Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

If you have friends or relatives coming for Thanksgiving next week...or starving college students, you know how crucial it is to stock up on the pantry and refrigerator.  I am no exception.  Since it is just me and my husband at home now, I've been neglecting my pantry as of late.

I recently went to the grocery store to replenish for our girls' arrival and my total was more than most car payments...ouch!  Nonetheless, it beats hearing "there's nothing to eat here"!  Who am I kidding, three days into their stay that's exactly what they will be whining to me.

This coffee cake will make everyone happy when they wake up each morning, loving on the puppies with their coffee in hand and being slugs for the day in front of our fireplace.  I am really looking forward to a week with them in the house again.

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

For the cake:
2 cups Original Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup milk
2 Tbl sugar
1 egg
1 Tbl flour
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 Tbl freshly grated lemon zest

For the Streusel topping:
1/3 cup Original Bisquick baking mix
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbl butter, softened

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9 inch round pan.  Make Streusel; set aside.

Stir remaining ingredients until blended.  Spread in pan.  Sprinkle with Streusel.

Bake 18 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and full baked throughout.

One Year Ago: Emeril's Smothered Shrimp and Chorizo over Grits
Two Years Ago: No Post
Three Years Ago: No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Four Years Ago: Wassail
Five Years Ago: The Hobbit's Famous French Sandwich
Six Years Ago: Whipped Feta Crostini

Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Chops and The Chap Stick

The holidays are rapidly approaching and I am slowly feeling the stress start to set in.  The reason I know that I am feeling stressed is because I am doing stupid things more frequently.

Last week, I was getting ready for work.  I was trying to get dressed while brushing my teeth, which never ends well for me.  When I was all dressed and had my fresh teeth set, I realized I was rushing so much, that I forgot to put my deodorant on.  I grabbed my "chap stick", took off the lid and headed into my shirt (as if to put the chap stick on my underarms)...as a side note, whenever I finish brushing my teeth, I put on my Burt's Bees lip balm.  Honest mistake right?  Accidentally grabbed my lip balm instead of deodorant.  Everyone has made that mistake at least once, right?  Dear Lord, give me strength!

Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Chops

(2) bone in thick pork chops about 1 inch thick

3 Tbl garlic, minced

2 Tbl canola oil

4 Tbl butter

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

3 Tbl brown sugar

salt

pepper

fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Heat oven to 400 degrees  Season pork chops with salt and pepper.

Heat canola oil in an oven safe skillet on medium high heat.  Sear the pork chops for 3 minutes on each side.  Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet reduce heat to low an add butter, garlic, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and whisk until combined, simmer for 2-3 minutes.  Add pork chops back into the pan and coat with sauce.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until internal temperature of pork chops reaches 140F.

Remove pork chops and let rest 5 minutes.  Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve over Asiago risotto.

One Year Ago: Mushroom Orzo Pasta

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Four Years Ago: Bourbon Glazed Salmon with Savory Roasted Peppers

Five Years Ago: The Hobbit's Famous French Sandwich

Six Years Ago: Cranberry Bliss Bars

Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Bagels, and Birthdays

My "day job" lets me set up company lunches and breakfasts from time to time.  I like to think of myself as the office party planner and decorator.  Every Monday morning I also put together a buffet in our kitchen of cut fruits/veggies and healthy snacks for everyone to graze on all day.  In addition, for each person's birthday, I decorate said persons' desk and/or door.

The most recent meeting request was for a breakfast meeting.  Bagels.  Lox.  No problem, I got this!

I have never had lox and bagels, so I had to do some culinary research.  I didn't know lox and bagels required a full salad bar to go with it.

I pulled out all my catering dishes and brought in some of my linens for the occasion....you know, because I am fancy like that.  I even chilled down the glasses for everyone's orange juice.

Growing up I never really appreciated salmon or had an acquired taste for it.  Now though, I love it for dinner!  

This glazed version is so delicious and easy to prepare after work during the week.  Enjoy!

