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4 Fabulous Fall Fruit Cobblers And Crisps

Warm fruit cobblers and crisps are a perfect way to enjoy the bounty of seasonal fall produce.

Unlike a traditional pie, cobblers and crisps feature a crumbled topping (made of oats, sugar and spices), homemade shortcake biscuits, or a cake batter crust.

There’s no need to visit a country bakery or fall festival stand when you can easily make a scrumptious fruit cobbler or crisp at home, with fresh, wholesome ingredients from your kitchen pantry cabinet. If this sounds heavenly to you, here are a few fabulous recipes to try this fall!

Apple Cranberry Crisp

This delightfully simple recipe from Better Homes and Gardens lets cranberries and apples shine. Two fall favorites, these fresh fruits can be a tad on the tart side, but the crunchy oat, cinnamon and brown sugar topping adds just the right amount of sweetness. For the recipe from BHG, click here. While fresh fruit generally makes cobblers and crisps healthier than most desserts, this one is also on the lighter side at just 213 calories per serving!

Pear Cobbler

Pears are harvested in the fall, and come in a variety of shapes and textures, but firmer varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Asian pears are most suited for baking in a crisp. This easy Pear Crisp recipe from The Spruce Eats has a buttery cake batter crust, and you can mix and match whichever pears you prefer. Once baked, this cobbler can sit at room temperature on the kitchen island for two days or in the refrigerator for five days — but we bet it won’t be around that long! Click here for the recipe from The Spruce Eats.

Pineapple Ginger Crisp

Pineapples are in season year-round, but when paired with freshly grated ginger and a crumbled topping of old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and nutmeg from your spice rack, you’ll have the perfect sweet and spicy cobbler to welcome fall. This recipe from Fine Cooking is easy to make and bakes up bubbly brown in just 20 minutes. Click herefor the instructions and ingredients you will need from your kitchen pantry cabinet.

Cherry Cobbler

With sweet cherries, vanilla and almond extract, and warm cinnamon, Bon Appétit’s Cherry Cobbler is sure to be a fall favorite. Topped with shortcake biscuits, this delicious dessert takes a bit more work than the others, but it is well worth the effort when you have a gorgeous cherry cobbler sitting on your kitchen countertop. To get the recipe, click here.

Dream kitchens are meant to be filled with the warm aroma of freshly baked desserts come autumn, whether it’s a pie, cobbler or crisp cooling on the kitchen island or in a bowl topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Which one are you most excited to try?

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

3 Reasons To Get Cooking With Your Kids This Summer

As a parent, cooking at home creates an opportunity for the entire family to eat healthier. When you cook together, it also teaches your children how to be skilled, self-sufficient and well-prepared adults someday. With that said, there are a few more benefits to preparing and sharing regular home-cooked meals in the kitchen. Now that the kids are home for the summer, here are three reasons to gather around the kitchen island and get cooking as a family!

Kids are less reluctant to try new foods when they help with cooking.

Involving children in the cooking process is helpful for picky eaters. According to early learning professionals at Penn State University, “Eating and preparing foods can be a great sensory experience for children and a fun learning opportunity.” Cooking engages all five senses, and there is no better way for children to hear, smell, see, touch and taste all at once.

Cooking is educational and spans several subjects.

Cooking provides valuable lessons in math, science, social studies and language arts — from measuring ingredients and reading a recipe, to learning about growing seasons, chemical reactions, and unique cuisines around the world. Cooking is also a creative endeavor that inspires little minds to set up at the kitchen island, and experiment with new flavors and ingredients from the spice rack and kitchen pantry cabinet.

Cooking together helps families connect.

According to The Family Dinner Project, “Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members.” Cooking together only furthers the connection and makes the experience even more memorable. From teaching children to make a cherished recipe passed down for generations, to simply catching up with conversation around the kitchen table, food can nourish both the body and the soul.

