Posts by admin:
- 12 oz. fresh goat cheese; room temperature
- 3 Tbsp. minced fresh basil
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil; more as needed
- Fresh black pepper and sea salt; as needed
- 2 large, firm and tart apples; peeled and cored; sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 6 large slices of prosciutto
- 1/2 cup pecans, crushed
- 1 store-bought or homemade pizza dough ( I used Trader Joe’s Herby dough)
- 2-3 cups fresh arugula
- juice of 1 orange
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- Store-bought balsamic glaze
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- store -bought dulce de leche for filling or homemade (see note)
- powdered sugar for dusting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats or quickcooking oats
- 2/3 cup raisins
- 1-2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened good quality cocoa powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds (optional)
- 1/4 cup Earth Balance margarine, softened
- 3/4 cup superfine sugar
- 2 flax seed “eggs” or 2 large eggs
- –to prepare flax seed “eggs”: 2 Tbsp flax seed meal + 6 Tbsp water–set aside for 3 minutes
- White chocolate chips
- 6 candy canes (crushed)
Fresh Goat Cheese, Apple, Prosciutto, Pecan Pizza with Balsamic Glaze
December 12th, 2012
I thought I would bring you something savory this week to give everyone a break from all the sweets. I know we all have to plan dinner in between all our baking. When it comes to making dinner I am looking for quick yet tasty entrees.
During the time my sister and brother-in-law stayed with us, which was for 6 weeks, I prepared a variety of meals. Their first meal I prepared for them were my Cornbread-Stuffed Poblano Peppers. After my brother-in-law finished he asked Ryan if this was the way they were going to eat every night. He thought my meal was fancy and gourmet. I was definitely flattered.
Ryan just told him that we ate like this all the time and that it was really nothing fancy but always yummy food. 🙂 It is always nice to hear something nice like that.
But really, you really do not have to SLAVE in the kitchen to have a fancy gourmet meal. Since I am nearing the end of my pregnancy (I am 7 months now) the last thing I want to be doing is cooking for a long time. I actually did not feel like cooking that much in my last pregnancy but I am quite enjoying it this time. Of course, like I said, the meals have to be quick and based on what I have in my pantry and fridge.
I find myself wanting meat and potatoes all the time but what fun is there in that? So how did this pizza come to fruition? I enjoy reading Simply Life blog. She writes about her life and travels and includes lots of giveaways and great recipes at the same time!
When I saw her recipe for her Apple, Pecan, and Goat Cheese Pizza, I knew I had to make some version of it based on what I had in my fridge. I found My Life Runs on Food and their pizza recipe and meshed the two recipes to make my own.
Sound complicated? Check out how I prepared it:
It is an easy assembly as well as a quick bake time. Sometimes our toddler is hungrier than we are prepared for so she eats first and plays and then we put her down for the night. It is not always the case but our little one has been teething the last few nights so everything has been moving up a little earlier, which meant a late dinner but a quick prep and baking time! Just what this mother ordered.
The goat cheese is mixed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh basil and placed as the pizza base. I then layer the apples and spread the chopped prosciutto on top. BAKE!
After the pizza is baked I then sprinkle with crushed pecans and the arugula salad and drizzle with balsamic glaze. It was two-for-one meal. Salad and pizza and it was fabulous.
The combination of ingredients in the recipe may sound a little overwhelming but in fact it was SO DELICIOUS! My husband said he could have this pizza often and again.
Make it tonight! I promise your family will thank you for it!
Fresh Goat Cheese, Apple, Prosciutto, Pecan Pizza with Balsamic Glaze
by Noelle Kelly
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
Ingredients (8 slices)
Salad Topping
Glaze
Instructions
If dough is refrigerated, let it sit in room temperature for 20 minutes, then roll out to 12 to 14-inch pizza.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place pizza dough on an oiled baking sheet.
Mix the goat cheese, basil, olive oil, sea salt and fresh black pepper together. Gently spread over the pizza dough about one-inch away from the edge.
Place apple slices over the goat cheese in a angled pattern. Lay chopped prosciutto over the apple slices. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with fresh black pepper.
