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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Maple Glazed Jalapeño Bacon

 We often joke in my family that it’s a prerequisite to love bacon. While we are only half serious, my family’s love for bacon is serious business. Bacon is love – there’s a reason Emeril’s saying “Pork Fat Rules” became popular! It’s an instant pick me up to any bad day and there isn’t a dish out there of which can’t be improved by a few strips of quality bacon.

On a Tuesday evening whilst the littles were enjoying the gorgeous spring weather outside, the beginnings of dinner was coming together in my kitchen. I decided to take BLT’s to another level, and I’m beyond crazy about the results. This bacon:: it’s more addicting than candy. It’s also insanely simple and utilizes items you’re bound to already have on hand in your kitchen.

Good food should be simple. Tailor this recipe per your liking heat wise. These are spicy! I’m a part of the some like it hot club. Omit the jalapeños to make them milder, or for a sweet bacon, simply use the maple syrup. Please use the real deal, though! None of the Aunt Jemima stuff. {sorry, Aunt Jemima: we are simply seeking some pure food, no offense!}

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb all natural thick cut Hickory smoked nitrate/nitrite free bacon
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, dark Amber 
  • 2 tbsp. red pepper flakes 
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced 

 Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Lay out the bacon strips on a cooking sheet spaced so each piece doesn’t touch. Generously brush each piece of bacon with the maple syrup.
  2. Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes and place 2-3 slices of jalapeños atop each piece of bacon.
  3. Bake 20-30 minutes or until done per your liking. Eat alone or on a BLT.

Bon Apetit, friends!

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Savory Tomato & Onion Galette 

This dish proves that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. Dinner time at our house often looks chaotic from an outsider’s perspective, so the last thing I need is complicated recipes to add to the chaos. We have an almost 4 year old running in one direction, an almost 1 year old crawling in another; meanwhile my husband and I are merely attempting to love on both of them while catching up over our day and put some quality and delicious food on the table.

With an onset of warmer weather, fresh produce is making its way into our local markets again. I love the idea and option to buy local ingredients, not only to support local, but it always seems to taste so much better.

A Galette is such a simple and beautiful way to highlight fresh produce – be it sweet or savory. I went savory this time to utilize some fresh tomatoes and onions we had on hand. I also had some fresh herbs that I knew would only add to the goodness, including sage and chives. These are definitely two of my favorite herbs, and such an easy way to infuse flavor into a dish without loading it down with sodium. Change up the vegetables per your liking! The joy of cooking is to make it personal.

This Galette bursts with flavor, and despite my husband’s skeptical look while I was assembling all the components, it provided me with a satisfactory look of “Yes, you were so right,” after his first bite.

 The recipe yields one 7-8″ galette, enough to serve 4 as either a hearty side dish or a lighter dinner.

Ingredients:

For the Galette:

  • 1 cup all purpose, unbleached flour (I used King Arthur)
  • 1 tsp. pink salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. minced chives (fresh)
  • 2 tsp. minced sage leaves (fresh, not dried)
  • 6 tbsp. cold butter, cubed
  • Between 1/4-1/2 cup ice cold water

For the Filling:

  • 1 vine ripened tomato, sliced into 5 half inch slices
  • 1 red onion, sliced thinly
  • 4 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 6-8 yellow cherry tomatoes (optional), halved
  • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling atop the assembled gallette
  • 1/2 tsp. pink salt

Method:

  1. Measure out the water and add a few ice cubes to ensure the water remains cold. Mince the chives and sage and set aside.
  2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, pepper, minced chives and sage. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the cubed, ice cold butter and combine with a fork or pastry knife until the butter is combined and smaller than pea sized balls.
  4. Add 1/4 the ice water (sans ice) and mix the dough with your hands until the dough just comes together. If it is too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it comes together, but do not overmix!
  5. Wrap the ball of dough in a piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Slice the onions and tomatoes.
  8. In a large pan, preheat the 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil on the cooktop and caramelize the onions (seasoned with the 1/2 tsp. salt) over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  9. Pull the dough out of the fridge (or freezer) and use your hands to pat down into an even round shape. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to form a 10″ circle. Gently transfer the dough onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  10. Place the caramelized onions in the center of the gallette, leaving a 1.5-2″ perimeter of dough. Next, assemble the cheese atop the onions and the tomatoes atop the cheese, much like assembling a pizza.
  11. Finally, gently fold up the sides of the gallette over the tomatoes, pinching the creases together as you go until the gallette is completed.
  12. Drizzle very lightly with extra virgin olive oil and bake for 35-40 minutes.
  13. Remove and enjoy immediately.

