All posts filed under: Food

Food: Gluten-Free Poppy Seed Buns

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Always looking for interesting variations to baking – and this gluten-free poppy seed bun recipe is one I am adding to my list of what to prepare while visiting a friend over the course of next week. Gluten-free Poppy Seed Buns Ingredients for 11-15 Poppy Seed Buns Gluten-free yeast dough 300ml rice milk 80g butter 525g gluten-free flour mix (we used this flour mix Mehlmix von Bauckhof) 1 pck active dry yeast 80g fine sugar 1 egg (for the dough; size M/L) 1 egg (for brushing the poppy seed rolls before baking) 1/2 tsp salt Gluten-free poppy seed filling 125g ground poppy seeds 30g polenta/cornmeal 250ml coconut milk (or almond milk, heavy cream or similar) 50g peach jam 40g sugar 1 egg 1 pinch ground vanilla Icing 150g powdered sugar about 3 tbsp water {more}

Lifestyle: No Carb, No Sugar Plan

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April fools day, I began a lifestyle change – in terms of eating better. Meaning, I don’t want to diet, or order a meal plan to follow. I simply decided to cut out carbs and sugar as much as possible from my daily meals. I have to tell you, it is day 9 and I feel pretty determined to go on, even when I am craving sugar like nobody’s business.  I also want to report that I’ve been a little grouchy, call it having withdrawals, but I know in the long run this is going to help me. At least I hope in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Last night I was craving a fat dessert, and opted to drink two bottles of water instead. Which helped. But today, I decided to make a list of desserts that are good to keep in mind  – for the just in case.  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pesto, Asparagus, ricotta, prosciutto pasta on the spicy side

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Love a spicy kick to my meals and this pasta is going to be made for dinner tonight – with a bottle of my favorite chilled white Merlot wine. INGREDIENTS 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto 1 pound long cut pasta 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and chopped 1 cup basil pesto, homemade or store bought 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired, and chopped 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese zest and juice of 1 lemon kosher salt and pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives grated parmesan, for serving {more}

Food: Cupcakes for All Special Occasions

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Easter, bridal showers, mother’s day, baby showers, mother’s day and even a graduation celebration for anyone with a whimsical style – these cupcakes are the coolest. INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup canola oil 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 large eggs 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup grated carrots MASCARPONE FROSTING 8 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese, softened 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, softened 2-3 cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries, ground until a fine powder {more}

Food: Easter Cake or Any Occasion

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There’s always a reason for a home-baked cake, even if its simply a Saturday afternoon project you’ve set yourself to accomplish, cake is in. And considering the upcoming Easter festivities, I can’t imagine a better suited cake then this recipe: INGREDIENTS 1 cup canola oil 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt 3 large eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 cup high quality strawberry jam 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced honey, for drizzling CHAMOMILE CREAM 2 cups heavy cream 6 chamomile tea bags 8 ounces cream cheese 1/4 cup powdered sugar {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Roasted Cauliflower and Halloumi Cheese Tacos

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Last March I visited a friend in England and she introduced me to Halloumi cheese dish served in a Mediterranean restaurant in London. Since then I have included this amazing cheese in salads, and simply served fried with a bit of tomato sauce for dipping – kind of like mozzarella sticks in a restaurant without the batter.  You see the cheese has the best elasticity and even melted holds together very well – so you can actually use it in variety of appetizers and as a side dish. So, guess what happened to me when I saw this recipe for roasted Cauliflower and Halloumi cheese tacos!!!!!!!!!  With a beer of your choice to wash it down of course. My mouth is watering as I settle into my kitchen to duplicate the recipe: INGREDIENTS 1 large, or 2 small, heads cauliflower, cut into florets 2 tablespoons sesame or olive oil 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt and pepper 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 8 ounces halloumi cheese, sliced 1 cucumber or zucchini, shredded SPICY AVOCADO BASIL GUACAMOLE 1 avocado, halved …

Food: Dinner Tonight Chicken and Roasted Potatoes

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Ah the simple pleasures of chicken and potato and although the chicken Coq au Riesling recipe I found here is a meal in itself, I felt the need to make a roasted potato side dish. What? I need comfort food with the lingering wintery weather. So here it goes: Chicken INGREDIENTS 2 pounds skin on, bone in chicken breasts (about 4 breasts) kosher salt and pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 sweet onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 carrots, chopped 1 pound mixed mushrooms, halved 2 cups white wine 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 sprigs fresh thyme {more} Roasted Potatoes INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 pounds mixed potatoes, chopped into similar size chunks (I used baby Idaho potatoes and purple potatoes 1 lemon, juice plus zest 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 8 ounces burrata cheese, torn {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pasta with Artichoke is in order

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Rain and more rain, which means I need comfort food paired with a good bottle of cabernet. I laugh because I never ask the family what they crave for dinner, I simply prep the meal and serve it.  Tonight we are having Pasta with artichoke and peas in a creamy sauce, something I haven’t made for a while, since watching my intake of heavy creams. But this one works just fine, especially when washed down with a glass of this cab. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained 1/4 cup green olives 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup white wine kosher salt and black pepper 1 pound rigatoni or other short cut pasta 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup grated parmesan cheese zest and juice of 1 lemon 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped fresh peas and pea sprouts, for serving (optional) {more}

Food: Carrot Cake Cheesecake with Shredded Coconut

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My family has a few birthday in March – and I mean back to back and each year I buy a ready made cake from a specialty bakery for the wow factor. This year however,  I decided to try baking at home and after searching high and low, I came across this yummy treat. I hope the family feels that way as well since I think I am the only one who appreciates carrot cake. I’ll let you know how it all worked out. INGREDIENTS CHEESECAKE LAYER 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla CARROT CAKE LAYER 1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon pinch of nutmeg 1 1/3 cups grated carrot 1/2 cup unsweetened or sweetened shredded coconut COCONUT CREAM TOPPING 1 (14 ounce) can cold full-fat coconut milk* 1/2 cup …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Lemon Butter and Orzo

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I love cooking or coming up with a different take on the same old protein. And for tonight, I am tasting lemony chicken, and this recipe will do the trick. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound chicken breasts or small thighs kosher salt and pepper 1 Meyer lemon, sliced 2 tablespoons butter 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 1 cup orzo pasta 1/3 cup white wine 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth 1/2 a bunch kale, roughly torn zest + juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill {more}