tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6308574237838232382024-03-18T00:04:32.159-07:00Once Upon a Plateexploring good food, one dish at a timeMari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-64719258480310517842014-02-11T02:30:00.000-08:002014-03-03T08:02:31.666-08:00Honey Sesame Chicken (Slow Cooker) and two other things . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Honey-Sesame-Chicken/i-wk6PfJf/0/X2/LR.A.HoneySesame.cr79-X2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>First of all:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Thank you - for leaving kind messages and emails for </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">positive thoughts, prayers and good wishes as we ushered </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our sweet Black Labrador from this life. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please accept my deepest thanks. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your kindness and understanding </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has been so appreciated. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little more about our pal at the end of this post.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</b></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Second of all:</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blog connection problems!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> With <b><u>NO</u></b> thanks to Blogger/Google. :(</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been a <u>snafu</u> with my domain name onceuponaplate1.com.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am attempting to retrieve it, but in the meantime I've reverted</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to "<b><a href="http://www.onceuponaplate.blogger.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">www.onceuponaplate.blogspot.com</span></a></b>", so if you have had</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">difficulty getting feeds or connecting with my blog -- that is why. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can change your </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">address book/connection to '<b>www.onceuponaplate.blogspot.com</b>'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we'll be able to keep in touch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And <i>enough</i> of that business.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, this difficult time and dreary weather seemed to cry out for comfort food, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so when I happened upon this recipe I knew I wanted to try it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Originally found at Baby Center <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">(<a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/crock-pot-honey-sesame-chicken/" target="_blank">click</a>)</span>, it was adapted by a another blogger </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tessa @ Handle the Heat <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">(<a href="http://www.handletheheat.com/2013/07/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken.html" target="_blank">click</a>)</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both versions looked good but</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to pump it up slightly to give it more of an Asian edge, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which we prefer, so I added a couple of tweaks to suit our taste.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The original recipe called for boneless/skinless chicken breasts... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but for slow cooking I prefer boneless/skinless chicken thighs ~ </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are more flavorful and can stand up to slow cooking more successfully </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">than breasts. Thighs remain moist and tender during the long cooking period.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Honey-Sesame-Chicken/i-bzZwZPW/0/XL/IMG_5065.sz.M.c-XL.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I followed Tessa's (Handle the Heat) recipe fairly closely, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>but I did make these changes:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-</b> I tossed a couple of slices of fresh ginger into the slow cooker</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-</b> I used the ketchup called for in original recipe,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(if you are avoiding corn syrup use an organic brand that does not include it.) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>Or do as Tessa did and substitute tomato sauce</i>.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-</b> Increased the garlic to 3 cloves, minced</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-</b> Increased the cider vinegar to 3 teaspoons <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Tablespoon)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-</b> Added a couple of splashes of Dry Cocktail Sherry </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(may substitute Mirin instead~ Japanese cooking wine for the sherry)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Increased the sesame oil to 2 teaspoons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Along with the scallion garnish I added fresh Cilantro sprigs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, I recommend you adjust the seasonings to your own taste, of course. :)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Honey-Sesame-Chicken/i-hcVHcst/0/XL/IMG_5080.M.cr-XL.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope if you try this recipe you'll love it. It reheats and freezes well </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(sans the garnishes), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so you can make ahead and have it on hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Simply warm it up and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sprinkle with the fresh garnishes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve over rice, noodles, or your favorite grain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also a fabulous filling for lettuce leaves or small sandwich buns.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find both recipes via the links above ... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe you will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like this method of preparing chicken.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Honey-Sesame-Chicken/i-2tQPWFG/0/M/JohnSilver.S.M-M.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-LABRADOR-RETRIEVER-ORIGINAL-OIL-PAINTING-JOHN-SILVER-BA-/390767400315?pt=UK_art_Paintings_GL&hash=item5afb8d557b" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">© original oil by John Silver, UK</span></a>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Original is available, click the above link to learn more.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Pal</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news is the Veterinarian was 'off' in her estimate of </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the amount of time our pup </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had remaining.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our boy actually enjoyed an additional several weeks of a good, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">happy life </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beyond what was predicted, tail wags and all. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made every effort to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">make sure he enjoyed each moment, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">doing things he liked, eating well, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">going for rides in the car, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sleeping comfortably, being loved;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> he was able to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">remain </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">free of pain and discomfort until the very end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May we all have it so when it's our time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is to 14 splendid years of love and companionship.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a mean bone in his body . . . he was a good boy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tough decision was made Monday morning February 3rd ~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he was such a wonderful dog, very much loved, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is sorely missed and will remain forever in our hearts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* ©The Art of John Silver, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine Artist, U.K.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Please visit Mr. Silver's site, JSFA <a href="http://www.johnsilverfinearts.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">(The Fine Art of John Silver) </span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(http://www.johnsilverfinearts.com/) to see more of his exquisite work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You may order prints, originals, or contact to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">perhaps commission an original painting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Shipping is available worldwide from the UK.*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">http://www.johnsilverfinearts.com </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">http://john-silver.artistwebsites.com</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> http://www.johnsilverfinearts.co.uk</span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>Disclaimer:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Mr. Silver has no idea who I am; </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>I receive no compensation for recommending his work. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I'm just a fan, entirely </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">captivated by his incredible talent. </span></span></i></div></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Thank you for coming by today friends!</span></span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I wish you peace and happiness.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: SortsMillGoudyRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="item"> </span></span> <br />
<div class="source" style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: SortsMillGoudyRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/1434804/?claim=s2b9a4zh6qw">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-44574378504026983212013-11-27T09:45:00.000-08:002014-02-09T15:29:08.360-08:00Roasted Carrot and Fresh Ginger Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Roasted-Carrot-Soup-w-Fresh/i-KwPtPLQ/0/X2/IMG_5049.A.M-X2.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a comforting* soup you can pull together when </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there is practically </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nothing in the refrigerator or pantry...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you are busy. With other things.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides being healthful and budget friendly,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the additional bonus is that it goes together quite quickly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that is required are a few carrots, an onion, clove of garlic, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bay leaf, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chicken or vegetable broth or stock, oil/butter, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt and pepper ~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and fresh ginger (which I always have on hand for</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cooking and use in smoothies.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>*I've been needing extra comforting recently,</b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>and I'll explain why at the close of this post . . .</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Roasted-Carrot-Soup-w-Fresh/i-q6vjWkh/0/X2/IMG_5029.A.m-X2.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The method goes like this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peel and cut the carrots into large chunks, toss with oil and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">roast in hot oven until tender.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweat chopped onion in a large pot, when translucent add minced garlic and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">minced ginger for just seconds. Add broth/stock to pot, then bay leaf</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and roasted carrots carrots. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then reduce to a simmer, cook for 20 to 30 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using either a blender (or an immersion blender) puree the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">contents of the pot until silky smooth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point you can stir in some heavy cream to make it creamy,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or a tiny amount of Harissa sauce (to make it spicier),</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a little finely grated orange zest</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Roasted-Carrot-Soup-w-Fresh/i-cHdK7nW/0/X2/IMG_5041.A.m-X2.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garnish as desired; here are some suggestions:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For each individual serving:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shelled, roasted pumpkin seeds ~ (Pepitos)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a little lump of butter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">finely chopped chives</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">finely grated orange zest</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a small dollop of sour cream</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">toasted chopped nuts of your choice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">buttery, crisp croutons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a tiny sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the recipe you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/roasted-carrot-soup-with-fresh-ginger.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">can get it here</span></a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Roasted-Carrot-Soup-w-Fresh/i-2qQ79B3/0/XL/IMG_5053.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may be familiar with the seasoning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harissa" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Harissa</span></a>, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the North African spicy red paste (or sauce),</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if not here is the kind I use. (If you cannot find it locally, it's available</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from amazon.com.) It is really convenient to keep</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a tube in the refrigerator to add a good, deep spicy </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">flavor to all kinds of dishes. You can also make your own,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I don't use it that frequently so the tube version is the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">way to go for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Roasted-Carrot-Soup-w-Fresh/i-LWfpctw/0/XL/IMG_5063.mA-XL.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Word of warning ~ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do taste whatever brand you choose before</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adding it to your recipe ~ it is potent!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I've been a little distracted lately, </i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>my old faithful friend ~ my Black Labrador dog whom I've had</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>since he was just a little over 2 months old </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>has been having some health issues, surgery, etc. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>It was non cancerous, he healed very nicely. </i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>He has been doing well for over a year.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>and behaves much younger than his 13 years. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Friendly, full of life and character, but so gentle and easy-going.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Sadly we recently learned he has bone cancer in his</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>foreleg... it is inoperable and the Dr. estimates the blasted</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>cancer will take over within 4 to 6 weeks. He is doing fine</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>at this time, on pain meds, and we will not allow him to suffer.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Lots of extra TLC being showered upon him now, while he's with us. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Too soon 'THE' decision must be made, </i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>thus, the gray cloud hangs overhead. </i>:(</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Being "dog people", the news has affected us deeply ~ </i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>spending much more time with my pal, and not</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>so much the internet, or other things.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>If I've neglected visiting your blog, or responding</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>to your lovely comments, emails, etc. I hope</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>you'll understand. I'll try to do better.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Thanks for listening (reading!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by today friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enjoy each minute of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo ~Mari</span></div>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-38514856945214471122013-11-22T16:15:00.000-08:002013-11-22T16:15:00.152-08:00Antipasto in Crispy Bite Size Salami Cups<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-Vgbs7JD/0/XL/IMG_4984.A.m-XL.jpg" /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I saw this idea for an appetizer on </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Columbus® Facebook page, I knew I</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wanted to try it out. Of course I tweaked it just a little.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-Nwbh9Nq/0/M/columbus_seal-M.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-RNmmnn4/0/S/columbus_logo-S.