Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta

Over memorial weekend, I finished the last of my yard work "projects" for the summer. All that is left to do now is sit back, entertain, and enjoy the beautiful three months of (usually) wonderful weather that we get here during Minnesota summer.

My favorite place during the summer months is definitely my deck. I grab a cold, crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc, a pile of magazines, (you know, the ones you subscribe to monthly but don't get the time to thoroughly enjoy until you finally have a free evening six months later,) and grab a seat outside.  I sit, sip, and flip through recipes, entertaining ideas, and fun party decor for inspiration.

As I sipped and flipped one night, I came across this recipe. It was a nice and light variation of the much loved caprese bruschetta. I was immediately intrigued, especially since it was a Giada recipe and I really liked her Blue Cheese and Honey variation. I decided to test this over the past weekend but as usual, made a few changes. I removed the butter and added the Boursin Gourmet Spreadable Garlic and Herb cheese and subbed a sliced baguette in lieu of white bread. I loved it, my company loved it, and as far as preparation... it couldn't get any easier!

Disclaimer: I am in no way employed by or payed by Boursin to plug their product... I just really, really love that stuff!

Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta
Serves: Approx. 15

Ingredients:
One french baguette loaf, sliced into about fifteen, 1/2" pieces
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup diced Strawberries (or any berry or berry medley you prefer)
1 Tablespoon Sugar
One (1) 4.4 oz package of Boursin Gourmet Spreadable Garlic and Herb Cheese*
Gia Russa (or any) Balsamic Glaze, (for drizzling.)
1/2 Cup Chopped, Fresh Basil, (for topping.)

Directions: 
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush baguette slices with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F pre-heated oven. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Add diced strawberries and sugar to a small bowl; stir, and let sit for no less than 25 minutes.

Once baguette slices are cool to the touch, spread a dollop of the Boursin Cheese spread on top of each slice. Top each with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with chopped basil. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Note: (You will only use approximately 1/2 the container of cheese, unless doubling the recipe.)

Source: Adapted from Food Network

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake

I have addressed my issues with keeping sweets in our house many times on this blog before, so I won't bore you with another rant on how wildly obsessed I am with eating an entire pan of cookies in one sitting and then follow it with a nice healthy appetizer to try.  Instead, I will actually share a wonderful cake recipe that I found on another blog and let you be the judge and jury on whether or not you can resist devouring the whole thing in one sitting.  I do however, refuse to be responsible for your guilt and/or stomach ache afterwards. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, I jumped at the opportunity to host Todd's family celebration of May Birthday's this year and what better way to celebrate a birthday then with cake? Finally, a good reason to fall off my "healthy" wagon.

I know what you're thinking when you read this title. You're thinking, "Holy Hannah, that sounds heavy and rich!"  Yet it is not. This cake has a wonderful airy texture and the filling is delightfully thin, fluffy, and not to over bearing on the peanut butter flavor.It's truthfully awesome.

One of my favorite comments when I made this cake was, "SERIOUSLY KRISTEN... THIS CAKE IS TO DIE FOR!" I have never dubbed myself as a "baker" per say, (Most of the time I would prefer to be making "to die for" entrees or pretty yet delightful appetizers,) but I do try.  I always dabbled a little bit but when it came to cakes and pies I was never shy to the boxed mix aisle at the grocery. Thankfully, I have been reading a lot of blog recipes lately and Annie's Eats has AMAZING items that I always want to try. Her blog gave me the courage to skip the box and go home-made!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake 
Serves: About Twenty (20)

Ingredients: 

For the cake:

1¾ cups plus 2 tbsp. (9 3/8 oz.) all-purpose flour

1½ cups (4½ oz.) unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for dusting the pans

1 tbsp. instant espresso or coffee powder

1½ cups boiling water

¾ cup sour cream

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2½ cups plus 2 tbsp. (18 3/8 oz.) sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1¼ tsp. baking soda

¾ tsp. salt

For the filling and frosting:

¾ cup heavy cream, chilled

3¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted, divided

1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of coarse salt

To garnish:
See here where Annie, of Annie's Eats uses Reese's peanut butter and really dolls hers up!

I, on the other hand, decided to use six (6) miniature Snickers bars, chopped and drizzled with caramel topping.  (Your base cake is done, so you can be creative with your toppings!)

Directions: 

To make the cake: 

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.

Butter the edges of 3 9-inch round cake pans and dust with cocoa powder, shaking out the excess.  Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, espresso powder, and boiling water.  Whisk until smooth; set aside to cool slightly.  When cooled down a bit, whisk in the sour cream and vanilla.  Set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.  Slowly blend in the sugar and whip on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes more.  Blend in the eggs one at a time.

In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; whisk to blend.

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the sour cream mixture, beating each addition just until incorporated.  Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.  Bake the cake layers for about 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, rotating the pans during halfway through to ensure even baking.  Transfer the baked cake layers to a wire rack and let cool in the pans at least 30 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and let cool completely on wire rack.

