Oatmeal (Bourbon) Scotch-Scotch-Scotchies
Posted: December 16, 2014 Filed under: Confessions, Entertaining, Food, Holidays, Recipe | Tags: bourbon, butterscotch, Christmas cookie, coconut sugar, cookies, oatmeal scotchies, recipe Leave a commentOh hey… we’re doing another recipe post… That’s okay, right?
As I mentioned yesterday, Farmer Ben and I did some baking on Sunday!
I realize that I am going to lose almost all of my “healthy baking” street cred by admitting this… but one of the best cookies I make is the oatmeal scotchie… You know, with those artificial-everything-butterscotch chips? Yeah, those… I only make these cookies a few times a year, but when I do, they are a huge hit. I’ve tried to track down a better butterscotch chip, but have you seen the price on some of the alternatives?! Woof! No thank you. Any suggestions on a better brand that isn’t $100/lb?
Anyway, because I’m already using something unhealthy, I’ve made a few tweaks to the classic recipe.
1. Whole wheat flour
2. Less sugar/all brown-sugar. 2a. Coconut sugar-it’s got a lower glycemic index than regular sugar and trace minerals (just make sure no one has an allergy if you bring these to a party).
3. Flax seed meal. It adds a layer of nutty-ness.
4. Bourbon… not healthy, but doesn’t bourbon make everything better?
Again, these are pretty tasty. And, because the recipe yields around 4 dozen cookies (depending on size), they are great for a crowd (I usually keep a secret stash at home for Farmer Ben). No, these are not the prettiest cookies… but once people taste them, it’s tough to stay away.
Farmer Ben struck again....
Oatmeal (Bourbon) Scotch-Scotch-Scotchies
Adapted from the Nestle Butterscotch Chip Bag.
What You’ll Need:
· 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
· 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
· 2 Tbsp. flax seed meal
· A pinch of salt
· ½ tsp. cinnamon
· 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
· 1 tsp. baking soda
· 2 sticks butter, softened
· 1 scant cup coconut sugar
· 2 large eggs
· 1 tsp. Vanilla
· ¼ cup bourbon
· 3 cups oats
· 1 package (11 oz) Butterscotch Chips
What to do:
· Preheat oven to 375 degrees. *
· Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
· In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar (I use a pastry blender, but can also be done with a mixer).
· Stir in eggs, vanilla and bourbon (I switch to a rubber spatula at this point).
· Slowly stir in your flour mixture.
· Mix in oats and butterscotch chips.
· For a super bourbon taste, cover mixing bowl and place in fridge for a few hours (*if doing this, wait to preheat your oven).
· Spoon dough onto un-greased cookie sheets and bake for approximately 9 minutes, 11 minutes if you like a crisper cookie.
Enjoy!
What’s your favorite Christmas Cookie?
Carrot Pear Muffins
Posted: December 15, 2014 Filed under: Food, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Local Food, Recipe | Tags: healthy recipe. easy recipe. one bowl, muffins, recipe, siggis 3 CommentsHi Friends! Happy Monday!
I don’t know about you, but all of the sweets hanging around the office are really starting to catch up with me. That being said, Farmer Ben and I had a day off together yesterday and decided to do… a lot of baking. Typical
After making some boozey cookies, I wanted to make something quasi-healthy. We had some yogurt and a pear in the fridge that we had forgotten about, so I perused the internet to find a recipe that I wouldn’t feel guilty while baking eating.
I ended up using this recipe… kind of (I am really bad at following directions). I am also super lazy and put all of the ingredients into one bowl. Yes, ONE bowl.
Note: These are NOT sweet muffins. They have some sweetness, but I would classify them as more of a breakfast on the run OR a snack, especially if you add a dollop of nut butter.
If you’d like them sweet, I would up the amount of maple syrup to 1/2 or 3/4 of a cup.
The siggi’s website has a lot of really great recipes, if you’re looking for something different, check them out!
Carrot-Pear Muffins with Skyr
What you’ll need:
About 2 Cups grated carrots (I threw mine in the ninja)
1/3 cup maple syrup (the REAL stuff, please!)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 splash vanilla extract
2 eggs
½ cup plain yogurt (I love siggis plain skyr)
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour
2 Tbs Flax seed meal
2 Tbs Hemp Seeds
1 tsp. cinnamon
¾ tsp. ground ginger
1 pinch sea salt
1 pear, chopped (an apple would also work well)
What to do:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners or grease really well.
