Pizza Party

Semi-Homemade


This past Saturday for the first time in over 5 years, I stepped into Trader Joe's... Immediately I felt like I was home. I picked up a ton of ingredients for a little create your own pizza party. It was so much fun, and after years of pizza practice (my first job was in a pizza parlor), I can say that I perfected my craft this weekend!

Still don't have the patience for making my own dough, until that day comes, I will forever have fresh dough on stock in case a spontaneous pizza party strikes up again!

Simply Colette Pizza Sauce

1 16 oz can of San Marzano plum tomatoes
1 6 oz tomato paste
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp of Italian seasoning or Oregano
6 fresh basil leaves chopped
1 tsp of salt
2 tbsp of sugar

This pizza features: Trader Joe's fresh dough, Simply Colette Pizza Sauce, fresh mozzarella, 4 cheese shredded blend, salami, hot Italian sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers.

Bon appetit!

Alaskan King Salmon

Good Eats Wednesday

This weekend we made some of the most beautiful salmon I've ever seen,

from the Waterfall Resort in Alaska where my brother caught it on one of his trips.

It was about 5" thick in the center so it took a while to cook, and was enough for about 8 servings.

One of my favorite ways to cook salmon, which I've blogged about here before, is super simple.

Sea salt, chopped garlic, butter, fresh dill, and lemon.

Cooked at about 375 degrees so the it stays moist and the timing depends on the size.

Usually about 14-18 minutes depending on your preference.

This fish took 30 minutes for the outer sections, then we had to stick the center back in for another 15 min or so... but it was super moist and the butter certainly didn't hurt!

Bon appetit!

Under the Tuscan Sun

Weekend Bites
& Hollywood Movies


Do you have one of those movies that you continually watch over and over, never gets old, always there to uplift you when you're having a glum kind of day, perhaps just want to smile, or inspire you? Under the Tuscan Sun is my movie. So when I pulled it out a couple weeks ago, I was thus inspired to make bruschetta especially since my little basil plant is now flourishing.

The Italian version of salsa, bruschetta can be as varied as salsa. I happen to enjoy mine fairly simply. A little toasted baguette drizzled with premium Italian olive oil such as Laudemio and fresh Roma tomatos and basil with garlic powder, salt, and olive oil mixed together. Bruschetta can be baked with the bread, but I happen to prefer it fresh at room temperature. (I also used garlic powder versus fresh raw garlic just because it's slightly easier on the breath.)

Bon appetite!

Or shall I say... Mangia Mangia!

Teriyaki & Black Sesame Salmon

Good Eats Wednesday


Summer is just around the corner, and that means bikini weather! This recipe of salmon on a bed of spinach is perfect for those who may be watching the scale, want their daily omegas, or just enjoy a good piece of salmon.

Teriyaki & Black Sesame Salmon

Kosher salt (sprinkle on salmon)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (blend into a dry rub)
Black sesame seeds
salmon
1 slice of lemon

Rub into salmon. Brush 2 tablespoons of Teriyaki seasoning onto salmon. Sprinkly black sesame seeds. Bake at 375 for 15-19 minutes depending on thickness and preference of how well done you prefer it. Squeeze fresh lemon juice before serving. (I like mine just pushing the edge of being cooked because it is much more moist.)

In other food news: I finally finished reading Julia Child's, My Life in France today, and I've pulled out Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I feeling some very big culinary adventures ahead... but they may not be as bikini friendly.

Bon appetit!

Chicken & Biscuits

Weekend Bites
Spicy Southern Style

One of my favorite forgotten food items is Frank's Wing Sauce. If you love Buffalo wings, it is sooo tasty, especially mixed with a little bit of melted butter. Mmm...

I have been inspired lately to experiment with this delicious sauce and have another recipe up my sleeve to share with you soon. For now here is this easy recipe.

Chicken Buffalo Style

Rub

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon season-all

1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasonings

Blend spices to make rub. Rub into skin. Then lather on 1/4 cup of Frank's wing sauce, and let marinade for 30 minutes. Bake at 475 for 30-32 minutes. (I used 4 bone-in thighs with skin. I prefer it crispy, hence the high temp.)

I used Pillsbury biscuits... which were a dream dipped in the spicy buffalo sauce drippings!

Bon appetit!

Orange Poppyseed Loaf

Good Eats Wednesday

I have many cookbooks that I have been eager to dive into... and now that I have a little more time, I'm excited to start. So here is an Orange Poppyseed Loaf that I have baked from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book from the bakery in NYC.

This loaf is super delicious and extremely moist. You can see on my handwritten notes that I have also tried the lemon version which was equally as good, but there are some variations in the ratios on sugar and such. Also, I didn't make the glaze in both instances and thought it to be extremely delicious without...

