Recipes

#BundtBakers: Autumn Harvest

~ lk529 ~ 24 Comments
BundtBakers

This month #BundtBakers is welcoming Fall with some beautiful bundts. #BundtBakers is a group of bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bundts with a common ingredient or theme. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme or ingredient. This month’s theme is Autumn Harvest and our creative host is Tux of Brooklyn Homemaker.

Our theme allowed for a lot of posibilities – from apples and pears, to pumpkins and carrots, to cranberries and figs.

My very first #BundtBakers recipe, my Busia’s Fresh Apple Cake, would have been a perfect fit here. I did stick with apple but added dried cranberries too! I’ve been wanting to try baking with applesauce and this recipe allowed me to do just that. Busia’s sister-in-law even thought I had used her recipe! The addition of the dried cranberries gave it a freshness and tart bite.

Dad and I disagreed on whether or not this cake needed frosting. I found it to be perfect just as is – to me, it’s almost like a banana bread instead of a cake. I may or may not have had it for breakfast…  I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think – to frost or not to frost?

Applesauce Cranberry Bundt

Ingredients:

  • 2 stick butter
  • 2 C sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 C flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 1/2 C cinnamon applesauce
  • 2 C dried cranberries

Step:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease bundt pan.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and spices.
  4. Add in the flour and applesauce alternately, beginning and ending with the flour.
  5. Fold in the cranberries.
  6. Pour into bundt pan and bake 40 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F, gently cover with aluminum foil and bake another 20-25 minutes, or until a knife comes out cleanly.

*This recipe is adapted from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/applesauce-raisin-cake/*

Applesauce Cranberry Bundt

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com. All recipes and photographs can be found on our individual blogs, on our Pinterest board, and the #bundtbakers homepage.

And don’t forget to take a peek at what other talented bakers have baked this month:

Sweet Potato Brioche Bread by Jane of Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

Pumpkin and Chocolate Bundt Cake by Aisha of La Cocina de Aisha

Applesauce Walnut Raisin Cake by Rene of Magnolia Days

Chocolate Zucchini Bundt by Tara of Noshing with the Nolands

Fig and Caramelized Walnuts Bundt Cake by Beatriz of I Love Bundt Cakes

Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake by Kaylin of Keep it Simple, Sweetie

 Sherried Pumpkin Bundtlettes by Laura of The Spiced Life

Sweet Potato Pecan Spice Cake with Toasted Pecan Glaze by Stacy of Food Lust People Love

Harvest Bundt Cake by Tammy of Living the Gourmet

Pumpkin and Apples Bundt Cake by Kathya of Basic N Delicious

Old Fashioned Kushaw Bundt by Margaret of Tea and Scones

Pumpkin Espresso Bundt by Kelly of Passion Kneaded

Spiced Harvest Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze by Tux of Brooklyn Homemaker

Applesauce Spice Bundt Cake by Carola of En La Cocina de Caro

Carrot Bundt Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting by Cassandra of Cassie’s Kitchen

Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake by Terri of Love and Confections

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with Pomegranate Syrup by Patricia of Patty’s Cake

Chocolate Caramel Apple Bundt Cake by Teri of The Freshman Cook

Mini Apple Cobbler Bundt Cakes with Cinnamon Glaze by Lauren of From Gate to Plate

Creamy Chorizo Pasta

~ lk529 ~ 1 Comment

L&K visit

Before we left Florida, my brother and his fiance came to visit so they could meet my little man when he was 3 weeks old. My brother used to have a fear of holding babies. The man (can I just say that’s weird to say, he’s my little brother!) that came over showed no fear, had no hesitation, and had no intention of ever putting his nephew down. I was sure that as soon as Wesley started to cry he’d be hastily handed back to me, instead Louie walked around, bounced him, talked to him, and climbed up and down the stairs. He’s a natural!

