Walnut Apple Salad for #WeekdaySupper

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas, and a Happy New Year's coming up. Here's a quick and easy salad I made my family for Christmas, one night with roasted walnuts the other with almonds and both nights there was no salad left over. It's a great salad that goes well with any main dish, and I've had it several times as my main course with dinner (sometimes with chicken sprinkled in). I hope you enjoy, and be sure to check out the rest of our Weekday Supper recipes this week:

Monday - this walnut apple salad

Tuesday - The Not So Cheesy Kitchen - Lentil Soup

Wednesday - Shockingly Delicious - Black-Eyed Pea Quesadillas for New Year's Day Good Luck

Thursday - Cindy's Recipes and Writings - Chicken Barley Soup

Friday - girlichef - Balsamic Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Tenderloin {slow cooker}

Prep Time 10 minutes

Four Servings

Ingredients

1 medium serving bowl filled with Mixed Greens

2 handfuls of dried cranberries

2 handfuls of toasted walnuts

1 apple

1/4 cup goat cheese

3 tbsp olive oil

1 lemon

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp dry mustard

Steps

In a serving bowl, add the greens and cranberries. Chop the walnuts and cut the apple into cubes. Add to the salad bowl. Separate the goat cheese into small pieces and sprinkle over the salad.

In a small bowl, add the oil, powders, salt, pepper, mustard. Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice into the dressing bowl. Whisk until the oil and lemon have blended together. Drizzle the dressing over top the salad and toss it.

#SundaySupper - Gluten Free Cronuts

Happy Sunday everyone! Today the Sunday Supper group is doing a New Year's celebration theme. The recipes you see this week will either be reflections on the past year, or resolutions for next year. I love to convert recipes and make them gluten free, so I wanted to kick off the new year with a real challenge: cronuts. Cronuts were a 2013 food trend that married donuts and croissants. I've never eaten one, nor had a ever seen one in person. So I set out on the internet to look for how to make cronuts, made a few attempts, and came up with the recipe below. It takes quite a bit of work, but it is totally worth it! I love the taste and smell you get some from something deep fried, and the flakiness that comes from folding cold butter into a pastry dough. (Credit for the original recipe at: http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-cronuts-507239)

Check out all of the recipes from everyone, and be sure to join us at 7pm EST for Twitter chat!

Join us this weekend for Reflections and Resolutions!
Breakfast

• Snowman Eggnog Pancakes from Shockingly Delicious
• Baked Oatmeal from In The Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene
• Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding from girlichef

Appetizers & Snacks

• Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Popcorn from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Moroccan Cigars from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Baked Camembert with Caramel and Pecans from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Pancetta & Goat Cheese Crostinis from Country Girl in the Village
• New Year's Brezel from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Sweet and Savory Mixed Nuts from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Glazed Snickerdoodle Bars with Walnuts from Pies and Plots
• Champagne Shrimp and Pasta from Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Main Dishes & Sides

• Minestrone Any Way from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Pecan-Crusted Rainbow Trout from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Mushroom Risotto from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Zapiekanka (Polish 'pizza') from Curious Cuisiniere
• Hoppin' John for Good Luck from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Italian Vegetable Soup from The Foodie Army Wife
• Chicken stuffed with Mozzarella and Prosciutto from Family Foodie
• Black-Eye Pea and Greens Casserole and Wine Pairings from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Desserts & Drinks

• Candied Bacon Bourbon Bloody Mary from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Peanut & Pretzel Bark from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
• Cherry Almond Blondies from Mess Makes Food
• Apricot Fizz from Magnolia Days
• Celebration Mimosas from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Dark Chocolate Cake Doughnuts from What Smells So Good?
• Gluten Free Cronuts from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Spiced Cranberry Apple Crisp from Neighborfood
• Blood Orange Mimosas from Take A Bite Out of Boca

Active Prep Time: 45 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 4 hours
Bake Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
3/4 cup warm milk
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup sweet rice flour
3/4 cup potato flour (not starch)
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1/4 brown rice flour
4 tbsp xantham gum
1 tsp salt

1/4 cup sweet rice flour
1 cup room temperature butter

3 tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 quart canola oil

Steps
In a bowl, mix the milk, yeast, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together. In another small bowl, mix the flours, starch, gum, and salt together. Mix the flour blend into the milk mixture, half a cup at a time, until the dough forms. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Beat the butter and 1/4 cup flour together. Between two parchment paper pieces, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thick rectangle. Spread the butter evenly over the dough, and then fold the dough in thirds like you would fold a letter, then fold into a square shape. Wrap in the paper, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

After the 30 minutes, roll the dough into a 1/8 inch rectangle, and repeat the folding process. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat this process twice, and refrigerate for an hour after the final time.