Bake pizza for 18 minutes or until somewhat golden.
Remove pizza from oven.
Prepare arugula salad with dressing. Top the pizza with the arugula salad, fresh black pepper and crushed pecans. Finish with sea salt and drizzle with balsamic glaze
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BY the way, check out this AWESOME giveaway! This lady worked on my site and I love it!
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Alfajores and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from The Cookiepedia {Review + Giveaway}
December 11th, 2012
More baking!! I am loving it and I hope you are getting in some too! A few weeks ago Quirk Books sent me a few cookbooks to look through and I feel in love with Cookiepedia. Do you have trouble deciding what to make every year and you get stuck making the SAME cookies every year? I felt that way this year even though I did express that I hardly baked last year. It still counts
I perused through the cookbook and stood in the kitchen for a while trying to decide what to make first. Ha! The cookbook focuses on reinventing the classic cookie so I decided to make a classic and a fancy cookie.
One of my husband’s favorite cookies happen to be Oatmeal Raisin so I went with that recipe. The recipe gives you the option for add-ins, like chocolate chips, nuts, etc, but I decided to keep them as is. A note was placed on the recipe stating that refrigerating the dough before baking would make for a taller and chewier cookie, so I went with that recommendation.
Since we moved to our new place it is always hard to get used to your new appliances. While they might not be NEW, they are new to your life. Such is the case with our oven. I believe my oven bakes a little hotter than usual so I have to keep an eye or cook things a little less time that specified. I know I can get this fixed.
I first cooked them a little longer thinking they did not look cooked enough, only to find out that they got a little crunchy. 🙁 Luckily I had a second batch of cookies and I baked them at the lowest time recommended and they came out PERFECTLY! Chewy and delicious. Even Ryan liked them.
What about these beauties? They look perfect for Christmas since they are dusted with powdered sugar. The description read: “A cross between a shortbread and snickerdoodle cookie.” Yes please! Since I had dulce de leche left from my Boozy Cake, I decided I definitely needed to make this recipe.
The dough requires refrigeration twice but in essence this recipe is SUPER quick. Even though there is an option to use store-bought dulce de leche, you can make your own crock-pot dulce de leche. These cookies are quite popular in South America even though they originated in Spain. These would be perfect to make with your kids too!
Alfajores
by Stacy Adimando from Cookiepedia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (3 dozen)
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar together for a minute or two, until they look light and fluffy.
In the meantime, sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set it aside.
Add in the egg and egg yolk one at a time, mixing after each addition. add vanilla extract and mix briefly. add in flour mixture and mix just until the dough starts to come together.
Working quickly, turn out the dough and use a little heat from your hands to make it a solid ball. pullout a large plastic wrap and flatten the dough on top to make a disk. double wrap it and refrigerate for 1 hour, until firm.
Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. rotate the dough between rolls to make sure it’s not sticking to the surface.
Using a 2 inch fluted or round cutter, cut out cookies and carefully transfer them onto sheets, placing them about 1 inch apart.
Chill sheets again for about 15-20 minutes, until the dough is very firm. then bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until tops of the cookies have just firmed and bottoms are starting to color slightly.
Cool the sheets on wire racks before assembling the sandwiches.
Drop, pipe or spread a teaspoon of dulce de leche into the center of each cookie, then top with another. sift powdered sugar over the assembled sandwiches.
Note
You can make your own dulce de leche by placing several cans in a crock pot, covering them with water and cooking for 6 hours over low heat. This is what I did and used for the recipe.
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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
by Stacy Adimando from Cookiepedia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Ingredients (2 dozen)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for a few minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla and mix a bit more.
Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. Pour in the flour mixture and run the mixer motor on low, just to work it in. Stir in the oats and raisins with a spoon.
Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto parchment-paper-lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through baking. Let cool and enjoy.
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Want a chance to win ONE of these fabulous cookbooks? Quirk Books was generous enough to offer TWO of my readers a chance to win one of these books.
Use the entry form below. The contest is open to US and Canadian readers.