In a large bowl, mix all of your wet ingredients (including carrots, excluding pear). Fold in your dry ingredients until well combined.
One bowl mixing
Mix in chopped pear (Note: the batter is going to be pretty thick, don’t worry).
Pour into prepared muffin tin.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean).
Let cool and enjoy!
What are you baking these days?
Disclaimer: I am a siggi’s Culture Club Ambassador, but all opinions, per usual, are my own.
Interested in being a siggi’s ambassador? Send me an email for some info.
Creamy Dreamy Dip
Posted: January 21, 2014 Filed under: Confessions, Entertaining, Food, Recipe | Tags: appetizer, blender, Cabot, cheddar cheese, cheese, cheese spread, Cream Cheese, Creamy Cheesy, easy recipe, organic valley, party food, recipe, spread Leave a commentHi Friends!
Happy Tuesday! I figured I’d stop in and share my latest obsession: Creamy Cheesy Dip/Spread (made in about 5 minutes with a blender). Seriously… I think I’ve made this dip about 5 times in the last month (3 times for social gatherings and 2 times just because I couldn’t stop thinking about it). I make it a little differently each time, but this way seems to be my favorite.
And if you have these ingredients… how can you go wrong, really?!
Three of my favorite things….
This is super easy to make and can be made with so many different flavor combinations… serve it with some sliced baguette, a good dip chip or some veggies… I’m also loving it as a spread on sandwiches.
Sorry for the lack of photos… but I didn’t think that blended cheese would photograph well.
Noelle’s Creamy Dreamy (cheesy) Dip:
*adapted from a cream cheese box–I can’t find it on the Organic Valley website or I would link it for you.*
- 1 package cream cheese, softened.
- 1 (8 oz) brick cheddar cheese (I am a big fan of Cabot Extra Sharp)
- 8 oz. Plain Greek Yogurt/Sour Cream
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 tsp. onion powder or chives.
- 2-3 tsp. smoky paprika
- a pinch of sea salt
- a few good cranks of black pepper
- Juice of half a lemon (optional)
Grate your cheddar cheese.
Add all ingredients into food processor/blender–EXCEPT your cream cheese and lemon juice. Pulse until everything is chopped/well combined.
Add in remaining ingredients and pulse for a few more minutes until everything is incorporated.
Scrape into a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for an hour or so before serving–this allows the flavors to really come together.
Want to add in some veggies? Throw in some broccoli, spinach or kale.
This dip is real good. Please try it!
Scenes from a Long Weekend-Part II: Garden Eats
Posted: September 4, 2013 Filed under: Entertaining, Food, Gardening, Holidays, Local Food, Recipe | Tags: bruschetta, cooking, dinner, easy recipe, Food, gardening, goat cheese, healthy-living, local food, recipe, saranac lake, summer food, tomato bruschetta, vegetables, vegetarian, veggies 2 CommentsIn my last post, Dad, Eileen, Gary and I were in Saranac Lake getting our local food on… I managed to pick up a few goodies….
My new addiction…
I have a weakness for goat cheese….
After bringing Farmer Ben a surprise coffee, I took Gary and my Dad for a long walk on a bike path by the lake. It was hot…and sticky.
I then rushed home to clean-up and make some more delicious eats….
Here is what I whipped up….
Avocado-Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta… under a mountain of parmesan
What you’ll need:
- 1 baguette…preferably local
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for drizzling on bread
- 2 large tomatoes (or 3-4 small-medium)
- 15 fresh basil leaves (approximately)
- 1 tbsp. or a splash of balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
- 1 avocado
What to do:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Mince garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic. Stir…cook garlic until it softens-do NOT let burn. This won’t take long. Pour garlic and oil into a metal mixing bowl and set aside.
- Chop/dice tomatoes (this will be depend on how big you want your chunks to be–side note: chunks is not an appetizing word.) Add to mixing bowl with garlic and oil.
- Also, if you don’t want soupy bruschetta, drain some of the juices before adding to bowl.