Whisk the sugar, syrup, and cream together. Set aside.

In a pot, preheat the oil to 350F. Roll the dough out into 1 inch thickness, and cut into doughnut rings. Deep fry the dough until golden. Drain the oil on paper towels, and drizzle the frosting over the cronuts. Enjoy!

#SundaySupper: A Christmas Carol Plum Pudding

Hey everyone! This week for Sunday Supper the theme is holiday music and movie inspired dishes. I love the feeling of being with friends and family during the holidays, and I enjoy showing my love for them through the food we cook and eat together.

Growing up I loved watching the Muppets (enough so that I got way to excited a few years ago when the Muppets made a comeback). I always loved watching a Muppet Christmas Carol, which inspired me to do a traditional British dessert, plum pudding. I know that it may sound a bit odd, but what plum pudding truly is gets lost in translation a bit. Plum pudding has more of a cake rather than pudding consistency, and in Britain plum means any type of raisin-like fruit. Traditionally the cake is steamed by using equipment to steam the cake in a pot containing steamy water. I don't have the equipment myself to do this, so I like to bake mine in the oven in a water bath. A water bath is a method of baking where a cake pan or ramekin are placed into a larger deep pan that contains water. The concept is the water bakes the cake more consistently and provides some steam in the oven.

So please check out my recipe below, and be sure to check out everyone else's recipes in the list below. Be sure to join us on Twitter this evening at 7pm EST for a #SundaySupper twitter chat!


Party Appetizers & Snacks: Oven-Roasted Applesauce Scented with Rosemary & Vanilla-Inspired by the song "Christmas in the Trenches"- Shockingly Delicious Roasted Chestnuts Inspired by the movie "The Christmas Song" - Food Lust People Love A Popcorn Trio Inspired by the song "Let it Snow" - Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos Chai Tea Abominable Snow Buddies Inspired by the movie "Rudolph" - Cupcakes & Kale Chips Raisin Bran Muffins for a Crowd Inspired by the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" - In The Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene Icicle Candy and Reindeer Snacks Inspired by the movie "Snow" - Treats & Trinkets A Christmas Carol Plum Pudding Inspired by the movie "A Christmas Carol" - No One Likes Crumbley Cookies Yukon Mashed Potato Cakes Inspired by the movie "Rudolph" - Cookin' Mimi Christmas Pudding Inspired by the song "Over the River and Through the Woods" - A Kitchen Hoor Pumpkin Pudding Inspired by the movie "Nightmare Before Christmas" - Basic N Delicious Elf-Inspired Christmas "Grams" Inspired by the movie "Elf" - MarocMama Sugarplums Inspired by the movie "The Nutcracker" - Happy Baking Days Chai Spiced Roasted Nuts Inspired by the song "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" - Take A Bite Out of Boca

Festive Main Dishes

Maple Syrup Spaghetti- Inspired by the movie "Elf"- Momma's Meals Who Hash Inspired by the movie "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" -girlichef Ginger Orange Glazed Cornish Hens Inspired by the song "The 12 Days of Christmas" -Sue's Nutrition Buzz NY Hot Dog with Sabrett-style Onion Sauce Inspired by the movie "Die Hard" - Small Wallet, Big Appetite Classic Caesar Salad Inspired by the movie "The Santa Clause" - The Little Ferraro Kitchen Individuals Meatloaves & Horseradish Mashed Potatoes for Mommy's Little Piggies - Inspired by the movie "A Christmas Story" - The Not So Cheesy Kitchen Christmas Waffles Inspired by the TV special "A Claymation Christmas Celebration" - Curious Cuisiniere Filthy Animal Pizza Inspired by the movie "Home Alone" - Foxes Love Lemons Chicken Orzo Soup Inspired by the song "12 Days of Christmas" - Family Foodie Brandied Candied Sweet Potatoes Inspired by the song "Christmas Is The Time To Say ‘I Love You’ " - Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Sweet Holiday Treats:

