Crispy Chorizo Bites

If you're like me, you think of all these fantastic little appetizers long before the big celebrated day, Superbowl Sunday, arrives. I know, its all about the game. But if you fail to have a fantastic repertoire of football food on the big day, you may as well kiss your win goodbye.



My hubby loves having a spicy Sunday breakfast of fresh tortilla's, chorizo & eggs, so I always try to have a stash in the freezer. It's a Southwestern staple here, and it seems to keep us satisfied all the way until dinner. Many know it in it's Spanish, sausage like form, however, you can find it in its ground, Mexican form at your local grocers. If it's not available in your corner of the country, you can always by ground meat and add chorizo seasoning from the ethnic foods section of your local market yourself.


I was trying to think of something different that I could make for Superbowl Sunday, with ingredients I already had on hand, when I came up with this spicy little appetizer. I'm one of "those people", that always has cream cheese, fresh garlic, and puff pastry lying around. Seems as long as you have those, drop in guests and a 4 ingredient appy are only minutes away.

Crispy Chorizo Bites

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator
1- 8 oz package room temperature cream cheese
1 head fresh garlic, roasted , cooled
1 lb ground chorizo, mild, medium, or hot (your choice), fully pre- cooked and drained

Remove thawed puff pastry from refrigerator and on a lightly floured surface, roll out each with rolling pin to enlarge about an inch, and remove folded seams.

Squeeze cooled garlic out of skins into softened cream cheese. Blend well, but don't worry about completely smashing chunks of garlic. Divide and spread evenly between the 2 sheets of puff pastry.

Divide and spread cooked chorizo over the garlic- cream cheese mixture. From the widest end, roll up each of the sheets of puff pastry into a long log. Slice into 1/2" pinwheels.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (easier clean up, but not necessary), and bake in a pre-heated 400F oven for 15 minutes, or until golden and flaky.

Approximately 40 Chorizo bites.

Hearty Half Time Chili

In September of 1999, my dear friend, Cindy, emailed me a chili recipe that sat in my inbox forever before I finally tried it. I absolutely love chili- the chunkier, the better, in my opinion. But this one was, uh, weird.

It had Keilbasa in it.

I live in Arizona.

That is wrong.



Well, I finally got around to making it about New Years day 2000, and I have to say, much like in her email, it is my favorite ALL TIME recipe for chili. I did add some spices that weren't in her original recipe- cinnamon, dark cocoa powder, and Pasilla Ancho Chili powder- they gave it the unique depth of flavor I love.

The seasonings are approximate for my tastes, but you can always add or subtract according to yours. And the Keilbasa- I couldn't imagine it without it- it's fabulous!

Hearty Half Time Chili
recipe adapted from Cindy Geery

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork (or Italian sausage with casings removed)
1 lb Keilbasa cut into chunks
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs Pasilla Ancho Chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1-1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbs dark cocoa powder
Cayenne pepper (optional, to taste)
2- 28oz cans cut tomatoes (do not drain)
1- 14.5oz can plain tomato sauce
1- 28oz can kidney beans (drained)
1- 28 oz can black beans


Optional toppings:

Grated Cheddar
Chopped green onions
Sour Cream

In a large dutch oven, brown ground beef with sausage, onion, Pasilla Ancho chili, cumin and garlic.

Then add keilbasa, remaining seasonings, and tomatoes. Simmer about 10 minutes and then add beans.

Evaluate and adjust seasonings to your taste, let simmer and allow flavors to meld for about 30 minutes.

Serve topped with grated cheddar, green onion, and sour cream.

Apricot-Peach Cobbler

There's a lot of excitement going on over here- any day now will be the birth of my first granddaughter! Yup, we know it's a girl. She will be my oldest daughters first baby, and my first grandchild... I still haven't gotten used to it! As you know, cravings abound during pregnancy, and my daughter has had her share. One of these was for my apricot-peach cobbler. A long time since I've made it, I had forgotten just how incredible the house smells while it's baking!



I had come across the recipe about 20 years ago, in one of those solicitations sent in the mail to get you to purchase recipe cards. Well, I never ordered the cards, but I did save the little freebie they sent, which happened to be for this cobbler.