Honey Bourbon Glazed Salmon

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup bourbon whiskey

2 Tbl brown sugar

2 Tbl soy sauce

1 tsp whole grain mustard

1 Tbl finely mined or grated fresh ginger

1 medium clove garlic, finely minced

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 Tbl fresh lime juice

4 (6 ounce) salmon filets

salt

freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine honey, bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small pan.  Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat, stirring continuously.

Reduce heat to medium and boil for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Mixture should be that of syrup consistency and reduced by half.  Set aside.

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.

Place salmon filets on prepared cookie sheet (skin side down).  Season salmon lightly with salt and pepper.  Brush with half the sauce on top and sides.  Bake for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, remove pan from oven and brush with remaining bourbon sauce.  Put back in oven and continue baking until fully cooked through (approximately another 10-15 minutes, depending on thickness of filets).  Fish is done when easily flaked with fork in the middle.

One Year Ago: Thanksgiving Pumpkin Trifle

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Four Years Ago: Savory Roasted Peppers

Five Years Ago: Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

Six Years Ago: Churchill Downs Signature BBQ Shrimp

One of my bosses is known for his crazy socks.

I couldn't resist for his birthday door decorations this year!

Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake and Color Obsessions

I currently have a color obsession that is taking over my life.  I tend to gravitate heavily to colors every year.  I love color!  I have never been one to be of the sterile, whites, or neutrals...I must have color around me...

Last year it was "Dark Taupe", specifically Sally Hansen's "Commander In Chic".  The year before that it was "Millennial Pink".  I have the purses, cardigans, and nail polishes to prove this!  It's becoming a serious problem.

This brings me to present day's obsession...this little leaf showed up in my fall tablecloth (which I also have a problem with...buying table linens...a lot of table linens).

Anyway I have been drawn to this color.  The problem is, what color is it?  Is it blue, steel gray, dark periwinkle?  I just had a manicure with it...polish name is "Denim Patch".  Is it a denim color?  It's driving me nuts...what Pantone color is this?

Of course, I innocently even stumbled on placemats in this color at my local thrift store...and then I see this duster cardigan sweater on Pinterest...that I must have but cannot find anywhere! 

Well, while I figure out (A) what color this is, and (B) how to score this duster cardigan...I bake. 

One of my daughters showed up this weekend with one mission:  Fall Baking!  My kitchen looked like Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship by the time she left back for college.  I was exhausted!  

If you ever visit your local farmer's market in the fall and have one of their Apple Cider Doughnuts...this cake is the epitome of fall.  Oh my goodness!  

In addition to our first round of November's Suzie's Pumpkin Bread, we also made 2 of these cakes...one for my husband's office, (which didn't make it through the day) and we divided the other one up between our home and daughter's home for her roommates.

Happy Fall to you all and this season, add a little color to your life!

Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

2 Tbl unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for pan

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp kosher salt

1-3/4 cups natural cane sugar

1 cup apple cider
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan.  In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.  In another bowl, whisk together 1-1/2 cups sugar, cider, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and eggs.  Add egg mixture to flour mixture; whisk until combined.  Transfer batter to prepared pan.

Bake rotating pan halfway through, until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.  Transfer pan to a wire rack  set over a rimmed baking sheet; let cool 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix together remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Invert warm cake onto rack.  Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar.  Let cool completely before serving.  Cake can be stored, covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

One Year Ago: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Four Years Ago: Savory Roasted Peppers

Five Years Ago: Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

Six Year Ago: Churchill Downs Signature BBQ Shrimp

Braciole

Now that the holidays are rapidly approaching, you may be looking for a new recipe to add into your entertaining repertoire...and here it is!

This dish is relatively easy, if you plan accordingly...in other words, you don't want to rush this one. Your guests will be amazed and think you spent all day in the kitchen (which you actually will not need to).

Prepared correctly, this flank steak literally melts in your mouth..  Your home will smell phenomenal as your guests arrive to be greeted by you, ever so relaxed because you've got this whole holiday entertaining thing down!   Enjoy!