When you’re about to move the last thing you want to do is make a big grocery trip. Our last couple weeks’ dinners in Florida where comprised of whatever we could scrounge up at the house and eating out. Because we had company, I wanted whatever I made to not only use what I had in the fridge, but also be delicious. The Creamy Chorizo Pasta dish that resulted was a hit by all.

An Original Recipe

Creamy Chorizo Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb spaghetti
  • 1/2 lb Mexican chorizo
  • 3 shallots, diced
  • 2 C chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 3/4 C heavy cream

Steps:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium high heat brown chorizo, breaking up into bits. Add the shallots and cook until softened. Add the tomatoes and their juices. Toss gently.
  3. Strain any fat, if desired, before adding in the heavy cream. Let sauce come to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and let thicken to desired consistency. Add the cooked spaghetti and coat in the sauce.

Creamy Chorizo Pasta

Fried Chicken Salad

~ lk529 ~ Leave a comment

When we moved to Ohio we spent a week with Stuart’s family in northern Alabama. As a welcome, his aunt provided dinner for us – fried chicken!

I couldn’t tell you the last time I’d had fried chicken. (Other than Chick-fil-A, of course.) It’s not something I have, or even crave, that often. But when it’s made right it makes me wonder why I haven’t been enjoying it more! Perfectly seasoned, crispy batter and juicy meat makes for finger licking good eats.

But what do you do with the leftovers?

Damaris Phillips, winner of last season’s Next Food Network Star, has an answer!

Chicken salad.

I really like chicken salad (as long as it’s made with mayo and not Miracle Whip). I love it on top of a croissant, between toasted bread, and eaten with crackers. There are many options when it comes to chicken salad mix-ins: from nuts, to fruits, to vegetables, even bacon and cheese.

When I watched Damaris make this on her show Southern at Heart, I immediately wanted to make it. I was ecstatic to have the opportunity! This chicken salad is fantastic. I love the tang from the buttermilk, the kick from the cayenne, the crunch from the celery, and the zip from the scallion. I even followed Damaris’s suggestion and served it on a croissant. That buttery, flaky bread is the perfect vessel for the chicken salad.

I encourage you to go out and get some fried chicken, or make your own, just so you can have this chicken salad. Bring it to your next tailgate, go on a picnic, or spice up your weekday lunchbox. Find any excuse you can to make this sandwich!

Fried Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 C mayonnaise
  • 1/4 C whole-grain mustard
  • 1/2 C buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 5-6 C cold fried chicken, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 scallions, sliced

Steps:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, mustard, buttermilk, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Stir in chicken, celery, and scallion.
  2. Create sandwiches with croissants. Makes 6-8 sandwiches.

*This recipe is adapted from Damaris at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/damaris-phillips/fried-chicken-salad-sandwiches.html*

Fried Chicken Salad

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

~ lk529 ~ 1 Comment

This Mexican Monday post is the first Mexican Monday meal I prepared in our new Ohio home. With a little one to care for and a house to turn into a home, I happily let my slow cooker do the work for me.

This creamy, saucy, shredded chicken goes great over top a pile of rice. It’s a hearty meal perfect for when the days and nights start to get a little colder.

This dish provides wonderful leftovers too (and I don’t say that lightly) – remake some rice or even turn it into another Mexican Monday favorite – enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas. I even scooped it up with some tortilla chips.

The original recipe called for a can of Rotel, but as I’m breastfeeding and trying to avoid too spicy of food I substituted a partial can of diced tomatoes with garlic and onion. Next time I’d even add in a can of corn!

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1 C sour cream

Steps:

  1. In a slow cooker, combine cream of chicken soup, tomatoes, beans, and onion.
  2. Season chicken with S+P. Add to slow cooker.
  3. Cook on LOW 7 hours.
  4. Shred chicken and return to the slow cooker. Stir in sour cream.
  5. Serve over rice.

