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.
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