It was a huge hit with the hubby and it was so easy, I could make this one over and over. Yay!
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Moroccan-Style Chicken
The hubby loves chicken, especially now that he doesn't really eat beef or pork. I've been needing some inspiration to avoid making the same old dishes every week, so I decided to go global. He is a big fan of saffron (especially saffron rice), so I started exploring Indian, Thai and Moroccan recipes and am really excited to branch out. Sunday night I used chicken thighs (most common in these types of recipes) and started with a Moroccan-style. The additonal benefit is the use of tumeric in this recipe. I added a side of mushroom wild rice to complete the dish.
It was a huge hit with the hubby and it was so easy, I could make this one over and over. Yay!
It was a huge hit with the hubby and it was so easy, I could make this one over and over. Yay!
Gingerbread Cookies (Ugly Sweater)
I found a Taste Of Home blog that listed "Every Christmas Cookie You'll Ever Need" for a total of 100. This was actually a recipe for Ugly Sweater cookies, but I read that the dough was gingerbread so I decided to use fall cutters instead with orange-tinted icing and chocolate sprinkles. I'm working on perfecting my royal icing and piping techniques as we roll into the holidays so this was a good (not-so-good ;) start.
[Oh, and we're in the process of moving and I packed my rolling pin for some reason, so I improvised with a mason jar...next time I'll either get the neighbor's or use a wine bottle (advice from others).
[Oh, and we're in the process of moving and I packed my rolling pin for some reason, so I improvised with a mason jar...next time I'll either get the neighbor's or use a wine bottle (advice from others).
Chocolate and Ginger Tarts
One of my favorite shows is "The Great British Baking Show" produced by the BBC. I used to think I was a pretty good baker until I started watching this show. Now my hobby is learning to convert US baking into UK (i.e. Celcius, grams, pints, etc...). There are also a lot of products in the UK that are commonplace that are very difficult to find here in the US (i.e. jam sugar, stem ginger, golden syrup, etc...). Thankfully, Amazon has most of what I need and if I get desperate I can go to Colorado Springs to The British Pantry for supplies.
BBC.CO.UK/food has a lot of recipes from the show (and more!) so this is one of the first ones I tried. I absolutely loved these tarts, but I found out after baking that the hubby is not a fan of ginger. I think it's an awesome combination with the chocolate, but I know now that this recipe will be used as a give-away. Note to self: make sure the recipient likes ginger. :)
BBC.CO.UK/food has a lot of recipes from the show (and more!) so this is one of the first ones I tried. I absolutely loved these tarts, but I found out after baking that the hubby is not a fan of ginger. I think it's an awesome combination with the chocolate, but I know now that this recipe will be used as a give-away. Note to self: make sure the recipient likes ginger. :)
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Lavender and Chamomile Shortbread Cookies
I'm an active member of a few baking groups on Facebook. This weekend this recipe came up and it sounded delicious! I've made honey lavender ice cream and had other confectioneries that contained lavender but never chamomile. I've always enjoyed chamomile tea, but rarely drink it since I'm fairly calm already and wine is usually my choice when it's time to sleep. I went to our local grocery store called "Sprouts" and found chamomile and lavender in their bulk spices. In the future, I need to grow my own. I'd imagine home grown would add an even richer flavor to these. One think to note is that it is a shortbread so be aware that it takes up to a pound of butter. By the time you steep the flowers, only a cup is used, so about half. The dough was very yummy. The directions are a little vague when it comes to the size of the cookie cutter. And they ask for 1/2 inch in height. That's too tall. The dough needs to be rolled out to 1/4 inch and probably 2 inches in diameter at best. Also, there is no mention of the 1/2 cup of milk in the directions, but I added it anyway. I think the cookies ended up too wet, with not enough flour and didn't become the crunchy shortbread that they should have been. I've contacted the author for clarification.
They'll definitely make the perfect shortbread for tea or dunking in milk. I'd say work-in-progress on this one, but I'm in love with the concept. There are so many butter infusion options!
Quick Chicken Pho (Slow Cooker)
We love going out for Pho when it's a chilly day. It's a very warming soup. I came across this recipe on the BBC.co.uk/food site as a modernized "quick" version (not requiring the days of cooking OxTail). The Chinese 5 Spice was key to capturing the flavor of Pho. Unlike in the restaurant, I was unable to find Vietnamese fresh Coriander, so I had to settle with Cilantro. I also use chicken tenderloins (rather than a whole chicken to speed up the process) and Maggi brand "soy"(which I buy by the case on Amazon). The hubby likes Hoisin and Sriracha added to his for an extra kick! I also forgot the fish sauce this round, but it didn't affect our recollection of how Pho should taste. At some point, I'd love to cook genuine pho using OxTail, but for a quick imitation, this one is great!
