Crispy, Spice Brined Pecans from Food 52 ............. and other favorite's !

These are so interesting and different than most spiced nuts.
They're not sweet and hot, they're not sugary and cinnamony, they're not sweet and made with egg whites.....they're amazing!
I've posted recipes for other roasted and spiced nuts that I also love.
Check out all of them and decide for yourself.
I just liked the fact that these are so different than all of the others.

The process is long, but the results are worth it.
I began soaking them at 10pm.
They were done soaking at 6am.
I put them in the oven and roasted them until 6pm.

I doubled the original recipe and this is my adaptation.

8 C pecan halves
8 tsp sea salt
12 - 1" pieces of cinnamon sticks
2 tsp nutmeg
12 whole cloves
8 pieces of 1"X3" orange peel
6 C boiling water

Place water in a large bowl ( it will eventually accommodate the pecans too).
Add all ingredients except the pecans.

Cool to luke warm.
Stir well.

Add pecans and soak for 8 hours.

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees.
With a slotted spoon, remove only the pecans and spread them out onto 2 full sized baking sheet pans lined with parchment paper.

Roast the pecans for 12 hours.
Store in sealed jars.

Here are some of my other recipes for spiced nuts:

Texas Pecans:

2 TBS butter

1/4 C Worcestershire Sauce ( I use a vegetarian version)

1 TBS Ketchup

2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce

4 C pecan halves

salt

in a saucepan, melt butter and add:

Worcestershire Sauce

Ketchup

Tabasco

Stir in pecans

Pour into a glass baking dish in a single layer

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

Stir often

Pour onto Paper Towels

Sprinkle with salt.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Crock Pot Cinnamon Almonds

1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 Egg White
2 tsp. vanilla
3 Cups Almonds
1/4 C. Water

Directions:
In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In another medium sized bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla until it’s a little frothy. Add almonds. Make sure the almonds are thoroughly coated in the egg white mixture. Add cinnamon mixture to the almonds and toss until coated.

Thoroughly spray with the stoneware of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture of almonds and sugars.

Cook on low ( with the lid on) 3-4 hours stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add the 1/4 C. of water and stir well. This ensures a crunchy yummy coating. (*make sure after you’ve added the water that you continue to cook the nuts for another 45 minutes to an hour.)

You have to stir really well, especially as it gets later in the cooking process.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the almonds flat to cool. The almonds will be sticky at this point, so make sure you separate them a little and have no large mounds.

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This recipe comes from the Dallas Morning News Taste Section. I previously posted a recipe for Union Square's Cafe Bar Nuts and I re posted it at the end of this recipe for Dechutes Brewery's Beer Nuts.

These are from the Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House in Oregon. They shared the recipe in the Dallas Morning News.

Deschutes Brewery's Beer Nuts:

1 1/4 pounds of Almonds

1/4 C Molasses

1 TBS Sea Salt

1/2 Pound Brown Sugar ( divided in half)

1 1/4 pounds of Roasted Salted Cashews

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine Almonds with Molasses, Sea Salt and half of the Brown Sugar.

Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir the hot Almonds into the remaining Brown Sugar in the bowl.

Spread the nuts out on the baking sheet and set them aside to cool.

Toss the cooled Almonds with the Cashews into the bowl.

Store covered in a cool dry place in a plastic or glass container.

Makes about 10 cups

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Union Square's Cafe Bar Nuts:

2 1/4 C mixed Nuts, no peanuts ( or... peanuts if you want)  I've done only Pecans because.... I live in Texas!

2 TBS coarsely chopped fresh Rosemary

1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper ( I use 1/4C Heirloom Chimayo Chile Powder and 1/4C Cayenne Pepper Seasoning.

2 tsp Brown Sugar

2 tsp Sea Salt

1 TBS butter, melted

Toss nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet

Roast them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and toss the nuts in the mixture

Store them in a jar and........

