Thursday, November 10, 2011

Rescue your Berries!


Are you ever frustrated after you pay $4.99 for a package of berries only to get them home and they are moldy?  I really thought it was just me, or where I was buying my berries, but then a friend of mine gave me the best tip!  I am so excited to share with you another wonderful use of my favorite cleaning device and salad dressing...Vinegar!  I switched to vinegar as a cleaning agent about 6 months ago and I have been really happy with it.  I dislike the scent of all the other synthetic cleaners and I can only imagine how harmful it is for your health.  I am glad to know I can use vinegar to preserve my berries as well.

Here is how you do it:

1 part Vinegar (Apple Cider is best) to 10 Parts Water.  Rinse the berries with your vinegar mixture and the vinegar will kill all the Mold Spores and bacteria that ruins your precious berries.


Hope you try out this fabulous tip!  I look forward to hearing any tips you all have!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Favorite Fall Flavor

When the leaves start to turn and the summer heat begins to fade, I get so excited for everything pumpkin!  Savory or sweet, pumpkin tops the list of my favorite flavors!  I am willing to try anything that promises to be rich with pumpkin goodness.  

What does pumpkin pair best with you ask?  Anything really.  Using pumpkin in a savory manner may be a bit trickier, but it is wonderful in pasta and breads.  The rich fall flavor of pumpkin is the perfect accompaniment to any wonderful meal!  I thought these adorable orange biscuits were the 
cutest way incorporate pumpkin into any meal.


Maple Glazed Pumpkin Biscuits
Inspired by Cooking Light
Ingredients
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup low fat buttermilk
5 tablespoons chilled butter, cut up into pieces
3 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, combing flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt.  With your hands or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal.  Chill for 10-15 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine buttermilk and honey.  
Whisk until well blended and then add pumpkin.  

Using the back of a large spoon make a hole in the center of the flour mixture and pour into hole.  Fold in flour with a spatula.  Turn dough out onto a well floured surface, dough will be very moist. and knead about 4-5 times using flour as needed.  Roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick.  Fold dough in thirds (like paper to put in an envelope).  Roll dough out again, sprinkle with flour and fold again as before.  Roll dough into a 3/4 inch thickness.  

Cut dough with a 1 3/4 inch round cookie cutter to form 14 biscuits.  Place the biscuits, 1 inch apart, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  With a pastry brush, brush each biscuit with some maple syrup.  Bake for 14 minutes or until golden.  Remove from pan and cool on wire racks.



Stay tuned for more pumpkin recipes this season!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Asian Turkey Burgers with Cucumber Relish

 You will love this spin on traditional turkey burgers.  This recipe mixes a regular old turkey burger with all the bold Asian flavors that your taste buds love!  The creamy aioli and crisp cucumber salad are a perfect compliment as well!  Happy Thursday!
 Asian Turkey Burgers with Cucumber Relish
Ingredients
1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey
1 Tbs. Chili Garlic Sauce
2 Tbs. Hoisen Sauce
2 Scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs. Cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup Red Onion, chopped
1/4 cup Carrots, minced
Salt and Pepper
4 Hamburger Buns


Chili-Garlic Aioli
1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
1 tsp. Chili Garlic Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cucumber Salad "Relish"
1 large Japanese Cucumber, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Rice Wine Vinegar
1/4 cup Sugar
sesame seeds

Directions
Combine cucumber, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl to marinate.  Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.  Put in refrigerator.

Preheat grill.  In a large bowl mix ground turkey, chili garlic sauce, hoisen sauce, scallions, garlic, cilantro, onion and carrots just till combined.  Form into 4 even patties.  Grill patties for 4 minutes per side or until fully cooked.

Meanwhile, combine yogurt , chili garlic sauce, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Put aside until burgers are done.  

Assemble a patty on top of each bun, some of the aioli and then some cucumber salad.  Enjoy!