Category Archives: Holiday Entertaining

Brie, Prosciutto & Balsamic Caramelized Onions Flatbread

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Brie, Prosciutto and Balsamic Caramelized Onion Flatbread

I was hungry. That’s how this happened. I was simply hungry. I looked in the fridge and noticed there was brie that was at the “need to be consumed or else” phase. I just happened to pick up pizza dough at the deli yesterday. I recalled there was prosciutto in the “spare” fridge on the back patio. The final piece was sweetness. How do I add sweetness without ruining the savory of the flatbread? Glancing around the kitchen and in the cupboards, I noticed red onions and balsamic vinegar. BOOM! The final piece fell into place.20140306_150211

I’ll warn you: this flatbread borders on insanely good. The brie isn’t overwhelming. The onions aren’t overwhelming. It is over the top with flavors that work together like a symphony. Ridiculous, I say! Shhhh, don’t tell anyone how simple it is. Be prepared. It’ll knock your socks off. Feed people a salad first so they don’t eat it all! :)

Ingredients

1/2 prepared pizza dough (from the bakery or deli)
Olive oil
Kosher salt
1 Tbs butter
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 large red onion, chopped
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs brown sugar
1 lb Brie, rind removed and chopped
6 oz Prosciutto, coarsely chopped

Roll out or stretch pizza dough until very thin. Place on baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, and dust lightly with kosher salt. In sauté pan, heat butter and the 1 Tbs olive oil over medium heat, until butter is melted. Add onions and cook until they begin to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Be careful with adding the vinegar; the fumes can be powerful if you breathe them in. Combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, and reduce for about 10 minutes. Assemble the flatbread: layer brie pieces, then prosciutto (it should cover the flatbread almost entirely), and finally the caramelized onions. Bake in 400 degree over for 18 to 20 minutes.

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Heart Mocha Brownies with Bourbon White Chocolate Ganache

Mocha brownies. Chocolate. Bourbon. White Chocolate. Ganache.

Heart brownies with Jesse James Bourbon white chocolate ganache

Heart brownies with Jesse James Bourbon white chocolate ganache

It’s the stuff dreams and Valentine’s Day are made of. Since I’m on an anti-Valentine’s kick, I thought I’d make an effort to embrace it for the sake of others. This is my good deed for the day.

I mean, how hard can it be? Brownies. You just can’t be grumpy with brownies. Make them a little mocha-ie to change them up a bit. Cut them into hearts (I promise, I resisted the urge to make them broken hearts!). Bourbon. My mood is rapidly improving! White chocolate. I often say I’d eat a paper plate that has cheese melted on it. I feel the same way about white chocolate. Bourbon white chocolate ganache!!!!! Yes, coat the dreaded hearts in bourbon white chocolate ganache!!! If I wasn’t already me, I’d marry me for this idea. Hell, I think I’m going to task my personal mixologist, David Gano, with creating a drink that tastes like these. The man worked magic with my Almond Lemon Lavender Cookies; I think he can swing this one!

Mocha Brownies

4 oz unsweetened bar chocolate
3/4 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tbs espresso powder
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or whatever flavor you prefer)

Prepare 9 x 9 baking pan (I use spray for baking). Sprinkle a little

Sprinkle espresso and cocoa powder in bottom of prepared pan.

Sprinkle espresso and cocoa powder in bottom of prepared pan.

extra espresso powder and cocoa powder in bottom of pan. Preheat over to 350. In large bowl, combine sugars. Set aside. Place butter and chocolate (broken into pieces) into medium, microwavable bowl. Heat 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, for a minute total. Continue to stir until chocolate completely melts. Stir in vanilla. Pour into sugar mixture. Stir until combined.

Stir espresso powder into mixtureStir espresso powder into mixture

 

****Note: DO NOT use an electric mixer for brownies. ***** Add beaten eggs, and stir until well combined. Stir in espresso powder and flour (add flour a little at a time for ease of stirring). Fold in white chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes (until center is no longer liquid. It can be fudgy, but not liquid). Use heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts.

Cut brownies into heart shapes

Cut brownies into heart shapes

Drizzle with slightly cooled ganache.

Bourbon White Chocolate Ganache

8 oz bar white chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs butter
1 Tbs Jesse James Bourbon

In heavy medium saucepan, combine white chocolate, cream and butter and heat over low heat, stirring constantly and just until mixture is smooth. Stir in bourbon. Cool slightly and drizzle over brownies. In my continued effort to embrace Valentine’s Day, I added some red coloring to the ganache, although I considered black!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

 

New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer Lobster Ravioli

untitledAhhh, February. Visions of hearts, Cupid, chocolate, champagne and beer dance before your eyes. Wait! Beer? No, you aren’t seeing things. I DID say beer. No matter if you love, or despise, Valentine’s Day (I personally host a “Cupid is Stupid” party each year!), this vision of New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer Lobster Ravioli with a New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer Browned Butter Cream Sauce will create a love affair with your taste buds that will last a lifetime. New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer has hints of coriander and grains of paradise (great name for a spice around Valentine’s Day! It’s actually a ground pepper.) that go fabtastic with the luxurious lobster without over-powering the delicate flavor. Impress your heart’s desire, or make yourself happy, this recipe is right on target for this Valentine’s Day!