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A San Francisco tradition established in 1917</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Columbus® products have been a favorite in my </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family for years and years. I particularly have fond</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">memories around holiday time when our dad would buy and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bring home big sticks of salami from San Francisco on the train--</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for gifts and snacking. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(His job was in San Francisco and he commuted each weekday</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> to and from our home on the SF Peninsula for dozens of years.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It was always treat to meet him at the train station at 5:25pm as he</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>stepped down from the train, neatly</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dressed in suit and tie ~ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">briefcase in hand . . . </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">especially on the days when </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he had </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">those big</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">paper-wrapped sticks </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of salami </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tucked under his arm! )</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make the 'cups' the <a href="http://www.columbussalame.com/products/classic-salame/sliced-genoa-salame" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">pre-sliced Genoa Salame</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">works best because the diameter is larger than regular </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salame so it is easier to work with </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(the slices tend to shrink when baked.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To bake, pre-heat oven to 375ºF. Tuck one slice</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of salami into a small mold and press in.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used these little Brioche molds but mini-muffin pans</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">work very well too. I found that sandwiching the</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salami slice between two molds helps them hold their</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shape while baking.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-cV5snDg/0/XL/IMG_5015.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you have 2 identical muffin pans, put the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salami in the cups of one and carefully stack and press the </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">second pan into the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first, which will help keep the </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salami in place while baking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Alternately, you can make small 'balls' out of aluminum foil and</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>place/press each of them down upon the salami slices in each mold ~</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>then bake. Personally I feel that is really wasteful, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>and would just skip this recipe and serve </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>antipasto </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>on a platter or plates instead.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake for 10 minutes or so. The salami will begin to</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hold the shape of the mold as it begins to crisp in the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oven. It's best not to over-bake or the salami cups </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">may shatter when it's time to fill them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Hint: Place the molds or muffin pans on</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>a parchment or silicone lined rimmed baking sheet to catch</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>any drippings.)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When baked, remove from oven, allow to cool a moment,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's helpful to turn molds or muffin pan upside down</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to finish cooling. Before they are completely cool </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">remove the 'top' mold or muffin pan.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You can make the "cups" a few hours up to one day</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>ahead, storing in air tight container.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-m2Sc6RL/0/XL/IMG_5009.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, choose the fillings for the cups, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just gather your favorites from</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">items found on the antipasto platter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I chose:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Black olives (brined), pitted and sliced in half</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pepperoncini, sliced</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roasted red pepper, sliced into small pieces</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marinated artichoke hearts, cut into small pieces</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-FS3GPK4/0/XL/IMG_5022.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And some cheese goes really well in these cups.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the tiny, fresh 'perline' mozzarella ("pearls"),</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but you can just cut other mozzarella into small</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cubes. Or use another favorite cheese.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cups themselves are rather salty and I think the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mozzarella is a good smooth contrast to the saltiness of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the other ingredients.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-gT2q5wB/0/XL/IMG_4996.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are plenty of other options for fillings,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here are just a few:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Garbanzo beans (from the can, or home-cooked)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sun dried tomato slivers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pimento stuffed olives / other olives</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tiny cocktail onions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Small chunks of tuna or slivers of anchovy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Feta or Gorgonzola cheese crumbles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Scallions (thinly sliced)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Grape or Cherry tomatoes (sliced)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fresh red or green bell pepper (slivered)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Marinated mushrooms (drained, and sliced if large)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Golden or brown raisins, (a few in each cup adds a nice contrast of flavors)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bits of fresh parsley or basil leaves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Capers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sliced tiny pickles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Slivers of red onion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thin slices of carrot</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly, whatever strikes your fancy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>How do you spell it?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salami or Salame?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You be the judge ~ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it seems there are varying thoughts here in the U.S.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salami" style="background-color: yellow;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One explanation from Wikipedia.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> (click)</span></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Chilled/Salami-Cups-Antipasto/i-SgdvJ9B/0/XL/Herz_szalámi_plakát-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: wikipedia</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Antique Hungarian Salami Poster</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your favorite brand of Salami in the recipe ~ I prefer the Genoa</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">type simply because of it's larger size; uncooked the kind I used</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is about 3 1/4-inches in diameter, after being put in the mold</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(plus shrinkage during baking) the cups are about 2 1/2-inch in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">diameter measured from the widest points at the top of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the salami "cups".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you make these, I hope you like them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by, your comments make my day!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mari :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<b>Full disclosure: </b> No recognition or reimbursement of any kind </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">been received </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from Columbus® products for featuring</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">their products in this post. I just happen to like their products.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-14375680465886395712013-11-17T13:10:00.000-08:002013-11-18T09:38:54.497-08:00Chicken Enchiladas (Slow Cooker Mexican-style Chicken Meat and Seasoning Mix)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Enchiladas-Meat-from/i-srHHX8k/0/XL/IMG_4942.A.m.TITLE-XL.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm sharing my favorite Mexican-Style chunk/shredded</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chicken that can be used in a variety of ways.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news is ~ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be made in your slow cooker.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can make just what you need </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or make plenty as this freezes really well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just portion into freezer safe containers or plastic bags </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the amount you'll need for each meal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Mexican-Seasoned-SLO/i-LHJgQDD/0/L/IMG_4868.A.m-L.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use it for filling for:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchilada" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enchiladas</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taco" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tacos</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamale" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamales</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taquito" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taquitos</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quesadilla" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quesadillas </span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mexican-style Chicken Salads</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mexican-style <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/chicken-tamale-pie" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">casseroles</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mexican-style Soups (Caldo de Pollo)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachos" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nachos</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilaquiles" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chilaquiles</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mexican Sandwiches <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torta" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Tortas</span></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spanish-Portuguese-style <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Migas" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Migas</span></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Empanadas</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colombian and Venezuelan-style <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arepa" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Arepas</span></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In omelettes and frittatas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also really good served warm over rice with melted cheese.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To season the chicken you can use a commercial</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">packet of Taco seasoning ~ but I really recommend making</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your own.</span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Mexican-Seasoned-SLO/i-HjLxRjT/0/L/IMG_4948.A.m-L.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's very simple, just combine the dry ingredients (you probably already</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have them in your spice collection.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tastes much better than the commercial version </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you know just what goes into the seasoning you make. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can control the degree of spiciness you prefer, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as well as the salt content. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus you can avoid preservatives, chemicals and artificial colors.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For the <b><i>Taco seasoning mix recipe <a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/homemade-taco-seasoning-mix-its-better.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Click here.</span></a></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always quadruple the recipe and store in an airtight jar </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and keep it with my spices.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To cook the chicken using the slow cooker:</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/mexican-style-cooked-chicken-meat-for.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Click here for the Mexican-style Chicken (Slow Cooker) recipe</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use the chicken pieces you like best. Some prefer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boneless chicken breasts, but I prefer using bone-in, skin-on for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the extra flavor those pieces provided. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(After the chicken is cooked</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bones and skin are easily discarded, then I skim any excess</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">surface fat with a spoon ~ or you can chill the boned/skinned cooked</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chicken and broth and lift the solidified fat from the broth.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are using 1 pound of boneless chicken breasts, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this can usually be ready in less than 3 hours. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this depends </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">upon the amount of chicken you are cooking,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the size of your </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">slow cooker and if using boneless chicken</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or not.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When using other pieces, I do cook longer to compensate for the</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thicker pieces and bones, beginning on high for a couple of hours, then</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shifting to the low temperature setting.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cook until the chicken is very tender, until </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it easily be pierced, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and using forks or your fingers, can easily be removed from the bones </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(but I make sure not to overcook so it remains moist and</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">flavorful, not dry and stringy.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Mexican-Seasoned-SLO/i-Kk7Ndn5/0/L/IMG_4870.A.m-L.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see that if I'm going to freeze some of the meat, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't really shred it, but leave it in chunks. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The quality seems </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">better when frozen in larger chunks </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If I use it shredded, I do </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">so just before adding to the recipe.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is again, already to eat or use in your favorite recipes, skinned, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boned, broken into large chunks </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after cooking. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I de-fat the delicious, flavorful broth and spoon some over </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the chicken </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that will be eaten that day.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I divide the remainder, spooning it </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over the cooked, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chunked chicken </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in each container before freezing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides being ready to use in your favorite recipes, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it is delicious served over rice, or rice and beans. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use some of the broth to flavor the cooking liquid for your </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rice and beans, too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I divide the remainder, spooning it </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over the cooked, chunked chicken </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in each container before freezing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recipe for the seasoning and directions for slow cooking the chicken</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/mexican-style-cooked-chicken-meat-for.