Coconut Cauliflower Curry

In our everyday attempt to fill our meals with a rainbow of colors, the vegetable shade green unfortunately often finds itself left out.  As babies, the kids gobbled their green beans or peas in a jar, but once we moved to "real" food, green somehow lost its love.

Pure and white cauliflower though has always been a favorite, and everyone down to my two little Maltese pups never turns up a nose at this cruciferous offering.

Hence, a meal including cauliflower can usually be counted on to please everyone, and this Coconut Cauliflower Curry is no exception.  With fragrant spices and our beloved coconut milk, this bowl of comfort brings not only happiness but a healthy meal to the table that also reheats leftovers beautifully.

Featuring ginger in addition garam masala, coriander and cumin, a fragrant curry flavors the simmered vegetables and creates a sauce that seeps into a bowl of brown rice and has you sopping up every last drop.

Rustic Orange Pistachio Biscotti with Cranberries

December, for me, usually represents a touch of indulgence.  Somehow because it's the "holiday season" I give myself permission for that 3rd or 4th cookie on the plate, the extra cheese and crackers with my wine, and one more piece of Mom's Rocky Road Candy that I'm devouring even though it's safely hidden in the freezer.  Knowing I really won't get back on the full healthy eating track until after the New Year, I try to add healthier ingredients where I can, and I'm feeling pretty darn good about these Rustic Pistachio Biscotti.

Biscotti, with their low fat content, tend to be a healthier choice when cookie indulging, but adding nuts, cranberries and whole wheat flours to the mix makes them an even better choice in my book.

Receiving a care package from the lovely people at Hodgson Mill, their box arrived just in time for my baking duties for a fundraiser for Liv's high school dance team where these biscotti received the ultimate compliment.  Set out as part of an array of treats for an afternoon fashion show and tea, one of the grandfathers in attendance proclaimed these biscotti "The best treat on the table!"  As my heart swelled with pride, I felt pleased knowing these treats brought a healthier cookie choice to the event.

Choosing Hodgson Mill's White Whole Wheat Flour, I feel I can easily incorporate whole wheats into my baked goods while still keeping the treat, well... sweet.

White whole wheat is named for it's lighter color, and while it's actually tan, the flour lends a lighter, whiter color than its red-colored cousin.  Milder and sweeter than the red wheat, I use the white wheat frequently in cookies, pancakes, muffins and other baked good where I don't want a heavy wheat look and/or flavor.

Hodgson Mill is a flour I often turn to as I know their flours have no added chemicals or preservatives and they aren't bleached.  Stone ground at Hodgson Mill's mill, this whole wheat flour includes the entire healthy wheat kernel including the bran, germ and endosperm bringing fiber along with all the nutrients, protein and minerals the wheat plant grew.

Want to try Hodgson Mill flours for yourself?  First off Hodgson Mill is offering a $1.00 off coupon for a 5lb bag of flour or cornmeal, but better yet, they have provied us the opportunity to run a giveaway in celebration of their 25 Days of Grain Holiday for a prize pack filled with Hodgson Mill goodies (Gluten Free option available - Prize valued at $25).

~ Hodgson Mills #GRAINholiday Giveaway ~

The Fine Print...

• No purchase necessary
• Open only to residents of the United States (no P.O. Boxes please...)
• Duration:  Wednesday December 4rd through Tuesday, December 10th at noon PST
• Use PromoSimple Widget to enter
• Winner will be selected by PromoSimple within 48 hours of the sweepstakes closing and contacted by email. Winners have 24 hours to respond to their notification email to claim their prize. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen. All prizes will be awarded.
• Prize Description:  
  Whole Wheat Prize Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 2LB bag Whole Wheat Flour
  ·         1 bag 9-Grain Bread Mix
  ·         1 box Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         1 package Steel Cut Oats
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
  
  OR
  Gluten Free Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Brown Rice w/ Golden Milled Flax Seed
  ·         1 box Gluten Free Sweet Yellow Cornbread mix
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
• Giveaway sponsored by Hodgson Mills
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

I can't tell you how envious I am of the lucky winner here... I'd love to see a copy of that cookbook!  For additional info and ways to win Hodgson Mills products be sure to check out their "25 Days of GRAIN Holiday” Sweepstakes!

Baklava - Dreaming of Greece

Vacation... we wait so long for it to get here.  We plan, we shop, we pack.  Then in just the blink of an eye we find ourselves back at the computer with memory cards full of photos and our minds full of memories.

Only days back from our Adriatic adventure, my entire family has found our thoughts often drifting back to our vacation as we randomly drop comments about a memorable day or event, a funny conversation with a new friend, or a fabulous new found food.  Liv's thoughts have returned time and again to a sticky piece of sweet Baklava served to us by our new Greek friend, Iakis, on his boat the Nautilus.

Our day in Greece remains incredibly memorable as we discovered a new land filled with a happy hospitality and a verve for life that is remarkably contagious.  Arriving in port, we spent much of our day on the Nautilus cruising the Corfu coastline and swimming in the crystal turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.  Iakis, the boat's Captain, smiled from his heart as he welcomed us onboard, and his generosity never dimmed throughout the day.

Touring Corfu after our day on the boat, warm smiles followed us from shop to shop as we purchased trinkets for home.  The clerk in the first souvenir shop eagerly provided sample after sample of olive oils, kumquat liquors and citrusy lotions, all the while sharing bits and pieces of his life on the island of Corfu.  Leaving the shop he didn't just shake hands, but gave quick hugs with "nice to meet you" sentiments that go far beyond someone simply wishing to sell their wares.

