Opera Singer in the Kitchen

Artistry in Food, Music, and Life

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    Chez Chopin CD winners

    January 9th, 2012
    I am really trying to keep up with announcing winners on time. 
    Sorry folks and I appreciate your patience.
    Here are the 3 winners of the Chez Chopin CD.
    Thanks to all who entered. Please email me your address!
    Thanks!

    leafynotbeefy.com,  2:15 PM  
    My favorite genre would def. be classical (and a few opera that I’ve heard and liked)

    Seth,  12:27 PM  
    Classical

    Following you on all of the above Noelle!
    Victoria,  12:42 PM  
    I love country!! I have recently discovered Josh Turner and love him!! Of course, my old favorites are Chris Young, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts. I absolutely love Classical music, but not as much as country. I love Handel’s Largo(from Xerxes).

    1 Comment "

    Strawberries and Cream Scones

    January 5th, 2012
    Strabwberries & Cream Scones

    As promised I am posting this most delicious recipe I made last night. 

    I totally have not been eating any sweets and have been eating more fruits more than anything.

    Last night I felt like baking even though it was hard taking a break from this little one:

    Julianne (2 months)

    No really.

    Ryan also felt like eating something sweet but we did not want something too sweet nor too high in calories.

    I checked my Pinterest boards and went to my Baking board to peruse recipes I have saved.

    I cam across a recipe for Strawberries and Cream Scones on King Arthur Flour’s website.

    I lightened up the recipe using agave nectar, whole wheat white flour, and veganized the recipe.

    The recipe also calls for a glaze that, in my opinion made the scone perfectly sweet especially if eaten with a cup of coffee.

    If you want a sweeter scone, add a 1/4 cup more of agave. 

    You have to try these! I used So Delicious coconut creamer to sub for the half & half and it was perfect!

    Hope you try these.


    Scones part 2


    Strawberries and Cream Scones

    makes 16 scones

    scones

    • 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
    • 1/4 cup agave nectar
    • 2 Tablespoons So Delicious coconut creamer
    • 2 cups whole wheat white flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 6 tablespoons Earth Balance buttery spread, cut into pieces
    • 2 flax seed “egg”, or 1 large egg
    • (2 Tbsp flax seed meal + 6 Tbsp warm water)
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries

    glaze

    • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon water

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
    To make the scones: In an immersion blender or food processor, process 1/2 cup of the strawberries with the agave nectar and creamer until the mixture is smooth. Set it aside.
    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
    Work in the margarine using a pastry blender; the mixture should be unevenly crumbly.
    Prepare the flax seed “egg” and set aside for 3 minutes to set.
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the strawberry/cream mixture, the flax seed “egg”, and the vanilla extract.
    Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until the dough just barely starts to come together.
    Add the 2/3 cup diced strawberries, gently folding them in; the dough will be quite sticky.
    Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets; each scone should be about the size of a golf ball.
    Make the glaze by stirring together the sugar, water, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle some atop each scone.
    Bake the scones until they’re just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges, 15 to 16 minutes on a baking sheet.
    Serve scones warm. Or allow them to cool completely, and store airtight at room temperature. Just before serving, reheat very briefly in the microwave, or for 5 to 10 minutes, tented with aluminum foil, in a preheated 350°F oven.

    6 Comments "

    Review: Cappuccino LARAbar

    January 3rd, 2012

    Hi there! I am trying to get back into the swing of things. After spending 2 weeks in Texas I thought we would have a harder time getting into the swing of things. Julianne did really well on the plane ride to Texas and on the way back to Michigan. I wore the Moby wrap for both trips and they were VERY successful. 





    Airport security did not make me take of my wrap at all! I prayed before I got to the airport and while I was in line and I was super glad that they did not make me take out my sleeping babe. After this trip I knew I was going to have to have the best washing machine in order to wash all the germs and stains I had gotten on the wrap.



    I am still looking into buying a carrier though. Any thoughts? I am debating between a Beco and an Ergo. Any thoughts? I heard and read that it depended on my needs and on my height.



    Can you tell our Julianne has grown up? She is 2 months old today and we are happy to see her change. She is so precious and we feel blessed daily!


    When we returned from our holiday I had tons of mail to go through, like Christmas cards and packages. I love opening packages, don’t you?



    LARAbar was generous enough to gift me with 4 bars of their newest flavor: Cappuccino.


    Yes.




    I did say Cappuccino.


    I really like LARAbars but now I REALLY like them because of this flavor. The bars are nutty and fruity but not like the other bars. It is almost like dessert. I had a bar yesterday and before I knew it, the bar was all gone!


    If you like coffee like I do, you will like this bar. It is gluten-free, vegan, dairy- and soy-free too! The bar was also softer than the other bars too. Be on the look out for these bars. I cannot wait to stock-up for sure!   They will be my snack for this nursing mother! 😀


    I give this a 5 out 5 stars!


    Don’t forget to enter to win 1 out of 3 CDs featuring Chopin’s etudes and 24 gourmet recipes all in one! Enter HERE!

    8 Comments "

    Chez Chopin CD and Recipe Review / Giveaway

    December 31st, 2011





    Wow, this year is almost over, can you believe it? There is so many things that have happened this year but I do not have the time to show you everything that I have accomplished. I love reading other people’s year-in- review-posts through my Droid in the middle of the night when I am feeding baby girl. Yes this is how I catch up for sure!


    One of the things I purposed this coming year is to be able to review my favorite compact discs (CDs) of classical and opera. Even though these past years have focused on recipes, life, and my singing, I hope to focus more on my singing and the challenges of having a baby. I love the fact that I can introduce music to my beautiful baby because I do not know how it will influence her as she grows up. 


    Which CD will I start reviewing? Well, Delos Music was generous enough to introduce me to Evelyne Brancart playing Chopin in her CD called Chez Chopin which means Chopin’s home. How did Delos Music know I liked Chopin? My grandmother used to play Chopin to us and we would listen to it on records. I fell in love. 


    This CD was created by the pianist with 24 etudes and 24 recipes. The CD comes with 2 discs. One disc has all 24 pieces performed by the pianist while the second disc has a program that plays the piece with the recipe that is featured. Ms. Brancart explains how each recipe is like the piece and describes each with much color.


    I cannot wait to try two recipes. All her recipes have French titles with a translation. The recipes are very gourmet but not at all complicated. As the new year approaches I am excited to get back into the kitchen a little more. My almost-2 month old baby girl is growing up fast and finding ways to include her in the kitchen is becoming real fun.  Here is a preview of the recipes I will be trying:



    Check out Ms. Brancart’s work on Delos Music’s website:
    Chez Chopin

    This CD would make a great gift for a foodie who loves music, or just any foodie!


    A new update!


    Delos Music wants 3 of you to win a copy of this CD.


    Here is how to enter:

    Answer this question:

    1. Which of these genres of music do you like best? (Leave a comment letting me know)
    1. Classical
    2. Rock
    3. Pop
    4. Opera
    5. Country
    2. Follow Opera Singer in the Kitchen on Facebook
    3. Follow OSIK on Twitter
    4.Follow my blog on Google Reader
    5.Follow Delos Music on Twitter

    Winner will be announced Friday, January 6th. Open to US readers only.

    12 Comments "

    Merry Christmas!!

    December 26th, 2011
    Hello everyone! Hope everyone has had a blessed day. 
    Have a wonderful Christmas! We are enjoying our time in Texas. Cheers.

    4 Comments "