classic french

Chocolate Souffle. Yep. I don't even need to say anything else about it because it's just that good (or perhaps I'm tired and just don't want to take time to be descriptive and witty. . .you're choice).

Chocolate Souffle
1 Tbsp. white sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
sprinkle cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs, separated
2 Tbsp white sugar

Preheat oven to 350*F. Butter a 6 cup souffle dish. Or if you don't have a 6 cup souffle dish a springform pan works as well. Coat with 1 Tbsp. white sugar.

In a bowl stir together cocoa powder, cinnamon and flour. Add butter and blend well.

Heat milk in a medium saucepan until very hot. Reduce heat; add cocoa mixture, beating with a whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in dark brown sugar and vanilla. Cool slightly and add egg yolks one at a time beating well after each addition. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Beat the egg white until foamy and then gradually add the 2 Tbsp. white sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir a small amount of egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold the chocolate mixture into the remaining egg whites. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-45 minutes or until the top is puffed.

This is best served immediately. The picture shows it served with a creme anglaise sauce which I will post the recipe for some other time. You do not have to serve it with this sauce. It could also be served with ice cream or whipped cream.

for bread lovers

Remember that new adventure I told you about a couple of posts back? Well here is the fruits of that adventure or rather the bread of that adventure.

Sourdough bread is not like yeast leavened bread which you can make all in one day. With sourdough you have to be planning ahead in order to make it because you have to make the starter if you don't have any sourdough starter. Then you have to make the sponge and then the final step is the actual bread. So like I said you have to be planning ahead in order to make this.

To make the starter you combine 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of water in a glass or ceramic bowl and stir it up. Then allow it to sit uncovered in a warm place for 2 to 5 days, stirring it occasionally. When the starter is ready it will have a clean, yeasty smell, small bubbles and will have a slightly thicker texture than it had to begin with.

The night before you want to make the bread you need to make the sponge. To make the sponge add 2 cups flour and 2 cups warm water to the starter then cover it and allow it to sit in a warm place overnight. The next step is very important! Before you start making the bread in the morning make sure you take out 1 cup of starter so that you have it to use the next time. If you forget (like I have) you have to start all over making the starter again (which I need to do. . .oops!).

This is the starter.

Now you are ready to make the bread. To the sponge add 6 cups flour (depending on what type of bread you want you can use different flour. I used a combination of unbleached all purpose flour and whole wheat.), 2 cups warm water, 2 tsp. salt, and 2 Tbsp. honey. Combine into a smooth dough and turn out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough with floured hands for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary to prevent sticking.


Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and brush the top with oil. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about 3 hours or until doubled in size.

Reknead briefly and then split the dough in half and place in greased loaf pans. Brush the tops with a little more oil and allow to rise for 2ish hours. Slice the tops of the loaves and bake for about 40 minutes to an hour (depending on how hot your oven runs) in a 350* oven. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes and remove from the loaf pans. Enjoy warm with butter and strawberry jam or however else you enjoy your bread.

Tiramisu

I greatly enjoy Tiramisu. It's one of those classic Italian desserts that just send you to another planet while you are savoring every last bite, and then you lick the plate. It is the perfect combination of slightly sweet, coffee, and creaminess. I first made Tiramisu probably three or four years ago, and it has been on my favorites list ever since. Here is my version.

Tiramisu

Espresso Syrup:

1/3 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup strong brewed espresso (or french pressed coffee)
1/4 cup coffee liqueur (or you can use brandy if preferred)

Cream Filling:

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. mascarpone cheese, softened (I use the coffee one)
1/2 lb. ladyfingers
Cocoa Powder (for dusting)

Start by making an espresso syrup by combining the water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and stir to dissolve sugar. Remove from the heat and cool. Add in coffee and coffee liqueur and set aside until ready for layering.

Then make the filling by whipping the cream with the sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Then fold the cream into the softened mascarpone. You can also add some cinnamon into this mixture.