New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer Lobster Ravioli

24 oz lobster tail meat, divided
3 bottles New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer
32 oz seafood stock
32 oz chicken stock

4 Tbs butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs finely chopped shallots
2 tsp chopped fresh chives
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
2 oz brandy
3 Tbs New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer
7 oz ricotta cheese
Salt
Pepper
Your favorite fresh pasta recipe or wonton wrappers to form ravioli
4 Tbs butter

In large stock pot, bring the 3 bottles of New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer and stocks to a boil. Add lobster tails. Allow to poach for about 10 minutes, until just cooked. Remove from stock (save stock); cool. Remove

Henriettibles Lobster Ravioli

Henriettibles Lobster Ravioli

meat from tail, chop lobster into small pieces. Place butter in large skillet. Add garlic & shallots; cook until soft. Add 20 oz of lobster , chives and parsley and sauté for 2 minutes. Add brandy and 3 Tbs New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer; reduce for several minutes. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Combine with ricotta, salt & pepper to taste. Place ½ tsp on each ravioli, fold and seal with egg wash. Boil reserved stock to poach the ravioli for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to drain. Heat remaining butter in skillet and sauté ravioli until lightly browned.

 

New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer Browned Butter Cream Sauce
4 Tbs butter
2 Tbs finely chopped shallots
4 oz of reserved lobster
4 Tbs New Belgium Brewing Snapshot Wheat Beer
3 oz tomato sauce
10 oz heavy cream

Melt butter in skillet. Add shallots. Sauté until soft. Add lobster. Sauté 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; reduce over med low heat for several minutes, until thickened. Serve with ravioli.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Turkey Roulade

Shugga Taps 2005After ringing in the New Year, all that debauching from the Holidaze has given you “buyers remorse”. Packed on a few pounds, eh? I know I did my fare share debauching pound packing! So, we’ve all decided we’re going to exercise every day, eat right, drink less. Torture is what I call it!

Believe it or not, you can actually come up with some pretty tasty recipes that won’t pack on the pounds, but they will give you plenty of taste. One such creation is the Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Turkey Roulade. The flavors in Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ will remind of currants and plums. Think how well those flavors go with turkey. Once you’ve prepared this delightful treat, pair it with Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ (should be served in a brandy snifter at 55 degrees); you’ll immediately get a hint of peach aroma that works magic with the turkey roulade - but be careful, this Sweet Release packs 10% alcohol! Let the good times roulade!

Ingredients

  • 1 whole (2 halves) turkey breast, boned and butterflied (5 pounds)
  • 1/4 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed Oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 1/2 cups finely diced sweet onion
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 bunches fresh spinach, stems trimmed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 3 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix
  • 1 1/4 cups dried pomegranate (or cranberries)
  • 1/2 cup Lagunitas Brown Shugga’
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 extra-large egg, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. Remove bacon and chop. Add onions and garlic to pan and saute until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until caramelized around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes more minutes. Add the spinach, grapeseed oil, butter,1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, granulated garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted and any juices have evaporated from the pan. Transfer to a colander to drain and set aside until cool enough to handle. Once cooled, squeeze lightly to release any excess liquid, then transfer to a large bowl. Add the chopped bacon, stuffing mix, pomegranate, Lagunitas Brown Shugga’, brandy, pine nuts, chicken stock, egg and remaining teaspoon of salt. Mix well (I use my hands!).

Lay the butterflied turkey breast skin side down on a cutting board. Sprinkle the meat with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Spread the stuffing in a 1/2-inch-thick layer evenly over the meat, leaving a half-inch border on all sides. Place any leftover stuffing in a buttered baking dish and bake for the last 45 minutes of roasting alongside the turkey. Starting at 1 end, roll the turkey like a jelly roll and tuck in any stuffing that comes out the sides. Tie the roast firmly with kitchen twine every 2 inches to make a compact cylinder.

Place the stuffed turkey breast seam side down on the rack on the sheet pan. Brush with the melted butter, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and roast at 325 for 1 3/4 to 2 hours (150 degrees F in the center). Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Carve 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve warm with the extra stuffing.