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Dallas Morning News Taste Section 12/04/13

Pretzels!
It's all about Pretzels.
"Pretzel Mania has taken over"

Cathy Barber writes a great story about Pretzels!
I've always loved recipes that include pretzels.
I recently posted the recipe for No Bake Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Squares. It has become the #1 viewed recipe on my Blog.

Here's my take away from the paper today.

Pretzel add-ins:

Sprinkle pretzels on peanut butter for a peanut butter and pretzel sandwich.

Add 1 1/2 C broken pretzel pieces to your favorite brownie recipe by folding them into the batter right before baking.

Add 1 C of broken pretzel pieces to your chocolate chip cookie recipe by folding them in to your chocolate chips.

Add 1 C crushed pretzels pieces to your peanut butter cookie recipe by rolling raw cookie dough in crushed pretzels before flattening with a fork.

Top iced cupcakes with crushed pretzel pieces.

Add to popcorn with M&M's.

Top scalloped potatoes with pretzel bread crumbs before baking.

Substitute the onions on your green bean casserole with pretzel bread crumbs.

Coat chicken breasts with pretzel bread crumbs instead of plain.


There were too many recipes to mention.
Here's two of my favorites:

White Chocolate Pretzel Bark with Pecans and Cranberries:

1 pound of finely chopped white chocolate
1 1/2 tsp nut oil
1 1/2 C dried cranberries
1 1/4 C toasted pecans
1 1/2 C broken pretzel pieces

Spray a 13"X18" sheet pan with non-stick spray
Pour 2 - 3 inches of water into the bottom half of a double boiler and heat over medium-low heat to just below simmer.
(this is a slow and low melt.)
Put chocolate in the top half of the doubler boiler and set over the hot water. Slowly melt the chocolate , stirring constantly.
Remove bowl just before all of the chocolate melts.
Stir until it melts completely.
Stir in oil until evenly blended.
Immediately fold in the fruit and nuts.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared pan, about 1/2" thick.
Immediately spread broken pretzel pieces over the chocolate and press into the mixture.
Set bark aside at room temperature until it hardens.
Break into pieces.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!
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Chocolate Tart with Pretzel Crust:

8 TBS butter
1 1/4 C coarsely crushed pretzel sticks
3/4 C powdered sugar
1/2 C flour
1 large egg
2 ounces of bittersweet chocolate , melted
1 1/2 C heavy cream
3/4 pound chocolate, chopped fine
Additional crushed pretzels for garnish

Spray the bottom and sides of a 10" removable bottom tart pan with nonstick spray.
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter pretzels and sugar until creamy smooth.
Beat in flour and egg.
Flatten dough and roll into a 12" circle.
Place dough in the tart pan and fit as needed.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the tart pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, until firm.

Line the tart shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or rice and blind bake for 30 minutes.
Remove weights and paper and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Allow to cool completely.

Brush the tart shell with melted chocolate and refrigerate for 10 minutes, until set.

In a medium saucepan, bring cream to a simmer.
Remove the pan from heat and add the chopped chocolate.
Allow mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
Whisk until smooth and allow to cool for 30 - 45 minutes.
Pour the filling into the shell.
Sprinkle with additional crushed pretzels and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

This is the cover photograph for a Holiday version
of the Chocolate Tart with Pretzel Crust

Sweet Corn Pudding from Farmhouse Rules

Farmhouse Rules is a new Food Network Cooking Show. Nancy Fuller is the cook. She lives on a farm in Up State New York. The cooking is good old fashioned Farm Cooking. The recipes are all amazing and I like her approach to cooking. It's a lot like the way we cook at our house. My Aunt Faye lived on a Farm in Michigan and this reminds me of the family farm. 


Canola spray, for spraying baking dish
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar
1 cup whipped cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram
2 shallots, chopped
4 cups fresh corn kernels or two 8-ounce bags frozen corn kernels, thawed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with canola spray.

