Showing posts with label bread. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bread. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Pumpkin Biscuits with Spicy Honey Butter

Perfect Pairing: Soup

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Are you tired of pumpkin recipes yet?  Nah, of course not!!  That is a silly question.  If you like pumpkin recipes you really can’t get enough of them in the fall.

These biscuits are tasty on their own, but they are next level good when combined with spicy honey butter.  The pumpkin flavor is not overpowering, just a nice subtle background flavor.  It also makes them a lovely color!

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When I was in college I was lucky enough to go on an incentive trip with my parents to Maui.  My mom extended in Honolulu for some meetings with her team, so I was on my own with my dad and brother.  One of the nights we went to a generic BBQ restaurant in our hotel.  I don’t remember anything other than the cornbread and spicy honey butter.  It was so good.  

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That was many years ago and I still remember it fondly.  I recreated it and have used this simple butter recipe many times and it is great with cornbread, biscuits, toast, etc. 

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While spilling flour (purposefully) all over your counter and rolling out dough may seem annoying and not worth the work, it is actually pretty cathartic and enjoyable!  This 7-Up biscuit recipe requires flour on your counter, but no rolling pin.  Equally delish!

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These biscuits are perfect alongside a bowl of yummy soup on a cool fall day.  We had it with our favorite, Cheeseburger Soup

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Monday, November 10, 2014

Pumpkin Cranberry Petite Scones with Orange Glaze

Perfect Pairing: Tea and coffee


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My love of scones came from having high tea with my mom on girls trips to Chicago.  We would wind down from our shopping/sightseeing weekends with a truly luxurious and relaxing high tea at a fancy hotel.  I was thrilled to have my very own teapot and delicate china.  Everything felt so feminine and grown up.  Tea always included dainty sandwiches, like these cucumber sandwiches, pastries, and of course, scones with clotted cream and jam. 


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I have tried a few different scone recipes through the years.  These Pumpkin Cranberry Petite Scones with Orange Glaze are one of my favorites.  


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The pumpkin is not overpowering and the cranberries add a little tang.  I also used a small amount of cinnamon chips.  If you cannot find cinnamon chips it would be ok without them.  The sweet orange glaze is the proverbial icing on the cake.  Don’t skip that!


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Often scones are quite large so I took a cue from Starbucks and made these “petite”.  


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One is perfect as an afternoon snack with tea and two are perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee.   


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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Un-Recipe Files – Strawberry and Prosciutto Grilled Bread

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This is such a simple and delicious appetizer.  It received rave reviews every time I made it. 

Cut a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise.  In a small bowl mix olive oil and a good dose of salt and pepper.  Brush the seasoned oil on the cut sides of the bread and grill until lightly charred and toasty. 


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This cutting down the center thing was a revelation.  In the past when I grilled bread (like for this whipped ricotta appetizer) I cut individual pieces of bread, brushed with olive oil, and then grilled each one.  Then one time my cousin’s husband was helping me in the kitchen and did it in two large pieces.  Duh.  Why didn’t I think of that??


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After the bread is perfectly grilled slice into pieces, top with strawberry jam or preserves, and then top each piece with some prosciutto.  Of course, if you can get your hands on some homemade strawberry jam that is the best.  I’m spoiled.

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Friday, May 23, 2014

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Perfect Pairing: Spring loaded scoop


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Finally!  The start of summer is here!  No wonder record levels of people are hitting the roads this weekend.  This winter made everyone crazy for warm weather and warm weather activities.  I can’t wait!

There has been a lack of posting in May on Perfecting the Pairing, mainly because of an  incredible trip to France.  I just got home a couple days ago and I am adjusting to real life.  I was in Paris for work and then extended for a few days of vacation in Nice.  I studied for a semester in Nice and this was my first time back.  I still adore it!  The trip was absolutely wonderful, mainly because I was joined by my fabulous boyfriend.  Talk about romantic!  Some highlights??  Well don’t mind if I do!

Exploring Paris, walks along the Seine, and Montmarte


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Top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset

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Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, my welcome reception dinner room (I was the meeting planner) had a pretty insane view.

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The food and wine, obviously!

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Clearly we hated this meal.

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We finished our time in Paris with a dinner cruise on the Seine.  Wow.  Just.... wow.

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My favorite part of Nice is the old section of the town, Vieux Nice.  Filled with tiny streets, old buildings, shops, and charm.

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Eze is a medieval village between Nice and Monaco and is pretty much heaven on earth. 

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This would be the most expensive mojito and gin and tonic in history but totally worth it because it came with a view.

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On our last morning we went to the flower and produce markets in Vieux Nice.  

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We couldn’t resist buying some strawberries to enjoy with our baguette sandwiches.  I forgot strawberries could be so good.  

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Until next time Nice!

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So, it was pretty a pretty amazing trip.  Fortunately, the best part of vacation (the man) came back to Chicago with me!

Muffins!  One weekend morning I was craving muffins and came up with these lemon poppy seed muffins with a lemon glaze.  They were so easy and tasty.  The glaze puts them over the top!

I have talked about spring loaded scoops on here many times, but I am going to keep pushing them.  They are the perfect tool for muffins, cookies, truffles, etc.  Every kitchen needs a set in various sizes!

One year ago on Perfecting the Pairing:  Sweet Potato and Sausage Breakfast Hash

Two years ago on Perfecting the Pairing:  Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

French Onion Soup

Perfect Pairing:  Epicurean cutting board

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Today you are getting a soup recipe.  Why?  Because it snowed in Chicago yesterday.  It was quite a bit of snow actually.  I am NOT happy about it.  I am so disgusted with winter.  That has to be the last snow.  Right?  RIGHT?!

I have always loved French onion soup.  Why not?  It is salty, cheesy, and topped with crusty bread.  It even eliminates the extra step of me dunking my bread in the soup, which I love to do.  For some reason I avoided making this at home because I assumed it would be very time consuming and perhaps difficult.  I guess I just always assume French recipes are time consuming and difficult. 

While we are on the topic of France.... I am going to France next month!  I am over the moon excited.  I am going for work but extending for fun.  The first half of the trip will be in Paris and then it is off to sunny Nice for a few days.  I can barely stand it! I studied for a semester in Nice, so I am pretty pumped to see it again as a grown-up and a foodie. 


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Anyway, like I said above, I always thought French recipes were difficult.  Good news!  French onion soup is easy!  Really, really easy.  This version tastes just like the restaurant classic.  It does take some time to get the onions cooked down but overall it is very low maintenance.  It would be great as a first course or served alongside a hearty salad. **My original draft of this said a heart salad, not hearty.  Gross.   When I made the soup I served it with this Kale Salad with Spiced Sweet Potatoes and Sweet Sesame Dressing.  It was a great cold weather meal.


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The most time consuming part of the prep is slicing the onions.  It is important to have a really sharp knife.  Invest in a great knife and you won’t be sorry.  I love my Shun knives. 

I have always used the flexible plastic cutting boards.  They are great in the beginning, but after a few runs through the dishwasher they start to fold up around the edges and cause extreme annoyance in the chef.  My mom had an Epicurean cutting board that she received after attending a Wolf oven demonstration.  I coveted it.  I assumed this was a specialty board that would be hard to find, but apparently they are all over the place.  It was at the top of my Christmas list this year.  I love this board.  It is dishwasher safe, lightweight, and comes in various sizes.  This might sound crazy but I truly enjoy cutting and chopping more on this board than any other.  Weird? 


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