Gravy

Saute 2 tbss minced shallots and 1/4 cup dried pomegranate in 1 tbs of butter until shallots are translucent. Add 1 cup of Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ and allow to reduce until about half. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Combine 2 tbs softened butter and 2 tbs flour; mix until smooth. Add to broth mixture. Whisk until slightly thickened and smooth. Serve over roulade.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Henriettibles Herb Turkey Brine

Turkey brine. It strikes fear in the hearts of many. B-R-I-N-E. Say it. Love it. Embrace it. It’ll change your turkey day! Brining turkey, chicken or pork creates a succulent and ahhhmaaazing beast. Be creative. Use your imagination. Just follow the basics of brining, and you can create magic. Add whatever flavors you love. I like to throw a little Hanky Panky in there. :) Grab a glass of wine and follow along!

Chow yumly!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Henriettibles Super-Spectacular Best Eggnog EVAH

12.09.11_FA_Eggnog-290x290I worked on this eggnog recipe for several weeks (it was a tough gig!). I remember when I was 13 or so, I made fresh eggnog for the first time. I fell in love with it. I have no idea what that recipe actually was, but this (minus the booze!) is the taste that I remember - or close to it. I know it didn’t have cloves or cardamom, but I think they add some nice warmth to the recipe. This recipe is the best I’ve ever had!!! Or made!! I have used the store bought to make the Peppermint Eggnog martini, and it’s passable, but that’s only available seasonably. THIS, you can make any time you have a “Hank”ering.

Ingredients

  • 5 whole eggs
  • 3 egg yolks (you can reserve the whites to fold into the eggnog if you wish. Just beat to a soft peak and fold in at the end. Do not get any yolk in the whites. The yolks can tolerate the mixing with the whites, but the whites will not become peaks of any sort if the yolk is mixed in.)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom
  • 4 oz bourbon
  • 2 oz dark or spiced rum
  • Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg

In large bowl, beat the eggs and egg yolks until they look light yellow. Add the sugar and beat until all the sugar is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients (except garnish) and mix until combined. Pour into festive glasses and garnish with the fresh ground nutmeg.

A couple notes:

  • You can reduce the amount of bourbon and/or rum to taste.
  • RAW EGG WARNING!!!!! If you don’t get pasteurized eggs, be sure to properly test the eggs before using to avoid salmonella poisoning. The FDA suggests avoiding contact between the egg white/yolk and the exterior shell. If your immune system is compromised, you should avoid consuming foods that contain raw eggs.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Southern Bologna Cake

Bologna Cake. I know; it sounds strange. Given that October 24th was National Bologna Day, I

Henriettibles Southern Bologna Cake

Henriettibles Southern Bologna Cake

thought it was worth delving into. The first time you heard of it was probably while watching the flick, “Sweet Home Alabama”, and you thought to yourself, “They just made that up for the movie!” I assure you; like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, Bologna Cake does exist! It’s not the sweet treat that you think of when you hear “cake”. It’s a savory concoction, fabtastic on crusty bread or a cracker. I had seen images of the cake before, and set about creating my own version. You can see WHY it’s called “cake”. It resembles a torte. I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed forcing friends to try it. Their faces are priceless as they delightfully realize this stuff is yum! It really does taste wonderful, particularly if you use a good quality bologna. It’s a great conversation piece for any party, and easy enough to make and take to a party. I hope you enjoy and would love to hear your feedback!

Ingredients

10 slices good quality bologna
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 seeded cucumber, finely chopped
3 Tbs chives, chopped
3 Tbs grated parmesan cheese
2 Tbs Mayonnaise
1 Tbs shallots, finely chopped

Beat together all ingredients, except bologna, until creamy. Place one slice of bologna of serving platter or plate. Cover with a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture (see photo). Place another slice of bologna on top. Cover with a thin layer of cream cheese, Repeat until all layers are used. With remaining cram cheese mixture, cover top and sides as you would frost a cake. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, slice as you would a cake. I suggest thin slices for ease of eating. Be sure to use a sharp knife to slice so you the visual impact of the cake is not impaired!

ENJOY!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Henriettibles Guinness Stew

You’ve had Guinness Stew. You’ve had beef stew. You haven’t had Henriettibles Guinness Stew! Lot’s of flavor, a suprise ingredient…. And plenty of heartiness for St. Patrick’s Day festivities!

​I’m a HUGE fan of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (that’s no blarney!). I really wanted to do a little more than the usual corned beef and cabbage. I love bevvies and red meat. Viola, a little of the black stuff magic happened. It’s bleedin’ deadly.

It’s not just me, friends loved the taste test. To quote one of my best birds, Tracy Collins, “Not only is it delicious, it will keep you regular, too!” Howver, the most common words from the taste testers was, “Oh. My. God. This is soooo good!”​ They were gobsmacked. One tester from another continent thought the flavors tasted like there were some exotic spices in the stew; you’ll be stunned at how the simple flavors combine to create some savage taste.

