juice to a boil, stirring occasionally, until a syrup is formed and it has reduced to about 1/4 cup.

Add the milk to the juice with a whisk.

Whisk together strawberry milk, egg whites and vanilla in a bowl. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on until combined. Add butter and mix until pea-sized pieces remain. Add half of the milk mixture. Beat until light and fluffy. Add remaining milk mixture and beat until incorporated.

Divide the batter between the two cake pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Rotate pans halfway through baking. Cool cakes completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, mix the butter and the sugar until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy. Add cream cheese, 1 piece at a time, and beat until incorporated. Add strawberry solids and salt. Mix until combined.

Slice the strawberries and pat them dry with paper towels.

Spread frosting over the first layer, then add the strawberries, then add another layer of frosting. Put the second layer on top and frost the top and sides. Use the back of a spoon to create messy swirls. Put a few strawberry slices on top for decoration.

Whatever cake isn't devoured should be stored in the fridge since the frosting contains cream cheese.

Mother's Day Round-Up

Are you ready for Sunday? If not, I've gathered together some of my favorite drinks, recipes, and gift ideas that your mom is sure to love!

Make mom a special homemade ginger peach soda, or better yet... a cocktail!

Ginger Peach Soda

Spicy Bloody Mary

Grapefruit Jalapeno Cocktail

Simple Sangria

Start the morning off right with one of these delicious (and easy) breakfast recipes...

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Breakfast Grit Cakes

Breakfast in a Muffin

Does your mom have a sweet tooth? Here are three of my all time favorite desserts that I've made on multiple occasions.

Chocolate Coffee Rice Krispies Treats

Peach Cobbler

Chocolate Cupcakes

Last but not least, don't forget a homemade gift!

Mason Jar Vases

Basil Infused Olive Oil

Succulent (and faux) Terrariums

Strawberry Serrano Pepper Preserves

Twig Plant Markers

Recently

So clearly I'm still slacking on blogging. I thought I'd share a few recent photos. 

Follow me on Instagram @misspleasenote.