Favorites for the Fourth!

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

To celebrate the Fourth of July properly you need a few essential things; friends, family, fireworks, food and, of course, the right décor. We can’t quite help on the firework front but here are our “Favorites for the Fourth!”, a few fun ideas for food and décor.

Be sure to add some spark to your Fourth of July festivities with this Firecracker Popcorn. It’s got just the right amount of sweet, salty and fizz it’ll have you coming back for more. A fun and easy snack for everyone to enjoy this holiday.

Favorites for the Fourth!

Patriotic Pops anyone? And no, not just any pops, but Oreo Pops. These treats are incredibly easy to make, so easy that your kids can even help out. Perfect for any Fourth of July gathering.

A heavenly mixed berry trifle made with summer fresh blueberries, strawberries, white chocolate pudding, angel food cake and cream. A beautiful guiltless dessert that would make your July 4th table proud.

You simply can’t have enough red white and blue desserts when it comes to the Fourth. This Firecracker Bundt cake is not just fun but easy to make, plus it’ll have all your guests wondering just how you did it.

Welcome your guests with the unique Fourth of July wreath. It’s a festive, easy, inexpensive and fun craft to get you ready for the festivities!

Light the way to your party with this simple DIY project. Super cute yet super easy.

The Fourth of July is traditionally a time for family and friend get-togethers. Entertain in style with these fun and easy Mason Jar utensil holders.

Now it’s time for the fun stuff, drinks. We are big fans of sangria, especially in the summer. Plus the fruit makes the drink seem so festive. Here is a beautiful option full of strawberries, blueberries and pineapple – perfect for The Fourth of July!.

This Fourth of July don’t just offer your guests water, offer them water with a festive twist. Freeze blueberries, blackberries and strawberries or raspberries with water in an ice cube tray. Cute and tasty Fourth of July drinks for everyone. Also great with Seven-Up or Sprite.

And of course your Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt is a must this Fourth of July. We recommend our Lemon Blueberry with Poppyseed for the occasion as it’s loaded with blueberries which are not just perfect for the the Fourth but also for July which is National Blueberry Month. Thank you for reading about our Favorites for the Fourth!

Six Perfect Summer Salads

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Now that Memorial Weekend has come and gone it’s time to start thinking about summer. We eat salad all summer long and wanted to share our six favorite summer salads with you. These fresh summer salad recipes are anything but ordinary! They are perfect for summer picnics, barbecues, pool parties and just every day light eating.

Six Perfect Summer Salads

Squash is bountiful this time of year. This Zephyr Squash Summer Salad is not only light and crunchy but its layered with flavor!

This Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad is a favorite of ours. It’s the taste of summer on a plate and so easy to prepare. The crumbled feta gives this salad its saltiness which is heaven with the sweet flavors of melon and tomato. It makes a wonderful starter or even a perfect way to top a grilled dish.

This watermelon and strawberry salad is a simple combination of fresh fruit mixed in with a little bit of lemon juice, sugar and water. This is a great way to jazz up a traditional fruit salad, but you can also toss the fruit in a citrus-infused balsamic vinegar for a tangy contrast with the sweet fruit.

It’s quite amazing how a homemade vinaigrette and fresh herbs can breathe life into a can of cannellini beans. This White Bean and Mint Salad is refreshing yet filling and great served alongside barbecued meats. Feel free to make this salad ahead of time; it gets better and better the longer it sits.

Quinoa is a grain used in many South American dishes. It is high in protein and gluten-free making it perfect for many different kinds of dishes. This Minty Cucumber Quinoa Salad is nutritious, easy to make and packed with flavor.

Enjoy these perfect summer salad recipes

This twist on traditional tabbouleh is the perfect summer dish. Chicken Feta Tabbouleh is delicious when eaten right away, but the flavors in this meal stand up admirably when it’s prepared ahead—making this a good take-to-work lunch, too. Serve with toasted pita wedges or flatbread.

We hope you enjoy these healthy and nutritious six perfect summer salads as much as we do. Happy Summer Salad Eating! Share your favorite summer salads with us!

15 Festive Tequila Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Tequila! People seem to either love it or hate it. But whatever your feelings might be Cinco de Mayo is quickly approaching so it is time to give in to your craving or conquer your fear. And no need to limit yourself to just a classic margarita, there’s a world of tequila cocktails just waiting to be guzzled! From a Bloody Maria to a Strawberry Siracha Margarita there are countless ways to enjoy tequila. Here are fifteen festive recipes ranging from light and refreshing highballs to intense brooding cocktails. Oh and we couldn’t help but include a few truly delicious variations on the good old standard margarita too!

Let us start our nice and easy with this refreshing take on a standard Margarita. This Perfect Margarita from Honestly Yum is the perfect go-to drink for just about any occasion. It doesn’t have to be just Cinco de Mayo for this classic cocktail!