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Citrus Infusion Cocktail

 I recently picked up a large amount of Kumquats at the store and they were bursting with tartness and vibrance. It was almost like an entree to the spring, sunshine and the warmer weather we’ve finally been enjoying in a tiny little orange package. They pack a punch that’s so lovely and unexpected, and in my opinion, completely under utilized!
On a sunny afternoon over this past weekend, our oldest was playing outside, the youngest taking a late nap and I was prepping dinner. My husband asked me to make us a refreshing drink and enjoy each other’s company for a 5 minute mini date. These are the moments I cherish; those unexpected moments to connect and chat amidst the beautiful every day moments of Bubble Guppies and diaper changes.
I almost immediately grabbed the Kumquats and the idea formed of a refreshing, citrusy drink that almost tastes like summer. It’s perfect for a sunshine filled day – or any weather for that matter to sweeten a moment with a loved one
 This recipe yields enough for 2 drinks. Cheers to you, my friends! And a special cheers to the one my heart loves.
 Ingredients:
  • 1 cup kumquats, washed
  • The juice of 3 blood oranges
  • The juice of 1/2 lemon, plus a slice for each drink to garnish
  • A splash of sparkling water for each drink (optional – I used Lemon LaCroix)
  • 2 oz of your favorite vodka
Method: 
  1.  In a food processor or similar (I used a magic bullet), process the Kumquats until fully puréed. The purée will be pithy.
  2. Over a large measuring cup or small bowl, strain the purée through a fine sieve to extract the juices of the Kunquats. While you can eat the whole kumquat, it’s best for this drink to remove the pith and seeds by straining out the liquid. It provides a concentrated flavor without the grit in the drink.
  3. Into the same measuring cup or bowl, add the juice of the blood oranges and half lemon. Stir to combine. It makes a gorgeous red/orange color and smells like you’ve been sucker punched by a citrus grove.
  4. Fill two cups with ice and divide the vodka amongst the two. I used 8 oz low ball glasses filled with ice to the rim.
  5.  Pour the citrus mixture over the vodka, leaving a little room to splash sparkling water atop each drink. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge. Cheers!

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Bloody Mary

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 Occasionally, I enjoy a good Bloody Mary. A few spots in Minneapolis have really nailed my preference in flavor town.  A recent jaunt to Smack Shack with some good company (Find Laurie at Relishing It!) made me want to create a recipe of my own for those once in a while Bloody cravings.
 I found a juice at a local co-op that was free of anything unnatural or fillers, so that was my base. If time allowed, I would make my own vegetable juice – but that would require me to finally purchase that juicer I’ve had my eyes on for a while as well. So until then:: here is the ultimate simple, delicious and spicy mix for you. I like spicy – so in the future, I will add more habanero sauce. This is just a hint above “Minnesota Spicy” (that means it has a kick to it, but nothing that will offend the faint of heart.)
Enjoy friends, and thanks for stopping by!

Ingredients:

  •  32 oz bottle of Organic Very Veggie Juice (I used R.W. Knudsen, but find any blend you prefer.)
  • 8 oz. water
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. white pepper
  • 1.5 tsp. celery salt, plus more for the glass rims if you prefer
  • 1/2 tsp. cayennne pepper
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flake
  • 1 tbsp. Chile Habanero Hot Sauce (or your preferred hot sauce)

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients to a large pitcher and stir to combine.
  2. Let sit for 24 for the flavors to combine.
  3. Pour over vodka and enjoy at your leisure! The mix will keep for up to 2 weeks in your refrigerator. Cheers!

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Dark Chocolate Brownies – Gluten Free

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Every now and again, this girl needs some chocolate. It’s like a warm blanket on a cold day; pair it with a cup of coffee…it’s almost as good as a beach vacation.

Both sides of our family has a few members who struggle with gluten, so I’m always looking for new ways to bring either a dessert or main course of which everyone can enjoy. Let’s face it: it’s not fun to stare at others stuffing their faces with food you wish you could eat. But I also think it’s worse yet to bite into an item that’s been made within your dietary restriction that tastes awful. Cardboard brownie anyone? But it’s gluten free…!

