Well, it's been some time since I updated this old thing, so why not start off a comeback with posting about my first attempt at making buns?
I can't recall what we were having for dinner, but i wanted buns to go with. Not having the desire to go down to the grocery store for some, i figured it was high time i tried to make some myself.
I searched for an easy recipe, and a few came up. Quite a few, actually. I had to whittle down the ones i could use with the ingredients i had (Paula Deen had ones with mayonnaise in them, ew! i don't have mayo in the house)
anyway, once i decided on a recipe, i went to it. Fairly simple: flour, creme of tartar, a couple eggs i think, some oil, and no butter (had only a little bit on hand anyway)
They turned out...okay. They tasted like buns, but definitely lacked something...perhaps butter? I think we've been spoiled by eating Charlie's (Vince's brother) rolls, which are the most divine buns ever in the world. I'll have to try out his recipe one day.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Eggplant Steaks
Sadly, i didn't get any pictures of this evenings dinner. I do have a recipe though to share it with you all!
I first had this meal at a restaurant here in Ottawa. Eggplant Steaks. Sounds interesting, eh? Well, it is if you like eggplant. I know a lot of people do not, but thankfully, V and i are fans of it.
Tonight, i tried to replicate what i had in the restaurant. The only difference is they used fresh basil in their layers, while i used dried rosemary. Oh well. You make do with what you have on hand!
Here is the recipe! Enjoy!
you need:
An eggplant
a big tomato
goat cheese
red pepper (optional)
rosemary (or basil, or whatevr you have on hand)
pepper
a bit of salt (i used some coarse salt, don't need much)
balsamic vinegar
Slice up the eggplant length wise, making 'pairs' of slices (2 slices per person at least, if you want one eggplant 'steak', more if you want more obv.)
Slice up your tomato into big slices, same with your peppers.
On a roasting pan, lay them all out and spray all with a bit of olive oil, and then drizzle the eggplant with balsamic vinegar. Pepper them all, and add salt to tomato (i also added a bit of paprika, for no other reason than i wanted to)
Roast for 15 minutes or so, depending on your oven, at at least 375. you want them to get nice and tender, but not too mushy.
Once done in the oven, lay a piece of the eggplant on your plate; add goat cheese layer on it (however much you like). After adding the cheese, add your tomato slices (two usually covers the length of the eggplant piece) then your red pepper slices, and then top with another eggplant slice.
And there you have a tasty eggplant steak!
I first had this meal at a restaurant here in Ottawa. Eggplant Steaks. Sounds interesting, eh? Well, it is if you like eggplant. I know a lot of people do not, but thankfully, V and i are fans of it.
Tonight, i tried to replicate what i had in the restaurant. The only difference is they used fresh basil in their layers, while i used dried rosemary. Oh well. You make do with what you have on hand!
Here is the recipe! Enjoy!
you need:
An eggplant
a big tomato
goat cheese
red pepper (optional)
rosemary (or basil, or whatevr you have on hand)
pepper
a bit of salt (i used some coarse salt, don't need much)
balsamic vinegar
Slice up the eggplant length wise, making 'pairs' of slices (2 slices per person at least, if you want one eggplant 'steak', more if you want more obv.)
Slice up your tomato into big slices, same with your peppers.
On a roasting pan, lay them all out and spray all with a bit of olive oil, and then drizzle the eggplant with balsamic vinegar. Pepper them all, and add salt to tomato (i also added a bit of paprika, for no other reason than i wanted to)
Roast for 15 minutes or so, depending on your oven, at at least 375. you want them to get nice and tender, but not too mushy.
Once done in the oven, lay a piece of the eggplant on your plate; add goat cheese layer on it (however much you like). After adding the cheese, add your tomato slices (two usually covers the length of the eggplant piece) then your red pepper slices, and then top with another eggplant slice.
And there you have a tasty eggplant steak!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Cookie Monster...
I'm not much of a sweets baker. I'm into more dinner-y, savory things. I also hate the mess that baking usually leaves behind.
However, in this last month, not once but twice did i dip my hands into a bag of sugar and a can of cocoa.
My first baking adventure this month was into the world of cupcakes. i've made cupcakes before (my first time ever way back when, i made vanilla Betty Crocker cupcakes, added blue dye and mint extract. i will never live that experiment down!) but never had i made SKOR cupcakes. These were a special treat for a coworker who did a favour for me.
They turned out pretty great, i'm told! I didn't try any myself (too much chocolate for me), so I'm really only going on the feedback from those who did eat 'em.
My latest adventure was into the world of cookies. Chocolate chip, to be exact. I had a bag of chips in the cupboard, for some reason and decided to use them up. I was also inspired by the tasty cookies my supervisor Emilie at work made the other week. Copy cat, i suppose you could call me.
They turned out pretty good! I learned something too: if you roll up the dough in your hands to make balls, they come out more nicer than just plopping them down on the pan. Also another goodie kitchen tip: the new ALCAN SLIDE heavy duty tin foil is awesome. You don't have to spray it with oil or pam or anything. Cookies slide off the tin foil perfectly!
The recipe i used for the cupcakes came from the interent. Just google skor cupcakes. It didn't call for any egg, so it's great for egg allergies or vegans (i think you'll have to sub in a few other items though to be true vegan).