For a savory and tasty Bloody Maria that smells absolutely delicious, check out Its A Beautiful Mess. Something tells us this will kill any hangover and taste great! We can’t wait to try this one at our next brunch!

Mixing sweet, spicy and salty is what a great Margarita is all about! Get this Mango Jalapeno Margarita recipe from How Sweet it Is. Try it and we guarantee you’ll be heading back to her site for more.

Summer is coming and we can tell by the heatwave we are having in sunny Southern California this week. This drink is sure to cool you to the core! Prepare for unexpected fun with these great tasting Frozen Chambord Margaritas from Food52.

Blood Oranges are all the craze lately. From fruit, to candles, to these incredible Blood Orange Margaritas, who can resist this great fruit!

A spicy sweet cocktail. This is a nice change from the jalapeno cocktails we’ve all seen so often these days. This spicy Siracha with a twist of strawberry is the perfect balance. Get the Strawberry Siracha Margarita recipe from Domestic Fits, you’ll be happy you did.

Tropical and juicy this Spicy Melon Tequila Sunrise Punch is a healthy combo of punch and cocktail offering both vitamins A&C. Did we say Vitamins and alcohol together?! Sounds like just what the doctor ordered for Cinco de Mayo. Who could ask for more?

A Martha Stewart favorite. This Tequila Thyme Lemonade is infused with just the right herbs, its fabulously fragrant and so refreshing.

This Cinco de Mayo gem, the Frosty Mexican Bulldog Margarita comes to us from the great town of Austin, Texas! Thank you Austonians!

Not to knock the rum based classic mojito, but a Tequila Mojito, like this one here, has an oakiness and smokiness to it that adds a depth of flavor you just don’t get with rum. One of the best things to sip on Cinco de Mayo or any hot summer evening.

Beyond perfection. This Mango Margarita with Cilantro is the perfect cocktail to sip on this Cinco de Mayo, or any other day to be frank.

Here is a quick and easy Cinco de Mayo drink we got from BS In The Kitchen. The blend of grapefruit, lime, and sugar blended perfectly with the tequila, making for a very refreshing Paloma.

They take a little work but you are sure to impress your Cinco de Mayo guests with these Pomegranate-Lime Margaritas. They are well worth it.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart, this Watermelon-Basil Margarita is a Cinco de Mayo recipe for the books. The watermelon ice cubes will have everyone talking. You can also try mint leaves instead of the basil leaves.

The House Special aka The Barfly is an awesome take on a tequila sunrise, with a great little story behind it from Verses From My Kitchen.

Looking for something other than tacos and tequila to put in your tummy this Cinco de Mayo, try our Lemon Blueberry with Poppy Seed Mandelbroyt. It is refreshing and would pair perfectly with any and all of these delicious cocktails!

Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo and remember always drink and party responsibly!

Passover Favorites!

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Passover begins this Monday April 14th at sundown, marking the first of eight days and nights of no leavened bread to commemorate the Jew’s liberation from Egyptian slavery. Many Jews including all of us at Papa Ben’s will start the holiday with a traditional Passover seder. Passover foods are steeped with symbolism, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with them. Here are some inspiring recipes and entertaining ideas for the holiday.

Inspired by Middle Eastern fare these stuffed potatoes are bursting with rich flavors not to mention the aroma that will fill your home is to die for. Plus they’re perfect for Passover!

This unleavened twist on lasagna is a great passover meal. Simply substitute layers of matzo for the pasta, then fill them with a mixture of spinach and ricotta cheese.

These Passover S’mores are sure to be a crowd pleaser this year, especially with the kiddos. Oh and be sure to pick up a box of mini matzo crackers, they are just perfect for this sweet treat.

It’s not to late to run out and pick up this stunning Seder Plate from Pottery Barn. Handcrafted, it was made to mimic the look of a leafy branch – absolutely stunning.

In lieu of place cards, pipe your guests’ names in chocolate on matzos. Genius!

These are just some of the many Passover rituals we participate in each year, please share your Passover traditions and favorite recipes with us! We hope you enjoyed this article about Passover dessert favorites.

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Papa Ben’s Mandelbroyt is not just kosher but it is also all-natural and non-dairy (pareve). In today’s blog we describe a number of delicious Kosher and Pareve Desserts that you can enjoy. Finding healthy yet tasty desserts that meet these requirements is important to us, so we’ve done our homework. Here are some of our favorites that don’t sacrifice good taste to achieve such goals. Always ready with an arsenal of healthy and kosher recipes this Anna Ballin favorite is a must-try. The vanilla sugar and orange juice give this Apple Crumble an extra special taste.

Peanut butter cookies not just packed with flavor but an easy-to-follow recipe that will surprise you just as well. We like to add peanut butter chips to the recipe and take down the bake time by 2 to 3 minutes, just a suggestion.

