#BrunchWeek: Espresso Banana Oat Bread

Welcome to the last day of the third annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca. I am ending the week with a perfect recipe to make over the weekend and have to kick start your weekdays. Banana bread.

I never became a coffee addict, even when I was working, however I do enjoy coffee flavor and very rarely indulge in a cup of coffee in the morning (I do require about three heaping spoonfuls of sugar, though). My husband became one of those “I need my morning coffee” people after we got married and entered the “real world” and now enjoys that cup of joe black!

This banana bread recipe is one that my husband has been asking for for quite some time. As you may already know, he has a slight obsession with Bobby Flay and we record his new show on Cooking Channel, Brunch @ Bobby’s. The episode this recipe aired on was titled “Wake Up Brunch” and every dish he made involved coffee. An episode I think most Americans can get behind.

With #BrunchWeek on the horizon I knew that the time had come to finally make this banana bread. I made a mocha whipped cream, using Pacari dark chocolate covered cacao nips, instead of the flavored butter Bobby served with his bread. And instead of chocolate chips, I added in some beautiful  California Walnuts. And, to give the bread some heartiness, I threw in some Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats for good measure.

If you’re looking for that perfect morning pick-me-up, I encourage you to make this bread – it’s not just for brunch!

Espresso Banana Oat Bread

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9″ loaf pan.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until golden (about 2-3 minutes). Stir in the espresso powder and remove from the heat.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat banana with the sugars. Beat in the egg until incorporated. Add the melted butter.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the stand mixer and beat until combined.
  5. Fold in the walnuts and oats. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out cleanly. Allow to cool in pan.

*This recipe is adapted from Bobby Flay at http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/bobby-flay/espresso-chocolate-chip-banana-bread-with-espresso-cinnamon-butter.html*

Mocha Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring heavy cream and cacao nibs to a simmer. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place in a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge overnight.
  2. Strain the cold cream and discard the nibs.
  3. Using a hand mixer, beat the cream until thickened. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and espresso powder. Beat until firm peaks form.

*This recipe is inspired by Bobby Flay at http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/bobby-flay/dark-chocolate-waffles-with-white-chocolate-custard-sauce-and-chocolate-espresso-whipped-cream.html*

Espresso Banana Oat Bread with Mocha Whipped Cream for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Today is the LAST DAY to enter our giveaway! And be sure to check out the other bloggers who posted more brunch recipes today:

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo

BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mocha Frappe from The Redhead Baker.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Flourless Oatmeal Coconut Breakfast Cookies from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Pyrizhky z Orikhova Masa from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pancake Muffins with Brown Butter Glazed Walnuts from It’s Yummi.
Buttermilk Waffles with Blueberry Compote from Big Bear’s Wife.
Lemon Blackberry Baked Oatmeal from Cooking in Stilettos.
Bacon Pancake Dippers from Making Miracles.
Espresso Banana Oat Bread from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
Oatmeal and Apple Crown Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Labneh with Pears and Honey from My Catholic Kitchen.
Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad from Bread Booze Bacon.

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Pear and Pecan Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole from Love and Confections.
Spring Celebration Birthday Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Vanilla Yogurt Custard Tartlettes with Roasted Grapes from Taste Cook Sip

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

#BrunchWeek: Bacon and Egg Sandwiches on Cheddar Biscuits

We’re continuing with the third annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca. I’ve been told you can’t have a brunch event without an egg dish. While I could easily disagree, I can see my mom’s point. Most people love eggs and eat them daily for breakfast. I have never been in that camp.

So what to do?

The only egg dish I’ve ever liked (and have even ordered at a brunch place!) is Eggs Benedict. I tried my hand at making Eggs Benedict at home before, and we loved them! But poaching the eggs and making the hollandaise sauce requires too much active attention; I won’t be attempting it again until the little man can play on his own (or takes longer naps…) safely.

Instead I decided on a breakfast sandwich, one I could make each element of separately.

I caramelized some onions and wilted in some kale. I used my mandolin to slice some Easter egg radishes provided by Cal-Organic. I fried up some bacon and some eggs.

To make my sandwiches a step above the rest, I assembled them on top of homemade cheddar biscuits – using Cabot Cheese Seriously Sharp Cheddar.

cheddar biscuits from sew you think you can cook for #brunchweek

Using a 3″ biscuit cutter, this recipe yields 18-20 biscuits.

Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 9 tbsp butter
  • 2 1/2 C flour
  • 1 C white whole wheat flour
  • 2 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 C shredded Seriously Sharp Cheddar
  • 1 1/2 C buttermilk
  • 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

Steps:

  1. Cut butter into cubes and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. With the paddle attachment mix in the butter and shredded cheese. Mix until combined and texture is crumbly.
  5. Pour in buttermilk and mix until dough comes together.
  6. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until combined. Pat to 3/4″ thick. Use a 3″ biscuit cutter to cut biscuits and place on prepared baking sheets. (Note: Do not twist the cutter, doing so will pinch the edges and you won’t have that flaky biscuit.)
  7. Brush biscuits with egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  8. To make sandwiches: Cut biscuit in half. Top one half with caramelized onions, wilted kale, and a fried egg. Top the other half with a drizzle of honey, bacon, and thinly sliced radishes. Reassemble and enjoy.