Friday, October 4, 2019
Apple Cake (BBC Food)
It's getting crisp and cool outside-fall is in the air. I had a bowl full of apples that I needed to use up, so I decided to make two different apple cakes. Another British recipe, this one has potential, but I came away with some lessons learned and personal preferences.
1. I learned that French Cider isn't easy to find here. I decided to go with a bottle of Angry Orchard instead. Next time, I'll branch out and see what other hard cider options are out there.
2. "Sultanas" in the US are golden raisins.
3. "Bicarbonate of Soda" = baking soda
4. Mascarpone with just cinnamon and heavy cream doesn't add value to the recipe. It was very bland. I think I might add honey or sugar next time.
5. It baked in an 8" springform pan, but I think it really needed a 9" to give it room to bake all the way through. It almost gets overdone in order to get the middle cooked. And, at 6400 feet elevation, it requires about 1 hour 15 minutes to bake as it exits.
I may or may not make this one again...there are so many other apple recipes I have yet to conquer. :)
1. I learned that French Cider isn't easy to find here. I decided to go with a bottle of Angry Orchard instead. Next time, I'll branch out and see what other hard cider options are out there.
2. "Sultanas" in the US are golden raisins.
3. "Bicarbonate of Soda" = baking soda
4. Mascarpone with just cinnamon and heavy cream doesn't add value to the recipe. It was very bland. I think I might add honey or sugar next time.
5. It baked in an 8" springform pan, but I think it really needed a 9" to give it room to bake all the way through. It almost gets overdone in order to get the middle cooked. And, at 6400 feet elevation, it requires about 1 hour 15 minutes to bake as it exits.
I may or may not make this one again...there are so many other apple recipes I have yet to conquer. :)
Mary Berry's Apple Cake
My free-time includes watching British baking shows. One of my favorites is The Great British Baking Show. There is so much to learn in each episode. My latest discovery is that BBC Food's website has a lot of the recipes from the shows!
Lately, I've been spending my baking efforts in learning how to measure in ounces, grams, milliliters and using Celsius. There are also a lot of ingredients that either aren't available here in the US or have a different name that mean the same thing.
1. For example, "caster sugar" is fine or baking sugar. The less expensive method to get caster sugar is to put regular sugar in the mini food processor to grind down.
2. Another one is "icing sugar". The British term for confectioner's or powdered sugar.
3. "Double Cream" is heavy whipping cream, but in the UK, it is actually a bit thicker and tastes better.
4. I'm addicted to lemon curd (found in the jelly section of the store). Admittedly, I didn't make it from scratch this time. There is a French jar at Safeway that is super delicious.
5. Typically British recipes call for an 8 inch pan and in the US we use 9 or 10 inch. This time I used 9 inch cake pans, so the cake isn't as tall as I'd have liked. Thanks to Amazon, I have some 8 inch pans on the way for next time. :)
Can't wait to share this one!
Lately, I've been spending my baking efforts in learning how to measure in ounces, grams, milliliters and using Celsius. There are also a lot of ingredients that either aren't available here in the US or have a different name that mean the same thing.
1. For example, "caster sugar" is fine or baking sugar. The less expensive method to get caster sugar is to put regular sugar in the mini food processor to grind down.
2. Another one is "icing sugar". The British term for confectioner's or powdered sugar.
3. "Double Cream" is heavy whipping cream, but in the UK, it is actually a bit thicker and tastes better.
4. I'm addicted to lemon curd (found in the jelly section of the store). Admittedly, I didn't make it from scratch this time. There is a French jar at Safeway that is super delicious.
5. Typically British recipes call for an 8 inch pan and in the US we use 9 or 10 inch. This time I used 9 inch cake pans, so the cake isn't as tall as I'd have liked. Thanks to Amazon, I have some 8 inch pans on the way for next time. :)
Can't wait to share this one!
