8 May 2020 Classic Gin Gimlet

Classic Gin Gimlet

May 8, 2020 By

I love cocktails with big lime flavors and the classic gin gimlet is one of my favorites. It couldn’t be simpler to make:

Ingredients:

2 ounce good quality Gin, I used Aviation

1 ounce fresh lime juice

1 ounce simple syrup

Lime peel (optional)

Directions:

Add ice to a cocktail shaker then all the ingredients. Shake well/hard for 15 seconds, then pour in a cute glass over ice then add a lime peel, if using.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Filed Under: American, Cocktails Tagged With: , , ,

Blueberry Pie Bars

May 4, 2020 By

Last week I totally overbought in terms of berries and had a ton of blueberries on hand that were becoming less fresh by the day. I love blueberry pie and frequently make this Crumb Top Blueberry Pie and it’s admittedly pretty perfect.

I found this recipe on Pinterest and thought it’d be a bit different from the typical pies I make…and it was easy! It’s simple to make and turned out amazing with a crust similar to shortbread, a filing that’s blueberry-packed and nice crunch on the top from the set aside crust crumbles saved for the topping.

  • Ingredients
  • Unbaked Crust
  • Wet Ingredients
  • Lots of Blueberries

The bars bake in an 11×7 dish, so it’s not a huge amount like you’d get from a 13×9 dish, which is nice when there’s only two of you at home.

These blueberry pie bars would be awesome as a hostess gift or to bring to a potluck. Delish!

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: American, Desserts, Fruits Tagged With: , , ,
30 April 2020 Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

April 30, 2020 By

I’ve been meaning to try out one of the gazillion no-knead bread recipes on Pinterest since I’ve been on reduced work hours and home with no work trips and finally gave it a go last weekend.

I started the dough the afternoon before I was going to bake since the rising time is sooooo long, 8-18 hours.

When I woke up the morning I was going to bake, I couldn’t wait to see what was happening under the plastic wrap. Like magic, my dough had risen and was literally alive! I punched it down and plopped it on a floured piece of parchment paper and molded it into a ball with floured hands.

Dough Fermenting

As indictated in the recipe directions, I’d placed my Dutch oven in the oven for 30 minutes then removed it and carefully lifted my dough using the corners of the piece of parchment and placed it in the Dutch oven with the cover on.

Dough Right Before Going Into the Oven

The aroma of bread baking is like no other and this was no exception. I followed the recipe and baked my bread for 45 minutes with the lid on then 15 minutes with the lid off. Next time I make it, I might add two-three minutes to the with-lid cooking time as the bread was moist inside (which I love), but might be even better with a bit more time in the oven.

The exterior was perfectly crusty and the inside nice and chewy and fantastic. I highly-recommend this recipe by RED STAR YEAST.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: American, Breads, Meal Type Tagged With: , , ,

DoubleTree Signature Cookie Recipe

April 29, 2020 By

Social media went crazy when, earlier this month, Hilton shared its DoubleTree cookie recipe. For those of us who often stay at DoubleTree by Hilton properties, it’s alway such a treat to receive a warm cookie at check-in time. I often wondered “what do they put in these cookies?” as they’re so so so tasty! There’s a texture thing that I thought might be coconut, but it’s in fact rolled oatmeal!

Here’s the link to the recipe and I’ve made a few observations:

300 degrees is lower a temperature than I’m used to baking at. My cookies baked in 25 minutes, so start checking the browning at 20-23 minutes, knowing it could take a few additional minutes.

I had pecans instead of walnuts so I used the pecans and the cookies were fantastic. Not the original receipe, but very delish.

I baked 4 cookies and froze the rest as dough balls that, according to the recipe, can be baked right from the freezer.

I like the idea of the lemon juice and will use it in all my cookie recipes going forward.

I ended up with 28 cookies…just couldn’t keep trying to resize them to get to the proposed 26 cookies.

These are amazing cookies!!