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White Chocolate and Candy Cane Dipped Almond Biscotti
December 10th, 2012
Who all has started their baking yet? Okay, do not answer that one. I am obviously late with my Christmas baking even though I have been baking yummy cakes, like the Boozy Cake I posted last week?
One of my favorite goodies to bake happen to be biscotti. I like them dipped, plain, fruit-filled or even nut-filled. I really do not need coffee to eat them but sometimes it just helps. Ryan does not particularly like them for the same reason I just explained. They happen to be too dry.
Last year I made Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti and really liked it but I decided to change up the recipe and go a little more festive. I had a bag of white chocolate chips and a box of candy canes ready to be utilized. Even though there was going to be a crunchy factor with the candy canes I still wanted my biscotti to have some sort of nut.
The combination proved to be delicious and perfect for anytime munching. I quickly divided the batch for my neighbor and for a host whose party we were attending later. These definitely would make great party gifts!
It is a family tradition to bake several varieties of cookies and while I explained last year how I hardly had time with a new baby and all, this year it is a lot easier. As I bake, Julianne LOVES being in the kitchen. Sometimes she will sit in her high chair and play with her toys as she watches me. At other times she rather sit up higher and be REALLY involved with mommy.
I am training a future baker!
At other times, Julianne is taking out pots, pans, wooden spoons, and measuring cups. I just love the fact she wants to be near her mommy. I believe the clingy stage might be over. Hmm.
Make these for special loved ones or for an upcoming party. They will not disappoint!
White Chocolate and Candy Cane Dipped Almond Biscotti
by Noelle Kelly
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients (28 biscotti)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add almonds, and mix.
In a mixer, mix margarine and sugar on medium speed for 1-1/2 minutes. Add flax “eggs” or eggs, one at a time.
Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined to make a dough.
Remove the dough and using your hands, divide the dough into two and form into long flat shapes about 8 long x 1-1/2 inches wide. Place on the lined baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
When cool enough to handle, gently cut the loaves on the angle into 1/2 inch slices (a serrated bread knife works best). Return to the baking sheet fitting as many as you can on the baking sheet, you may need to do this in batches. Bake the biscotti for another 3-4 minutes on each side, less if you like it softer. Makes about 28.
White Chocolate
Melt the 12 ounce bag of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl 4 times in 30-second increments. Make sure to mix at every 30-second increment.
Crush 6 candy canes in a food processor or in a spice grinder for a coarse mix. Place in a small bowl.
Assembly
Once the biscotti have cooled, dip one end of each biscotti in the white chocolate and then into the crushed candy cane. You might need a spoon to spread the white chocolate but either way it works.
You might want to quickly place in the fridge to get the chocolate to harden.
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A Longwood Christmas Experience
December 9th, 2012
There seems to be a yearly tradition with most families to drive around neighborhoods to see multiple homes illuminated with fantastic lights and decorations. Other families tend to make Longwood Gardens a yearly tradition because it includes the fantastic Longwood Christmas.
Since moving to Pennsylvania, we have grown to discover great towns and areas with wonderful shows, attractions, and traditions. One that seems to spark a huge interest are the Longwood Gardens that are nestled around Kennett Square that is considered within the Brandywine Valley. They boast the world’s “premier horticultural showplace,” when it comes to the gardens and the most heralded event of the season when Christmas comes along.
During the year the Gardens are kept in beautiful shape during the year and then they are transformed into a spectacular show of lights, decorations, and Christmas trees.
There are floating Christmas trees in their lakes and schools come and decorate Christmas trees to place in an aread for the Children’s Christmas Tree section.
The visit proves to be very kid-friendly with ample space for strollers. Visitors are able to rent strollers or strollers are available for members at no cost.
The idea of walking around these beautiful grounds than staying in a car and looking at homes lighted up just pales in comparison. The time it took to make the even look so perfect too hours of work but it is worth it when the Longwood Gardens boasts more than 300,000 visitors to visit during this special time.
