a pretty life

Delicious white chocolate bread.

This bread is so delicious the bread with the savory melting chocolate chips is the perfect sweet treat. I am excited to make this bread again and replace the chips with things like, rosemary , garlic, sun dried tomato, parm cheese or whatever you like. Enjoy its delicious!

• What you will need: this will make 5 loaves, cut in half for 2.
• preheat oven to 450˚
• 8 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon wheat gluten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 3/4 cups white chocolate chips
• 
  

The most important thing to this recipe is the temp. of the water and bowl. Before anything fill the bowl to the top with hot water.

1.  dump out the hot water and immediately pour in the 3 1/2 cups of warm water, immediately after add the yeast, stir and let it sit in the water for at least 5 minutes.
2. In your kitchen aid bowl add flour, wheat gluten and salt. 
3. Start mixing and slowly add the water and yeast.
4. After 5 minutes of mixing on the second speed add white chocolate chips, until evenly distributed
5. The dough may seem unusually sticky, and you will feel like it is wrong but its correct.
6. TONS of flower is the key, sprinkle some on the counter and knead the dough.
7. After the dough is kneaded, let the dough sit for 15-20 minutes.
8. take the dough out and continually add flower to keep from sticking to EVERYTHING.
9. cut the dough into even pieces and form it to the shape of a baguette place on parchment paper and cook for about 20 minutes. 

rich and delicious stuffed portobello mushrooms

Rich and beautiful looking crowd pleaser!

I have Always feared and stayed clear of mushrooms, but portobellos are beautiful and and I LOVE to stuff absolutely anything I can. Stuffed chicken, stuffed bell peppers, stuffed mushrooms why not! These are easy to make, taste like heaven and are perfect for the holidays! They look and taste gourmet but are shockingly easy ENJOY!

What you will need for 6 mushrooms : 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
• 12 ounces turkey sausage, casings removed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano leaves
• 3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 cup (4-ounces) Gorgonzola
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
• 6 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed

Directions:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage stirring frequently, cook then Add the garlic and cook for about a minute or so. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the mascarpone cheese.
•  Add the thyme, oregano, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of Gorgonzola, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
• Brush the mushrooms on both sides with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the mushrooms, stem side down, for 3 minutes then repeat on the other side. Fill each mushroom with the sausage mixture and top with the remaining Gorgonzola. Put the mushrooms on the grill and cook until the stuffing is warmed through and the Gorgonzola starts to melt, about 5 to 7 minutes.

The perfect 'impressive' apple, blackberry thanksgiving pie!

I love making this pie, its beautiful, seemingly simple and tastes amazing to boot! Impress family and friends with this easy delicious crowd pleaser!
                                                                      Easy as 1,2,3

leaf option

cute cutters available at williams•sonoma

What you will need:

Preheat the oven to 400º

1.1/4 cup granulated sugar

2. 2 tbsn corn starch

3.1/2 tspn ground cinnamon

4.1/4 tspn salt

5. 2 1/2 lbs of peeled and sliced apples (i prefer green)

6.10 ounces of frozen blackberries

7.1/2 stick butter cut into cubes

8. un-cooked pie crust dough from any grocery store to make it easier, (if not i will post an entry on how to make the perfect pie crust)

Mix all dry ingredients in bowl and apples stir until dry mixture becomes almost wet. put the pre made crust in the pie pan and dump in the apples. Distribute butter throughout mixture.  I have done the basket weave and I have also done the leave topper both are quick and very festive! Dust the top with egg and sanding sugar. Put in oven and cook until apples are tender!

down home green beans

I have avoided blogging for some long, simply because everyones doing it! But I love food, nothing brings me greater joy than blessing someone with a home cooked meal or treat. So why not share that with others! I love to let people know that cooking can be so fun, for me its like a creative outlet. I love that mistakes cant be made in preparing a good meal but they don't matter! There are endless techniques and I am still learning but love to experiment new things. Here are recipes that I'v made and people love! Ladies (and gentlemen) cooking is fun!
    So I decided to start with a creation I made last night that was a huge hit! With every bite my family took they kept groaning with joy saying man I will actually crave these! I thought they were pretty great and easy too! enjoy! P.S i would even make these on thanksgiving!

What you will need:
Green beans
1/2 tbs salt
few grinds of fresh pepper
stick of butter
dash of white wine
half a lemon
1 tsp of chili flakes
can of fire roasted tomatoes

1. Start off by cutting ends of green beans and boil in water till slightly tender
2. melt a stick of butter in a large sautee pan, add green beans
3. Add, salt, pepper and chili flakes, let them sit for a few minutes while soaking up the flavors
4. Add can of tomatoes, white wine, and squirt on the lemon.
5. leave them to cook for quite a while on a low heat with a lid, this will allow the flavors to really infuse.
6.upon serving pour the juices and tomato chunks on the beans

this picture is bad quality and does not do justice because it was taken with my phone, upcoming pictures will be much better!