Whisk together the eggs in a large bowl. Next, add and mix together the Cheddar, cream cheese, heavy cream, breadcrumbs, honey, marjoram and shallots. Add the corn and stir into the mixture. Add the butter and mix together.

Pour the corn pudding into the baking dish, top with salt and pepper and bake until the pudding just sets, about 45 minutes. Serve immediately.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Baked Eggplant Parmigiano from Food 52

3 pounds of eggplant
1 C flour
salt
olive oil
1 C grated parmesan cheese
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced thin

Sauce:
2 (28oz.) can whole tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
olive oil

Peel eggplant , slice lengthwise, 1/4" slices
Sprinkle each slice with salt and put into a colander
Place a plate on top and then a heavy pot to weight it .
Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Cover the entire bottom of a saucepan with olive oil and heat over medium high.
Add garlic and cook until it begins to sizzle. Do not brown it.
Add tomatoes with the juice
Salt to taste and stir well.
Break up the tomatoes with a fork.
Lower the heat and simmer to reduce the liquid my half.

Remove eggplant from the colander and dry with paper towel.

Pre heat the oven to 450 degrees
Drizzle 2 baking sheet pans with olive oil
Dredge the eggplant slices in flour.
Place them on the pans , drizzle with additional olive oil.
Bake 15 minutes on one side until browned, turn and bake the other side for 15 minutes.
Repeat with all slices of eggplant.

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 7"X11" gratin baking dish, ceramic or earthenware.
Place a single layer of eggplant in the pan.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Add another layer layer of sauce and eggplant.
Repeat until you are about two layers from the top of the pan.
Cover with all of the mozzarella cheese slices
Layer with remaining eggplant, sauce and end with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Chex Buddies for the Holidays

I did a story dedicated to Chex Mix.
Here are 3 of my choices for Holiday Chex Mixes called Chex Buddies.
The directions are the same for each of the varieties.

12/22/13:
Now that I've made my first batch of Chex Buddies I can comment on the process to make it easier for everyone else.
The key to this process is to use the largest, widest opening, bowl that you have and the largest ziplock bag that's available. These two hints alone will make the process easy. I also used a large, Amish wooden spoon/scoop to mix the Chex after the Chocolate was drizzled over it. None of the cereal was crushed. I highly recommend these for the Holidays.


Andes Mints Chex Buddies:

2 boxes of Andes Mints , chopped
(Microwave until smooth and creamy)

5 C Corn Chex Cereal in a large glass bowl

1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar in a large ziplock bag.

Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal  and mix gently, folding from the
outside edge of the bowl to the center. Mix until well coated with chocolate.

Pour the chocolate covered mix into the bag of Confectioner's Sugar and shake until
well coated.

Pour into serving bowls.
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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buddies:

9 C Corn Chex Cereal

1 C Chocolate Chips
1/2 C Creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 C butter
1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar

Use the same directions as above.
Melt all of the coating ingredients in a microwave until smooth and creamy.
Pour over Chex
Pour in the bag and shake.
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Citrus Buddies:

1 12.8 oz. box of Rice Chex Cereal

12 ounces of White Chocolate Chips
5 tsp Orange Zest
1 TBS Lime Juice
1 TBS Lemon Juice
5 TBS butter

2 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar

Same directions as above.
Melt topping ingredients in a microwave, until smooth and creamy.
Pour over Chex Cereal
Pour in the bag and shake.
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The hardest part of this was unwrapping the 2 bows of Andes Mints.
Otherwise this is the easiest Christmas treat that I've made this year.
They look incredible and taste amazing. I highly recommend Chex Buddies!

These are the Andes Mint Buddies

These are some of the ingredients for the Citrus Buddies.
This also shows the bowl and the spoon that I use.
These are also delicious. They are a nice change from all
of the Chocolate treats that we typically make
st Christmas.
I would have photographed the Citrus Buddies but
they look the same as the Andes Buddies.

