Personal Banana Cream Pie

A personal banana cream pie is the perfect way to tell Dad how much you love him. All the delicious sweetness of a full size pie that he doesn’t have to share.

It’s a tradition in our house that my husband gets a banana cream pie at least twice a year, for his birthday in March and Father’s Day in June. For years I made it. When they got old enough, our girls took over, at least on Father’s Day. Now they both live away from home and it’s back to me again. Making banana cream pie is something I do willingly because the joy on his face is worth the time and effort.

This year, with only two of us at home, and one who doesn’t really eat sweet things much (me), I decided it made more sense to make a personal banana cream pie. Cut in half, it’s two very generous pieces and you can guess who enjoyed both of them!

When a whole 10-inch pie is just too much pie, downsize! If you want to make a full size banana cream pie.<click there.

Ingredients 
For the custard:
1/3 cup or 66g sugar
1/4 cup or 31g flour
Good pinch salt
1 2/3 cups or 395ml milk
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons butter

For a 7-in pie crust:
1 cup or 125g all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out
1⁄4 cup or 57g shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons cold water

To assemble the pie and serve:
2 medium bananas, ripe but not soft
3/4 cup or 180ml heavy whipping cream

Method
To make the custard:
In a large saucepan (no heat!) mix sugar, flour and salt.  Stir in milk until smooth.

Over medium heat, cook mixture, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and begins to boil (about 10 minutes). Boil one minute. Remove immediately from heat and set aside.

Separate your egg yolks from your whites, putting the whites directly into a sealable plastic container for the refrigerator. (You can make meringues or almond macaroons with these later.) Put the yolks in a bowl with enough room to whisk.

Beat egg yolks quickly with a whisk, while drizzling in about a 1/8 cup of the hot milk mixture. Quick beating and slow drizzling are essential so that you don’t end up with cooked eggs.

Slowly pour egg mixture into the saucepan, stirring rapidly to prevent lumping. I stopped whisking briefly to take the photo. You just keep whisking!

Over low heat, cook, stirring constantly, until very thick (do not boil) and mixture mounds when dropped from spoon.

Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla.  Congratulations, you have made homemade vanilla custard.  Once the butter has melted and you've mixed it and the vanilla completely in, pour the custard into a metal bowl. Cover its surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled and set, about two hours.

While the custard is chilling, we'll make the pie crust. Preheat your oven to 425°F or 218°C.

In medium bowl using a fork, lightly stir together the flour and salt.

With a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle in the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with a fork after each addition until pastry just holds together.

Use your hands to shape the pastry into a ball. Wrap it in cling film and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Lightly flour your clean work surface. With lightly floured rolling pin, roll pastry into circle 1⁄8 inch thick and about 2 inches larger all around than pie plate.

Transfer the circle to your pie plate.

Fold overhang under; then pinch to make a decorative edge. Prick bottom and side of crust all over with a fork, to prevent puffing during baking.

Line the crust with a circle of baking parchment and cover with baking beads or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Remove the baking beads. Set aside.

Once your custard is cool, you can peel your bananas. Cut them in half lengthwise. Spread a little of the custard in the bottom of your baked piecrust and then add a layer of bananas.

Spread the rest of the custard all over the bananas, making sure to fill in the gaps so that there is no air around the bananas.  This will prevent them from going brown.

Securely cover the custard with plastic wrap once more and put the pie back in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Just before serving: In small bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Heap cream on pie. One of my husband's policies is that there is no such thing as too much cream.

Enjoy!

Check out this great list of recipes from my Sunday Supper family! Everybody is sharing their dads' favorites today. Many thanks to our host this week, Sarah from The Chef Next Door.

Appetizers, Snacks and Beverages

• Best Popcorn Ever (with Nutritional Yeast!!) by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Easy Homemade Pretzel Recipe by April Golightly
• Nana’s Pimento Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Breakfast

• Dad’s Favorite Blueberry Pancakes by Family Around The Table
• Steak & Egg Breakfast Skillet by Caroline's Cooking

Condiments & Sauces

• Beerinara by What Smells So Good?
• Homemade Refrigerator Pickle Relish by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures

Side Dishes

• Chipotle Lime Cole Slaw by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
• The Ultimate BLT Pasta Salad by Cooking with Carlee