My sister sent me a desperate email about 10 years ago, asking for the recipe. So I emailed her back right away, sending her my adaptation of the recipe. Well, over the last 10 years or so, my written recipe card with all of it's handwritten changes, has disappeared. So I ended up having to email my sister one desperate day for her to email it back to me... I'm so glad she saved it! However, now I haven't any idea where the recipe originated from. In any case, it's one cobbler recipe you'll be sure to hang on to. Warm, sweet, bubbly, and over the top pregnancy craving delicious!

Apricot-Peach Cobbler

Filling

1 can sliced Apricots, 28 oz, in lite syrup- reserve syrup
1 can sliced Peaches, 28 oz, in lite syrup- reserve syrup
4 Tbs cornstarch
1 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 c of reserved syrup
2 Tbs butter, melted

Cobbler Crust

1 c flour
1-1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbs melted butter
2 eggs, beaten

Spray a 13x9 baking pan with non-stick spray. Add Apricots and peaches. Set aside.

In a 2 qt saucepan blend together all of the dry ingredients for the filling- cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then add the reserved syrup and butter, then blend well with a small whisk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes thickened and somewhat clear, about 15 minutes. Pour thickened mixture over fruit.

In a medium bowl blend together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add beaten egg and melted butter. Mix until just combined.

With a spoon, drop or drizzle the thick batter over the top of the fruit. Don't worry about how it looks because it will spread out evenly on its own.

Bake at 350 for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is completely cooked through and not runny underneath. Serve while warm and bubbly with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Serves approximately 8-10 people.

Chickpea Salad

Well Happy New Year Y'all! It just occurred to me that I haven't hung out over here since November. I've made lots of fattening things since then. I'm also fairly certain that during this time, I've gone through 50 lbs of flour, an equal amount of sugar, and at least 30 lbs of butter. It was a tasty month or so.

I love butter.

But for those who are starting afresh and new in 2011, here's a tasty little salad I adapted from one over at allrecipes.com . It called for canned garbanzo beans, red onion, and just a tablespoon of lemon juice. I only had green onions, dried chickpeas (I soaked overnight), and used the juice of a whole lemon instead.

In any case, it was a pretty tasty & healthy salad. A nice directional shift after climbing my slippery mountain of butter.

Chickpea Salad
adapted from allrecipes.com

1 c dried chickpeas (soaked overnight in 2 c water)
2 green onions, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 large tomato, chopped
1 c flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped
1-3 Tbs olive oil, or to taste
Juice of 1 medium lemon
kosher salt- to taste
fresh cracked pepper- to taste

After soaking the chickpeas overnight, place in a 2 qt saucepan with soaking water, and add enough additional water to cover about an inch more. Bring to a boil and then let simmer about 45 minutes, but don't allow to get mushy. Drain when done and let cool. Add remaining ingredients, and stir. Let chill before serving. Serves about 4.

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Marshmallow Pops

I love this time of year. The scents are amazing. The treats that have been hiding all year long have finally come out to play!

I think just everyone loves marshmallows and chocolate. I mean, who doesn't love a s'more? But this time of year it's time for a little twist- a peppermint twist! These creamy marshmallows are dipped in dark chocolate, then topped in crunchy peppermint. They are crazy good on their own, but when you dunk them in a hot cup of coffee, amazing things happen... They are so easy, you gotta give them a try!

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Marshmallow Pops

6 marshmallows
1 c dark chocolate candy melts
1/2 c crushed peppermints or candy canes
6 candy sticks (wood or paper)
6 red gummy candies for garnish
Foam platform, to hold pops

Place peppermint candies in a small bag. Crush with a rolling pin or a mallet until pieces are small. Set aside.

Melt candy melts in microwave. Place sticks into marshmallows, and one at a time, dip into chocolate coating evenly. Lightly tap stick on edge of bowl to remove excess chocolate. This may take a few seconds- you do not want the chocolate to drip down sides while cooling. Once excess is removed, place the sticks standing up in the foam board. You can then place in the fridge or the freezer to set quicker.