Enjoy! Peace in the Kitchen!

Pasta Bar in a Jar Party!

I love this idea of hosting a Pasta Bar in a Jar Party.
This would be great for a gathering of family and friends.

Here's what you need:

Canning Jars ( I prefer the ones with the hinged lids) , available in various sizes.
Slow Cookers
Hot Plates
Serving Dishes for all of the ingredients.

Ingredients for the Bar:

Pasta: cooked and drained
Elbo Macaroni
Penne
Rigatoni
Penne
Bow Tie
Rotini

Sauces:
Marinara / Vegetarian
Marinara Meat Sauce
Alfredo
Cheese

Herbs and Vegetables:
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Basil
Roasted Red Peppers, diced
Fresh Zucchini, dices
Artichoke Heats, chopped
Mushrooms, sliced
Asparagus, sliced
Sun Dried Tomatoes, chopped
Minced Garlic

Meat:
Meatballs
Sauteed Hamburger
Sausage

Parmesan Cheese, Grated or Fresh Shaved
Olive Oil
Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper

French or Italian Garlic Bread

Prepare all hot ingredients ahead of time and keep them warm.
Place all ingredients in serving bowls.

Each person fills their Jar with their  personal favorites from the bar.
Shake the jar and enjoy!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Rhubarb / Strawberry Cobbler

Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler

I grew up in Michigan where Rhubarb was plentiful. I love it in any recipe.
I previously posted a recipe for Rhubarb Mousse.
My Aunt and Grandmother always made Rhubarb Sauce when it was in season.
I just saw Rhubarb at a local Market here in Texas.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
1 - 10" Cast Iron Skillet

1 C Sugar
3 TBS Flour
3 C sliced Strawberries
3 C diced Rhubarb
Mix together in a large bowl
Pour into the skillet.

In another bowl, mix together with a pastry blender:
1 1/2 C Flour
1 C Brown Sugar
16 TBS (2 Sticks) Butter
1 C Rolled Oats
Crumble this mixture on top of the fruit.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen: Holiday Eggnog Rice Pudding

Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen: Holiday Eggnog Rice Pudding: Rice pudding is such a treat any time of the year.  At the holidays, it's nice to make it using a rich eggnog custard, creating yet...

Chocolate Palmiers

I never thought I would ever make homemade Palmiers. We see them all over Paris, in every small pastry shop on every block. They look and taste amazing. I decided to post a recipe so I can remind myself that I can really make them myself. I chose to post the recipe for Chocolate ones.

Chocolate Palmiers

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Sheet Pans lined with Parchment Paper.

1 8oz package of Cream Cheese
1/2 C sifted Confectioner's Sugar
1/4 C unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 TBS Flour + 2 2/3 C used separately in the recipe.
2 TBS Frangelico ( Hazelnut liqueur)
1/2 C finely chopped, toasted Hazelnuts
8 TBS (1/2 C) Butter, softened
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Egg
3 TBS whole Milk
1/2 tsp Almond extract

Filling.

In a medium mixing bowl, with an electric mixer:
Cream Cheese
Confectioner's Sugar
Cocoa Powder
2 TBS Flour
Liqueur
Beat on low until smooth.
Fold in Hazelnuts, by hand.
Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

Pastry Dough.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
Beat on medium high speed for 30 seconds.

Add:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Baking Powder
Cinnamon
Salt
Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.

Add:
Egg
Milk
Almond Extract
Beat until well combined.

Gradually add the Flour.
Beating just until mixed well.

Divide the dough in half.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a Floured Surface:
Start with one portion of dough.
Roll into a 12" X 8" rectangle 1/8" thick with the long edge facing you.
Spread with half of the filling to within 1/2" of the long edge.
Beginning with the edge facing you, roll the dough tightly to meet the middle.
Roll the other side to meet the middle. (the two long edges should meet in the center)
Brush the seam where they meet with a bit of water and gently press together.
Repeat with the other portion of dough.