*This recipe is adapted from Sarah at http://themagicalslowcooker.com/2014/08/16/slow-cooker-fiesta-chicken-bake/*

Fiesta Chicken

#FoodieExtravaganza: Waffles

~ lk529 ~ 7 Comments

foodieextravaganza 300

This month’s #FoodieExtravaganza is celebrating Waffles! September is National Waffle month and along with a bunch of other bloggers we are having a Foodie Extravaganza all about Waffles! The Foodie Extravaganza is a monthly party hosted by bloggers who love food! Each month we incorporate one main ingredient into recipes to share with you and this month, our host Summer of Summer Scraps offered up a poll and the theme of waffles won! While I wasn’t part of the majority vote (I voted for breakfast) I’m ecstatic that waffles won out. Waffles are my favorite breakfast item!

I thought about doing savory waffles for a little bit of a twist – but then I found this recipe saved on my foodgawker favorites. Sweet potato seemed like a winner with it now being September and Fall fast approaching. I also used up the blueberries in my fridge to make a homemade blueberry syrup. The syrup complimented the cinnamon sweet potato waffles very well – a little bit of summer with a little bit of fall.

Sweet Potato Waffles

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium, or 1 large, sweet potatoes
  • 1 C all-purpose flour
  • 1 C whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 C buttermilk
  • 4 tbsp melted butter

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow potatoes to cool to touch. Remove flesh from skins and puree until smooth.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and butter.
  4. Combine wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix in sweet potatoes.
  5. Into a hot greased waffle iron, drop 1/3 C of batter and cook until golden.

*This recipe is adapted from Rachael at http://rachaelwhite.me/sweet-potato-cinnamon-waffles/*

Blueberry Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 5 C blueberries
  • 4 C water, divided use
  • 2 C sugar
  • rind of 1 lemon
  • juice of 2 lemons

Steps:

  1. In a saucepan bring sugar, 3 C water, and lemon rind to a gentle boil. Stir until sugar is disolved and cook until the syrup reaches a 225 degrees F.
  2. Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, mash blueberries with remaining 1 C of water. Cook over low for 15 minutes. Press through a fine strainer and set aside.
  3. Combine syrup, blueberry juice, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to use. It can be stored for up to 6 months.

*This recipe is adapted from Grace at http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/perfect-blueberry-syrup*

 Sweet Potato Waffles

Be sure to check out these other waffle recipes:

Cinnamon Swirl Waffles from Summer Scraps

Caramel Apple Waffles from We Like to Learn as we Go

Cheddar and Jalapeno Waffles from Rhubarb and Honey

Strawberry Shortcake Waffles from Mrs. Penguin

4 Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Waffles from Keep It Simple Sweetie

Lasagna Waffles from Love in the Kitchen

Pumpkin Pie Waffles from Eazy Peazy Mealz

Oat Sourdough Waffles from Passion Kneaded

Waffle Crusted Apple Pie Parfait from The Freshman Cook

Sweet Potato Waffles with Pecan Honey Butter from Wicked Spatula

Savory Bacon and Veggie Waffles from Fearlessly Creative Mammas

Bacon and Cheese Waffles from Housewife Eclectic

Maple Bacon Waffles from Ashlee Marie

Loaded Baked Potato Waffles from Food Lust People Love

14 Delicious Waffle Recipes

We are a group of bloggers who love to blog about food! And each month we all incorporate one main ingredient into a recipe. This month the ingredient is waffles. We hope you all enjoy the delicious ways we made our waffles and be sure to come to see what next month’s new ingredient is. If you would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you!

Update May 2016: These waffles are one of my go-to recipes when I need to get Firecracker to eat and I’ve made them countless times. After moving to California I decided it was high time to try and rephotograph them. I don’t make the blueberry syrup, but we’ve had fabulous berries from the farmers market.