After chocolate is set, dip just the top end and edges once again into the melted chocolate, and then immediately into the crushed peppermints. Place onto the foam board once again. On the very top center of the marshmallow/ peppermint, place a small dot of chocolate. Then place a gummy candy on top.

No need to refrigerate... Just enjoy!

Creamy Appletini

Ahhh, the holidays are upon us... just a few short days and all of your favorite people will be at your door, dishes in hand, ready to share in the abundance that will grace your table. Your house is immaculate, all of the Autumn decor perfectly appointed; praises, love, and adoration of your culinary abilities is on it's way...


Bull. Don't lie. Aunt Gertrude has already pissed you off, insulting your turkey brining technique. Your brother can't seem to make an executive decision about whether he's coming or not. Your uncle wants to bring 10 of his buddies that can't even boil water, and the batteries just went out on your smoke detectors. All 8 of them. 12 feet up. Your ladder is only 4 feet tall.

It's time for your trusty one fingered wave to the world. It's time for a Creamy Appletini.

Creamy Appletini

1/4 oz chopped Hersheys cinnamon chips
1/4 oz graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbs Karo syrup, for rimming glass
1 oz spiced rum
1/4 oz whiskey
4 oz Martinelli's sparkling cider
2 oz heavy cream
crushed ice

Combine chopped cinnamon chips and graham cracker crumbs. Dip rim of a 4 oz glass into Karo syrup, coating completely. Set aside.

In an 8 oz glass, combine the rum, whiskey, sparkling cider, and heavy cream. Add some crushed ice. Stir until blended and frothy. Pour into your prepared glass. Makes 2, 4oz servings.

Ignore everybody.

Enjoy!

Roasted Pumpkin Whole Wheat Pizza

I adore pizza. Not just your run of the mill, "Five for $5" deals, but rather, "real" pizza. Fresh, quality ingredients, that adorn a fabulous crust, are a must. Oh, and not the crust that you can find in the cardboard tubes at the market... I'm talking fresh, flavorful, crispy rounds of goodness that can only be had by using a tried and true recipe.


The best recipe I've ever found comes from my friend Peter, who writes the Greek Food Blog, Kalofagas. I've been a fan of Peter's blog for a few years now, and consider him the authority on all things Greek. I look no further. Every recipe I've ever tried from his repertoire has been stellar. People who know me well know that I always adapt recipes from the get go. Well, not with Peters. I know they are tried. They are true. I respect his dishes and know that no changes are necessary.


When I got the hankering for a pizza last week, and went to prepare Peters recipe for pizza dough, I found myself completely out of all purpose flour. Shock. I know... Me without flour is unheard of. It's wrong. It just doesn't happen. Hot diggity lizards though, it did! All of my recipe components already prepped, with 2 little ones I was babysitting and my own Kidlet underfoot, I was unable to jet to the store and went into a pizza panic!



It was then that I remembered my frozen stash of King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour. While it is quite pricey, I refuse to use any other brand, knowing it produces consistent, quality results every time (no, I was not paid to say that).

For the first time, I was going to adapt a recipe of Peters... Shhhhh... don't say anything...


So, with additional ingredients inspired by my own runaway imagination, and a desperate craving for a unique, taste of Fall inspired pizza, I created this whole wheat pizza, uncertain of the end result.

All I can say is, I'm glad I ran out of all purpose flour! I loved the flavor and chew that the whole wheat gave to this crust. It married perfectly with the pumpkin, and complimented the taste and aroma of the fresh sage. When drizzled generously just before serving with the best olive oil you can find, and served with a smoky glass of Chardonnay, you'll have a distinctive pizza perfect for a meal, or wonderful as an appetizer.

Roasted Pumpkin Whole Wheat Pizza
with adapted Pizza dough recipe from Peter of Kalofagas

1 recipe Pizza Dough- Use this recipe & substitute King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour
1 small Sugar Pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and sliced
2 cups Ricotta Cheese
1 whole head of Garlic, roasted
2 fresh Sage Leaves, minced, and additional for topping
1/4 tsp fresh ground Nutmeg
Salt & fresh ground Pepper, to taste
12 slices of Smoked Provolone Cheese
Olive Oil, for brushing and drizzling

Preheat oven to 450F. Sprinkle pizza stone with cornmeal and place in oven.

