Growing up I remember those cans of the ReddiWip whipped cream in our refrigerator. I didn’t think much about whipped cream coming out of a can because what was inside is what mattered most to me. It wasn’t until I became an adult and experienced fresh whipped cream did I realize the following:

1. Whipped cream in a can isn’t normal. I won’t stay on my soapbox here too long, but Nitrous oxide is the gas being used to help pump up the volume of whipped cream. Do you know what Nitrous oxide is good for? I’ll let you research for yourself.
2. Fresh whipped cream tastes SO much better!
3. Making fresh whipped cream is ridiculously easy to make. Did I say ridiculously easy?

Here is the super simple recipe to making our own whipped cream. I promise you, this is much better for you than the canned or packaged stuff using real ingredients and no nitrous oxide.

Note: I use my KitchenAid mixer but you can also whip cream by hand.

Substitution: There is a vegan whipped cream alternative though I would like to try and perfect it before I officially post. However, you can use the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Combine with your sugar and vanilla (optional) and whip until stiff peaks form. It isn’t bad, but I can taste the chickpeas and that definitely isn’t what I’m going for. If you make this, let me know if you were able to get rid of the chickpea taste.

Cheers to simple recipes!

Simple & Homemade

A few weekends again, I met my friend for brunch downtown. I love all things pancakes and waffles, so when I saw the waffle bar I couldn’t resist (after I got my egg white omelette). The woman asked if I wanted Nutella whipped cream, regular whipped cream or a balsamic whipped cream on my waffle. I had to ask her, “Wait, what kind of whipped cream? You said balsamic?!” I decided to try it because after-all they wouldn’t have it out at this nice brunch spot if it wasn’t good.

I sat down, swiped my fork in the whipped cream to taste, and BABYYYYYYYY! I looked to the heavens and thanked the food gods for allowing me to taste something so divinely delicious. The dichotomous flavors of that whipped cream stayed with me, so I decided to give it a trial run on my strawberry cupcakes, and BABYYYYYYYY <fans self>.

I ran across a strawberry cupcake recipe and I immediately fell in love. Instead using chunks of fresh strawberries, I decided I wanted to blend them into the batter for a more even cake.

If you make this, be sure to let me know by tagging me on Instagram to your photo using #simpleandhomemeade. I’d love to see how yours turn out.

Cheers,

Simple & Homemade

When I tell you this salad will make every tastebud in your mouth dance, I have never had so many delicious flavors in one bowl <wipes off drool from mouth>.

Spring is officially here, though if you live in Chicago like I do, the memo hasn’t yet been received. Regardless, it is never too late to have a good go-to salad for yourself, or for those summer potlucks you will be attending. I love a good salad, especially one like this because it has a little bit of everything – sweet candied pecans, savory smoked gouda cheese (I will provide a vegan alternative), tart dried cranberries, with crips slices of fresh apples. After this one you can say GOODBYE to those boring one dimensional salads. Your tastebuds will never be the same.

This is the type of salad to have on hand when you have to make something quick, but want to make it seem like you spent hours preparing. My secret, which isn’t much of a secret are the prepackaged salads which saves me a ton of time! I’m hoping this year to try growing salad again because last year’s mesclun greens ended up getting fed to our bunny.

Here is the recipe.

Substitution: for my vegan friends I recommend Miyoko’s Kitchen smoked mozzarella cheese which is non-dairy and has easily become one of my favorite vegan cheeses! Unfortunately, I can’t say that about most of those cheeses.

P.S. My photo doesn’t include apple slices but my favorite version of this salad does contain them. Feel free to include them or leave them out.

Cheers!

Simple & Homemade

After you make this you will more than likely never want to buy your own dressing again. This dressing is super simple, rich and so creamy. People would never believe you actually made it. The part that will more than likely take up most of your time is cutting the tops off of the strawberries. After that, it’s smooth sailing with a simple toss in the blender.

Substitution: For my vegan friends, I did use honey but you can use Agave nectar which I ran out of as the sweetener. Poppy seeds are a great addition to be extra fancy.

Cheers to standing out at your next Friendsgiving or family potluck!

Simple & Homemade