MAY 15, 2024
SCRUMPTIOUS WAYS TO SIMPLIFY SPRINGTIME MEALS Make weekday dining a breeze with easy, delicious recipes
SPROUT UP CARROT CAKE GARDEN CUPCAKES BY DONNA ERICKSON Carrots are sprouting up all over! While seeds have already germinated and burst through the soil in our vegetable garden, fresh green carrot tops pop out of the frosting of the whimsical carrot cake cupcakes on our kitchen counter, too. Thinking “outside the recipe,” my friends and I came up with a lighter and more contemporary version of our tried-and-true carrot cake recipes. Lemon zest is added to the batter, and the quantity of confectioner’s sugar in the traditional creamcheese frosting is greatly reduced. And, of course, the whimsy of the carrot decoration is definitely “the icing on the cake.” Bake this batch of 24 cupcakes with your kids for a yummy dessert treat, share them with a few neighbors, or leave several unfrosted for a morning or afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or glass of cold milk. They freeze well, too.
FAMILY FEATURES From everyday weeknight dinners to picnics in the park, warmer weather and longer days mean families want to spend more time together and less time in the kitchen. This spring, look for kitchen hacks that can make fresh and healthy weeknight seasonal recipes a cinch.
Grown on family farms, Little Potatoes are a fresh whole food packed with nutrients you can feel good about serving your family and are ideal for this Easy as 1-2-3 Potato Salad. With just three ingredients and minimal prep time, this delightful dish becomes an ultimate springtime solution for busy families. Plus, it’s easy enough that little ones can join in on the fun of preparing it.
Skipping complicated prep work is the first step toward simplifying springtime meals. Rather than recipes that call for a lot of prep or cooking time, consider easy dishes that require only a handful of steps and use everyday ingredients you may already have in your pantry, fridge or freezer. For example, these Shrimp, Broccoli and Potato Skewers with Lemon and Thyme can let you put a little spring in your weeknight dinners. Grilled skewers keep the whole family happy and come together in less than 30 minutes, making them perfect for quick and healthy meals without the hassle. The versatility of potatoes means you can grill them, and this version calls for a 5-minute microwave steam first to cut down on grill time. With easy-to-prepare potatoes, The Little Potato Company makes family dinners like this one a breeze as they come pre-washed, require no peeling and are small enough they don’t need to be cut. This allows for less time in the kitchen and more time for outdoor play to enjoy a little moment of happiness. Plus, the Microwave and Roast or Grill Ready kits come with their own seasoning packs for added convenience.
chopped 2
tablespoons olive oil salt, to taste pepper, to taste In large, microwave-safe
bowl, microwave potatoes on
CARROT CAKE GARDEN CUPCAKES
high 5 minutes. Chop broccoli into large pieces. Add broccoli and shrimp to bowl once potatoes are
Simply pop the tray of Microwave Ready Little Potatoes in the microwave for 5 minutes then add the included Savory Herb seasoning pack, chopped green onions and mayonnaise for a delicious side – no potato boiling or peeling required.
steamed.
To find more ways to savor springtime meals outdoors with your family, visit littlepotatoes. com.
until shrimp is cooked through.
Add lemon juice, thyme and olive oil; evenly coat potatoes, shrimp and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Build skewers and grill 10-15 minutes on medium-high heat,
EASY AS 1-2-3 POTATO SALAD
SHRIMP, BROCCOLI AND POTATO SKEWERS WITH LEMON AND THYME
Prep time: 2 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Servings: 4 1
package A Little Savory Herb Microwave Ready
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Little Potatoes, with included seasoning pack 2-3 tablespoons green onions, chopped 1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt In microwave, cook potatoes 5 minutes according to package directions.
Servings: 4 1
pound bagged Little Potatoes 1 bunch broccoli 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 1/2 lemons, juice only 3 tablespoons fresh thyme,
Combine seasoning pack, chopped green onions and mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
Yields 24 cupcakes Ingredients for Cupcakes:: 2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/3 cups canola oil 4 eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 cups grated carrots 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, well-drained 1 cup raisins 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional) Ingredients for Frosting: 1 pound cream cheese at room temperature 1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 1/3 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted Orange food coloring Carrot-top greens or sprigs of parsley Preheat oven to 350 F. Let kids fill muffin tins with 24 paper liners. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil and eggs together. Add vanilla. In another bowl, the kids may measure and sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add these dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and stir well. Stir in the carrots, drained pineapple, raisins, walnuts and zest. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack. For the frosting, combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Slowly add confectioner’s sugar and continue beating until smooth. For the carrot decoration, stir together 3-4 tablespoons of frosting with orange food coloring. Spoon into a sandwich-sized plastic bag. Clip off a tiny bit from a bottom corner of the bag and gently squeeze the frosting out in a zigzag fashion to form a carrot shape on the frosted cupcakes. Top with fresh carrot-top greens or parsley. Extra Tip: To give an earthy taste to the walnuts, toast them on a tray in an oven set to 350 F for 6-8 minutes. Cool, then chop *** Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.
Pour dressing over cooled
(c) 2024 Donna Erickson
potatoes. Stir gently and serve.
Distributed by King Features Synd.
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