Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 min.
Ingredients
2 (250g) pkgs cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, diced, cooked, drained & cooled
1 bunch green onions, finely sliced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped
Directions
1. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Place mixture on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into a ball and wrap completely.
2. Chill cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Remove cheese log from the fridge at least 30 min., before serving. Roll in pecans to coat. Serve with crackers and sliced vegetables.
November 30, 2016 | Posted in:
No-Knead Irish Soda Brown Bread
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 50 mins., plus cooling time
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp molasses
2 cups buttermilk
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt.
3. In a separate bowl combine molasses, buttermilk and melted butter. Pour liquid ingredients into flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough comes together. Tip mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Shape into a round loaf shape and place onto prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife slice a large X in the top of the loaf.
4. Bake in the oven for 35-40 mins., until the dough is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove loaf to a wire rack. Let cool 1 hour., before slicing.
November 22, 2016 | Posted in:
Classic Pumpkin Pie
Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 min., plus chilling time
Ingredients
Pie Dough:
1 ¼ cups flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
2-3 tbsp ice water
Filling:
2 cups pumpkin puree (either from a can or homemade)
2 eggs
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup 35% cream
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp salt
Directions
1. In the bowl of a food processor pulse to combine flour, salt and sugar. Add cubed butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tbsp ice water at a time, pulsing to combine. Mixture should hold together when pressed together but will still look a bit crumbly. Transfer crumbly dough to a lightly floured countertop. Knead a few times to press into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. While the dough is chilling, make the pie filling. Whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, cream, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
3. Preheat oven to 425F. Roll out dough into an 11-inch circle. Place in a 9” pie dish. Trim edges so that there is only ½-inch overhang. Fold edges underneath and crimp. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake for 15 mins., then reduce temperature to 350F. Bake for an additional 45 min., until filling is set and pie crust is golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.
4. Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
November 16, 2016 | Posted in:
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic Glaze
Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 1 hour.
Ingredients
1 red onions, cut into quarters
2 medium sized sweet potatoes, cut into 1” dice
3 beets, cut into 1” dice
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1” dice
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1” dice
2 cups celery root, cut into 1” dice
½ small rutabaga, cut into 1” dice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp balsamic reduction (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Toss veggies in a large bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper. Divide between two large baking sheets. Bake in top and bottom third of oven, for 45 min., rotating sheets and flipping vegetables halfway through.
3. Drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving.
November 8, 2016 | Posted in:
Moroccan Chicken Stew
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 50 min.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken pieces, bone-in, skin-on (thighs, drumsticks, half chicken breast)
2 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp paprika
½ tsp allspice
1 (796mL) can chopped tomatoes
2 ½ cups chicken stock
4 cups diced butternut squash
1 cup pitted green olives
1 cup golden raisins
1 (540 mL) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup roughly chopped cilantro, plus extra to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve
Yogurt, to serve
Directions
1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken pieces. Then, brown chicken pieces on all sides, about 3 min., per side. Set aside on a plate lined with paper towel. Drain all but 1 tbsp fat from pan.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 min. Add salt and spices, cook 1 min. Add diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir in butternut squash, green olives and raisins. Add chicken pieces back into pot and make sure they are covered by liquid. Bring stock to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered, for 30-40 mins., until chicken pieces are cooked through.
3. Stir in chickpeas and cilantro. Serve with couscous, brown rice or crusty bread. Top with extra cilantro, a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of yogurt to serve.
November 3, 2016 | Posted in:
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 30 min.
Ingredients
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh thyme
500g (½ lb) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 cups vegetable stock
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
Plain yogurt or sour cream, to serve (optional)
Directions
1. Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and let cook until starting to soften, about 3-4 min. Add garlic and thyme and continue cooking, 1-2 min.
2. Add mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms turn golden brown, about 8-10 min. Add salt, pepper and vegetable stock. Bring stock to a simmer and let cook, 20 min.
3. Using a hand blender, blend soup until smooth. Add lemon juice, parsley and cream (if using) and re-warm before serving. Serve with buttered, crusty bread.
October 28, 2016 | Posted in:
Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Prep Time: 20 min.
Total Time: 1 hour 20 min.
Ingredients
Streusel:
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Cake batter:
3 apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼-inch dice
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup 2% plain yogurt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9” tube pan or large bundt.
2. Toss together chopped apples with 2 tbsp flour. Set aside.
3. Make streusel. In a medium sized bowl combine flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix together until mixture forms lumps and flour is fully combine with butter.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer combine butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 min. Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix to combine.
5. In a separate bowl combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. On low speed add 1/3 of flour mixture, then add 1/3 of yogurt. Continue adding flour mixture and yogurt, alternating, until fully combined. Mix in apples just until combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan. Add streusel to the top in an even layer. Bake for 1 hour until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 mins., before removing from tin to cool completely.
October 21, 2016 | Posted in:
Hasselback Potatoes
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 1 hour.
Ingredients
4 Yukon gold potatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
6 slices bacon, diced
3 green onions, sliced
Sour cream, to serve
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. The key to great hasselback potatoes is thinly slicing each potato into an accordion like shape, without slicing right through to the bottom. Place a potato on a large serving spoon. Slice 1/8-inch to ¼-inch slices along the potato, slicing until you hit the spoon. Alternatively, slice on a cutting board and make sure you stop slicing at least ¼-inch before you hit the bottom of the potato.
3. Place the sliced potatoes on a baking sheet. Brush with half the oil olive, salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, brush the remaining oil, salt and pepper over the potatoes and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy.
4. While the potatoes are cooking, cook bacon in a large frying pan over medium heat until crispy. When ready to serve, sprinkle bacon and green onions over each potato. Serve with sour cream.
October 6, 2016 | Posted in:
Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 5 min.
Total Time: 30 min.
Ingredients
1 lb (500 g) elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
1 tsp salt
4 cups whole milk
1 tbsp sriracha
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 butternut squash, roasted and flesh mashed
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse under cold water to cool and set aside.
2. In a large pot melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and salt and whisk to combine. Let cook, 1 minute. Add milk, mashed butternut squash, sriracha and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Let mixture simmer until thickened, about 4 min. Reduce heat to low and add cheese. Add in pasta and stir to combine.
3. Serve with a green salad or bake in the oven in a 9 x 13” casserole dish and top with more cheese and bread crumbs for a crispy topping.
September 29, 2016 | Posted in:
Oven baked caramel corn
Prep Time: 5 min.
Total Time: 50 min.
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup golden syrup or corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven heat oil over high heat. When oil is very hot add popcorn kernels and cover with lid. Let kernels pop, shaking the pot often, for about 4 min. When popping slows or stops remove from heat and tip popcorn into a large bowl.
3. In a medium sized saucepan stir together butter, sugar and golden syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and let bubble until mixture turns amber in colour, about 4-5 min. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, salt and baking soda. Pour over popcorn and toss well to combine.
4. Pour popcorn mixture onto prepared tray in an even layer. Bake for 30 min., until dark golden. Remove from oven and mix popcorn with a spatula. Let cool completely. Break into pieces before serving.