Braciole

Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

1/2 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs

1 garlic clove, minced

2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano

1/3 cup grated provolone

2 Tbl chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

4 Tbl olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 (1-1/2 pound) flank steak

1 cup dry white wine

3 1/4 cups Simple Tomato Sauce, store-bought marinara sauce (or your own recipe)

Stir the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl to blend.  Stir in 2 tablespoons of the oil. 

 Season mixture with salt and pepper and set aside.

Lay the flank steak flat on the work surface.  

Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the steak to cover the top evenly.  

Starting at 1 short end, roll up the steak as for a jelly roll to enclose the filling completely. 

 Using butcher's twine, tie the steak roll to secure.  Sprinkle the braciole with salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.  Add the braciole and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.  

Add the wine to the pan and bring to a boil.  Stir in in the marinara sauce.  

Cover partially with foil and bake until the meat is almost tender, turning the braciole and basting with the sauce every 30 minutes.  After 1 hour, uncover and continue baking until the meat is tender, about 30 minutes longer.  The total cooking time should be about 1-1/2 hours.

Remove the braciole from the sauce.  Using a large sharp knife, cut the braciole crosswise and diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. 

 Transfer the slices to plates.  

Spoon the sauce over and serve.

One Year Ago:  Maple and Rosemary Chicken

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Surprise Quiche

Four Years Ago: Cioppino

Five Years Ago: Sweet Shrimp and Spicy Sausage Skewers

Six Years Ago: Pear Tart

My secret ingredient...Pasta Jay's Marinara Sauce!
I stock up my pantry with all this beautiful goodness...now available to order online, which I highly recommend, it's amazing! 

Chicken Cotoletta

As I have previously mentioned, I have been on a chicken overload as of late.  We are trying to do less red meat...seafood just gets too expensive every week....and also trying to cut back on the pasta as an entire meal...so there you have it, as they say, "winner, winner, chicken dinner!"

This one is actually so great!  Super simple to knock out on a weeknight after work and oh so yummy!  That squeeze of lemon at the end when you pull them right out of the skillet, just takes this dish to a different level.  I know what you're thinking..."easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!"  Yes, you are absolutely correct!  Enjoy.

Chicken Cotoletta

Courtesy of Anna O'Halloran and Tasty.com

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 large eggs

2 cups bread crumbs

2 Tbl fresh, flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbl milk

kosher salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbl unsalted butter

olive oil, for frying

lemon wedges, for serving

Slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets.  Using the rigid side of a meat mallet, pound the chicken until 1/4-inch thick.

Add the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs to 3 separate, shallow bowls.

To the dish with eggs, add the parsley, garlic, and milk.  Season with salt and pepper.  Mix with a fork to combine.

Add the Parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs and stir to combine.

Working 1 piece at a time, coat the chicken cutlets in the flour, shaking off any excess, then the egg mixture, then the bread crumbs.  Set the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add enough olive oil to come 1/4 inch up the side of the pan.  Working in batches, fry the chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.  Add more oil as needed for subsequent batches.  Drain the chicken on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.  Season with a pinch of salt.

Serve the chicken with lemon wedges.  Paired this dish with grilled zucchini slices.

One Year Ago: Cowboy Beans

Two Years Ago: No Post 

Three Years Ago: Surprise Quiche

Four Years Ago: Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Bake

Five Years Ago: Cherry-Cheese Galette

Six Years Ago: Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Sonia's Stuffed Mushrooms and Making Friends with Food

My husband and I were having one of our debriefing nights last week after work.  I was reliving memories of a friend that I learned just passed away the night before...way too young.

Sonia was one of the first friends I made when I moved to the Palm Springs area after college.  We were co-workers and became good friends, then a couple years later roommates.  Sonia had impeccable taste and a true perfectionist.  She was a very talented designer and a kind, caring soul.

One vivid memory I have of Sonia during my college internship was her taking me to El Pollo Loco during our lunch hour.  Since I was from Alaska, I had no idea what this restaurant was...but I loved it! We spent these lunches getting to know each other and where we had both come from.  We laughed about our college experiences (as we both went to the same design school).  We talked about our dreams and plans for the future.

