Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

My blog has stayed pretty stagnant lately but it's certainly not indicative of my kitchen! I've used (no joke) three bags of flour in as many days. We've been busy and enjoyed Christmas. My KitchenAid, Ms. Empire Red, got a new boyfriend for Christmas. Don't worry, I'm still in love with my KitchenAid but I am excited to have the Bosch for bread making. I've always felt a little guilty about overusing my dearest mixer on big batches of cinnamon rolls or brioche! Yesterday, after all the commotion died down, I made a big batch of wheat bread, rolls, a batch of orange rolls and a batch of cinnamon rolls. My Tall Man, Mr. Carbohydrate himself, is enjoying my present too.


So about this French Fridays with Dorie recipe. It's really simple- some sugar, spices, nuts, and a egg white. I had my son do the whole thing (with a little direction) and he had fun and enjoyed the final product. Get the recipe from Dorie's wonderful book here. I'm going to try another sweet cinnamon version next and soon, because I think these would be great for any party (or to snack on around the house, what we did!)


I have lots of yummy recipes to post and hope to be back soon. Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

Marie Helene's Apple Cake

We love apples at our house and while cake is growing on me, I'm still a frosting girl at heart. So when I read that this week's French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Marie Helene's Apple Cake, was more "apple" than "cake" I was on board. I made it for my mom's birthday dinner (that's her above with Baby Strawberry, who since her birthday has decided that people singing to her is the single best thing in the world). Since we don't have any alcohol around here, I opted for extra vanilla and a little almond extract to flavor the cake batter. It was delicious and I love how quickly it came together. I'll definetely be making this cake again when I'm looking for something simple and tasty- that's how we like it around here.

For this easy, yummy recipe you need to get a copy of Dorie's newest book, Around My French Table. It's on sale now!

PS This picture was taken by my phone when my beloved camera was in the shop! Thank goodness my pretty is back!

French Fridays- Gougeres

Today is the first day of French Fridays with Dorie, an awesome new group dedicated to baking through Dorie Greenspan's new book Around My French Table. Dorie choose the first recipes and todays, Gougeres, are absolutely delicious (no surprise there!) Gougeres are made just like cream puffs (a quick and easy stove top process) except you add cheese- I used a mix of cheddar and fresh Parmesan. You scoop or pipe them onto cookie sheets, bake, and end up with a yummy appetizer that leaves you wanting more. More what? I'm not sure. Maybe alcohol, because that's the suggested pairing. But- since I don't drink, I just figured I would stuff them with something else. My mom suggested jalapeno and cream cheese to make a sort of home made jalapeno poppers (you've had those, right?) Now I hope I don't fail the first Frenchie Friday attempt by adding Mexican flavors but this ended up pretty yummy- Cream Cheese, Green Chiles (that's what was in the pantry), Pimentos, Black Olives, and Salt and Pepper. I scoop it in and then we tried another and thought, "Now it's done." Either way, these are super yummy- and easy to make. And although I clearly took this recipe in a crazy direction I think the moral of the story is that French food doesn't have to be hard or fancy pants. So buy the book already- I can't wait to try more!

PS My beloved camera is in the shop so my blogging is feeling a little strained by the thought of using my cell phone or stealing my mom's purse camera! Excuse my inconsistency (not that that's anything new, but, well, I really am missing my camera!)

Don't Tell Dorie I Made These Southwestern Gougeres Filling
from Anne Strawberry

1 stick of neufchatel (reduced fat) cream cheese, softened
1 can mild green chiles
2 tablespoons pimentos
1/4 cup diced black olives
salt and pepper to taste