Veronique

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , ,
15 April 2020 Hearty Sausage and Orzo Soup

Hearty Sausage and Orzo Soup

April 15, 2020 By

We love soup at our home, and I try to make it most Sundays so we can have a bowl during the week. This past week, we’d bought a few packages of fresh hot Italian sausage to freeze, and before they went into the freezer, I grabbed a few links to put in my soup.

Typically, I’d add kale to this soup, but I had a ton of spinach, so I added that instead. Whatever you have on-hand would be perfect.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 hot Italian sausage links (could use mild also), taken out of the casings and broken up into bite size pieces
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 celery ribs, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 8-ounce package of fresh, chopped mushrooms
  • 1 tsp. each, salt, pepper, dry thyme
  • 48 ounces of chicken broth
  • 14-ounce can of pureed tomatoes
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • ½ cup dry orzo

Direction:

  1. Heat oil for 30 seconds over medium-high heat in a large, heavy saucepan. 
  2. Add the sausage and break up the pieces as the sausage cooks, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the onion, celery and carrots to the pot, turn down the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften, stirring frequently.
  4. Add the mushrooms and the seasonings and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add the broth and chopped tomatoes, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot partially and simmer for 45 minutes.
  6. Add the spinach and the orzo to the soup and cook for 10 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.

Filed Under: American, Italian, Pork, Soups Tagged With: , ,
14 April 2020 Easy Cobb Salad

Easy Cobb Salad

April 14, 2020 By

Okay, this isn’t really a ‘recipe’ but I thought I’d share as it was delicious and simple to make. Through this pandemic, we’re been doing so much pasta and Italian food that one day I decided we had to do more salads and put this baby together for dinner.

I used ingredients I had at home so please customize your version to what you have and what you eat. Would be delish without chicken and bacon but with chickpeas and artichoke heats too.

Served and plated this way is soooo pretty and if you don’t toss it, each person can use the dressing he/she likes. I did my Easy Greek Vinaigrette and my guy did blue cheese dressing. To each his/her own!

This used a half head of iceberg lettuce and two half chicken breasts that I grilled. I know blue cheese crumbles are more typical of a Cobb, but I had a ton of fresh Mozzarella, so I used that. And I included my No Fail Hard-Boiled Eggs.

Cheers!

Veronique

Filed Under: American, Bacon, Chicken, Salads, Vegetables Tagged With: , , ,
6 April 2020 Easy Meatless Baked Ziti

Easy Meatless Baked Ziti

April 6, 2020 By

Two of us shopped off the same grocery list this week, so we had two huge bricks of fresh Mozzarella that we needed to use up, so baked ziti it was last night.

It’s a 20-minute dish, super tasty and comforting that most will love.

Ingredients:

  • ½ pound ziti pasta, or other tubular pasta (I use Delverde brand)
  • 2 cups Basil-Packed Marinara Sauce (or other marinara sauce), warmed
  • 4 ounces Ricotta cheese
  • ¾ cup diced fresh Mozzarella
  • 3 ounces freshly-grated Parmesan, I use Sartori Tuscan Reserve Shaved Blend
  • 6 ounces grated Mozzarella

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Cook the pasta 1 minute less than what’s indicated on the packaging. Drain and reserve.
  3. Over medium heat, bring the sauce to a simmer in the pan the pasta was cooked in. Add the pasta to the marinara sauce and toss to coat.
  4. Add the Ricotta and incorporate.
  5. Add the diced Mozzarella and stir to distribute evenly.
  6. Pour the pasta in an oven-proof dish (I used my large cast iron pan) and sprinkle the parmesan and grated Mozzarella over the pasta.
  7. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the broiler on to high and broil for 5 minutes, or until the sliced Mozzarella is melted and bubbly.

Yields 2 generous entrée-size servings.

Filed Under: Cheese, Entrees, Italian, Pasta Tagged With: , ,
30 March 2020 Easy Recipe for Two Cookies

Easy Recipe for Two Cookies

March 30, 2020 By

Having a sweets craving but don’t want to be at home with a normal batch of cookies in fear you might have more than a couple? Here’s a super simple chocolate and butterscotch chip cookies that makes just two large cookies!