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>can be found here</b></span></a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Again, I always increase the </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">amounts so I can have plenty of left-over chicken and broth to freeze.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't freeze many things besides homemade soups/broth, marinara,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and pizza/bread dough, but I do freeze this. It is so handy to have on hand,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and tastes delicious even after freezing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Enchiladas-Meat-from/i-pBjnmj5/0/L/IMG_4939.A.M-L.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here it is transformed into simple Chicken Enchiladas ~</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for this version, I just warm some to the cooked chicken in a pan with</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some broth, dip the corn tortillas in hot oil (until they are flexible) and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drain them on paper towels. While still warm I fill the tortillas with</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the chicken meat and roll them*. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secure with a toothpick if necessary and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">place in baking dish (or place them in baking dish, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seam side down so they do no</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t unroll.) Spoon some enchilada</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sauce** over and sprinkle lightly with shredded cheese.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cover very loosely with foil and warm in a preheated 350ºF oven </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until hot throughout and cheese garnish has melted. This</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only takes about 5 to 10 minutes if you've filled the tortillas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with warm chicken.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May add shredded cheese with the chicken filling, but I didn't this time.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Chicken/Chicken-Enchiladas-Meat-from/i-PzCQFVC/0/L/IMG_4935.A.M-L.jpg" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**<b>For the Enchilada Sauce you may~</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Used a canned commercial enchilada sauce; your favorite brand.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Mexican-Style/Chili-Colorado-and-Homemade/i-bJDHxmc/0/M/787A0945.sz-M.jpg" width="227" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.onceuponaplate1.com/2013/05/homemade-mexican-red-chili-sauce.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Here is a Red Sauce recipe</span></a> I've shared in the past.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My favorite way for sauce</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>when making this version of enchiladas:</i></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use some of the broth from cooking the chicken--</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chop a fresh onion, saute in a pan with hot oil until tender,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but not browned. Place the cooked onion in the container of</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">food processor or blender</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">add some of the broth from the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cooked chicken along with </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some jarred salsa (choose your favorite brand.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whiz until smooth, adding chicken broth to make it desired</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">consistency ~ taste and adjust seasonings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tip:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To serve</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You might want to offer the following at the table, for</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>those who want to make them "supreme":</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> grated or crumbled cheese --your favorite kind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sliced or diced </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">avocado --or guacamole</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">diced/chopped tomatoes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fresh cilantro</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sliced green onions</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pitted black olives, sliced or halved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sour cream,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salsa or hot sauce </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy!</span><br />
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<img />Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-49120721065534899092013-11-13T01:30:00.000-08:002013-11-17T09:43:45.776-08:00Fig-Prosciutto Crostini with Brie, Walnuts & Rosemary<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Hot/Fig-Prosciutto-Crostini/i-B772Nvc/0/L/LR.2013.FIG%20WALNUT-2.M.A.1-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the popular flavors of Fall, all combined into an</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">easy, tasty appetizer or snack The combination of</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet and salty is practically irresistible!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Hot/Fig-Prosciutto-Crostini/i-RdDHKLK/0/L/IMG_4916.M.A-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have fresh figs, you could slice them in place</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the fig jam ~ substitute thin apple slices, or pears</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for the sweet base if you like. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Hot/Fig-Prosciutto-Crostini/i-XCfpkpR/0/L/LR.2013.FIG%20WALNUT-1.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recipe is really versatile ~ you can substitute any</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">favorite jam or preserves, a different cheese and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">other toasted nuts (or leave them out entirely.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Hot/Fig-Prosciutto-Crostini/i-JPz7PCs/0/L/LR.2013.FIG%20WALNUT-3.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one of those easy recipes that you can put together</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a moments notice for unexpected guests.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added the prosciutto, toasted walnuts and the </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rosemary needles as a garnish (after broiling the bread --spread</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with the jam and topped with a piece of Brie) ~</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but if you want to assemble ahead with no last minute work, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you could simply layer the toppings on the bread </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">slices and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bake in a hot oven until the jam is bubbling </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the cheese is melted. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he prosciutto becomes </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a little crisp, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the rosemary takes on a delicate, toasty crunch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut the bread about 1/2-inch thick, then add the toppings. The texture is</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">best if you do not toast it first ~ just add the toppings and broil until the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jam is heated and the cheese is melted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Hot/Fig-Prosciutto-Crostini/i-S3Pjdck/0/L/LR.2013.FIG%20WALNUT-4.A.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No need for an actual recipe, this one is</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">particularly easy to remember.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other suggestions you might like:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apricot, Raspberry, Peach jam, or a smear of honey; </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> other toasted pine nuts~ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pecans, sliced (or chopped) almonds, or macadamia nuts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goat cheese, cream cheese, Gorgonzola or Blue, etc. ~</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are all kinds of possibilities . . .</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of serving as an appetizer or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">snack, substitute them for the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cheese course after a special dinner.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix it up and try this idea with your own favorite toppings ~ </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe you'll</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> enjoy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">today, friends!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo~Mari :)</span></div>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-56677753535932112562013-11-09T16:02:00.001-08:002013-11-17T09:44:10.774-08:0030 Minute Flavorful & Healthful Split Pea Soup<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-Q9WLrCx/0/L/787A4748.A.ML-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Made, from scratch Split Pea Soup in 30 minutes?</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can have one of the best you've ever tasted on</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the table in about 30 minutes or less - - - If you use a</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pressure cooker.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-ZdgBF9t/0/L/IMG_4848.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Made with ingredients you probably have on hand in the fridge and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pantry. (Bay leaves are missing in the pic.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can make this with bacon, kielbasa, ham, or leave</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the meat out entirely ~ use vegetable stock or water</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and have a vegetarian version.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-44nZv6C/0/L/787A4737.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/split-pea-bacon-soup-from-pressure.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue;">Click here</span></a> if you would like the recipe.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to garnish each bowl/dish with toasty croutons and a bit</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of crumbled bacon (or finely diced ham or sausage.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorites!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is <u>so</u> good ~ a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">warming and filling meal on a</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chilly, blustery day.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the pressure cooker the recipe usually takes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a couple of hours. But the pressure cooker allows me</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to whip up dishes that I wouldn't normally even consider on short notice</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ it opens up all kinds of possibilities. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which, in turn, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">helps me to be more flexible with meal planning.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yes, I'm a pressure cooker fan!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all the brands and types I've tried <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(dating back to my</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Vegetarian days back in the 70's)</span> my favorites</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are the stove top models, particularly Swiss made </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue;"><a href="http://us.kuhnrikon.com/us/en/products/energy-efficient-cookware/duromatic.html" target="_blank">Kuhn Rikon</a> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Duralon®</span> brand.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as I began cooking with these,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I donated my self contained, countertop electric model to</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">charity, (and also said good-by to the old fashioned, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hissing stove top versions -- you know the ones,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with their obnoxious 'rocker' mechanisms.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The New York Times named the Kuhn Rikon the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz of pressure cooker, with good reason.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's stylish, classic, good looking, and </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">performs seamlessly!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue;">Click here for : <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=kitchen&keywords=kuhn%20rikon%20pressure%20cookers&linkCode=ur2&tag=onupapl-20" target="_blank">My favorite Pressure Cookers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, you can get by with just one (most experts suggest going</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with about a 5 to 6 quart version) for your first, as most</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">traditional p/c recipes are written for that size. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">several for convenience, and it would be difficult to</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">give any one of them up, I use them ALL. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The larger ones </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for making big batches, for company ~ or to make</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plenty for freezer meals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; good for making homemade stock, canning</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">food, too.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mid-size (5 to 6 quart are a good choice for all around everyday</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cooking.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the 3.7 quart for cooking smaller portions (for 1 to 4 people), and I use</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it all the time for cooking vegetables, soups, and rice, and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">other side dishes. (My electric rice cooker is designated for charity as well.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the main reasons I love cooking with pressure cookers, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kuhn Rikon brand in particular:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can prepare in minutes meals/dishes that</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">take hours by traditional methods.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stainless steel (not teflon lined, or aluminum based)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extra safety designs built in</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ease of operation/use</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nearly silent operation (amazing!)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vitamin retention</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flavor retention</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides time, they save energy.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swiss design, and built to last.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent for campers and boaters, too!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And more from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://us.kuhnrikon.com/us/en/products/energy-efficient-cookware/duromatic/pressure-cookers.html#3cbff412-d6d6-4460-b005-98c528a3003d" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue;">Kuhn Rikon</span></a> </span>product description:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><ul class="a-vertical a-spacing-none" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 18px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">18/10 stainless steel that won't interact with food.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Solid thermal aluminum sandwich in bottom for even browning and rapid heat absorption.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Five</b> over-pressure <b>safety systems</b>, UL listed; automatic locking system; spring-loaded precision valve.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Saves time and 70 percent of energy normally consumed while cooking; 10-year warranty</li>
