No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe | Club Foody

 

Oh, yes! The weather is getting warmer and warmer. Still, it won’t stop me from making desserts. Of course, there are the obvious ones like ice cream, pies 🥧 such as blueberry, lemon meringue, or key lime, cherry clafoutis, fruit salads, s’mores, and cobblers.
 
Among summer cakes, I think of Biscoff Icebox Cake or Charlottes, Upside-Down Cakes, Trifles, Lemon Blueberry Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Tres Leche Cake, Pineapple Coconut Cake 🍍🥥, Pound Cakes, and many others. One that is on my summer favorites list is No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake!
 
This decadent sweet treat is so vibrant, colorful 🌈, and rich. It’s the perfect dessert to make, especially when hosting, as it’s always a crowd-pleaser! The beauty of making this recipe is the fact that there’s no stress in baking it… well, not entirely, though.
 
From one graham cracker crust recipe to another, I change one ingredient: the sugar…
In this one, I use granulated sugar, while I use brown sugar in others. There’s no right or wrong choice. Besides their flavor, granulated sugar is drier and won’t retain as much moisture as brown sugar, which is better ✅ for chilling.
 
After dropping the crust into a non-stick springform pan, and pushing it up onto the sides to about an inch high, with an even thickness on the bottom, there are two options… It can be chilled while making the filling OR quickly baked for 5 minutes ⏳… both work.
 
I prefer quickly baking it for a few reasons. I like the crunchy, less crumbly texture, plus the toasted flavor from baking. It also helps the butter 🧈, sugar, and crumbs to bind together better, providing a stronger barrier for the filling, which in return, helps prevent it from getting soggy.
 
I’m not opposed to chilling the crust, but it doesn’t have the same results. I find it suits better for pudding or ice cream 🍨 fillings. The chilled crust is sweeter, plus it strictly relies on the cold temperature, which, in turn, can absorb moisture. Either one is still great for this dessert.
 
To bring the lovely flavor of the strawberries, there’s an important step to take…
After macerating the fruit for 20 to 30 minutes ⏰, processing in a blender until liquefied, and straining it, I pour it into a saucepan and reduce it to 1 cup. This step will help concentrate and intensify the taste of the juice so it can stand up to the tanginess of the cream cheese otherwise, it might get lost.
 
When the juice level goes down to 1 cup, it’s once again strained so there are no particles or little “cooked” chunks in it. The mixture has to be smooth 😉. At this point, you should be left with anywhere from 2/3 cup and ½ cup – if it’s over 2/3, cook it slightly longer.
 
The rest of this No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is easy-peasy…
Whipped cream is made until stiff peaks are formed and set aside. The cream cheese is processed until smooth and creamy before the cooled, reduced, and concentrated strawberry juice mixture is added to it. Then, after being well-mixed together, the whipped cream is gently folded in 🥄.
 
The filling is poured into the chilled pie crust, leveled out, and refrigerated for at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight 🌛. It helps to solidify the ingredients so the cake keeps its shape when slicing; for extra sturdiness, it can be transferred to the freezer for 1 hour. Also, it gives time for the flavors to mingle together, bringing a more cohesive, richer dessert.
 
When ready to unmold, I like to run a thin knife around the edges of the cake pan, rinsing 💦 and wiping it often. The pan is unlatched, and the cake is transferred to a serving plate or a cake stand. The leftovers are covered and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
 
To decorate the cake, I add some whipped cream on top and garnish it with fresh strawberries. One of my girlfriends likes to pour on chocolate ganache, and when it solidifies, she finishes it with a few halved strawberries, leaving the green calyx 🍓, also referred to as the cap, on.
 
The month of June is all about strawberries, so what better idea than making 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 this scrumptious No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake! It’s light, refreshing, and can be made ahead. This is an excellent summer dessert for your gatherings…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other scrumptious dessert recipes… 😀
– Skor Banoffee Pie
– Lemon Rosemary Madeleines
– Mango Purée with Mixed Berries and Cointreau
– Yogurt Bars with Fruit & Nuts
– Zabaione
– Raspberry Cream Cheese Rolls
– Pavlova
– Granita di Caffè Con Panna • Italian Coffee Granita
– Mixed Berry Crisp
– Orange Vanilla Yogurt Fruit Dip
and for even more dessert recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Dessert

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/no-bake-strawberry-cheesecake/ 😉

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Mexican Casserole Recipe • A Tasty Comfort Food! | Club Foody

We all agree that we cook according to the weather. I don’t see myself putting a roast beef or a big turkey 🦃 in the oven when it’s 26ºC/80ºF outside. It would be masochistic of me to suffer from the extra heat coming from the oven. If you have A.C. at home, that’s a different story…
 
The beginning of June can be slightly unpredictable. Some years, it can be either cold, wet ☔, or warm, especially up here in Canada. Before the warmth really settles in and the hot temperatures show up, I couldn’t resist sharing a delicious recipe… my Mexican Casserole!
 