*The biscuit recipe is adapted from Donya at http://asouthern-soul.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheddar-cheese-biscuits.html?*

Bacon and Egg Sandwiches on Cheddar Biscuits for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and be sure to check out the other bloggers who posted more brunch recipes today:

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mango Swirled Coconut Margarita from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Bruleed Grapefruit Mojito from Healthy Delicious.
Strawberry Orange Blossom Sparkler from Baking a Moment.

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Bacon and Egg Sandwiches on Cheddar Biscuits from Sew You Think You Can Cook.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Lemon Blueberry Crepes from Love and Confections.
Java Jolt Overnight Oats from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Hagelslag-Covered Bread from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Nutella Stuffed Aebleskiver from greens & chocolate.
Baked French Toast Boats from The Spiffy Cookie.
Skinny Banana Oat Flaxseed Cookies from Hip Foodie Mom.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks from Making Miracles.
Cheddar Pear Proscuitto Pull-Apart Bread from It Bakes Me Happy.
Alpine Cheese Grisini from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Bacon Cheddar Hashbrown Pancake from Pink Cake Plate.
Huevos Rancheros Burgers from The Redhead Baker.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Fresh Mint and Orange Blossom Fruit Salad from Sarcastic Cooking.
Citrus and Cilantro Carrot Slaw from A Day in the Life on the Farm

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Mini Apple Pear Pies from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.
Strawberry Cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Chocolate Chip Walnut Coffee Cake from girlichef.
Raspberry Oatmeal Bars from My Catholic Kitchen.

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

#BrunchWeek: Pear Coffee Cake and Fruit & Cheese Salad

Welcome back to the third annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca.

woot frootI couldn’t celebrate a week of brunch without another variation of my very popular coffee cake and when Woot Froot was announced as a #BrunchWeek sponsor I knew I’d utilize the fruit they sent. Because peaches and nectarines (what they’re most famous for) aren’t in season until next month, we received sliced pears and destemmed grapes. I decided to use the pears in my coffee cake! After many bundt baking attempts at putting foods in cakes I tossed the chopped pears in flour (and cinnamon for good measure).

I have made this coffee cake so many times and have done so using either sour cream or yogurt – we’ve even used lemon Greek yogurt once in a pinch! I saw another opportunity to use a sponsored product – Stonyfield Organic yogurt! (I buy their YoBaby yogurts for the little man, and it’s definitely his favorite food.) I used whole milk vanilla yogurt in this coffee cake and it’s absolutely delicious, a great accompaniment to the pears!

I like to top my coffee cakes with a crumble that includes oats. Conveniently enough Bob’s Red Mill provided participating bloggers with a bag of old fashioned rolled oats!

cabotNot only am I sharing my coffee cake recipe today – I’m using Cabot Cheese White Oak Cheddar in a fruit salad! The way I figured it, people often eat fruit with their cheese plate so why not combine it in a sweet and savory dressing.

Pear Coffee Cake

Ingredients for topping:

  • 3/8 C flour
  • 1/3 C Dixie Crystals Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 1/2 tbsp butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 C rolled oats

Ingredients for cake:

  • 2 C + 1 tbsp flour, divided use
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 stick butter, at room temperature
  • 1 C Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 C whole milk vanilla yogurt
  • 1 C peeled and diced pears
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

  1. Make the topping: whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using your fingers, break the butter into small pieces and combine with the topping. After combined add the oats. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8″ square cake pan with foil and grease.
  3. Make the cake: In a large bowl whisk together 2 C flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In a the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add in the vanilla.
  5. Incorporate a third of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Once combined add 1/2 C of yogurt. Add another third of the dry ingredients. Once combined add the last 1/2 C of yogurt. Add in the final third of the dry ingredients.
  6. Toss pears in remaining flour and cinnamon.
  7. Assemble the cake: Place half of the cake batter in the prepared cake pan. Evenly distribute the pears and top with remaining batter. Top the cake with the topping from step 1.
  8. Bake for 65 minutes, or until a knife comes out cleanly.
  9. Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes and remove the cake from the pan by the foil. Serve your cake with fruit & cheese salad (recipe below)!

Fruit & Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

  • 3 C chopped pears
  • 2 C sliced red grapes
  • 1 Fuji apple, diced
  • 6 oz White Oak Cheddar Cheese, cubed
  • 1/4 C apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 C agave nectar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade

Steps:

  1. In a large bowl, toss together fruit and cheese.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, agave, and vanilla. Season to taste with salt.
  3. Dress fruit salad with the dressing and add in the basil. Keep cold.

*The dressing recipe is modified from Michael at http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/fruit-salad-with-savoury-dressings/12917/*

Pear Coffee Cake and Fruit & Cheddar Salad for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and be sure to check out the other bloggers who posted more brunch recipes today:

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Grape Mojito from The Spiffy Cookie.

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata from Love and Confections.
Kale and Toasted Quinoa Egg White Scramble from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Breakfast Enchiladas from Cooking in Stilettos
Croque Madame Breakfast Casserole from Bread Booze Bacon.
Rainbow Chard and Cheddar Cheese Frittata from My Catholic Kitchen.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Perfect French Toast from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.
Oat Breakfast Cookies from Pink Cake Plate.
Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes with Spiced Pear Syrup from The Redhead Baker.
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Muffins from Making Miracles.
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Bacci Bread and Pear Pudding from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pear Coffee Cake and Fruit & Cheese Salad from Sew You Think You Can Cook.