</i></ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-qRHhhJN/0/L/IMG_4864.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the foods I favor making in the pressure cooker:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Braised dishes; Short Ribs, Stews, etc.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(They always come out with full flavor, tender and juicy.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pork, Lamb</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicken</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your own wholesome homemade stock in minutes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chili</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pasta Sauces</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soups</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh vegetables</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vegetarian recipes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">White Rice</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brown Rice</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Risotto (delicious, and perfectly cooked) in 7 minutes!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polenta</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grains</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beans/legumes (pre-soaked)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pasta</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Casseroles</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potatoes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yummy Desserts</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a closeup of a handy guide that's included on the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lid of the 3.7 quart <b><i>Anniversary edition</i></b>, to give you an idea of the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">time savings:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-6Bjq8kf/0/L/IMG_4872_2.A.m-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love that! :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By using different techniques, almost anything you</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cook can be adapted to preparation in a pressure cooker.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's easy, just requires common sense ~ and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here is one of my favorite websites to help you get started:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hippressurecooking.com/" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Hip Pressure Cooking</b></a></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out Hip Pressure Cooking's video to see how</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can make risotto in 7 minutes:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Sg-lvVWrtJg?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I a fan of modern pressure cooking?</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An emphatic ~ <b>Yes!</b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be sharing a few of my favorite recipes in the near future . . .</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you just might want to get your pressure cooker out of storage</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and give them a go! ;)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Pressure-Cooker-Version/Soup-Spit-Pea-with-Bacon/i-GVJpLZK/0/L/787A4745.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Cooking, friends!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">P.S. The opinions expressed here are my own, the Kuhn Rikon</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">people have no idea of who I am. But I am very pleased with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">their pressure cookers, and am happy to share the good news</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">with you.</span></center>
Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-63945801010312702722013-11-06T11:01:00.000-08:002013-11-06T11:38:54.940-08:00Pasta with Cauliflower-Tomato Sauce (Slow Cooker Friendly) & Crunchy Bread Crumbs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Pasta/Veggie-Pasta-Sauce-with/i-n8fSBwK/0/XL/787A4657.A.m-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michele Scicolone, one of my favorite cookbook authors, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">posted a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spicy Cauliflower Pasta Sauce made in </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the slower cooker on her Facebook page a few days ago ~ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it sounded interesting and I had the small head </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of cauliflower on hand . . . I'm sure you can guess the rest!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual, I was compelled to change it a little to suit my </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">own taste, although you may like it just as Michele posted it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's healthful, low in fat and vegetarian friendly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus it's easy on the budget.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Pasta/Veggie-Pasta-Sauce-with/i-D47G26x/0/L/787A4629.A.m-L.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll post Michele's way, plus my changes over on my</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recipe blog so you can make it the way you like. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michele's original recipe calls for</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a small head of cauliflower, a large can of crushed tomatoes,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">water, olive oil, garlic, a little dried oregano, salt and red pepper flakes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the last few minutes I added some chopped, marinated</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">artichoke hearts, and some brined capers. (I also had a bit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of Trader Joe's Artichoke Tapenade left over so I stirred</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that in as well . . . you know, waste not - want not.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we're not so keen on really spicy food any longer,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cut the amount of red pepper flakes and only added</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the tiniest pinch. Perfect!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Pasta/Veggie-Pasta-Sauce-with/i-k2WJ6Kd/0/L/787A4722.A.mL-L.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the crumb topping </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bread crumbs, a little olive oil, anchovy fillets, and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">freshly ground black pepper. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(P<i>lease don't let the</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>anchovies put you off ~ as they truly <u>enhance</u> this dish!</i>)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't have anchovies on hand (or cannot </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tolerate them), you can substitute fresh garlic and a little</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sea or kosher salt instead. But I prefer the anchovies,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I promise you, you'll barely notice their presence </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because they are cooked in a little olive oil until they nearly</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dissolve and the flavor mellows, enhancing the oil, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then added to the crumbs and sauteed gently until the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">crumbs turn crisp and golden brown. Yum! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an excellent condiment on other pasta dishes and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">steamed/sauteed vegetables or grilled chicken/fish, too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I always make extra and store in an airtight container in</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the fridge, ready to use and it keeps almost indefinitely</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the fridge, even longer in the freezer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Pasta/Veggie-Pasta-Sauce-with/i-GLCmFdG/0/L/787A4705.A.M.-L.jpg" /> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it would be safe to say that you and those you</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> cook for would probably have to favor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rather assertive flavors to really enjoy this dish... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Kraft Mac and Cheese</i>® it's not. ;)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought it was very good; quite low in fat</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(but not lacking flavor.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the recipe,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">please jump on over to my recipe blog</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/11/pasta-with-cauliflower-tomato-sauce.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">right here</span></a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping today ~</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love your comments!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mari :)</span></div>
Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-62803974054617986992013-11-03T10:53:00.003-08:002013-11-03T10:55:15.101-08:00Postcard ~ from Home<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's drizzly, foggy Sunday ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect for a cozy French Toast Brunch in front of the fireplace</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at my house.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are having a beautiful, peaceful and blessed </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">day too, friends.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari xo</span></center>
Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-18419086953060904952013-10-31T05:25:00.000-07:002013-11-03T10:53:53.612-08:00S'mores Halloween Treats ~ Ghastly Ghost Peeps®<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Smores-Ghosts-PEEPS/i-dwxZNJc/0/XL/IMG_7253.A.M-XL.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frighteningly simple to make ~ when Mary @ <a href="http://www.homeiswheretheboatis.net/" target="_blank">Home is Where the Boat is</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first featured these, I knew I wanted to add them my repertoire too. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So a friendly shout out and a big thank you to Mary.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please go visit her blog, you're in for a treat!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ingredient list is as follows: A box of Ghost Peeps®, you'll need</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 'ghosts' to make enough for an 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Butter, sugar,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pinch of salt, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your favorite brownie recipe or boxed mix. About 1/2 cup chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">morsels, and 36 chocolate mini-morsels.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you can see the layers here, on the bottom of the baking dish;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graham cracker crumb crust, the brownie layer, chocolate morsels,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and topped off with the golden 'ghosts'.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently ghosts are frightened of spiders.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Smores-Ghosts-PEEPS/i-wgJB9wJ/0/L/787A4578.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting between the 'ghosts' you have a perfect serving size for dessert.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Smores-Ghosts-PEEPS/i-Vrz98Xn/0/L/787A4593.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are quite RICH tasting, so maybe you'll want to share,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">half, as I did. (But probably not with any sort of Araneae.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>)</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Haunting!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you receive treats, no tricks this Halloween. :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Smores-Ghosts-PEEPS/i-XpH3KQh/0/L/787A4604.A.M-L.jpg" /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the instructions, you'll find it on</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my recipe blog <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/10/ghastly-ghosts-halloween-smores-with.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by today~</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!!</span></div>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-53438570429305781352013-10-29T10:40:00.002-07:002013-10-29T10:40:59.276-07:00Smoky Cheddar Spritz Crackers<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we were growing up our mother would make Spritz Butter Cookies </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">almost every year during the holidays, and also cheese 'straws'</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">throughout the year. Maybe your mom or grandmother did as well?</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister and I followed the same tradition as we started our own</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">families, we would decorate the cookies in all sorts of pretty ways </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and sometimes with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">colored cookie dough ~ </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are a perpetual favorite and always look</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so festive on the cookie tray.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, my cookie press finally went kaput after many</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">years of use, so when I saw good reviews about this set</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">made by OXO I was compelled to replace my old Mirro</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">metal version. Plus, I fell for the pumpkin disk in</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Autumn set. :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OXO's great reputation and <b>all</b> of the unique disk motifs, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">its' ease of use and care sold me. </span></center>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABH0PYI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00ABH0PYI&linkCode=as2&tag=onupapl-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00ABH0PYI&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=onupapl-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00ABH0PYI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The press comes with 12 decorative disks; all of the traditional</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ones I remember -</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">snowflake, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">heart, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">wreath, tree, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">buttercup, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">daisy, etc.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as well as some, new to me (all really cute!) :</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">shell, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sunflower, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">fleur de lis, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">bear (little teddy bear!), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">leaf, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">butterfly</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">See more about the press and other disks below.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Make-Ahead/Smoky-Cheddar-Spritz-Crackers/i-L6tz692/0/L/IMG_7234.A.m-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course you can use any cookie press or disk to make these</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delicious cheese straw crackers, follow your favorite recipe or</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">choose the one I favor (it's over on my recipe blog, link below.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my favorite recipe for a savory cracker using</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most all Spritz-type cookies </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the recipe is really simple, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just a bit more involved than </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a shortbread dough. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But for the cheese crackers I jazz mine up a little</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by adding 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder and 1/4 teaspoon</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turmeric (it adds a very subtle warm flavor and nice color.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I mix it up by using Smoked Paprika (as I did this time)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">instead of plain sweet paprika. If you like them spicier, increase the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">amount of cayenne pepper, or hot paprika.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Appetizers-Make-Ahead/Smoky-Cheddar-Spritz-Crackers/i-MkhvmZH/0/L/IMG_7238.A.m-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tip for crispy crackers:</b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like these crackers to be crisp, but not brown,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so after baking and cooling all </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the batches, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I place them in a single layer on the baking sheets</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and place in a 175ºF oven for a several minutes until they dry out a little,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they will crisp even further after cooling. Keep an eye on</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them while they're in the oven so they don't turn dark. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alternately you can place </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in your oven set to 'warm', </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or the lowest temperature available and do </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the same. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either way you choose, <i>do watch them</i> as ovens vary.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the crackers are crisp, I turn off the oven and leave</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the oven door open just a bit until the crackers are completely cool,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then store in airtight containers for up to a week or so.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are really good served on the cheese/fruit tray or along with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">soup or a salad. They make a nice gift from the kitchen, too.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you give them a try, I hope you enjoy!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A printable version of the recipe and tips can be found on</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my recipe blog by <a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoky-cheddar-cheese-spritz-crackers.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">clicking this link</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Additional Disks for the OXO Cookie Press</b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also available separately are two sets of additional<span class="Apple-style-span"> seasonal disks,</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(six disks in each set):<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffe599; color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6LUAR0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B6LUAR0&linkCode=as2&tag=onupapl-20">OXO Good Grips Cookie Press ~ Autumn or Springtime ~ Disk Sets</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00B6LUAR0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Autumn set includes: </i></span></center>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Spider, Web, Owl, Turkey, Leaf and Pumpkin</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Springtime set includes:</i></span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Cherry Blossom, Rose, Love, Double Heart, Shamrock, Bouquet</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(You can click the link above to learn more)</i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks for coming by today, friends.