Sweet Potato Waffles for #FoodieExtravaganza from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Red and Blue Berry Sauce

~ lk529 ~ 1 Comment

Our first night home with Wesley we were welcomed by our parents and Stuart’s sister with a beautiful home cooked dinner of mashed potatoes, asparagus, and pork chops. My mom made her mashed potatoes, Stuart’s mom made the vegetables, the dads grilled the pork chops, and Audrey made a beautiful berry sauce to put atop the pork. It was a wonderful dinner to celebrate the birth of our first son and the first grandchild on both sides of the family.

Red and Blue Berry Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 C white wine
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2/3 C blueberries
  • 2/3 C raspberries
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp honey

Steps:

  1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring shallots, wine, vinegar, thyme, and cinnamon to a simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes, or until reduced by more than half.
  2. Add berries, butter, and honey. Cook 2-4 minutes.

*This recipe is modified from Melissa at http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/12604/salmon-with-agrodolce-blueberries.html*

Red and Blue Berry Sauce

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

~ lk529 ~ Leave a comment

It’s no secret that I love pasta. And cream based sauces are my absolute favorite.

There is a restaurant in Auburn, Brick Oven Pizza, that we’d always go to when parents were in town. And while their pizzas and calzones are fantastic (I love their crust), it’s their Cajun Chicken Pasta that I always order.

Now that I’m living in Ohio (with a newborn) trips to Auburn are going to be very few and far between. So when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, it looked exactly like Brick Oven’s pasta dish that I love so much. It was immediately pinned and finally prepared. I switched out the pasta shape to penne and added mushrooms and parmesan cheese.

I have intentions of making a few more Auburn favorites in the coming year. War Eagle!

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 4 oz mushrooms, diced
  • 2 C half-and-half
  • 1 C heavy cream
  • 2/3 C shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 3 scallions, sliced

Steps:

  1. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne. (Alternatively, you can use Cajun seasoning.)
  2. Season chicken with half of the spice mix from Step 1 and S+P.
  3. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken. When cooked through, remove and set aside.
  4. In the same pot, add more olive oil if needed. Saute bell peppers, onion, and mushroom. Season with the remaining spice mix from Step 1 and S+P. Cook until vegetables are tender. (Note: if you’d like a little spice to your pasta add a little extra cayenne pepper at this step.)
  5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  6. Add half-and-half and heavy cream to the vegetables. Bring to a boil and add in the parmesan cheese.
  7. In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water. Pour into the cream sauce. Reduce to a simmer and allow to cook until thickened. Add cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce and toss. Stir in the scallions. Garnish with additional Cajun seasoning if desired.

*This recipe is modified from Annie at http://www.annies-eats.com/2009/07/10/louisiana-chicken-pasta/*

Cajun Chicken Pasta

SRC: Vanilla Extract

~ lk529 ~ 32 Comments

newsrcbanner

Today is another Secret Recipe Club Reveal Day! In the secret recipe club, each participating blogger is assigned a blog from another participating blogger and secretly searches their site for something to recreate. The accompanying blog post then goes live on reveal day! So while I was immersed in my assigned blog, someone else was picking through mine! I’m so excited to be part of this group, to see what on my blog peaks other’s interests and to stumble upon new blogs and new recipes.

This month I was assigned Ros’s blog The More Than Occasional Baker. Ros’s blog name doesn’t lie – her blog is entirely made up of sweets!

I was really hoping to do a savory post for this month’s SRC post because you might have noticed that my August archive has an unusual amount of dessert recipes. I guess my blog wouldn’t show up in a summer bikini body recipe search! But alas, the assignments were sent out and my hands are tied. I’m sure you are all completely bummed. 😉

I almost didn’t participate in this month’s Secret Recipe Club reveal, but after not participating last month to focus on our new family member (my son was born July 3rd) I just knew I couldn’t sit another month out! When July 28th rolled around I found myself feeling lost without a SRC post! I still scrolled through the reveal day posts though – you should too!