Main Dishes

• Bacon Patty Melts by Cookin’ Mimi
• BBQ Salmon Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing by PancakeWarriors
• Beef Shepherd’s Pie Casserole by Cooking Chat
• Buffalo Chicken Tacos by Palatable Pastime
• Carolina-Style BBQ Burger by The Redhead Baker
• Coffee-Rubbed Prime Rib Roast by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Fried Chicken by Tramplingrose
• Grilled Chicken and Beef Stir Fry by The Freshman Cook
• Grilled Filet Mignon with Zip Sauce by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Italian Sausage and Peppers by Monica's Table
• Moroccan Preserved Lemon Chicken Tagine by Curious Cuisiniere
• Philly Style Slow Roasted Pork Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe and Provolone by The Hungry Goddess
• Sharp Cheddar and Crispy Onion Burgers with Horseradish Sauce by A Mind Full Mom
• Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs by From Gate to Plate
• Spicy Fish Tacos with Garlic-Chive Aioli by Wholistic Woman
• Turkey Chorizo Burgers with Guacamole by Books n’ Cooks
• Vegetarian “Philly Cheesesteak” by Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Walnut Cauliflower Zucchini Boats by Beauty and the Beets

Desserts

• Apple Crisp by Ninja Baker
• Banana Berry Bread by Desserts Required
• Blackberry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream by Simple and Savory
• Black Bourbon Walnut Brownies with Maple-Candied Bacon by The Crumby Cupcake
• Blueberry Ice Cream Cookie Bars by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Cherry Garcia Bars by Pies and Plots
• Chocolate Marshmallow Cupcakes by Crazed Mom Lifestyle & Recipes
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Coconut Cream Pie by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Tempura Strawberries by Baking Sense
• German Chocolate Brownie Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Graham Cracker Chocolate Chunk No-Churn Ice Cream by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Grilled Fruit Kabobs with Fresh Whipped Cream by Helpful Homemade
• Peach Crumble Bars by The Finer Cookie
• Personal Banana Cream Pie by Food Lust People Love
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie by The Chef Next Door
• Maizena Tamal by Basic N Delicious
• Mom's Carrot Cake by Jennifer Cooks

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Coronation Chicken Deviled Eggs

These coronation chicken deviled eggs combine the British classic coronation chicken salad with the American classic deviled eggs for a cross-cultural potluck dish that is sure to please on both sides of the Atlantic.

Not familiar with Coronation Chicken? Read my post all about it here.

A number of weeks ago we were invited to a Champagne tasting at a friend’s home. He holds them about once a year, quite casual evenings with good food and good friends. We taste and rate the various Champagnes – the theme this time was rosé - first with appetizers and then we drink the balance of the many bottles with our meal. Of course, my first question is always, “What can I bring?” When the response came back “appetizers,” I knew I wanted to make deviled eggs but not plain Jane ones. Something unusual but still delicious. Where I come from we put eggs in both our chicken salad and tuna salad so adding eggs to coronation chicken seemed like a fine idea. And making it all into something handheld like deviled eggs was ideal for appetizers.

This week my Sunday Supper family are sharing our best recipes for a potluck so those coronation chicken deviled eggs came to mind. Like all deviled eggs, they are the perfect dish to bring along to share with friends and family. Make sure you scroll down to the bottom to see our wonderful link list of all of our best potluck recipes. Many thanks to our host today, T.R. of Gluten-free Crumbley!

Ingredients
For the deviled eggs:
10 eggs
1/2 cup or 70g chopped, cooked chicken
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons curry powder, plus a little to sprinkle for garnish
3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2-3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon spicy chutney
1/2 tart apple
Good squeeze lemon juice (to keep the apple from browning)
2 tablespoons pomegranate arils, plus extra for garnish

For garnish:
Curry powder
A little chopped parsley
Extra pomegranate arils

Method
In a pan where they can sit in in one layer, cover the eggs with cool water and bring to the boil over medium heat. Cover the pan, remove it from the stove and set a timer for 10 minutes.

Drain and cover the eggs with more cool water.

When they are cool enough to handle, peel the eggs. Cut them in half and put the yolks in a mixing bowl. Cover the whites with cling film so they don’t dry out, and refrigerate them.

Use a fork to mash the egg yolks until they are a fine crumble.

Add the chicken, salt and curry powder to the egg yolks and mix well.

Add three tablespoons of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of Greek yogurt and one of spicy chutney to the egg mixture. Mix well again.