Honey Garlic Lime Salmon
I'd been feeling too busy and stressed lately, so I determined that I needed to get back to my happiest place on earth - the kitchen. Now, getting caught up on the past week's recipes to file and share. :)
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
Honey Garlic Carrots (Baked)
I'd been feeling too busy and stressed lately, so I determined that I needed to get back to my happiest place on earth - the kitchen. Now, getting caught up on the past week's recipes to file and share. :)
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
Roasted Broccoli and Parmesan
I'd been feeling too busy and stressed lately, so I determined that I needed to get back to my happiest place on earth - the kitchen. Now, getting caught up on the past week's recipes to file and share. :)
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
I decided to make a baked Honey Garlic Lime Salmon with baked Honey Garlic Carrots and Baked Broccoli & Parmesan. I first baked the carrots on half a cookie sheet for 15 minutes then added the broccoli for another 10 minutes. Then I used a second cookie sheet (with parchment paper underneath) for the salmon. Additional recipes posted separately.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Green Chili with Tomatillos, Hatch Chili and Carrots
So this was a happy experiment. I started out a carrot puree recipe and also a green chili recipe. I roasted hatch chilis, tomatillos and garlic in the oven and put the carrots on the pot to boil. As I was following both recipes simultaneously, I decided they would actually taste great together! The hubby agreed as we made burritos and added the sauce to them. It's a thicker mix but a great addition to any Spanish flared dish. Fresh garlic and carrots from the garden can't be beat!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
CARROT Recipe #3
[A couple of weeks ago, the hubby harvested carrots from our garden--a big basket full! I decided to explore the world of recipes that contain carrots. This is the first of many that I tried; very pleased with all of them. It didn't really feel like we had a daily ration of carrots because of the multiple ways they can be served and prepared.]
I love that this one is so simple and easy; and roasted brussels sprouts are AMAZING! Adding carrots just makes them that much better. We also had a lot of fresh garlic from the garden, so I boiled them, then roasted them separately before peeling and adding to this pan. What I love is the use of fresh lime and red pepper flakes as the seasoning for roasting. I'm pretty sure I could eat this combination every day.
[A couple of weeks ago, the hubby harvested carrots from our garden--a big basket full! I decided to explore the world of recipes that contain carrots. This is the first of many that I tried; very pleased with all of them. It didn't really feel like we had a daily ration of carrots because of the multiple ways they can be served and prepared.]
I love that this one is so simple and easy; and roasted brussels sprouts are AMAZING! Adding carrots just makes them that much better. We also had a lot of fresh garlic from the garden, so I boiled them, then roasted them separately before peeling and adding to this pan. What I love is the use of fresh lime and red pepper flakes as the seasoning for roasting. I'm pretty sure I could eat this combination every day.
Thai Sweet Potato Carrot Soup
Carrot Recipe #2
[A couple of weeks ago, the hubby harvested carrots from our garden--a big basket full! I decided to explore the world of recipes that contain carrots. It didn't really feel like we had a daily ration of carrots because of the multiple ways they can be served and prepared.]
This is probably my favorite that I'll make again later this fall when it's soup weather. Carrots and sweet potatoes taste so good together! I didn't puree as instructed but cooked it down as a thick stew. I also somehow completely missed the roasted cashews section of this recipe, but ended up serving it with chicken anyway, so the double protein would have been unnecessary. I also added fresh lime juice and cilantro at the end. It's a great side dish for any meat of choice.
[A couple of weeks ago, the hubby harvested carrots from our garden--a big basket full! I decided to explore the world of recipes that contain carrots. It didn't really feel like we had a daily ration of carrots because of the multiple ways they can be served and prepared.]
This is probably my favorite that I'll make again later this fall when it's soup weather. Carrots and sweet potatoes taste so good together! I didn't puree as instructed but cooked it down as a thick stew. I also somehow completely missed the roasted cashews section of this recipe, but ended up serving it with chicken anyway, so the double protein would have been unnecessary. I also added fresh lime juice and cilantro at the end. It's a great side dish for any meat of choice.
Carrot Salad
A couple of weeks ago, the hubby harvested carrots from our garden--a big basket full! I decided to explore the world of recipes that contain carrots. This is the first of many that I tried; very pleased with all of them. It didn't really feel like we had a daily ration of carrots because of the multiple ways they can be served and prepared.
This one was easy because I used the shredder attachment on my Kitchenaid, just added a few ingredients and boom! Instant salad. I love honey and apple cider vinegar as a healthy option. The great thing is that this particular salad will keep in the fridge for several days. If I took this to a potluck, it would feel like cheating because it was so effortless.
This one was easy because I used the shredder attachment on my Kitchenaid, just added a few ingredients and boom! Instant salad. I love honey and apple cider vinegar as a healthy option. The great thing is that this particular salad will keep in the fridge for several days. If I took this to a potluck, it would feel like cheating because it was so effortless.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Apple and Kohlrabi Salad
We love, love, love gardening, but the second best thing is the farmer's market. Last week we visited a stand in Elizabeth who's produce comes from the Western slope. There were many varieties of vegetables that we've yet to try-one of those being Kohlrabi (aka "German Cabbage"). I read through a plethora of recipes that include Kohlrabi, but this one was perfect for summer. It's got a great asian vinegar flavor; a great complement to the grilled salmon we're pairing it with. [Also serving with broccoli and fried combo of potatoes, tomatoes, onions and fresh dill.] Definitely have to add this to our garden next year. It cuts like a potato or jicama, but has a cabbage flavor. Next time I think I'll try a roasted version. [Also added carrots.]