Looking for easy, kid-friendly recipes to make together? Here are three great resources to check out:

● Kid-Friendly Recipes from Food Network

“Discover kid-friendly recipes designed to keep supper simple and satisfying, with easy chicken, pasta and beef dinners for weeknights, plus weekend recipe ideas to make family time fun time.”

Easy Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters from Good Housekeeping

“These kid-friendly dinners will make the adults want to sneak seconds, too.”

Recipes Teens Should Know By Heart from Taste of Home

“Do you have a preteen that loves spending time in the kitchen? Start off their solo cooking career with these yummy recipes that they’ll be able to master in a flash.”

For more easy recipe ideas and home improvement inspiration, check out our blog. And don’t forget to shop our Friends and Family Sale, July 24th through 31st, 2020!

3 Gourmet Recipes That Will Up Your Summer Grill Game

“Grilling should be simple. Apply fire to meat. We’ve been doing that for almost 2 million years. But over time, grilling has evolved from a necessity to an art form….” So says Outside Magazine, at least. And we agree. To be a true Grill Master, you need to think like an artist and get creative!

While delicious and a staple of American summers, grilling can be so much more than your standard burgers, hotdogs, and store-bought condiments from your Kitchen Pantry Cabinet. If you’re feeling adventurous and ready to try something new, here are three gourmet recipes that will up your summer grill game this season.

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks With A Caramel Glaze

This fabulous recipe from Bon Appétit features a sweet and savory, caramelized glaze with the flavors of fresh garlic, rice wine vinegar, cumin, and crushed red and black pepper from your spice tray. Whether it’s chicken drumsticks, as called for in the recipe, or lamb kabobs and fish, Bon Appétit recommends cooking over indirect heat on the grill. This allows the meat to become crisp and succulent without overly charring the sugary sauce. For the complete recipe from Bon Appétit, click here.

Grilled Eggplant Tartines

This light, meatless dish from Better Homes and Gardens is ideal for summer grilling, and is packed with fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you’ve ever planted your own garden, you know that eggplant, tomatoes, and fresh basil all thrive in warm temperatures. For this recipe, fresh eggplant is sliced, brushed with olive oil, seasoned, and grilled until tender. Topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheese and served on toasted Italian bread with garlic, you can easily enjoy this gourmet meal al fresco on the back porch or casually seated at the kitchen island. Click here for the Grilled Eggplant Tartines recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Grilled Lobster Tails With Citrus Butter

Lobster tails are the ultimate ingredient in gourmet summer grilling and deserve more than plain drawn butter. With simple ingredients from your refrigerator and Kitchen Pantry Cabinet, you can easily make a spicy citrus butter brimming with complex flavor. This recipe from Fine Cooking calls for lemon and lime zest, garlic cloves, butter, and hot sauce for added heat. To learn how to make Grilled Lobster Tails With Citrus Butter, click here for the recipe and instructions from Fine Cooking.

Happy grilling, and for the true Grill Master, be sure to check out our recent blog on Homemade BBQ Marinades And Dry Rubs!

5 Garden Fresh Vegetarian Soups To Make At Home

Spring is a bounty of fresh vegetables just waiting to be picked. With the worry of meat shortages due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and health experts touting the health benefits of fresh (and frozen) produce, you may be wondering how to make more meatless meals. With that said, there is nothing easier or more delicious than a bowl of homemade soup. It warms the heart and comforts the soul like no other dish can. Whether you have sworn off meat altogether or just want to try to add more vegetables into your diet, here are some of our favorite garden fresh vegetarian soups to make at home this season. So pull out your favorite soup pot and let’s get cooking!

Curried Lentil, Tomato and Coconut
This satisfying, sweet and spicy soup is packed with fiber and protein, thanks to red lentils. It gets its kick from freshly grated ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and medium curry powder from your spice rack — or heat things up with a spicier variety if you choose. The flavor is mellowed by the addition of creamy coconut milk from your kitchen pantry cabinet and a twist of lemon or lime. For the recipe from Epicurious, click here.