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bon Appetit!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~m.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Note: The folks at OXO don't know who I am, (no compensation from them.)</span></center>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm just </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sharing a product I like... I hope you like it, too. :o)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-14754081070773833322013-10-28T01:45:00.000-07:002013-10-28T01:45:00.251-07:00Spooky Eye-Popping Soup for Halloween<center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw this presentation on <a href="http://www.homeiswheretheboatis.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Home is Where the Boat is</span></a>, </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a wonderfully creative </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blog by my friend Mary. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're not familiar with Mary's blog I urge</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you to go visit, you're in for a treat!</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Spooky Eye-Popping Soup </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a recipe similar <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/italian-sausage-soup-with-tortellini/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">to this one</span></a>;</span> </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used half lean ground beef and half Italian sausage, </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fusilli instead of tortellini, omitted basil leaves ~ </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used a couple of pinches of dried oregano instead, </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and chopped the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vegetables into small dice just so the 'eyes' </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">would get most of the attention. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Spooky-Halloween-Soup/i-dtvBNXR/0/L/787A4558.p.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like an even simpler soup you may like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/343531/eye-popping-soup" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">this one</a><span style="color: #444444;">, </span></span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">directions for making the eyeballs can be found here as well. </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I simply used bite size mozzarella (bocconcini) and placed </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thin slices of stuffed green olives on </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them to resemble </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pupils and irises. </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a fun and flavorful soup to help get everyone in the mood for Halloween.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by today friends ~</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a BOO-tiful week! :)</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari xo</span></center>
Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-9662309454786769072013-10-23T12:30:00.000-07:002013-10-24T07:44:28.819-07:00Korean-Style Minced Beef Bowl<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my, this is a MUST share!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the recipe on my long-time friend's </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(gorgeous) blog; <a href="http://www.latabledenana.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">La Table de Nana</span></a>, by Monique.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She shared with us that she had discovered it on </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The English Kitchen</span></a> blog by Marie.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Marie and Monique are blogging cooks that I admire, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it helps that our tastes in food are quite similar. If either of</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these two ladies give a recipe high marks, I know</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it will be popular at my house too. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe is very flavorful and it goes together in</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just minutes (a quick meal, especially if you steam</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some rice just before you begin to cook the beef.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bonus is ~ it's budget friendly!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just tweaked the original recipe a little bit:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I increased the amount of fresh ginger,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Added a little very dry sherry <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(<i>not cooking sherry</i>)</span> just before adding the soy sauce</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Added a teaspoon of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the soy sauce (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>it piques the flavor just a bit.</i></span>)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=sambal%20oelek&linkCode=as2&tag=onupapl-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001EO5Z56&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=onupapl-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=as2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Click image to learn more.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Option to purchase if you cannot find it locally.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used Sambal Oelek (fresh ground chili paste) instead of the chili flakes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The original recipe suggests serving it with sticky rice</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(which would be perfect, and would make it easier to eat with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chopsticks) I had Jasmine rice, so that's what I chose.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For garnish I added some julienned carrots,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a sprig of cilantro and a wedge of fresh lime, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">along with the sliced scallion in the original recipe.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like food with an Asian flavors, I am quite</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">certain you will love this one.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/ASIAN-STYLE/Korean-Syle-Minced-Beef-Bowl/i-bspG9Nh/0/L/LR.A.cr.sz.2013.Korean%20Beef-3.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like the recipe, please hop over to</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marie's blog, and say hello ... <a href="http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/korean-beef.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Here is the link</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><a href="http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/korean-beef.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/korean-beef.html</a>)</center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many thanks to Marie and Monique for sharing this</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KEEPER! I'll make this one again and again ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(it would make a wonderful filling for lettuce wraps too.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you'll give it a try.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for coming by today ~ Cheers!</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-20824339803548835412013-10-22T01:30:00.000-07:002013-10-22T06:21:01.625-07:00Crispy Herbed Chevre with Heirloom Tomatoes ~ PLUS Easy Herb Batter Bread<center>
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We're getting down to the nitty gritty; the very last of the</span></center>
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tomato season here. After this it will be the hothouse</span></center>
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variety until next season.</span></center>
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I like to treasure these last few colorful remnants of summer in</span></center>
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the most simple way, to let their natural sweetness shine.</span></center>
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This presentation is similar to what Chef Jonathan Waxman introduced</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">way, way back at the beginning of California Cuisine, in the 1970's. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long before PCs were a household commodity I remember </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">clipping newspaper and magazine recipes which featured </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this exciting nouveau style of preparing food ~ </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think most of us "of a certain age" did </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the same. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-JCTcL2p/0/XL/LR.A118.2013.MM.118.8.Chevre%20Tomatoes-8.118-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practically unheard of here prior to that time, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fresh goat cheese became all the rage, thanks to </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laura Chenel in Sebastopol, CA. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">America's first commercial producer </span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">of goat cheese in the US. </span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I remember meeting Laura around 1980 as she introduced her </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">newly published cookbook (featuring, of course, goat cheese) </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at one of the first Williams-Sonoma stores to branch off from the </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">original store in nearby Sonoma, California.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those were exciting times ~ though we now take the </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">concept of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">California Cuisine rather casually, it is important to </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">remember </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that it was the start of a food revolution, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heavily influencing the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">way we eat today.</span></center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-zMZh2Dq/0/XL/LR.AA.2013.MM.7.Chevre%20Tomatoes-7-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the colors of a mix of tomatoes! But any kind of fresh,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ripe tomatoes you have will do, slice the larger ones and just</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">half the cherry or pear tomatoes.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-NM4Q9bD/0/L/LR.sz.A.Chevre%20Herb%20w%20Heirloom%20Toms-1-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Fresh and vibrant, this salad exemplifies the roots of</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
California Cuisine. Chef Jonathan's method is very simple; get the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
ripest, most flavorful tomatoes adorn them simply with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
salt and pepper, lemon juice and your favorite nut oil,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
such as walnut, hazelnut, etc.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blend a couple of teaspoons or more of freshly minced herbs into</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the goat cheese very well, then form the herb cheese into patties </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(about 2 ounces each), one per each serving. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dip in beaten egg and then in plain breadcrumbs</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which have been seasoned with salt and pepper. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(You can use Panko crumbs if you like.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chill the patties or at least 1/2 hour in the refrigerator, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(they will hold together during cooking a little better if you chill </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them even longer.) </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When thoroughly chilled bake them on a buttered baking sheet </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">@ 375ºF </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for about 8 minutes, or brown them in a little oil </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a frying pan over </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">medium high heat for a few minutes </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on each side, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">turning once, until they are nicely golden brown.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place on plates or a platter, arrange the tomatoes around</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the patties, sprinkle with herbs of your choice, salt and freshly</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ground black pepper. Squeeze lemon juice or a little of your</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">favorite vinegar over and drizzle with nut oil sparingly.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve and enjoy while the cheese is still warm.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fast and Easy Herb Batter Bread</b></span></i></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an accompaniment I baked up some Herb Batter Bread,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's from Sunset Magazine from about the same era.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a really easy yeast bread, so if you've ever felt intimidated</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by yeast breads ~ try this one, it's practically fail proof!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><center style="font-family: Geneva;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It goes really well with soups or salads, and any other simple meal. </span></center>
</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-5QXFBgJ/0/L/787A4481.SZ-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I cannot count the number </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of times I've made this bread, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but you can probably guess by the condition of my</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1971 edition of the Sunset book. (It cost a whopping $1.95 then.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back then fresh artisan bread wasn't readily available as it</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is today and homemade bread like this was a treat.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You can mix it all up in your stand mixer, or by hand it is not</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">difficult and there </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is <u>no kneading</u> required.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-q5WDfvn/0/XL/A.113.IMG_7113.M-XL.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I usually would bake the bread batter in a round cake pan, but this time </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I baked it off in a little rectangular pan. (About 6.5-inches x 10-inches)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I substituted about 80% of the all-purpose white flour with whole wheat flour.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It goes together quickly and is a fantastic recipe to have baking</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when your loved ones or guests arrive at your home. The</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">aroma is so enticing!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although we didn't know it then, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the batter is very similar to a foccacia dough </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(which I didn't even know about years later.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes out of the oven the top is brushed with melted butter</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and sprinkled with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little coarse salt to heighten the flavor of the herbs.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-QTRR7jR/0/XL/A.787A4384.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use any herbs you like, fresh or dried. In addition to the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">herbs I usually always add some minced dehydrated onion to the batter.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little butter melting on the baked, warm bread, and you just about</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have heaven on a plate! </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Salads/Herbed-Chevre-with-Heirloom/i-vpqfvTM/0/L/LR.A299.2013.299.MM.Chevre%20Tomatoes-6-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It makes a really good little luncheon dish, or light supper,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and brings back a flood of memories of my early cooking</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">days.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you try either or both of these, I hope you'll love them!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the Herb Batter Bread,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hop on over to my recipe blog ~ <a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for coming by today, I <u>really</u> appreciate</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your comments. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you next time~ </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mari :)</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-58650071950866642332013-10-20T09:45:00.003-07:002013-10-20T09:45:45.206-07:00Postcard ~ Near Home<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/AroundHome-1/Around-Home-FALL/i-ZgXQmDT/0/XL/LR.2013.A.Oct.NearHome-1.SZ-XL.jpg" /><!-- AddThis Button END --></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Glorious Autumn Afternoon</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">along the river.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a very good week ahead, friends!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari :)</span></center>
Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-42562357283820079222013-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:002013-10-18T11:09:45.172-07:00No Trick ~ Healthy Treats!<center>
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Elise, over at <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Simply Recipes</span></a> recently shared a Cinnamon-Sugar</span></center>
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version of these baked sweet potato jack-o-lantern </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">treats, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I knew I wanted to try them right away.</span></center>
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They are fairly easy to do, but just a bit time</span></center>
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consuming ~ </span></center>
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First of all, try to find uniformly</span></center>
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cylindrical shaped sweet potatoes that are of a good</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sized diameter.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Columbia University</span></span></center>
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Peel the potatoes and slice crossways into</span></center>
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1/4-inch thick slices.</span></center>
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You can cut the pumpkin shapes out with a</span></center>
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pumpkin cookie cutter, but my pumpkin cookie cutter</span></center>
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was too large so I used an exact-o craft knife </span></center>
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(a very sharp paring knife would work, too.)</span></center>
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Next you can cut shapes out to represent</span></center>
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eyes, nose and mouth*... </span></center>
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make the expressions spooky and scary if you dare. </span></center>
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I wanted gentle faces to please the youngest among us. :D</span></center>
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*You can skip this step if you want to,</span></center>
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because it is fiddly work ~ and definitely best</span></center>
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left to adults to do.</span></center>
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Lay the pumpkin cut-outs on a parchment (or</span></center>
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silicone-mat) lined baking sheet. Elise instructs to</span></center>
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bake them (as is, no oil or butter)</span></center>
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in a very hot oven for about 35 minutes</span></center>
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until they are golden brown.</span></center>
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I did not want them to discolor much, so I brushed</span></center>
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them lightly on both sides with melted butter*, baked, uncovered for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">approximately</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 to 10 minutes (until the bottom edges begin to bubble and become a little crisp.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Then I loosely tented the pan with aluminum and baked </span></center>
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them in a 375ºF oven, for about 10 minutes until </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the sweet potato </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cut-outs were tender, but still holding their shape. Remove</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the aluminum foil and bake an additional 5 minutes if you would like the texture </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to be a bit firmer. The baking time will depend upon your oven, the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">moisture content and thickness of the sweet potatoes, so watch and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adjust accordingly.</span></center>
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*(you can use your favorite oil if you prefer)</span></center>
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I would be perfectly happy serving them just like</span></center>
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this ~ but maybe your young ones would like them</span></center>
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a little sweeter. In Elise's version, she instructs to dip them into</span></center>
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melted butter and then cinnamon sugar to coat.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This version is moist and tender, easy for young ones to eat.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I simply sprinkled cinnamon </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sugar over and placed them on a rack and allowed</span></center>
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them to set up a bit. These are best served the day they are made.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want them drier and a little chewy, I suggest</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you bake them in a hot 425ºF oven for longer, until they take on some</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">color and dry out a little, then dip them in melted butter and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then cinnamon sugar, the way Elise suggested.</span></center>
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An 'almost' guilt free snack ~ I hope you enjoy !</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend, friends.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo~mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-20485912828232280712013-10-15T11:50:00.003-07:002013-10-18T04:55:36.332-07:00Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Maple Frosting <center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are still some tomatoes on the vine, but our first frost is</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just around the corner . . . might as well face it,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we're feeling the nip of Fall in the air.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've already been lighting up the wood stove</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to take the chill off of the mornings and evenings.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as much as I detest the shorter days and less</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sunlight, there are some things I do love about Fall.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baking is one of them.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a welcome excuse to crank up the oven and bake at this time </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of year and the payoffs are plentiful:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warm kitchen... </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delightful aromas... </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">comforting, cozy atmosphere...</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">good food to look forward to...</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">satisfied tummies...</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy memories...</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the above make for warm fuzzies</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a happy family. :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summer we have all kinds of fresh fruit</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to keep a sweet tooth satisfied, in the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cooler months we must become a little</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more creative. Apples, pumpkins, pears</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and preserved fruit to the rescue, and soon</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the citrus will become more abundant. I've</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">been baking some apple sweets which I'll</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">share soon, but in the meantime . . . </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a simple little sheet cake, you can use</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling), or cook your own pumpkin</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or squash. Since I had a can of pumpkin open</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for another recipe, I decided to make this little</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cake. It doesn't take many ingredients and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it goes together quickly.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CAKES/Spiced-Pumpkin-Cake-w-Maple/i-FbM9ZQJ/0/XL/LR.PumpkinCake-2.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The original recipe yields a 9x13-inch cake pan,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but we don't need that much cake at once so</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a half recipe and baked it in a 9x9-inch pan.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If a 9x9-inch cake is still too much for you,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can bake it, then divide it in half, wrap well and freeze the half</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and enjoy the other half immediately.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you want to serve the remainder, thaw and spread the frosting on </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when it's completely thawed, or just sprinkle with powdered sugar.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CAKES/Spiced-Pumpkin-Cake-w-Maple/i-xngPvCC/0/XL/LR.PumpkinCake-3.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The frosting is made with pure maple syrup, cream cheese</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">butter and powdered sugar and a little vanilla extract. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The maple flavor is very mild, if you like it more </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pronounced </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you could add some maple flavor extract . . . but I try to avoid</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the artificially flavored stuff, so I don't. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I reduce the sugar amount by a bit, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because I don't care for overly </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet things, and if you reduce the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cream cheese by a tablespoon or so, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the maple will be a bit </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more prominent.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I serve the toasted chopped pecans in a little dish with a spoon,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the side since many people have trouble digesting them.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This way it makes everybody happy.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, and it makes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a fine little dessert.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the recipe,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's over on my recipe blog . . .</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/10/spiced-pumpkin-cake-with-maple-frosting.html" target="_blank">Click here</a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by ~ I would love if you</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">would leave a comment so I know you've visited!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-17066775266307648952013-10-11T14:05:00.000-07:002013-10-11T15:02:25.313-07:00The Butcher's Pasta Sauce ~ From the Slow Cooker<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no doubt that I love those quick pasta sauces</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that can be put together at a moments notice,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">especially in the warmer months when fresh produce is</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">abundant.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, when the temperatures drop I usually</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long for the deep flavors of a slow cooked sauce,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the kind of sauce that can simmer on the stovetop</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for a couple of hours while the flavor develops.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kind mom and grandma used to make.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's fine if you have a leisurely day to check on the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sauce while it's cooking and give it a stir every so often, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adding more liquid if necessary. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes we don't have that luxury of time --</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that's what makes this recipe stand out; long</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">simmered flavor without having to babysit it.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slow Cookers ~ you may love them or not, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there is no doubt they are a convenience. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In years past </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could count on one hand the recipes I really <i>loved</i> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">made in the slow cooker. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too many times the food cooked in these units </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tasted and looked</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> like bad cafeteria food ~ left on the steam table for far too long </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mushy, gray and not much in the way of flavor.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My slow cooker aversion took a turn around with the </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">introduction of the more modern slow cooker cookbooks, like this one</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michele Scicolone. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/054700303X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=054700303X&linkCode=as2&tag=onupapl-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=054700303X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=onupapl-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=as2&o=1&a=054700303X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Click image to learn more</i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<b>The Italian Slow Cooke</b>r"</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michele is a genius when it comes to what type of recipes really benefit</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from slow cooking. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of just dumping ingredients into</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the cooking vessel, sometimes a little prep takes place stovetop</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to get the recipes started. This one extra step makes all the</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">difference in the world when it comes to a superior finished</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dish. So worth it!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had the book for a while ~I've shared another favorite from book </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a while back; "<a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2011/10/spicy-tuscan-style-sausage-ragu-slow_27.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Spicy Tuscan-Style Sausage Ragu</span></a>". Very, very good.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book covers everything from soups, sauces, risotto, polenta, grains,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seafood, eggs, poultry, meats, veggies and beans, plus desserts.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She offers special techniques that assure perfect results even with</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the most delicate ingredients like eggs, fish, and tender desserts.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one I'm sharing today is The Butcher's Sauce, a recipe from Puglia.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The unique thing about this recipe, and the reason for it's name ~ as Michele</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">explains is that it is made of any kind of meat you happen to have, either fresh</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or in your freezer. (A good way to use up raw scraps of this and that such as</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a bit of raw ground beef, a pork chop, a sausage or a chicken breast.) Just</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chop the meat up in your food processor and proceed with the recipe.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the basic recipe over on my recipe blog.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Pasta/Butchers-Sauce-slow-cooker/i-PJHmjTR/0/L/bucatini-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>photo: Doris Italian Market</i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually served with orecchiette, cavatelli or any chunky pasta. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used perciatelli </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pronounced: "pear-chuh-TELL-lee" </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">as it is known in Naples.) </span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost everywhere else, the cut is refered to as bucatini.</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About twice as thick as spaghetti and hollow as you can see from the photo.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one is a keeper, friends!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And like most tomato based cooked sauces,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it freezes very successfully ~ you can double</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> batch easily</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you have a very large slow cooker.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like a printable copy of the recipe,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can find it over on my recipe blog <a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-butchers-pasta-sauce-slow-cooker.