Gingerbread Biscotti

This was a great gingerbread biscotti recipe. The biscotti are, in my opinion, perfect. I like my biscotti crisp, but chewable on their own, without having to dunk it in coffee. This definitely fit the bill. The outside was crumbly and crispy, but the inside had a slight chewiness. 



And, of course, I loved the gingerbread flavor. I wish it was kosher to make gingerbread year round because I love it so. Although, I'm sure I COULD make it year round and my roommates would be the only ones who knew! Hmmmm =)



Gingerbread Biscotti
Cookie Madness 

1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup mild molasses
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons milk or a non-dairy milk like soy milk or almond milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl and set aside.

Whisk oil, molasses, sugar, ground flax seeds, milk, and vanilla together in a mixing bowl.

Stir the flour mixture into the liquid mixture and form a smooth dough.  Gently knead in the pecans and cranberries (or ginger, if using).

On a cookie sheet (I lined mine with parchment, but you can use a Silpat or just lightly grease), form a log about 11 inches long by 4 inches wide.   Flatten the end sides of the log. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes until the log is puffed and firm but not too brown. It will spread a little, and some cracking is okay. Allow log to cool for about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Very carefully, slide the log off the baking sheet and onto a cutting board. With a sharp, heavy knife, (I had better luck with a Chef’s knife than a serrated knife) cut log into ½-inch-thick slices, using one quick and firm motion, pressing down into the log. Very gently move slices to the baking sheet, standing them of their bottom edge if possible. Rebake the slices for 22 to 24 minutes. The slices should appear dry and slightly toasted, but do not allow them to get too browned. Allow the biscotti to cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then carefully move them to the wire racks to complete cooling (warm biscotti may be fragile).

Broccoli Slaw with Oranges and Crunchy Noodles

This is a great salad that I have made several times now and bring to work for lunch most days as well. You could really add anything you want including meat, any other kinds of beans, or veggies. I think I've added tomatoes and zucchini to this. The more veggies the better!



Broccoli Slaw with Oranges and Crunchy Noodles
Cooking Light November 2010

Slaw:
6 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage (I've used napa and purple and both work well)
1 cup diagonally sliced celery
1 cup finely chopped broccoli florets
1/2 cup grated carrot (I chopped the carrot and liked it that way too)
1 cup chopped spinach 
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seed kernels
1 5-ounce can whole water chestnuts, drained and chopped (I've substituted black beans and chickpeas)

Dressing:
1/4 cup lower-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup canola oil

Remaining Ingredients:
1 cup fresh orange slices
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 3-ounce package ramen noodles, crumbled and toasted (discard seasoning packet)

To prepare slaw, combine the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl, toss well to combine.

To prepare dressing, combine soy sauce and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil to soy sauce mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over slaw, tossing gently to coat. Top slaw with oranges, almonds and noodles.

Pumpkin Bean Dip

I can't believe Christmas is 3 days away. I'm going to play a little game upon my return to NY called lets see how long I can keep the Christmas tree up in our apartment. Shhhh....don't tell Spice.

In other news, I fly home to the Pacific Northwest tomorrow to spend Christmas with my family. It has been a year since I've been home and I am SO excited to see the parentals and enjoy some PNW time. Also, new running scenery. Gets me everytime =) I've got several long runs planned...lets just hope the rain stays away!

I made this as an appetizer of sorts at some point in the last few weeks. I feel in love with the dip! Very hummus-like, but with pumpkin! How genius is that?! I enjoyed this with carrots and some crackers but it would be good with any veggie or toasted baguette. Definitely recommend for Christmas-time noshing!

Pumpkin Bean Dip
Fannetastic Food 

• 1 C (overflowing) canned pumpkin


• 1 C black beans (rinsed)


• 1/2 C cannellini beans (rinsed)


• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil


• 2 cloves garlic


• juice from 2 lemons


• 1/2 tsp cumin (this totally made the dip!)


• 1/4 tsp salt


• 1/4 tsp pepper

Toss all ingredients in a food processor. Serve with veggies and chips or crackers.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme

I could pretend that this was just a dessert that I made a few days ago to enjoy pre-Christmas. But, the truth is, I am so behind on posting that I made this several days before Thanksgiving. I know, some of you may have gasped, but its all relative.

This was unbelievable. I do enjoy bread pudding as a whole (my love I think I inherited from my father, along with my sweet tooth. Thanks, Dad), but I'd hazard a guess that even if you don't like bread pudding, you would like this as well. Especially if you like pumpkin.

Do I need to tell you where this recipe came from? Well, in case you missed it, Pioneer Woman was on an episode of showdown with Bobby Flay and this was Bobby's dessert. Of course, I had the episode recorded so Spice and I could be SURE to watch it!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme
Bobby Flay, Food Network

Pumpkin Bread:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing


• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice


• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves


• 1 1/2 cups sugar


• 1/4 cup vegetable oil


• 8 ounces (scant 1 cup) canned unsweetened pumpkin puree


• 2 large eggs


• 2/3 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the 4 tablespoons softened butter, sugar, and oil at high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times.

Add the pumpkin puree and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until just incorporated. At low speed, slowly add the flour mixture and water and mix until just combined. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 to 75 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a baking rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool completely.

Once the bread is cool, slice in half lengthwise, and then slice each half into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the cubes on a large baking sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven until lightly toasted, turning once, about 20 minutes. Let cool.



Bread Pudding:

• 2 cups heavy cream


• 1 cup whole milk


• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped


• 6 large egg yolks


• 1/2 cup granulated sugar


• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup


• 1 cup pureed pumpkin


• 2 tablespoons bourbon

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the cream, milk, vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.

Whisk together the yolks, sugar, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture until combined, remove the vanilla pod, and whisk in the bourbon. Strain the custard into a clean bowl.

Scatter the pumpkin bread cubes in a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking glass baking dish. Pour the custard over the bread, pressing down on the bread to totally submerge it in the custard. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard.

Place the pan in a larger roasting pan and pour hot tap water into the roasting pan until it comes half way up the sides of the glass dish. Bake until the sides are slightly puffed and the center jiggles slightly, about 1 hour.

Remove from the oven and water bath and cool on a baking rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Vanilla Bean Creme:

• 2 cups half-and-half


• 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped


• 5 large egg yolks


• 1/3 cup pure cane sugar

Bring the half-and-half and vanilla bean and seeds to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

Whisk together the yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until at the pale ribbon stage. Slowly whisk in the hot half-and-half, return the mixture to the pot, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture coats the back of the spoon. Strain into a bowl and set over an ice bath. Stir until chilled. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutella

Nutella and I have issues. The main issue is that I can hardly stop eating the stuff.

Whats a girl to do?

Oh yah! Make it herself so she can eat more of it!

Other than needing a food processor for this, it really is very easy! I recommend making some, putting it on toast, oatmeal, and also sneaking several spoonfuls into your mouth when no one is looking! =)

Homemade Nutella
Poires au Chocolate

150g whole hazelnuts
100g good quality milk chocolate
2 tbsp cocoa powder
65g icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
a few drops vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 180C and roast the hazelnuts for about 5-10 minutes, until fragrant and browned. Take out and leave to cool slightly before putting in a tea towel and rubbing vigorously to remove the skins. When they have cooled slightly place in a food processor and blend well until they become a thick paste. Add all the rest of the ingredients and keep blending until very smooth - this takes 10 minutes or so.