Combine ricotta cheese, roasted garlic, minced sage, fresh nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Divide whole wheat pizza dough in half. Spread out each half, and carefully transfer to a pizza peel that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Brush dough well with olive oil. Spread 1/2 ricotta mixture onto dough. Cover with 6 slices of smoked provolone. Top with as many slices of pumpkin as you like. Lightly drizzle again with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper. If desired, sprinkle with a chiffonade of fresh sage leaves. Transfer pizza from the pizza peel to your well heated pizza stone, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven.

Just before serving, drizzle again with olive oil. Makes 2 medium size pizza's.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Toasted Pine Nuts and Cinnamon Chips

Of course y'all know I bake. A lot. An obscene amount of cakes, really. Last week I had both my sons birthday cake and a Crack Pie sitting on my counter. Well, make that 2 crack pies- but I was a good girl and gave one away.


Because I have so much sweet stuff lying around here all the time, my cravings have a tendency to lean towards the not so sweet variety. Just something with a touch of sweetness, to compliment a nice, hot, cup of coffee.

I was doing a little hanging out over at My Baking Addiction last week, and came across Jaime's post for Pumpkin Pie Biscotti. I absolutely adore biscotti. There is not a more perfect pairing with coffee than to dunk in a perfectly crisp biscotti, in my opinion.



Taking note of the changes Jaime felt she would make the next time she made this recipe, I heeded her advice, as well as adapting the recipe to ingredients I had on hand. I used a mixture of dark brown and vanilla sugar's, then added toasted pine nuts and cinnamon chips. I also baked the biscotti a bit longer to achieve the crunch and "dunkability" I absolutely love. These are fabulous to make and give away for the holidays... if you don't eat them all yourself ;-)

Pumpkin Biscotti with Toasted Pine Nuts and Cinnamon Chips
adapted from My Baking Addiction (via Cooking in an Apron)

3-1/2 c flour
3/4 c dark brown sugar, packed
3/4 c vanilla sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c pumpkin puree
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tsp Bourbon Vanilla
2 Tbs unsalted butter
3/4 c pine nuts
1/2 c cinnamon chips
1 egg
1 Tbs water
Sugar Glitter Crystals (if desired, for garnish)
Melted white chocolate (if desired, for garnish)

Pre heat oven to 350F.

Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. In a small bowl combine pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, and vanilla. Add the wet pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients. The mixture will be a little hard to combine at first, but will gradually come together to form a thick dough.

Toast the pine nuts in a small pan with the butter until lightly golden- just a few minutes. Cool, then gently add the pine nuts and cinnamon chips to the biscotti dough. Place dough on a floured surface and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a log shape, about 8" long, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet, 3" apart. Very slightly flatten the logs.

In a small bowl beat the remaining egg with water and lightly brush the surface of each with the egg wash. At this time you can sprinkle with decorative sugar, if you desire. I used Gold Glitter Crystals.

Bake for 27 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300F.

On a cutting board, carefully cut each log on the diagonal into 1/2" slices with a very sharp bread knife.

Return the cut biscotti to a parchment lined baking sheet, with the cut sides facing down. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and turn over each biscotti. Return to oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, until nice and golden. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.

Once cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate, if desired. Approximately 32-40 biscotti.

Note: Oven types and temperatures may vary. Some cooking times may take less or longer than others.

Cakes, and more cakes...

I am so thankful that I have had more opportunities of late to create custom cakes. If you hadn't noticed, my "regular posting" has been a bit scarce these days. Oh, I'm still cooking and baking up a storm, but with kids under foot and cake orders to fulfill, sometimes the step by step photo's have to go by the wayside and the family is lucky to get a fork, let alone a fab little garnish of parsley, to grace their plates. Decorating cakes, though, is what I love to do most. Sure, it can be quite stressful, and I've had my share of mishaps, but I try and learn from those, and move on.


I made this John Deere themed cake last week, complete with farm animals, to grace the little carrot cake cuppies. The tractor was made from Rice Krispy treats covered in fondant. The animals, corn and carrots were all fondant.


This was a red velvet bridal shower cake with an Italian meringue buttercream, complete with fondant bow and real red roses.


