Mental Health

Morning,

I wanted to take a second to again share this company/campaign that is bringing the much closeted topic of mental health to the forefront. 

As someone who has struggled with anxiety/depression, among other things, it is refreshing to see that others have some of the same issues. Varying degrees but still important and in need of help. I wrote about them in June (2015) and I am glad that they are still going strong!

Now they have new temporary tattoos! 

http://wearyourlabel.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/motivational-tattoos

For so long I hid the chaos in my head but have finally learned that being upfront with myself greatly helped. I accepted my mental health and vowed to combat it. While I will always have my anxiety it will not consume me. 

Understanding and accepting these parts of yourself is the first step. It's okay to not be okay. No one is without flaw.

Thanks for listening, I will be making some new dishes soon...I've been in a slump as of late but cooking has always been cathartic! I see apple pie in the future!

-Bunny

Bon Temps

What happens when you get your hubby a Bonus Temps glass...he fills it with a Necromancer!! Yum!!!

Fear the Rum

Howdy!

In honor of Fear the Walking Dead's return tonight, we made a yummy cocktail!! 

I call it Fear the Rum. 

Take 1 ounce black cherry rum, 1 ounce light rum, 1 ounce Pomegranate Liqueur and 4 ounces of POM (juice). Mix/shake then add 6 ounces of Pellegrino. Don't forget to garnish with a cherry! 

It's light and refreshing. Not too sweet! Perfect for fighting off some walkers in the hot sun!! 

Cheers! -Bunny

Scotch Eggs

Hi there, 

This Sunday I made Scotch Eggs! 

Something I let Craig pick from the Outlander Cookbook. I thought that they would be difficult, but in fact they were very simple. Plus he loved them!!! It was interesting to read that these were mostly used as travel snacks, full of protein. What a great idea!

Ingredients: 

7 large eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups of panko-style breadcrumbs

1 1/2 pounds of pork sausage and vegetable oil

To start you need to hard-boil 6 eggs, let cool and peel. Next set up three bowls, one with the flour, salt and cayenne pepper, one with an egg wash (use the 7th egg and a tsp of water and mix well) and last the flakes.

Next, take a good potion of the pork and flatten into your hand and wrap around one of the eggs. Roll in the flour, then egg wash, then flakes and set aside. The final step, before eating of course, is to take a large pan and add 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat it up to 350 degrees and be careful not to splash. Place each ball into the oil and turn regularly. The flakes should begin to turn a nice golden color. 

Take your time and make sure that the insides are fully cooked. There were a few that once split, needed extra time and had to put back in for longer. Once cool enough to eat, take a bite and enjoy. Craig sure did, he finished off most of them! If you would prefer a spicier "ball" add some hot sauce. I don't think anything could ever be too spicy for that man!

Thanks, Bunny

Scotch Eggs Attempt

Morning!! 

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!! 

Stay tuned! 
http://outlanderkitchen.com/2012/09/24/scotch-eggs-from-an-echo-in-the-bone/

-Bunny

Warm Almond Pastry w/ Father Anselm

Hi there,

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 

- Bunny

Laoghaire's Whisky Sour

Morning Outlander Fans!

Saturday night I watched the finale (of Outlander) and it still sits heavy with me today. Such a beautiful episode. My eyes filled with tears at Claire's memories and their dance toward the stones. I could see the emotion and love as they were forced to part. Sam and Caitriona did a wonderful job! I still can't believe the season is already over BUT I do have the cookbook to keep me company. Thank you Theresa he he!

Feeling a bit sour about the end, I thought it perfect to start with Laoghaire's Whisky Sour, it just sounded yummy and I was correct! 

Start by stirring together 2 tablespoons of hot water with 2 tablespoons of honey until it's dissolved, then add 2 oz of whiskey and 2 tablespoons of lemon, freshly squeezed. In the OK cookbook it says to use bourbon...but online it says whiskey...unsure about what to use, we chose one of Craig's favorites, Green Spot Irish Whiskey(I hope Theresa won't mind). Then I add crushed ice and a lemon curl and there you have it! A slightly sweet and rich Whiskey Sour. Craig liked it very much and said it was better than any Whiskey Sour he has ordered at a bar. The lemon and honey were perfect! 

As Theresa Carle-Sanders adds: "The perfectly naturally sweet, lightly sour whisky cocktail for a hot summer's evening, whether you shot someone that day or not." he he!

Cheers! Thanks for reading...next, a lovely almond cream pastry!-Bunny