Sonia taught me the correct way to eat their 2 piece chicken platter.  First, you definitely must upgrade to the all chicken breast only plate...totally worth it.  Second, slather their frozen butter all over the flour tortilla before you fill it with the chicken, rice and beans.  Delicioso!!

Sonia was also an incredible cook.  She was famous for her turkey tacos and taught me this unbelievably, easy oven halibut that is amazing!  I also have her recipe for the best oven baked artichoke dip that I could just eat by the spoonful.

I also remembered these stuffed mushrooms that Sonia would make for every company potluck, baby shower, and "friendsgiving".  They are such a delectable treat.  I try to make them every year for either Christmas or New Years parties...or even just Friday nosh night at home.

Sonia will be very missed by all her loving friends and family.  I am still in shock, but pray and know that she is in a kinder, better place now.  I will definitely keep making her recipes and remembering her forever.

In honor of Sonia, I made her mushrooms this weekend.  I am so happy that she gave me her family recipe 25+ years ago.  As you can see from the photo of her original recipe she gave me, this has been well used...and yes that is melted butter stains all over it.  You know it's a good recipe when it is covered in its ingredients... wouldn't you agree?  More than that though, I truly am blessed that she was brought into my life.

Sonia's Stuffed Mushrooms

1-1/2 pounds large mushrooms (some small & large)

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1-1/2 tsp salt

1 cup seasoned stuffing mix (crushed with rolling pin)

1 cup Mozzarella cheese, finely shredded

1 cup minced fresh onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 Tbl minced parsley

1/4 tsp Oregano

Pull stems and chop up mushrooms, wash and soak in water the rest.  When caps are clean, lay out on towel and dry well.

While mushroom caps are drying, cook chopped stems with butter, onion, salt, parsley, oregano, and garlic for 5 minutes.

Stir in stuffing crumbs and cheese.

Take off stove and spoon in mushroom caps.

Put oven rack at lowest level.  Broil for approximately 8 minutes, watching them carefully so as to not burn.

The secret ingredient to this...Stove Top Savory Herbs Stuffing!

One Year Ago: Cowboy Beans

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Surprise Quiche

Four Years Ago: Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Bake

Five Years Ago: Creamy Artichoke Bruschetta

Six Years Ago: Linguine with Lemon, Prosciutto, and Cream

Care Packages For My Pumpkins

Tomorrow is Halloween, or as we have now called it, "Kyloween", after our black lab. 

I LOVE making and sending care packages to our grandchildren...my little pumpkins.  Honestly, I just love sending care packages to everyone!

I have been spending too much time on Pinterest (shocking) while I am on the bus, or have some down time at night.  So many fun, fun, fun ideas for kids.

I had extras of everything, so I also sent some off to both daughters and their roommates.  Even 20 years olds (especially 20 year olds) love goodies too!

We will of course be enjoying our annual-traditional crockpot of Tamale Casserole, which I think is now in its 25th year of being served for Halloween!

One Year Ago: Sammy's Shark Bite

Two Years Ago: No Post 

Three Years Ago: Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

Four Years Ago: Shortbread S'Mores Cups

Five Years Ago: Little Bear, Monsters Boo, and TyKU

Six Years Ago: Tamale Casserole

Apple Pie and Fall Nights

"I am really wanting an apple pie."  This mantra kept getting repeated from my husband...over and over and over. 

There is a lot that I can (and do) cook and bake...but I don't do pies.  (I also don't wash windows, but that's a whole other discussion)...I don't know why I don't bake pies, I just don't do them.

I said, "Sorry, I'm not baking an apple pie".  He replied, "Fine, I'll bake one myself". 

(Then my little voice inside thinks...oh, this should be good to see play out.)

Not only did I eat his apple pie...I had to eat my words too.  His apple pie was awesome!  I'm not just saying that in case he reads this post.  It really was one of the best pies I've tasted!

