Monthly Archives: October 2009

by | October 14, 2009 · 8:20 am

Sweet Potato Waffles

When my husband found out our secret ingredient this week was sweet potatoes, he was not happy.  He refuses to eat anything that has sweet potatoes listed as an ingredient.

So, this week, I set out on a mission to make a recipe with sweet potatoes that even my husband would enjoy.  I came across these sweet potato waffles on the food network and thought they just might do the trick.

waffle(2)

Sweet Potato Waffles

1 1/2 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
Vegetable spray, for waffle iron

Steam or boil your sweet potatoes until they are fork tender and mash.

To the sweet potatoes, add the milk, brown sugar, butter, and grated orange rind.  Mix until combined and set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Combine the sweet potato mixture with the flour mixture until combined and set aside.

Finally, beat the egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold egg whites into batter 1/3 at a time being careful not to over mix.

Pour  your batter into a well oiled waffle iron and heat until golden brown.

The verdict: The waffles tasted wonderful!  The small amount of orange rind really covers any strong sweet potato flavor.  Some may wonder why you would make sweet potato waffles if they do not even taste like sweet potatoes.  Well, why not!  My husband and daughter enjoyed wonderful waffles and, best of all,  got a good serving of nutrient rich sweet potatoes.  This recipe was a win-win!

anne

3 Comments

Filed under Cook

Tagged as , ,

by | October 12, 2009 · 9:18 am

Sweet Potato, Onion & Goat Cheese Tart

With our secret ingredient this week my thoughts originally went to a holiday favorite – sweet potatoes with marshmallows.  Unfortunately, my husband won’t eat them. Instead, I whipped up this savory appetizer which sneaks sweet potatoes in with other crowd-pleasing ingredients to earn compliments from even the biggest sweet potato skeptics.

Sweet Potato, Onion & Goat Cheese Tart
2 sm sweet potatoes, peeled
2 medium onions, chopped
1 pkg puff pastry
1 oz goat cheese
1/3C chicken broth
2 Tbsp half & half (or cream)
splash balsamic vinegar
kosher salt and black pepper
fresh thyme and sage, minced

potato2

Preheat oven to 400.  Thinly slice one peeled potato into coins and the other into small chunks.  Place the coins on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil and roast for 15 min until just soft.  Place the chunks in a pot of water and bring to a boil, cooking until very soft.

potato1

Thinly slice the onions and toss lightly with oil in a large skillet.  Season with salt, pepper and thyme.  As the onions begin to carmelize, add half of the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, scraping any browned bits off the pan into the broth for flavor.  Continue cooking until liquid is gone and repeat, adjusting the temperature until onions are carmelized to a golden brown, approx. 20-25 min.

Roll out the puff pastry into a long sheet.  Use a knife to slice a 2 inch edge off each side, forming a rectangle with the remainder.  Slice the trimmings in half and layer two pieces on each side of the rectangle to form raised edges, like a picture frame.  Using a fork, poke holes in the center of the pastry but not on the edges.  Bake for 15 minutes until beginning to puff.

In a small bowl, beat the boiled potato chunks and half & half until creamy. Season with salt and spread the potato cream over center section of the puff pastry “frame”.  Layer onions, goat cheese (broken into bits) and potato coins on top.  Sprinkle with salt and sage.  Bake at 400 for 25-30 min, or until puff pastry is golden brown and bottom is crisped.   Cook times may vary by oven so check in on your pastry part way through cooking.

katie

potatotart3

5 Comments

Filed under Appetizers

Tagged as ,

by | October 11, 2009 · 9:28 pm

You Called It: Sweet Potatoes

Looks like the HAP readers love seasonal ingredients as much as we do!  For our first HAP Ingredient Three Ways you got right into the spirit of fall by choosing sweet potatoes. Earthy, colorful and chock full of vitamins, sweet potatoes are surprisingly versatile, easily working in both sweet and savory dishes.

We’ll be serving them up all week long so don’t forget to check back!

Leave a comment

Filed under Main Dish

by | October 9, 2009 · 8:49 am

Fabulous Fall Finds

As the leaves begin to turn and I give my house the good Cleaning Sydney it deserves, I’ve realized it’s time to dig out (and purchase) the fall décor. I love accenting my house with small touches of autumn and with soft muted colors throughout my house, my house seems to love it back.

One could go nuts with jack-o-lanterns and cornucopias, but I’ve searched to find items that last all the way through the fall season.

I could take up residence at Crate and Barrel. I joked around the time of our wedding that we should have bought stock in the company, as it seemed every box we opened was a black and white Crate and Barrel box.

fall_place setting

This place setting can be used all year through but these C&B Leaf Napkin Rings create a subtle touch of autumn. The Acacia Salad Bowls look especially festive when paired with some fall table linens.

Fall Decor_plate

The embossed leaf charger can be used to spice up a place setting or as a serving platter for a Thanksgiving dish.

Fall Decor - tableThe Maggie Runner from Crate and Barrel creates a soft elegance to any dining area. The bright colors and comforting felt give a your table a whimsical fall face lift. Paired with the Taylor Hurricane and any rust orange, maroon or sage colored candle and candle accent, your table can be set from September through November. Fill up your hurricane with anything from a candle ring like the one pictured here to some smooth rocks or sand. Or leave it by itself for simple elegance.