This month we moved from Florida to Ohio and spent a week with my husband’s family in Alabama. I knew it’d be hard to squeeze in some home cooking. Luckily I found this how-to for Vanilla Extract on Ros’s blog! I’ve been wanting to try making my own vanilla extract, and now I have the perfect excuse. Well, two really. One: I have to restock my pantry anyway, so why not?! Two: It’s on my SRC assigned blog!

Don’t think my selection of Vanilla Extract means Ros doesn’t have some awesome recipes. She does! When life settles down again (will that ever happen now that I’m a mom?!) I’ll definitely be putting my favorite soda in her Root Beer Bundt Cake, using my poppy seeds in her Orange Poppy Seed Muffins, and getting a feeling of summer when the weather turns cold with her Lemon, Lime, and Basil Cookies. She also has some very fun ideas with my favorite savory snack, popcorn – check out this Popcorn Cake!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

  • vodka
  • vanilla beans

Steps:

  1. Put vodka in an airtight bottle. (I used a salad dressing mixer that I found at the local thrift store!)
  2. Add vanilla beans – scrape out the seeds and add to the bottle along with the pods.
  3. Allow vodka and vanilla beans to transform into vanilla extract over the course of 4 weeks.

*This recipe is adapted from Ros at http://themorethanoccasionalbaker.blogspot.com/2012/10/homemade-vanilla-extract.html*

Vanilla Extract FG1

To see the other bloggers who participated in the Secret Recipe Club this month click here:

#BundtBakers: Honey

~ lk529 ~ 14 Comments
BundtBakers

Honey is the most used condiment in our household. We go through a honey bear in two weeks. And at any farmer’s market we attend, we’ll be walking away with some local honey. Needless to say, I was excited to see honey as the theme for this month’s #BundtBakers post. I almost didn’t participate this month because of all of the major life events going on (moving from FL to OH and having a baby), but I couldn’t skip out on making a honey bundt!

I even have an adorable honey pot from Le Cruset that we pour store bought honey into. I bought this honey pot as an impulse buy because it made me think of Winnie-the-Pooh. I have a slight obsession with Winnie-the-Pooh. I learned how to read because of a Winnie-the-Pooh “read-along” cassette tape, I own every character stuffed animal, I had Winnie-the-Pooh sheets until I went to college (pretty sure my parents saved them for me too), and my friends threw me a wonderful Winnie-the-Pooh themed baby shower.

What does Winnie-the-Pooh have to do with my bundt? Everything! My mom bought me a Winnie-the-Pooh cookbook and today’s recipe(s) come from it!

Hipy Papy Bthuthdth Thuthda Bthuthdy Cake

Ingredients for cake:

  • 1/2 C butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 C sugar
  • 1/2 C honey
  • 2 eggs, separated
  • 2 C flour, sifted
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 C milk
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Ingredients for honey chocolate icing:

  • 3 oz semisweet chocolate
  • 9 tbsp butter
  • 6 tbsp honey

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and honey. Add egg yolks, one at a time.
  3. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Add half of the milk and the almond extract and mix until combined. Repeat with another 1/3 of the dry ingredients and remaining milk, finish with the last of the dry ingredients.
  5. In a bowl, beat egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff. Gently fold into the cake batter.
  6. Pour batter into a greased bundt pan and bake 30 minutes, or until a knife comes out cleanly. Allow cake to cool 5 minutes before removing from the bundt pan. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Make the icing: In a double boiler, melt together the icing ingredients. Frost cake. Keep refrigerated until 20 minutes before serving.

*These recipes come from The Pooh Cook Book by Virginia H. Ellison*

Honey Bundt Cake

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send an email with your blog URL tofoodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com. All recipes and photographs can be found on our individual blogs, on our Pinterest board, and the #bundtbakers homepage.