Wrap the rolls in plastic wrap, place them on a sheet pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to
as much as 24 hours.

Using a very sharp knife, cut the rolls into 1/4" slices.
Transfer the Palmiers, cut side down and 2" apart  onto the lined Sheet Pans.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Remove the pans to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer the Palmiers to the rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

These are an example of plain Palmiers.

These are an example of Chocolate Palmiers.

Cornmeal Star Cookies

Cornmeal Stars with Orange Glaze 
Makes 58, 3 1/2" cookies


1 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
2 egg whites
1 egg yolk
2 TBS orange zest, divided use
5 TBS orange juice, divided use
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2  3/4 C all purpose flour
2/3 C yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 C powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
 In a separate bowl, beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form.
 On low, beat egg whites into butter mixture, just until blended. Still on low, add egg yolk, 11/2 TBS orange zest, 2 TBS orange juice and vanilla to butter/egg white mixture, beating just until blended.

2. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture in three parts, beating just until blended after each addition.
 
3. Divide the dough in half, and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Flatten dough into discs and refrigerate for 8 hours or freeze for 1/2 hour. Dough is very soft and must be chilled before handling.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out one portion of dough on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with floured cookie cutters and place cut outs on parchment lined cookie sheets (or roll dough directly onto parchment paper, cut out cookies and remove trimmings. Place parchment paper onto cookie sheet and bake). Re-roll trimmings for additional cookies. Keep dough refrigerated between rollings.

5. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until just starting to brown. Cool cookies on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove cookies to wire racks until completely cooled.

6. For orange glaze/frosting, combine remaining 1/2 TBS zest, remaining 3 TBS orange juice, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth. (Add a little more sugar to make the frosting thicker, if you like, or add a few drops of orange juice if you'd like it to be thinner). Spread topping on stars. Place cookies on wire racks until topping is set, about half an hour or so, depending on how thick it is. 

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Holiday Bundt Cake

Thanksgiving is over and we still have plenty of ingredients from baking our Thanksgiving desserts.
Here's a way to use some of those leftover ingredients in a delicious cake.
We had our Cul -de- Sac Dinner Club last night and our host baked this wonderful Holiday Cake.
Thank you Gretchen for introducing this Hippy to the cake! I'd previously posted another recipe that Gretchen shared with me. I believe they are the Artichoke Balls. I've shared other recipes from our neighbors. We have some great cooks on our street.

Holiday Bundt Cake:

You'll need one 9"- 10" (12 C) Bundt pan. I grease it with my Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) You can make a large batch and refrigerate it if you do a lot of baking. I keep it in ajar in the refrigerator. I lasts a long time!  It's a foolproof release method especially in a detailed Bundt Cake Pan.


2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger powder
1/8 tsp salt

1 1/4 sticks (10 TBS) butter, softened
1 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 C pumpkin puree
1 apple, peeled, cored, chopped

1 C dried cranberries
1 C roughly chopped  toasted pecans ( I add more because I'm a Texan and we love pecans)

In a bowl, whisk together:
flour
baking powder
baking soda
cinnamon
nutmeg
ginger
salt

In a stand mixer, with a paddle attachment:
Butter
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Beat for 3 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one.
Beat in vanilla

Reduce speed

Add:
pumpkin
apple
mix just until combined.

Add:
Dry ingredient mixture.
Fold in cranberries and pecans.

Scrape batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 60 - 70 minutes, until a knife in the center comes out clean.

Cool pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes
Un mold the cake onto the cooling rack and cool completely.

Serve with homemade whipped cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen

America's favorite Cole Slaw!

I'm sharing this recipe from,( I Love Texas Recipes), a blog that I follow.
I love Cole Slaw along with my entire family. This is the Cole Slaw we all grew up eating. Thank you ( I Love Texas Recipes) for sharing and bringing back so many picnic memories from my childhood. This is what food blogging is all about.

