Skip to content

Archive for

Nov 27

67 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

imgres

From Google Images via pinterest

I want to wish each and everyone of you that celebrate the Holiday a very Happy and absolutely delicious Thanksgiving. There is a lot to be thankful for and on this day of giving thanks I want to tell you all how much I love and appreciate all the support and kindness you show to me. Blogging is a fun and a creative outlet for us but where would I be without you or really where would we be without each other, your sweet comments and support mean the world to me. I know you are busy today cooking or traveling or maybe you are just relaxing. Whatever you are doing I hope your day is filled with love and happiness.

Thank you all for everything.

 

Suzanne and Nando

Ha!

Ha!

images

 

Nov 25

67 Comments

Chicken Nuggets-A Thanksgiving Dog Treat Recipe

IMG_2560

Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog is a blog that is both inspirational and informative and when Sharon contacted me to ask if I would share a recipe for a dog treat I was more than happy to oblige.  For years Sharon selflessly cared for her beloved Sophie who due to a rare disease became paralyzed, read about Sophie here. You see Sharon’s blog is near and dear to me she offers so much to pet parents of Special Needs Pets, both cats and dogs. My Nando is Special needs having suffered from diabetes for the past 6 years, he is also blind and has been almost 6 years. With the holidays it’s always nice to give our fur babies a special treat and although Nando gets these every day they are special.

So here is my recipe for Doggie Chicken Nuggets. I had to make them with diabetes in mind, I have had Nando on a very strict diet since he was first diagnosed he gets lean protein, vegetables and barley.  These little bites contain ground chicken breast, coarsely ground vegetables, pumpkin or butternut squash, cheese and barley. They are low on the glycemic index and Nando loves them. Happy Thanksgiving to all pets and pet parents.

Chicken Nuggets

1 lb ground chicken ( I use breast meat) You can also use ground turkey breast
1 cup ground vegetables, I use parsley, spinach, carrot, kale and celery
1/2 cup cube pumpkin or butternut squash (steamed until tender)
1/2 cup cooked barley
1/2 cup grated cheese (your choice) I use cheddar a lot)
1 egg lightly beaten
small pinch of sea salt

Pre heat oven to 350
Cut your pumpkin or butternut squash into cubes and steam or oven roast until tender. Set aside.
Grind the vegetables in your food processor, pulsing until coursely ground (don’t pulverize)
Place chicken, vegetables. barley, pumpkin or squash, egg,cheese and pinch of salt in bowl and mix to combine.
On small sheet pan lined with parchment and lightly greased with olive oil place the chicken mixture and spread into a loaf. Bake for 30 minutes or until done. Let cool for about 20 minutes and then chop into bite size pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Nando

Nando

Nov 21

112 Comments

Fried Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli For Fiesta Friday #43

Fried Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli

Fried Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli

If you need a quick dessert, really delicious, looks impressive and will get a lot of ooohs and ahhhhhs make these fried ravioli. You use wonton wrappers, nutella, deep fry, dust with some powdered sugar and there you have it. They taste amazing, really you have to try these. I used to watch Food TV and saw Giada De Laurentis make them, I am a big fan of nutella and fried dough so I felt that these had my name written all over them. Serve on their own with some coffee/espresso or with a bowl of gelato. It makes such a nice, easy and delicious dessert. Serving size is 2 according to the recipe but I can easily eat 4 of them.

I thought these delicious little bites would be really perfect finger food for Fiesta Friday #43 which is hosted by the super talented and very sweet Angie@The Novice Gardener and this weeks co hosts never left the party, I am so excited thatTracy @Scratch It and Stephanie @The Cozy Cook are still there to welcome everyone.

Fried Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli

From Giada De Laurentis

Serves 8 (or if I am there 4)
16 wonton wrappers
1 egg, beaten to blend
1 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: nutella)
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the wonton wrappers on the surface. Brush the edges of the wrapper lightly with egg. Spook 1 tbs of chocolate hazelnut spread into the center of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper diagonally in half over the filling and press the edges of the wrapper to seal. P,ace the ravioli on the prepared baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Add enough oil to a heavy large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium high heat to 350 degrees.