These will seems a bit strange as they’re more liquid (see photo below) than what we’re used to where cookie batter can be balled up and placed on a cookie sheet. Because the ‘batter’ is more liquid, be sure to space out the cookies on your cookie sheets as they get super large (and awesome) when they bake.

This time I used both chocolate and butterscotch chips, but you could easily use all chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 Tbsp. semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 Tbsp. butterscotch chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. If using foil, coat with cooking spray.
  3. Heat the butter in the microwave until it just starts to melt and is softened – don’t let it bubble up.
  4. Add the white and brown sugars, the salt and the vanilla and blend well.
  5. Add the egg yolk and stir until well-incorporated.
  6. Add the flour and the baking soda and stir until just combined.
  7. Add the chips and stir until just incorporated.
  8. Scoup batter onto the baking sheets into two cookies.
  9. Bake for approximately 9 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.

Makes two large cookies.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: ,
14 February 2020 Creamy Prosciutto and Tomato Pasta

Creamy Prosciutto and Tomato Pasta

February 14, 2020 By

This creamy prosciutto and tomato pasta was super easy to make and delicious. It was in my Blue Apron box this week and I keep thinking about it. My favorite part was the topping of the pasta with breadcrumbs toasted in brown butter – what’s not to like!? My second favorite part was the addition of rich pieces salty/porky prosciutto to the top of the warm pasta just before serving. This recipe is a winner on any weeknight as it’s fats to make but special enough to prepare on a weekend evening.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz penne pasta
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. capers
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp. Mascarpone cheese
  • 3 oz Prosciutto, torn in bite-size pieces
Toasted Breadcrumbs; Mushrooms and Capers in Tomato Paste

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water for step 4 then drain the pasta and reserve for later us.
  2. In a medium pan, heat the butter on medium-high until melted then cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until the foam subsides and the butter is nutty and toasted in aroma. Add the breadcrumbs and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl. Rinse and wipe out the pan.
  3. In the pan used to make the breadcrumbs, heat the olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced mushrooms in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned. Add the chopped garlic, capers and the red pepper flakes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined. Add the tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add 1/2 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened. Turn off the heat.
  4. To the pan of sauce, add the cooked pasta and half the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the pasta is coated (if necessary, gradually add the remaining cooking water to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated). Turn off the heat. Stir in the mascarpone until combined. Serve the finished pasta topped with the prosciutto and brown butter breadcrumbs.
Mushroom Tomato Sauce; Mascarpone To Pasta; Creamy Pasta

Serves two.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta, Pork Tagged With: , , , ,
10 January 2020 Jalapeno Popper Warm Dip

Jalapeno Popper Warm Dip

January 10, 2020 By

I love warm dips. They’re tasty and I like that serving them at a party brings everyone together. Over the holidays, my fabulous sister made this awesome warm dip that we crushed…..soooo good!

The dip follows the idea of a jalapeno popper but is placed in an oven-proof dish or in a bread bowl to bake to bubbly goodness. It’s spicy without being fiery and keeps you wanting more.  

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4-ounce can diced jalapeno peppers
  • 4-ounce can chopped green chilies
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used extra sharp)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • Round sourdough loaf (optional)
  • ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. (could use the toaster oven too).
  2. In a large bowl mix together the cream cheese, jalapeños, chilies, Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese and mayonnaise.
  3. Take the round loaf of sourdough, slice off the top, scoop out the inside and set it aside.
  4. Spoon the jalapeno mixture into the bread loaf, or an oven-safe dish, and sprinkle breadcrumbs over top.
  5. Place the the bread loaf or the dish on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Serve with Ritz crackers, scoop tortilla chips and/or crudités vegetables.

Servings: 8-10.

Recipe inspired by this.

Filed Under: American, Appetizers, Cheese, Mexican, Snacks, Starters, Vegetarian Tagged With: , ,
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