Saturday, June 29, 2019

Chocolate Tart

This tart is not only delicious, but really beautiful!

You can add any combination of berries to decorate the edge.
Here, I used strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Slicing open some of the strawberries, and leaving on their stems
gives additional color to the arrangement.
I added a few strawberry blossoms from my yard 
to give it a visual pop of "sweetness"!

This is a baked chocolate tart.  Nuts can be added to the top before baking, but 
I choose to leave this tart nut free, and once it was cooled, I added a layer
of chocolate ganache. 
Depending on the season and availability of fruits, you can 
decorate the top anyway you like.
Add white chocolate drizzles, or candied fruit pieces, or 
pomegranate aerials or just simply add chocolate shavings.


As Always, 
ENJOY!

Recipe Source:  The Modern Baker by Nick Malgieri


Olive Bread

This bread smells so good when it is baking!

I love that this recipe makes two gorgeous loves. 
One to keep and one to give away!

Once the levain has been mixed into the final dough, 
add 2 cups of chopped kalamata olives.

Let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator, 
in its Banneton proofing basket, 
and in the morning you have this gorgeous fluffy loaf.

I used the recipe for Walnut Levain by Ken Forkish, but instead 
of walnuts, I added olives! Yum!

As Always,
ENJOY!




Thursday, June 27, 2019

Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar

Amazing presentation!  
This barrel aged whiskey is served "smoking"
The oak board on top of the glass is fire charred and 
while resting on the rim, fills the glass with smoke. 
Every sip of this whiskey fills your nostrils and tastebuds
with a hint of smokiness!!!


Bone-In-Ribeye, 32 oz.  Served with potatoes, arugula and 
chimichurri and au jus!
This is a Texas(ooops! I mean Canada) style meal!


Banff, AB, Canada is loaded with interesting restuarants and shops. 
Don't miss out on this place though, Park has a unique atmosphere, 
and a special technique for many menu items (Campfire style)!

As Always,
ENJOY!

The Market Bistro

Smoked Pork Ribs served with 
smashed potatoes and slaw.

Duck leg confit, served with squash puree
and fresh herbed greens.

Butter chicken served with biryani rice and flatbread.

Spiced Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream

Lemon Pie, made with thin slices of lemon, 
floating in a delicate lemon curd.

The Market Bistro, just outside of Canmore, AB, Canada, located at three sisters
community is fortunate to have Anthony Rabot from France as its chef! 
While on vacation in the area, we just happened to stumble upon this 
little Bistro, and we are so happy we did! 
This little restaurant has won the best chef award of the Chef Festival, for the 
last few years. Everything is fresh and delicious, using lots of local ingredients, 
French technique and of course his passion, that really puts a smile on 
all the diners faces. 
If you are in the area don't miss out on this fabulous gem of a place!

 As Always,
ENJOY!

Moonstruck Chocolates

No matter whether it is bars, or bon bons, 
these chocolates are amazingly decadent!

These confections are out of this world!

Moonstruck Chocolate Co. is a small chocolatier in 
Portland, OR.   I am so lucky to have family in the area. 
Many years ago it had been recommended to me by my cousin, 
and I have a wonderful brother-in-law, who sent me some as a gift. 
With a note thrown in the box, that the chocolates were for "Emergency Use"!!!

So true! Doesn't every woman have an addiction to chocolates!

The Next time you are in Oregon, whether Portland or Eugene or Salem, 
or even passing through the airport, don't forget to purchase some of these 
divine chocolates!

As Always, 
ENJOY!

Rainbow Carrots

So simple to prepare, and always an amazing accompaniment 
to your meal! 

Too many times we always think of green vegetables as the 
sides to serve with our meals.  When you walk through the produce 
department of your grocery store, or even at a farmers market, 
try to occasional pick up something that you don't cook often, or 
better yet, something you have never tried. 

There are so many choices, and our bodies love variety!

Rinse and peel carrots.

Place in a hot saute pan with a bit of olive oil.
Brown all sides.

Sprinkle with thyme or another complimentary 
herb before plating and serving.

As Always,
ENJOY!

Cinnamon Rolls

Warm from the oven and ready to serve, or cool and keep for a day, 
or you can cover, seal and freeze. 

This recipe makes 6-7 pie tins of cinnamon rolls.

Growing up, my mom always made this recipe of cinnamon rolls
when it was a holiday or special occasion. I loved helping her
roll out the dough and fill it with plump raisins, dots of butter,
and a really healthy sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar. 

The fun part was always rolling up the dough and cutting
the slices into their little snail shaped swirls. 

This recipe has become a family tradition even for my own children,
that on holidays and special occasions they longingly await
the morning treat of homemade cinnamon rolls. 

A beater is used to incorporate the ingredients.

When the dough becomes too stiff to continue with a beater, 
begin incorporating the remaining flour by hand.

Once all the flour has been added, knead the dough into 
a smooth ball. Cover and let rise 1 1/2 -2 hours. 

Once the dough has risen, deflate, and divide in half,
working with one half at a time.

Roll out the dough into a long oval or rectangle.

Dot the dough with bits of butter and plumped raisins.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Carefully begin to fold up one edge along the long side of the dough.

Continue rolling the dough, not too tight and not too loose.

Once it is completely rolled up, roll so that the 
seam is on the under side of the log you have formed.

With a very sharp knife, gently cut the dough into slices
that are 1 1/2 - 2 inches wide

Spread brown sugar and butter mixture into bottom 
of pie pans.

Place sliced dough swirls into pan.

You may have to add or adjust the slices 
so that what you have cut will all fit.
Do not over crowd the rolls, as they need space to rise again.
Cover and let rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes 
until the rolls are a beautiful brown color. 

Let cool slightly and then invert onto a plate with the 
brown sugar side, up!

No additional icing is needed on these rolls. 
One thing everyone loves about these rolls, especially my husband, 
is that they are not too sweet, they just have a rich buttery taste
with a bit of extra sweetness on top!

As Always,
ENJOY!

Recipe Source:  My Mom( Mary Anne van der Linden)

1/2 cup sugar
2 pkgs. yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
6 1/2 - 7 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup butter
3 eggs room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups raisins, plumped with warm water and drained
additional butter for dotting on dough
cinnamon and sugar 

1 cup butter, softened
1- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

Combine sugar, yeast, salt and 2 cups flour.  

In a pan heat butter and milk until warm

With mixer at low speed, add liquid to dry

Increase speed to medium and beat 2 minutes

Beat in eggs, vanilla and 2 1/2 cups more flour

Beat 2 more minutes

With wooden spoon, add additional flour as needed

Knead 8 minutes until smooth, add flour if necessary

Put in large greased bowl, cover and let rise.