Working in batches. carefully add the ravioli to the hot oil and cook until they are golden brown, about 45 seconds per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ravioli to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Then, transfer the cooked ravioli to another baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven while you are frying the remaining ravioli. ( The fried ravioli can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool them completely, then cover and refrigerate. Before serving, place them on a baking sheet and rewarm in a preheated 375 degree oven just until they are heated through, about 7 minutes.)

Delicious

Delicious

fiesta-friday-badge-button-i-was-featured1

Nov 20

74 Comments

Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Hot soup

Hot soup

When Fall and Winter are here my thoughts turn to mushrooms, well not all the time but a lot. I told you that I joined this new CSA, Farmigo and I just picked up my second order. They had some beautiful mushrooms. I got Shitake and Oyster. I have been wanting a piping hot bowl of Cream of Mushroom soup.  I made enough for 2 servings but you can double or triple to make more. The earthy mushroom and sage and rosemary go so well together, the flavor of the herbs is very subtle, just a hint. This soup would be great added to casseroles, pasta or just eaten as is. I used as a guide the recipe for Cream of Mushroom soup from Balthazar on Food52. This soup is dedicated to all of those who are experiencing extreme cold, snow and ice stay warm and safe. A hot bowl of soup is just what you need. Enjoy with some good bread and butter, a salad and you have a wonderful meal.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 generous servings

1 1/2 lbs mushrooms (I used shiitake and oyster) cleaned, woody stems removed

1 small onion white or brown

2 cloves garlic

1 small stem rosemary

1 small stem sage

splash of olive oil

splash of white wine

3 cups broth (vegetable or chicken or mushroom broth)

1/4 cup half and half

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 tbs butter

salt and pepper to taste

mushrooms and herbs simmering in broth

mushrooms and herbs simmering in broth

In large heavy pot add olive oil and the stem of rosemary and sage, let it heat on Med/high until you hear the herbs sizzle. Now add the sliced onion and garlic. Sauce stirring until the onion and garlic soften but don’t let them brown. Add the mushrooms and let cook for approximately 10 minutes or until the mushrooms give off their liquid and it cooks down. Add a splash of white wine and continue cooking for another 5 minutes so that it is reduced to very little liquid. Pour in the broth and cook for 30-45 minutes, bring to a boil then turn heat down so that it is a strong simmer about Medium heat. Once everything is cooked. remove the rosemary and sage and spoon out the mushrooms, onion and garlic and place in blender or food processor, add 1/4 cup half and half and the butter and process or blend until smooth. Add back to pot and pour in the cream. Get it good and hot and serve immediately. Note: I did not puree all the mushrooms I wanted some pieces in the soup. I also have a confession to make. I wash my mushrooms, I know thats a HUGE no no, you brush the dirt off, well brushing them doesn’t satisfy me, I wash in cold water quickly, pat dry then air dry. I know this is frowned upon but I am not liking the odds of having dirt in my food by simply brushing the mushrooms I want them clean. I hope i didn’t offend anyone just needed to get that off my chest.

Nov 18

109 Comments

What Will You Serve For Thanksgiving?

Dressing or stuffing

Dressing or stuffing

Some of you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but here in the US this is probably the biggest food holiday of them all, it’s also a time to remember how much we have to be thankful for. For me the Thanksgiving meal is steeped in tradition. Every year I make the same meal, I have tried adding something different but in the end, the best is always the tried and true recipes.

Do you try new recipes or stick to the tried and true?

Is it Potluck or do you do all the cooking?

What do you make, or do you go to someone else’s house for the meal?

I bake pies for friends, this year I am making apple, pumpkin and pecan for both my table and for my friends. I have will have 6-8 people over, family and friends.

How many will be around your table?

Photo by James Ransom

Photo by James Ransom

Thanksgiving 2014

Butter and herb roast turkey– compound butter under the skin and steam roasted

Dressing– cornbread and bread with a lot of other things. My signature dish.

Mashed potatoes- Yukon gold, sour cream and butter. I like super creamy smooth potatoes so I use a food mill.

