10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Make in an Air Fryer...

Courtesy of Heather Baird
Photography by: Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

Hi Friends,

Who Knew? Yes, it's common knowledge that the air fryer can churn out perfectly-crispy french fries. But did you know that this magical machine can also handle hard-boiled eggs, grilled cheese and gooey crab Rangoon? Keep reading to snag some of our favorite unexpected treats you can whip up in this hot new kitchen appliance.

Bite-Size Churros


Bite-size churros are deliciously poppable! Whip up your favorite homemade churro batter and pipe onto baking sheets in 3-inch lengths. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. Cook the frozen dough in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Brush mini churros with butter and roll in cinnamon-sugar. For a truly decadent treat serve with salted caramel sauce.

Gooey Grilled Cheese


The best things in life are cheese, cheese and more cheese! Air-fried grilled cheese sandwiches are soft on the inside and crispy golden perfection on the outside. Simply place your favorite cheese between two pieces of thick sandwich bread, then smear with a scant amount of room temperature butter (about 2 teaspoons). Bake at 370 degrees F for 4 minutes, then flip and bake for another 3 minutes.

Crispy Apple Chips


Homemade apple chips are a healthy snack, but they can take more than an hour to bake in a regular oven. Air-frying greatly reduces the cook time and yields a crunchy, satisfying treat. Choose your favorite apple variety and slice it into quarter-inch rounds. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over the chips before serving.

Hard "Boiled" Eggs


An air fryer cooks eggs to perfect hard-boiled firmness. (Surprised? We were too!) Place six eggs straight from the refrigerator into the fryer basket. Cook at 300 degrees F for 12 minutes. Place the cooked eggs in cold water and the shells will peel away easily.

Corn on the Cob


Fried corn on the cob is bursting with sweet flavor! A standard fryer will hold about four medium ears of corn broken in half. Brush them lightly with olive oil and fry at 370 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. We suggest flake sea salt and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to finish.

Instant Garlic Bread


Crunchy garlic bread is just five minutes away! Slim baguettes, quartered, yield excellent results when air-frying. Lightly butter the centers of each piece of bread and add minced (or powdered) garlic. Fry two pieces at 350 degrees F for 5-6 minutes.

Air-Fried Pickles


Craving a salty bite? Fried pickles are just the thing! Thick-cut store-bought pickle chips work best in an air fryer. Pat pickles dry, dip them in beaten egg, then roll in panko breadcrumbs. Fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.

Mouthwatering Donuts (plus Donut Holes!)



Ordinary canned biscuits are transformed into golden, puffy donuts in just 5 minutes. Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter to remove the centers from the biscuits, and don't forget to save the donut holes! Work in batches of four and fry the donuts for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. Fry all of the donut holes at once for 3 minutes. Lightly brush hot donuts with butter and roll in cinnamon-sugar.

Crab Rangoon


Skip the deep-fryer for a healthier version of everyone's favorite take-out appetizer: Crab Rangoon! Use your favorite recipe and air fry for 5 minutes at 360 degrees F. Serve with ready-made duck sauce for the quickest fix.

Crunchy Croutons


Give day-old bread a gourmet makeover in the air fryer. Roughly cube bread and lightly brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the cubes with salt and pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes at 370 degrees F for extra-crunchy croutons.

Air-fried grilled cheese? Yes, please.

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Take Your Picnic to the Next Level With These Must-Buys...

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

Our featured Waterproof Picnic Blanket is a large outdoor picnic blanket that is both waterproof and super easy to tote. With a detachable faux leather handle, this roomy blanket can comfortably fit four people for an alfresco picnic. Keep this in the back of your car, and you'll always be ready to stop and snack no matter where you go.

Buy It: Amazon, $19.99

Sleek Lunch Box


These adorable reusable containers are like lunch boxes for grown-ups. It features a main compartment to store your sandwich or salad, as well as a hidden spot in the cover for veggies or dry snacks. There's even a small container you can use for dressing that also fits in the lid. A handy strap keeps everything in place, and the whole piece is dishwasher safe.

Buy It: Food52, $38.00

Reusable Flatware


Ditch the disposable plasticware that somehow ends up snapping in half for this stylish, reusable flatware set. Made from sturdy polycarbonate, each four-piece place setting (four settings come in each set) has a fork, knife, spoon and teaspoon. The set is available in onyx, clear or white. We think it's a worthwhile investment for any alfresco entertainer.

Buy It: Food52, $72 (Set of 16)

Compostable Wood Plates


Say goodbye to wasteful paper or styrofoam plates with these attractive alternatives. Made from wood, these large plates are more sustainable than most and a great size for a generous lunch- or dinner-sized meal. And while they are disposable, they're also compostable. Win, win!

Buy It: Food52, $30 (Set of 25)

Insulated Wine Bag


This smart-looking portable wine tote is fashionable and functional. Perfect for any white wine or rosé devotees, the tote is padded and insulated, so your wine will stay cool for hours. This is a must-have picnic companion, but can also work for parties, pool days and football tailgates.

Buy It: Amazon, $11.98

Wine Glass Holders


A genius solution for next-level picnics, these wine holders will quickly become a staple in your summer toolkit. Made of stainless steel, these holders have stakes that allow you to secure them in the ground with ease. They hold most standard-size wine glasses as well as beer bottles.

Buy It: Crate & Barrel, $10.95 (Set of 2)

Stackable Champagne Glasses


These colorful champagne glasses would make a fun addition to any picnic. The six-piece set, made from unbreakable plastic, comes with a storage bottle that allows you to stack up all the glasses for easy transport. The glasses are dishwasher safe, lightweight and easy to carry.

Buy It: AHAlife, $39.95 (Set of 6)

Casserole Bag


Perfect for transporting hot dishes, baked goods or anything else that needs to be kept upright, this tote allows you to easily bring along delicious homemade creations on your picnic or camping adventures. Simply slide your dish into the tote, grab the handles and head out.

Buy It: AHAlife, $79.95

Chilled Condiment Server


Ditch those hard-to-clean squeeze bottles for this handy chilled condiment server. Fill up the bottom with ice, then add all of your favorite condiments. Or get creative and use it for a specially themed picnic like a taco bar. You could include cheese, onions, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and limes for a fun picnic fiesta.

Buy It: Amazon, $23.99

Twin-Split Picnic Basket


If you love a traditional picnic basket, we found your new BFF. Handcrafted from New England ash wood, this split-top basket is a classic picnic essential that you'll use for years to come. Surprisingly roomy, this basket can fit a full meal, snacks, serveware and even a couple bottles of wine.

Buy It: AHAlife, $79.95

Tumbling Tower Game


If most of your picnics are about maximum family fun, you'll love this tumbling tower game. This game set includes oversized wood blocks and a gorgeous canvas, zip-up carrying case. Stack all the blocks and take turns removing each block one at a time without tumbling the tower.

Buy It: Crate and Barrel, $145.95

Picnic Wagon


If you're ready to up your picnic game this summer, it might be time for a picnic wagon. This sturdy, four-wheel wagon is meant to go with you and your family anywhere — the beach, the park or even camping. It's big enough to use for all of your picnic supplies and any other extra gear you might need. When not in use, you can fold up the wagon for easy storage.

Buy It: Crate and Barrel, $119.95

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these links. Add these to your (picnic) baskets ASAP...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Friends,

Strong hands, Gentle heart, Quiet wisdom, Great love, these are the important things that make a Wonderful father.

Happy Father's Day!

Check back for more creative ideas and enjoy all the timeless treasures of Father's Day; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

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Live well,
Yvonne

1st Day of Summer!

Courtesy of The Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi Friends,

We love Summer and wanted to share some information and great ways to celebrate the season with you. First, lets get information on the summer solstice facts-plus, fun ways to enjoy summer!

The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.

The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

In temperate regions, we notice the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer.

This summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year; check your local Sun rise and set times-and how the day length changes!

Now, 10 Ways to Celebrate Summer...

How will you celebrate the solstice and all that extra daylight? Here are 10 ideas plus, some "summer essentials" from the Almanac.com General Store!

1. Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires. Check out our dramatic fire bowls and fire pits.

2. Go fishin': We love to get out on the water. Consult our free Best Days for Fishing chart-plus, tackle-box and bait tips.

3. Plant a seed or a tree: Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration. Browse our neat seeds kits and containers.

4. Cook outside: There's nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out on the solstice. Get a taste of our mouthwatering Grilling and BBQ sauces.

5. Camp: Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it's a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods! Check out the camping store page for some fun ideas. Don't forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth to enjoy the outdoors in peace.

6. Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attact birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.

7. Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep one's skin from getting chapped. Summer certainly does cure the winter dries. You can also check out popular gardener's lotions and fisherman's soaps to soften calloused working hands. There's even an "annulment of time" rejuvenating cream!

8. Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers or decorative accents for your window or porch. Here is the Almanac suncatcher, shot in our town of Dublin, NH, against the backdrop of Dublin Lake.

9. Read a book. Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax on the beach or the porch and read up on gardening tips, natural health, and more. See our great books and guides.

10. Watch the night sky! In ancient Egypt, the new year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This roughly coincided with the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River. Click for our free monthly Sky Map and explore the night sky fom your own backyard!

Enjoy these lovely hot Summer days...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Mint Berry Ombre Layer Cake Recipe...

Courtesy of Ruth Meharg

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Celebrate Father's Day with a handsome blue-green ombre cake, colored with fresh blueberries and flavored with fresh mint.

Ombre Layer Cake


Looking for a unique dessert to make this Father's Day with ingredients fresh from the garden? This naked ombre layer cake combines the flavor of fresh mint, sweetness of bananas and the color of ripe blueberries into the perfect cake! It's delicious, easily customizable and looks fantastic.

Ingredients


Step one is gathering ingredients. You'll need cake batter and icing as well as bananas, blueberries, fresh mint leaves and a lemon. You can use store bought cake mix and icing, or make your own (this cake can even be made with your favorite gluten-free recipe). A traditional yellow or white cake works the best, especially if the cake is a little heavy. Double the recipe so you can make all those beautiful layers!

Creating the Dye


Before you begin mixing your cake batter, you'll need to make the blueberry dye. Place about half a cup of blueberries in a small saucepan and just cover them with water. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the water turns a deep blue/purple. When the dye mixes with the cake batter it tends to turn green, so add a teaspoon of lemon juice if you want your cake to be bluer. Or leave as is if you want a greener cake. Set aside to cool and whip up your cake batter.

Baking Layers


Pour a half-inch thick layer of undyed cake batter into your greased cake pan and bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Clean and reuse the pan, or use multiple pans of the same size. Add 1 tablespoon of dye to the remaining batter, mix, pour a half inch into the clean pan and bake. Repeat, adding 1 tablespoon of dye before pouring each new layer. (If you want a stronger color, add more dye, for a lighter color add less.) When all layers are baked and cool, stack them and trim the edges so they are even and the color of each layer shows.

Mixing the Icing


When all your layers are baked, cooled and trimmed, it's time to add the icing. Buttercream frosting works best for this step and you can make your own or buy several containers of ready-made. You'll need roughly double the amount of icing you would use to frost a standard cake. Chop up approximately half a cup of mint leaves and gently fold them into the frosting. This will create a nice rich mint flavor, but if you aren't fond of the strong flavor you can use fewer leaves for a more subtle effect.

