Bruschetta Cornbread Casserole

Because I am trying so very hard to use everything in our house and not waste a morsel of food, I put together this random casserole, based off of one in the cookbook Cooking With All Things Trader Joe's.  I must tell you, it turned out great, and I actually think that it's much more flavorful than the original recipe.  And this, my friends is a lesson in cooking.  Not that I can offer too many.  But I do know this: you wont know if something works until you try it.  You can substitute anything you want, and it just might be fabulous.  It might be sick, and you will know.  But you will never know if it's delicious-my-mom-wrote-down-this-recipe good until you try.

So add a little flavor.  I used spicy cornbread mix that my dad had purchased at the store, couscous cooked with cinnamon and maple syrup to take away some of the spicy, and grilled vegetable bruschetta.  It was good.  Perfect for an afternoon lunch, but also would go so well as a side to a perfectly grilled steak, or even BBQ chicken.  Give it a whirl.  Substitute something else and let me know how it works.  You might surprise yourself.  Enjoy!



Bruschetta Cornbread Casserole


1 box couscous
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 jar grilled vegetable bruschetta mix (this you can substitute anything for, just make sure that you season your couscous properly to go with whatever you pick.  Like a basil lime with artichoke hearts sounds good here too.)
1 box spicy cornbread mix via Marie Calendars
1 cup plain goat milk yogurt (You can use other yogurt if you want, but goat milk is nice and creamy)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  While heating, cook couscous according to instructions, adding in maple syrup and cinnamon about half way through cooking process.  When finished cooking, place couscous into 9 inch round casserole dish and add in the cup of plain yogurt, folding yogurt into the couscous.  Once mixed well, add the full jar or bruschetta (don't strain the juices) and fold bruschetta into the couscous-yogurt mixture.  Once mixed, make sure new mixture is nicely covering the bottom of the pan, and is even on top.  Add 1/2 cup of water to the cornbread mix.  (This may vary depending on the mix, so make sure to check the package.)  Stir until batter is smooth, and no powder remains.  Pour 1/3 of batter on top of the couscous/yogurt/bruschetta mix, allowing it to lay on top of mixture.  Use rest of batter for a small loaf of cornbread in appropriate sized pan.  Place the casserole dish and extra cornbread into oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.  Enjoy!

Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Mama's Favorites

Have you ever been in a house that is just like a house you picture in the movies?  You know, decorated to the nines of shabby chic, yet comfortable enough to call home?   Yep.  This place is it.  I was selected by Foodbuzz to host a 24, 24, 24 dinner, and friends of ours opened their home to us to host this special event.

Seriously, do you know about Foodbuzz?  It's a great food networking site that allows you to share recipes, meet other people who love food as much (or more) than you do, and learn how to expand your culinary horizons.  It's the best.  Oh, and the pictures.  The pictures! Beautiful food pictures from everyone, don't go there when you are hungry.

So the Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24, event is hosted by Foodbuzz Featured Publishers all on the same night, and posted by the next morning.  So all over, people at the same moment are making meals, getting together and eating with one another.  It's like when everyone is placing cookies out for Santa at the same time, all waiting for something magical to happen.  Because that is what it's like when good friends get together to eat good food: magic.  And this, was our event.  A beautiful home, 7 good friends, all eating and laughing, and brining what we can to each other's lives.  However,  this dinner was special to me for another reason: my family.  They live in Colorado and New York and I don't get to see them often.  I attribute my love for baking to my mom, and my need and love to run to my dad, and my witty sense of humor to my sister.  They are a part of me, and I am so glad.  So the holidays come around and I miss them.  I miss my mom's meals.  They are incredible.  If you are in Denver, seriously let me know.  They will open their home to you, and you will never want to eat out again.  She is that good.  So our menu was in honor of my Mama:

Mama's Favorites

Blueberry Basil Salad with apricot stilton, carrots, and sweet and spicy pecans

Chicken Pot Pie with side of Peppered Green Beans

Red Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Cream Frosting and Sweet Cream Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.  My mom cooks like this all the time.  So it is my honor that I got to cook this meal for the Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24 event.  And here is how it went:

Who doesn't love a good salad?  Growing up we had a salad with dinner every night.  And for holidays we had special salads like this one.  Mixed greens, spinach, basil, pecans, blueberries, carrots, and apricot stilton. Serious.  Oh and those roses in the middle?  My friend Kali, who is a regular Martha Stewart added that touch.  What would I do without a friend like Kali?  Besides have a plain salad, I would also be a crazy person. I love her.