This is an amazing comfort food to make! With a double layer of tortilla chips, a savory meat mixture, and shredded cheese, it’s an easy recipe to enjoy anytime. This is the kind of dish that both kids and adults, always love 💖.
 
Nothing is complicated about this Mexican Casserole. The vegetables 🧅 and ground beef are cooked along with flavorful ingredients, such as chipotle purée, salsa, kidney beans, and corn kernels. There are also seasonings like Old El Paso Taco, ground cumin, dried oregano leaves, and hot sauce.
 
Before going any further, let me point out the chipotle purée we use from the can. You can’t scoop 🥄 some up and throw it in recipes as is because it won’t be homogeneous. Years ago, I posted how I proceed when dealing with this specific ingredient, so here’s the link to find out… How to make Chipotle Purée & Chipotle Mayo
 
Another thing I also would like to highlight is making your own seasoning. I have over 20 blends and spice mixes on the website. Old El Paso Taco seasoning is one of them. This is a great way to repurpose your spices before they lose their potency and go rancid. Plus, you’re saving money 💰 in the process.
 
An unusual ingredient that goes in this casserole is tortilla chips…
They’re layered at the bottom of the baking dish and after the first layer of cheese 🧀. As much as they bring some crunch to it, they’re not fantastic as leftovers. If you think the casserole won’t be consumed after one sitting, I highly suggest dismissing them completely otherwise, they’ll get soggy… not really appealing.
 
When the cheese is melted, it’s important to let the casserole rest for 10 minutes ⏳ before sprinkling on some fresh, chopped cilantro. I like to serve this dish with sour cream or crema, along with lime wedges. These wrap everything up so nicely. It’s not necessary, and can be enjoyed as is.
 
Before the heat wave comes raging at us, make 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 this fabulous Mexican Casserole! It’s simple and yet so delightful! With a lovely combination of ingredients, this is another amazing comfort food that I’m sure your family will love…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are several more Mexican-inspired recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Mexican Chicken Salad
– Chiles Rellenos
– Mini Mexican Tortilla Quiche
– Easy Chicken Fajitas
– Mexican Chicken Sub
– Boozy Mexican Coffee
– Mexican Beef & Rice Skillet
– Elotes • Grilled Mexican Street Corn
– Mexican Burgers
and for even more Mexican recipes 🌮, click on this link… Recipe Category • Mexican Cuisine

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/mexican-casserole/ 😉

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Hush Puppies Recipe • Southern Corn Fritters | Club Foody

 

Besides Florida, which I’ve been to many times while living in Quebec and Ontario, the rest of the southern part of the United States is an area I would love to visit. Its warm climate, beautiful landscapes, history, legendary hospitality, music 🎶, and food sound like a fabulous destination to explore…
 
I was lucky to taste many of its foods through friends of friends I’ve met back in Toronto. Whether it was the holidays 🎄, Thanksgiving, or other events, there was a couple that was always present, bringing food from their hometowns – she was from Charleston, South Carolina, and he was from Savannah, Georgia.
 
Despite the fact that I forgot their names, I certainly remember their foods, like Sweet Potato Pie, Chicken and Dumplings 🐓, Gumbo, Oyster Stew, Pulled Pork, Country Captain, Red Rice, Hummingbird Cake, etc. Another iconic dish I tried back then was Hush Puppies!
 
These little guys are amazing! Made with a cornmeal-based batter, these savory fritters are perfect for serving as a side dish with fried or grilled fish 🐟. They also make a delicious appetizer or snack when paired with a dipping sauce.
 
The list of Southern side dishes is quite diverse. I think of Succotash, Hoppin’ John, Fried Green Tomatoes, Baked Beans, Sweet Potato Casserole 🍠, and more. Somehow, though, these Hush Puppies stand out from the crowd even though Collard Greens and Baked Mac and Cheese hold the top spots.
 
The foundation of those fritters’ batter stays the same: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt 🧂, egg, and buttermilk. What comes next is not written in stone, and this is where you can customize them to your liking or to best suit the meal or occasion.
 
I often use onions and red peppers, along with sugar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Other times, I swap those out for crispy bacon, green onions, cheese, and hot paprika. I also like giving them a more Mexican flare by adding jalapeño and Chihuahua cheese, or Oaxaca 🧀.
 