If the mixture seems dry, add the final tablespoons of mayo and yogurt. Mix again.

This looks about right!

Squeeze some lemon juice into a small bowl. Peel and dice your half apple, pushing the pieces off the cutting board and into the lemon juice as you cut so they don’t turn brown.

Add your apple and pomegranate to the mixture and, you guessed it, mix well.

Lay your egg whites out in a serving dish.

Spoon the egg mixture into the egg whites or put it into a Ziploc bag and cut off the corner so you can squeeze the filling into the whites.

Decorate them with a sprinkling more of curry powder, some pomegranate arils and some chopped parsley.

Enjoy!

How many invitations do you have for potluck get-togethers this summer? I hope you didn't answer too many, because we've got you today covered with 47 recipes perfect for potlucks.

Appetizers

• Calamari salad with Fennel and Avocado by Caroline’s Cooking
• Coronation Chicken Deviled Eggs by Food Lust People Love
• Creamy Ranch Tortilla Pinwheels with Roasted Red Peppers by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
• Roasted Corn Salsa by Casa de Crews
• Walnut Grapes by Eat, Drink and Be Tracy
• Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese and Mint by April Golightly

Sides and Salads

• Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad by My World Simplified
• Antipasto Pasta Salad by A Mind “Full” Mom
• Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken by Hardly A Goddess
• Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Chopped Caprese Salad by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
• Crunchy Coleslaw by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Cumin Scented Quinoa with Black Bean and Corn Salsa by The Hungry Goddess
• Easy Summer Chickpea Salad by She Loves Biscotti
• Elotes by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Frog Eye Salad by Turnips 2 Tangerines
• Gluten Free Grilled Corn Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
• Layered Salad with Green Goddess Dressing by Delaware Girl Eats
• No Mayo Potato Salad by Simple and Savory
• Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad by My Life Cookbook
• Spaghetti Salad with Italian Dressing by Kitchen Gidget
• Summer Grain Salad by Pook’s Pantry
• Summer Tortellini Salad by Palatable Pastime
• Tarragon Marinated Brussels Sprouts by Beauty and the Beets

The Main

• Steve’s Fried Chicken by Monica’s Table

Desserts

• Blueberry Ginger Parfaits by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Blueberry Slab Pie by The Chef Next Door
• Caramel Icebox Cake by Cookin’ Mimi
• Caramel “Doughnut” Cake by What Smells So Good?
• Cherry Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
• Chocolate Eclair Cake by Tramplingrose: Cooking, Baking & Ranting in Small-Town South Dakota
• Coconut Lime Ice Cream by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Cookie Butter Caramel Swirl Brownies by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Double Chocolate Blondies by Family Around The Table
• Frozen Champagne Salad by Moore or Less Cooking
• Lemon Icebox Bars by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mini Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisps with Coconut by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• No-Bake Summer Berry Cream Cheese Tarts by Magnolia Days
• Peach Dumplings by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Peanut Butter Bars by Confessions of a Cooking Diva
• Pineapple Summer Cake by Asian In America
• S’mores Blondies by Alida’s Kitchen
• Strawberry Pretzel Pie by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Summertime S’Mores by The Freshman Cook
• Triple Peanut Butter Cookies by Cooking With Carlee
• White Sheet Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Whole Wheat Strawberry Galette by The Bitter Side of Sweet

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Grilled Shrimp Corn Salad with Avocado Vinaigrette

This beautiful grilled shrimp corn salad with avocado vinaigrette can be enjoyed as a main course for two or three or as an appetizer for more. 

This week my Sunday Supper group is sharing grilling recipes. Since weather is unpredictable, the powers that be are being flexible and allowing us to use grill pans too. Or share recipes associated with grilling like sauces, rubs and spices. You will find lots of inspiration and deliciousness in the link list below. Many thanks to our host this week, Sue from Palatable Pastime.

Use your grill pan or actual grill to roast the corn on the cob and cook the seasoned shrimp before adding them to a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and feta. The vinaigrette with avocado adds a subtle creaminess that is bright with flavor. Serve the whole shebang on top of some leafy greens.