To make the filling and frosting: 

Combine the heavy cream and ¼ cup of the confectioners’ sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Whip on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and stiff peaks form, being careful not to over mix.  Transfer the whipped cream to a separate bowl.  In the now empty mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and peanut butter.  Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 45 seconds.  Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar to the bowl and mix in, slowly at first until incorporated, then increasing the mixer speed to high.  Blend in the vanilla extract and salt, and continue to whip on high speed until very fluffy, about 4-5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Use a large spatula to gently fold about a third of the whipped cream into the peanut butter frosting.  Once the first addition has been evenly incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until no streaks remain.

To assemble the cake, place one of the cake layers on a cake board or serving platter.  Spread an even layer of the frosting over the top of the cake.  Top with a second cake layer and another layer of the frosting.  Place the final cake layer on top.  Frost the top and sides of the cake using a thin crumb coat at first.  Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.  Once the crumb cake is set, frost the remaining cake. Finish by topping with crushed Snickers and drizzled caramel sauce, or the toppings of your choice.  Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

I know, I know. I do need to work on my frosting skills... but hey...  it tasted good! :)

Happy Baking!

Source:
Cake: Slight variation (I only changed my toppings) of Annie's Eats; originally from Baking Illustrated.
Frosting: Annie's Eats.

Cucumber Bites with Garlic Herb Filling

Every May, Todd and I get together with his father's side of the family, The Jewetts, and celebrate May birthdays. Todd, his grandmother Audrey, his late grandfather Bill, and his uncle Wayne all blessed this world with their presence at one point in the month of May and once a year we make it a point to all get together and honor their day(s) of birth.

This year, the gathering date fell on Mother's day and gave us all another reason to celebrate!!  I had a ton of new recipe finds that I was DYING to try, so I quickly swooped in and offered to host before anyone else got the chance. The only question was, which of these 100+ recipes that I have scattered throughout blogs, Pinterest, and other websites will I dare to make?!

I knew if I was going to host this, that I needed to fulfill appetites of men. It didn't need to necessarily be pretty... but it had to be filling. Shannon, Todd's aunt,  has five growing boys... six if you count her husband Woody. Then there is Todd and his uncle Tim... and let's face it, guys like guy food, not chicky stuff. So, I compromised. A few "man food" for the boys... and a few cutesy appetizers for us girls. Even though these were cute... the flavor was wonderful and the boys liked them too!

I must admit, this was the easiest appetizer I have every made!  No joke.

Cucumber Bites with Garlic Herb Filling
Makes: About 36 Cucumber Bites

Ingredients:
1 (5.2 oz) Package Garlic Herb Boursin Cheese*
4-5 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 English Cucumbers, partially peeled. 

Directions: 

Clean and partially peel your cucumbers with a vegetable peeler. Cut into 1-inch thick slices. With the small end of a melon baller, remove enough of the cucumber to leave a small hollowed out area for the filling to sit. Salt and pepper each cucumber to your liking. Arrange these on your serving and tray and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix boursin cheese and heavy creamy until a consistency that can easily be piped. Transfer to a pastry bag and set aside. 

Pipe a small amount of cheese mixture into each cucumber. Chill until you are ready to serve. 

*Note: I can't help but thinking how good this recipe would be with blue cheese in place of the boursin. The extra pop of flavor is enchanting. I think I will try this next time. If you try it before me, please let me know your results!

Source: Modified in the tiniest way from this original @ Annie's Eats.

Happy Monday!
Kristen

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I don't usually keep cookies in my house for two reasons: 
1. Todd will eat all of them. (This is really not a huge deal, but he is diabetic and I feel slightly guilty when I place a large vat of cookies in front of him knowing full well that they are his weakness.)

2. I will eat them. The only time I don't want to eat an entire plate of cookies is when they are from some grocer deli and are rather disgusting OR when the taste testing proves them to be "just okay."

That is not the case with these cookies. These cookies are not for the faint hearted average cookie liker and they are more than "just okay." They are phenomenal! These peanut-buttery, soft and chewy chocolatey pieces of heaven will change your life. (Okay, maybe not, but they are quite delicious!)

Make up a batch of these for the cookie connoisseur in your house. I guarantee they will fall in love.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes: About 3 dozen

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter at room temperature (smooth or chunky, your preference)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
For sprinkling: 1 tablespoon sugar, regular or superfine

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.

In your electric mixer with the paddle attachment,  beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips and mix for about 30 seconds.

Place sprinkling sugar, (the remaining tablespoon,) on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a criss-cross pattern, but do not overly flatten cookies.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake!! Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not. (I promise. No longer than 12 minutes.)

Cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Cookies will be really soft right out of the oven. If you try to move them too soon you will risk them falling apart. That wastes perfectly good cookies, so don't do that!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Kristen

Source: Slightly Modified version of Smitten Kitchen's Peanut Butter Cookies

Grilled Halibut with Bleu Cheese Butter

I purchased a fancy new grill pan/pizza stone/baking stone at one of my favorite stores, Sur La Table. I had received a gift card there for my last birthday and have spent the last seven months deciphering what I would purchase with it when I came across this one and new I had to have it. I loved it's versatility. The very first day I brought it home I knew it needed to be used.