Corn

Brussels Sprouts- I am going to make this recipe this year from my friend Bevi, it’s a Food52 contest winner

Gravy

Cranberry orange sauce (see recipe below)

Homemade potato rolls

Just out of the oven

Just out of the oven

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie

For Dessert

Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Apple pie right out of the oven

Apple pie right out of the oven

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice + 1 tsp orange zest
1 12-ounce package Fresh or Frozen Cranberries ( I always buy Ocean Spray)
Combine sugar and juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil; add cranberries, return to boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time. Makes 2 1/4 cups. Optional- add the zest of 1 orange for a stronger orange flavor. I always make a double batch because I must have it for the leftovers.

The Wine

Can’t forget the wine, this year I have a magnum of Christian Bernard Select Black Gamay (A beaujolais), I also have Rioja, 2001 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia,  Pernand-Vergelesses 2008, premier Cru Sous Fretille (Grand Vin du Bourgogne) I’ll pop the bubbly with dessert and serve coffee too. What are you drinking?

Nov 17

44 Comments

Ginger Cilantro Spicy Tofu In Cabbage Leaves And Hearty Minestrone

Cilantro Spicy Tofu

Ginger Cilantro Spicy Tofu

This recipe is from one of my favorite bloggers Sonal@Simply Vegetarian777 and one that really inspires me to eat wholesome healthful food. This recipe is very special, you see Sonal dedicated it to me, I was touched and thrilled and had to make it, the recipe is Ginger Cilantro Spicy Tofu in Cabbage Leaves, long name yes and long on flavor. It’s fantastic, so simple to make but really really flavorful. I love the crisp tofu, another recipe that really defines umami, it’s healthful, so flavorful and lends itself to variations in serving. Sonali has you pile the spicy tofu in cabbage leaves (I used savoy cabbage) but you can scoop it up with warm flat bread, eat over rice or on it’s own. Anyway you serve it it’s wonderful, delicious and so good for you.

Delicious

Delicious

I saw this recipe on the blog Bourbon and Brown Sugar for a Hearty Minestrone With Tortellini And Mini Meatballs there are some really fantastic recipes on her site but this soup spoke to me. It’s a meal in a bowl, there are meatballs, tortellini, loads and loads of vegetables and a delicious broth. It’s just perfect for a cold weather meal, it fills you up and warms you. It’s really simple to make, doesn’t take very long to cook and serves a crowd. I followed the recipe except for two things, used leeks instead of onion, only because I had a huge amount I needed to use and I added the rind of a piece of parmigiana the last 30 minutes of cooking time its an incredibly delicious soup.

Delicious and hear soup

Delicious and hearty soup

 

Nov 14

113 Comments

Apple Cider Applesauce Coffee Cake For Fiesta Friday #42

Applecider Applesauce Cake

Applecider Applesauce Cake

I am re posting this recipe, I make it every year when apples hit the market. It is hands down my favorite apple cake. I know there are a million recipes out there for apple desserts, well my friends here is one more. I found this recipe years ago in Martha Stewart Living. The cakes is so moist and beautifully spiced, the crumble topping kind of melts into the cake as it bakes.

I decided that I would bring this delicious apple cake to Fiesta Friday #42, Angie@The Novice Gardener has outdone herself this week not only is she hosting this party but she brought the most beautiful, mind blowing dessert ever. The co hosts this week are Tracy @Scratch It and Stephanie @The Cozy Cook.