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Waldorf Quinoa Chicken Salad from Cupcake & Kale Chips.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Chilled Strawberry Soup from The Suburban Soapbox

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Orange Blossom Olive Oil Cake with Mango Citrus Glaze from Taste Cook Sip.
Walnut Meringue Banana Mess from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

#FoodieExtravaganza: Burgers

foodieextravaganza-300

I must take a step aside from #BrunchWeek today because I simply couldn’t pass up this month’s #FoodieExtravaganza! Today’s event is hosted by Stacy at Food Lust People Love. May has some wonderful food holidays that Stacy could have selected, like National Barbecue Month, Salad Month, or Salsa Month; National Enchilada Day, Eat What You Want Day, or Chocolate Chip Day, but she selected arguably my favorite food – the burger. (I say arguably because I’m still undecided if I like pizza or burgers more…)

I rarely make burgers at home, in fact I only have two recipes on my blog – both of which are turkey burgers. It was time to make a beef burger. But as it’s a special occasion (#FoodieExtravaganza day), I went with a “fancy” burger. I say fancy because this burger isn’t topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. This baby gets candied jalapenos, bacon, and caramelized pineapple.

Pineapple and Bacon Burgers with Candied Jalapenos

Ingredients:

  • 7/8 C sugar
  • 1/4 C apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 japalenos, sliced
  • 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3-4 tbsp butter
  • 2 – 4 pineapple rings (depending on size)
  • 4 slices center cut bacon, cooked
  • sliced fontinella cheese
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • mayo, for spreading

Steps:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the sugar, vinegar, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes and add the jalapeno slices (cover completely in the liquid). Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 4 minutes. Strain and place the jalapenos in the fridge.
  2.  Using your hands, mix ground beef and garlic with S+P. Form into four patties.
  3. Melt 1-2 tbsp butter in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook burgers to desired doneness. Melt cheese over burgers during the last two minutes of cook time.
  4. In a large nonstick skillet, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Cook pineapple rings until golden, 5 minutes per side.
  5. Assemble burgers: spread mayo on hamburger buns, top patties with pineapple, cooked bacon, and candied jalapenos.

*This recipe is adapted from Jessica at http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/05/bacon-pineapple-burgers-or-maybe-omgburgers/*

Pineapple and Bacon Burgers with Candied Jalapenos | Sew You Think You Can Cook

Be sure to check out the rest of these burger recipes:

Cheeseburger in Paradise by The Freshman Cook

French Onion Burgers by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Frita Cubana (Cuban Hamburger) by Tara’s Multicultural Table

Guacamole Bacon Burger by Fearlessly Creative Mammas

Maw-Maw’s Hamburger Surprise by Cooking With Carlee

Mushroom Veggie Burgers with Roasted Tomato Mayo by The Joyful Foodie

Pineapple and Bacon Burgers with Candied Jalapeños by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Spiced Lamb Burgers with Pomegranate Chutney and Mint-Pistachio Pesto by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Sweet and Smoky Bacon Cheddar Burger by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Thai Turkey Burgers with Siracha Mayo by Our Good Life

Western Bacon Burgers with BBQ Mayo and Crispy Onion Straws by Making Miracles

Zucchini-wrapped Cheesy Pea Burgers by Food Lust People Love

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!

#BrunchWeek: Papas con Chorizo

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! And happy day two of the third annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca!

I’ve been meaning to venture into the breakfast world of Mexican cuisine, but always manage to forget about it. Until today! Thanks to Cinco de Mayo falling during this year’s #BrunchWeek I finally had my opportunity.

Today I bring you the simplest dish, perfect to accompany any brunch menu. Potatoes are always a perfect side at breakfast, so why not trade in those classic hash-browns for papas con chorizo! Potatoes, chorizo, and cheese. You can’t possibly go wrong! If you want to turn this dish into a main course you could add some scrambled eggs and serve breakfast burrito style.

breaking up chorizoLe Creuset is one of our #BrunchWeek sponsors and I receive their new Revolution Bi-Material Slotted Turner. Let me take a minute and tell you about this great product! The materials used in creating this spatula are of great quality and don’t scratch the surface of skillets and dishes. It’s a very sturdy product and can stand up to flipping a wide variety of foods and the angle of the handle makes using it very easy and comfortable; I not only used it for mixing and serving these potatoes but also flipped burgers without any trouble. The slotted turner could also withstand the pressure I put on it to break up the chorizo as it cooked in the skillet.

Papas con Chorizo

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 links Mexican chorizo, casings removed
  • 1 C shredded Mexican blend cheese

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook until almost fork tender.
  3. In a cast iron skillet (or oven-safe skillet), brown chorizo over medium-high heat, breaking up. Cook completely.
  4. Drain potatoes and add to the skillet with the chorizo. Toss, gently, to combine. Cover with cheese and put in the oven for 7-10 minutes until cheese is melted and potatoes are fully cooked.