Spring Minestrone
Light and colorful, this soup is packed with garden fresh spring vegetables and herbs, like carrots, leeks, asparagus, red potatoes, thyme and dill, plus navy beans and vegetable broth from your kitchen pantry cabinet. Best of all, it can be made in 30 minutes or less! To make this tasty Spring Minestrone at home, click here for the recipe from the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen.

Cucumber Tomatillo Gazpacho
This cool and creamy gazpacho is a vibrant shade of spring green, and can be made and chilled up to two days ahead. It blends English cucumbers with fresh onions, poblano chiles, garlic, and tomatillos, as well as zesty cilantro and parsley. Want to try this refreshing soup at home? Click here for the recipe from Bon Appetit.

Tortilla-Bean Soup
This sweet and smoky soup is bubbling with Tex-Mex flavors, like fresh jalapeno peppers, black beans, fire roasted tomatoes and corn, and ground cumin from your spice drawer. Topped with avocado slices, sour cream, and chopped fresh cilantro, it is sure to become a warm weather favorite. For the recipe and complete list of ingredients from Better Homes and Gardens, click here.

Corn Chowder
If you’re looking for a hearty vegetarian soup this spring and summer, whip up some corn chowder. This rich and creamy dish includes butter, heavy cream, potatoes, diced onions, garlic cloves, and fresh corn on the cob. You’ll also need some vegetable stock from your kitchen pantry cabinet, and flour for thickening. Season your chowder with fresh parsley, thyme and ground pepper. For the complete recipe from Chef Tyler Florence and Food Network, click here.
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Smart Substitutions When Cooking And Baking

Picture this. You’re craving freshly baked, made from scratch cinnamon rolls and decide to do some baking. You start by adding yeast to warm milk and watch as it begins to foam and bubble. Next, you lift your stand mixer and start to blend the milk and yeast with sugar, eggs and butter. Slowly, you add flour and salt to the mix. After kneading with a dough hook, you form your dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it on the kitchen island to rise. After an hour or two, it doubles in size. You roll the dough on a lightly floured countertop and head to the spice drawer for cinnamon — but there is no cinnamon!

What happens when you start a recipe and realize you’re missing a major ingredient halfway through? After all, you can’t make cinnamon rolls without cinnamon, can you? Actually, you can! From your spice rack to your refrigerator and kitchen pantry cabinet, here are some smart substitutions you can make when cooking and baking, so you don’t miss a beat!

Herbs And Spices

Allspice and Nutmeg are all great substitutions for cinnamon. Since they are stronger in flavor, you’ll need to cut the amount in half when following a recipe. You can even add a dash of cloves or ginger if you’re feeling spicy. These warm, sweet spices are interchangeable for the most part, and work well in apple pie, cakes, and other desserts. But what about savory dishes? Oregano and thyme can be substituted for basil in pasta sauces and salad dressings. Out of chili powder for your tacos? Just add a few dashes of hot sauce. Swap out chives for onion powder, sage for marjoram, and rosemary for mint.

Ingredients For Cooking And Baking

In a pinch, kitchen pantry cabinet staples can save the day — and your recipe. Mashed banana cans take the place of oil if needed. Applesauce is a great substitution for eggs in baked goods, or combine one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. Out of butter? Try shortening. Out of sour cream? Substitute plain Greek yogurt. If your recipe calls for corn syrup or honey and you don’t have any on hand, make your own substitute by melting a cup of granulated sugar in a quarter cup of water. You can also make your own buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk. For thickening fruit pies, sauces and soups, flour can be swapped for cornstarch in equal amounts.