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please come see what's cooking for <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Foodie Friday</a>!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mari xo</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-1683251408772958452013-10-09T12:45:00.000-07:002013-10-09T12:45:28.328-07:00Cheesy "Pizza" Broccoli<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Vegetables/Cheesy-Pizza-Broccoli/i-7gGF9tv/0/X2/787A3709.ml-X2.jpg" /><!-- AddThis Button END --></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't want to serve the same ol' steamed, or stir-fried broccoli,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then I remembered a recipe similar to this one, by Daphe Oz</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Dr. Oz's daughter), from her lifestyle/cooking book</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Relish"</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062196863/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062196863&linkCode=as2&tag=onupapl-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062196863&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=onupapl-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=onupapl-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062196863" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Click image to learn more about the book.</i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's a perfect choice for college students, young singles and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">newlyweds. I'm <i>none</i> of those and I like it too. :)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daphne's version is even more simple than the one I devised</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(no roasted tomatoes/garlic/red onions or mozzarella in her version) </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but this one is a lot more flavorful, in my opinion.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now, if you've been reading my blog for any</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">length of time, you know that I love cooking intuitively ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that is with a basic recipe in my head, and then letting</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the creative juices flow! This is another one of those,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you can adjust it to suit your own taste.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Vegetables/Cheesy-Pizza-Broccoli/i-bsSCVMX/0/XL/IMG_6834.ML-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easy and flavorful, here's what you'll need for</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the basic recipe:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cherry or Roma Tomatoes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt, Freshly ground black pepper</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dried oregano leaves</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 or 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red pepper flakes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Half an onion, slivered</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh Broccoli Spears</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grated Mozzarella Cheese</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese</span></center>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Optional:</span></b></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lemon wedges</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh oregano or basil leaves</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Extras ~ see below)</span></center>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span></b></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place rack in center of oven, preheat to 400ºF.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wash and cut in half a couple of handfuls of</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (you can use quartered Roma tomatoes or a similar variety; </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tomatoes that are not too juicy work best in this recipe.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a shallow baking dish toss them with some olive oil, sea salt and </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a little freshly ground black pepper.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place pan in oven and roast tomatoes for 10 to 12 minutes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(make take longer, depending upon your oven and the baking dish</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you are using.) Scatter 1 or 2 sliced garlic cloves, half of a slivered</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continue roasting for 10 to 12 minutes ~ it's okay if some tomatoes</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">begin to char.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While tomatoes are roasting, steam broccoli spears until just</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over tomatoes, add a little s & p if desired, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese (as much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or as little as you like), </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">broiler until cheese is melted and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">begins to bubble. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove from oven allow to cool for a moment, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sprinkle with a few </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve with lemon wedges if desired.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Vegetables/Cheesy-Pizza-Broccoli/i-65Xm8Ls/0/XL/787A3727.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add any of these <i>optional ingredients</i> if you like:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(to be added during second half of roasting tomatoes, or</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">upon serving, as garnish):</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sliced or halved flavorful black olives</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">marinated mushrooms</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sliced green onions (scallions)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cured anchovy fillets</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">marinated artichoke hearts</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cooked Italian sausage crumbles,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">torn prosciutto, etc. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ almost anything goes!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Vegetables/Cheesy-Pizza-Broccoli/i-KPM6CTv/0/L/787A3723.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colorful and tasty, it makes a fine main course</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or a great side dish for simply prepared meat, poultry or fish.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gluten-Free and Vegetarian friendly, too.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bon Appétit! And thank you for visiting today!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo~mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-82734344148448971242013-10-07T10:55:00.000-07:002013-10-08T12:13:21.851-07:00Field Trip ~ Postcards<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each year we look forward to Art along the River in the town</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">closest to our rural home; chalk artists from near and far are engaged</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by local businesses to create their magic on the street on a Saturday</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and Sunday in October. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again the event didn't disappoint.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather was absolutely gorgeous, sunny and warm with a bit</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of a breeze (you'll see some evidence of this by a few autumn</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">leaves that came to rest momentarily on some of the chalk</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">art.) The event is attended by people of all ages, and plenty of</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dogs of all shapes and sizes.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Capturing the artwork with the camera is a bit of a challenge </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with all of the people also interested in getting a look, and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the shadows cast by buildings and trees but I think this will</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">give you a little glimpse. There were many more in various stages</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of completion, and along the sidewalks on each side of the street</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children are encouraged to create with chalk on smaller squares</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">set aside just for them. I hope you enjoy!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following was one of my favs . . . and note to self:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ones in the shade make the most vivid images.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/FIELD-TRIPS/Art-Along-the-River-2013/i-fXZtqDx/0/XL/IMG_6950.ml-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quick bite for sushi at a favorite spot, then home for an evening</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in front of the fire, (the temps are getting very chilly at night,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the duvets went on the beds this weekend ~ ahhh!)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a very enjoyable day after spending Saturday outdoors</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">preparing the gardens for winter sleep.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you had a wonderful weekend too.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari xo</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-47178771412737676722013-10-04T13:47:00.001-07:002013-10-08T14:54:02.338-07:00Witches Brooms ~ Foodie Friday Mysterious Ingredient Club<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my second entry for Foodie Friday's second </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mysterious Ingredient Club </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sponsored by <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Rattlebridge Farm</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Lee West, owner of Rattlebridge Farm</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> generously supplied each participant</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with these spooky Halloween sprinkles by Wilton</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to do with as we might ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/COOKIES/Witches-Brooms-Cookies/i-Z7KBbJj/0/M/41dAYUKzP2L-M.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided upon these 'Witches Brooms' cookies as my</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">additional entry this week.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/COOKIES/Witches-Brooms-Cookies/i-69t3pLq/0/XL/WitchesBrooms.LR.M.96-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to make them you'll need:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretzel Rods, cut to about 4-1/2 inches</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cookie dough </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(I made Maple sugar cookie dough)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Peanut butter cookie dough, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">or any other smooth </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">dough would work. </span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably you could use store bought, too.</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chocolate Morsels</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Butterscotch or Peanut Butter Morsels</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little solid shortening</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/COOKIES/Witches-Brooms-Cookies/i-6s9XgTM/0/XL/WitchesBrooms.M.97-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To assemble:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Form the dough into approximately 1-1/2-inch balls.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Press each ball into the cut end of the pretzel rod.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flatten slightly, then press fork tines into dough,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to represent broom straws.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake according to cookie recipe directions.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove cookies from pan and place on a rack to cool.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When completely cool, melt chocolate chips with shortening</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(2/3 cup chocolate chip to 2 teaspoons shortening is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">enough for 20 cookies*)</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spoon chocolate over lower part of broom handle and top</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">part of broom bristles, leaving bottom of bristles uncovered.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow to cool and firm up.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/COOKIES/Witches-Brooms-Cookies/i-PtHT9Ls/0/L/WitchesBrooms.98.M-L.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melt butterscotch chips with shortening.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(1/3 cup butterscotch chips to 1/2 teaspoon shortening*)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drizzle over chocolate. Allow to stand until firm</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before storing in airtight container.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*You may need to add a little more melted</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shortening to make the melted chocolate and butterscotch </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chips the right consistency for drizzling.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>EDIT:</b></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to post the cookie recipe for those who want it ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes 20 cookies </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(I must have made my broom parts too large</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">because the recipe only produced 14 when I made them.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup packed brown sugar</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Tablespoons water</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon salt</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 pretzel rods (about 8-1/2" long), cut in half cross-wise</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(I noticed the pretzel rods I bought were only about 7-inches</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">long, you want the cut rods for the broom handle to</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">be between 4 and 4-1/2 inches long.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oven to 350ºF. In a medium bowl, beat brown sugar, butter,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">water and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until blended.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stir in flour and salt. Shape dough into 20 (1-1/4" balls).</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then just proceed with the directions above.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy baking!!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please come on over to our host Michael Lee West's blog</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2013/10/foodie-friday-plus-2nd-mystery.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Rattlebridge Farm</span></a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">see what's going on for this Foodie Friday!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by friends!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-38281728472533138862013-10-04T08:46:00.000-07:002013-10-05T16:54:11.950-07:00Foodie Friday ~ Mystery Ingredient Club!<center>
