All posts filed under: comfort food

Food: For The Love of Cake

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Cakes are the simplest of all baking you can possibly do, if you are pressed for time when asked to bring something to a holiday get-together. This recipe is literally an easy one to follow – measuring the ingredients and either whisking by hand or using a fancy mixer to blend together, pour into a baking pan and bake. A sprinkle of powdered sugar is the quickest of all decoration, and a good option for the holidays and first time bakers.. so follow along: Ingredients  9 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 3 large eggs 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1 cup fresh ricotta Zest of 1 lemon   **** I use Meyer’s lemon 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 apple, peeled and grated (should yield about 1 cup) Confectioners’ sugar for serving  {more}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beef Stew Updated

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My mother is so cute. She attempted a beef stew last night and when I walked into her kitchen to check in on her after the craziness called my life, she told me she had no idea why the meal tasted bland. I took a peek into the pot and noticed, a dozen pieces of cubed beef simply boiled with a few slices of onion and peppercorn – which makes the best of broth, but not really the ideal beef stew without the veggies and some sort of sauce. I reassured her that I could salvage the boiled beef cubes by turning it into a mouth-watering meal with a side of mashed potatoes (her eyes lit up). So guess what’s happening for dinner tonight? INGREDIENTS 3 pounds beef chuck, trimmed and cubed kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 shallots, thinly sliced 6 carrots, chopped 2 cups apple cider 1 cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon can also use beef broth 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup, Not the Usual

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I asked my mother what she wanted me to make for dinner tonight and she said chicken soup – but not the boring one – which I get of course. I don’t like boring, but I had no idea she didn’t either. So chicken soup it is, even with our fluctuating very hot, to mild to weird cold and still hot weather. We’ll just have to wait for the sun to go down to thoroughly enjoy a cold-weather meal otherwise known as comfort food.  Just a note I won’t be using a slow cooker as suggested. I prefer hovering over a pot with a wooden spoon in hand, watching my creation taking shape. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 cups dry wild rice blend 6 carrots, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 2 medium shallots, chopped 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cups fresh baby spinach or kale 2 …

Food: Saturdays Are For Baking

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I’ve been craving cinnamon swirled baked goods – mostly brioche with my mother’s recipe. But I decided to go with this one instead – a simple loaf, which can either be smothered in Marscapone and cherry Jam or eaten simply with a cup of coffee, I think the fact it is an easy recipe to follow, I will put my hair up, wear my cozy slippers and head to the kitchen to bake before anyone wakes up: Eh hum – don’t let the butter scare you – it’s a croissant style loaf. INGREDIENTS 1 3/4 cups warm whole milk 1 tablespoon instant yeast 2 tablespoons honey 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling 2 teaspoons kosher salt 6 tablespoons (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature 2 sticks (1 cup) cold salted butter, sliced into thin pieces 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 egg, beaten, for brushing  {more} After breakfast, hopefully we can pull off a trip to Napa to see the colorful Autumn landscape and have some wine of course 🙂 – stay tuned! And oh, what are you doing this weekend?   

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean, Chicken, Squash Soup

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Walked out of the house this morning at 5:30, headed to my commuter train, and I actually shivered. It was breezy and cold. Did I mention just how much I love this time of year? Well, I do. So, while on the train, I normally go over my to-do list, which of course includes dinner for the family, and considering the cold, although it will hit up to the 70’s mid-day, I know by dinner time it will dip down–just in time for a bowl of soup and toasted second day old Italian bread. This recipe is the perfect combination of ingredients and so easy to make and can be made with a crockpot as suggested. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs (use bone-in for additional flavor) 2 shallots, thinly sliced 4-6 cloves garlic, minced or grated 4 ribs celery, chopped 3 sprigs fresh thyme + 2 tablespoons thyme leaves 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 6 cups low sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc 1 cup grated parmesan, plus 1 parmesan rind 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 1 can …

Zucchini Muffins Kind of Day

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I watched a movie on the Hallmark channel last night – where the perfect single mother bakes zucchini muffins for a road trip to drive her perfect daughter from Los Angeles to Oregon, where she would be attending college. Cute movie, great chemistry among the characters Amy and Noah, and perhaps it is one of the only films from Hallmark where there is actual sexual tension portrayed between the characters. So, besides the chemistry, all I could focus on was the zucchini muffins. Funny how things work on the ‘interweb’, because all of a sudden this recipe popped up across my screen and naturally, since it’s all gluten-free, I decide to bake them over the weekend and…share with all of you right here: INGREDIENTS 1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 medium/large) 2 eggs 1/3 cup olive oil (or avocado oil or coconut oil) 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt 3/4 cup almond flour 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or superfine rice flour) 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 …

Dessert: Chocolate Mouse S’mores Kind of Way

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For the past week, I have craved chocolate pudding and have actually bought the Jello brand and made some, and have been treating myself to serving each night. This happens, where I crave something and eat it until I no longer want it. But this recipe for Chocolate Mousse Bars in a S’more king of way took my craving to a whole new level. INGREDIENTS CRUST 12 graham cracker sheets, finely crushed 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted 6 ounces milk chocolate, melted CHOCOLATE MOUSSE 4 large egg yolks 3 cups heavy cream 1 pinch flaky sea salt 8 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped 2 teaspoons vanilla extract MERINGUE 4 egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons vanilla extract {more} Oh my deliciousness!

Food: Cakes For Easter or Just Cakes

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I am an awful daughter – I didn’t realize it was Palm Sunday yesterday when a few days before my mother asked me to take her to church and I danced around the idea. Still feeling a bit under the weather, I told her I needed more (bed) rest and she graciously nodded without any mention of the religious holiday. But in all reality. Where has time gone? We are midway through April, and although I have a full calendar for the rest of the year, I cannot grasp the idea that the first quarter of the year is done with. Anyway, I promised her church this coming Sunday, which is Easter, and in the middle of it, offered up a cake I wish to make for her from this list of many. The trouble is – I can’t decide which one. I am a fan of carrot cake but that olive oil cake with…. is currently in the lead.

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup and Here’s Why

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I normally do an inventory of what’s in my refrigerator the night before to see what dinner I can create from the ingredients  within.   Simply put, I don’t like when fresh food items go bad or expire. So, I make do with what I have – even if it means altering ingredients suggested in a recipe. Plus the fact, I do not have a slow cooker – so stove top it is  for this recipe INGREDIENTS 6 cups low sodium chicken stock 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 onions, chopped 4 carrots, chopped    {Since I only have zucchini at home, and not carrots, I will substitute)  2 parsnips, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped  {Broccolini will have to do based on my inventory}  2 leeks, chopped 8 peppercorns 1 bay leaf 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken breasts or thighs kosher salt and black pepper juice + zest of 1 lemon 3/4 cup dry farro 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and or mixed herbs  – in my case parsley it is    {follow along here}  {Photo and recipe source here} Soup to be eaten with fresh baked …