Now you are ready to assemble the Tiramisu. Start by putting a layer of ladyfingers in the bottom of a pan. Pour half of the espresso syrup over the ladyfingers. They will soak up the liquid, so don't freak out!


Then put half of the cream filling on top of the ladyfingers.

Add another layer of ladyfingers.


Pour the other half of the espresso syrup on them.


Then top with the remaining half of the cream filling.


You will want to cover this and let it chill in the fridge and set up overnight if possible. It gets better when it has a chance to sit for a while because the ladyfingers become nice and espresso-y. Before you serve this sprinkle the top with cocoa powder.

Then sit back and let your taste buds take you on a wonderful journey of blissful delight as you enjoy each and every bite of this deliciousness.

Sugar Cookies

I have been living with an extreme dislike of making sugar cookies. Without going into any detail, sugar cookies were the cause of me ultimately quitting my last job. It has been almost a year since I have made sugar cookies because of that. There was honestly a part of me that believed I would never make sugar cookies again in my life because of my bad experience with them. The fact that I made sugar cookies and that I am blogging about them is an expression of my healing process.

These sugar cookies I have nothing but good memories to associate with them. When I was in college my aunt sent me a box of sugar cookies every year on Valentine's Day. Can I just tell you what a blessing that was, for me a single girl to receive a package on Valentine's Day? It was a big deal to me. So Aunt Lynda, if you are reading this, know that your cookies ministered greatly to my heart and still continue to! Thank you!

A while back my mom asked if I had my aunt's recipe for sugar cookies and told me that it was in our family cookbook (yes, we have a family cookbook, be jealous). The other day, I had a hankering to make her sugar cookies, so here they are.

Sugar Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350*F. Cream together butter and powdered sugar.


Add egg and flavorings (I only used vanilla because I didn't have any almond on hand).


Add in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt and mix well.


At this point you can chill the dough if you desire to roll it out and cut out cookies, or if you still haven't quite recovered your love of making sugar cookies to that point, you can just drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes. I baked mine for 4 minutes and then rotated my cookie sheets and baked another 3-4 minutes.


As I bit into one of these little babies, I was already thinking of variations I could make on these, so expect some more sugar cookie goodness to be headed your way soon!

Getting Creative

You know I believe in celebrating people's birthdays. Well, I try to make them what they like best, so I ask for guidelines. This leads to all kinds of responses, and can lead me on new adventures in cooking. There is always a little part of me that gets nervous when I decide to get creative in the kitchen because I'm a little afraid of failing. But that's one of the things I love most about being in the kitchen. No matter what kind of day I have had, I know that when I step into my kitchen and put together the right ingredients, I will get a delicious result.

All of that to say I asked a co-worker what he wanted for his birthday treat, and he told me cheesecake with jello. I had never heard of such a thing before, so I came home and googled jello cheesecake, and after browsing through what seemed a hundred recipes, I decided to combine several of them to get what I made.

It starts with a chocolate cookie crust, topped with a chocolate cheesecake layer, topped with fresh raspberries over which there is raspberry jello. So let's just call it:

Chocolate Raspberry Jello Cheesecake

Start by melting 4 oz. dark chocolate (at least 60% dark, I would probably go all the way to 70 or 75% if possible, but I like my chocolate dark). Remember when melting chocolate to stir it frequently so it doesn't burn the chocolate.

Then crush up some chocolate sandwich cookies (I used Oreos). Combine with a little melted butter and press into a pie plate.

Bake in a 350*F oven for 7ish minutes to help it to set. If possible I would then put this in the freezer to help it set further. I did not actually get to do that with this one, but I would do it next time.


In a bowl combine about 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, some cinnamon, and about 2 Tbsp. milk (I used heavy whipping cream instead of milk and it made the cheesecake layer much thicker than I had expected), and 8 oz. cream cheese that has been softened. Beat until well combined.


Add in the chocolate and beat again until well combined.