Ingredients
For the salad:
2 ears corn
1 lb 13 3/4 oz or 860g cleaned, peeled shrimp (I leave the little tail on though because I like the way they look.)
Sea salt
Black pepper
Cayenne
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium cucumbers
4.4 oz or 125g grape tomatoes
1 shallot or purple onion
6 1/3 oz or 180g goat’s milk feta, crumbled
Good handful flat leaf parsley

For the avocado vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
Few grinds black pepper
Healthy pinch flakey sea salt
1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium avocados

To serve: Clean mixed greens or arugula

Method
Season your shrimp with a good sprinkle of fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and cayenne. Add in the two tablespoons of olive oil, mix well and set aside.

Heat your grill pan till it’s smoking hot and cook the corn on the cob, turning several times until it’s got charred marks all over. Remove from the pan and allow to cool.

Add shrimp to the hot grill pan and cook for just a few minutes on each side until they are cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Halve then quarter your cucumbers lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to remove the seeds from the middle. Then cut them into bite-sized pieces.

My helper is a huge fan of cucumber innards so he’s always poised waiting for this part of the job.

When the corn is cool enough to handle, use a sharp knife to slice the kernels off.

Half your grape tomatoes, chop your purple onion and parsley. Pile them all in a big bowl with the cucumber, corn and crumbled feta. Toss to combine.

Add in the shrimp and toss again.

Add all of the dressing ingredients, except the avocado, to another glass bowl and whisk to combine.

When you are almost ready to serve the salad, scoop the avocado into the dressing bowl and stir well to coat the avocado pieces.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to mix it in.

Serve as is or on top of some fresh mixed greens.

Enjoy!

Check out this great link list for grilling inspiration:

Patio Libations

• Grilled Peach and Pineapple Sangria by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Let’s Get This BBQ Started!

• Bruschetta with Grilled Bread by Wholistic Woman
• Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa by Taste And See
• Grilled Avocado with Cilantro-Lime Cream by Grumpy’s Honeybunch

The Main Event

• Bison Sliders with Special Sauce by Un Assaggio of Food, Wine & Marriage
• Bourbon & Brown Sugar Marinated Grilled Steak by Books n’ Cooks
• Buffalo Wing Burger by Red Cottage Chronicles
• Chicken Mazatlan by Palatable Pastime
• Greek Lamb Burgers by Positively Stacey
• Grilled Avocado with Confetti Shrimp Salad by The Weekend Gourmet
• Grilled Shrimp Corn Salad with Avocado Vinaigrette by Food Lust People Love
• Grilled Duck with a Red Wine Reduction by Monica’s Table
• Grilled London Broil Steak Tacos by The Freshman Cook
• Grilled Pork and Pineapple Salad by Caroline’s Cooking
• Grilled Ribeye with Simple Spice Rub by Cooking Chat
• Grilled Salami Sandwich by Magnolia Days
• Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
• Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs by Moore or Less Cooking
• Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken by Alida’s Kitchen
• Grilled Tuna Steaks with Orange Tomato Sauce by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Grilled Tuna Steaks with Strawberry Mango Salsa by simple and savory
• Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops by My World Simplified
• How to Grill Salmon and Shrimps in Banana Leaves by Asian In America
• Lemon Herbed Yogurt Chicken Kabobs by Momma’s Meals
• The Best Baby Back Ribs Ever!! by A Day in the Life on the Farm

On a Side Note

• Easy Garlicky Grilled Polenta by She Loves Biscotti
• Easy Grilled Artichokes by April Golightly
• Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Manchego Cheese by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Grilled Cantaloupe Salad with Queso Fresco and Herbs by Cooking With Carlee
• Grilled Corn with Herb Butter by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad by Cookin’ Mimi

Saucy Sentiments and Rebellious Rubs

• Homemade Burger Sauce by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Homemade Coffee Steak Rub by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures

Finishing Touches

• Grilled Banana Boats by Our Good Life
• Grilled Blueberry Cobbler by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Grilled Dessert Pizza by Baking Sense
• Grilled Pineapple with Vanilla Sorbet by The Chef Next Door
• Grilled Strawberry & Blue Basil Granita by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Super Simple Grilled Peaches by And She Cooks

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Long Beans with Coconut

Fresh long beans with coconut milk are rich and spicy, though the coconut milk helps mellow the potency of the red chili peppers.