And don’t forget to take a peek at what other talented bakers have baked this month:

Honey Bundt Cake with Lemon Honey Glaze by Beatriz at I love Bundt Cakes

Honey Glazed Blackberry Cornmeal Bundt Cake by Tux at Brooklyn Homemaker

Honey Roasted Peanut Butter Pound Cake by Renee at Magnolia Days

A Taste of Honey by Margaret at Tea and Scones

Honey Caramel Apple Bundt Cake by Laura at Baking in Pyjamas

Honey Whiskey Mini Bundt Cakes with Honey Whiskey Glaze by Stacy at Food Lust People Love

Honey Almond Bundt Cake by Terri at Love and Confections

Honey Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake by Lauren at From Gate to Plate

Whole Wheat Honey Spiced Apple Breakfast Bundtlettes by Laura at The Spiced Life

Honey Bunny Bundt Cake by Teri at The Freshman Cook

Honey Baba ah Rhum by Kelly at Passion Kneaded

Orange Hazelnut Cake by Zainab at Blahnik Baker

Honey Banana Bundt by Jane at Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

CIC: Beets & Eggs

~ lk529 ~ 10 Comments

CIC-header

I got really excited when I saw that beets and eggs was one of the combination options for this month’s Crazy Ingredient Challenge. I actually made my dish before the winner was announced. And it only won by one vote! (The close runner up was garden peas and cheese.) I don’t think eggs are a particularly challenging ingredient – they’re easy to hide. So, I decided to think in the Chopped mentality and make it a star. Now, I am not a fan of eggs – I’ve finally determined that it’s the yolks that I don’t like. That means scrambled eggs are out; quiches and frittatas a no-go. What I decided on doing challenged me in the kitchen – Eggs Benedict. I’ve had a couple at nice brunch restaurants, and the runny egg yolk doesn’t bother me when it’s mixed with the rest of the ingredients on the plate.

My Roasted Beet Eggs Benedict required me to tackle my fear of poaching eggs. In fact, it tackled everyone’s fear! My brother and his fiance were in town meeting Wesley for the first time. I’ve watched countless Food Network stars poaching eggs, so I knew the general idea. I am proud to say, that even though it took four of us, every egg poached was a perfect success!

To poach an egg, bring a wide mouthed pot of water to an almost boil. With a spoon create an eddy in the water. Break the egg into a small bowl and drop it slowly into the vortex of the eddy. Cook the egg for about four minutes – until the whites are set and the yolk still runny – and remove with a slotted spoon.

I also got to attempt making a Hollandaise Sauce. I followed Alton Brown’s recipe. I have to say, I thought it was going great! I enjoyed watching the sauce transform after each addition of butter. But adding lemon juice the second time caused my sauce to separate. If I whisked enough it came back together, and it tasted right too. Unfortunately, I made this sauce way too early. The rest of the Eggs Benedict elements were not ready. (And I had a very hungry infant requiring my attention.) When we came back to the sauce, there wasn’t any saving it. Happily though, no one missed the Hollandaise Sauce on their Eggs Benedicts!

There was yet a third new experience to try. Beets! I’ve had beets before (a caprese salad w/ roasted golden beets), but I’d never worked with them myself. I followed this tutorial to roast them. (The left over beets were used in smoothies! If you decide to put roasted beets in a smoothie, note that a little bit goes a long way, the flavor tends to over power the other fruits/vegetables.)

Roasted Beet Eggs Benedict

Ingredients:

  • 1 English muffin, halved and toasted
  • 2 slices Canadian bacon
  • 2 slices roasted beets (instructions linked above)
  • spinach leaves
  • 2 eggs, poached (instructions posted above)
  • salt and pepper

Steps:

  1. Assemble Eggs Benedict by placing a slice of Canadian bacon on each half of the English muffin. Top with the roasted beet and spinach leaves. Place the poached eggs on the top of the open faced sandwiches. Season with S+P.

Roasted Beet Eggs Benedict

To see other blogs that participated this month click on the link below. And if you’re a blogger and interested in joining us, contact Dawn at spatulasonparade@gmail.com. You don’t have to participate every month, but if you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to have you!