How To Bake Your Own Artisanal Bread In The Kitchen

There is nothing quite as tempting to the senses as a freshly baked loaf of artisanal bread. The aroma, as it drifts throughout the kitchen. Kneading the dough, watching it rise and bake, and then feeling the warmth as you pull your bread from the oven. The crisp sound of falling crumbs as you cut into the crust to get to the soft and tender inside. That delectable first bite, dripping with melted butter. No matter how you slice it, homemade artisanal bread is rustic comfort food at it’s finest. And while it may look tricky to achieve at home, baking your own bread is really rather simple. Here, we’ve gathered a few easy to follow recipes for the beginner bread artisan. They all call for basic ingredients found in your kitchen pantry cabinet, and no fancy tools are required. So, spread some flour on your kitchen island countertop, and let’s get started!

Basic Artisan Bread

This Homemade Artisan Bread from Sally’s Baking Addiction is the perfect first recipe for beginners. It calls for just four ingredients—yeast, bread flour, water and salt—and is virtually foolproof. It’s also deliciously light and airy, like a French baguette, with a slightly chewy crust. Click here for photos and detailed instructions from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Easy Wheat Bread

This Easy Homemade Wheat Bread from Minimalist Baker is a bit heartier, with wheat flour, millet, and oats. And while it requires a few more ingredients from your kitchen pantry cabinet, the recipe is uncomplicated and simple. Once baked, this whole grain bread is crusty on the outside, and warm and tender on the inside. Like a cozy farmhouse with rustic kitchen cabinets, it’s sure to warm the heart. For the recipe from Minimalist Baker, click here.

Savory Parmesan Herb Bread

We love this fragrant Savory Herb Bread from The Stay At Home Chef. It’s easy to make and can be mixed by hand with little effort. The recipe calls for staple ingredients from your kitchen pantry cabinet and dried herbs from your spice drawer, such as rosemary, basil, and oregano. If you prefer, you can also substitute freshly minced herbs from your kitchen herb garden. Click here for the complete recipe from The Stay At Home Chef.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Loaded with spicy cinnamon and juicy raisins, this sweet bake from Fifteen Spatulas is perfect for breakfast. But first, you will need to pull up your heavy duty mixer. The recipe has a few more steps than the others on this list, but it is still simple to make on the kitchen island countertop. It’s also well worth the effort! For the ingredients and instructions from Fifteen Spatulas, click here.

6 Healthy Herbs And Spices To Keep In Your Spice Rack

Herbs and spices are a natural way to add flavor to your cooking without adding extra calories and sodium. Some are even said to boost your immune system and ease your stomach when you’re battling a common cold or belly ache. Read on to learn more. Then, consult your doctor, and stock your drawer or door mounted spice rack with these healthy herbs and spices.

Turmeric: This bright yellow spice is trending for a reason. It’s good for you! If you don’t believe the hype, check out what WebMD has to say about turmeric. Turmeric powder is rich in minerals and antioxidants, and also curcumin, a substance that shows promise in preventing and treating cancer, as well as autoimmune, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Add turmeric to rice, roasted veggies, soups and stews. Or raid the bar cabinet and try one of these healthy turmeric cocktails from com.

Cinnamon: According to Medical News Today, this popular spice may have a number of health benefits, from reducing blood sugar to improving cardiovascular health. It’s also delicious and a kitchen pantry cabinet Cinnamon powder is a must-have ingredient in breakfast favorites like French toast and cinnamon rolls, but what about dinner? Click here for 30 savory ways to cook with cinnamon from Taste of Home.

Cayenne Pepper: This spicy pepper adds heat to your favorite entrees and soups, and is considered a powerful antiseptic. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper can help unclog stuffy sinuses, and has a healthy dose of vitamin A and antioxidants that are known for reducing inflammation. The next time you have a sore throat, add a dash of cayenne pepper to a glass of warm water with a twist of lemon lemon juice.