This kosher and pareve chocolate sponge cake is perfect for Passover. We stumbled across it on Jamie Geller’s blog, Joy of Kosher, which if you haven’t checked out be sure to do so now.

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

When Couldn’t Be Parve featured this mixed-berry chia jam we had to give it a whirl. And it’s delicious! Utilizing the seasons finest fruits, berries, its much fresher and tastier than store-bought jams. Plus it thickens with the help of “superfood”, chia seeds, versus sugar making it not just pareve but low in sugar too!

A good pareve chocolate cake recipe is always worth having, so stash this recipe some place safe. Two stealth ingredients make this cake one-of-a-kind; coconut milk and instant espresso mix. A super moist cake encased between layers of rich chocolate frosting – not for the faint of heart.

Popular in many Jewish households Marzipan lies somewhere between candy and dessert. Marzipan is a beautiful accent to any platter of dried fruit and nuts or even for a special occasion or on your Seder table. And remember it’s very sweet so a little goes a long way!

And of course you can always reach for our Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt. With 5 delicious all-natural, kosher and pareve desserts, you can’t lose. All of our cookies are made with the finest ingredients and only 80 calories a piece!

Enjoy!

Recipes We Love for Spring | Recipes for Spring

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Winter has come and gone and in just a couple of days we will usher in Spring with its longer days and warmer nights. But seasons aren’t just about the weather! So get fresh with some recipes for Spring using asparagus, artichoke, rhubarb, and other seasonal favorites. From drinks to desserts here are some spring-time favorites.

Cool and refreshing this Home-made Ginger Ale is pretty simple to make and is great for guests of all ages.

And now, if you are looking for just the right adult spring concoction . . . here it is. This strawberry rhubarb sangria is crisp and delicious and most definitely has a kick to it. One of many great recipes for Spring!

Fresh fava beans, baby spinach, frisee and mint, accented with rich goat cheese makes for the perfect spring salad.

This Italian flatbread is a keeper. The thin crust topped with fresh vegetables and mozzarella cheese is just light enough yet still bursting with flavor. Great for any gathering.

Usher in Spring with a crowd pleasing Artichoke Pasta that celebrates the season. Plus they offer two different phenomenal versions of this vernal meal here.

Braised chicken beside a bed of seasonal vegetables is not only delicious but easy enough to handle for any week-night dinner! Can you ask for more?

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with cheesy spinach is not only mouth-watering pasta dish but also a great way to sneak in those good-for-you veggies and make your vegetarian friends happy all at once!

These coconut-topped cupcakes make eating dessert feel like a tropical vacation.

Last but not least Papa Ben’s delicious Lemon Blueberry Mandelbroyt! The citrus flavor fused with the sweetness of the blueberry is perfect for Spring. So good you’ll have to try not to eat the whole box at once!

Preparing for Purim

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Purim is a joyous occasion that celebrates the salvation of the Jews. It is common during this time to exchange gifts of food and drink with family and friends, give to charity or those less fortunate than you and of course, drink wine and feast. Here are some traditions, purim recipe ideas and new discoveries we’d love to share with you for the holiday this weekend.

Hamantaschen is a traditional Jewish recipe made by generations past and in homes today, including ours! These fruit-filled cookies are traditional for Purim, plus you can put them in gift baskets to give to all your friends!

It’s always fun to have your children learn more about a holiday through hands on experience. So here are a couple DIY projects for you and the kiddos!

Homemade Woven Baskets – Mishloach Manot for Purim

Purim Noise-Maker (a classic prop used during the reading of the Book of Esther)

Printable Purim Masks from the Book of Esther

If you find yourself stuck searching for a creative mishloach manot idea this year here are a few original ideas that won’t break the bank.

S’mores Kits

The Artists Pallete

Springtime Purim Plants

Chocolate Hand Dipped Hamantashen

Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt always makes a great gift for any occasion, but this traditional Jewish cookie is especially meaningful during this great holiday. In a day filled with sweets, Papa Ben’s Mandelbread gives just the right amount of sweetness but with wholesome all natural ingredients, low sugar, low salt, and low calorie, so it is low guilt! Enjoy the above activities and purim recipe ideas this year!

And of course, there is never a holiday too small for a themed cocktail. This delicious Pomegranate Margarita is not just pretty but absolutely delicious. Make several batches ahead of time and have plenty of garnish pre-cut. So easy!

Lastly don’t forget to give! Purim is a holiday teeming with opportunities to give and to share. So take this opportunity and touch someones life, you’ll be surprised to see what it can do for you and them.

Nine Nutella Novelties

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

We missed it and so our thought is maybe you did too. But did you know last Wednesday was National Nutella Day. Yes you read it right, a day dedicated to NUTELLA. All it means is that you can eat all the Nutella you want and it doesn’t count. Here are nine Nutella novelties that will make your mouth water. Share your favorite Nutella desert.