The next stop had us visiting an olive wood shop lined with walls filled with every sort of wood item you can think of.  Vases, jewelery boxes, figurines, salt and pepper mills, etc. etc. etc.

While the shop itself was fun to browse, it was the shop owner/clerk who made my visit particularly special.  Approaching us with a welcoming smile she proceeded to help me choose various items, but never pressured me to buy a thing.  Laughter was commonplace and we enjoyed learning about her life on Corfu.

After I had made my choices I asked if she would mind if I took a photo.  I had meant of her wares, but she immediately struck a pose and said "Sure!!  Just like Cindy Crawford!"  Turns out to be a fabulous photo, and yes... eat your heart out Ms Crawford.

The Olive Wood Mini Shop and Workshop - Corfu, Greece

Taking a quick tour of the workshop behind the store, Ms. Sagidadinos gave me a brief history of her husband and his apprenticeship  beginning at the age of 10 years-old.  Definitely a stop (and a shop) I will remember forever.  Keep an eye out for The Olive Wood Shop on Filellinon Str. if you are ever in Corfu Town, and give Mrs. Sagidadinos my best.  Again, parting with hugs and cheek kisses, we were on our way.

The last stop found us in a quiet little patisserie on the hunt for Liv's new found love - Baklava.  Greeted by teen clerks with more welcoming smiles, we soon had a to-go package of sweet treats for my girl and our day in Corfu Town came to a close.

Now home, our memories of Corfu Town, Greek hospitality and Baklava remain forefront in our minds.  I came away with a wonderful impression of the Greek community, however I shouldn't have been surprised as one of Liv's best dance friends hails from Greece.  A warm and generous family, like our new friends in Greece, their smiles rarely dim.

Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Salted Caramelized Pistachios

Fine Cooking is a magazine that frequently offers some of the finest foods in the kitchen.  While the photography alone is visually stunning, well scened and well... a true inspiration, their recipes many times become the star of the meal.  Having been a subscriber for years, my Fine Cooking stack if ever growing and the issues are usually splattered and well worn from use over the years.

Looking for an over the top, visually beautiful and extraordinary dessert for our 2nd full Thanksgiving dinner in the last 4 days (my husband spent the first one in a hotel), I turned to the Fine Cooking Party issue on the top of my stack.  Thumbing through the pages Liv's and my eye stopped at the same time on the photo of the Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Caramelized Pistachios.  Both staring for a moment, she broke the silence by saying, "I want that."  And she got it.

Dense chocolate (flourless) cream is lovingly poured into a baked buttery shortbread crust and topped with a dazzling display of salted caramelized pistachios.  Broken into pieces, the pistachios almost appear to be set into broken amber over the luscious chocolate tart.

Sometimes such a visually appealing dessert doesn't live up to its beauty, not so with with this treat.  Served at room temperature, the chocolate creamy confection pairs delightfully with the crunchy, flavorful topping sending different textures, tastes and sensations bouncing around your mouth.

Mom has already put in a request for the dessert for her next Couples Bunco party.  She wanted a showstopper... we can do that.

Honey Pistachio Biscotti

 

My husband frequently laughs at me, but I could spend an entire afternoon flitting around our backyard shooting photos of flowers, better yet, macro shots of the stamens of said flowers or even the sharp ruffled edges of a rose petal.  While he has always been supportive of my photography "habit" we do seem to have a few creative differences.

 

Geranium

Some 30 years ago my Dad gave me my first SLR, a film Nikon that I still have and will never part with.  I've spent more money than I care to know on film and developing and pushed my husband years later to the cutting edge of the digital era in order to keep a roof over our heads.  Buying me a Sony digital camera shortly after our son was born  had the camera shortly paying for itself as I gave up my film habit and entered the digital world with thousands of those must have photos of my adorable toddler.

Surprising me years later with a gorgeous Canon DSLR, my husband sent me further into the realms of exposure and aperture and I invested in a few inexpensive lenses to play with.  Fast forward a few years more and he upgraded my DSLR once again to my current Canon.  But until today I've never really had really "good glass".

Spider Lily

The Amazon Delivery Guy was at my doorstep early, and with trembling hands I soon held my new 60mm f/2.8 Macro glass.  While this is admittedly only a mid-level lens, it's the best I've personally ever owned and I'm pretty darn excited.  Without delay the pups and I mounted the lens and headed outside to test shoot a few of our blooming flowers.  A quick review on the LCD screen had me giddy, but loading the shots onto the computer for a full scale intense review had me positively intoxicated with glee!!

As luck would have it, Ellie Krieger's Honey Pistachio Biscotti was on my afternoon docket and my new lens and I got to work.  With the ingredients mixing together quickly, the pistachio filled "logs" were ready for the oven in no time.  Within less than a quarter of an hour the kitchen was filled with the heavenly aroma that comes with baking biscotti and we were soon slicing the logs into individual cookies.  A second trip to the oven had the Italian-bred cookies crisped and ready for tasting.

Whole wheat flour lends a slightly nutty flavor to these not so sweet biscotti while the pistachios bring an antioxidant punch that eased my guilt as I reached for thirds.  I can personally vouch that these crunchy little guys pair wonderfully with a glass of red wine.  Tomorrow I will do a taste test to check on their pairing with my morning coffee, though I can say without a doubt that the pairing will be just fine...