This week my Sunday Supper group is sharing their favorite regional recipes, the ones that define home for them, whether from their place of origin or an adopted city or state that became home. I must confess that I struggled with this one. I’ve called so many cities home, growing to love each and every one from the little Podunk oilfield town of Balikpapan, Indonesia to Paris, the City of Love. And, of course, that doesn’t even take into account my birthplace New Iberia, Louisiana or Houston, Texas which I list as my hometown on Facebook. How to choose just one recipe?

One of the first things I do when we move to a new place is to wander up and down every aisle of the nearest local grocery store or food market. My goal is not necessarily to make an immediate purchase but to see what they have that we love or to discover new unfamiliar ingredients. Take these long beans, for instance. They are common in Asia, often easier to find than the normal green beans I grew up with. And since the long beans are locally grown, most of the time they are cheaper too. They look a bit alien, all curled up in bunches tied with a bit of string or a rubber band to keep them tidy. The little beans inside are larger than our US green beans and have a tinge of purple around the edges.

While I have made my grandmother’s green beans with baby new potatoes and Clara’s Garlicky Green Beans and Carrots with them, somehow they seem to go better with a more Asian style recipe. This one with spicy coconut originates in either Indonesia or Malaysia. They both claim it, but since I’ve called both places home, I’m not going to name one and get the other riled up.

Ingredients
1 lb or 450g long beans
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves
1-2 red chili peppers
1 tablespoon canola or other light oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 cup or 60 ml thick coconut milk (Scoop out the stuff that floats to the top of the can.)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Method
Cut the tips off one end of your long beans and then cut them at an angle into more manageable pieces, discarding the tips at the other end as well.

Cut your peeled onion in half and slice it thinly. Slice the garlic and finely chop the peppers.

Bring a large pot of water to the boil and tip in the long beans.

Boil for 2-3 minutes then drain them in a colander. Run cool water over them to stop the cooking process.

In a pan large enough to stir the green beans later, sauté the onions, chili peppers and garlic in the oil until they soften. Add in the ground spices and sauté for a few minutes more.

Pour in the thick coconut milk and stir well to combine.

Add in the blanched long beans and stir again to coat the beans with the now spicy coconut milk.

Sprinkle on salt to taste and a few good grinds of fresh black pepper and stir again.

You can cook the beans longer if you like them softer. We prefer them pretty crunchy so I cook them just a couple of minutes in the coconut milk so it evaporates a bit and clings to them.

This dish can be served warm or cold so it's perfect for bringing along to your next potluck or barbecue as well.

Enjoy!

What meal or dish means home to you? Perhaps you’ll find it in this list of favorite regional recipes from the rest of the Sunday Supper tastemakers. Many thanks to Sue from Palatable Pastime for hosting this great event!

Appetizers

• Crispy Salmon Bites with Homemade Tartar Sauce by Pine Needles In My Salad
• Loaded Tex-Mex Chile con Queso by The Weekend Gourmet
• New England Style Stuffed Clams by Caroline’s Cooking

Beverages and Breakfast 

• Brandy Old Fashioned by Curious Cuisiniere
• Breakfast Empanada Casserole by Simply Healthy Family
• Wine Pairing Recommendations For #SundaySupper Regional Specialties by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Salads and Sauces

• Alabama White Barbecue Sauce by Cookin’ Mimi
• Pittsburgh Steak Salad by Seduction in the Kitchen
• Homemade Ranch Dressing by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Tupelo Honey Key Lime Vinaigrette by Family Around the Table

Side Dishes and Soups

• Delaware Crabs by Delaware Girl Eats
• JoJo Potatoes by A Mind Full Mom
• Long Beans with Coconut by Food Lust People Love
• Mohawk Corn Soup by kimchi MOM
• Old Bay Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Southern Collard Greens by Magnolia Days
• Steve’s Famous Maryland Crab Soup by Monica’s Table

Main Dishes

• Amish Chicken and Noodles by Palatable Pastime
• Boiled Lobster with Drawn Butter by Taste And See
• Bison Steaks with Cranberry Chimichurri by Tramplingrose
• California Beer Steamed Shrimp by Nosh My Way
• Avocado BLT Sandwich by Brunch-n-Bites
• Cali Inspired Fish Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Cheesy Tex Mex Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
• Cola Marinated Steak Tips by Hardly a Goddess
• Corn and Bacon Chowder by Moore or Less Cooking
• Crab-Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Aioli by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Deep Fried Pizza Roll by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice with White Sauce by The Texan New Yorker
• Copycat Hattie B’s Hot Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans by She Loves Biscotti
• How to Make Vegetable Lumpia by Asian In America
• Italian Hot Dog by Simple and Savory
• Mom’s City Chicken by My Life Cookbook
• North Carolina BBQ with Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies by The Freshman Cook
• Philly Cheesesteak Calzones by Baking Sense
• Polish Boy Sandwich by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
• Spicy Salmon for Tacos by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
• Tex-Mex Slowcooker Chicken and Beef Fajitas by Meal Planning Magic
• West Michigan Wet Burritos by Wholistic Woman