Ginger: This spicy root has been known to aid in digestion and ease nausea. It may also help decrease pain and inflammation and boost the immune system. Although commonly used in stir fry sauces and baked goods, powdered ginger can be sprinkled on sweet potatoes or in your favorite beverages. Or try this Carrot Ginger Soup recipe from The Spruce Eats.

Garlic Powder: Have you ever wondered what makes chicken soup so soothing when you are feeling under the weather? Maybe it’s the garlic. According to Healthline, garlic contains compounds that can help the immune system fight germs. While garlic powder isn’t as potent as fresh bulbs of garlic, it still packs a punch and adds flavor.

Oregano: This peppery dried herb is essential when making homemade tomato sauce or pizza. But according to WebMB, oregano is fit for both the kitchen pantry cabinet and the bathroom medicine cabinet. Use this herb when cooking to add flavor and health benefits, like managing GI issues and easing headaches. Dried oregano can lose flavor and potency over time. As with any dried herb or spice, check the expiration date to make sure it is fresh.

4 Impressive Italian Dinners You Can Make In Your Own Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a big bowl of pasta? According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov, an international research data and analytics group, Italian food tops the list as the World’s most popular cuisine. And we’re not surprised. From simple favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Piccata to masterpieces like Penne alla Vodka and Fettuccine alla Carbonara, there’s a lot to love. Best of all, unlike other regional favorites, most Italian dishes are surprisingly not that difficult to make at home. Here are four impressive yet easy Italian dinner recipes you can whip up right in your own kitchen.

Penne alla Vodka

This recipe starts with penne pasta cooked al dente. As the name implies, you’ll also need to grab a bottle of Vodka from your bar cabinet for the sauce (plan on using a little less than ¼ cup per pound of pasta). While this spirit adds a flavorful kick, it’s also fine to omit the Vodka altogether. Additional ingredients include heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes from your spice drawer . Most recipes call for fresh Roma or crushed tomatoes, but we like this Penne Alla Vodka from Delish that uses tomato paste for a bright touch of sweetness.

Fettuccine alla Carbonara

Close your eyes and imagine fettuccine noodles smothered in a rich and creamy, Parmesan cheese-based sauce, with prosciutto and bacon. Have we piqued your interest? Carbonara is perfect for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, and it’s easy to make at home. This recipe for Fettuccine alla Carbonara from Better Homes & Gardens adds dry white wine from your bar cabinet, and rivals any Italian restaurant. For a full list of ingredients and an instructional video from BHG, click here.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Like spaghetti and meatballs and lasagne, Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the more popular Italian dishes on restaurant menus. Rich yet simple, this easy homemade Fettuccine Alfredo recipe from Bon Appétit has just five ingredients that are commonly found in the refrigerator and kitchen pantry cabinet. After gently simmering the sauce to ensure even melting, add cooked fettuccine pasta and toss to coat. Serve topped with fresh ground pepper and even more grated Parmesan.

Chicken Piccata

This Italian dish features tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts dredged in flour and sauteed in a buttery lemon-based sauce. The use of flour gives chicken a nice coating and helps to thicken the sauce. For an easy to follow recipe from Italian chef and Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis, click here. When cooking at home, top Chicken Piccata with brined capers and chopped fresh parsley and serve with a side of linguini. If you’re in the mood for seafood, swap out chicken for freshly peeled and deveined shrimp.

Regardless of the recipe, remember this rule of thumb for professional results when cooking pasta at home. Always salt your water (around 2 tablespoons should do for a pound of pasta), and use coarse sea salt, which is considered less bitter when boiling.

4 Decadent Valentine’s Day Desserts With A Healthy Twist

Your New Year’s resolution was to eat healthier, and here comes Valentine’s Day to sabotage your plans! Don’t fret. You can have your cake and eat it too! We’ve searched high and low for sweet recipes that can be enjoyed without feeling an ounce of guilt. Best of all, they can be easily made right in your own kitchen! Here are four decadent homemade desserts with a healthy twist to share with the ones you love this Valentine’s Day .

