biscuits

#BrunchWeek: Biscuit Bar with Flavored Sugars

~ lk529 ~ 12 Comments

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BrunchWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #Brunchweek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Happy Friday, everyone!

While there’s one more day left of #BrunchWeek, today’s my last posting of the event. I hope you’ve enjoyed all of our brunch recipes and are ready for celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend.

I don’t think #BrunchWeek could be complete without biscuits. At least not a good southern brunch anyway.

In 2015 I made Cheddar Biscuits for breakfast sandwiches during #BrunchWeek, so it was time to go in a sweeter direction.

A biscuit bar with flavored sugars.

If you’re having a brunch party, a biscuit bar is the perfect way to go. You can use any biscuit recipe you like! Offer some classic biscuits, sweet biscuits, and savory biscuits. Offer honey, softened butter, and jams. And offer flavored sugars. (Those sugars can also be turned into party favors!)

Flavored Sugars for a Biscuit Bar for #BrunchWeek from Sew You Think You Can Cook

For my first foray into flavored sugar making I went with Lavender, Blood Orange, and for a little something different, Chile Lime.

These sugars are great on more than just buttered biscuits. They’re lovely on English muffins and French toast.

I actually used the chili lime sugar the last time I made my favorite black bean and corn salsa for tacos in place of agave.

Biscuits

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In a food processor fitted with the dough blade, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Pulse. Add in the cold butter and pulse until the mixture looks like crumbs. Add in the milk and mix until just combined.
  3. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Roll to 1″ thickness. Cut out biscuits using a biscuit cutter and place on a silicone mat lined cookie sheet.
  4. Bake 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden.

*This recipe is adapted from Damaris at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/damaris-phillips/spiced-biscuits*

Lavender Sugar

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Place sugar and lavender in a small food processor and pulse.
  2. Store in an air tight container.

*This recipe is adapted from Rita at http://www.food.com/recipe/lavender-sugar-with-vanilla-101039*

Blood Orange Sugar

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Place sugar and orange zest in a small food processor and pulse.
  2. Spread sugar onto a rimmed baking sheet and let dry.
  3. Store in an air tight container.

*This recipe is adapted from Gabrielle at https://www.designmom.com/diy-flavored-sugar-valentines/*

Chile Lime Sugar

Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Place ingredients in a small food processor and pulse.
  2. Spread sugar onto a rimmed baking sheet and let dry.
  3. Store in an air tight container.

*This recipe is adapted from Sommer at http://www.aspicyperspective.com/flavored-sugar-recipes/2/*

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway and be sure to check out these other great brunch recipes:

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BrunchWeek Beverages:

Blackberry Mint Bellinis from Sweet Beginnings
Cardamom Rose Cocktail from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Lemon & Blueberry Mocktail from Girl Abroad
Mango Pina Colada from The Spiffy Cookie
Sparkling Mojito Lime Rickies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:

Cheesy Asparagus Bacon Quiche from The Nifty Foodie
Creamed Asparagus Omelet from Wholistic Woman
Eggs in Hell from kimchi MOM
Asparagus and Cheddar Frittata from My Catholic Kitchen
Spring Veggie Quiche from A Day in the Life on the Farm

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:

Apple Cheddar Cream Cheese Danish from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Apple Cinnamon Bread from It Bakes Me Happy
Gluten Free Apple Waffles from Gluten Free Crumbley
Banana Bread Buttermilk Pancakes from Love and Confections
Blackberry Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls from Pink Cake Plate
Brown Sugar Poptarts from Big Bear’s Wife
Creme Brulee French Toast from The Barbee Housewife
Cherry Almond Coffee Cake from The Chef Next Door
Cheddar Dinner Rolls from Family Around the Table
Cinnamon Apple Danish from Nik Snacks
Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake from Books n’ Cooks
Mocha Eclairs from The Redhead Baker
Sweet Apple Hand Pies with Cheddar Shortcrust from An Edible Mosaic

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:

Country Ham Biscuits with Peach Mustard from Palatable Pastime
Ham, Apple and Cheddar Melts from Cookaholic Wife
Ham, Egg, and Asparagus Breakfast Pizza Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Shaved Asparagus, Herb Cream Cheese, and Smoked Salmon Pizza from Sarcastic Cooking
Yumbo Sliders from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:

Rhubarb Crunch from Cooking with Carlee
Biscuit Bar with Flavored Sugars from Sew You Think You Can Cook
Low-Fat Apple Coffee Cake from Hardly A Goddess

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Red Star Yeast, Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Nielsen-Massey, Rainier Fruit, and Michigan Asparagus for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #BrunchWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. 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. Six 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. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or any other social channel mentioned in the #Brunchweek posts or entry.

Book Club Potluck Party

~ lk529 ~ 4 Comments

To go with a “back to school” vibe for our Recipe Club gathering I thought it would be fun to bring a dish inspired by a book.

I actually got the idea from my mom. My mom is in a book club and the members all take turns hosting. Whenever it’s my mom’s turn to host she comes to me for ideas – not that I read the books.

For my contribution I obviously had to go with a Harry Potter inspired dish! For my birthday one year I received The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook and the time had come to break it out!

Cornish Pasties jumped out at me as the perfect option. The only problem was the time commitment required for preparation. Mainly because the weekend before we were going to be out of town visiting my brother. I decided on making the pasties before we left and freezing them. Then all I’d have to do on Recipe Club day would be to bake them. Unfortunately, my pastry dough was a big fail. I froze the filling to deal with when we returned from vacation. The “no time” solution was to put it in a pre-made pie crust and serve one big Cornish Pasty Pie. I’m happy to say this variation was still a success! Unfortunately it didn’t make for the prettiest entree as freezing the potatoes turned them brown, but the flavor and texture was still there.