A Longwood Christmas runs from November 22, 2012 through January 6, 2013. This gives plenty of time for locals and members to come any time they want. If one happens to be a member of the gardens there is a special day called Member Mondays where members visit during 5-9pm and receive 20% discounts in the Garden Shop and The Terrace.
On December 10th and 17th starting at 5pm there is going to be a special Garden Pass Member-only Holiday evening, which means ONLY these members will be able to attend. Skip the crowds!
Even though our little family visited on a Tuesday it was definitely CRAZY busy. The outdoor lights turn on at 3:30pm but it is definitely required to buy a timed ticket. I have driven past the gardens only to see the sign letting the public know that all timed tickets from 1:30pm through 6pm were all sold out on a Wednesday. WOW!
Timed tickets are required and can be purchased ahead of time and even purchased online at tickets.longwoodgardens.org. Once the tickets are purchased and you arrive, you and your family can stay as long as you want.
You can also save time by attending on Non-Peak Days which means fewer crowds except during Christmas and New Year’s week. A lot of walking is required so comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended.
My sister and brother-in-law had a blast especially with taking pictures. There are a half a million lights, a ton of handcrafted ornaments and gorgeously decorated Conservatory with a fun Christmas route.
We cannot wait to get back to these gardens because my husband has YET to see this spectacular event. If you want to know more about being a member check out the General Membership Levels that Longwood Gardens has to offer. There is something for everyone. Check out all the performances for the season as well.
Remember to come during non-peak days which are Mondays thru Fridays. Saturday and Sunday will be the highest peak days so leave it to the visitors. 🙂
Here’s looking forward to the spring when I have yet to see what it looks like without the lights. I bet it will still be amazing.
Disclosure: In exchange for posting about Longwood Gardens, I received a family membership and attended a special blogger event. All opinions of Longwood Gardens are my own.
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Droid RAZR Smartphone + $50 Gift Card Giveaway
December 5th, 2012
‘Tis the season for amazing giveaways and sweepstakes and boy do I have one for you. It has been a lot of fun being a part of the Midwest Savvy Gourmet Bloggers.
We have been able to test out a tablet and the LG Intuition and I have to say that I have very much enjoyed the LG Intuition Phablet which is like a phone / tablet. It is smaller than a tablet but also a phone. I have been given such a hard time about how BIG it is but after getting a cover for it, I simply love it and I hope to switch my Verizon coverage to this phone from my old Droid phone.
So what about the giveaway I was talking about? The guys at Verizon have been super generous enough to offer ONE of my readers a chance to win the lastest Droid RAZR HD. Here are a few facts about the phone:
The latest RAZR from Motorola – launched as the most compact 4.7-inch smartphone with a full-screen and edge-to-edge display and has a ton of great features, including:
· An 8-megapixel camera and HD display that makes movies, photos, magazines and websites appear with vibrant clarity.
· Circles Widget makes it easy to view battery life, text notifications, missed calls or weather updates, right on the home screen.
· Near-field communications-enabled, so customers can use Android Beam to share contacts, documents and maps directly to compatible phones.
· A battery that allows for up to 32 hours of normal use and double the internal storage (of older RAZR phones) to 32 GB.
· Runs over 4G LTE, combined with Chrome for Android, meaning customers can enjoy blazing fast speeds that make downloading documents or surfing the Web a breeze.
· Device is Global Ready, so calling home or sending emails is possible from more than 205 countries around the world.
Not only will the ONE reader win this phone, but they also will win a $50 Verizon gift card to use towards a Verizon bill of phone accessory.
The giveaway is open to ONE reader in the US and is open from today, 12/5/12 to 12/14/12.
Note: I am a Verizon Wireless Savvy Gourmet blogger and this is part of my program. I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions are my own. Please be courteous and only win the phone from one Verizon Blogger.
Giveaway is open to the continental USA and ends on December 14, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries and will be contacted by email. Winner will have 24 hrs to respond. Winner may only win one prize pack, if you win on another site, a new winner will be drawn. If original winner does not claim their prize within 24 hrs, it is forfeit and a new winner will be selected promptly. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning are not increased by a purchase.