We took advantage of a beautiful sunset and goregous fall night with dinner on our deck, before our next upcoming blizzard hits.  Candles, 19 Crimes Pinot Noir, our famous family salad, my Pot Roast, and finished it off with his apple pie.

His top crust may not be Pinterest photo worthy, but it definitely made up for it with flavor!

Apple Pie

Courtesy of Taste of Home

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3 Tbl all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

6 to 7 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (we used Granny Smith)

1 Tbl lemon juice

Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches) (like Pillsbury refrigerated prepared pie crusts)

1 Tbl butter

1 large egg white

Additional (Sugar In The Raw)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the sugars, flour and spices; set aside.  In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice.  Add sugar mixture; toss to coat.

Line a 9 inch pie plate with bottom crust; trim even with edge.  Fill with apple mixture; dot with butter.  Roll remaining crust to fit top of pie; place over filling.  Trim, seal and flute edges.  Cut slits in crust.

Beat egg white until foamy; brush over crust.  Sprinkle with Sugar In The Raw.  Cover edges loosely with foil.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 20-25 minutes longer.  Cool on wire rack.

One Year Ago: Honey Soy Salmon

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Baked Spaghetti and Spiking Cancer

Four Years Ago: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Five Years Ago: Greek Shrimp Saganaki

Six Years Ago: Chicken Tortilla Soup

After we enjoyed our pie on the deck husband said, "I even learned how to do an egg bath."  It took me a minute...I said, "Do you mean an egg wash?"

One Pot Chicken and Sage Dumplings and The First Snow

They predicted and saw the snow coming on every radar.  We had plenty of warning, and yet we didn't.  My husband and I came home from work Wednesday night to gale force winds.

We were running around like a tornado out of control, trying to pull in the umbrella, patio furniture, pillows...all the pretty summer things that were soon to be no more.

We got everything in just in time.  An hour later it sounded like our roof was being shot at...hail...and lots of it.  My husband opened the front door and there was a mix of lightning, thunder, torrential rain and hail.   I did not want to see any of it.  I am just not ready for winter.  I turned on our fireplace and enjoyed my wine, in complete denial of what was about to come.

We woke up to snow and a fair amount of it.  The worst part was all the rain the night before turned into sheets of very slick glass that is never fun to drive on.   My daughter sent me this photo of her walk to school this morning.  It is actually quite beautiful some days.

I am fortunate to work from home when needed, so I took that option...and made Chicken and Dumplings.  Warm comfort that made the house smell so wonderful and cozy.

One Pot Chicken and Sage Dumplings
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

2 bone in skin on chicken breasts

kosher salt and black pepper

2 Tbl extra virgin olive oil

2 shallots, thinly sliced

2 ribs of celery, chopped

6 carrots, chopped

2 Tbl fresh thyme leaves

2 quarts low sodium chicken broth

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 Tbl chopped fresh sage, plus fresh sage leaves for serving

1 cup buttermilk

2 ounces grated Parmesan or crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 Tbl chopped fresh chives, for serving

Season the chicken all over the salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.  When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.  Toss in the shallots and cook another 3-5 minutes.  Add the celery, carrots, and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook another 5 minutes.  

Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat.  Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Meanwhile, make the dumplings.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sage, and a pinch of each of salt and pepper.  Add the buttermilk and cheese and mix until just combined.

Remove the chicken from the soup and shred using 2 forks, discard the bones and skin.  Set aside.

Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat.  Drop a heaping tablespoon of the dough into the soup, adding about 6 dumplings to the soup at a time.  Cover, and cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and puffy.

Carefully move the dumplings aside and slide the shredded chicken into the soup.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Divide the soup and dumplings between bowls and serve.  Enjoy!

One Year Ago: Honey-Soy Salmon

Two Years Ago: No Post

Three Years Ago: Coconut Chicken with Mango Sauce

Four Years Ago: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Five Years Ago: German Chocolate Bundt Cake

Six Years Ago: Greek Salsa Chicken