Scroll past my recipe for a list of the other literary inspired recipes that completed our meal! (Yes, we actually had a complete meal this time, unlike our 5 ingredients or less potluck.)

This recipe makes 2 pies. You can freeze one of them for a later date.

Cornish Pasty Pie

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chuck steak, finely diced
  • 2 Russet potatoes, peeled and finely diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 4 frozen pie crust shells

Steps:

  1. In a large bowl combine beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion. Season liberally with S+P.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Thaw pie crust according to package directions, allowing 2 of them to flatten to be turned into the top of the pie.
  3. Fill two of the pie crusts with half of the Cornish pasty filling each. Top with the flattened pie crust and cut slits in the top. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
  4. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and bake 1 hour. Uncover pies and bake another 5-10 minutes, until golden.

*This recipe is adapted from The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook*

Recipes Inspired by Literature | Sew You Think You Can CookHere are the other recipes brought to the book club potluck:

  • Pumpkin Juice (inspired by Harry Potter):
    http://foodinliterature.com/food-in-literature/2014/05/copycat-harry-potter-pumpkin-juice-recipe.html – with the following changes: 1/2 C apricot preserves instead of apricot nectar and none of the sugar.
  • Biscuits (inspired by Becoming Lady Lockwood):
    http://www.bhg.com/recipe/quickbreads/biscuits-supreme/
  • Ham & Cheese Quiche (inspired by Green Eggs and Ham): Beat 4 eggs with 1 C heavy cream and 1 C milk, season with S+P, pour into a baked pie crust; add feta cheese, diced ham, and chopped asparagus; top with shredded cheddar cheese; bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F.
  • Aloo Matar (inspired by The Namesake)
  • Brockhall Badger Carrot Cakes (inspired by Redwall): Combine 3/4 C mashed potato with 6 oz grated carrot, 6 oz grated onion, 1/2 C bread crumbs, and 2 tsp fresh parsley; drop spoonfuls of the mixture into a frying pan with a little oil and cook on both sides for 3-4 minutes.
  • Layered Raspberry Yogurt Parfaits (inspired by The Cat in the Hat)
  • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (inspired by If You Give a Mouse a Cookie): Beat 1/2 C + 6 tbsp butter with 3/4 C brown sugar and 1/2 C sugar; add 2 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla; in a bowl whisk together 1 1/2 C flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt and add to butter; mix in 3 C old-fashioned oats and 1 C chocolate chips; bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

#BrunchWeek: Bacon and Egg Sandwiches on Cheddar Biscuits

~ lk529 ~ 5 Comments

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:

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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.

Beet Biscuits

~ lk529 ~ 5 Comments

My neighbor gave me a mega massive beet from her local produce box. She said they were being over taken by beets and asked if I’d like one. I’d only ever used beets once before, for August’s Crazy Ingredient Challenge, and we really enjoyed them. This one beet provided the same amount of food as 2 of the beets purchased at the grocery store. Seriously, huge!

I stumbled upon this idea when searching for a dinner recipe to use some of the sweet potatoes my husband brought home from a grocery run. (He is king of straying from the list) A quick Food Network search revealed Paula Deen’s recipe for Sweet Potato Biscuits.

Then I saw the beet on the counter staring at me, begging to be used. I figured, why not!?

I’ve never made biscuits before. I’ve never seen or heard of beet biscuits. But who’s to say I can’t do it?!

I couldn’t remember ever being this happy after a recipe success.

And as an added bonus – they’re pink! Stuart pointed out that they fit with Breast Cancer Awareness month, so rush to the computer to create a blog post I did!

Beet Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 1 beet
  • 1/2 C whole milk
  • 1 1/2 C flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Wash the beet and wrap in foil. Roast beet for 50-60 minutes, until fork tender. When cool enough to touch peel, cube, and place in a food processor. Puree the beet and add a few tablespoons of the milk until the beet reaches an almost smooth texture.
  3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  4. In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Place in a large bowl.
  5. Fold the pureed beet into the flour mixture. Add in the remaining milk.
  6. Knead dough on a floured surface. Add extra flour if needed. Press to 1/2″ thick. Cut dough into 9 square biscuits and place on a greased baking sheet. (Or, if you’re fancy, use a 2 1/2″ round biscuit cutter.)
  7. Bake 12-14 minutes until firm to the touch.

*This recipe is adapted from Paula at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/fluffy-sweet-potato-biscuits-recipe.html *

Beet Biscuits

Chorizo Gravy

~ lk529 ~ 2 Comments

Once upon a time, in our first year of marriage, Stuart was craving a Southern classic: White Sausage Gravy and Biscuits. But I didn’t have any traditional sausage. I did the best I could with what I had – chorizo. It wasn’t technically a white gravy anymore, but it was pretty awesome!

Last week’s Mexican Monday (tomorrow’s post) involved chorizo so I had some leftover and decided to remake this gravy.

The seasonings in the chorizo give the gravy a light orange color and adds tons of extra flavor. Most sausage gravies have a lot of pepper in them, but I don’t add any additional seasonings – the pork takes care of that for me.

Chorizo Gravy

Ingredients:

  • 3 links Mexican chorizo, casings removed
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 C 2% milk

Steps

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, brown chorizo, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Once cooked through, use a slotted spoon to remove the chorizo and put on a paper towel lined plate.
  2. Using the fat in the pot, make a rue with 2 tbsp flour. Whisk.
  3. Whisk in milk. Continue to stir over medium-low heat until milk thickens into a gravy – about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in cooked chorizo and serve atop biscuits.

Chroizo Gravy 3

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