Todd threw it on the grill and I headed for the store to pick out some beautiful white fish. Have no fear if you have never cooked halibut before,  it's a cinch! The butter is even easier!
If you don't have a grilling stone, oil the grill surface and place them directly on the grill! (It will still turn out wonderful, just be cautious when flipping!)

Grilled Halibut with Bleu Cheese Butter
Serves: Four (4)

Ingredients:

Four (4) Six to Eight ounce halibut fillets
Five ounces of crumbled bleu cheese
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 Tablespoons butter
Salt and Pepper to taste
Olive oil (for brushing halibut) 

Directions:
Brush halibut filets (on all sides) with a small amount of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Place stone on grill and allow to warm-up at least 20 minutes.

Place halibut fillets onto grilling stone and close lid. Grill for 7 minutes per side or until fish is cooked through and flaky. (Note: Try to avoid turning more than once as the fish get quite soft and tends to fall apart.)

Meanwhile, on your stove-top combine butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and blue cheese and melt on low heat, stirring frequently.

Remove halibut from grill and plate on dinner plates. Spoon warm bleu cheese butter mixture over each fillet until gone.
That was pretty easy, wasn't it?

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!
Kristen

Source: An original of my own!

Individual Triple Berry Crisps

I told Todd that he could pick out our Easter dessert this year. Being that I am constantly trying to eat healthy and he is diabetic, the dessert, (in my mind,) had to be "somewhat" healthy.

He requested this dish, but insisted it be served with vanilla bean ice cream. That is a compromise in my mind, and one I agreed with! Another bonus of this dessert? I typically have all of this stuff on hand... and I bet you bakers do too!

This was, by far, the most simple recipe that I have ever followed and yet the results tasted like I had worked on it all weekend! It's rich in berry flavor, but not too sweet.


Individual Triple Berry Crisps
Serves: Four (4)

Ingredients: 
12 Ounces frozen berries (I used strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
1/4 Cup Sugar or Truvia
2 Teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 Cup crisp topping to mix in with berries, recipe follows
2+ Cups additional crisp topping for the tops of ramekins, recipe follows

Crisp Topping: 

5 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 1 cup

2/3 cup sugar or Truvia
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts such as; walnuts, pecans, or almonds (optional)
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 ounces unsalted butter, cubed and chilled

Directions:
Place the flour, sugar, nuts and crackers into a large mixing bowl and combine. Work the butter into the dry ingredients with your hands until it is crumbly. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use as topping for crisps, cobblers or grunts. 

Assembling the berry crisps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the frozen berries, sugar, cornstarch and 1/2 cup of the crisp topping into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine.

Divide the mixture evenly between 4 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins.

Top each ramekin with 1/2 cup of the remaining crisp topping. 

Place the ramekins on a sheet pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is browned.

Allow the crisps to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Now... devour it.

 

 

Source: Slightly modified version from Alton Brown's Individual Berry Crisps.

Caprese Pasta Salad

In lieu of our standard Minnesota spring-like weather, we have been graciously blessed with temperatures much more like summer. (Although this week is quite a bit chillier!) It has been SO nice to sit on the deck with Todd and enjoy some sunshine, a cocktail, and great conversations while the smoke from the grill saturates the air.

Of course, like any other NORMAL person, the first things I really craved with the weather changes were burgers, brats, and pasta salad. I am not sure why us Minnesotans like pasta salad with burgers, but we do. That's how we roll.

This delicious recipe combines bow-tie pasta, pesto, mozzarella, and tomatoes. Caprese in any form is a favorite of mine, so needless to say, I loved, loved, loved this pasta salad!

Todd, did too. I think!? I am actually not sure he got any, to be honest.

Caprese Pasta Salad
Serves: Eight (8)

Ingredients:
1 Lb. Box of Bow-Tie Pasta
1 container (or 2 cups fresh) cherry tomatoes; halved or quartered
8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls (See note)
1-2 (2.5 oz.) cans of sliced black olives (optional)

For the Pesto Sauce:
2 Cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup walnuts or pine nuts
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Boil pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a food processor, add basil, Parmesan, nuts and salt and pepper. Process for 15 seconds. With the food processor on, slowly add in olive oil and process for about 2 minutes or until smooth. 

Toss pasta,  olives, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil pesto until well incorporated. Finish with an additional dash of salt and pepper and serve immediately.

* Note: If you can't find mozzarella pearls, which significantly reduces your time cutting mozzarella into smaller pieces, try to find the ciliegine mozzarella. This is not a specific brand, but rather the smaller, round, cherry tomato sized mozzarella that will work perfectly when cut in half or quartered.

Source: A modified version of multiple recipes that I have tried and made over the years to finally come up with this final version.