EDIBLES
Sweet summer treats that beat the heat

(Family Features) Whether your family’s ideal summer day consists of swimming, hiking, biking or simply enjoying the sunshine, all that time in the heat calls for a sweet way to cool off. It’s hard to beat a homemade treat loaded with favorite summertime flavors that’s as cold and creamy as it is sweet and delicious.
For a lighter, better-for-you solution, this Watermelon Gelato has about half the fat and fewer calories than traditional ice cream but with equally mouthwatering flavor. In fact, the word “gelato” means “ice cream” in Italian, and while the two frozen desserts have much in common, gelato is typically lower in fat with more density.
If you’re looking for an added touch of tastiness, try adding a few chocolate chips to the mix in the last few minutes of churning in your ice cream maker, or simply add some on top before serving.
When a summer weekend offers opportunities for morning kitchen lessons with the kiddos, they can help measure ingredients for Watermelon Ice Cream Bars and watch the magic happen as you mix up a watermelon curd, homemade crust and whipped cream. Once your creation freezes completely throughout the day, turn out and cut into bars for a cold afternoon treat following all that fun in the sun.
While sweet and tasty, these desserts also provide a bite of hydration with the power of watermelon, which is 92% water for a delicious way to rehydrate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, daily fluid intake is defined as the amount of water consumed from foods, plain drinking water and other beverages, meaning you don’t have to rely only on what you drink to meet your fluid needs.
Because what you eat also provides a significant portion of daily fluids, fruits and vegetables like watermelon can help you and your family stay hydrated for whatever summer days bring your way.
Find more sweet summer recipe ideas at Watermelon.org.

Watermelon Ice Cream Bars
Servings: 8
Watermelon Curd:
- 3/4 cup watermelon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), cut into small cubes
Crust:
- 8 graham crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- basil leaves, for garnish
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- To make watermelon curd: In medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine watermelon juice, lime juice, honey and salt. Stir to combine then add eggs.
- Place pan over medium heat and cook, adding cubed butter to pan and stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats back of wooden spoon. Immediately remove from heat and carefully pour through fine mesh sieve. Cool completely in refrigerator.
- To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In food processor, pulse graham crackers until rough crumbs form. Add honey, salt and melted butter; pulse until mixture resembles wet sand.
- Line 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper then press graham cracker mixture into bottom of pan in even layer. Bake crust about 10 minutes, or until just beginning to brown. Allow crust to cool completely.

Watermelon Gelato
Servings: 8
- 2 cups pureed watermelon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- In blender, blend watermelon, sugar, cornstarch, half-and-half, lemon juice and whipping cream until smooth.
- Using ice cream maker, process gelato according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- To make whipped cream: When crust and curd are completely cooled, in large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently push cream to one side of bowl and pour in watermelon curd. Using spatula, gently fold cream and watermelon curd together until no streaks are visible.
- Pour creamy watermelon mixture over graham cracker crust. Freeze dessert completely, 4-6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, loosen sides with small spatula or butter knife. Turn out onto cutting board and use large spatula to flip so graham cracker crust is on bottom. Cut into eight bars and top each with basil leaf.
EDIBLES
Easy, creamy spring goodness

(Family Features) For a soup that smells as divine as it tastes, warm up your home with the fresh scents and flavors of Creamy Asparagus Soup. Pair with chicken salad croissants for a simple weeknight meal without the hassle then visit Culinary.net to discover more spring soup solutions.
Creamy Asparagus Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 asparagus bundles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 cups broth of choice, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- chicken salad croissants, for serving
- Chop asparagus into bite-size pieces. In large pot, place asparagus, butter, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 cup broth. Cook over medium heat until asparagus gets tender.
- Transfer to blender with 1 cup broth and blend until smooth. Transfer back to pot and, over medium heat, mix in cream cheese, remaining broth and Parmesan cheese. Add celery salt and Italian seasoning. Cook while stirring, blending seasonings in well, then add heavy cream.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with chicken salad croissants.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Springtime twist on classic chicken soup

(Family Features) Chasing away those final cool days in the spring can be done in a cinch: just turn classic chicken noodle soup into a fresh, lemony meal. This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup calls to mind those classic brothy soups from when you were a kid but with a flavorful spring twist. Serve with fresh cucumber sandwiches for a veggie-forward meal and find more soup inspiration at Culinary.net.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 6 cups broth
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- cucumber sandwiches, for serving
- Chop carrots and celery. In pot, saute with butter.
- In bowl, mix chicken with lemon juice and lemon pepper then set aside.
- After carrots and celery are tender, add broth and orzo to pot. Then add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes then add chicken and cream; simmer about 5 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cucumber sandwiches.
SOURCE:
EDIBLES
Enjoy a light summer lunch

(Family Features) Watermelon, strawberries, corn and green beans get all the fresh produce love in the summer, but don’t forget broccoli as a warm-weather staple. Instead of dunking in dressing or smothering with melted cheese, go for a lighter dish with this Broccoli Salad – an ideal light lunch or simple summer side. Visit Culinary.net to find more veggie-inspired salad ideas.

Broccoli Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 medium heads broccoli
- 2 apples
- lemon juice
- 1 carrot
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- Coarsely chop broccoli and place in large bowl. Coarsely chop apples and brush with lemon juice to prevent browning; add to bowl. Shred carrot and add to bowl with blueberries, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pecans and bacon.
- To make dressing: Mix mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar and poppy seeds. Pour over broccoli salad and mix well.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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