This was taken a while ago when Tom and I attended the local Food Truck Rally here in Tampa. I could not help myself not taking a picture of this.
Tells you how powerful images are instead of words.
For more Snap Thursday, visit Jenn’s Knitty Baker
One of the main reasons I started Gutsy Cooks was to push myself when it came to trying new things in the kitchen. Often time, we get comfortable with our favorite dishes and tend to make them over and over again, losing the opportunities to try new flavors, ingredients, and techniques.
The whole point of calling the cooking club Gutsy was to remind myself, and those that participate every week with me to be fearless in the kitchen. That is how good cooks are born.
It may be a total bust and you may not like it, but – you.tried.it. You were Gutsy. And then there are those times when something you have never thought would work becomes your new favorite thing.
This salad is my new favorite thing.
I have not posted anything with my baking group from ABC in so long; I’m surprised to see I’m still part of it!
Thank you Hanaa for keeping me in the fold and not kicking me out to the curve.
For 2012, the ABC bakers decided to bake from Abigail Johnson Dodge, The Weekend Baker and she was kind enough to pick our inaugural recipe.
She describes this as an “elegant brunch coffee cake” and after making it today, I could not agree more.
I planned to do this cake back in late December in order to have it ready to post in our early January schedule.
Then, life; sort of happened and this fell through the cracks.
I’m going to start with a quick apology.
I have been so absent from posting because, well… I have been absent from cooking. The past two weeks I have been basically living on cereal and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Did you know that if you melt a bit of cheese on your skillet and then put your toasted grilled cheese on top, you get the best crust EVER?
Try it – you will never see a grilled cheese sandwich the same again.
I continue on my “master the yeast” path.
Since cooking has taken a HUGE backseat to other things happening in my life, my “Recipe to try” folder in my computer is bursting at the seams with tons of recipes waiting for me to make. And what better way to start the New Year than with a yeast bread recipe?
This is one of them. I first saw it back in May (see how long ago!) in the Fisher & Paykel site “Our Kitchen” which is run as collaboration between friends that work for the company. If you have not discovered this site, go now and put it on your reader list. The photos are gorgeous and the recipes are truly one of a kind.
Just like this Braided Hazelnut Bread.
The recipe got my attention because of the hazelnuts (love them!) then it lost my attention because it has apples in it - and if you have been reading me for a while, you know how I feel about cooked fruit in anything sweet. But, I figured that Tom would love it and it has been a while since I have cooked anything specifically to his likings.
But, once I took it out of the oven, the smell was just too good to pass up having a quick taste.
I’m officially converted!
I apologize in advance for the long post.
But I had A LOT of information to give you about this recipe.
Plus, the pretty pictures will keep you salivating.
Then running to your local fish market.
This past Saturday, Tom and I invited our respective mothers for early dinner at our house in order to celebrate Christmas.
During the menu planning, Tom suggested we try making the Paella I been talking about for months and months.
“hint, hint”
I took it and ran with it.
I’m a bread snob. Just like I’m picky about the type of chocolate I eat (the dark kind) I picky about the bread that I use to make my sandwiches.
My preferences always turn to anything that has a crust that is darker brown and a creamy inside. If it’s right out of the oven, it’s a bite of heaven - especially, if it’s use to carry things like a good piece of cheese, salami or my all time weakness – Prosciutto.
Whoever eats prosciutto in soft sandwich bread should be shot in the spot. (I seen it and I have died a little too).
You may think I’m talking specifically about French bread. And while I adore French bread, this is not the only type of artisan bread that I love. Give me a good Ciabatta or a round crusty sourdough and I’m a happy camper.
So when I was planning our Christmas day meal and my mother offered to bring a selection of cure meats and cheeses to munch on while we waited for the Paella, I jumped at the chance to offer to make the bread for it.
And if there is anything that I have learned as I get older, is that time does not stop, so I appreciate the little things more, because those are the things that give us the biggest satisfaction.
Sweetbites is my biggest satisfaction. And everyday I’m so very grateful that I get to share that with each of you.
Yes, you!
Who take the time to come to this spot in the vast Internet and read my words, try my recipes and leave so many comments of praise.
So it’s only fitting that I take the time from my very busy life and wish you and your love ones a great holiday season. One filled with love, laughter, surprises, lots and lots of sweet food and of course health to enjoy it not only this year but, for many to come.
You may wonder what is wrapped in the pretty package above…
It’s the ever popular, easy peasy Swedish Visiting Cake. Which was my go to recipe for my homemade gift to share with my co-workers this year.
To make it pretty, I used a pretty Ikea dishtowel, tied it with it a festive holiday ribbon and attached a great holiday tagsl
Nothing like spreading a sweet Holiday around.
Guess what it looks like…
It’s actually one of my favorite things…
This is the stuff you find when you are strolling on a lazy Sunday afternoon in one of our town’s park.
Remember how snobbish I am about my morning café con leche?
Remember when I got invited by Nescafe Dolce Gusto to try their product?
Even after trying their product during the dinner and being more then impressed by the machine demo, I still did not have much hope for the Piccolo they graciously gave us.
I figured this is one of those things that totally work in the demo, but once you get it home, it’s not going to be the same.
Folks… I have to take it all back.
I LOVE MY NESCAFE PICCOLO!
Thursday, January 19, 2012