Layer this on top of the cookie crust. At this point I would put this back into the freezer to set for a while, but I didn't do that the first time around. Top with fresh raspberries, and pour over that raspberry jello (a 3 oz. package made according to the directions). Allow to sit in the fridge overnight to set.


The only problem I really encountered that I wasn't expecting was that when I poured the jello over the top the crust kind of fell apart that's why I would suggest chilling it in the freezer after putting in the cheesecake layer, but it ended up just fine. Serve this topped with whipped cream.

Salted Brownies (sans eggs)

I love sea salt in chocolate. It's just something about that salty-sweet flavor that appeals to my taste buds. I was looking for a brownie recipe without eggs one day, and I stumbled across this recipe for salted fudge brownies. It called for eggs, but it sounded so good I couldn't pass it up and decided just to substitute for the eggs. Here is my adapted version.

Salted Fudge Brownies
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
9 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. large flake sea salt + more for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350*F. Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over medium low heat, stirring often.

Remove from heat and add in cocoa powder and stir until smooth.


Add in brown sugar and stir until dissolved. You could also throw in a shake of cinnamon here.


Add in applesauce and vanilla and stir until combined.


Add in flour.


Pour batter into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan. I didn't have either of those, so I used what I did have. Then sprinkle with the sea salt and swirl in with a knife. Be careful to not get it too salty.


Bake for 30ish minutes or until the edges are set and the center is still a little soft. Don't over bake!


Enjoy! And they do crumble when you eat them right away when they are warm, in case you were wondering. They are best that way. ;)

An American Classic

Apple pie is classic Americana. It says 4th of July and summertime and picnics. It says family and home and country. And I love making pie, even having a job where I made pie every day for 6 months did not take away my love of baking pie.

In my humble opinion it is the crust that makes the pie. Crust should be flaky and crispy and melt in your mouth. If the crust isn't good, the pie won't be any good. I am torn as to whether I should let you in on my crust recipe. . .not right now. . .maybe later. I will tell you my secret ingredient. I replace a little water with chilled vodka. Here is my apple pie recipe.

Apple Pie
5-6 apples
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
Sprinkle cinnamon
Sprinkle nutmeg
2 Tbsp. flour
2 pie crusts

Preheat oven to 350*F. Peel, core and slice apples. Toss in the brown sugar, flour, and spices until evenly coated. Fill the bottom pie shell and top with 2-3 Tbsp. butter cut into pieces. Top with top crust. I chose to do a woven top crust on this pie. Sprinkle the top of the pie with some cinnamon and bake on a cookie sheet for 40ish minutes. I bake it on a cookie sheet in case it overflows the pie pan. I would rather clean a cookie sheet than clean an oven.


I have used several types of apples, but right now I am stuck on granny smith's because I like the tartness that off sets the sweetness of the brown sugar. I also go back and forth on what to use to sweeten my apple pie. I said brown sugar here because I probably use it the most, but I also really like to use honey. This will make for a slightly more runny pie, though, because there is more liquid.

Tuscan Bean Soup

I saw this recipe on the Pioneer Woman's blog when I was on my cleanse, and I decide to adapt it to fit with what I was eating, so here is my version of her soup. I will have to try it the way she makes it now that I am no longer on my cleanse. Here is the link to her version: Tuscan Bean Soup with Shrimp.

Start with some coconut oil in a pan on medium heat. Add in one medium sized onion, diced, and about 5 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced. Let this cook for a little bit.


Then add in a small can of tomato paste and stir around. Also add in some cayenne pepper, chili powder, dried basil, and dried oregano (which I did not have on hand sadly). Allow this to cook for a little bit.


Add in 6 3/4 cups water (or vegetable broth whichever you prefer), 1 large can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, and 3 cans Great Northern Beans. Simmer, stirring occasionally.


Add in an entire bunch of kale that you have washed and torn up. Yes, it looks intimidating, but it will shrink as it cooks.


Then add in a bunch of fresh basil that you have also torn up.