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Mango Salsa
It's the time of year for grilling and thankfully we've had enough moisture to lower the burn ban in our area. Last night was "Grilled Salmon" night and so I wanted something summer fresh to go with it. The fresh lime and cilantro in this recipe is what made it so refreshing. The hubby, who normally doesn't like fruit mixed in with his dinner (especially in salads), gave this one a thumbs up.
It's also time for the garden to start producing, so we paired it with fresh potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions and chards from our garden. Yummy!!
It's also time for the garden to start producing, so we paired it with fresh potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions and chards from our garden. Yummy!!
Spanish Rice
One of the staples in our house is cooked rice-specifically Spanish Rice. The hubby doesn't handle cayenne, chili powder or heavy tomato-based products very well, so he sent me in search of a spanish rice recipe that didn't really have any of that. I've already cooked this delicious one twice in a month!! It's cumin based and so delicious. [I substitute the tomato sauce with a can of un-drained Rotel.]
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Garlic Chive Chicken (modified for Instant Pot)
Chives are in full bloom this week, so kudos to the hubby for finding this recipe. We left home for the afternoon Saturday, so I decided to throw some frozen chicken breasts in the InstantPot with added all the ingredients with the exception of the flour and noodles and a little extra chicken broth to turn it into a small-based soup and served over rice (from the rice cooker). I would consider this one a comfort food--so delicious. Can't wait to try more chives recipes!!
Asparagus, Goat Cheese & Lemon Pasta with Pine Nuts & Chives
This week our chives and Asparagus are ready for harvest. Was perusing Pinterest and came across this one--WOW! I steamed the asparagus and had it warm, but it is also just as good cold. I used rainbow penne which turned this dish into a colorfully springy dish, perfect for a potluck or get together. I could make and eat this over and over!
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Sunday, March 24, 2019
Russian Dressing
You can't have a reuben without a proper russian dressing. We've been buying it in the past, but I decided to make my own this year for St. Patrick's day leftovers. I served it with homemade Sauerkraut and instant pot corned beef. Next year, I'll try my hand at homemade rye bread.
Baked Spinach Dip
I had some fresh spinach that I needed to use up, so I decided it was time to try spinach dip. I know normally people take their crockpot and let it warm up to serve at parties and also the recipes usually call for frozen/thawed spinach. The baked method with fresh spinach is actually much fresher; not so mushy. The key in the flavor is in high quality cheeses. Definitely does not need salt. It was pretty perfect. The next day we tried it cold and it was just as delicious. I can't wait to make this one for guests!
Pistachio Pudding Cake
I came across this one on St. Patrick's Day and knew I "had" to make it. Pistachio anything is probably my second favorite, next to hazelnut as my number one. Pistachio pudding is very nostalgic for me as a kid. I liked that this recipe included walnuts rather than pistachios, but I think either one would have been just fine. Allow extra time for the cooling and chilling. This cake was good at room temperature, but I think it was even better after refrigeration.
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
This year for St. Patrick's Day, the hubby requested Corned beef and cabbage. In the past, I have usually bought the Corned beef pre-made, but this year, I decided to make my own. I was short on time so I decided to use the instant pot. It still took 2 hours because it takes about 10 minutes for it to pressurize and then about 5-10 minutes for it to de-pressurize after. I followed the directions to cook the beef in the broth first, then remove and cook the veggies in the broth second. It was a great idea! The cabbage, carrots, celery and potatoes tasted delicious with the beef. We ended up adding Sauerkraut and Russian dressing on top, almost like a Reuben bowl. Then later in the week, I cooked chicken to eat with the leftover veggies-twice good! I served a pistachio cake for dessert and enjoyed an evening of green. :)
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Honey Lavender Ice Cream
My neighbor gave me some lavender from her garden last season and I promised to make her lavender ice cream. I’d been wanting the Kitchenaid Mixer Ice Cream Attachment and Target had it on sale this week. The attachment is a huge time, space, and rock salt/ice saver. It’s exciting to think that we can have homemade ice cream any day of the week.