*This recipe is adapted from David at http://leitesculinaria.com/85425/recipes-potatoes-mexican-chorizo.html*

Papas con Chorizo for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and be sure to check out the other bloggers who posted more brunch recipes today:

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo

BrunchWeek Beverages:
Oat-Chata from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Build Your Own Benedicts from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Ham, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Egg Muffin Cups from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Donut Holes with a Trio of Dipping Sauces from The Redhead Baker.
Trail Mix Granola from Making Miracles.
Bananas Foster Baked Oatmeal from The Suburban Soapbox.

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Vegetarian Breakfast Enchiladas from The Spiffy Cookie.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Caramelized Onion and Sweet Potato Hash from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Asparagus and Heirloom Carrots Salad from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
Roasted Grape & Bleu Cheese Bruschetta from Bread Booze Bacon.
Papas con Chorizo from Sew You Think You Can Cook.

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Whiskey Walnut Tart from Love and Confections.

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

#BrunchWeek: Vanilla Orange Scones

Welcome to the first day of the third annual #BrunchWeek hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca! To kick off the week I decided to try my hand at something that’s been on my culinary bucket list for quite some time – scones! For some reason I always had the impression that scones are difficult to make. No idea where I got that – not only was this an easy recipe, but it was quick, too! I was able to get my scones into the oven just as my little man was waking up from his short nap. (phew!)

Today’s recipe is adapted from my friend Tara’s blog, Tara’s Multicultural Table. Because we no longer live within 30 minute of each other (try 7.5 hours now) I have to make her pastries myself instead of being delivered delicious sweets.

Nielsen-MasseyHer recipe for Vanilla Orange Scones definitely called my name when Nielsen-Massey was announced as one of our #BrunchWeek sponsors. We were given a choice of extracts (almond, lemon, orange, chocolate, coffee, or peppermint; rose water or orange blossom water) in addition to their vanilla bean paste! My grandmother’s recipes utilize a lot of almond and lemon extracts, so I already had some in my pantry. I even had peppermint leftover from the holidays. I wasn’t sure how to use coffee or chocolate (although I’m greatly intrigued) but I knew I’d find plenty of uses for orange extract!

pacariTara made a beautiful vanilla bean glaze for her scones, but I saw an opportunity to use another product from a generous sponsor. Pacari sent a great selection of their chocolate products: dark chocolate covered golden berries, banana, and cacao nibs; cherry, passion fruit, and lemon verbena chocolate bars; and a sample of their raw 70% cacao. I used the latter to create a glaze that complimented these scones beautifully. I coated the tops of 5 of them, drizzled the chocolate over another 5, and the last two received a half-dip into the chocolate!

Vanilla Orange Scones

Ingredients for the scones:

  • 2 C flour
  • 1/3 C Dixie Crystals granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp cold butter, cubed
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 C milk
  • 1 tsp orange extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Ingredients for the glaze:

  • 1/2 C 70% cacao chips
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Steps for the scones:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor fitted with a dough blade and pulse to combine. Add in the cubed butter and pulse until a crumb-like texture is achieved.  (Alternately you can do this by hand, with knives, or a dough cutter.)
  3. In a small bowl whisk together the egg yolk, milk, orange extract, and vanilla bean paste.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the food processor and pulse until combined.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide the dough in half and form each half into a disk 3/4″ thick. Cut the dough into 6 wedges, giving you a total of a dozen scones.
  6. Place scones on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow scones to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Allow scones to cool completely before glazing.

Steps for the glaze:

  1. Melt chocolate, butter, and corn syrup over a double boiler.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
  3. Glaze cooled scones.

*The scone recipe is adapted from Tara at http://www.tarasmulticulturaltable.com/vanilla-orange-scones/ and the glaze is adapted from Ginger at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/satiny-chocolate-glaze/*

Vanilla Orange Scones for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and be sure to check out the other bloggers who posted more brunch recipes today:

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Blueberry Sangria from Love and Confections
Spring-Infused Lemon Drop from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Bloody Margarita from The Suburban Soapbox

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Caramelized Onion, Swiss Chard, Mushroom and Alpine Cheddar Croissant Strata from Taste Cook Sip.
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict from The Redhead Baker.
Fried Eggs with Kale and Mushrooms from Hip Foodie Mom.
Chimichurri Breakfast Sandwich from Healthy Delicious.
Asparagus, Brie and Smoked Salmon Omelet from girlichef.
Braised Leeks with Poached Eggs from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Savory Pancetta and Cheddar Waffles from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Avocado Toast Bar from Sarcastic Cooking.
Mocha Nut Granola from greens & chocolate.
Chocolate Hazelnut Croissants with Bourbon Sauce from {i love} my disorganized life.
Berry Cacao Nib Scone Cakes from The Spiffy Cookie
Spiced Pear Oatmeal from Making Miracles.
Overnight Cinnamon Bread French Toast from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Nutty Chocolatey Oatmeal Muffins from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Vanilla Orange Scones from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
Sour Cream and Dark Chocolate Oat Bread from Bread Booze Bacon.
Cherry Vanilla Almond Granola from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins from My Catholic Kitchen.
Macadamia Nut Crusted French Toast with Spiced Pineapple Syrup from Cooking in Stilettos.
Maple Cinnamon Scones from Pink Cake Plate

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Breakfast Wraps from Big Bear’s Wife.
Brunch Charcuterie Cheese Board from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Whipped Yogurt and Ricotta with Figs and Honey from Take A Bite Out of Boca.
Gluten Free Swiss Chard and Mushroom Galette from It Bakes Me Happy.