I seriously felt like a professional cooking in this kitchen.  It was incredible.  The stove was blue on the inside, which matched my Le Creuset mini-cocottes that I got.  How very planned of me.  No, not at all. I just happen to love blues and yellows, and their stove happened to match.  And happened to cook a delicious pot pie crust.

I know.  Can you believe these pictures?  Our good and talented friend Abe took all of these.  He is incredible, goes beyond picturing the food to actually capturing the taste. Check out his work, he is amazing. I can't believe he came and photographed these humble pies.  Don't worry, we fed him.  Can't you just imagine that crust melting in your mouth?  My mother would very much approve of that golden brown color.  See mom?  You taught me well.

My mom makes one giant pot pie in this beautiful ceramic dish that my dad got her.  I've watched her make and bake a million things and if there is one thing that has stuck all these years it's this: never stress out.  The more homemade it looks, the better. So you see how the pie crust doesn't cover the entire cocotte on this one?  No big deal. Seriously. It tastes the same and it's made with love.  My friend Julia helped spread these out, and frankly I was so glad she was there.  She helped thicken the filling, and did it all calmly.  This girl can cook. She can bake. And I'm pretty sure she is my mother's third daughter.

And so here we are, ready to dig in.  A side of green beans completed this dish in honor of my dad.  He eats a pound of green beans a night.  Yes, one pound.  I've taken this tradition over.  I often eat a pound for lunch, or dinner, or a late night snack.  It's like our bodies have turned to green beans now.  Which, of course, makes sense. Vegetables are full of water you know.  So, eat up my friends.

Ok. Red velvet cake.  Does it get any better?  Every Christmas my mom and I make a Red Velvet Cake, and every year I love it.  It reminds me so much of Christmas that I barely want to eat it any other time.  Usually mom does a cream cheese frosting, but this year I branched out and tried something different: Cream Frosting with White Chocolate.  I like desserts rich.  I learned this from my dad.  If you are going to eat a huge piece of cake, or if you are my dad you eat the entire cake, then it better be delicious.  So make it rich.  Use real butter.  Use chocolate whenever possible.  And enjoy. every. bite.

 I tried to cut it small-er.  But I went in for seconds.  So did Julia.  Megan passed, and of course my husband had seconds too. I think the key to a good red velvet is just enough food coloring to make it red, but not too much to make it artificial.  Go for a maroon.  Such a decadent color.

You aren't going to believe me that I don't usually use food coloring.  But I made this ice cream with brown sugar instead of granulated sugar, and I didn't want it to be brown.  I mean, it's Christmas after all, and Mama, she would never have brown ice cream.  Sweet cream brown sugar ice cream with peppermint bark.  I know.  But you have to understand that is my mom: goes the extra mile. Always.  We have desserts like this all the time.  She is so wonderful.  Have you met her?  She's a librarian. She's read every book, and made every dessert. She's my mama, and I am so proud of her.

And to top off the night, we had Orange Apple Spiced Cider.  Let me tell you something about my mom.  We moved from Arizona to Colorado when I was in high school and I could not get out of bed when it was below 50 degrees.  So every morning from October through March, my mom would wake up extra early and make this drink, or homemade hot coco.  Apple cider with orange and cinnamon.  This will warm you to the core.  Get you out of bed and into your mom's arms.  My husband says he would drink this every night if he could.  I should inform him he can, and at least during the holidays while my mom and dad are here, they will see to it that he will.

And what would this night be without at little sharing of our Christmas memories?  Take a look.  In order, a few of our friends: Ethan (great sense of humor, check out his blog.), Kali, Cy (my wonderful husband who is also responsible for the lovely table setting), and myself. Julia, Abe, and Megan, although faithful friends and attendees, are not filmed here.

P.S. How good is this editing?  My husband works for Apple and he is so good at what he does, and so very good to me.  I'm so in love with him.

Merry Christmas!

Blueberry Basil Salad


Mixed Greens
Spinach
Basil, torn into medium pieces
fresh blueberries
fresh shredded carrots
sweet and spicy pecans
apricot stilton


Mix greens together, making sure basil pieces get mixed in well.  I only used about 6 basil leaves for the whole salad, and tore the leaves into medium sized pieces, making sure to get all the pieces mixed in well with the other greens.  Scatter blueberries, carrots, pecans, and stolen on top.  Be generous here. Your guests will thank you.  A balsamic or raspberry balsamic works very well on this salad.  The basil is so fresh, I can hardly stand it.

Chicken Pot Pie with side of green beans (serves 4) (adapted from Le Creuset)


2-3 large chicken breasts
olive oil for cooking
4 carrots
1 medium white onion
4 cups of chicken broth
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup of milk (use half and half if you want it extra creamy)
1 cup of peas
1 frozen pie crust
2 egg yolks 
1 tsp milk
1 lb green beans
fresh ground pepper


Place chicken on baking sheet, brush with olive oil or butter, generous pepper, and cook at 350 for twenty minutes.  When done, cut into small pieces, however small you want the chicken in the pot pies to be.  Peel and cut carrots into fairly large pieces. A good bite of carrot never hurt anyone.  Peel and cut the onion, cooking in small pan with olive oil until brown.  Add flour, and continue cooking for a few more minutes, whisking briskly until a paste is formed. While cooking, heat chicken stock in large pot, until just hot. Don't boil.  Add milk, pepper to taste, carrots, peas, and chicken.  Mix in onion paste and stir over low heat until filling is well mixed and desired thickness is reached.  If it seems a bit too "soupy" for you, take a bit of the filling and place into onion pan.  Add more flour and whisk as before, then add and stir into the rest of the filling.    Pour chicken pot pie filling into desired container or containers, and place thawed pie crust over the top. Brush top of pie crust with egg yolks that have been whisked with 1 tablespoon of milk. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Enjoy!


Green Beans


Tear ends off washed green beans, and place in boiling water for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat, and place in serving bowl.  Add butter and a generous amount of pepper.  Done.




Red Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Frosting (adapted from Joy of Baking)


2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
red food coloring
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 bag white chocolate chips


Allow eggs to stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes,and preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour cake pans.  I chose a bunt cake, but two 9-1/2 inch rounds will do just fine.  In a small bowl, stir together food coloring and coca powder and set aside.  The food coloring will look almost non-existant here.  Just trust that it will show up later, you don't need too much.  I would say 50 drops.  In an additional small bowl, stir together flour and salt; set aside.  


In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.  Add eggs one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition until combined.  Scrape sides of the bowl the entire mixing process.  Beat in cocoa mixture, then alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating low to medium speed after each addition until just combined.  Stir together baking soda and vinegar.  Add to batter, and mix until well combined.  Pour batter into greased and floured pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until fork or stick can be inserted in the middle and comes out clean.  Leave in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes to cool, remove carefully from pan and let cool entirely.


Creamy White Chocolate Frosting


In medium saucepan, whisk one cup of milk into 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.  Cook and stir over medium heat until it's thick and bubbles at the edges.  Reduce heat to low and cook for two more minutes, stirring the entire time.  Remove from heat, and cover with plastic wrap.  In another small sauce pan, pour half a bag of white chocolate chips and about 4 tablespoons of heavy cream, and heat on medium, stirring constantly until chips are melted. Remove from heat and work fast.  In a mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, a bit of vanilla extract, melted white chocolate, and original mixture that has been covered with plastic.  Beat on high for 15 minutes.  Make sure cake is cooled completely, and drizzle over edges, or ice as desired.  Use colored sprinkles and white chocolate chips for garnish.  Place in fridge to cool, remove from fridge at least 1 hour before serving.  



Brown Sugar Sweet Cream Ice Cream with Peppermint Bark (adapted from David Lebovitz and serves 9 scoops)


6 egg yolks
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 stick butter
2 pieces of peppermint bark


In a large sauce pan, heat milk, heavy cream, brown sugar and butter over medium heat until butter is almost completely melted, and sugar has dissolved, do so by stirring slow strokes constantly.  Remove from heat, and carefully whisk in egg yolks.  Make sure there are no whites in this mixture.  You will get scrambled eggs into your ice cream.  Once mixed, color if desired, and pour into ice cream maker that has been frozen according to manufactures instructions.  Mix for about 30-35 minutes (times may vary depending on mixers). Cut Peppermint bark into an assortment of sizes, so each bite is different. At the end of the mix cycle fold in peppermint bark. Serve immediately, or place in freezer until ready to serve. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving for optimum softness. Yum!

Healthy and Delicious Mac and Cheese

People are always talking about comfort food.  And frankly, I feel like that's all I eat.  I mean of course, I eat salads and fruit and yogurt and all that, but the majority of my "diet" is comfort food.  If it's not delicious then why, oh why would I eat it?  No clue.

So here's the deal.  This dish is super easy and super yum.  Start by browning some hamburger meat.  Yes, I said that.  We all need some iron.  Boil some noodles, whole wheat if you want to be healthy. And then here is the real kicker: skim mozzarella, cottage cheese and greek cheese yogurt.  I. know.  Sound odd right? No way. Delicious.  And I added some green peppers in here as well as butternut squash to make it extra good.  We loved this, and my husband who is an avid mac and cheese fan very much approved.  You get a little protein, a little carbs, a little dairy, and veggies. I mean hello. Everything you need, and for those of you that eat well on a regular basis, this is comfort food that wont cramp your style.

Healthy and Delicious Mac and Cheese


Cooked noodles (as many as you will need for your family or guests.  I did about 2 cups)
1 cup butternut squash puree
1/2 lb of hamburger meat (or turkey meat, or none)
1/2 cup of cheese greek yogurt (I got mine at Trader Joes)
1/2 cup of cottage cheese
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (or any cheese you want)
1 whole green pepper (or, again, any veggie you want)
1 egg
Pepper to taste


In two separate pots, boil noodles until done, and brown meat until cooked all the way through.  While cooking, place all other ingredients into a large bowl and mix until just mixed. Fold in cooked and strained noodles, and then meat.  Place in casserole dish, adding a bit more cheese to the top for browning, and place in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.  Enjoy!

Italian Bolognese and Spinach Braid

I love italian food. Love it. In fact a pasta attachment for my KitchenAid Mixer is on my Christmas list.  But seriously, what is better than Italian food?  Mexican? Maybe.  But it's a close call. I wanted to make something italian, but I wanted to make a braid, and I didn't want to make another loaf of bread for garlic bread.  So I made this. Was it any good you may ask?  I ate two pieces and my husband ate the rest. That night.

Start with some dough, flour, and...hearts? Love?  Isn't Italy known as being romantic?  I have never been and frankly I want to go but I don't. Cause I will eat so much Italian food that I will never be able to have American-Italian again and that could ruin me.  Or I guess I could go to school in Italy and learn to make good pasta. I digress.  Roll out the doug about 1/4-1/2 in wide.

Add a layer of mozzarella, sauce of your choice, (I chose Bolognese), and then some fresh spinach.

Fresh Spinach makes all the difference.  Look how pretty it looks, all lined up there.

Cut 1 inch sections on the long sides of the dough, and then fold around the filling.

Bake until golden brown.  I added a bit of garlic powder on the top per my husband's request. It added that bit of Italian flare.  Cut and enjoy!

P.S. Sugar Duchess gave me the idea, and the recipe is adapted from hers.  She used an apricot and cream cheese filling! If I was not so lazy, I would have made that one for dessert!


Italian Bolognese Spinach Braid

1/2 tablespoon of instant yeast {only so that it doesn't have to rise twice}

1/4 cup of warm milk

1/8 cup of butter, softened

1 egg

pinch of salt

1 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour

1 jar sauce of your choice

handful (or so) of mozzarella cheese

heaping 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the dour except only half of the flour.  Mix the rest of the flour in by hand.  The dough will be very sticky, so maybe put a little olive oil or butter on them before you mix in the flour.  Knead the dough until all the flour is mixed in.

Roll dough into rectangle, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Place on a greased cookie sheet. In the middle of the dough, place your filling in a long, thin line. Make sure to leave about 1 1/2 inches on each side.  Then cut 1 inch apart slits in the dough.  Starting at the ends, fold pieces over filling and allow them to criss-cross in the middle.  Pinch and fold the ends.  Cover and let rise for about 30-40 minutes.

Place braid into pre-heated 350 degree oven, and bake for 25-30 minutes.  And, enjoy!

Beef Bourguignon with Rosemary Butter Rolls

I made this for dinner partly because I wanted to and partly because I wanted to make the now quintessential cooking blog dish that has become oh so popular since Julie & Julia.  It turned out delicious, and the best part is that I took a short cut and used my slow cooker.  Partly because I dont have a dutch oven and partly because  I am in grad school and sometimes you don't have enough time.  But it was delicious, and our guests loved it.  So, mission accomplished.

The other thing I want to say is that these rolls were really good.  But, they do not look as delicious as they did when the Pioneer Woman made it.  And let me just say, we are only one and a half months into my bread journey, so please cut me some slack.

So this experience confirms three items that are on my Christmas list: (given in the order in which I would want them, of course) Pioneer Woman Cooks, Iron Skillet, and Dutch Oven.  Yes, those are links.  Is that too presumptuous?  Maybe.  Sorry.


Beef Bourguignon

1 lb boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 1/2 cupos chopped onion (3 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups Pinot Noir or Burdundy wine
3/4 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
3/4 teaspoon dired marjoram, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
3 cups whole fresh mushrooms
2 cups 3/4-inch pieces carrot (4 medium)
1 cup pearl onions, peeled, or frozen small whole onions
2 tablespoons buter or margarine, softened
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled
3 cups hot cooked noodles or 1 recipe Mashed Potatoes
3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

Brown meat, chopped onion, and garlic in hot oil. In a 3 1/2-or 4-quart slow cooker layer mushrooms, carrot and pearl onions.  Omit flour and butter or margarine.  Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca.  Place meat mixture on top of vegetables.  Add thyme, marjoram, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.  Decrease wine to 1 1/4 cups and beef broth to 1/2 cup; pour over meat.  Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaves. Stir in bacon.

Buttered Rosemary Rolls.  Trust me, Pioneer Woman knows her stuff.

Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Lasagna

Everyone loves fall flavors, and although I am usually not big about breaking tradition for Thanksgiving, this would be a great alternative to a traditional meal.  Or, of course, in addition.  I originally had this delicious recipe at my friend Julia's cooking class.  So, I must give her all the credit on this one.  It was delicious.  I used pumpkin puree instead of butternut squash and it really gave it a punch.  I also put crushed pecan on top, which gave each bite a little crunch and an additional nutty flavor.  Delicious.

Go to Julia's blog for the Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Lasagna recipe, but below are a few of the substitutions that I made:

I used Brown Rice Pasta instead of Whole Wheat.  This posed a few problems as if they are cooked too long then it will fall apart.  However, it tastes the same, and remember that because lasagna has so many layers, just place the biggest pieces on the bottom for a nice foundation.


I also opted for the Pumpkin Puree and I thought it was delicious.  It really brought out a fall taste.  Depending on the other appetizers, side items, drinks, and desserts, you may opt for a pumpkin theme.  However, if you are a butternut squash fan, then don't use the pumpkin.  It's a win-win either way.


Like I said above I added chopped pecans to the top of the lasagna.  I love pecans.  Love them.  In fact, I roasted some tonight just so that I could eat them later.  Love them.  Everyone enjoyed these pecans on the top, a nice crunch in each bite and something that really sets it apart from other lasagna dishes.  Delicious.


For those who are new at food prep, Julia uses the term "julienned" to speak of how the Sage and Basil leaves should be prepared.  I must confessed that I often skip small details because I am in a rush, or lazy, or just cause I don't know what it means.  The term "julienned" means that the leaves are cut into long pieces, and then diced.  What did I do?  I just ripped up the leaves, and smelled the delicious smell on my hands all day.  No matter how you dice it, it will taste delicious.

I think you are really going to love this dish. Making it has made me excited to make more untraditional lasagnas.  I think that I might branch out this holiday season and make Turkey Cranberry Stuffing lasagna for Thanksgiving.  Thoughts?