Spiced Nuts

I had a container each of walnuts, almonds and cashews and was trying to figure out what to use them for.  I came across Emeril Lagasse's Spiced Nuts recipe (click here for original recipe) and decided to make them.  I adjusted the recipe a little bit and used what I had.  You can use any mixture of nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios or cashews.  These Spiced Nuts were super easy to make and are a great snack.  They are a combination of flavors, both sweet and spicy.  These Spiced Nuts would make a great gift during the upcoming holidays too.  My friend recommended adding fresh chopped rosemary to the spices so I will have to try that next time.  Enjoy!

Spiced Nuts

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

6 cups unsalted mixed nuts (I used walnuts, almonds and cashews.)

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon water

Directions

Line a baking sheet with foil.  Set aside.

In a bowl, mix spices together.  Set aside.

Heat a large pan over medium heat.  Add nuts and stir until they begin to toast, about 3 to 4 minutes. 

Add butter and stir until nuts begin to darken, about 1 minute.

Stir in spices, brown sugar, and water.  Continue to stir until nuts are glazed, about 5 minutes.

Transfer nuts to foil lined baking sheet.  Separate nuts with a fork so they don’t stick together.  

Allow nuts to cool for at least 10 minutes and store in an airtight container.

Christmas Bark

This is one of my favorite holiday desserts and I have made it every Christmas for the last few years.  I first got this recipe from a coworker who made it for our holiday work luncheons.  I had no idea that it was made out of crackers when I first tasted this Christmas Bark.  I ended up using saltines and leftover matzos.  You can feel free to top with nuts such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts.  I like topping with crushed candy canes to give the peppermint taste for the holidays.  FYI - I placed candy canes in a plastic bagged and crushed them with a hammer, easy!  You should definitely make this if you like toffee because that is what this Christmas Bark tastes like.  I can't stop eating this Christmas Bark but I better so that I can share with my family and friends.  Enjoy!

P.S. I finally added Disqus to my blog to make commenting easier, so feel free to leave comments :)

 

Christmas Bark

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 to 2 sleeves of saltine crackers (and/or matzos crackers)

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups chocolate chips

crushed candy canes (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line baking sheets (jelly roll pans with sides is best) with foil or parchment paper.  If using foil, spray lightly with non-stick spray.

Arrange crackers in one layer to completely cover baking sheet/pan.

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add butter and brown sugar.  Bring to a boil for 3 minutes.

Pour butter sugar mixture immediately over the crackers.

Bake for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top.  Let sit 5 minutes to allow chocolate to melt.  Spread melted chocolate with a spatula.

Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of chocolate.  

Allow to cool to completely before breaking into pieces.  You may also refrigerate it to cool overnight. 

Store in airtight container.

Easy Caramelized Figs

I had purchased a pint of figs at the farmers market not too long ago and was thinking of what to do with them.  My thoughts went to dessert and I ended up with these easy caramelized figs.  All you need is butter and brown sugar; it can't get any easier.  I spooned the warm caramelized figs over some frozen vanilla greek yogurt (from Trader Joe's) and it was amazingly delicious!

Easy Caramelized Figs

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

7 figs

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

Slice figs in half lengthwise with stems removed.

In a small pan, over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar.  

Add figs, cut side down, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until caramelized.  Spoon sauce over figs.

Turn figs over and cook on other side.   The butter-sugar sauce will thicken as it cooks.

You may serve the caramelized figs warm or at room temperature.

Serve over ice cream, yogurt, or cake.   

Pumpkin Chicken

Pumpkin chicken?  Yup!  I needed to use up some leftover pumpkin puree so I thought why not.  I adapted this pumpkin chicken recipe from Witty in the City (original recipe here).  I had to use honey instead of maple syrup since I didn't have any.  This pumpkin chicken was actually a little on the spicy side, so if you like a kick, this is your type of chicken dish.  Serve this pumpkin chicken over rice or egg noodles and definitely spoon some of that extra sauce on top.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chicken

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless (4 pieces)

1 cup pumpkin (plain puree)

1 cup chicken stock

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon red chili pepper flakes

½ teaspoon garam masala (or curry powder)

salt

freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.  Place in baking dish.

In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin, chicken stock, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, red chili pepper flakes and garam masala.

Pour pumpkin sauce over chicken.

Bake for about 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Rotate baking dish halfway through baking and baste chicken with the pumpkin sauce.

Serve over rice or egg noodles.

Simple Berry Cobbler

This is truly a simple berry cobbler recipe.  I loved this berry cobbler, it is such a warm and inviting dish.  I served it with a scoop of TJ's frozen vanilla greek fat free yogurt.  It was delicious and is the perfect contract between sweet and tart.  You could also serve it with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream, but I was trying to be somewhat healthy.  This simple berry cobbler is great as a dessert or even breakfast.  Enjoy!

Simple Berry Cobbler

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter
1 ½ cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cups milk
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups blueberries

2 cups strawberries, diced (same size as blueberries)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a 9x13 inch baking dish, add butter and place in oven while preheating so butter melts.

In a large mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Whisk dry ingredients together. 

Next, add in sugars and milk.  Whisk together until a batter forms and there are no more lumps.

Pour batter in the baking dish with the melted butter.  There is no need to stir the butter, it will come up around the batter and that is fine.

Top batter with the blueberries and strawberries.

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  (It took me about 55 minutes to bake.)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

I cannot get enough of pumpkin these days, and I have already made pumpkin cupcakes.  Since I made banana bread earlier, I adapted the recipe for this pumpkin chocolate chip bread.  This bread is moist, delicious and full of pumpkiny goodness!  Is pumpkiny even a word? LOL  This pumpkin chocolate chip bread is perfect for breakfast and I had a slice today with my morning latte.  I also shared the bread with some of my coworkers and everyone enjoyed it.  It is nice that I get to share my baked goods at work because I should not be eating it all myself!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

¾ cup pumpkin

4 tablespoons butter, melted (I microwave in a bowl for about 45 seconds.)

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

1 ½ cup flour

½ cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, flour and cinnamon.

In another bowl, combine pumpkin, butter, sugars, egg and vanilla.

Combine the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into greased loaf pan.  Bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.