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Friday, November 15, 2013

Chestnut-Pear Soup

Chestnut-Pear Soup
This week for "French Fridays With Dorie" our assignment was Chestnut-Pear Soup.  I was so excited to make this soup.  I love chestnuts and combining them with pears - I couldn't wait to taste the combination. What can I say?  The soup wasn't bad but it wasn't that great in my book.   It was bland - there's no other way to say it.  I don't understand why - the soup had enough onions, celery, and rosemary to give it a flavor boost.

Dorie stated in the recipe to serve the soup really hot and season it with salt and pepper.  It didn't matter how hot the soup was or how much salt and pepper I put in, it just did not hit the spot for me.



This recipe can be found on page 82 in "Around My French Table.



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Spiced Pumpkin Bread

Spiced Pumpkin Bread
An intoxicating fall aroma filled the house as this bread was baking.  Not only did this bread smell wonderful it tasted wonderful.  It was moist,  had just the right "crunch" in the crust,  and very flavorful.  The spices in the bread brought out the pumpkin flavor.  This is a quick bread that is easy to make.

Start by combing the sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl.  Next you mix in the eggs and pumpkin.  In another large bowl, you whisk together the flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder.  Then stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour and spice mixture.  You may add walnuts to the bread batter if you wish.  I did.  I like nuts in my quick breads.  Next you pour the batter into two buttered and floured 9x5x3-inch loaf pans.  Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.  Cool the bread completely before serving.

This bread freezes well. You can save it for  holiday time or just enjoy with your family at a later date:)


Spiced Pumpkin Bread
From Bon Appetit - November 1995

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans.
2. Beat sugar and oil in a large bowl to blend.  Mix in eggs and pumpkin.  Set aside.
3. Whisk flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder together in another large bowl.
4. Stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions.  Mix in walnuts, if desired.
5. Divide batter equally between the prepared pans.  Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
6.  Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes.  Using a sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves.  Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

Makes 2 loaves




Monday, November 11, 2013

Holiday Cobbler With Cinnamon Ice Cream

Holiday Cobbler
Cobblers are one of my favorite desserts.  I love the delicious fruit combinations and the no roll "crust."  You just need to drop or pinch the dough on top of the fruit and bake.  Dessert is ready.  If you wish, you can add a scoop of ice cream to make it extra yummy.

Today's recipe I found in the November 2013 issue of  "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine.   This cobbler is made with a combination of fresh and dried fruits.  The cobbler is baked in a 10-inch cast iron or other oven-going skillet.  Yeah, less clean up.  The recipe also has an alternative version if you want to bake your cobbler in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.   You combine fresh plums and cranberries with dried red cherries.  To the fruits you add some sugar and flour.  Cook until the mixture is bubbly.   Remove from heat and begin preparing the topping.

For the topping you whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cream of tartar.  Cut in some butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  You add some milk and stir just until the dough is moistened.  You pinch off portions of the dough and gently flatten the dough with your hands.  Place on top of the cobbler.   Then lightly brush the dough with some milk and sprinkle some brown sugar on top.

Place the cobbler in a 375 degree F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.  The cobbler with be bubbly and the topping a nice golden brown.  Remove the cobbler from the oven and let cool about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve the cobbler with Cinnamon ice cream.  If you can't find any Cinnamon ice cream  Vanilla Bean is just as good.  Delicious.  This is one of my family's favorites.  The fruit combinations are sweet with just a hint of tartness from the cranberries.  I loved the texture and flavor of the topping.  This recipe is a keeper and  will be on our Holiday Table.




Holiday Cobbler With Cinnamon Ice Cream
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup dried red cherries
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 pounds large plums, pitted and cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup regular or quick-cooking rolled oats
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream or tartar
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk plus additional for brushing
Purchased Cinnamon ice cream

Directions:
1. In a 10-inch cast-iron or other oven-going skillet combine cranberries, cherries, and water.  Stir in the granulated sugar and the 3 tablespoons flour. Cook and stir over medium heat until hot and bubbly.  Stir in plums.  Set aside.












2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a large bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cream of tartar.  Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Make a well in center of flour mixture.  Add milk all at once.  Using a fork, stir just until moistened.  Gently fold and press dough against the side of the bowl with your hands until it comes together.
3. Lightly flatten small portions of dough with your hands; lay atop filling in skillet.  Brush dough lightly with milk; sprinkle with additional brown sugar.

Ready for the Oven
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly. (If necessary, cover with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent over browning.) Let cool 30 minutes before serving. Serve with Cinnamon ice cream.

Makes 8 servings

For a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate
Prepare filling in a large saucepan; transfer to pie plate.  Continue as directed.











Friday, November 8, 2013

Compote de Pommes Two Ways

Compote de Pommes Two Ways
This week for French Friday With Dorie, the group  made "Compote de Pommes Two Ways."   Compote de Pommes is basically applesauce.  Dorie's version is easy to make and extremely delicious.

Start by peeling, coring, (you can skip this step if you have a food mill), and cutting the apples into chunks.  Place the apples in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add water and brown sugar.  Cook until the apples are soft.  You will be able to crush them with the back of a spoon.  If your apples get too dry you can add more water as you cook.  Once the apples are cooked you run them through a food mill or strainer.   If you want chunky applesauce leave it as is.   Taste the sauce and add some more sugar if needed.  Next, add some vanilla extract to the Compote de Pommes. I served mine with a dollop of creme fraiche.

The second version is a thicker and jammier sauce.  You strain the compote and return the compote to the sauce pan.  Cook it over the lowest heat and stir  until you have a thick spreadable mixture.  Or if you wish you can put the pan in a 250 degree F oven and bake until the compote is thick.

The family enjoyed this recipe.  I loved what the vanilla extract did for the sauce.  It gave it  an extra flavor boost.

This recipe can be found on pages 392-393 in "Around My French Table."

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Hurry-Up-And-Wait Roast Chicken



Best Roast Chicken Ever


I am running late again for my French Friday's With Dorie group.  Last Friday, our assignment was Hurry-Up-And-Wait Roast Chicken.  I finally got around to making it.  

I hesitate to make roast chicken because it usually turns out dry.  That is not the case with this chicken.  It is very moist and flavorful.  The secret is turning the chicken as you are baking it. First, the chicken is baked on one side and then turned to  cook on the other side.  You then place the chicken on its' back to cook.  The total time in cooking is approximately 60 minutes in a very hot oven - 450 degrees F.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the oven and transfer the chicken, breast side down to a platter.  You then lift the chicken's tail in the air and slide a bowl under it and balance the chicken so it is resting at an angle. This was easier said than done for me.  The chicken did not want to rest at an angle.  Finally, it cooperated.  It lost some skin in the process.  Oh well.   The chicken is loosely covered with foil and you let it rest for 10 minutes.

The bird is ready to serve.  I served my chicken with some roasted veggies.  The meal was delicious and enjoyed by all.  I just had a little slice of breast left and the veggies went fast.

You can find this delicious recipe on pages 202-203 in "Around My French Table."


Monday, November 4, 2013

Bacon Fest

Bacon Fest
This past Saturday, Albuquerque held the Southwest Bacon Fest.   Being Bacon Lovers the kids and I could not wait to go.  You could smell the bacon as you walked up.  I could not believe all the bacon goodies they had everything from Bacon Donuts to Bacon Caramel apples.  We had a great time going around looking and sampling various goodies.  Below are some of our  favorites.

I tried one of these goodies and it was great



Our Favorite - Bacon Caramel Apple

Friday, November 1, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Chai Mix

Pumpkin Spice Chai
Settling down in the evening with a hot drink and reading a good book or knitting is one of my favorite things to do.  I like to enjoy the flavors of the season.  Recently, I made some  Pumpkin Spice Chai mix. A delicious warm drink that is spiced with pumpkin pie spices and other spices that gives chai is delicious and satisfying taste.

In a large bowl I mixed together some unsweetened tea, sugar, non fat dry milk, non-dairy creamers, pumpkin pie spice, and some other spices.  After the ingredients were mixed together, I put the chai mix into a food processor and processed it until it had a powdery consistency.  I store my mix in an airtight container.

When ready to use, I usually add 2 tablespoons of the mix to a mug of hot water.  For an extra creamy chai, you can use hot milk.


Pumpkin Spice Chai Mix

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups  unsweetened tea
2 cups sugar
1 cup non fat dry milk
1 cup non-dairy  creamer
1 cup Pumpkin Spice non-dairy creamer
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Process the chai mix in batches in a food processor until the mix is a powdery consistency.


3. Add 2 tablespoons (more or less to taste)  of chai mix to a mug of hot water.
4. Store Chai mix in an airtight container.

Makes approximately 6 1/2 cups of mix