Chocolate, Chocolate, and Oh Yes...Chocolate!

Hi everybody, it's Stacey! I couldn't let Valentine's Day come and go without doing a blog about chocolate, because everyone loves chocolate and the two go together so famously. I want to start out by saying that I eat a gluten free plant based diet void of meat, dairy, egg, and of course gluten. Needless to say, I eat home a lot and in my endless search for new and exciting ways to eat, bake, and cook I scour food blogs. Recently I came across one that had me drooling, literally. Not only are the recipes to die for but the photographs are exquisite. So here are some delicious chocolate desserts from gourmande in the kitchen that taste sinful and are still somewhat healthy. Enjoy, you deserve it!

Chocolate Blackberry Mille-Feuille

Ingredients:

7 oz of good quality dark chocolate, finely chopped

7 tablespoons of coconut milk 

pinch of fine sea salt

1 teaspoon of blackberry liqueur

1 tablespoon of blackberry jam, naturally sweetened

2 oz of fresh blackberries

cocoa powder to finish.

Read here for further instructions: http://tiny.cc/e7b4rw

Cocoa Dusted Maple Glazed Walnuts

 Ingredients:

 for maple glazed walnuts:

2 cups raw walnuts

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

for the chocolate coating:

5 oz of unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil

1/4 cup plus tablespoon maple syrup

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

Read here for further instructions: http://tiny.cc/eao5rw

Chocolate Date Caramel Walnut Tart

 Ingredients:

 for the crust:

 2 cups almond flour

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup extra virgin unrefined coconut oil, melted

for the date walnut filling:

10 Medjool dates soaked in 1/2 cup of warm water 

2 tablespoons of extra virgin unrefined coconut oil, melted

1/2 vanilla bean, pod seeds scraped

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup of chopped toasted walnuts (divided use)

for the ganache:

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup extra virgin unrefined coconut oil 

1/2 cup raw organic cacao powder 

Read here for further instructions: http://tiny.cc/oqo5rw

Hopefully by now you've taken a look at Sylvie's blog gourmandeinthekitchen.com and maybe you were as inspired as I was by her decadent desserts and also some of her amazing recipes. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines day - whether you eat chocolate or not. 

Post by: Stacey Larnerd

Photographs and Recipes courtesy of: Sylvie Shirazi, the author, photographer and real food lover behind Gourmande in the Kitchen.

 

Read More

Somebody Make Me: THE BEST DAMN PULLED PORK I'VE EVER HAD

On Halloween this year, my friends and I decided to have a laid back night in. We planned on posting up at Paul and Amara's house to pass out candy to the kids, and Marcella would to bring over dinner for us all. I always enjoy a home cooked meal, but I didn't expect to be obsessed with what she brought for us to eat. She "whipped up" pulled pork sandwiches with an apple coleslaw, and a whiskey fig spread. Oh. My. GAWD. I mean, it was so good, it should be illegal. I'm not joking. This isn't funny. I'm being very serious. You NEED these recipes.

Marcella Rose's Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Crisp Apple Coleslaw and Whiskey Fig Spread

 Dry Rub

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1 3 lb pork roast, shoulder or butt

In Ashland, we have been recently blessed with one damn fine butcher; Boulton & Son.  This shop is not only stunningly set up with so many delicious items and ultra-local products, but the help is second to none.  The boys behind that counter can’t wait to share their knowledge and know-how, and they'll even let you have a taste or two.  Seriously, if you need meat, this is your place.  For those not in Ashland, take the time to seek out your local butcher; you won’t regret it!

Directions:

Place all items for the run together and mix.  Feel free to add and delete or change items to suit your personal tastes! Take ingredients and get in a get a little friendly with your pork, give it a nice rub down.  For added flavor you can put the pork in the fridge to let it get acquainted with the rub overnight.   If you don’t have time, don’t stress,  place the pork in a roasting pan and throw it in the oven at 300 degrees F for 6 hours.  For an 8 or 9-hour time turn the oven to 250.

Fig Whiskey Spread

Dice one onion and place around pork along with about 20 figs to bake with the pork.  When the pork is done take all the figs and onion and place in a blender along with all the juices from the pork and puree.  Add whiskey (or beef stock) as needed until the ingredients create a thick spread.

Apple Cider Barbecue Sauce

• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup brown mustard
• 1/4 cup molasses 
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Let all ingredients simmer together for 10 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the pork is done remove from oven and let cool until you can handle it, then with two forks begin shredding and add to sauce.

 

Crisp Apple Coleslaw

• One head of cabbage shredded
• 2 apples cut into match sticks- see photo

 

Dressing

• The juice on one lemon or lime
• Two tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all together and serve along side the pork with buns and spread! Delish!!

Sounds incredible, right? I'm quite the pulled pork enthusiast, and typically order it if I find it on a menu, and hers is by far the best I've ever had. The spread, the apple slaw, and her pulled pork recipes combined make for a perfect storm of a comfort food experience.

Oh, here's a picture Marcella took of me after I had my first bite:

Marcella not only comes up with incredible food recipes, she is also quite the DIY'er. Check out her blog...it's quite entertaining!

post by Amanda
recipe and pictures by Marcella Rose

Read More

Unique Holiday Cookie Recipes

Plan on baking treats to gift to friends and family this month? It might be time to set aside your famous chocolate chip cookie recipe and give one of these unusual recipes a go...


Black Pepper and Balsamic Cookies

"Eat them with fresh strawberries for a perfect blend of flavors."

 Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

"It's the addition of ground chile that lends it its name -- and moves it into the adult cookie jar."

 Italian Polenta Cookies

"Use imported polenta, which is available in most Italian markets and specialty-food stores."

 Rosemary and Pignoli Cookies

"The cookie dough can be made and formed into logs ahead of time and frozen for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in refrigerator when ready to bake."

Savory Parmesan Shortbread Rounds

"Serving suggestion: with pre-dinner drinks or on a salami platter."

Jalapeno Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

"When you first bite into these, you won't taste the jalapeño, but after a few more bites and after you finish swallowing, you'll feel some heat linger around. It's a pretty neat feeling and taste."

 Dark Chocolate Avocado Cookies (gluten and dairy free!)

"Now if you just can’t stand the idea of chocolate cookies tasting like avocado, don’t worry! You can’t taste it."

 Lemon Cilantro Cookies

"There’s a lot of cilantro in them, but it doesn’t really over power the cookies, it’s very subtle."

 Rosemary Lime Cookies (vegan, gluten & dairy free)

"The rosemary and lime in this cookie are wonderful together. Lime takes center stage and rosemary is just a subtle accent."

Curry Coriander Shorties

"The most intriguing and delicious recipe for cookies I've seen in ages!"

Pretty interesting, right? I'm dying to try some of the more savory recipes like the Parmesan Shortbread Rounds and the Lemon Cilantro cookies. What cookie recipes do you have in your arsenal that never fail to wow?



post by Amanda

Read More