- Chop basil. (tip: stack some leaves on top of each other, roll them length-wise and slice into thin strips) Add to mixing bowl.
- Add in remaining balsamic, salt and pepper and stir. Set aside
- Slice baguette on the diagonal into 1/4 -1/2 inch slices. Place on baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Place in oven and let brown. Meanwhile, dice up your avocado and add to the bruschetta mixture–do NOT do this until ready to serve.
- Remove toasted baguette from oven and top with bruschetta mixture.
If you’re feeling extra naughty, grate some parmesan over the top.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Garden Delight Pasta
(Or…trying to use up all the veggies on your counter/in the fridge pasta)
What You’ll Need:
- 1 lb whole wheat pasta (I used angel hair)
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion (or 1/2 a giant onion like I used…), diced
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 medium eggplant, chopped
- 6 large kale leaves, sliced (I just ripped it up)
- 2 large Swiss Chard Leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped (about 1-2 tbsp.)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 large tomato, chopped (or, if you have leftover bruschetta mix, that will work too!)
- 3 oz. goat cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
What to do:
- Heat water for pasta and cook according to package
- While your water is boiling….
- Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add in onion, until it starts to soften.
- Add in zucchini and eggplant, stirring occasionally, be careful not to let veggies stick/burn. Reduce heat to medium low. (This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your veggies/size of pan)
- Add in Swiss chard and kale, cover and let wilt. Stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cooked and drained pasta (it should be hot) and mix in remaining ingredients.
Remove from heat and Serve hot. Makes 4-6 servings.
Favorite seasonal meal? How do you use up all of your leftover veggies? Goat cheese in pasta, yes or no?
Stay Tuned for Scenes…Part 3!
Deceptively Delicious
Posted: July 9, 2013 Filed under: Food, Health and Wellness, Local Food, Recipe | Tags: chickpeas, chipotle maple syrup, chocolate chips, cookies, dairy free, dessert, easy cookies, gluten free, grain-free, healthy cookies, immersion blender, kitchen experiments, peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, quick recipe, vermont chocolate chips, vermont maple syrup 4 CommentsSo… I’ve been doing a lot of kitchen experiments lately. Sometimes gluten-free, sometimes dairy-free, sometimes completely unhealthy…my favorite recipes, as of late, involve the immersion blender. These deceptively delicious cookies (see what I did there???) are no exception.
It looks like completely normal cookie dough…
These little buggers are good! But they’re sneaky. They seem like perfectly normal cookies at first bite…but… totally not.
The secret ingredient? Garbanzo beans. I know, your mind is blown.
Anyway, I’d seen variations of this recipe a couple of times but was hesitant to try it…The other night, I finally caved when I had a serious craving for melted chocolate goodness and–gasp!–no butter.
In all honesty, I didn’t have to tweak this recipe very much…other than using maple syrup instead of honey and a little more peanut butter. Still good.
You need six ingredients….five if you don’t add salt (I used a no-salt peanut butter so I added smoked sea salt.).
I brought the first batch (minus the few that I devoured right out of the oven) in for a gluten-free co-worker.
I made another batch (minus the few that I devoured right out of the oven) for the hubby and his co-workers.
I made the last batch for fun.
The original recipe author says that these aren’t good cold…I disagree. But they are better warm.
She also says to use a food processor and not a blender…an immersion blender worked perfectly fine, but ours is pretty powerful… I am kind of lazy when it comes to doing dishes…and I love immersion blending.
So here you go. You’re welcome.
So much melted chocolate goodness….(This batch, I used a chopped-up brick of chocolate)
Deceptively Delicious Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies (G-F/D-F)
Barely adapted from Texan Erin.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained.
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (I used Once Again’s Old Fashioned Crunchy with no salt…1 ingredient!)
- A splash of vanilla (or 2 tsp. if you really want to dirty another spoon)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (I used a delicious chipotle infused maple syrup from Vermont)
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- a pinch of (smoked) sea salt-optional
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet, but prefer bitter-sweet)
What to do:
Pre-heat oven to 350. Line cookie sheet with wax paper and set aside.
Combine first 5 ingredients in food processor or a large bowl (if using an immersion blender) and blend until smooth. If necessary, scrape the bowl to ensure you get all the tiny bits blended up.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Spoon mixture onto prepared cookie sheet (I use two small spoons, a small ice cream scoop could also work…or just use your hands if you don’t mind getting sticky.)