When getting creative with your Hush Puppies, there’s one golden rule to keep in mind: always chop 🔪 your add-ins finely, just as you would for croquettes. This helps keep the batter from falling apart in the hot oil while creating a smoother, creamier texture inside.
 
It takes less than 2 minutes ⏳ to fry these fritters, flipping them once until golden brown. They pair especially well with fried or grilled fish, as well as BBQ foods. They’re also great as an appetizer or snack. With their crispy exterior, they make an excellent hors d’oeuvre for your next gathering.
 
When not serving them as a side, here’s a list of delicious complementary sauces 🥣: rémoulade, aïoli, red pepper jelly, tartar, spicy strawberry orange, ranch, blue cheese, orange sriracha, sweet chili lime, and honey mustard, just to name a few.
 
This summer, treat yourself with these delicious Southern Hush Puppies! They’re quick and easy to prepare 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳, making them a fun addition for your next backyard party. If you have leftovers, store the corn fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more tasty side dish recipes for you to try… 😀
– German Spätzle
– Ginger Garlic Bok Choy
– Best Panzanella Salad
– Sambal Green Beans
– Lemon Couscous
– Fondant Potatoes
– Jollof Rice
– Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini
– White Bean Purée
and for even more side dish recipes 🍟, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/hush-puppies/ 😉

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Best Tuna Sandwich Recipe • Simply Delicious! | Club Foody

 

Sandwiches…
A convenient and ultimate comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages every day. They are a global favorite. The execution may vary, but the concept remains the same. From one country to another, these handheld quick meals are the perfect grab-and-go 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️, savored at any time during the day…
 
Here are some worldwide 🌎 favorite sandwiches…
Bocadillo (Spain), Arepa (Venezuela), or Rou Jia Mo (China), Bombay Sandwich (India), Croque-monsieur (France), Cemita (Mexico), Tombik Döner (Turkey), or Gyros (Greek), Panuozzo (Italy), Montréal Smoked Meat (Canada), Katsu Sando (Japan), and the list goes on…
 
I grew up 👧 eating a few as well, such as Grilled Cheese, Guédilles aux Oeufs (Egg Hot Dog Rolls), or just the traditional Egg Salad Sandwich, Hot Chicken Sandwich, the classic Club, Sloppy Joes, Omelet Sandwich, Monte Cristo, Stuffed Baguettes, etc.
 
Besides Tuna Melt and Pain Bagnat (Pan Bagnat), which I’ve been enjoying since childhood, there are more sandwiches I have discovered throughout my life using the same type of protein. I think of Curry Tuna, Fried Tuna Burger 🍔, Tuscan Tuna Ciabatta, and Tuna Bánh Mì.
 
Another one that goes on that list is my Best Tuna Sandwich… because it is! With onions 🧅, and celery, along with seasonings, this tasty finger food is loaded with protein and omega-3. It’s super quick to prepare and can be customized to your liking.
 
I mention “customized” as it can be eaten with toasted or untoasted bread of your choice. Forget the bread and wrap it instead! Slices of tomato 🍅 and lettuce can be added to the sandwich, too. You can take it a step further and add cheese as well. Change the seasonings for others, and the same with herbs…
 
When I make this Best Tuna Sandwich (it is, trust me), I use skipjack or yellowfin tuna in water instead of the oil-packed ones, but either one is interchangeable. I like adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice 🍋 to the fish before breaking the chunks into small pieces. It brings freshness to the mixture.
 
From here, onions and celery join the party. Then come the seasonings: salt 🧂 and pepper to taste, and some smoked paprika, which can be replaced with hot paprika or cayenne pepper. If I have some on hand, I add fresh dill to it.
 
Here’s the debate of the century… Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise?
Go with what you like. For mine, I use Miracle Whip, and here are the reasons why. I love mayo, don’t get me wrong, but I prefer its counterpart as there are spices in it like mustard, paprika, and garlic 🧄. It provides another layer of flavor and is perfect for this application.

Pssst… also, Miracle Whip has fewer calories than mayo!
 
This handheld food has a gorgeous umami profile and a well-balanced texture. I prefer mine toasted so my sandwich doesn’t get soggy, but like I said earlier, use regular bread instead, or go a step further and wrap it. While I like it without cheese 🧀 (shocking!!!), nothing is stopping you from adding some.
 