Allow to cook so the flavors can combine. This soup is excellent reheat as leftovers because it gives the flavors more time to mingle and get to know each other and achieve a perfect balance.



Absolutely delicious and a nice, hearty winter soup.

just because. . .

. . .everyone deserves birthday cake (or pie or cookies or whatever their dessert of choice is). This is one of my personal beliefs. Life is meant to be celebrated, to be savored, to be enjoyed in every capacity to the fullest. Whenever possible, I like to make that happen for the people in my life. In a day and age of fast food and grocery store baked goods, I have an ability to cook and bake that is rare (especially among my age group), so I don't take it for granted, and I try to bless everyone in my life with my abilities whenever possible.

Chocolate cake is a staple, and I have a go to recipe that will please almost anyone, and it's vegan (shhhh, don't tell anyone I said that). I used to have a running competition with a friend that dessert could be delicious and healthy. I would make dessert and after a proclamation that it was indeed delicious, I would proclaim in return that it was also healthy. This cake is my ultimate achievement of delicious and healthy.

Chocolate Cake
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
about 1 tsp. cinnamon
6 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
1 cup dark chocolate almond milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350*F. Line the bottoms of two 9-inch round cake pans with a paper towel and then grease the pans.

Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add in the applesauce, almond milk, oil and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until mixed. Stir in the water. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.

I get paranoid about over baking, so I always start with a lesser amount of time and check and then add more time. My oven also cooks a little hot, so I start with 15 minutes and then add 5 minute increments. I think it takes about 20-25 minutes for this to bake. It is done when the middle of the cake springs back up when you lightly touch it.

Allow the cakes to cool completely and then remove from the pans and frost. This is where the cake stops being vegan, but just because of the frosting I choose to use. If you use a frosting without butter in it, then the cake will remain vegan.

Chocolate Frosting
1 stick butter
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt the butter and stir in the cocoa powder. Add the powdered sugar and almond milk alternately, beating well between each addition. Add vanilla and beat until smooth. I find that this usually makes just a little more frosting than I need, so I like to lick out the bowl when I'm finished, but you do whatever you feel like. ;)

And make this cake the next time someone tells you it's their birthday. They will thank you, trust me!

My recipe is adapted from the recipe for Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake and Frosting.

Quick Fixes

I am big on quick, easy to throw together meals because let's face it, life is crazy. As much as I would love to spend all day in the kitchen making meals that require my time and attention for multiple hours, I just don't have that luxury at this time in my life. Therefore, I like making meals that I can make in a short time that are still delicious and healthy and homemade.

Chicken is such an easy to make and versatile food to make. (Confession: I'm pretty sure I made this last summer and I'm just getting around to blogging about it. . .oops!) I love to use the grill (when it's summer), so I grilled this chicken breast, and added a pasta and white sauce on the side.

To make white sauce (not from a can. . .have you ever actually read the ingredients on a sauce can?) start with a couple of tablespoons of butter (or olive oil or other type of oil depending on the flavor you want) in a saucepan. Allow this to melt, and then add a couple of tablespoons of flour. I prefer to use unbleached all purpose flour for something like this, but you can use whatever you feel like. Stir this. It will be sticky. Add in half and half (or milk or almond milk) and continue stirring. You do not want this to boil or it will be scalded. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens. If you want it to be thicker add a little more flour, but be careful that it doesn't clump. Add in whatever seasonings you like. I like to add basil and Italian seasonings to mine, but it's your preference. Herbs of Provence are also good in white sauce (this is a premixed seasoning that you can fine at most grocery stores or international food stores).

White sauce makes a great base to which you can add many things. I usually add in green peas, carrots, and asparagus which I have cooked until soft along with pasta. For the final product, mix together cooked pasta and veggies with white sauce and toss until coated. You could also cut up the chicken and toss it with this, or you can leave it on the side like I did here.

And there you have it! Delicious, nutritious, and easy! Enjoy!