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Mini Creamsicle Bundt Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze from It’s Yummi.
Lemon Bars from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Chocolate Walnut Macarons with Salted Caramel from Baking a Moment.

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own.

#BrunchWeek: The Giveaway

BrunchWeek 2015 Logo

Welcome to the third annual #BrunchWeek! This event, hosted by Terri of Love and Confections and Shaina of Take a Bite out of Boca, runs May 4 – May 9. We have 30 bloggers with over 120 recipes scheduled to inspire your next brunch. With six different categories (drinks, eggs, breads and grains, fruits and veggies, meats, and desserts) you’re sure to find the perfect dish to add to your next brunch (don’t forget, Mother’s Day is Sunday)!

But before we begin, we’d like to give a Huge “Thank You” to our sponsors! Our amazing Sponsors have donated some great prizes for the #BrunchWeek giveaway. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have 12 incredible giveaways below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about them all and what you can possibly win and then follow the Rafflecopter link at the end of this post to enter.

Our #BrunchWeek Sponsors and Prize Packages

Prize #1: Bob’s Red Mill is giving one winner a Pie Plate, Gluten-Free Oats, Gluten-Free Pie Crust Mix, Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and a Bob’s Red Mill Flour Sack Towel.

Collage Bobs Red MillAbout Bob’s Red Mill: Trust, honesty and integrity. The three principles their business is built on. Their packaging is a great example of this commitment: clear bags that let you see the high quality of every one of their products. By producing the very best in whole grain foods, they are able to fulfill their commitment to help look after more and more people through better nutrition.

Prize #2: Cabot Cheese is giving one winner a Gift Box with a selection of Cabot Cheeses as well as a Cheese Board and Knife.

Collage CabotAbout Cabot Cheese: Cabot blends state-of-the-art facilities and a savvy entrepreneurial spirit, with the timeless values a personal commitment to quality that comes from being 100% owned by their farm families. Cabot is a cooperative owned and operated by their members, dairy farmers and their families throughout New England and Upstate New York. Cabot products include Cheese, Yogurt, Dips, Butter and Whipped Cream.

Prize #3: Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Wilton Master Tip Decorating Kit along with a 4lb bag of Granulated Sugar, 2lb bag of Powdered Sugar and 2lb bag of Light Brown Sugar.

Collage Dixie CrystalsAbout Dixie Crystals: Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Our pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.

Prize #4: California Walnuts is giving one winner a Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in white.

Collage CA WalnutAbout California Walnuts: The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The board is funded by mandatory assessment of the handers and the California Walnut Commission, established in 1987 is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. More than 99% of the walnuts in U.S. are grown in the fertile soils of California’s Central Valley. Internationally, California walnuts supply three-quarters of the world’s walnut trade. Sustainability is important to the California walnut industry. The California Walnut Board has supported sustainable growing practices through its production research program for over 20 years.

Prize #5: Le Creuset is giving one winner a set of their new Revolution® Bi-Material Utensils. The pliable combination of flexible silicone and rigid glass-filled nylon allows Revolution cooking utensils to conform to the edges of pots and pans, making it easy to stir, scoop and serve your favorite chili recipe to family and friends.

Collage Le CreusetAbout Le Creuset: Respect for tradition and authenticity has been Le Creuset’s guiding principle since 1925, yet our innovative designs and exceptional quality ensure that we remain relevant today. The Le Creuset signature color, Flame, was born in this first piece. With their new ability to pigment the enamel glaze, Desaegher and Aubecq modeled their first color after the intense orange hue of molten cast iron inside a cauldron (“creuset” in French). We still manufacture our cast iron in the original foundry, with each piece passing through the hands of 15 skilled artisans to ensure flawless perfection. With the consistent qualities of authenticity, originality and innovation, Le Creuset maintains a connection to both heritage and modernity.

Prize #6: KitchenAid is giving one winner a Maximum Extraction Juicer. The KitchenAid® Maximum Extraction Juicer (slow juicer) gives you more juice with less prep work, featuring a patented two-stage blade and auger system and wide chute. This juicer also comes with 3 pulp screens for low pulp, high pulp and sauces. Perfect for hard, soft or leafy fruits and vegetables.

Collage KitchenAidAbout KitchenAid: In 1919 our iconic Stand Mixer was born. And from that stemmed an entire kitchen of high-performance appliances-all created with the same attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, versatile technology and timeless design. As the only appliance brand that only makes things for the kitchen, we continue to keep pushing the limits with our products so you can keep doing the same with everything you create. So, here’s to you, your kitchen and the delicious world that surrounds us all.

Prize #7: Nielsen-Massey is giving one winner 2-oz bottles of their entire line of flavor extracts: Pure Almond Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Rose Water and Orange Blossom Water

Collage Nielsen-MasseyAbout Nielsen-Massey: Nielsen-Massey has been crafting world-class vanillas and flavors since 1907. It is still a family owned business today and focuses on quality and its customers. Nielsen-Massey uses a cold extraction process for making its vanillas, which preserves more than 300 distinctive flavor compounds present in vanilla beans. Nielsen-Massey product can be purchased at Williams-Sonoma and all of their products are gluten-free, allergen-free, GMO-free and Kosher. Nielsen-Massey also has a line of organic vanillas available as well.

Prize #8: Pacari Premium Organic Chocolate is giving one winner a gift box which includes: 8 bars (3 Single Region Bars, 1 Raw 70% (multi-award winner), 4 Andean Flavors Collection Bars (Salt and Nibs, Lemongrass (award winner), Merken and Andean Blueberry, 2 chocolate covered boxes: 1 Banana and 1 Goldenberries (award winner), and Dry Cacao Beans.

Collage PacariAbout Pacari Chocolate: Pacari Chocolate is a line of premium organic chocolate and is the first single-origin organic chocolate entirely made in Ecuador. We carefully select the finest ingredients and work in small batches in order to bring you an unforgettable chocolate experience. All of the ingredients are 100% organic and produced according to fair and equitable standards. Each of our single-region, raw and specialty chocolate products is crafted to maintain the complex flavor profile of the Arriba Nacional cacao bean. We partner directly with over 3000 small-scale cacao growers to preserve their traditional way of farming, thereby safeguarding the biodiversity of cacao in Ecuador. We undertake a number or sustainability programs for the benefit of the cacao-growing communities with which we work. The founders and owners are a young couple that around 10 years ago started with a vision of making the best organic chocolate at the source of the best cacao in the world and paying the farmers that grow it twice market prices.

Prize #9: Stonyfield Organic is giving one winner a Shirt, $40 in coupons, Cookbook, Mason Jar and Measuring Cups.

Collage StonyfieldAbout Stonyfield Organic: Back in 1983, our co-founders Samuel Kaymen and Gary Hirshberg were running a nonprofit organic farming school on a small New Hampshire farm. They were on a mission to help family farms survive, keep food and food production healthy, and help protect the environment. They began selling yogurt made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The yogurt was a hit and Samuel and Gary realized that a successful organic company could make a bigger difference for family farms, people and the planet than their school could. Today, our organic yogurts, smoothies, soy yogurts, frozen yogurts, milk and cream are sold in supermarkets, natural food stores and colleges across the country. And we make all of it without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics or GMOs. We’re still located right here in New Hampshire—about 30 miles east of the old farm—but now our organic ingredient purchases support a huge network of food producers made up of hundreds of organic family farms, thousands of organic cows, and over 200,000 organic acres. We’ve also pioneered planet-friendly business practices—from offsetting our yogurt works’ emissions, to making yogurt cups from plants instead of petroleum, to making our own renewable energy, and much more. Our old organic farming school is just a memory. But the thought and passion that started it in the first place have only grown stronger, and we’ve never stopped working for healthy food, healthy people and a healthy planet.

Prize #10: Woot Froot is giving one winner a Cuisinart Griddle Panini and Sandwich Maker, a Hamilton Beach Smoothie Blender and fresh Woot Froot. Peaches, pears, nectarines and grapes are the perfect addition to almost any meal to help jazz up your routine dishes and flavors—whether it’s in a pear, ham and grilled cheese Panini, nectarine margarita or grilled peaches or just a plain old snack. But to get you cooking these kitchen appliances will help you get a head start on your dinner menus! We’ll even throw in some Woot Froot packages too! #WootWoot

Collage Woot FrootAbout Woot Froot: The story of Woot Froot began 25 years ago, when owner Kim Gaarde (Mama Woot) was growing and selling nearly every variety of peach and nectarine to places near and far. But that all changed when 10 years ago, she wondered why no one had started selling fresh cut peaches and nectarines. After many years of research, trial and error – not to mention naysayers, Woot Froot freshly sliced peaches and nectarines was finally created! Over 500 varieties of peaches were tested for flavor and texture to ensure that you received that “bite right flavor”! In fact, many people believe the softness equates ripeness.  Not true at all. We have a special formula that is just the right firmness and brix (sugar) to get great consistent flavor without getting puree in a bag. Woot Froot is a woman-owned, family business. Along with peaches and nectarines, Woot Froot also offers freshly sliced pears and de-stemmed red grapes year round!  Peaches and nectarines are available June – October while in season. Woot Froot sliced peaches and nectarines will stay ready to eat for a whopping 21 days in your fridge! And even better, they use all natural ingredients and preservatives to ensure that your fruit stays flavorful and fresh from day 1 to day 18.

Prize #11: Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic and True Juice is giving one winner a Ninja Professional Blender with food processor and single serve blender, assortment of True Organic Juice Blends, and a package of Grimmway Carrots and Cal-Organic veggies. Grimmway carrots and Cal-Organic veggies are enjoyed fresh and whole, or as part of a delicious smoothie – which is why we thought you’d love the Ninja blender to help you make some! Don’t trust your own culinary skills to make your own juices and smoothies?! We decided to throw in some of our own True Juices for you to try as well!

Collage Grimmway Cal-Organic True JuiceAbout Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic & True Juice: The story of Grimmway began in 1968, when brothers Rod and Bob Grimm set up a roadside produce stand and planted the seed that would blossom into today’s Grimmway Farms. Grimmway Farms began growing carrots back in 1971! Today, Grimmway Farms has become the largest grower, producer and shipper of carrots in the world! Not only does Grimmway Farms play a part in every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks—but they also play an essential part in the health of growing children and active adults. Bringing Grimmway home to your family means bringing home the best in produce and the best for their health! Join Grimmway’s Twitter parties and conversations by following the hashtag #JustCrunchEm! Sustainability is in our DNA. From using all parts of the carrot, having a full organic line and using our own veggies to make juice, we believe taking care of the environment is part of taking care of you. Cal-Organic Farms is a large part of our farm where we grow over 40 fruits and veggies from kale and potatoes to blueberries and watermelons. True Juice is just that – juice that’s truly organic, sustainably grown, and delicious with products from our own farms. Although the flavor names might be hard to pronounce, they’re full of simple ingredients – like Bananaberry Crush with strawberries, kiwi, banana, beets, carrots and apples! Try all of our great flavors – BananaBerry Crush, Pure Carrot, Wild Berry Blend, Bunched Greens, Blended Blue and Tropical Mango.

Prize #12: Vidalia Onions is giving one winner an OXO SoftWorks Handheld Mandoline Slicer, Vidalia Sweet Onion Cookers, Vollrath 8″ Stainless Steel Non-stick Fry Pan, Weber Style Grill Vegetable Basket and fresh Vidalia Onions. Since Vidalia onions are such a versatile item to cook with, we thought setting you up with a few appliances to help explore different cooking styles would be a perfect way to introduce you to Vidalia onions! Slice them, dice them, cook them, sauté them or grill them – any way is delicious! We’ll even throw in a bag of Vidalia’s for you to get cooking with!

Collage Vidalia OnionsAbout Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions are unique to a very small region. In fact, they only grow in 13 counties in Georgia! Vidalia onions were discovered back in 1930’s, and just like back then, they are still planted, transplanted and harvested all by hand! Vidalia onions are grown during the winter months, and are only available in stores between April and September, making them a true seasonal specialty! In 1990, Vidalia onions became the official state vegetable of Georgia! Vidalia onions are a great source of Vitamin C, and are also fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free! In order to grow great tasting Vidalias, and to give them their characteristic sweetness, they must be grown in a sandy soil mixture that is low in sulfur (sulfur in soil is what gives onions their hotness). Each year, approximately 5-million, 40-pound boxes are shipped out around the country. Now that’s a lot of onions!

Our #BrunchWeek Bloggers

A Day in the Life on the Farm
Baking a Moment
Big Bear’s Wife
Bread Booze Bacon
Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Cooking in Stilettos
Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Cupcakes & Kale Chips
girlichef
Greens & Chocolate
Healthy Delicious
Hip Foodie Mom
{i love} my disorganized life
It Bakes Me Happy
It’s Yummi
Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Love and Confections
Making Miracles
My Catholic Kitchen
Pink Cake Plate
Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine
Sarcastic Cooking
Sew You Think You Can Cook
Take a Bite Out of Boca 
Taste Cook Sip
That Skinny Chick Can Bake
The Little Ferraro Kitchen
The Redhead Baker
The Spiffy Cookie
The Suburban Soapbox

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The #BrunchWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up only. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Twelve winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #BrunchWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

 

A Spring Time Potluck Party

When we moved to Ohio my neighbor told me about a group of gals who get together once a month for a potluck. As soon as we were settled in I knew I had to go with her to one of these events. And I’m so glad I did – I’ve made many friends through this group and there’s always someone new to meet.

The person who organized this club moved at the end of March and I have since taken over the organization. We always host the event at one of the neighborhood clubhouses so all I have to do is bring the collection of plates, cups, and bowls and make sure the clubhouse is cleaned up when we’re done. But the fun part is getting to be the one to pick the theme for the month’s potluck!

A Spring Time Potluck

For April we did Spring. We had such a vibrant and colorful display of food. Here are just some of the recipes from the night:

  • Mango Black Bean Salad: 2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed), 2 mangoes (diced), 1 red bell pepper (diced), 1 bunch scallions (sliced), 1/2 C chopped cilantro, 1 jalapeno (minced), 1/2 C red wine vinegar, zest and juice 1 orange, zest and juice 1 lime.
  • Creamy Cucumber Salad: 1 cucumber (thinly sliced), 1 tsp salt – laid flat and then patted dry after an hour. 1 tbsp sour cream, 1 tsp minced onion, 1 tsp chopped dill, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar – combine and refrigerate for an hour before tossing with prepared cucumber slices.
  • Pineapple Fried Rice: I don’t know if she used my recipe but it was very similar – https://sewyoucancook.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/pineapple-fried-rice/
  • Spinach and Strawberry Salad: 4 C baby spinach, 1 pint strawberries (sliced), 1/2 oz sliced almonds – for the salad. 1/4 C sugar, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 C red wine vinegar, 1/2 C EVOO – for the dressing.
  • Fruit Salsa: 32 oz strawberries (diced), 8 oz raspberries, 3 kiwis (chopped), 1 golden apple (diced), 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp fruit jelly.
  • Lemon Squares: 2 C flour, 1 C butter, 1/2 C powdered sugar – whisked and pressed in 9×13″ pan, 20 minutes @ 325deg. 4 eggs, 4 tbsp flour, 4 tbsp lemon juice, 2 C sugar – place on crust, 20 minutes @ 325deg.
  • Chocolate Cheesecake Filled Peanut Butter Bundt Cakehttps://sewyoucancook.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/bundtbakers-hidden-surprise/

I was caught up in making sure I had everything needed for hosting my first potluck that I forgot my camera! A big thank you to my friend Emily for remembering to take some pictures. So, I’d like to give her a little shout out – Emily is a very talented crafter and has started her own blog, Emmy’s Crafty Corner! Please go check it out, I promise you you’ll find something unique!

Next week we’re throwing a Cinco de Mayo party – and I couldn’t be more excited! Stay tuned next time for a round up of Mexican favorites, even if it’ll be after the holiday.

Carrot Risotto

If you’ve been following me on Instagram you might have noticed a lot of “sneak peak” photographs utilizing some sponsored item. All of those goodies will be shared for #BrunchWeek which starts next Monday. I am so excited!

One of our generous sponsors is Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice Family. A beautiful box of fresh organic produce and juices arrived on my doorstep. The kale and radishes will be utilized next week. The baby carrots have been a perfect healthy afternoon snack – reminding me how much I enjoy carrots! Cal-Organic also sent a bag of Colorshred carrots. The beautiful bag of carrot confetti was used to create a colorful spring time risotto.

We grilled up some chicken to serve alongside this side dish. As a side dish, the recipe below will serve four people. My little man really enjoyed this risotto and even had some of the leftovers for lunch the next day. Look who’s coming around to carrots after all!

Carrot Risotto

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil, divided use
  • 1 tbsp butter, divided use
  • 1 1/2 C shredded carrots
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 red onion, diced
  • 1 C arborio rice
  • 1/4 C white wine
  • 3 – 4 C chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp ricotta cheese
  • 2 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 tsp parsley

Steps:

  1. In a dutch oven over medium-high heat melt half of the butter and half of the oil. Add the shredded carrots with 1/4 C water, salt, and the sugar. Cover and cook for five minutes. Uncover and allow to cook until the liquid is evaporated. Remove from pot and set aside.
  2. Bring stock to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. In the dutch oven melt the remaining butter and oil. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the arborio rice, stir to coat, and cook about one minute. Deglaze with white wine.
  4. Once the wine is absorbed add the warm stock a ladleful at a time, stirring, waiting for liquid to be absorbed before adding more. Continue cooking this way until the rice is creamy and tender, about 20 minutes.
  5. Stir in the carrots, ricotta, Parmesan, and parsley. Season to taste with S+P. If needed, thin the risotto with additional stock.

*This recipe is adapted from Debi at http://lifecurrents.dw2.net/spring-and-caramelized-carrot-risotto/*

Carrot Risotto | Sew You Think You Can Cook

Disclaimer: I was provided a bag of Colorshred carrots and other produce through #BrunchWeek, however all opinions and statements are my own.

SRC: Gnocchi with Sweet Potato in Garlic Cream Sauce

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 the blog Food Baby Life written by Susan. Susan blogs all the way from Australia! (No wonder I stumbled upon ingredients I’d never heard of!) Susan has three boys who are growing up in a happy home with some healthy food. Susan has decided to cut most processed foods out of their diet and opts to make as much as she can from scratch and uses alternative sweeteners in place of sugar.

I have to say, I found and made my recipe for today’s reveal within the week of being assigned Susan’s blog. I don’t think I’ve every accomplished a task so quickly. Trust me, with a very busy almost 10-month-old son who is on the move, very curious, and highly interested in eating paper, I’ve been feeling very “scrambled” when it comes to my blog. I’m always frantically typing up posts, replying to comments, and visiting blogs during his short naps. And most nights I find myself crawling into bed after he falls asleep (he has a late “bedtime”).

So, I knew I didn’t want to let my SRC assignment fall into neglect. I was intrigued by Cornmeal and Fruit Loaf, tempted by Oat Pancakes with Strawberries, and inclined to try her Healthy Bread.

I ultimately went with a hearty meatless meal which I served on Good Friday. Stuart and I really like gnocchi but very rarely eat it. I am always a sucker for a creamy sauce. And sweet potato is a favorite of not only my husband, but my little man, too. Mushrooms aren’t my favorite and I tend to pick around them, but my brother was in town for the Easter holiday and he and Stuart enjoy them. (Recent discovery indicates that my son also likes mushrooms.) I figured I couldn’t go wrong with this dish although I had an inkling that I’d be wanting bacon in it. Fun fact: it doesn’t need the bacon, although I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt.

This recipe makes 6 servings and can easily be halved if desired.

Gnocchi with Sweet Potato in Garlic Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 large sweet potato, cut into bite sized cubes
  • ~1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 pkgs (16 oz) gnocchi
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 pkg (8 oz) mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 3/4 C heavy cream
  • 1/2 C shredded Parmesan

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss sweet potato in olive oil, season with S+P. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, or until tender.
  2. In a large, high-sided skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms until onions are translucent and mushrooms browned. Add the cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and season to taste with S+P.
  3. Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain and add to the sauce along with Parmesan and sweet potatoes.
  4. Serve with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

*This recipe is adapted from Susan at http://www.foodbabylife.com/2012/03/meatless-monday-gnocchi-with-roasted.html*

gnocchi with sweet potato in garlic cream sauce | sew you think you can cook

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