meyer lemon cake

Citrus is one of my favorite things!

and this cake is AMAZING!

I made it in 3 layers as the added height gives presence!

and I love presence!

Meyer lemon cake:

3 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 1/2 c sugar

1 c butter, softened

5 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c meyer lemon juice

3/4 c milk

zest from meyer lemon

In stand mixer add all dry ingredients and blend for a few mins to lighten up. Add softened butter and mix until just mixed. Add vanilla to milk & juice and add a little liquid then egg and rotate ending with milk mixture.

Put in greased & floured cake pans. Bake 350 for 35-45mins

Meyer Lemon Cream Frosting:
1 8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla

1 T orange juice

zest from 1 lemon

4 to 6 c powdered sugar

Cream all ingredients except sugar with mixer and slowly add sugar 1/2 c at a time.

*Clementine, orange, lime any citrus  may be substituted for meyer lemon what ever you have on hand.

ENJOY!! Mama Bird

 

couscous salad

Saturday night I realized that I needed a side dish to take to the church covered dish luncheon and I was at a loss. I had cous cous and some fresh veggies so I whipped up a fresh spring salad. It was delish, light and relativity healthy!

Here is how it went:

Cous Cous Salad

1 box of cous cous, cooked as directed

2 cucumbers, seeded and chopped

6 Roma tomatoes, chopped

1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped fine

8 oz crumbled Feta cheese

1/2 c olive oil

1/4 c balsamic vinegar

salt  pepper to taste

fresh oregano, flat leaf parsley, and mint

lemon zest

cook cous cous as box states, set to side; chop all your veggies, add spices, vinegar and oil, toss the feta and add cous cous. Chill for several hours or overnight.

ENJOY- Bird

Happy Mother’s Day!

I hope this day is special for us all.

To the Grandmothers, Mothers, Aunts, sisters, friends, to ALL the women who have made me the Mommy I am today

THANK YOU

Thank you for showing me what to do

what not to do

and everything in between.

Thank you for being role models

Thank you for showing me that no one is perfect.

Thank you God

for putting these women in my life.

and for allowing me to be a Mother.

I prayed for him everyday for 34 years.

He was so worth the wait.

 

My Mother’s Day card from Jack age 5

All is right in my world

Blessed beyond belief.

I hope you too are BLESSED today.

Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

Love- Kat & Jack

Bunko Dinner Party {Greek Theme}

May is my month to host Bunko! I wanted to do it once it was warm (hopefully not TOO warm!) so that we could sit out by the pool! I have been thinking about what I wanted to do. With my new healthier lifestyle I wanted to still make a YUMMY  dinner but have it be easy on the waistline! My plan started with

Al's Famous Greek Dip  w/Pita Chips

Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken breasts, pounded thin and cut into 1 in strips
2 cloves fresh minced garlic 
1 t fresh oregano 
2 t fresh flat leaf parsley
juice from 1 lemon
1/4 c olive oil
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Marinate overnight. Place on skewers and grill.

Roasted Vegetables

I toss the veggies with the same marinade I use for the chicken.
Zucchini
Squash
Onions
Tomatoes
cut, marinate and wrap in foil with 2 ice cubes and toss on grill for apx 30 mins (crisp/tender)

Greek Salad

Dressing:
6 T olive oil 
6 T lemon juice 
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed
fresh oregano
Salt & pepper

Salad:
 
2 heads Boston or mixed lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces 
4 small cucumbers, sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in 1/2
1 cup pitted ripe olives 
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Whisk together dressing ingredients & add salt & pepper to taste. Set dressing aside. Toss lettuce & remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing just before serving.

Tzatziki Sauce

cheated and bought it at Trader Joes!

Pop back by to see pics of the food and the tablescape along with the dessert table!!
Fan-tab Meal!!!

What’s Eating You?

Kelly Dorfman is a food detective like no other, her book What’s Eating your Child is amazing. I read it this past weekend and she further confirmed to me that our eating habits need work. Now, that being said I am a lucky mom. Jack has always loved fruits and veggies, he isn’t a big meat eater but the boy does love his carbs and it seems to me that when he eats bagels or pancakes or crackers then he eats ALL day. When he starts his day with protein and fruit he seems to be calmer. This is worth testing out some food trials. I suspect that we are dealing with a wheat or gluten intolerance and I know I have a milk/dairy issue that I am guessing he may as well. Here goes nothing…. a wing and a prayer. We are trying it again!

xoxo, Bird

Any tips and tricks you can share? Please do!