brussel sprouts

i used to think i hated brussel sprouts. until i decided one day to roast them in the oven. wow. they are probably my fav vegetable now. they get carmelized and i like them w/ lots of salt. so good. i also roast, cauliflower and broccoli. i'd never eat them any other way. roasting is the way to go!!

Broiled Grapefruit

i never eat grapefruit. i don't really like it at all. but.. i decided to broil a grapefruit today w/ cinnamon and sugar and it completely transformed it! i really enjoyed that it was warm & spicy & a little bit sweet. so i will be picking up some grapefruits on my next grocery trip! :)

Browned Butter Spread

I recently made Sally Lunn bread and didn't love the results. It turned out really dense and cake-like, not what I was expecting. But.. I also made the butter spread that went with it and found an amazing recipe that I will be keeping!

Browned Butter Spread from Smitten Kitchen

1-2 TB honey

few pinches sea salt

Melt 1/2 of butter over medium heat. Once melted reduce to medium low heat and brown. Cool to room temp. Whip the other half of butter till fluffy. Drizzle in browned butter, honey & salt. Chill in fridge.

I used sea salt, but next time might try kosher, didn't love the large pieces of salt.

vday

I made Red Velvet Whoopie Pies for valentines day this year. They turned out great, I've already eaten two! I got the recipe from Brown Eyed Baker, here is the link: http://annies-eats.net/2010/02/08/red-velvet-whoopie-pies/ I also decided to make a batch of our famous caramel corn for my small group girls. We are going to celebrate tomorrow with pizza and a movie night :)

I also made an orzo pasta salad today for lunch which turned out great and I don't even like salad! It's from the Pastry Queen Parties cookbook, I absolutely love all of the Pastry Queen cookbooks. She is right up there with the Pioneer Woman for me. :)

Snow days!

i love snow days because i get to sleep, read and watch movies as much as i want. it's glorious! i also love having the whole day free because that means i can bake anything i want! aka: amish bread. most heavenly homeade bread ever. but it basically takes up a whole day to make it. this morning i woke up and decided today was a great day to make bread. so it is now rising in the oven and i'm pretty excited about it. i wanted to write a post today (it's been forever since i've updated!) and share a recipe that i am in love with. i got it from a wonderful woman on staff at Elevation and it's one of the best cookie recipes ever! so here it is, make it you will love them!
Toffee Crackle Cookies
1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
1 c. chocolate covered toffee bits
preheat oven to 400. beat butter on high for 30 sec. add sugar, baking powder and salt. add egg and vanilla. beat in as much flour as you can with mixer. add rest with a wooden spoon. be careful not to overmix. add toffee bits. shape in 1 1/4" balls. flatten each with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. to about 1/4" thick circles. bake 20 min. until edges are firm, not brown.