1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup buttermilk 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 8 cups finely chopped cabbage (approx. 1 head) 1/4 cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot) 2 tablespoons minced onion Directions: * Be sure cabbage and carrots are chopped into very fine pieces (a little bigger than rice) * Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper in large bowl. Beat until smooth * Add cabbage, carrots, and onions. Mix well. * Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, if you let it sit over night it's even better.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Hasselback Potatoes

 I originally saw this recipe when my niece made them for Thanksgiving. I researched several recipes  and this is what I found.
The one listed at the bottom of this post is from the original restaurant recipe at the restaurant in Sweden.

Swedish version of baked potatoes. These baked potato fans were popularized as the namesake dish of the restaurant at the Hasselbacken Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden.

This baked potato is not your average baked potato! This looks like a very fancy side dish, but is actually very easy to do. As it bakes, the slices fan out slightly for a show-stopping presentation. This is as comfortable at a family dinner as it would be at a dinner party. Definitely a unique and delicious way to serve potatoes.

The following are variations on the potato.
You can experiment with your own versions.

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
1/3 C olive oil
4 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 TBS finely chopped fresh rosemary (divided)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Slice the bottom off each potato and cut crosswise at 1/8-inch intervals, cutting to within 1/4 inch of the bottom. 

Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of the rosemary and toss well, working the salt mixture in between the slices. Arrange the potatoes on a sheet pan cut side up.

Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes, until they are tender and golden and crisp on top




Here's another recipe:
This makes about 8 potatoes.

1/4 C grated Parmesan
1/2 C fine bread crumbs
5 TBS butter (melted), divided
1 tsp paprika
Kosher Salt


Place the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, paprika, and salt in a food processor; process until blended.
Brush prepared potatoes with 2 tablespoons melted butter (making sure some gets in the potato cracks), and pat the prepared cheese/bread crumb mixture on top of each potato.
Place potatoes in an oiled 9"X13" baking dish; cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until they turn crispy and the flesh is soft.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish all of my friends and followers a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had the opportunity to create some amazing recipes for this day. The first Thanksgiving was to give thanks for an abundant harvest.

And remember....

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Sweet Onion Soufflé / Thanksgiving 2013

Corn, Zucchini, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Onion....... Casseroles! Some of my favorites.
But....... let's add Soufflés to that list!

Sweet Onion Souffle:

1 stick of butter (1/2C)
4 pounds of Vidallia Onions. roughly chopped, chunky!
salt
3 TBS flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
6 eggs
2 C heavy cream
3/4 C grated parmesan cheese

In a large skillet :
Melt butter on low heat.
Add onions
Salt to taste
Saute until golden in color, about 40 minutes
Cool completely

Butter a 9" X 13" dish or a 2 quart Bram

In a bowl:
Whisk flour, baking powder and salt

In another bowl:
Beat eggs, cream and cheese

Whisk together dry ingredients and wet ingredients.
Fold in onions

Spoon into the baking pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes if using a 9"X13" and 20 minutes in a Bram
The Souffle should be set and golden brown

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Aunt Jean's Crock Pot Tofurky with Cranberry Onion Sauce

This is a Vegetarian Turkey from Tofurky. It's a roast that tastes delicious. It also comes with a vegetarian gravy, however, this year I'm making an Apple Cider Gravy for ours. I'll use the other gravy for our Mashed Potatoes. One of our children is also vegetarian. I thought I'd add this to the blog so you get an idea of how amazing a Vegetarian Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner can be. We will also have all the traditional trimmings, sides and desserts!
My wife also makes the Dressing vegetarian for everyone.

This simple recipe makes a moist, delicious Roast.