This is the Best Tuna Sandwich 🐟 to enjoy anytime! It’s a delicious and healthy lunch to bring to school or work, as well as a quick, light dinner meal. This nostalgic finger food that many of us had as children and still as grown-ups will never go out of style.
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more delicious sandwich and wrap recipes for you to try… 😀
– Italian Sloppy Joes
– Italian Pesto Panini Sandwich
– Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
– Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
– Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
– Bison Burgers with Bourbon Onion Jam
– New England Lobster Rolls
– Philly Cheesesteak
– Hawawshi
and for even more sandwich and wrap 🥪 recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sandwiches

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/best-tuna-sandwich/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Macaroni Salad Recipe • A Summer Favorite! | Club Foody

 

Normally, summertime food is casual, nothing too fancy. There aren’t many Coq au Vin 🐓 or Beef Wellington that are served during the warmer months of the year. The food is much more relaxed, and so are the side dishes that go along with them…
 
Although there’s nothing fancy about the sides, they’re certainly always welcome. It could be Elotes • Grilled Mexican Street Corn, Israeli Salad, Lemon Couscous, Cottage Fries, Pisto Manchego, Moroccan Potato Salad, Texas Caviar, Cucumber Salad 🥒 or Greek Salad, Tabbouleh, Tex-Mex Potatoes, and so on…
 
When it comes to pasta, there’s also a favorite list of delicious side dishes, like Pasta Primavera, Pesto Pasta Salad, Greek Tuna Pasta Salad 🐟, Muffuletta Pasta Salad, Classic Pasta Salad, of course Mac and Cheese, Orzo Pasta Salad, etc., as well as this one Macaroni Salad!
 
Whether for gatherings, picnics, or potlucks, this side is always a crowd-pleaser. Rich and tangy, it has a gorgeous flavor profile, and a harmonious texture. It’s easy to make, tasty, and a great comfort food, plus it pairs with almost anything 🍔🌭. It also makes a big batch, perfect for your backyard parties.
 
I prefer making my dressing first. Although I like the taste of Miracle Whip (here we go, you’re lifting your nose! 👃), in the application, I go all mayo. There’s also yellow mustard that goes in. Can you use Dijon? Of course, both are excellent choices. Dijon is less acidic, with a more complex flavor.
 
There’s granulated sugar that is added to the dressing. Adding a little sugar balances the dressing, but adding too much can be overwhelming. Keep in mind that carrots 🥕 and red peppers are both sweet vegetables so don’t overdo it.
 
To give more personality to this ol’ classic, I add hot paprika and hot sauce. These ingredients elevate the Macaroni Salad. With the creamy dressing, they balance out the richness, giving an interesting “je ne sais quoi” to the side. I opt for Cholula, which I think suits it the best. I find Frank’s way too hot 🥵 and tangy, but like I always say – “use what you like or skip it”.
 
For the salad itself, there a beautiful combination of fresh ingredients: celery 🥬, red bell peppers, carrots, and red onions mixed in with the cooked elbow macaroni pasta. Red onion is the chosen one when it comes to salad, but even so, it can be strong. To mellow it out, here’s a great trick to do… How to Remove Bitterness from Onions.
 
I use poblano peppers instead of green peppers for this reason…
Although green peppers are safe to eat, they’re technically not fully ripe therefore, they have a more earthy and bitter taste to them. Due to higher acidity and different enzymes than the fully ripened ones, they can cause heartburn 🥺, especially when eaten raw.
 
Over the years, I developed acid reflux. Although I have medication 💊 I can take 20 minutes before eating, I don’t always remember to take it when needed. Raw green peppers’ pH level is slightly higher than its counterparts, which is enough to cause this uncomfortable physical discomfort.
 
Back to our salad…
After the ingredients are all in, the dressing is poured over and everything is tossed until nicely coated. It’s covered and transferred to the fridge for at least 1 hour ⏰. Before serving, it’s stirred once more and sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley. The leftovers can last in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
 
Here’s a quick note I’d like to mention about food safety…
Because it’s a mayo-based (dairy-based) dressing, it should never, ever be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially during hot weather 🌞. After being served, it should return immediately to the fridge. This should apply to any other recipes using the same type of dressing.
 
Without being presumptuous, this delicious Macaroni Salad is always an all-time favorite 💖! It’s the perfect casual side that everyone enjoys along with their protein. Make this colorful and delightful crowd-pleaser for your next summer BBQ, picnic, or potluck…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more delicious summer side dish recipes for you to try… 😀
– Twice Baked Potatoes
– Moroccan Couscous Salad
– Smoky Bacon Creamed Corn
– Jicama Mango Pepper Salad
– Vegetable Medley
– Strawberry Salad
– Greek Lemon Rosemary Potatoes
– Chickpea Corn Salad
– Creamed Peas
and for even more side dish recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/macaroni-salad/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube