No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 23:45:49 +0000

Summer signals the start of freedom: School vacations, celebrations of independence in the US and France. Thanks to a #SundaySupper Twitter chat, you’ll also be able escape a hot kitchen while temperatures soar. A treasure trove of tips and no-bake recipes will be shared. Scroll down and you’ll see details on how to attend the Summer Chillin’ #SundaySupper hosted by one of the smartest bloggers on the web, Alaiyo Kiasi of Pescetarian Journal. (Apologies to my friends shivering in Argentina and Australia, this post may not be very helpful.)

A minimum of prep work and a maximum of dessert pleasure:
Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bar

Delicate raspberries and puckery yuzu citrus are a heavenly flavor combo so I’m contributing No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars. Crushing Pocky (Japanese chocolate covered biscuit sticks) for the crust of my Summer Chillin’ dessert, I thought about all the “cool” festivals which occur in summertime Japan. Like the Tanabata Festival. The Japanese festival celebrates the one night where the Romeo and Juliet of the star system, Altair, the Cowherd Star and Vega, the Weaver Star reunite.

The summertime sky allows the Romeo and Juliet of Japan
to reunite during the Tanabata Festival.

Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

The Milky Way separates the two stars during the year. However, on the seventh eve of the seventh month, the lovers reunite. Depending on a region’s adherence to the solar or lunar calendar, the festival occurs on July 7th or August 7th. Prayers and wishes written on brightly colored paper are hung on bamboo trees during this time. Many hope that like the lovers they will realize their heart’s desires.

Tanabata Festival prayers and decorations dangle on
bamboo branches in the summer.
Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

Spirits of deceased relatives are also said to return for a summertime visit during the Obon Festival. (Again, depending on a tradition of following the lunar or solar calendar, the festival is celebrated in July or August.) The summer ritual includes great taiko drumming and folk dancing. Sometimes even dancing in the streets!

Traditional Japanese Obon folk dancing

Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

No worries. Nobody dances in the middle of traffic. The Buddhist festival is celebrated on sanctioned streets. Lanterns also play a part in the Obon Festival. As the festivities wind down; the flickering lanterns are tossed onto rivers and lakes so the deceased can safely find their way back to the land of spirits.

Dreamy creamy No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus summertime fun!

So you can find your way into your loved ones’ hearts, I’ve created No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars. Biting into the summertime dessert is summer fun! A crunchy chocolaty Pocky crust says cheers as a creamy citrus center dotted with pretty raspberries sweeps in with a sweet pucker.

No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars

Luscious creamy centers are spiked with Japanese yuzu citrus and sweetened with raspberry jewels. Crushed chocolate covered Pocky biscuits serve up a delightful contrast.

This recipe is adapted from KraftFoods.com.

Ingredients:

Generous cup of crushed Pocky (chocolate covered Japanese biscuit sticks)(Almost an entire 4.47 ounce package)
2 tablespoons coconut oil + ½ teaspoon for greasing the pan
2 packages of 8 ounce fat free cream cheese at room temperature
1 jar (7 ounces) of marshmallow creme
1½ tablespoons Japanese yuzu citrus juice
4 tablespoons milk powder
5 tablespoons vanilla pudding
2 tablespoons white chocolate cocoa
2 packages (6 ounces each) of fresh raspberries (Frozen will work but make sure they are well drained and patted dry.)

Directions:

1. In food processor combine the crushed Pocky with the coconut oil.
2. Press into an 8 x 8 pan lightly greased with the ½ teaspoon of coconut oil.
3. Whip together the marshmallow creme, cream cheese and yuzu juice.
4. Add the milk powder, vanilla pudding and cocoa.
5. Gently fold in half of the raspberries.
6. Pour into the prepared pan.
7. Refrigerate overnight.

Tip: Grease a spoon before dipping into the marshmallow creme and the scrumptious sticky stuff will slide right off!

Brisk Beverages

Blackberry and Peach Sparkling {Camping} Sangria from Simply Healthy Family
Mocha Madness Milkshake from Desserts Required
Savory Salted Cumin Mint Lassi With Greek Yogurt from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Skinny Watermelon Mojito from Peanut Butter & Peppers
Southern Sweet Tea from Gluten Free Crumbley
Strawberry Mango White Sangria from The Texan New Yorker
The Polar Cap Drink from Seduction in the Kitchen
Vanilla Root Beer Cream Soda from Feed Me, Seymour

Chilled Starters

Avocado Hummus Dip from Shockingly Delicious
Bak Kwa (Grilled Chili Pork Jerky) from Food Lust People Love
Cucumber-Watercress Soup - Gazpacho Style from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Gazpacho from Jelly Toast
Green Gazpacho from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Rabarbersuppe Med Vin (Danish Rhubarb Wine Soup from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Mexican Flag Guacamole from What Smells So Good?
Polish Chilled Beet Soup (Chlodnik) from Curious Cuisiniere
Tuna Tartare from Kimchi Mom
White Gazpacho from The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Snappy Salads and Sides

Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad from Neighborfood
Broccoli Salad from Flavor Mosaic
Cantaloupe Risotto from Confessions of A Culinary Diva
Cold Peanut Noodles from girlichef
Korean Salad from Noshing With The Nolands
Layered Salad with Green Goddess Dressing from Delaware Girl Eats
Pesto Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal
Picnic Orzo Salad from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
Spinach Salad with Curried Apple and Cashew Dressing from Peaceful Cooking
Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad from Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch
Tuna and Potato Salad from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Quinoa Fruit Salad with a Creamy Yogurt Dressing from Simply Gourmet
Watermelon, Mango and Arugula Salad from Take a Bite Out of Boca

Refreshing Main Dishes

Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Salad from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad from Cookin' Mimi
Jalapeno Ham Salad from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Shrimp Ceviche from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Surimi Salad from Pescetarian Journal
Zucchini Lasagna from Nosh My Way

Cool Confections

Berry Ice Cream Bomb from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Cherry Cream Cheese Ice Cream from Magnolia Days
Lemon Curd Parfait from Life Tastes Good
Lemon Thyme Ice Pops from Country Girl in the Village
Mocha Latte Ice Cream from The Foodie Army Wife
No Maker Required Berry Ice Cream from Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
No-Bake Penuche Drop Cookies from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars from NinjaBaking.com
No Churn Lemon Ice Cream {Dairy Free} from Healthy. Delicious.
Nutella and Pistachio Gelato from La Bella Vita Cucina
Olive Oil Gelato from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Pluot Ice Cream from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Raspberries and Cream Panna Cotta from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Salted Caramel Gelato from Manu's Menu
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwiches from The Redhead Baker
Trio of Fruity Ice Cream Toppings from Foxes Love Lemons
Vanilla Bean Chia Seed Pudding from Pies and Plots
White Chocolate Fruit Dip from Hezzi D's Book and Cooks

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

A Summer Chillin' Sunday Supper Dessert:
No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars

Wishing you smooth sailing through days filled with summertime fun.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Follow Ninja Baker @NinjaBaking's board NinjaBaking.com Sweets on Pinterest.

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Slightly Sophisticated PB & J Cake, #DessertChallenge

NinjaBaker — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:54:15 +0000

Sheryl, The Lady Behind the Curtain, peeked out to whisper the theme of June’s dessert challenge that was to be kept secret until today. I leaned in and heard strawberries and raspberries.

Hmm, fruits are rife on French influenced Japanese tarts. The berries are always artistically displayed and almost always on white flour and sugar laden pastries.

Raspberries, Strawberries & Stacks of Fruit & Flour, Oh My!

Photo Credit

The strawberries and raspberries I employed for the task of the challenge were placed on a slightly healthier foundation. I love white refined sugar but to benefit the well-being of family and friends, I opted for a honey, peanut butter based cake: Averie Cooks Peanut Butter Honey Buttermilk Cake, I followed the cake recipe exactly as written here and omitted the streusel.

The result was a peanut buttery cake filled with remembrances of adolescence. After a 1.5 hours commute from school to home on the Tokyo trains, I’d slide into my Dad’s easy chair and escape into a book while I munched on smooth peanut butter piled high on crumbly Ritz or graham crackers.

But I digress. Back to the Strawberry and Raspberry challenge cake. Inspired by the iconic childhood sandwich of PB & J, I infused buttercream frosting with a purée of raspberries. (Frappé a small box or raspberries in the blender and add to 3 cups of your favorite buttercream frosting.)

Peanut Butter Cake Teamed with Royal Raspberries Frosting,

Crowned with Strawberry Chocolate Drizzle

To add a touch of grownup elegance, I drizzled chocolate over the cake. The how-to is simple: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter with 1 ounces of semisweet chocolate and 2 ounces of unsweetened chocolate. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Wholesome Sweeteners Strawberry Agave. Being careful not to burn your fingers, drizzle the mixture with a piping bag fitted with a writing tip. (A fork works, too.) The taste is sublime. Especially when combined with the hearty peanut butter cake and flirty, light raspberry frosting.

Note: The Strawberry Agave and Raw Honey for the cake were gifts from the lovely ladies at Wholesome Sweeteners. However, their products already line my shelves so my opinion was not influenced by the presents.

A bevy of other recipes for strawberry-raspberry beauties are featured below.

Wishing you fruitful hours, which last beyond the bright days of summer.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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The Ninja Baker - raspberry

No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars, #SundaySupper

Slightly Sophisticated PB & J Cake, #DessertChallenge