I love this...

Try this one at your next cookie exchange!

darling and hilarious

Mmmmmm....

Here's a fun twist on classic hot cocoa.

I know we have a few Nutella lovers on staff who will certainly enjoy this recipe!

NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE

1 serving

1 cup milk

 2 Tbsp Nutella

 1 Tbsp Cocoa

 Tiny pinch of salt

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, whisk all ingredients together until well blended and hot. Pour in a cup and top with homemade whipped cream and shaved chocolate

A Thanksgiving Tartlette...

Just came across this recipe on  the tartelette blog, and felt inspired to share in case you're in charge of bringing the dessert this Thanksgiving! If the pie tastes even half as good as the images look, you'll be the envy of all your relatives!

link here for the recipe...

PS: Presentation is everything. If you don't have the time to follow this recipe step by step, find inspiration in the details...

Instead of making one large pumpkin pie, bake individual tartelettes for each of your guests. Even if the pie crust and  filling are store bought, always whip up some fresh whipped cream for a more natural presentation than you'll ever be able to squirt out of a can. Take a cue from these photos and add a home-made pumpkin seed garnish!

there, easy as pie!

hee hee hee



Halloween Gross-Out Buffet...

With these Halloween buffet ideas it's less about "all you can eat" and more like "all you can take" without being too grossed out to consume.

shrimp cocktail brains

spinach dip vomit

hot dog mummies

marshmallow and caramel ear wax q-tips (eeewww...)

knife in the heart ribs

spider nest popcorn

brain cupcakes

bread bones

tentacle pot pie

marshmallow, apple, and peanutbutter mouths

I've found a few a these images elsewhere, but most of them come from one of my favorite bloggers, Jamie Rose. She's hilarious and candid and shares great ideas about food, fashion, and design.

Link here to read her column.

A Fall Favorite

When the weather turns, the comfort food cravings begin. Here are some mouth-watering inspiration images to get you in the mood for some classic home-cooking this Fall. Who doesn't love Mac n' Cheese?

the image above is from the blog titled: Elizabeth's Edible Experience

She writes from the heart about where her recipe comes from. The recipe looks pretty easy and should satisfy the craving you've surely developed just reading this post.

Give it a try. I think I might do the same tonight!

Mmmmmmmmmm.......

Mmmmmmm....

PS: Best restaurant mac n' cheese ever = Angele, in Napa, CA, and Bouchon in Yountville, CA. They are tied, and I find myself burdened with the task of' constantly having to go back and try each one in order to determine the true winner. :) 

Enjoy!

A great idea for your last camp-out of the season!

Great Cakes!

I just saw these great Halloween cakes on one of my favorite blogs, Sweet Paul.

Enjoy browsing these inspirational ideas for enhancing a standard store-bought cake, then be sure to check out the Sweet Paul blog and magazine for more inspiring recipes, craft ideas, and always expertly-styled photographs.

Pineapple Cooler

Toast to the warmer evenings of spring with this refreshing cocktail!



Ingredients:
1 large (about 4 pounds) fresh pineapple
1 1/4 cup(s) sugar
11 sprig(s) fresh lavender, rosemary, or lemon verbena
1/4 cup(s) fresh lemon juice

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions


1.Cut the peel from the pineapple, remove the core, and cut the fruit into 1-inch pieces.

2.Place the fruit in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and pulse until the pineapple is crushed but not pureed. Transfer to a large nonreactive pot, add the sugar, 4 cups water, and 3 herb sprigs.

3.Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.

4.Gently press the solids to extract the juice. Cool and stir in the lemon juice. Serve over ice garnished with the remaining herb sprigs
 
(Adults may add rum for a refreshing cocktail)

Honey Balsamic Bean Salad

I just found this simply fantastic bean salad recipe over at one of my favorite foodie blogs, 101 Cookbooks. I love bean salads because they travel well, provide plenty of protein, and are usually easy to assemble.

Thought you might enjoy packing this delicious salad for your next picnic, or lunch on the go!



Recipe:

8 oz / 225 g (about 1 1/2 cups) EACH cooked chickpeas, pinto beans, black beans

1 small head of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, shredded
1/3 cup / 1 oz / 30g sliced almonds, toasted

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons runny honey
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4+ teaspoon fine grain sea salt

10 sprigs fresh thyme

Combine the beans, lettuce, and most of the almonds in a large salad bowl. Set aside. Make the dressing by whisking the olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and sea salt in a small container. Taste, and adjust to your tastes.


Run your fingers up each thyme sprig, removing the leaves. Add to the salad bowl along with a good amount of the dressing. Toss well, and add more dressing if you like. Finish by sprinkling with the remaining almonds.


Serves 4- 6.

Chipless Wonders!

I just recently discovered one of the most fabulous cookies I've EVER had! Have you heard about "Chipless Wonders" from Tate's Bake Shop?

Mmmmmmmmmm...
Melt in your mouth goodness!