I used a recipe from my Kitchen Aid mixer recipe book for the cookies. One change i made: i didn't have enough butter, so i subbed in some apple sauce. Not exact amounts, just eyeballed it. I'm such a natural, eh hehe.
However, in this last month, not once but twice did i dip my hands into a bag of sugar and a can of cocoa.
My first baking adventure this month was into the world of cupcakes. i've made cupcakes before (my first time ever way back when, i made vanilla Betty Crocker cupcakes, added blue dye and mint extract. i will never live that experiment down!) but never had i made SKOR cupcakes. These were a special treat for a coworker who did a favour for me.
They turned out pretty great, i'm told! I didn't try any myself (too much chocolate for me), so I'm really only going on the feedback from those who did eat 'em.
My latest adventure was into the world of cookies. Chocolate chip, to be exact. I had a bag of chips in the cupboard, for some reason and decided to use them up. I was also inspired by the tasty cookies my supervisor Emilie at work made the other week. Copy cat, i suppose you could call me.
They turned out pretty good! I learned something too: if you roll up the dough in your hands to make balls, they come out more nicer than just plopping them down on the pan. Also another goodie kitchen tip: the new ALCAN SLIDE heavy duty tin foil is awesome. You don't have to spray it with oil or pam or anything. Cookies slide off the tin foil perfectly!
The recipe i used for the cupcakes came from the interent. Just google skor cupcakes. It didn't call for any egg, so it's great for egg allergies or vegans (i think you'll have to sub in a few other items though to be true vegan).
I used a recipe from my Kitchen Aid mixer recipe book for the cookies. One change i made: i didn't have enough butter, so i subbed in some apple sauce. Not exact amounts, just eyeballed it. I'm such a natural, eh hehe.
Monday, November 16, 2009
i used old cheddar. the BEST cheddar!
Monday Night Dinner.
We eat a lot of pork tenderloin, for a few reasons.
It's cheap.
It's plentiful.
It's so versatile - you can do a LOT of different things with it.
Pair it up with veggies of your liking, or just have it on it's own. Stuff it with cheese, with nuts, with fruit, with vegetables. Or don't, and just cook it with a spicy sauce slathered all over it.
Whatever you do with your pork, just make sure you cook it thoroughly and enjoy every last morsel!
We eat a lot of pork tenderloin, for a few reasons.
It's cheap.
It's plentiful.
It's so versatile - you can do a LOT of different things with it.
Pair it up with veggies of your liking, or just have it on it's own. Stuff it with cheese, with nuts, with fruit, with vegetables. Or don't, and just cook it with a spicy sauce slathered all over it.
Whatever you do with your pork, just make sure you cook it thoroughly and enjoy every last morsel!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Oh, poor neglected blog!
So much for being a blogging babe. I've had very little time to dedicate myself to blogging, or cooking, so having a cooking blog really hasn't fared out too well so far. In any case, here are a few pictures from tonights dinner.
It was my first time making a pot roast. I've conquered many other huge chunks of meat, but this was my first roast. Turned out fab, except the gravy. I used a mix (heaven forbid!) and it was only fair. Next time, i'll stay true and use my kitchen bouquet like i'm supposed to.
The recipe was simple:
Preheat oven to 345 degrees.
1 can of apple juice added to roaster. Add hunk of meat and onions (sliced, chopped, however you wish) to the roast.
Roast your meat for about 45 minutes
at the 45 min. mark, add in peeled and cut up carrots, parsnips, potatoes and a can of peas (use some of the juice if you wish from the pea can).
Pop it in the oven again, for about another hour or so. Depends on how thick your meat is, and how well done you like your beef.
Take it out, slice it up, serve with veggies. Make a gravy from the juice if you wish. Enjoy with red wine!
LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42028719@N02/sets/72157622763692370/
It was my first time making a pot roast. I've conquered many other huge chunks of meat, but this was my first roast. Turned out fab, except the gravy. I used a mix (heaven forbid!) and it was only fair. Next time, i'll stay true and use my kitchen bouquet like i'm supposed to.
The recipe was simple:
Preheat oven to 345 degrees.
1 can of apple juice added to roaster. Add hunk of meat and onions (sliced, chopped, however you wish) to the roast.
Roast your meat for about 45 minutes
at the 45 min. mark, add in peeled and cut up carrots, parsnips, potatoes and a can of peas (use some of the juice if you wish from the pea can).
Pop it in the oven again, for about another hour or so. Depends on how thick your meat is, and how well done you like your beef.
Take it out, slice it up, serve with veggies. Make a gravy from the juice if you wish. Enjoy with red wine!
LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42028719@N02/sets/72157622763692370/
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Picture Update!
Made some awesome chili this week. check it out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42028719@N02/sets/72157622383251217/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42028719@N02/sets/72157622383251217/
Sunday, September 20, 2009
On a bit of a foodie break...
Sorry for the delay in postings for those who actually read this blog! Since school started, i've been quite busy not only with school work, but also I have been working two jobs. Yikes. I don't know how people can do it. I'm not one of those people, in any case. Sadly, our dinners have been reflecting this decrease in time, and haven't been all too special. I hope to get a start on some nice slow cooker meals to share, casseroles, and other lovely speedy meals. In the mean time, i will not bore you with pictures of frozen pizzas, simple sandwiches and left over pork chops :S
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