Desserts

• Upside Down Angel Food Cupcakes by Cooking With Carlee
• Austrian Mohnnudeln (Poppy Seed Noodles) by The Bread She Bakes
• Butter Tarts – A Canadian Tradition by Red Cottage Chronicles
• Carob Cherry Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
• Florida Key Lime Cream Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
• Fried Biscuits by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
• Gooey Butter Cake from Saint Louie! by Our Good Life
• Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets by The Redhead Baker
• San Jose Burnt Almond Cake by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
• Shoofly Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Spanish Bar Cake by Get the Good Stuff!
• Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Grilled Lamb Skewers with Roasted Carrots

These grilled lamb skewers are made with tender marinated leg of lamb chunks, cooked over high heat in a grill pan, then left to rest on sweet roasted young spring carrots. A sprinkle of feta and mint lend even more flavor and just the right touch of saltiness to this flavorful dish.

 

A number of years ago, when we were living in Kuala Lumpur, I had a friend who would buy the organic new baby carrots, greens still attached, that would turn up on occasion in one of our grocery stores. They weren’t cheap but she said that they were worth the splurge. As much as I like carrots, I didn’t imagine that she could be correct. Who would pay that much – don’t remember the exact amount except that it seemed like a lot – for carrots? Not me. After all, how special could they be?

Last week I decided that a simple spring vegetable minestrone would be the perfect recipe to share on the Sunday Supper Movement website for today’s Welcome Spring event, and since it was for the website and not just this little blog, I did splurge. I bought freshly hulled peas, fine French beans, baby zucchini, baby leeks and tiny corn on the cob along with a large bunch of spring carrots, greens still attached. Such a pot of sweet wonderfulness.

I used just a couple of the carrots in the soup so I started looking for another recipe to show off the rest. My original plan for this post was simply spring lamb but when I came across a recipe on Bon Appétit for lamb skewers with carrots, it seemed like kismet. (Which comes from the Arabic word for fate, by the way.)

Of course, Bon Appétit being Bon Appétit, the dish was complicated with two marinades and then a dressing, so I simplified it down to one marinade for the lamb and a mere sprinkling of feta and mint for the finished dish. Ain’t nobody got time for all that. I can’t imagine how this could be improved upon. It was perfect in every way and the carrots were fabulous. Sweet, tender and with such wonderful flavor. Now I know what my friend was talking about! Next time I make this, I will double the carrots so I suggest you do too. I’ve already been back to the store and bought another bunch.

Ingredients to serve 2-3
For the spring lamb skewers:
1 lb 3oz or 540g leg lamb chunks

For the lamb marinade:
2 large garlic cloves
1 small red chili pepper
2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/4 cup or 60ml dry white wine
1 teaspoon large grain sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup or 60ml olive oil

For the oven roasted spring carrots:
9 1/3 oz or 265g spring carrots
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (a good drizzle to coat)
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

To serve:
8-10 fresh mint leaves
2 oz or 57g crumbled feta
Freshly ground black pepper

Method
Cut the lamb into bite-sized pieces and put them in a Ziploc bag.

Mince your garlic and red chili pepper. Strip the rosemary leaves off of the stems and chop them finely.

Add all the marinade ingredients into a mixing bowl up to and including the black pepper, then whisk in the olive oil until well blended.

Pour the marinade into the bag with the lamb. Mix it around until the lamb is well coated, then press all of the air out and seal. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but you can also make this early in the day and leave it marinating till you are ready to cook dinner. Mine marinated about three hours.

To roast the carrots, preheat your oven to 400°F or 200°C.

Scrub the carrots well and cut the long tops of the greens off. You can leave on a little bit for color, if desired. If some of the carrots are thicker than the others, cut them in half lengthwise.

Pile the carrots on a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then spread them out so they aren't touching each other.

Roast in the preheated oven until lovely and golden and caramelized, turning once in the middle of roasting time of about 20-25 minutes.

Thread your lamb onto wooden skewers cut to fit snugly in your grill pan. Discard the bag with the marinade.

Heat the pan over high heat. You’ll need to turn your extractor fan on or perhaps even open a window because this is going to smoke. But it’s going to be fast and worth it, I promise.

Once your pan is scorching hot, lay four of the lamb skewers in it, quickly searing one side. You don’t want to crowd the grill pan so don’t try to cook them all at once.

Cook for 2-3 minutes on that side, then turn and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.

This will leave your small bites of lamb still pink inside. If you want them done more, cook for another minute or two on each side. I encourage you to leave them pink inside though, because they will be more tender.

As you remove the cooked lamb from the grill pan, rest the skewers on the roasted carrots.

Continue until all of your lamb skewers are done and are resting on the carrots. Give the whole pan another few grinds of fresh black pepper.

Crumble the feta and rip the mint leaves onto the lamb and carrots.

Enjoy!

Who is ready to welcome spring with me? My Sunday Supper family sure is. Check out all the lovely spring recipes they are sharing today!

Breakfast:

• Chicken Sausage, Apple and Cheddar Breakfast Bake by Renee's Kitchen Adventures
• Chive and Cheese Quiche by An Appealing Plan
• Lavender Scones by Feeding Big and More
• Raspberry Lemon Baked Donuts by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Matcha Donuts by The Ninja Baker
• Whole Wheat Lemon Berry Coffee Cake with Lemon Glaze by A Mindful Mom

Appetizers:

• Artichoke Lemon Hummus by Food Done Light
• Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart by Baking Sense
• Butter Lettuce and Spring Radish Salad by Hardly A Goddess
• Ceviche with Potato and Pea Shoot Salad by Caroline's Cooking
• Roasted Strawberry Popsicles by Brunch-n-Bites
• Rustic Wrapped Tart with Ramps by Delaware Girl Eats

Beverages:

• An Unconventional Mojito by Monica's Table
• Caribbean Cream Cocktail by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Cucumber Grapefruit Basil Mojito by The Crumby Cupcake
• Limoncello Raspberry Sangria by Eat, Drink and Be Tracy
• Spiced Rhubarb Champagne Cocktail by Hezzi-D Books and Cooks
• Vanilla Lavender Limeade by The Tip Toe Fairy
• Very Berry Springtime Spritzer by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Violet Hour by Wholistic Woman

Main Dishes:

• Cheese Tortellini with Herbed Ricotta and Fava Beans by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Gnocchi Primavera with Spring Asparagus and Peas by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Levantine Fattoush Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
• One Pan Spicy Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Orecchiette with Peas, Pecorino and Onions by Cooking Chat
• Pasta with Peas by Manu's Menu
• Pesto Shrimp and Zoodles Oh My! by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Ramp and Mushroom Frittata by Pies and Plots
• Spring Lamb Skewers with Roasted Baby Carrots by Food Lust People Love
• Spring Salad with Scallops and Strawberry Vinaigrette by My World Simplified
• Veggie Pasta Primavera by Momma’s Meals

Side Dishes:

• Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Rhubarb Salad by The Texan New Yorker
• Green Peas with Onion and Bacon by Magnolia Days
• Minty Pea Farro Spring Salad by She Loves Biscotti
• Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Quinoa Pilaf by Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Desserts:

• Amazing Coconut Cake by A Baking Legacy
• Berry and Honey Whipped Ricotta by Family Foodie
• Caramelized Black Figs and Walnuts with Mascarpone by Un Assaggio of Food, Wine & Marriage
• Carrot Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by What Smells So Good?
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Colorado Crème by Cooking on the Ranch
• Honey Blossoms by Get the Good Stuff!
• Hot Milk Sponge Cake by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
• Lemon Scented Choux with Rhubarb Ginger Pastry Cream by The Finer Cookie
• Meyer Lemon Bars by The Chef Next Door
• No-Bake Berry Greek Yogurt Pie by An Italian in my Kitchen
• Rhubarb Meringue Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Spring Cookie Bouquet by The Freshman Cook
• Strawberry Cheesecake Puffs by Moore or Less Cooking
• Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream by Tramplingrose
• Strawberry Moscato Sorbet by Seduction in the Kitchen
• The Black Beast by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

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