Apple Cider Applesauce Coffee Cake

APPLE CIDER APPLESAUCE
1 pound juicy apples (Macintosh work very well) peeled. cored and cut into quarters
1/4 cup apple cider
1 tablespoon sugar, you can use white, turbinado or brown your choice
pinch of salt
Clean, peel, core and quarter the apples. Add to a medium saucepan. Add the cider, sugar and salt and boil until apples are soft. Remove from heat and mash (I used a potato masher) keep some small chunks of apples. Set aside to cool.
THE CRUMBLE TOPPING AND CAKE
The Crumble Topping
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted pecans chopped (If you have a nut allergy the nuts can be omitted)
The Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves (Optional, I didn’t use, really don’t like cloves)
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
4 large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cup apple cider applesauce
2 small juicy apples (Macintosh work very well) peeled and sliced
1/2 cup toasted pecans chopped OPTIONAL
Make your crumble topping. In small bowl combine the butter, sugar, oats,flour, cinnamon, salt and pecans mix with fork or by hand to combine. Set aside.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat your tube pan with cooking spray or vegetable oil. (I recommend using a non stick pan) Sift flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Cream butter and white and brown sugar in your electric mixer until smooth about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time make sure egg is incorporated before you add another one. With mixer on low add the applesauce and then the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Add the optional chopped pecans and fold in.
Pour batter into oiled pan. Place apple slices on top of cake tucking some into the batter,sprinkle on the crumble topping. Bake for 60-70 minutes check by inserting cake tester (I used a bamboo skewer) near the middle of the cake and it should come out clean. Remove from oven and let cake cool in pan on wire rack.
Remove from pan and if you do not serve immediately wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature until ready to serve. NOTE: if you make in a bundt pan like I did it could take some coaxing to get it out of the pan when cooled. It could be easier to remove from a tube pan because it does not have all the grooves that a bundt pan does.

DSC02172

 

Fiesta Friday

Fiesta Friday

Nov 11

63 Comments

Exciting Offer From Farmigo And A Sandwich

product-carrots

The good people at Farmigo saw my post and generously offered to you,  my readers $25 off your order use coupon code “Puglife”. I love the concept, the food which is uber fresh, organic and delicious and the fact that it’s all local means a lot to me and I am very picky when it comes to food. Right now they are in 2 parts of the country,  so if you happen to be in  the New York area (this includes parts of New Jersey) or the San Francisco Bay area you’re in luck. Check here to see if there is a pick up location near you. My pick up location is directly across the street, how convenient!!

product-eggs

I am excited for any of you that live in the two area’s to give Farmigo a try and $25 off is a great incentive. Food shopping makes me happy, finding great deals and new avenues to find fresh healthful food makes me really really happy, like you all I love to cook and am always searching out the best sources for the freshest food I can find. I am not being paid or compensated nor was I asked by Farmigo to do this post this is all my idea. This is a CSA like no other, you get to pick what goes into your box, an a la carte CSA if you would, and they really do make it easy with lots of pick up locations. Give it a try, use coupon code  “pug life” and get your discount and you will be giving yourself the gift of fresh farm to table food.

My photo

My photo not so good

Now for the sandwich. I have been meaning to share this sandwich with you for a while now but got caught up with stuff and forgot about it until the nice people at Food52 decided to feature it. I was taken by surprise and very flattered that my sandwich was featured on the site.

It has a rather long name Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Caponata and Pesto Sandwich  if you click on the link you can see the recipe on Food52. I fried thin chicken cutlets in a panko/parmigiano coating, had some good bread, a baguette, some homemade pesto and some homemade caponata. You simply slather the bread with pesto and grill it, pile on caponata and then chicken, close it up and eat. Really pretty simple and really delicious. I thought using both pesto and caponata as condiments would be pretty tasty.

photo by James Ranson for Food52

photo by James Ranson for Food52

 

Nov 9

89 Comments

Coriander Chicken Thighs With Miso Glazed Root Vegetables

Coriander Chicken Thighs and Miso Glaze Root Vegetables

Coriander Chicken Thighs and Miso Glaze Root Vegetables

I saw this recipe on Epicurious and I knew immediately I wanted to make it. Umami is not a word I use often, I do like the idea and when I saw it in the description I thought it would be loaded with flavor.  I recently joined Farmigo, it’s fantastic, you order farm fresh food (It’s a CSA with a twist) and go to one of the many pick up locations to get your order, I’m lucky my pick up location is across the street from my home. You shop for what you want in your box rather getting what they give you. I love having multiple options for fresh food and this is a great concept, farm fresh food, organic and sustainable, can’t get much better than that. I ordered lots of root vegetables and chicken thighs after I found this recipe. I made a few changes in the root vegetable department, because I wanted to use what i had. I got some gorgeous radishes,they are so fresh and have the greens so I used both,the recipe calls for turnip greens which I didn’t have so I subbed the radish greens for the turnip greens,  both golden and red beets and yellow and orange carrots. The vegetables are oven roasted coated with the miso glaze, you saute the greens in the same pan the chicken was cooked in using the reserved fat and then add them to the roasted roots before serving. Now tell me that doesn’t sound good right? As a side note, this dish is REALLY DELICIOUS, it is the very definition of Umami!

I am bringing this umami laden dish to Fiesta Friday #41 hosted by Angie@The Novice Gardener and this weeks lovely co hosts are Nancy @Feasting With Friends, along with Loretta @Safari of the Mind. I hope you all enjoy!!!

Beautiful roots

Beautiful roots

Coriander Chicken Thighs And Miso Glazed Root Vegetables

From Epicurious

Serves 6-8

  • 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (such as grapeseed), divided
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 3 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 pound total carrots, parsnips, and/or celery root, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 3/4 pound small-to-medium golden or red beets with fresh greens, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wedges, greens reserved
  • 3/4 pound small-to-medium turnips with fresh greens, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wedges, greens reserved
  • 1 medium red onion, peeled, root trimmed, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
roasted roots

roasted

Preheat oven to 400°F. Set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. In a large bowl, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Add 1 tablespoon oil and toss to coat. Season chicken all over with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and coriander. Rub in seasoning and set aside at room temperature.

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons oil, miso paste, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add vegetables and garlic cloves to the bowl and toss to coat. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, place on the upper rack of the oven, and roast until softened and browned, 40 to 45 minutes, tossing a few times during roasting. Peel garlic and discard skins.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon oil. Once hot, add half the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook until skin is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from skillet and place skin side up on a second rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs, reserving skillet with fat after cooking. Transfer baking sheet to lower rack of oven and roast until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, 12 to 15 minutes more.

Discard stems from reserved beet and turnip greens; wash and roughly chop the leaves. Pour out all but 2 teaspoons of oil from the skillet and place the pan over medium-high heat. Add the greens to the pan with 2 tablespoons water and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, tossing, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving bowl, add the sautéed greens, and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve chicken thighs with vegetables and lime wedges.

Close up

Close up

Fiesta Friday

Fiesta Friday

Nov 5

87 Comments

Inspiring Farro With Beets, Feta And Pecans And For Dessert- Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Farro with beets, pecans and feta

Farro with beets, pecans and feta

Sorry this is a bit late it will be worth the wait, believe me. The inspiring recipe that was chosen at random this time is from Emily, and is posted on her lovely blog Em-i-lis,  it’s a gorgeous healthful dish with my favorite grain, Farro, my favorite cheese feta and favorite nut pecan, win, win.  This recipe is so delicious, a great side dish or a main. I love Emily’s blog, she posts every day like clockwork and it’s what I read every morning with my cup of coffee. The recipe is Farro With Beets, Feta and Pecans. It’s truly inspired, she ties all those gorgeous ingredients together with a dressing of herbs, olive oil and lemon. It’s fantastic and really makes the other ingredients sing but the star of the show for me is the pecans, they are toasted and coated in maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne. Really you have to try this, it’s so good. I didn’t have golden beets so I used red, I don’t think it makes a difference really, also I think this is a genius move on Emily’s part, she gently heats the olive oil and then adds the herbs so they don’t cook really but are warmed and infused in the oil and adding some lemon makes for one of the most delicious dressings I’ve had in a long time. You can play with the herbs, don’t like sage add another herb, I think this would be delicious with any combination.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Now for dessert, oh this is beyond delicious folks the recipe comes from Michelle@Giraffes Can Bake, I was given a choice of two recipes and since I am a big big fan of ice cream, any time of year I chose the Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream. This ice cream is so simple, no churning, it’s a semi freddo, no cooking, and it’s so creamy and totally dreamy. It’s perfect for this time of year, it doesn’t have to be hot or warm outside to enjoy ice cream right? I followed the recipe except for the spice I added the Vanilla Autumn Spice Mix I made last time from Strictly Delicious. This ice cream tastes just like pumpkin Pie, I think it would be AMAZING sandwiched in between two oatmeal or ginger cookies. That would be a phenomenal ice cream sandwich.

« Older Entries