Orange Poppyseed Loaf

1 whole orange, washed well

1 cup sugar

3eggs

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) of butter (melted)

2  1/4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4  teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon poppyseeds

Mix wet ingredients in a bowl, and mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Fold the two together.

Bake at 350 F for 50-60 minutes.

 

*I used only one stick of butter.

If you opt for the glaze see photo for recipe.

**I just have one recommendation for the recipe which calls for the whole orange or lemon to be pureed in a food processor, but the white part of the orange and lemon can make it a tad bitter, so it may best to grate the zest, then cut the fruit and then puree the fruit minus the seeds.

Bon appetit!

Proscuitto & Goat Cheese Spinach Salad

Good Eats Wednesday


They say when grocery shopping, each person has about 20 items that one consistently purchases...two of my items are: proscuitto and herb goat cheese. Sometimes I pair them with my favorite Country Ranch Gluten-Free Almond Cracker by Blue Diamond, but recently I made this salad instead. It's so good, you won't really feel like you're eating a salad!

Proscuitto & Goat Cheese Spinach Salad

1 cup of spinach

2 slices of prosciutto (torn or chopped)

1-2 tablespoons of Ile de France herb goat cheese

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Drizzle of honey

Fresh cracked pepper

Bon appetit!

Mozzarella Patties

Good Eats Wednesday
Late Edition


Who needs mozzarella sticks when you can have rustic mozzarella patties?!

Slice fresh mozzarella. Dip in egg, then bread crumb mixature with herbs, grated parm, salt and pepper. Egg and crumbs again. Cook in skillet with oil until golden. Easy as 1, 2, 3. Dunk in homemade marinara.

Bon appetit!

French Onion Soup

Good Eats Wednesday


As I'm leisurely reading My Life in France, I've decided to do three segments from Julia Child's book in culinary photography. This weekend I found myself fumbling with small onions in the supermarket and couldn't stop adding more and more to my bag.

So as I chopped and chopped and chopped onions it reminded me of the scene in Julie & Julia when Meryl Streep as Julia was learning to professionally chop onions and her counter was covered in a mound of onions.

So I made French Onion soup from scratch. It turned out to be the best I've ever made... I was as pleased as a pickle.

French Onion Soup
4 servings

3 tbsp butter
5-6 small onions
2 shallots
2 cloves of garlic
32 oz. beef stock
pepper to taste
1 cup shredded gruyeres cheese
1 cup shredded emmentaler cheese
baguette

Carmelize onions in stock pot with butter on medium high. Turn heat to medium, add shallots and garlic, add beefstock and let simmer for 20 minutes. Scoop soup into individual oven safe soup bowls. Top with slices of baguette and shredded cheeses. Place bowls on cookie sheet with slices of bread, drizzled with olive oil and salt, baking at 450 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese bubbles and toast turns golden.

Bon appetit!

Weekend Brunch

14 Days of Love


Amore is... an Italian Scramble.

Super easy and very tasty, this margherita scramble consists of eggs, fresh mozzarella, Italian stewed tomatoes, Italian herbs, salt, and fresh basil.

Bon appetit!  

Turn up the Heat

14 Days of Love


Love is... Spicy!

Ready to turn up the heat this weekend? Are you freezing cold where you are? Well I will not tell you that I'm wearing short sleeves today! Or that there was a Chocolate Decadence fundraiser last night in my courtyard near work and I feared all the pretty chocolate creations would melt as they set up. No, I will not rub it in, that I will be visiting my dad's new condo in Naples, Florida tomorrow either. :)

But I will leave you with these jalepeno appetizer's I experimented with this past weekend in prepartion for Super Bowl bites this weekend.


Jalepeno Cheese Boats

I cut fresh jalepenos in quarters lengthwise and removed the seeds and ribs from the peppers to maintain the heat. Then grated some Emmentaler cheese (because I had it in the fridge, a Mexican mix would be tasty though). Then I topped with a little bit of panko crumbs, sprinkled some chili powder and salt, and quickly spritzed with some non-stick spray to toast crumbs. Then popped in oven at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes or so.

Warning: Only make if you can handle the heat.

Love

&

Spice!

Homemade Tea Biscuits & Tomato Raspberry Jam

14 Days of Love
Good Eats Wednesday


Love is... Comfort Food From Home

For Christmas, I asked my Dad for some of his jarred tomato goods that he processes each year from his garden in Tennessee. Thinking I would be getting stewed tomatoes or something along those lines, I was a little shocked to receive Tomato Raspberry Jam, although I must say I wasn't really that surprised since his creativity knows no bounds with his abundant tomato harvest. He has been making Tomato Wine for the past few years! Despite sounding odd, the wine is quite nice. So, I was impressed once again when I opened the jam with it's vibrant red color and it tasted like the perfect raspberry jam!

"It's very, very simple," he said. "You can make it few different ways- with raspberry, strawberry, or even lemon. I tried the lemon, but it wasn't my favorite. However, the raspberry and strawberry turned out very good."

Tomato Raspberry Jam
Makes 5-6 8 oz mason jars of jam.

4 cups of tomatoes
4 cups of sugar
1 6 oz pkg raspberry jello (can not be sugar-free)
2 tbsp of lemon juice (optional)
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Place a kitchen towel inside bottom of stock pot. Place small glass canning jars inside and fill stock pot with water for room to boil for a minimum of 20 minutes to sterilize jars. Add lids to stockpot during last 5 minutes. While boiling, process tomatoes almost to puree in a food processor, (Dad used a blend of cherry and Roma tomatoes, or sometimes Sweet 100's). Bring processed tomatoes and sugar (equal parts) to a boil, stirring frequently for approx. 20 minutes. Dad's Tip: If mixture gets too foamy, add 1 tbsp of butter to bring down foam. Remove tomatoes from heat. Mix in package of raspberry jello. Stir.

Set another kitchen towel, pot holder, or trivets on counter. Being VERY careful not to burn yourself, use tongs to take out one jar from boiling water and set on cooling area. Scoop jam into jar, leaving about 1/2 inch from top. Take lid out of water with tongs and screw lid tightly with a potholder. Repeat. Lids will seal on their own.

I made some little heart-shaped tea biscuits for my jam, recipe found here.

For more info on the jam and jarring, visit here.

Love

&

Bon appetit!

P.s. Happy Groundhog's Day!

Sage Butter

Good Eats for Thanksgiving
from Nicolette & Sage in the kitchen...

First of all, Mom (Nicolette) is letting me (Sage) run this post today! Since I run the roost anyways and developed my culinary excitement from Mom, it was only fitting. Actually, she agreed to let me participate in Good Eats this week after our tomato showdown last week. If you've been reading Mom's blog awhile, you may remember she has mentioned my affinity for tomatoes a couple times. There is nothing like the smell of a ripe tomato on the vine.... mmm mmm! Well Mom neglected to cut up my tomato at dinner time because she was too busy blogging for all you, hmmmph... so I thought I would take matters into my own hands, but I swear I didn't mean to break one of her vintage Mikasa bowls. Sorry Mom.

Well besides tomatoes, I also happen to love when Dad gives me little bits of turkey each morning when he makes his sandwich for work, and since you've probably already seen tons of recipes for The Best Turkey Ever and more than likely have those delicious passed down sidedish recipes from your mom and grandmother, I thought I would share one of my other favorites... butter! (For all you worried about my health out there, no, they don't give me butter, but Dad does occasionally spray my paw with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter... Spway.) Yeah, you know Spway, how Fabio used to advertise it? ;) Anyway, whenever I hear the spray bottle I run to the kitchen, (the same way I do when I hear Mom's first knife chop for my mato). Dad knows I just love licking my buttery paws after, even if I do back away like I'm scared!

So, here's a unique and festive way to present your butter this holiday. Everyone should have butter on the table, right? For those hot rolls, or creamy mashed potatoes? You may already have Sage on hand because of Thanksgiving dinner, and since Sage is the herb of the season (and the reason why Mom named ME Sage, because she loves to cook & because we both have Sage-colored eyes), these extra velvety leaves can be used to create a fragrant butter spread for your tablescape.

Herb Butter

1 or 2 sticks of butter

Fresh herbs

lemon zest (optional)

The best thing about this recipe is you can really use as much or little as you want. We used about 1 stick and 5 sage leaves, with fresh herbs it was pretty potent. Tarragon, oregano, or rosemary would work good too. Let the butter soften outside of fridge for a couple hours. Chop fresh herbs finely and mix in with butter. Take your favorite (or seasonal) open cookie cutter and fill with butter. Make sure butter fills smoothly on both sides. Set on plate, cover with wrap and put back in fridge until it sets. Best to make it a day in advance, or the night before so it can set appropriately. When taking out of fridge, let soften for a minute and lightly push out with your finger. 

Note: If you have a thick cookie cutter like I did, you can cut in half or thirds to have thinner stars and use them at different ends of the table. 

What a pretty little addition for your tablescape! Have a turkey cookie cutter? Give it a try.

I lost mine... thus the star. :) 

xoxo,

Nicolette & Sage

Pumpkin soup II

Revisted

A couple weeks ago, I blogged a Pumpkin Soup with Rosemary & Bacon recipe from Kitchen Daily. I was so excited to make it last weekend for Halloween. When I told people I made it, the reaction I got was pretty much universal--they weren't to turned onto the idea because they thought it would be sweet. But it was not sweet, rather very savory and the essence of autumn. The best part is it would be a great side dish for Thanksgiving!

For my own personal touch, I grilled Garlic Naan bread instead of croutons. It was delicious!

Bon appetit!