Fall Decor_candles

Daylight is beginning to diminish in the early evening hours. This provides a great excuse to break out the candles! I just received this beautiful vintage inspired white pumpkin candle from Hallmark for my birthday. And, for only $4.95, this C&B Trix Candleholder is not only great to add some candy corn or one of your other favorite Halloween or fall treats, but you can use these all year round. Christmas time: Red and Green candy. Valentine’s Day: Conversation Hearts. Easter: Jelly Beans. And the list goes on…

Fall Decor_acornsAnother nice autumn touch comes from a HAP favorite website, Etsy. These felted acorns with real acorn tops are a great addition to a small autumn dish or scattered amongst a table setting.

Fall Decor_butterAnd while this next item may not be décor per se, it is a delicious treat and very festive for the fall. The Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter from Williams-Sonoma is great when spread on a toasted bagel or scone. I also sampled and received a recipe to make dessert bars using the butter and look forward to making it for myself!

I get scared watching previews for horror movies, so scary is not my thing. But if you are into ghosts and ghouls, check out Pottery Barn’s Skull collection to create a chilling Halloween cocktail party.

Happy Decorating!

1 Comment

Filed under Decorate, Fab Finds

Tagged as ,

by | October 7, 2009 · 7:56 am

covetable goods {dash & albert}

I live in Wisconsin and have realized there is a kind of panic that sets in around this time of year. The summer has come to an end and the countdown to the first snowfall has begun. The sloppy weather is approaching and soon we will say goodbye to our beloved sandals and flip flops and say hello to bulky boots and closed toe heals.

During the winter months, my entryway becomes a sloppy mess of brown melted snow and salt rocks that have the ability to ruin any basic rug sizes or types. After years of tossing out expensive rugs in spring, I decided to do some research and find a rug that would be durable, budget friendly and, most importantly, cute.

Enter Dash & Albert Rug Company.

rug 1

I was thrilled when I came across this brand at my favorite home goods store, The Home Market. Dash and Albert has hundreds of rugs that come in all different sizes, styles and colors. The best part, the smaller woven cotton rugs can be hand washed, line dried and will still look great. I even threw mine in the wash machine on gentle cycle and it came out looking good as new. These rugs are perfect for an entryway but cute enough for your living room! And you can’t beat the price.

With all the colors, styles and sizes, you are bound to find a rug you will adore!

rug 2

Bring it on November. I am ready for you.

anne

Leave a comment

Filed under Covetable Goods, Decorate, Fab Finds

Tagged as , ,

by | October 4, 2009 · 8:56 pm

Summer-Meets-Fall Tomato Soup

To me, nothing says fall like the return of comfort foods like soup and chili.  Not only can you pretty much include whatever ingredients you like but they’re easy and can be made in big batches for yummy leftovers.

Since tomatoes are still in season and plentiful in both stores and gardens, homemade Tomato Soup is one of my favorite summer-meets-fall dishes. I wasn’t always a huge fan of tomato soup but I discovered that a freshly flavored (and healthy!) homemade version is impossible to resist.

basil

Summer-Meets-Fall Roasted Tomato Soup
2 lbs fresh tomatoes, mix of Roma, vine-ripe (whatever looks good)
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 quart chicken (or vegetable) broth
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp sherry
1/2C half & half
4 Tbsp butter
2 bay leaves
fresh basil, roughly chopped
Kosher salt, black pepper
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Heat oven to 450. Roughly chop fresh tomatoes and onion. Mix together on a baking sheet with the garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for 20-30 minutes until peeling and soft.
tomonion
Move the tomatoes, onions and garlic to a stockpot or Dutch oven, heat on med-high. Add canned tomatoes with juices, broth, butter, bay leaves, along with vinegar and sherry, to taste. Use a potato masher to smash up the chunks and simmer on med-low for 10-15 min.

Remove the bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot. Or use a standard blender/food processor and work in batches to puree soup to a semi-smooth texture. Add half & half and basil, stir well. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.

Return to your childhood by serving with grilled cheese! Let soup simmer while you make your sandwich and garnish soup with parmesan cheese to serve.

katie

tomsoup

10 Comments

Filed under Cook, Garden, Main Dish

Tagged as , , ,

by | October 2, 2009 · 8:19 am

The Ultimate Chicken Salad

I am always looking for recipes that last for more than one meal. This one I created a few years ago and it has been a favorite ever since. Not only is it easy to make, but versatile and healthy. Make this recipe for yourself or for a side or main dish for a luncheon or shower. 

Chicken Salad

 Ingredients:

 Approx 1 lbs. cooked chicken, cubed or shredded

2 stalks of chopped celery

1 chopped apple

½ small chopped red onion

½ c. dried cranberries

½ c. slivered almonds

Approx. 1 c. low-fat mayonnaise

Salt and pepper to taste

 Mix well and chill.

 Chicken Salad1A few notes:

For the chicken – I boil boneless skinless chicken breasts in a water/chicken broth mixture. You can also use the microwavable Tyson cubed chicken.

I typically use any type of green apple, but in the fall, use whatever you’ve picked at the orchard!

Mayo made with olive oil is a great lower fat mayo alternative. When adding the mayo, start with ½ cup and keep adding mayo until it reaches your desired consistency.

You can substitute grapes for apples and/or pecans or walnuts for almonds.

Serve it on a bed of lettuce, toasted bread, a croissant or baguette, or eat it by itself!

PS: TODAY (10/2/09)  is the LAST DAY to vote for the HAP Three-Way ingredient. Place your vote so you can view the recipes you want to see!

stef

4 Comments

Filed under Cook, Main Dish, Quick & Easy

Tagged as