Gin and Tonic Cupcakes Inspired by Adam Sandler's " The Chanukah Song" - The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars Inspired by the movie "Love Actually" - Magnolia Days Gingerbread Marshmallows Inspired by the song "Marshmallow World" - Jane's Adventures in Dinner Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies Inspired by the movie "The Gremlins" - Killer Bunnies, Inc White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Inspired by the song "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" - Alida's Kitchen Snowball Cookies - Inspired by the movie "White Christmas" -The Foodie Army Wife Penuche Fudge Inspired by the movie "Elf" - Pies and Plots Hot Chocolate Cookies Inspired by the movie "Santa Clause" - Mess Makes Food South Pacific Coconut Tres Leche Cake Inspired by the movie "South Pacific" -The Ninja Baker Cookies & Cream Fudge Inspired by the movie "Elf" - The Messy Baker

Cozy Drinks:

Toasted Coconut Hot Cocoa- Inspired by the song "Let It Snow"- Chocolate Moosey The Christmas Gram Inspired by the movie "Elf" - An Appealing Plan Eggnog Hot Chocolate Inspired by the movie "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" - Peanut Butter and Peppers Vermont Hot Cocoa Inspired by the movie "White Christmas" - Kudos Kitchen By Renee Spiked Hot Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Floats Inspired by the song "Holly Jolly Christmas " -NeighborFood

This is Christmas; Wine Pairings for Holiday Themed#SundaySupper Recipes - ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Baked Plum Pudding

Prep Time - 1 hour
Bake Time - 40 minutes

Ingredients
1 1/2 lb raisins, diced
1 lb currants, diced
1 cup thinly sliced orange
1 cup candied lemon or orange peel
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 lb suet, chopped
1 cup, 2 tbsp brandy
1/2 lb walnuts, chopped
1 1/4 lb ground Udi's white bread
1 cup scaled milk
1 cup port
12 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Steps

Combine the raisins, currants, orange, peel, spices, suet, and brandy in a medium bowl and cover. Let sit for 40 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the bread, milk, and port. Set aside. Beat the fruit mixture, adding in the sugar and eggs, one egg at a time. Pour the bread mixture into the fruit mixture and blend until well combined.

Transfer the pudding to a bundt pan. Place the bundt pan into a larger, 3-4 inch deep pan, and fill the deep pan halfway with water.

Place into a 350F oven and bake for 40 minutes. Store in an airtight container in a cool place.

Nailed it! Whipped Chocolate Ganache Attempt #1

Hey everyone, I hope y'all are having a good week so far. This weekend I made gluten free cupcakes for my sister's birthday, which she loved despite the over whipped ganache. I'm currently trying to perfect a whipped ganache recipe, and my first attempt turned out a bit...stiff. Hopefully the next batch will turn out better. Once I get the recipe solidified I aim to share it on the blog in both a written and video format. 

What are your most humorous Nailed It moments?

Happy Monday!

I went this past weekend to the Coffee Bar in D.C. and am seriously missing this beautiful and delicious mocha. Starbucks ftw this morning. What's getting you up and ready this Monday morning?

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Silk Pie

At a recent dinner with friends I bought this and it became a huge hit. The best part is the totally unplanned crust. I was trying a new store bought gluten free pie dough, and followed the directions for baking the crust. Sadly I ended up with a "blackened" pie crust that just would not have cut it. Luckily I bought moondance gluten free cookie bars, and used them as the crust. The pie turned out great, and better than originally planned!

Active Prep Time: 20 minutes
Inactive prep time:2 hours

Ingredients
moondance gluten free cookie bars
4 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp coffee
1/2 cup sugar
10 tbsp room temperature butter
3 oz 70% bittersweet chocolate, melted and room temperature
2 tsp gluten free vanilla extract
1 tub gluten free whipped dairy topping

Steps:
In a 3 inch deep, 9" pan, press the cookie bars into an even layer for the crust. Set aside.

In a double boiler over medium heat, beat the eggs, 1/4 c sugar, and coffee for 5 minutes with an electric beater or until soft peaks form. Remove the eggs from double boiler and transfer them to a large mixing bowl to prevent them from cooking further. Set the bowl aside.

In a medium bowl, whip the butter and sugar until the butter has become fluffy. Beat in the chocolate and vanilla until well combined. Beat in the egg mixture with an electric mixer for 5 minutes. Transfer the chocolate pie filling to the pan and spread evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Before serving, top the pie with the whipped topping, and enjoy!