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until chocolate melts and cookies start to brown.
~makes about 18 cookies
Enjoy!
Cinnamon Bun Cake
Posted: June 12, 2013 Filed under: Food, Recipe | Tags: breakfast, Butter, cake, cinnamon bun, cinnamon roll, cinnamon swirl, cupcake, dessert, dessert cake, desserts, frosting, frosting recipe, maple syrup, mascarpone, recipe, sugar 2 CommentsOh boy… this cake is sinful. And comforting…can something be sinful and comforting at the same time? If this cake is any indication, then yes….It’s like a warm hug from your great, great aunt…followed by a slap in the face…does that make sense? Or maybe I have that backward…
The cake is fluffy…like a pancake, but the cinnamon swirl adds pretty marbling and buttery goodness…enough buttery goodness to satisfy old school Paula Deen. The frosting is just the right amount of sweet and creamy.
This is what cake looks like when you frost it before it cools because you’re running late…
Sidenote: This was actually made as a sample dessert…my amazing friends are getting married at the end of the summer and I am lucky enough to be doing their wedding dessert (cake wasn’t the only option).
I followed this recipe… mostly. I didn’t have any cupcake liners, so I used two 8 inch rounds, I also cut the sugar in half, made a couple of ingredient additions and substitutions and used my own frosting recipe (which has drastically less sugar).
The frosting recipe is a little more complicated than a regular frosting, but it is so worth the extra step or two. Trust me.
Also, please see my notes on the frosting regarding quantity and sweetness.
I had to show you another picture of this…
By popular demand, here is my version.
Cinnamon Bun Cake
Adapted from Every Craving, via Tasty Kitchen (see link above)
Ingredients:
FOR THE CUPCAKE:
- 2-½ cups All-purpose Flour
- 2-½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon smoked Salt
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 1 scant cup sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
FOR THE CINNAMON SWIRL:
- 1/2 stick Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1/3 cups Brown Sugar
- 1-½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoons Salt
*NOTE: I followed the original recipe instructions for the swirl, but it made too much… so I am cutting it in half to save your insulin levels.
FOR THE FROSTING*:
- 8 oz (I think) Heavy Whipping Cream
- 8 oz. Mascarpone, room temperature
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
- 3/4 cups Confectioners Sugar**
- A splash Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup (please use the real stuff to avoid breaking my heart!)
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
*Note: This makes more frosting than you’ll need. I would suggest dividing your frosting into two dishes then adding the maple syrup and cinnamon to one, saving the other half for a different dessert (mixed with crushed up Newman O’s, or on red velvet cake? Anyone?)… OR you can just half this recipe…I know mascarpone is a bit fancy for a regular old cake, but trust me, it’s worth it.
**Second Note: You’ve probably figured out that I am not a huge super sweet frosting fan..so adjust to your taste.
What to do:
Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease two 8 in round cake pans and set aside.
Make the Cinnamon Swirl
- Melt butter in a small-medium sized bowl over double-boiler. Once melted, remove from heat.
- Stir in cinnamon, sugar and salt until smooth. Set aside.
Make the cake
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl (I use my trusty pastry blender for this…you can also use a mixer).
- Beat in eggs, one at a time (If using the pastry blender, switch to a solid serving spoon or rubber spatula for beating).
- Stir in vanilla and sour cream.
- Beat in milk and flour mixture, adding a little of each at a time until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- This is going to make a pretty thick batter. That’s okay, don’t panic.
- Divide half of the batter into each of the prepared pans.
- Give the cinnamon swirl a quick stir and lightly drizzle 1/3 of it over batter.
- Divide the rest of the batter into each pan and, using a rubber spatula, spread evenly. Drizzle 1/3 of the cinnamon swirl over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting
- Whip cream to soft peaks, place in refrigerator/set aside.
- Place mascarpone and cream cheese in stand mixer with whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until combined and smooth.
- Beat in vanilla and add in powdered sugar, a little at a time, until completely incorporated.
- Fold in whipped cream by hand (I use a rubber spatula)
- *Refrigerate until ready to use. *See note above.
- Right before frosting, add in remaining ingredients.