My little one turned 4 this summer and all she can think of day and night is Tinkerbell. So naturally, kidlet got what she wanted...



For a surprise birthday party I created a 2 foot long carved Miller Lite bottle out of chocolate cake, covered in buttercream and fondant. I hand painted the logo onto the fondant with food coloring.


A sweet little girl turned 2 and her very favorite little guy in the world is Elmo. This was also red velvet.


I made some little Elmo's to go with the cake, as well as her name out of fondant to top cupcakes that surrounded the cake.



Another wanted a bustier cake for his wife's surprise birthday party. This, too, was about 2 ft long. Covered in buttercream and the bustier fashioned out of fondant.


How I loved to make this vanilla bean cake with Italian meringue buttercream for a Marine Boot Camp graduate! All the stars and rope are fondant painted in an edible gold glaze.


There are many, many more. I don't always have time to snap a good photo, but I at least try to get something before it leaves my kitchen!

Thanks everyone, for following my too few posts... I appreciate all of you! I have some wonderful recipes coming up, so stay tuned!

Poached Pears- Eat Your Heart Out This Halloween!

Call me sick, call me weird, you can even call me gross, but don't call me heartless... I have a heart, really, I do. It just happens to be on my plate right now. Yes, another disgusting dish for the #GreatHallowTweet , the fabulous Halloween Bloghop originated and hosted by my friend Renee of Flamingo Musings.


I've always wanted to try poached pears. It seemed like a fabulous way to create inexpensive elegance for guests, with minimal effort. When thinking of ideas for the #GreatHallowTweet, this recipe came to mind when I noticed that ones of the pairs I had resembled a heart shape. I adjusted the recipe to the ingredients I had on hand, resulting in a bloody delicious treat I must say!

Poached "Heart" Pears
adapted from joy of cooking

1 c Merlot wine
1/2 c Grenadine
1 c sugar
2 peeled long strips of fresh lemon peel
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs red food coloring
1 cinnamon stick
6 cloves, whole
3 medium pears

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a 2 qt saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the stems of the pears and peel, slightly slicing off both the top and bottom of pears. I rounded the top a bit, giving it more of a "heart" shape look.

Add the pears to the saucepan and simmer for about 20 minutes. Keep turning the pears in the pan to distribute the flavor and color evenly, until they have reached a rich, deep, red. Remove pears gently from saucepan and let cool.

Remove the remaining cloves, lemon peel, and cinnamon stick. Let the remaining sauce simmer in saucepan until reduced by about 1/3rd (5-10 minutes), watching carefully so as not to burn.

Arrange cooled pears on a serving plate and "splatter" with "bloody" sauce. Serves 3.

Cobweb Meringues and the #GreatHallowTweet Halloween BlogHop

I need a maid. Try as I might, I can't seem to keep up. Everywhere I look in this house, cobwebs seem to be invading every little nook and cranny.


It seems like, just when you get the whole house all spiffed up for the fall festivities, the invasion begins. Subtle at first- a wispy flurry or two- a phenomenon of epic proportions that flocks to my home in herds...


Heee heeee.... herds of edible Cobweb Meringues that is. My fabulous friend Renee over at Flamingo Musings is the creator and Ghostess with the Mostest in charge of the #GreatHallowTweet Bloghop. Just click on any of the links in my right sidebar area that says Halloween Bloghop, and you will be able to hop on over to all of the ghoulishly delicious 18 participating blogs (link visible only if viewing my direct blog link here)!



My little cobwebs are a fabulous treat to make with your little goblins. They don't require much- just 3 egg whites beaten (in a grease free metal bowl) with 1/2 a cup of granulated sugar until stiff.


Fill a medium size pastry bag with the finished meringue, and then snip off the very tip of the bag. Pipe a small circle, followed by a sloppy scalloped circular pattern, and then another larger, scalloped circular pattern, trying to match up the points on each. Then, from the inner circle to just beyond the outer point, make a line. No need to be perfect... remember, our little goblins are never perfect, just ridiculously cute ;) Bake at 250F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 40 minutes until dry and delicate. Remember, these are freakishly diet friendly, too!