<img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Bark-Candy/i-XWdVRWQ/0/X2/HalloweenBark.L-X2.jpg" /></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Foodie Friday featuring our Mystery Ingredient hosted</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Michael Lee West at <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Rattlebridge Farm</span></a>.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael generously sent each of the Mystery Ingredient Club</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">participants Wilton's Creepy Sprinkle Lab:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Bark-Candy/i-WwkTjCJ/0/L/41dAYUKzP2L-L.jpg" /> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 vials filled with assorted sprinkles in a lab stand!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, the possibilities are endless~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided upon Bark Candy with a Halloween theme.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Bark-Candy/i-WhRp865/0/XL/1.HalloweenBark-2.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I built the bark layers upon cinnamon graham crackers,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then spread melted white chocolate over the crackers</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and sprinkled with peanut butter-filled pretzels, Marcona</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salted almonds, mini-dark chocolate morsels, M & M candies,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the Wilton Sprinkles.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Bark-Candy/i-xS7XTQz/0/M/LR.6889.HalloweenBark-2.M-M.jpg" /> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you assemble the layers in a shallow sheet pan, it's easy to move </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it to the refrigerator in order to hasten the chocolate firming up. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as it's set up remove from the fridge and break into </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">large chunks then random smaller chunks. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/CANDY/Halloween-Bark-Candy/i-Q92nCg5/0/XL/HalloweenBark-3.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The topping possibilities are seemingly infinite ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(you can use dark chocolate as the base if you prefer)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sprinkle broken-up:</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">leftover Halloween candy</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cookies</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">candy bars</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mini marshmallows</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">any kind of nuts</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sweetened breakfast cereal</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mini crackers </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(such as goldfish or small cheese crackers)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> popcorn, etc.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have fun with it and enjoy!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sending a big thank you to Michael Lee West for her</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hospitality and generosity ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please come visit <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2013/10/foodie-friday-plus-2nd-mystery.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Foodie Friday</span></a> to see what's cooking this week.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by today!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-67627312117618776372013-10-02T15:56:00.001-07:002013-10-08T13:31:59.794-07:00Summer Squash Soup ~ Creamy, Comforting and Healthy<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Summer-Squash-Soup-Creamy/i-G7QBvzJ/0/XL/LR.6915.Sq.Soup-2.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I go again with another super easy 'no need for a recipe'</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recipe. This is how I cook 80% of the time these days.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't do a lot of more complicated recipes much</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anymore ~ I think I got that well out of my system while in my </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20's and 30's. And that was, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">ahem</span>, a 'while' ago . . . :o)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Summer-Squash-Soup-Creamy/i-nG8DNzN/0/M/946839705-M.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Hirt Seeds</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frost and freezing temperatures will soon be upon us, so</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this week we harvested the last few summer squash ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mostly yellow crookneck. We are promised a few warm</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">days before October weather really kicks in, but today</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a chilly one so I decided to make some soup (again.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have made this or something similar before, it's</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">embarrassingly simple to make but I love it for that reason</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it tastes so good.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to go with: </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(not low fat...) </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But we're being so good with the soup, we</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">can afford it, right?!</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://onceuponaplate.smugmug.com/Soups/Summer-Squash-Soup-Creamy/i-HtqKHzS/0/XL/LR.6915.Sq.Soup.M-XL.jpg" /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cheese Toasts</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always like to serve a little "something" alongside soup,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this time cheese toasts made from a few slices of baguette,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mixed some grated swiss and parmesan cheeses with a tiny bit of </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mayonnaise to moisten, then stirred in some fresh thyme leaves.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just bake or broil until the cheese is hot and bubbly.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garnish with a few more fresh thyme leaves if desired.</span></center>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make the soup:</span></b></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wash and trim the stem and blossom ends from the squash, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chop into chunks, put in a large pot with your favorite stock or</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">broth (I used organic chicken stock from the carton), use</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vegetable stock if you want to make it vegetarian friendly.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring to a boil, partially cover the pot and allow to simmer</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until the squash is very tender, you can add more stock</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if necessary. (You're going to need more later when it's </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">time to blend.) This time I also added a peeled, thinly sliced</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">carrot just for a little extra nutrition.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the squash is simmering saute a chopped onion</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(or a half an onion if you prefer) in a pan with little butter or</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oil of your choice. Just cook them enough to make</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them tender and translucent ~ to save calories I</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">usually add a little chicken stock or water to the pan</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rather than additional butter or oil if they seem to be drying out</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">during cooking.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the squash is very tender add the sauteed onion</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A food processor would probably be my second choice</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but it will take a lot longer,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the mixture will not be as creamy.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're feeling decadent you can add some milk,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add salt and pepper to taste. May be made ahead, simply</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time I toasted a few hazelnuts/filberts, rubbed</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them in a fresh kitchen towel to remove the pesky brown skins, </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then chopped coarsely and added a sprinkling of chives as a garnish.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have a chance to try it, I hope you like it as</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">much as I do.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by, and for leaving any</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">comments you would care to share ~ they always</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-2376410342410193282013-09-30T16:16:00.000-07:002013-10-01T11:13:02.699-07:00Marcella Hazan's Roast Chicken with Two Lemons ~ A Tribute to Marcella<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Friends~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was with much sadness that we fans of Marcella Hazan learned of her passing on Sunday morning, September 29th. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot begin to express how I admired Marcella and appreciated how much she shared with us through the years. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With thoughts of Marcella </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to share one of the first recipes of hers that I ever made so many years ago after watching her prepare it on television in </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a repeat of a post that I published a couple of years ago,</i></span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the chicken remains one of my <u>all time</u> favorites.</i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">From the moment I heard of this method of preparing a roast chicken well over 20 years ago, this has remained one of my family's favorites. It is definitely my </span><em>personal</em><span class="Apple-style-span"> favorite, and if I could only roast a chicken using one method for the rest of my life ~ this would be it! It's that good.</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are fortunate enough to get a chicken with skin entirely intact (no tears, or holes) ~ near the end of roasting time the skin will puff up dramatically and have become crispy while the chicken beneath the skin remains juicy and succulent ~ as this one did. (But by the time I got the camera out it had deflated, no worry though because the chicken is delicious just the same.) Perfectly flavored whether served from the oven, or at room temperature.</span></center>
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It's a classic and simple recipe from one of my favorite cooking teachers and cookbook authors, Marcella Hazan.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One whole chicken, two lemons, salt and a little freshly ground black pepper produce some of the most succulent pieces of chicken you may ever taste.</span></center>
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I love Marcella's recipes, and although some may seem to be quite an undertaking because of the length ~ please don't let that put you off. It simply appears so because Ms. Hazan is such a great teacher that she explains each step and exactly why they are necessary to produce the desired results, which is enormously helpful, especially for a new cook.</span></center>
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The method is simple ~ rinse the chicken well, inside and out. Allow to drain for a few minutes after rinsing, then blot dry with a cloth or paper towels. Remove any visible bits of fat in the cavities of the bird and salt generously, inside and out. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. </span></center>
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Roll the lemons between your hands or on a counter to help release the juice. Poke the lemons many times with the tines of a fork or a wood pick.</span></center>
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Place the pricked lemons inside of the cavity of the chicken and secure with a couple of tooth or food picks. I tie the legs together with a bit of twine to help keep the chicken compact and the lemons in place.</span></center>
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Then roast, at first breast down, then turn over to continue roasting until done~ the chicken is self basting, no need to add fat or to baste.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve along with the succulent juices ~ and you'll probably taste one of the best roasted chickens you've had in your life.</span></center>
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hint...Hint...Hint:</span></strong></center>
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<em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes the skin of the chicken breast will stick to the pan during the first part of baking (as the chicken is roasting breast-side-down.)</span></em></center>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>To prevent this</strong>~ </em></span></center>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I cut a small piece of parchment baking paper, brush with olive oil or butter and place it on the roasting pan beneath the chicken breast where it makes contact with the pan. When it is time to turn the bird over to continue baking (when breast side is UP) just remove the parchment paper. Yay! No stick, and NO torn chicken skin.</em></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forever grateful to Marcella Hazan for all she has shared! I have several of her books, which I value highly ~ here is the first I ever purchased and I recommend it. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=onupapl-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=039458404X" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You probably noticed I roasted the chicken in one of my favorite cast iron skillets. Not fancy at all, but of all the roasting pans I have... stainless, porcelain, Le Creuset or Staub ~ I reach for my Lodge cast iron skillet almost every time for small roasted meats like this - just as my parents and grandparents did before me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's just large enough to add a few potatoes and/or carrots around the meat while roasting. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Readily available almost everywhere (amazon.com has a good selection) </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lodge Logic-- comes already pre-seasoned. Just hand wash it and it is ready to use. I love my collection of great quality cookware ~ but I would never part with any of my black cast iron ... they heat evenly and are indestructible workhorse pieces in my kitchen.</span></center>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The actual recipe:</span></b></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't asked for permission to share the exact recipe, but you can find it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/1015182/roast-chicken-with-lemons.html" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">on the Internet. If you try it, I hope it becomes one of your favorites, too.</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by today ~ and I would love it if you would leave me your thoughts or any comments, I cherish each one. </span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ Rest in heavenly peace, dear Marcella.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~ </span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-21402721454993824392013-09-30T12:17:00.001-07:002013-10-08T13:32:59.742-07:00Rustic and Hearty Tuscan-style Soup<center>
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When damp, chilly weather arrives we crave warming</span></center>
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soup at my house, and this one is right up there among</span></center>
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the top favorites. I've shared <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.onceuponaplate1.com/2012/01/italian-style-sausage-soup-with-kale-or.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">this one before</span></a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">and I understand</span></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's similar to, (or a copycat version of) <i>Toscana soup</i> as served</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at the Olive Garden restaurant. I can't vouch for that as</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've never had it there.</span></center>
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Even though I enjoy soup at any time of year,</span></center>
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I only make this particular recipe when the temperatures are cool ~</span></center>
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it's very hearty and filling, almost like a stew.</span></center>
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As you can see, the ingredient list is</span></center>
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simple; no exotic items and surprisingly, for such a</span></center>
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flavorful outcome, you don't need to add extra seasoning except</span></center>
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for some salt and freshly ground black pepper.</span></center>
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I always increase the amount of veggies in the recipe</span></center>
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as I prefer this soup chunky, and we all know they</span></center>
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are good for us. :)</span></center>
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You can have this on your table within about 30 minutes.</span></center>
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It's wonderful eaten straight after cooking it, and as with</span></center>
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most soups it is fabulous reheated the next day. When</span></center>
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reheating I usually add more of the greens just to liven up</span></center>
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the color a bit.</span></center>
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It won't win any prizes for beauty, but for what it lacks in</span></center>
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visual appeal it more than compensates in satisfying</span></center>
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flavor. I hope you'll give this one a try, it has to be</span></center>
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among my top favorite 5 soups --- maybe in the top 3.</span></center>
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You can get the <a href="http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2012/01/italian-style-sausage-soup-with-kale-or.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">printable copy</span></a> of the recipe over on</span></center>
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my recipe site.</span></center>
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I'm so happy you came by to visit, have a lovely day!</span></center>
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~ mari</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630857423783823238.post-75949487821198543102013-09-25T03:00:00.000-07:002013-09-28T10:25:04.251-07:00Acorn Candy Kisses<center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are pure fun! And a good project for the kiddos ~</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can "glue" the pieces together with thick Royal Icing,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a little melted chocolate or peanut butter.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can find the "Pumpkin Spice" Hershey's Kisses</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they make the acorns a bit more realistic as they</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are a light caramel color. I couldn't find them in my area</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this year so I used a mix of plain milk chocolate kisses</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">along with some of the caramel filled type (really good, but</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet ~ I like them because the caramel filling is liquid,</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not chewy.)</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really happy you stopped by and</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank you for any comments you would like</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to leave. I appreciate each one and I would love</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to come visit your spot on the internet.</span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Autumn!</span></center>
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Mari @ Once Upon a Platehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16780341844995085098noreply@blogger.com15