The cookies come from a small bakery in Southampton, NY, called Tate's Bake Shop. I just happened upon them at Brown's Valley Market, a small specialty food store in my neighborhood, and now I'm hooked.

They make a great variety of cookies, but I highly recommend the "chipless wonder"!

Look for them at your grocery store, or find them here on-line.

Dee-lish!

43 North Sea Rd.
Southampton, NY 11968

631-283-9830

www.tatesbakeshop.com 

Sweets For Your Sweet!

What's more romantic on this day of love than a home-made chocolate dessert to share? Try this fantastic  Chocolate Bread Pudding with Sun-dried Cherries and Whipped Crème Fraiche!

Check out the recipe here at

www.Sunday-Suppers.blogspot.com

 

New Year's Cocktail...

This New Year's Eve, add a bit more to your bubbly and try one of my all-time favorite champagne cocktails, the Kir Royale!

photo: bon appetit

This blushing cocktail is as pleasing to look at as it is tasty. A Kir Royale can be enjoyed with brunch, lunch, or dinner! Best of all, it's absolutely simple to make!

Just follow these simple steps to create your own blushing bubbly:

Kir Royale

• Start with a lovely champagne flute
• Pour 1 Oz of creme de cassis* (or chambord**) in the glass
• Tilt the glass and fill it with champagne or sparkling wine
• Garnish with a lemon twist (traditional), or simply drop red fruit like raspberries, cranberries, or pomegranate seeds into the glass to enhance the color
• Enjoy!!!

*The best creme de cassis is one that comes from Dijon - France, so look for the word Dijon on the label.

**Chambord is a lovely berry liqueur, it's a great alternative and makes a delicious Kir Royale.

Cold Weather Comfort Food

Gotta Love Grilled Cheese!

Grilled Pastrami, Swiss, and Sweet Onion Marmalade on Rye

Crab and Avocado Grilled Cheese on Sourdough

 

Grilled Fresh Mozzarella and Apricot on Sourdough

When the cold weather strikes we often crave the comforts of home cooking. The warm, ooey-gooey grilled cheese is always a favorite for this time of year. Why not enhance this classic with a few extras to create mouth-watering, melted perfection!

Check out this link to Sunset Magazine for more grilled cheese recipe ideas!

photos and recipes:Annabelle Breakey, Margo True, Sunset Magazine

Mmmmmmmm....Autumn Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp

10 cups Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 baking dish that has been well greased. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.
Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

Serve warm with great vanilla bean ice cream and/or fresh whipped cream
Serves 10-12. Enjoy!!!!
 
recipe and photo courtesy of Your Saucy Chef
www.yoursaucychef.blogspot.com

Go Fig-ure

My husband was out of town this weekend, and I didn't feel much like cooking, so I went to Brown's Valley Market to see what I could find in the way of prepared foods. (BTW, Brown's Valley Market is a great neighborhood specialty food store in Napa, --where they display their bakery goods on Harvest's reclaimed wood tables, I might add). I scanned the deli case and felt uninspired, so I walked around looking at their gorgeous produce displays, (it's one of those stores where they actually line up every carrot.) There I found some perfectly-ripened Black Mission Figs, and felt inspired to assemble (rather than cook) my dinner. I picked up some Costello Blue Cheese (my fav) and imported, thinly-sliced prosciutto. I had forgotten about this fantastic combination until it touched my lips; rich, creamy, salty sweet, divine! Very rustic, very fall, very delicious! You should try it too.

• Slice figs into halves
• spread a bit of blue cheese on the cut side
• wrap with prosciutto
• enjoy!

Some recipes suggest grilling this combo and drizzling with honey and balsamic, which is even better. But, if you're not up for grilling, and you find great quality ingredients, then the three in combination are just right! Pair with a Pinot Noir or Viognier to enhance the flavors.

Sunday Suppers

Perhaps the most gorgeous culinary website on-line! I am thrilled to share this fantastic site with all of you. Those who appreciate delicious recipes and simply fabulous presentation will love to find entertaining inspiration on this site. Don't miss http://sunday-suppers.com/

Great Summer Cocktail Recipe

Just like Harvest, this refreshing summer cocktail has the perfect blend of classic flavor and earthy accents, all with a fresh new kick!

Cucumber Lemonade Chiller (serves 4)

ingredients:

3 large cucumbers

1 tablespoon chopped, fresh rosemary

4 rosemary sprigs for garnish

1 cup water

6 oz. (3/4 cup) gin

1/2 cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons sugar

preparation:

Cut 12 thin slices of cucumber for garnish

Peel and chop the rest of the cucumber, transfer to a food processor, add rosemary and puree. Pour the puree over a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. press on the solids to extract all the juice. Add water, gin, lemon juice, and sugar to the cucmber mixture; stir until the sugar is dissolved. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish glasses with cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs.

ENJOY!

recipe adapted from www.eatingwell.com