November 7, 2012

Pumpkin Bourbon Milkshakes

Apparently there’s a rule that you’re not supposed to try out a new recipe on company when you’re entertaining. That means it’s definitely not a good idea to do it when you’re presenting a recipe in front of students.

Rules were made to be broken…or something.

Case in point.

I made these Pumpkin Bourbon Milkshakes for the first time in front of two groups of 15 people when I taught a Food Styling Class with Joy a few weeks ago. THANK HEAVENS it all worked out.

When you pair vanilla ice cream, pumpkin puree, BOURBON, brown sugar and spices, what really could go wrong?

For starters, you could totally drop some ice cream on the floor and almost turn on the blender when you’re not quite ready for it. You could also put an extra shot of bourbon in by accident. And you could show a group of eager students how messy you really are when it comes to working in the kitchen.

Yep. All of this totally happened… If anything, our students learned that I’m just a regular gal who happens to love both food and making messes in the kitchen.

recipes, Uncategorized

November 5, 2012

Apple-Pecan Sticky Buns

These Apple-Pecan Sticky Buns are the exact reason why I’m sitting here drinking vegetable juice right now. You see…I simply could not control myself. I ate half of the pan before they cooled.

When I regained consciousness I packed them up and left them with my friend.

Ooey gooey carbs are mixed with crunchy pecans and sweet cinnamony apples in this seasonal treat. It’s what dreams are made of, I’m sure.

You can see why I almost pulled a Miranda and doused them in dishwasher soap.

But that would be wasteful…so I just made the Apple Pecan Sticky Buns become someone else’s problem.

That’s what friends are for.

my everyday life, Photography, Uncategorized

November 3, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 44

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Pumpkin carving! I did all the work….

Uncategorized

November 2, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

This cracked me up earlier this week. I’m actually still thinking about it.
10 years of marriage. Such an important read for us married couples!
I loved listening to Deb’s interview on NPR. I wish she’d make me breakfast.
Ummm. Why didn’t I think of this? Easiest Way to Hang a Picture!
Note to Self: Don’t ask a short person any of these questions.
Kinda freaking out over these cookies.
Let’s keep some ginger in our kitchen. Mmmkay?
I’m really sad to hear this about Everyday Food Magazine. That magazine changed my life!
After all the candy I’ve eaten, I crave salads like this one.
Joy’s Dad is totes right. I also totally understand how he feels about ants.
Must stock up on tape this holiday season. Also! Sally is the queen of wrapping!
I bet these Pumpkin Crepes would go well with my Pumpkin Cream Cheese.
It’s the small things in life that get us through loss.
How great would this Pumpkin Croissant Pudding be for Thanksgiving breakfast/dessert?
This is REAL. This is basically my life.
What a pretty color palette!

On this week’s Joy the Baker podcast, we play a fun game of GOOGLE AUTO FILL. It’s crazy what comes up!

My Makeup Drawer got ORGANIZED on High Straightenence this week. BOOM.

My Bites Around the Net:

Sarah from White Plate Kitchen made my Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts gluten free!

Crooked Hazel made my Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Elizabeth from Four and Twenty Blackberries made my Mom’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

Jen from The Baked Life made my Chai Coconut Coffee Cake.

Jomegs made my Kale Slaw with Red Cabbage and Carrots .

recipes, Uncategorized

October 31, 2012

Pumpkin Hazelnut Grilled Cheese

I’m gonna get this out of the way immediately—my husband didn’t like this grilled cheese sandwich.

I, on the other hand loved it so much I almost finished two of the four sandwiches I made. Uh huh.

Let me tell you why.

This grilled cheese sandwich is buttery & crispy and just when you think you’re crunching into a bite of the grilled bread, you realize it’s a hazelnut. The hazelnut brown butter makes it extra crunchy. I love extra crunchy. Who doesn’t? That dude who ordered his hash browns to be NOT crispy at that restaurant we went to. That’s who!

You’ll find creamy sweetness from the pumpkin, a hit of sage and a subtle note of anise in this sandwich. There’s something kinda sausage-like about it, yet it’s 100% vegetarian.

Maybe that’s why I loved it. Maybe that’s why the husband didn’t…

You can’t always please others, riiiight?

I was just about to get into how you should please yourself…but things got dirty.

AHHHH.

recipes, Uncategorized

October 29, 2012

Pepita Pesto Pasta w/ Roasted Squash

SQUASH! Are you binging on squash like I am? In the span of one week I made this here pasta and this fab salad. SQUASH!

I almost cut my hand off while cubing up a butternut squash but that’s a different post all together.

That post will be titled MY NAME IS TRACY AND I AM A KLUTZ IN THE KITCHEN.

I digress…

Let’s talk about this pasta. If you’re a pesto fan and want to shake things up, GET ON THIS PESTO immediately.

Take your traditional pesto and SHAKE IT UP with cilantro, jalapenos, pepitas & parsley. It kinda reminds me of guacamole.

Throw in the sweetness of roasted butternut squash in a large bowl of cooked penne pasta then finish with a squeeze of lime for tang & a huge dose of grated Parmesan for creaminess and you’re in business.

The flavor business…which is the best business to be in.