​Enjoy and ​Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!

Ingredients

  • ​2 lbs lean beef (I used a sirloin roast)
  • 3 Tbs flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus pepper to taste
  • 3 Tbs grapeseed oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chpped onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 bottle Guinness Draught
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 cup prune juice (THE surprise ingredient!)​
  • 3 Tbs tomato pate
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • ​2 cups diced potato (I keep the skins on)
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest

Trim fat from the steak. Cut into cubes of about 3/4 inch - try to keep them near the same size. Place in large bowl. Combne flour, salt and pepper in small bowl. Sprinkle into bowl of beef, and toss coat the beef.

In a large dutch over, add the grapeseed oil. When hot, add steak and cook until browned on all sides (about 4 to 5 minutes). Add onion and cook another 3 minutes until onions soften. Add Guinness and deglaze the pan. Add garlic, stock, prune juice, tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer another 90 minutes.

ENJOY!​

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Post Road Pumpkin Ale Bars with White Chocolate Pumpkin Ale Cream Cheese Frosting

It’s October. It’s not the ghosts and goblins that remind us, it’s the pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin PostRoadlattes, pumpkin coffees that remind our taste buds that it’s October. This is a recipe that I started making about 15 years ago. I’ve altered it over the years, a beautiful and decided to make a tasty addition of Post Road Pumpkin Ale to make a grown up and more sophisticated version. If you’ve got mini loaf pans, that would be a great way to make some fabtastic gifts for the holidaze. Just fill the pans at half you would for bread. I promise you, not only will your kitchen smell heavenly, these mouth watering pumpkin bars will be all treat, no tricks!

Post Road Pumpkin Ale Bars with White Chocolate Pumpkin Ale Cream Cheese Frosting

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 cup solid pack pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (preferably clear)
1 Tbs Post Road Pumpkin Ale
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp fresh ground nutmeg
8 oz chopped white chocolate (small but not fine)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheet/jelly roll pan (approximately 15 x 10). Beat butter until fluffy. Add sugars and beat until mixture is creamy. Add pumpkin, vanilla and Post Road Pumpkin Ale until combined. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and spices and gradually beat into butter mixture. Fold in white chocolate and walnuts. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until pick comes out clean. Cool in pan.

Frosting

11 oz white chocolate (good quality), melted
12 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 Tbs Post Road Pumpkin Ale
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (preferably clear)
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 Tbs powdered sugar

In medium bowl, cream together melted white chocolate and cream cheese. Add cinnamon and cloves. Stir in pumpkin beer and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until lump free. Spread on baked pumpkin bars. Allow to set and serve.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Perfect Pie Crust Recipe

For some reason, many folks find the prospect of making a pie crust from scratch to be very daunting.

© Karcich | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
© Karcich | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Often times, people who aren’t afraid to make pie crust, really shouldn’t be doing it. The first secret for a great pie crust recipe is FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS PRECISELY!

Baking is a science; if you don’t use precise measurements, you’ll end with a science project gone wrong. You know that commercial that the volcano science project explodes all over the kitchen ceiling?

Okay, it probably won’t explode all over the kitchen ceiling if you aren’t precise, but you get the gist. Purchasing a bra requires knowing the precise size; would you purchase a bra without knowing measurements or what size to purchase? Or shoes? And so it goes, you shouldn’t bake without precise measurements. And don’t substitute! People tell me all the time that they can’t bake; as the conversation progresses, I find out not only did they not follow the directions precisely, they also made non compatible substitutions. Okay, enough of the lecture!

If you want to use this crust for something savory, add some fresh herbs when you add the butter, just not a lot of it. You want just a hint of flavor, not overwhelming flavor. The savory crust is great to use in making an amazing chicken pot pie.

Some folks use half butter and half shortening. I prefer butter all the way, baby! I love the buttery, flaky taste of this crust and I bet you will, too! This pie crust recipe is enough for two bottom crusts, or a bottom and top crust, or about 2 dozen tartlets.

Ingredients

2 1/2 Cups flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup COLD, UNSALTED butter (if it doesn’t say “unsalted”, don’t use it!)
1/4 cup ice water

Directions

Combine flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Cut butter into small pieces (I sometimes do this ahead of time and leave in frig so it stays cold. You’ll be surprised how quickly the heat from your fingers can warm it up.) and add to the processor bowl. Process until it resembles coarse meal or large grains of sand (should be about 10 seconds). With processor on, slowly pour ice water through the feeder until the dough holds together - it should not be wet or sticky! Divide the dough in two and fatten each into a round disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. When chilled, roll out on lightly floured surface to desired diameter.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.