- Frost your cake, top with remaining cinnamon swirl.
Happy Wednesday!
PS. How to use up the leftover frosting, two ways:
Crushed up Oreo and creamy dreamy goodness… sigh…
Fruit, cookie and whipped frosting parfait
Roasted Garlic and Arugula Pesto, Two Ways
Posted: May 30, 2013 Filed under: Confessions, Food, Gardening, Local Food, Recipe | Tags: almost vegan, arugula, blender recipe, dairy free, dinner, easy recipe, gardening, goat cheese, healthy recipe, lasagna, no bake pesto, pasta, roasted garlic, snow, Upstate NY, whiteface mountain Leave a commentI’m embarrassed to admit this, but up until last weekend, I had never oven-roasted garlic. My chef husband probably judged me for this. Luckily he was at work while I was playing in the kitchen so he missed the huge mess I made.
I can saute garlic like a champ, but now, after trying the roasted variety, I don’t know if my life will ever be the same.
Seriously. I may or may not have stood over my oven, shoveling an embarrassing amount of baguette into my mouth and burning my fingers as a result of not wanting to waste any of this delicious-ness that didn’t make it into the above mentioned pesto. It happens.
Do you see all the delicious-ness in the pan?!
If you’ve never roasted garlic, here is an excellent tutorial, courtesy of the Pioneer Woman. It’s crazy easy and totally worth it.
I must note, that I only roasted my garlic for about 30 minutes, but I think it’s because my oven is possessed and chooses its own temperature… but that’s a different story… Moral of this story, use your best judgment for roasting times.
Anyway, onto the pesto.
Sidenote:
I don’t know if you knew this or not, but it rained like crazy in Upstate NY last weekend…like 8 inches of rain in three days. Or, if you live near Whiteface Mountain, you got three feet of snow. In May. I’m not kidding. This made national news…
Yup, this is real life. Courtesy of ORDA/Whiteface and AP
Luckily, I missed the snowfall. And just got stuck with wind, rain and cold. And it was in this lovely weather that I ventured outside to pick arugula from the garden. Brilliant, I know.
Yup, worth it.
But I had to… I had pesto on the brain. And it was totally worth it.
Roasted Garlic & Arugula Pesto
Ingredients:
- 1 head of garlic
- 2 cups arugula (less if you want a less peppery pesto)
- 2 good handfuls spinach
- a few tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (more or less depending on how wet you like your pesto)
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
What to do:
- Rinse spinach and arugula and let dry.
- Roast garlic (if necessary, see tutorial link above). Once garlic is cooled, gently squeeze cloves out of the skin (also in tutorial).
- Put all ingredients in a blender. Pulse until smooth.
The pesto will be perfectly delicious at this point. So you can serve over warm pasta with or without lots of parmesan cheese, spread on a baguette…or store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
Roasted Garlic and Arugula Pesto Version 2.0: Rollatini
Additional Ingredients:
- Goat Cheese, about 4 oz.
- 1 package lasagna noodles.
- Diced tomatoes (Optional)
- Mozzarella (Optional)
What to do:
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package, drain and lay out on a cookie sheet to dry/cool.
- Pre-heat oven to 375.
- Prepare a large casserole dish by putting a thin layer or diced tomatoes or tomato sauce in the bottom, set aside.
- Prepare pesto exactly the same way as above. Transfer to a medium-sized dish and mix in goat cheese. (If you don’t like lasagna noodles, you can just add the kicked up pesto to cooked pasta of your choice…or bread.)
Tangy, creamy goodness.
- Using a rubber spatula, spread pesto-goat cheese mixture along 2/3 of the lasagna noodles, as pictured below. If using diced tomatoes, sprinkle those on as well (be sure to drain so they don’t get soggy).
So colorful!
- Roll noodles spread-side first.
- Place prepared noodles, open-end down, in prepared casserole dish.
- Top with leftover diced tomatoes.
- Bake for 20 minutes, covered.
- Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until noodles are hot.
Without cheese, delicious.
If using cheese, add at the same time as you top noodles with diced tomatoes.
Follow same baking instructions. Bake until cheese is browned and bubbling.
With cheese. Delish.
Makes about 5 servings (2 rolls per serving).
Happy Thursday!