1 Tofurky Roast, thawed or frozen
1 can of whole Cranberry Sauce
1 package of vegetarian Onion Soup Mix
16 ounces (2 cups)  Vegetable Broth. (I use a Vegetarian Chicken Stock)

Empty package of soup mix into a Crock Pot and add the Chicken Stock and the Cranberry Sauce, stirring to mix.
Place the Tofurky Roast in the center of the pot.
For a frozen Roast, cook on high for about three hours, turning the Roast over in the sauce every half hour.
A thawed Roast will take two hours.
Slice the Roast thin and pour some sauce over it to serve,

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Fall Corn Pudding with White Cheddar and Thyme / Food and Wine Magazine

1. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
2. 1 onion, finely chopped
3. 2 teaspoons minced thyme
4. 4 cups frozen corn kernels (about 20 ounces), thawed
5. 1/2 cup stone-ground cornmeal
6. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
7. 5 large eggs
8. 3 cups half-and-half
9. 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a 9-by-13-inch shallow ceramic baking dish. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion and thyme and cook over moderate heat until the onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the corn and cornmeal and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the half-and-half. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup of the custard with 1 cup of the corn mixture and puree until smooth. Whisk the puree into the custard. Then stir in the corn mixture, cheese, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper until well blended.
3. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish and bake for about 40 minutes, until the pudding is slightly puffed and just starting to brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Pont L'Evêque Cake with Hazelnuts

We discovered Pont L'Eveque  Cheese while visiting our friends in Normandy, France.

 Pont-l'Évêque is a French cheese, originally manufactured in the area around the commune of Pont-l'Évêque, between Deauville and Lisieux in the Calvados département of Basse-Normandie. It is probably the oldest Norman cheese still in production.^[1]

Here's an unusual Cake made with Pont L'Eveque Cheese and Hazelnuts.

1 (7oz.) piece of Pont L'Eveque Cheese , cut into small pieces and roll in the 1 1/2 C of  flour.
1/2 C half and half
1/2 C whole milk
1/3 C whole Hazelnuts
2 TBS butter
salt
pepper
1 1/2 C flour
2/3 C ground Hazelnuts
1 packet of baking powder (.5oz. or 14 grams) = 3 tsp.
3 eggs


In a medium bowl:
ground hazelnuts
baking powder
eggs
remaining flour after rolling the pieces of cheese
Season to taste with salt and pepper
Add half and half and milk.

Fold in whole Hazelnuts and pieces of Pont L'Eveque Cheese
Pour batter into a well buttered loaf pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes.

Serve Warm

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Cranberry Salad

This is from my Aunt Faye's vintage recipe file.
I know that most people don't make these molded salad for the holidays anymore, but they were so popular in the 50's and 60's and probably much earlier. I believe the Victorians had molded salads.
When we were in London last Christmas we shopped at Liberty ( it's a block from Carnaby Street), they have a clearance room that's incredible. We bought several souvenirs there. We got a glass mold , an iron christmas tree stand and a Christmas ball ornament covered in buttons. We also have many Steamed Pudding Molds and a ceramic mold for salads. I make molded salads and steamed puddings, so I was interested in this recipe from my aunt.

I made some adaptations to the recipe based on things that may have changed since the 50's and 60's.

Here's my version of her salad:

1 pound of fresh cranberries, ( the original recipes says to grind them, at this point I would say that they can be pulsed in a food processor to reach the consistency of them being put through a "grinder".

1 1/2 C sugar ( pour over the cranberries in a bowl and let stand for an hour.

1 package of frozen strawberries
1 box of cherry jello
1 C boiling water
1 C chopped pecans

In a large bowl, dissolve the jello in the boiling water.
Add the frozen strawberries and the cranberry/sugar mixture.
Fold in the nuts.
Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set.

To release the salad, soak a kitchen towel in hot water. Wring out the towel and wrap around the mold that's been placed upside down onto a serving platter. Leave the towel for a minute. Release the salad  by jiggling it over the platter, repeat with the hot towels if it doesn't release ,  refrigerate on the platter until ready to serve.



Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

These are my favorite Molds for Cranberries.
The glass mold is the one we bought in London
last Christmas. I'll be using both of these
this week for Thanksgiving