As far as the recipe, it is AMAZING! The flavors of honey and lavender with cream is hard to describe. Let’s just say it’s scrumptious. Definitely an extra special treat if you’re having guests. So excited to share this with my neighbor and show her how versatile her lavender is.
As far as the recipe, it is AMAZING! The flavors of honey and lavender with cream is hard to describe. Let’s just say it’s scrumptious. Definitely an extra special treat if you’re having guests. So excited to share this with my neighbor and show her how versatile her lavender is.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Nutella Cheesecake
I was able to be in my happy place this weekend (the kitchen)-one of the pluses of snow. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to bake lately so I used a neighbor’s birthday as an excuse. I came across this recipe and couldn’t wait to try it! I had to improvise the crust since I didn’t have any Oreos to crush; I ended up using a combination of animal cookies, graham crackers and cocoa powder with butter. I also didn’t have enough heavy whipping cream so I added sweetened condensed milk for the topping and garnished with strawberries. This recipe definitely didn’t disappoint. Adding to the repeat list in the future. [And the cool thing is that Nutella happens to be one of the neighbor’s favorites!]
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Mushroom-Miso Soup with Shrimp and Udon
Dinner tonight again from my favorite “Winter 2018-19” Magazine. A Japanese twist on traditional miso soup. It was tasty but even better with Sriracha. The hubby doesn’t like watery soups so I added cornstarch to thicken it up. A very light dish, perfect for an “end-of-the-weekend” meal.
Artichoke Soup a la Barigoule
This Magazine is so much fun especially on these cold days. Last night we had chicken feta brats, air fried potato wedges and this soup. I ended up buying archichokes from King Soopers olive bar in the deli to save time and add flavor/oil. Although there are a lot of ingredients, each one brought a completeness to the dish. I didn’t add any salt as there was plenty of flavor already. It turned out absolutely delicious!
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Thai-Style Turkey Soup
We buy turkeys during the holidays when they’re on sale and load up our freezer. Our Anatolian shepherds get daily treats of meat. Sometimes it’s beef, pork, fish or poultry. Usually I cook enough to last a week and lately it’s been turkey. It’s so handy to have in the fridge and since I’m on my kick in this Magazine, tonight was turkey soup night. I added red pepper flakes for extra zing. So good and healthy! Of course my carby hubby needed rice to go with it. Bonus-it only took 20-30 minutes to make.
Creamy Sausage and Tortellini Soup
The bright side to cold snowy days are all the new soup recipes I can try. I was in the mood for tortellini and had some Italian and German pork sausage in the freezer from our farm. This recipe met my expectations and satisfied my cravings. FYI-don’t add salt, there is plenty in the pork and chicken broth. Next time, I think I’ll add chopped tomatoes or roasted red pepper.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Thai Chicken and Coconut Soup
I saw this Magazine at Sprouts recently and had to check it out. Normally I peruse the internet for recipes related to what I have on-hand but lately the hubby has been needing some healthier options. What I love about this book is that it’s Soups and Stews for 2. In the past, I would make a normal-sized pot and we would end up eating only half and get burned out. Now I can cook small and try meals from around the world...I think Morocco is next :)
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Southwest Chicken Salad
The night before I made this dish, we had chicken fajitas. I had quite a bit of shredded chicken left over and was craving chicken salad. This was the perfect daytime snack plain or as a wrap. I ended up doubling the recipe and used a 1/2 yogurt to mayo ratio. I also added extra garlic powder; added the cooked fajita veggies (onion/mushroom/red pepper) instead of green pepper; omitted the tomatoes (for the hubby) and served with fresh avocado. This would have been really yummy with black beans as well but our home is bean-free. :)
Friday was a very blustery snowy day and clam chowder sounded good to warm the belly. I didn't have any clams so I went with Cod instead. I actually looked through several recipes and decided on this one. I added yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and some left over roasted red pepper alfredo sauce, milk and cornstarch for creaminess since I was out of heavy whipping cream. I've tried white fish soup recipes in the past, but they didn't have a good flavor. The cod was amazing in the dish; I also read haddock is good--might try that one next time. This dish was a big winner! [If you need to pass around to a bigger guest list, try serving with cooked rice to make it go farther.]
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Pecan Pear Muffins
My mother-in-law had ordered a beautiful fruit basket that included a few pears. They ripen fast, so I decided to make some pear muffins. This is the first of 3 that I would like to try. The other 2 are Honey Pear and Ginger Pear muffins. Maybe later this year, I'll buy some more pears and give them a try. These pears were very sweet, so I'm thinking I will add a granny smith apple to give it some tang. Otherwise, they turned out well.
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