Layering the Cake


Separate your trimmed cake layers and begin working with the darkest dyed layer first. Spread a layer of mint frosting over the top of this first layer, making sure it's extra thick along the edges. Lay thin slices of banana on top of the frosting and then carefully place the next layer of cake on top. Make sure all of the edges line up, then frost the top of the next layer and cover with slices of banana. Continue until you've used up every layer. Our cake had 6 layers, but you can make more or less depending on the time you want to spend.

Decorating


The final step is decorating. Begin by spreading a generous layer of frosting on the top of your cake. Press sprigs of fresh mint leaves into the frosting along the top and between the layers. This part is great for kids to help with. You can also slice bananas into little triangles to create decorative patterns. Spritz the slices with a bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown. If you have extra blueberries you can add those too.

Slice and Serve


Serve your beautiful cake immediately, or store it in the fridge to keep the mint and bananas fresh. Celebrate Dad and the beautiful days of summer with beautiful slices of blue-green and fresh mint and berries.

Bon Appétit...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

10 Father's Day Gifts for All the Hipster Dads...

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Happy Father's Day Friends,

If you happen to have any hipster papas in your life that you need to find the perfect Father’s Day gift for, then you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite gift ideas that we think any too-cool-for-school dads would love.

1: Go Plate Set

via Urban Outfitters

If you know a dad who loves to kick back with a cold beer, these plates may just be the perfect gift. They fit over bottles, cans and cups and allow you to hold both your drink AND your snacks with one hand. If you’re planning a big Father’s Day gathering, these will be great to have around, too.

2: NED The Oasis One Beard Shampoo

via Urban Outfitters

Something that many hipster dads seem to have in common is a beard. This shampoo/conditioner combo was designed to be gentle enough to not strip away all the natural oils. With ingredients like aloe and peppermint oil, it will soothe your guy’s skin and smell delicious.

3: Atari T-Shirt

via Target

Back before the days of headphones, virtual gaming and the internet, there was one video system that started it all: Atari. This t-shirt is a fun, retro homage to the OG video-gaming system.

4: Scotch-Infused Toothpicks

via UncommonGoods

If you have a dad in your life that loves toothpicks, why not amp 'em up a notch? That’s exactly what these toothpicks did, as each of them are infused with the essence of scotch.

5: "My Life Story — So Far" Journal

via UncommonGoods

This is a fun way for a dad to connect with his creative side while also creating something special for the kids. This journal includes a number of easy prompts that will inspire your dude to share some of the highlights, challenges and funny moments of his life so far. A beautiful pen or a set of markers would be a great addition to this.

6: Drink Rocks

via Areaware

These unique ice cubes are true head turners. Simply keep them in the freezer, then add to your drink. If you have a dude in your life that appreciates good design and an after-dinner drink, this gift is the perfect choice. Pair it with a bottle of his favorite booze and he'll be on Cloud Nine.

7: Dog Dad Keychain

via Lily Brooke Vintage

If you have a guy in your life whose kid is his pup, then this is a sweet way to honor him. These would also be a fun way to include the younger boys in your family who might be feeling a bit left out of the Father’s Day festivities.

8: Keyboard Waffle Iron

via The Keyboard Waffle Iron

For the geek guy who loves a good waffle, meet the keyboard waffle iron. This is a hilarious take on the traditional waffle iron, and it would be perfect for any dude who just can’t seem to step away from his laptop. Pair it with a gourmet bottle of syrup if you really want to amp up the gift.

9: Helvetica Mug

via Amazon

For design-loving dads, this simple mug is an homage to one of the most ubiquitous fonts in existence: Helvetica. If your guy loves coffee or tea, you can pair this mug with some of his faves or even a fancy coffee or espresso maker.

10: Fake Tattoo Sleeve

via Amazon

If your guy has always dreamed of getting a tattoo, but has never wanted to pull the trigger, this is a quirky, fun gift that he’ll have a blast with.

Does your dad dig beer and beard maintenance? This is the perfect gift list.

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne