When we visited New Orleans I tried a few different red bean and rice dishes and I loved them...minus the meat he he! They also went great with beignets. So I wanted to make my own and since it's been a while I went straight for my True Blood Cookbook! Oh True Blood how I miss you. I did make this before...but it had been a while! Check me out!
Here is an abridged Sam's Red Beans and Rice! YUM!
First step, soak the beans in a pot with a few inches of water overnight. In the morning drain any left over water.
Next cut up your onion, celery and bell pepper. Heat the bacon fat in a pot then add in the veggies, pepper and cayenne and stir until they are golden.
Cut up the sausage and ham then add to your golden veggies. We opted to forgo the salt pork and added a pinch of salt to the mix. Stir until meat is slightly browned and then add in the red beans and water.
Make sure to add enough water so that the mixture is covered. Let cook for a few hours, stirring occasionally. Of course Jack got a piece too...but what's new ha ha! Next take a wooden spoon and mash half of the mix to one side, breaking up the beans a bit. While you wait, make your rice to add to the dish! We opted for brown rice this time around. Continue stirring for another 30 mins until beans are soft and then serve.
Okay I asked Craig to pick out something from my Outlander Cookbook....and he picked Scotch Eggs. It looks a bit difficult but I am up for the challenge!!
Last night I took to my mixer and created the Outlander Kitchen Warm Almond Pastry w/ Father Anselm. It looked way to good to pass up!
First things first, I set the oven to 375 degrees and started to mix the almond meal and flour in a small bowl. Then in my awesome pink mixer, on medium, I mixed together the butter and sugar until fluffy, then added the egg and vanilla. Once combined I slowed the mixer down and added in the flour and almond meal, creating a delicious paste/filling.
It took everything I had not to consume the whole bowl of almond filling! I kept reminding myself that I had to share..so when Craig came home from work last night, the first thing I said to him was,"Do you want to know what heaven tastes like?" I handed him a small spatula with a bit of almond mix on the end. His eyes lit up and he said that it was probably dangerous to keep in the house ha ha!
Next I took my pastry dough (I went ahead and bought the pre-made dough, as I was not that confident in my skills) and cut it into a large rectangular shape. I scored two lines to help guide the dough and cut sections off the top and bottom of the pastry dough sides. These "flaps" would then be folded over the almond filling. I cut diagonal lines on each side, to interlace. Once I added the almond to the center of the dough, leaving some space on the top and bottom sections I folded over the "flaps" and began to weave together the rest of the dough. It was so cute and delicate looking.
Next, I lightly brushed on egg and a little bit of sugar onto each pastry. After topping it off with sliced almonds, it went into the oven for about 25 mins or until turning into a nice golden brown color.
I did not want any of this masterpiece to be wasted so I used some of my extra almond filling and dough scraps to make little delicious pastries. Plus then I could try it before serving the main Almond Pastry.
Our apartment quickly filled with a sweet aroma as it began to bake...so delicious and mouth watering. I waited patiently as the dough rose and began to brown. They were perfect! After removing from the oven, I let them cool for a bit and plated the smaller pastries to try. So scrumptious! Thank you again OK!
To my surprise the almond pastry was not too sweet, it was perfectly balanced and a bit hearty. The almond slivers were a nice touch as well. The flaky dough paired well with the almond filling creating a wonderful balance between sweet and savory. Once again I had to try and control myself...it's a bit funny how something to little could be the highlight of our taste-bud's night ha ha!
I will, without doubt, be making this again! Thanks for reading, cheers
I was missin True Blood somethin awful, plus I just got my new "Cake" dress in the mail so I thought how perfect!! Check out the link below to Amourdress. Now let's make a delicious cake to celebrate!
In the True Blood Eats Drinks and Bites Cookbook there is a recipe for an awesome vanilla cake with lemon filling...OMG it was just begging to be made! This is the cake that Maryann, Karl and Eggs surprise Tara with for her birthday! Now I have never really made a cake from scratch...so it was a long process but completely worth it.
To start I made the lemon filling by combining the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium pan. I gradually stirred, bringing it to a boil over medium heat. After about a minute I removed the pan and stirred in the butter and lemon zest and gradually whisked in the lemon juice. Then set it aside to cool. I found that one good sized lemon made just enough juice and zest! After it had cooled I had a small taste and it was just like a lemon square...one of my favorite desserts!
Quickly I made the berry topping by slicing up strawberries and raspberries and sprinkling them with sugar. For the cake mix, I first preheated the oven to 350 degrees and greased/flowered two round pans.
In my large mixing bowl I blended the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt then slowly added in the shortening, 2/3 cup of milk and vanilla.
After mixing for about 2 minutes I added the remaining 1/3 cup of milk and the egg whites. Making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl I mixed for a few more minutes and then the batter was ready to go into the pans! Jack was so interested but don't worry I didn't let him have any he he!
After pouring in the batter and placing the pans in the oven (for 30 mins) I started on the frosting.
First I beat the egg whites until they formed soft peaks, then in a pan I heated up the sugar, corn syrup and water bringing it to a boil. Using a thermometer I made sure the mixture reached 242 degrees. Once it was ready I slowly poured it into the egg whites while the mixer was running. I kept mixing until the frosting held stiff peaks, then added in the vanilla! This frosting was probably the most difficult task in making this cake...we had some trouble with the sugar hardening but that's what this is for, to learn! I think I might have to try it again sometime he he.
After the cakes were done baking and had cooled I took one layer, flipped it, and spread the lemon filling on, almost to the outer edge. I placed the second layer, right-side up, on top of the filling. I took the frosting and started with the sides of the cake and moved to the top, evenly covering the cake. Once the frosting was on I added the yummy berries, letting their juices flow down the sides of the cake.
The frosting was a bit melty he he! but it tasted so good! The cake itself was hardy and rich and definitely tasted home-made. The lemon filling was really tasty...the bit of tart helped to cut the sugary frosting, complimenting it. Absolutely the most perfect birthday cake...very much a good old-fashioned strawberry shortcake! I had to make myself stop eating it he he! SO GOOD!
Our final stop and last night in Ireland was The K Club in Kildare. This pristine 5 star country club had so much to offer and sadly we didn't get to see much of it. Please check out their webpage, bottom of post, this place is HUGE and just stunning. Our few photos really do not do it justice. Check-in was smooth which was nice, considering we were tired from our travels. We had stopped in Waterford for the day and the Nicholas Mosse Pottery house on our way up.
Staff were very helpful and offered to bring our items to our room, the Fitzgerald. This time they used a trolley/bag cart! We were shocked at the room they gave us...it had a sitting room, walk in closet and a gigantic bathtub! You can see more of my love for the tub in my A Bath in Each post he he! The only problem was the bed...which Craig found out the hard way. He dove onto it and much to his surprise it wasn't a king but two twins put together and he landed right in the middle. Ouch!
Decor fit with the overall feel of the country club, fancy but cozy and antiqued. Our room was very dim inside much like the rest of the hotel. It could have been because we were there later in the day and it was a bit dreary out. Our bellhop must have tried a million switches to give us more light but he couldn't figure it out he he! We did not mind the dim light, it was the evening and we planned to sleep soon.
Once settled, Craig and I went downstairs for dinner, admiring the artwork along the way. I loved the unicorn tapestry they had hanging above a mantle. So pretty!
We ate at The K Club's River Room Restaurant and much to our surprise there were not many guests. They seated us in the middle of two other couples, one German and the other French. The room was big too and really quiet. That had to be one of the most awkward dinners we've had lol! Service was good though and our meal tasty. Craig's winning streak continued as his steak was perfect!
After dinner we walked around the K Club and took a closer look at their unique rooms. All decorated differently with big couches, chandeliers and fireplaces. I loved the furniture and patterns as well. This couch (below) had a pretty blue pattern that went well with their hydrangeas and purple flowers. Coincidentally my favorite thing at our first Castle was there many colorful hydrangeas! Funny!
Back in our room I took advantage of their huge tub, nice photo op he he! Actually Craig went outside for a quick smoke and instead of starting my bath right away I was super sneaky!
He had expressed that he really liked this Guinness watch in the store cases down stairs. I quickly called the front desk but since it was late in the evening they did not have the key. Staff were so sweet and offered to order it etc. But I reassured them that I could find it online and have it sent to our home in time for Christmas.
So there I was, naked and heart racing, nervously surfing the web! It didn't take long to find the watch so I ordered it, closed the laptop and jumped into the half full tub. Craig returned a few mins later and was none the wiser! Muahaha!
That night we tucked ourselves in and dreamt of staying in Ireland indefinitely. The K Club was so lovely, hopefully we could visit again and be able to truly enjoy all it offers. Before we left that next morning, I wanted to note that staff brought us coffee, cocoa and some pastries to-go! So sweet of them!!! They were making it hard to leave.
This trip had been so magical...the only negative, if it could be called that, is that we simply wanted more...more of everything! Thank you Ireland for the wonderful stay. We will miss you dearly!
Howdy! So this happened......I made a really simple but over the top dessert!!
I present the 3 Treats Brownie:
One layer cookie dough(I chose regular/choc.chip)
One layer Oreo cookies (original)
Final layer Brownie Mix (dark chocolate fudge mix)
Set the oven to 350 degrees
First you start by spreading out your cookie dough into the bottom of a non-stick pan. Try to make it even throughout.
Next place your Oreos over the dough. You might even be able to get away with a few layers of cookies he he!
Then after mixing up the brownie batter, pour it over the Oreos and cookie dough.
After spreading the batter evenly you are ready to place it into the oven.
I started by setting the timer to 20 mins but it proved to take a lot longer. I kept adding on 5 mins...so almost 40 mins later it was done, but still gooey!
Make sure to check it with a toothpick to make sure it is cooked through.
After letting it sit for 10 mins, I had to cut off a piece and see what this creation looked like...and it was truly delicious! Very rich and decadent!
I also had some extra cookies and dough so I made a second treat, but it did not turn out as photogenic as the brownies he he! So pay no mind.
This brownie filled our place with such a yummy smell...part cookie, part brownie. I started drooling right away he he!
Howdy!! Yesterday I made some Red Beans and Rice which turned out great. Thanks Sam!
The recipe is similar to the Jambalaya with the biggest difference being that the rice is cooked separately. That turned out to be helpful for me because the broth gets a tad spicy...i'm a wimp!
First you soak the beans overnight then rinse and sort the next day. I found that if you are in a time crunch a can of kidney beans works well too. To start, cook the bacon fat on medium heat and add in the onion, celery, bell pepper and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the salt and pepper as well.
After the veggies are browning/golden add in the bay leaves, salt pork, ham and sausage.
Let the meat cook until pieces are beginning to brown and tender, then add in the beans. Stir and add in water so veggies and meat are submerged, about 1 inch.
Let cook, stirring intermittently for about an hour. The book says to cook for 2 hours but it really didn't need that long. Add more water if it become too dry/thick.
*I added some black beans to make the dish more complex and yummy...plus who doesn't like black beans?!
Next, take a wooden spoon and mash half of the dish to one side of the pot and continue stirring until the mixture is creamy and beans are soft. About 35-40 mins. The dish should begin to thicken into more of a soup (not watery)...completely enveloping each piece with flavor.
Remove the bay leaves and serve with rice and garnish with green onion and parsley.
Voila! Dinner for the next few days!!
I am so happy with how this turned out. It was nice to make something so hardy and flavorful. The beans and veggies were delicious with the rice. Great combo!
I knew I did good when I caught Craig eating some out of the fridge (left-over container). He gave it a "Sublime"!
