sparkling cucumber and basil lemonade | apt 2b baking co

I spent a good few hours in the backyard this week, sweeping up the leftovers from fall and winter - getting ready for the few glorious weeks when the weather is warm enough to hang outside, but the mosquitos haven't hatched yet...I am a mosquito magnet and our backyard seems to be a hotbed of bug action in the warm months which makes it a not so fun place to hang.

For whatever reason we couldn't seem to get ourselves together enough to host people out back last year, but I am determined to host a few get togethers in the coming weeks. That means lots of good reasons to try delicious new recipes - and big batch cocktails. I love a sparkling sipper and this refreshing drink from Lily's new cookbook caught my eye immediately as I flipped through. Now, this recipe isn't a cocktail as written, but I could see a heavy pour of gin fitting in quite nicely with these tasting ingredients.

Lily's new book is broken down into 12 chapters that each highlight a flower or herb in fresh and delicious recipes including lots beauty products like masks, body scrubs, and the like but it is also so much more than just a cookbook. Lily writes about life, love, hurt, and heartbreak in such a painfully honest and vulnerable way it is a truly unique release in this busy Spring season.

Sparkling Cucumber Basil Lemonade

Recipe courtesy of the Kale & Caramel Cookbook

I subbed in limes for lemons because I was out of the yellow guys and I highly recommend it if you find yourself lemonless like me.

3-inch length of cucumber, chilled and coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup), plus some extra slices for garnish

2 to 3 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, plus lemon slices for garnish (or lime!)

1/4 cup still water

1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar

3/4 cup sparking water, or more to taste

Add the chopped cucumber to a blender or food processor with the basil, lemon juice, still water, and honey. Blend until smooth, then distribute evenly between two glasses.

Add the sparkling water, agin splitting evenly between the glasses. Drop in a few ice cubes, and garnish with cucumber slices, lemon slices, and basil as desired.

blood orange chia pudding | apt. 2b baking co.

I saw a photo of this chia pudding while scrolling through facebook? twitter? idk, some social media something and I wanted to make it asap. The pinky hue of blood oranges never fails to lure me in this time of year. I know I am a little behind the times sharing a recipe for the ever ubiquitous chia pudding on this here dessert and baking blog, but rest assured I have been a private chia lover for awhile now. I think it started in my bakery days when I tried to pack up a healthy "lunch" to bring to work most days, that I ate at 10am - baker's lunch time. I'd make a batch of muesli packed with oats and chia seeds then I'd top it off with some nuts and fruit.

The tapioca fan in me LOVES chewy/crunchy chia seeds and I guess they have some health benefits too, but you are going to have to consult a non-dessert blogger for those. I'm just here to share this pink pud. I'm probably going to have to make some for real tapioca pudding too. Keep your eyes peeled.

Hope you are having a restful start to the weekend!