These brownies: they’re deep, dark and quite frankly I even found them a little sexy. Partly because they’re made with organic, million dollar butter. {okay it’s not a million dollars, but for a $10 price tag on a pound of butter, anything in which I use it better be coined as sexy!}

In lieu of flour, I ground up quick oats and was really happy with the result. The brownies weren’t gritty or tasteless- and you’d be hard-pressed to know they’re not made with flour. Bake these for your friends or family. Share them with your bright eyed toddler or grandparent over coffee. They’re pure love in a pan and the best moments in life are those sometimes shared together over brownies.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of organic, grass fed butter, salted and at room temp (I used Kerry gold)
  • 1 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/3 cup instant oats, ground using a food processor or bullet
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 oz dark chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life brand)

Method:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 and grease a 9×9 glass pan. Set aside.
  2. Measure out 1 1/3 cups of quick oats and process in your food processor or magic bullet until it resembles a fine powder.
  3. In your Kitchen-Aid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, cocoa powder and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and blend until incorporated.
  5. Finally, add the oats and baking powder and chocolate chips and stir together until incorporated. Do not overmix.
  6. Spread the batter into the greased 9×9″ pan and bake for 35-45 minutes depending on your oven. Bake until a toothpick comes out of the center clean.
  7. Let cool, cut and enjoy!

 

 

 

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Lasagna Soup

I have this sweet little 3 year old who has a zeal for life like no one else I’ve known. She’s passionate about everything {including her opinions}…except cheese. I can’t even begin to imagine life without cheese, and at times I find my cooking techniques to be somewhat creative to create a meal everyone will enjoy if a recipe calls for cheese. We even go as far as making her homemade pizza sans cheese. 

While I scratch my head a bit wondering how anyone could possibly not like cheese, I respect the difference in taste preferences. This meal is the perfect example of how I attempt to create something for everyone – but keep the option to maintain a standard ingredient the original recipe calls for. Lasagna without cheese:: epic fail…until now, anyway. 

Technically speaking this dish still can have the layer of ooey, gooey melted cheese sprinkled atop, and my husband and I certainly indulged in said way. But truthfully, the flavors in this soup leave little to be desired and can certainly be enjoyed on its own. Who doesn’t love a meal with options? It’s also quick and hearty; perfect for a winter weeknight meal.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Serve with your favorite cheesy topping if desired. We used a combination of fresh mozzarella and parmesan because we aren’t ricotta fans – but the sky’s the limit. Go crazy.

 Ingredients:

  • 1 lb of ground Italian sausage or ground beef
  • large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 1/2 tsp black pepper (use the first 1/2 tsp to season the meat)
  • 2 1/2 tsp garlic salt (use the first 1/2 tsp to season the meat)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (more if you like heat!)
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade
  • 26 oz box of diced tomatoes (I used Pomi brand)
  • 5 1/2 cups of organic chicken broth (I recommend Trader Joes brand!)
  • 1 cup organic beef broth
  • 7 oz elbow/macaroni noodles
  • optional fresh cheese for topping

Method:

  1. Finely dice the onion and sauté with the meat in a Dutch Oven until fully cooked. Add the tomato paste, minced garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 tsp each of garlic salt and pepper: sauté for 30 seconds.
  2. Add the tomatoes and sauté an additional 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the chicken and beef broths, remaining 2 tsp. each of garlic salt and pepper, dried oregano, Italian seasoning and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally for 30 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, chiffonade your basil and set aside.
  5. Remove the bay leaves and turn the heat up to a low boil. Add the fresh basil and pasta and cook 7-10 additional minutes until the pasta is done per your liking. Serve hot and top with your favorite cheese if desired.

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Baked Apple Fritters

 Apple fritters:: the one and only donut that truly trips my trigger. I love the spices, the fruit and the textures – and if I’m going to indulge in a donut, it’s going to be this one!
In my desire to keep knowledge of where my foods come from {from an ingredients standpoint} and minimize the surprises of additives, I wanted to try and create this favorite at home. I also wanted it to be a bit healthier (don’t panic! It’s still a delicious donut.} so I opted to bake rather than fry them. I was pretty pleased with the results, as were the other members of my sweet little family. The smell in the kitchen was worth the effort and everyone gave an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Make these for your favorite valentine or just to celebrate life. They pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee {or a glass of milk for the littles.} Yields 15-18 donuts.


Directions:

  •  2 cups unbleached, all purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups organic whole milk
  • 1 1/2 apples, peeled and finely diced into pea sized pieces

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups powder sugar
  • 3 tbsp. organic whole milk

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 375. Peel and cut the apples into pea sized pieces.
  2. In a large bowl, combine and stir the dry ingredients.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients and mix well. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until incorporated. Do not overmix! Fold in the apples. 
  4. Spray your donut pan with cooking spray and fill with batter.
  5. Bake 13-14 minutes, gently flip the donuts over and bake an additional 3 minutes to brown the other side.
  6. Mix the glaze and dip the donuts while warm. Allow them to cool and the glaze to harden on a wire rack. Enjoy!

 

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Spiced Apple & Oat Bread

Autumn in Minnesota is an incredibly beautiful time of the year. The colors, the smells, the crisp air…it leaves me in awe every year. It’s also a fantastic time to utilize the fresh apples that are bursting with flavor. One of my favorites is the Honeycrisp variety and we typically go through a dozen a week in our house.

This recipe is bursting with flavor and mimics the vibrance autumn in Minnesota so vividly boasts. My kitchen smelled amazing as it cooked – as mentioned on Instagram, it smelled like autumn sucker punched me in the face {and I kinda liked it.} The smell of apples, spices and oats wafting through the kitchen and a cool evening breeze from open windows; what more could a girl ask for?

These would be fantastic muffins. In fact, these were meant to be muffins as I created the recipe, only to remember we packed up our muffin tins since we are moving in just 2 weeks. Packing 6 years of life, kids and memories in 3 weeks is a wonderful feat we are conquering with gusto…until a girl needs a kitchen item. Improvising has become a new norm, and in this case it worked out quite nicely. These are also dairy free for those who run in that crowd. Enjoy and happy Minnesota autumn, friends!

Ingredients:

For the Apples 

  • 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and diced into small cubes
  • 1.5 tbsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

For the Bread

  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup Almond milk
  • 1 tbsp. organic Maple syrup
  • 1 egg
  • 1.5 cup unbleached all purpose flour (I used King Arthur)
  • 3/4 cup oats
  • 1.5 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 Graham crackers – crushed well for topping
Method:
  1. Preheat Oven to 350. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. If making muffins, line muffin pan with liners.
  3. Peel and dice apples so the pieces are consistent in size. Add the sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice and stir to coat the apples. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile in your Kitchen-Aid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together wet ingredients well.
  5. Add dry ingredients until combined. Do not over mix. Stir in seasoned apples and transfer to your loaf pan.
  6. Crush the graham crackers and sprinkle atop the batter. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let cool 15 minutes before removing from pan.

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Mojito Shortbread Cookies


There’s something about a mojito that takes me back to the pre-kids years and traveling with my hubby. Warm sandy beaches, a beautiful ocean kissing the horizon and sitting hand in hand sipping a mojito: these are a few of my favorite things. Call me fräulein Maria.

These cookies are the confectionary equivalent of a mojito. The whole house smelled like sugar cookies and mojitos as they baked in the oven. Bring these to your next cookie exchange and you’ll be a crowd favorite; or serve at a cocktail party. {With a mojito, of course.}
Yields 2 1/2 dozen depending on how thick you roll out the dough.
Ingredients:
• 3 sticks of room temp butter
• 1 cup of sugar, plus another 1/4 cup for sprinkling
• 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
• the zest of 2 limes
• 20 mint leaves, chiffonade
• 3.5 cups unbleached all purpose flour (I used King Arthur)
• 2 tbsp clear rum (I used Bacardi Silver)
• 1/4 lime, juiced
Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with silpat liners or parchment paper.
  2. Cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar. Then add the vanilla, mint leaves, lime zest and rum. Add flour and salt and mix until combined. The mixture will be crumbly.
  3. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/4-1/2″ thick slices and place onto lined baking sheets. Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 of the juiced lime together and sprinkle atop each cookie prior to baking.
  4. Bake 13-15 minutes.

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Posted on November 4, 2015 by Julia

Peach Oatmeal Muffins


I don’t know about you, but peach season makes this girl pretty happy. My family loves them too, and right now we go through about a dozen per week.

Breakfast is a hard meal around here…it’s always hurried and quite frankly outside of bacon, my oldest daughter and I aren’t really breakfast food fans. So anything that is a grab and go or quick option is a good choice. These muffins are so good! Moist, packed with flavor from fresh peaches and just the right amount of sweetness. They’re also packed with a lot of that “peachy-ness” my family loves. May you enjoy them as well!
Ingredients:
• 1.5 cups unbleached AP flour (I used King Arthur)
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 small to medium sized peaches, diced
Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Line muffin pan with liners.In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and stir. Add wet ingredients and stir until combined. Don’t overmix, the batter will still be lumpy.
  3. Dice peaches into small pieces.
  4. Line the bottom of each muffin liner with just enough batter to cover the bottom. Add diced peaches into each muffin (enough to cover the initial layer of batter.)
  5. Pour an additional small amount of batter atop the peaches and bake for 12-15 minutes. Yields 12 muffins.

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