The proof is in the pudding.

Valentine’s Day is all about love — and chocolate. Give chocolate pudding a healthier spin with this clever recipe from Eating Well. “Chocomole” Pudding is super rich and creamy, and has some surprisingly sweet ingredients from the kitchen pantry cabine t, like avocados, soft and chewy Medjool dates, coconut milk, and agave nectar. Did we forget to mention this delicious chocolate treat is also dairy-free and vegan?

The cake that can’t be “beet.”

Who needs a box of chocolates when they can have a big slice of chocolate cake? This Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe from Always Order Dessert has a secret ingredient that is naturally sweet — roasted and pureed red beets! With a dash of Vietnamese cinnamon from your spice rack and a delectable Truffle Ganache Glaze made with semi-sweet chocolate, this Valentine’s Day dessert is hard to resist.

Good things come in small packages.

Too stuffed for dessert? Never! There’s always room for dessert after a Valentine’s Day dinner when that dessert is Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries. This bite-sized vegan treat from Oh My Veggies proves good things come in small packages. In addition to fresh strawberries, the recipe calls for healthy ingredients from the kitchen pantry cabinet, like raw whole cashews, ground flaxseed, and cacao nibs (or chopped dark chocolate), with maple syrup for a touch of added sweetness. Like strawberry cheesecake, only better!

Looks can be deceiving.

This White Chocolate Raspberry Tart from Cooking Light is the ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert, thanks to its salty, buttery crust, creamy white chocolate filling, and red raspberry topping. While it looks fancy, this recipe is actually quite simple to achieve. It’s also pretty healthy, thanks to Greek yogurt and fresh fruit. Your Valentines will have no idea this amazing dessert only has 188 calories per slice!

How To Make Homemade Trail Mix Without Leaving Your Kitchen

Homemade trail mix is one of those great grab and go snack ideas that not only satisfies your hunger, but also satisfies your taste buds! The perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet ingredients, homemade trail mix is healthy and easy to make — right in your very own kitchen!

As an added bonus, homemade trail mix is easier on the wallet than store-bought varieties. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen pantry cabinet. So go ahead, get creative! Once you know how to make homemade trail mix, you can whip up a batch for those marathon holiday shopping trips and another for gifting!

Ingredients

Homemade trail mix is designed to be eaten by the handful, so think small when shopping or raiding your kitchen pantry cabinet. Common ingredients for homemade trail mix include:

Nuts (Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Cashews, Pistachios, Macadamia Nuts)
Seeds (Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds)
Peanuts (Spanish, Dry Roasted, Candied)
Breakfast Cereal (Granola, Flakes, O’s)
Chocolate Chips (White, Semi-Sweet, Milk Chocolate)
Carob Chips
Butterscotch Chips
Peanut Butter Chips
Mini Marshmallows
M&Ms
Shredded Coconut
Banana Chips
Raisins and Other Dried Fruit (Apples, Cranberries, Apricots, Blueberries, Papaya, Pineapple)
Crystalized Ginger
Candied Orange Peel
Rye Chips
Cheese Crackers (bite-sized)
Pretzels (mini pretzels, pretzel sticks)
Wasabi Peas
Popcorn

Instructions

Nothing could be easier than making homemade trail mix. Simply spread out the all ingredient packages across your kitchen island countertop, scoop out each individual ingredient into a large mixing bowl, and gently combine all the ingredients with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Depending on the ingredients you choose (sweet or savory), you can also season your homemade trail mix with spices from your door mounted spice rack or wood spice tray, like sea salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, curry powder, or Cayenne pepper.

Homemade trail mix will keep for up to a month when stored properly in Mason jars (for gifting) or an airtight container (for your enjoyment). If you’re making a large batch, it’s best to keep your trail mix in the refrigerator instead of in the kitchen pantry cabinet. Small batches can be bagged into individual portions for grab and go snacking during the busy holiday season.