Warm or cold this Nutella Pudding gets better with every spoonful.

Nutella Brownies, nothing more than a divine intervention.

These bite-size Salted Nutella Peanut-Butter Cookies make perfect party treats.

Indulge in this Nutella Banana Stuffed French Toast for breakfast or brunch.

Nutella Fudge, a fun change up to your traditional chocolate fudge.

Nutella Peanut-Butter Crepes, easy like Sunday morning!

Nutella Cheesecake Bar made from Oreo-crust, Nutella & cheesecake. What’s not to love?

Breakfast or dessert this Nutella Bread Pudding goes over great with the guests!

A Nutella Banana Smoothie, almost makes you feel healthy 😉

And just for fun, we say drizzle Nutella on your favorite Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt. We love it on the Chocolate Espresso Bean mandelbroyt flavor. It is rich yet delicate, and adds just the right amount of bittersweet to your palate. Tickle your taste buds with the healthy treat that fuses the sweetness of chocolate with the rich taste of espresso bean. It will take your coffee break to a whole new Nutella novelty loving level!

Enjoy!

PBK

Designing The Perfect Cheese Platter

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Love cheese? Who doesn’t. Putting together just the right cheese plate can be a little more difficult than it sounds but the other night Papa Ben’s got so close to perfect we just had to share. Here are a few quick and easy tips for all you cheese lovers out there.

When entertaining make sure to have about one ounce per person per cheese – and stick to about 5 to 6 cheeses total.
Choose a VARIETY: different textures, countries and milk types (the 3 milk types are goat, sheep and cow).
The cheeses we choose above are: 1) Mt Tam, Cowgirl Creamery’s insanely creamy brie 2) La Tur, you will see will disappear first 3) Pyrenees Brebis, with a great nutty flavor and pairs well with fig jam 4) Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, loaded with earthy flavors 5) Gruyere, nothing if not a gracious wine pairing partner and 6) Cambozola Black Label a delicate and under-stated blue cheese
Serve all the cheeses on one big board. You typically want your guests to start with the mildest and work up to the strongest, so place the cheeses in “clock order” from mildest to strongest.
To experience the full flavor and texture cheese should be at room temperature. So take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving.
Make sure you have different cheese knives for the different textures.
Oh and don’t forget your adornments! In addition to the usual baguette and/or crackers be sure to add nuts, charcuterie, olives, honey and dried fruits.
Wine and cheese – a natural pair. Enjoying a good wine and a good cheese can enhance the flavors of both. It’s counterintuitive but surprisingly white and lighter red wines are the way to go when pairing with cheese. The lack of tannins in white and light red wine, which are particularly tough on creamy cheeses help bring out the complexities of the cheese. If you are dead set on a bold red wine, drink Cabernet and drink it with harder cheeses (such as cheddar or jack). Lastly always remember sweet wine loves blue cheese!
Leftovers? Don’t store the leftover cheese in Saran Wrap, it will only make it sweat. Cheese needs to breathe – so wrap it in parchment or wax paper and keep it in the most humid part of the fridge (aka the vegetable drawer).

Ultimately have fun and don’t be afraid. Try new things and let the flavors be your guide, trust your taste buds and get started designing the perfect cheese platter of your own today!

Warm Up Winter with Our Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

For some of us out here on the west coast winter had a slow start this year. But that does not mean we must forgo all that is winter! You may be missing the cooler weather and longer days but don’t let that stop you from cuddling up next to your wood burning fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and Papa Ben’s Mandelbroyt. There is no better way to serve this time of year than with a Papa Ben’s twice-baked Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt. The delectable flavor blends a cool and fresh sensation with the dark scrumptiousness of a rich chocolate to create a mouth-watering delicacy. Seems impossible that something so tasty could be all-natural and dairy free, but it’s true… so indulge! You’ll find it hard to just have one. At just 80 calories per slice, our Mandelbroyt is sure to keep you satisfied (but not feeling guilty). Perfect for the the cold, or not so cold, nights with a cup of hot cocoa. And if your looking for an adult rendition to your hot cocoa here is our family secret recipe:

Ingredients:

6 cups skim milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until lukewarm; stir the cocoa powder and sugar into the warmed milk until dissolved. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg, and cloves and heat for another 5 minutes. ENJOY! From our family to yours! PBK

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Category Archives: FOOD & BEVERAGE

Favorites for the Fourth!

Favorites for the Fourth!

Six Perfect Summer Salads

Six Perfect Summer Salads

Enjoy these perfect summer salad recipes

15 Festive Tequila Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo

Passover Favorites!

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Recipes We Love for Spring | Recipes for Spring

Preparing for Purim

Nine Nutella Novelties

Designing The Perfect Cheese Platter

Warm Up Winter with Our Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt