Market Street

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Brisket Stroganoff

Tags: market street, APLK, Rancher's Reserve, Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 5:11:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

Part of the beauty of smoking a brisket is the amount of leftovers available to use in following meals-- and I'm not just talking about leftovers for a few chopped brisket sandwiches.There is a world of recipes to make from this one …
» Read More
A Pleasant Little Football Menu

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, football, menu

Thursday, September 14, 2017 10:49:00 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There is a question that seems to circulate in our household every week during football season…

“What are we making for the game?”

I dunno. What sounds good to you?

“Wanna grill?”

Absolutely I want to grill.

Yup. Almost every …
» Read More
Roasted Turkey

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 11:52:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

Roasting a turkey for the first time is a BIG deal.

Let me restart. Cooking a turkey, whether it’s your first time or 50th time is a BIG deal. There’s many reasons for the enormity of this project.

First off, a turkey is a large piece …
» Read More
A Pleasant Little Christmas Morning

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, Christmas

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 11:36:00 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

It’s 6:37 am and the presents have already been torn into and there’s a lingering gift high. The next round of celebration won’t be happening for another 5 hours but the natives are restless.

Santa’s cookies are half-eaten and out of …
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Cherry Chocolate French Toast

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, breakfast, Mother's Day

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 11:15:00 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

Morning glories—those small parts at the beginning of the day where joy and cheer reside.

Admittedly, morning is not the best time of the day for me. I’m groggy and slow to wake. However, I find myself surrounded by three morning glories …
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Thanksgiving Tips, Tricks and Recipes

Tags: market street, thanksgiving, A Pleasant Little Kitchen

Monday, November 21, 2016 5:55:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

Thanksgiving.

This word evokes memories unique to your own past experiences and how “it” has always “been done.”

There’s nothing like gathering around a table with loved ones and continuing the traditions of the past. There is not one …
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A Pleasant Little Christmas Menu

Tags: market street, A Pleasant Little Kitchen, Christmas Recipes

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 4:43:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

Lets be honest. Christmas dinner for many families is kinda like Thanksgiving Repeat. Turkey (or ham), potatoes, gravy, casserole such-and-such... and then pies.

Since this exact meal was cooked a few weeks prior, it's not surprising …
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Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, thanksgiving

Monday, November 20, 2017 3:56:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

I ate a lot of mashed potatoes growing up. Once a week our family would have a roast at Granny’s house and instead of roast potatoes she would serve mashed potatoes.

I still remember the hand held potato masher my grandfather would man as …
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November is National Diabetes Month

Tags: diabetes, glucose screenings, managing diabetes, market street, registered dietitians, national diabetes month

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 9:30:00 AM

November is National Diabetes Month. This year’s theme for American Diabetes Month® is “Eat Well, America!” According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes affects nearly 30 million children and adults in the U. S. today – nearly 10 percent of the population. Every 19 seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes. As dietitians, we want to help …
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Honey Grilled Peaches

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, grilling, Dessert, summer

Monday, June 18, 2018 10:53:00 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

If the grill is hot, why stop the cooking fun when the main dish is finished. Grill dessert too.

Why, you ask? Because you can, it’s fun AND it’s unexpected.

The perfect dessert recipe to start with is honey grilled peaches.

Grab a …
» Read More

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Brisket Stroganoff

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  Part of the beauty of smoking a brisket is the amount of leftovers available to use in following meals-- and I'm not just talking about leftovers for a few chopped brisket sandwiches.There is a world of recipes to make from this one smoked cut of beef and they’re all tantalizing. Off the top of my head these meals come to mind: Chopped Brisket OmeletsBrisket Arugula Salad with BBQ drizzleBrisket TacosBrisket EnchiladasBrisket Mac and CheeseBrisket NachosOpen Faced Brisket Sandwich with a Runny EggBrisket MigasBurnt End Cheese FriesBetter than a sandwich, am I right? The list seems endless. Recently, however, there is one brisket recipe I find myself making every time Randy, A Pleasant Little Kitchen's master griller, fires up the smoker. Brisket Stroganoff. It is play off the traditional Russian comfort food, beef stroganoff and, in my mind, is a perfect way to use leftovers. It utilizes about 2 1/2 cups of smoked brisket and the remaining ingredients are always stocked in my pantry. Did I mention it’s a quick fix? Onions and garlic sautéed in butter. Tomato paste browned and then deglazed with chianti and organic chicken stock. Sour cream and chopped brisket. Stir and serve over egg noodles (or your favorite pasta). Four steps and about 30 minutes later a delicious flavor packed meal is ready to be devoured… and loved. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal following a fun-filled weekend of grilling. To make brisket stroganoff, smoked brisket (recipe at the bottom) is needed. While it’s easy to pop into your favorite smoke house and  pick up some chopped smoked brisket, wouldn’t it be more fun to make it at home? If this makes you hesitate, let me reassure you. Smoking meat is doable. Abandon the fear of backyard smoking. Embrace slow cooking over low flames and approach this Memorial Day weekend with smoking confidence. Here's a breakdown of getting prepped and educated in smoking: If you prefer more crust on brisket, use your favorite grill rub to coat the brisket before smoking. Market Street has an excellent selection of premixed grill rubs if making your own doesn’t sound appealing. A meat thermometer will help guarantee the brisket does not get over cooked. Remember, quality meat makes a difference in the outcome of a smoked brisket. Pop by Market Street and pick up Rancher’s Reserve USDA Choice and Angus beef brisket. It’s the type of quality meat you want for grilling season. Once the brisket reaches 195 degrees, use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. The skewer should slide in and out of the meat with ease. I prefer to use oak as the smoking wood. It is good to periodically check the smoker to make sure it maintains heat properly. There are fancy gadgets that will allow you to monitor the meat temperature via smart phone. When you remove the brisket from the heat, you can wrap it in foil and store in a cooler for up to 3 hours before serving. Blow up the kiddie pool this weekend, grab some chilled beverages and pick up a Rancher's Reserve brisket at Market Street. In the days following you will be reminded of the perfect outdoor grilling weekend with all leftovers available to use. Get creative, but start with brisket stroganoff to get the leftover smoked brisket ball rolling.   Brisket Stroganoff Serves 5-7 Author note: Before cooking, set out the sour cream to bring to room temperature. This helps to keep the sour cream from curdling once it hits the warm sauce.   Ingredients 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 cups Chianti 2 1/2 cups chopped smoked brisket 3/4 cup sour cream (room temperature)  Instructions 1. cooked egg noodles (or your favorite pasta) 2. fresh parsley, chopped (for topping) 3. In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. 4. Add the onions and garlic. Cook over medium heat, until softened, about 4 minutes. Smoked Brisket Recipe Author note: If you prefer more crust on brisket, use your favorite grill rub to coat the brisket before smoking. A meat thermometer will help guarantee the brisket does not get over cooked. Remember, quality meat makes a difference in the outcome of a smoked brisket. Once the brisket reaches 195 degrees, use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. The skewer should slide in and out of the meat with ease. I prefer to use oak as the smoking wood. It is good to periodically check the smoker to make sure it maintains heat properly. There are fancy gadgets that will allow you to monitor the meat temperature via smart phone. When you remove the brisket from the heat, you can wrap it in foil and store in a cooler for up to 3 hours before serving.   Ingredients 4 pounds trimmed brisket flat  7 teaspoons salt 4 teaspoons pepper   Instructions 1. Evenly coat the brisket with the salt and pepper combination. 2. Prepare grill or smoker for 225 degrees. Once it reaches 225 degrees allow the grill to maintain this heat for at least 30 minutes before beginning. Adjust as necessary to keep the temperature between 225 and 250. 3. Insert the meat thermometer into the brisket. Place brisket on the grill. 4. Smoking time is about 10 1/2 hours, but once the internal temperature reaches 195 degree, probe for doneness. If the meat is still ‘tight’, wait another 15 minutes and probe again. Read More

A Pleasant Little Football Menu

  Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There is a question that seems to circulate in our household every week during football season… “What are we making for the game?” I dunno. What sounds good to you? “Wanna grill?” Absolutely I want to grill.  Yup. Almost every Wednesday when I’m headed to Market Street for weekly grocery shopping this question is tossed into the air and waits a reply. The answer is typically some form of grilling along with other grab and go types of food. I love this about football season. What I also love about football season is the culture of food and gathering it creates. There’s nothing quite like watching a game with friends and family while eating food that’s just as exciting as the game (or in some cases, better than the game). If you’ve experienced (or plan to experience) the same question I get asked weekly, today is your lucky day. Now you have an immediate answer. This weekend you’ll be cooking: green onion bacon dip + Market Street tortilla chips sirloin, sweet potato and garlic kebabs loaded fries cinnamon brown sugar popcorn with dark chocolate drizzle Now it’s your turn to pop on over to Market Street and make all your football watching, food grazing dreams come true. Oh! And don’t forget to throw in some Austin Eastciders Texas Honey, one of my favorite local beverages Market Street’s wine and beer department has available.  Soooooo… Wreck ‘Em Tech! Hook ‘Em Horns! Sic ‘Em Bears! Gig ‘em Aggies! Whatever your rally cry may be—happy watching AND eating!  Green Onion Bacon Dip    Ingredients 2 cups green onions, roughly chopped 1/2 cup chives, roughly chopped juice of 1/2 a lemon 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup heavy cream zest of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 pound bacon chives, finely chopped (for topping)   Directions 1. In a food processor, puree the green onions, chives and lemon juice. 2. With a stand mixer or hand-held mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. 3. While mixing the cream cheese, slowly pour in the cream. 4. Add the onion and chive puree, lemon zest and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well to combine. 5. Line a sieve with a few layers of cheese cloth (with excess hanging over the sieve). Pour the dip into the sieve, cover with the excess cloth, and place over a small bowl. Chill overnight. 6. The following day, cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. 7. Once the bacon has cooled, chop it into bite-sized chunks. 8. Remove the dip from the fridge and uncover. Take the desired serving plate and place it on top of the sieve (make sure to align the sieve in the center of the serving plate). Holding both pieces together, carefully flip the sieve upside down (recruit a helping hand the first time you do this; it makes it easier). The dip will fall onto the serving plate. Remove the cheese cloth. 9. In large handfuls, cover the exposed surface of the dip with bacon. Continue this process until the entire cheese ball is coated. Sprinkle with chives. Serve chilled with tortilla chips or crackers. Sirloin, Sweet Potato and Garlic Kebabs   Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch cubes 1 sweet potato, peeled cut into 1/4 inch thick and 1 inch long slices 1 onion, cut into 1x 1 1/2 inch pieces garlic cloves, peeled 1 teaspoon kosher salt extra-virgin olive oil pepper skewers yogurt sauce, for dipping (see recipe below)   Directions 1. 1 hour before grilling, soak the skewers in water (if using wooden skewers). 2. Heat the grill to 350-400 degrees. 3. On a skewer, alternate the pieces of meat, sweet potato, onions and garlic. Up to 3 pieces of meat per skewer. Be sure to leave a little room between each ingredient to help them cook evenly. 4. Coat each skewer with 1/2 teaspoon of oil, salt and pepper. 5. Grill 6-7 minutes per side. 6. Serve warm with garlic red pepper yogurt sauce. For the garlic red pepper yogurt sauce: Ingredients 1 cup plain yogurt 2 garlic cloves, rough chopped 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon olive oil juice of 1 lemon   Directions 1. Combine all ingredients into a small bowl and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Loaded Fries Author note: Be creative with toppings for these fries. Guacamole, pimento cheese, brisket, shredded pork shoulder, brown gravy or fried onion strings could also be decadent toppers. If serving a crowd, set up a bar of toppings and let each guest decide how they want to top their french fries. There are no measurements listed on the amount of cheese to give you the flexibility to add as much as you would like.   Ingredients 1 bag frozen crinkle cut french fries shredded cheese 1 package of bacon, fried and chopped 1/2 red onion, diced sour cream 1 bundle of green onions, chopped 1/2 bundle of cilantro, chopped hot sauce   Directions 1. Cook the french fries according to the instructions on the back of the package. 2. Once the fries are cooked, lower the oven to 400 degrees and top the fries with a generous amount of cheese, bacon and red onions. 3. Place back into the oven until the cheese is melted. Finish the fries with dollops of sour cream, green onions, cilantro and hot sauce. Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Popcorn with Dark Chocolate Drizzle Author note: I prefer to pop my own popcorn for this snack, but when time is short and I use purchased popped popcorn.   Ingredients 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 cups popped popcorn 3/4 cup dark chocolate candy coating   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 250 degrees. 2. In a small sauce pan, combine the butter, corn syrup, cinnamon extract and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. 3. Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the corn syrup mixture on top of popcorn and stir to coat. 4. Next sprinkle the sugar evenly over the popcorn and stir to coat. 5. Lay the popcorn on one large parchment-lined baking sheet (or two small ones). Place in the oven and cook for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. 7. Melt the chocolate candy coating per the instructions. 8. Drizzle on top of the popcorn to the desired amount. Let harden and serve. Read More

Roasted Turkey

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  Roasting a turkey for the first time is a BIG deal. Let me restart. Cooking a turkey, whether it’s your first time or 50th time is a BIG deal. There’s many reasons for the enormity of this project. First off, a turkey is a large piece of meat. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or not, cooking it to perfection is a tricky endeavor because of the size. The size affects thawing time, ease of handling (let’s face it, 16 pounds of anything can be a little cumbersome to pick up, twirl around, brine and stuff), cooking time and ease of carving. The turkey might be the one of the most intimidating items to prepare for the American cook. Second, individuals are in the kitchen increasingly less these days. To automatically jump into the kitchen and whip up a deliciously cooked bird (and multiple side dishes) can be daunting simply for the fact that cooking is something people are not comfortable with. Thanksgiving requires A LOT of time in the kitchen and the turkey is often the center piece. Third, the turkey (and this is my opinion) is probably one of the least eaten pieces of the Thanksgiving spread. While there is ritual involved in the turkey preparation, removal from the oven and carving of the golden turkey, this large bird can be unenjoyable to eat because it is overcooked, under seasoned, etc. etc…. This all goes back to my main point. The turkey, while a nostalgic symbol of American pride and history, is a BIG piece of meat to cook. It can be tricky. Plus when you add in all the other delicious and irresistible side dishes, Thanksgiving can be overwhelming. Today, with the many conveniences of prepared food it has become common for many families (mine included) to allow others to prepare the turkey for you while the side dishes and desserts are prepared at home. I have seen Market Street’s turkeys and they look spectacular and I will say it is very tempting to allow their skilled cooks to tackle this project. Not this year though. This year is YOUR year to make the turkey and make it well. Let me throw a curve ball. Let Market Street prepare the sides (because have you tried their praline sweet potatoes and green been casserole?) this year and let this recipe guide you to a beautifully and easily cooked turkey. I mean, Thanksgiving is about American tradition and cooking a turkey is something more than likely a long line of your family members have done. Let this bird be an homage to family memories in the kitchen. To bypass all the craziness that is grocery shopping around Thanksgiving, you can even let Market Street shop for you. All you need to do is pick it up at the store (OR have it dropped off on your doorstep). The beauty of online shopping with Market Street is that your 15 pound organic turkey will be delivered to your door step along with all the brining ingredients (which I’ve detailed below). Now, take a deep breath. You’ve got this. Market Street’s got this. We’re all here to support you on your big turkey day. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving. Roasted Turkey   Author note: The first roasted turkey recipe my husband and I ever cooked was Alton Brown’s. His method of roasting is complete and thorough. We have never roasted a turkey any other way. While the brine and stuffing recipe is A Pleasant Little Kitchen’s, the cooking method is 100% Alton Brown’s.   Ingredients for the brine 2 gallons cold water 1 apple juice 1 1/3 cups kosher salt 1 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons peppercorns 1 tablespoon allspice berries 2 tarragon sprigs 4 thyme sprigs 4 rosemary sprigs 2 garlic cloves, halved 1 onion, halved 1 apples, quartered 2 inch fresh ginger pieces, peeled 1 12-18 pound turkey   Directions 1. Place all ingredients in a large stock pan. Heat the brine until sugar and salt have dissolved, stir occasionally. Remove the brine from the heat and bring to room temperature. 2. Remove the turkey from the packaging. If there is anything inside the turkey cavity (neck, giblets, etc.) remove these items as well. 3. Place the turkey in a 32 quart plastic container. Pour the cooled brine over the turkey. 4. Place the turkey into the fridge and let brine for at least 12 hours, up to 24 hours.   Ingredients for the turkey 1 garlic, halved 1 onion, halved 1 apple, quartered 1 tablespoon peppercorns 1 tablespoon allspice berries 2 tarragon branches 3 thyme sprigs 3 rosemary sprigs canola oil   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 500F. 2. Remove the turkey from the brine. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. 3. Place the turkey on a large rimmed baking sheet. 4. Sprinkle the peppercorns and allspice berries in the bottom of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the remaining aromatics. After stuffing the turkey, truss the wings and legs to form a compact shape. This will help with even cooking and makes for a better presentation. 5. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and lather the turkey with canola oil. 6. Roast the turkey at 500F for 30 minutes. 7. After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350. 8. Remove the turkey from the oven and insert an oven-safe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. 9. Return the turkey to the oven and cook until the internal temperature reaches 155F. 10. This will take 2 - 2 1/2 hours, depending on the exact weight of the turkey. 11. Peek at the turkey (without opening the oven) with about 30 minutes to go. If the breast skin is getting too dark, place a double piece of foil over it to shield it from the heat during the remainder of the cooking. 12. Remove the turkey from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes prior to carving. Read More

A Pleasant Little Christmas Morning

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  It’s 6:37 am and the presents have already been torn into and there’s a lingering gift high. The next round of celebration won’t be happening for another 5 hours but the natives are restless. Santa’s cookies are half-eaten and out of the corner of your eye you see the youngest child eye the dessert like he’s about to devour it. Your oldest child keeps trying to open up the remaining presents (that are intended for extended family) under the tree because, why not? You’ve got two options. Pour a bowl of cereal and turn on a Christmas movie and pretend like it’s any other day OR bring the family into the kitchen for a post-present kitchen celebration. I hope you choose option two. Let Market Street help you with a menu and the best ingredients that all your little elves (big or small) will enjoy creating AND eating. Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows Winter Citrus Salad Chocolate Pancakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream Baked Eggs with Crusty Bread Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Marshmallows This recipe will require a little bit of prep work. However if time is short, grab some Organics Cocoa Mix and Dandies All Natural Vanilla Marshmallows from Market Street.   Ingredients chocolate syrup (recipe below) whole milk pinch of kosher salt homemade marshmallows (recipe below)   Directions 1) Place the whole milk and chocolate syrup into a saucepan. Stir well to combine. 2) Warm over low heat until syrup is incorporated with chocolate. Add a pinch of salt and stir. 3) Serve warm with homemade marshmallows   for the chocolate syrup Ingredients 1 cup cocoa powder pinch of salt 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon light corn syrup 1 cup water   Directions 1) Place the sugar and water into a small saucepan, and make a simple syrup. Cook on low heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally. 2) Combine the vanilla and salt into the simple syrup. Stir well. 3) Place the cocoa powder into a large bowl. In three batches, whisk the simple syrup into the cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly. 4) Strain the cocoa mixture back into the pan. Add corn syrup and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. 5) Remove from the stovetop and bring to room temperature. Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge, up to three weeks.   for the vanilla marshmallows Author note: Store the marshmallows in an air tight container for up to three weeks. A candy thermometer is required for this recipe.  Also, a hand held mixer would work for this recipe, however a stand mixer makes it easier.   Ingredients 3/4 cup corn syrup 1 1/2 cups sugar pinch of kosher salt 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of ice cold water 3 packages plain gelatin 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 cup powdered sugar 3 tablespoons corn starch cooking spray (canola or vegetable oil)   Directions 1) In a large mixing bowl add 1/2 cup water. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the water. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of water to any dry spots of gelatin. Dissolve the gelatin for 10 minutes. 2) Add the corn syrup, sugar, salt and 1/2 cup of water into a small saucepan. Attach the thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook the mixture over high heat until it reaches 250 degrees F. 3) Turn the mixer on to slow speed. Slowly pour the corn syrup mixture down the side of the bowl while the mixer is running. Once the entire mixture is poured into the bowl whisk on high speed for 12 minutes. 4) With one minute remaining add in the vanilla extract. Whisk until fully incorporated. 5) Meanwhile, combine the powdered sugar and corn starch into a medium sized bowl, stir well. Set aside. 6) Spray the inside of a 13×9 baking pan with canola oil. With a sifter, then add an even layer of powdered sugar inside of the pan.Evenly pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan. Smooth out the top of the marshmallows with a lightly oiled spatula. 7) Spray the top of the marshmallows with canola oil and add another even layer of sifted powdered sugar mixture. Keep the remaining powdered sugar mixture for later use. 8) Let the marshmallows set for 5-8 hours.   To cut the marshmallows: 1) Spray a spatula with canola spray. Move the spatula around the edges and bottom of the marshmallow to loosen it from the pan. 2) Place the marshmallow onto a cutting board lightly covered with powdered sugar. 3) Using a lightly oiled pizza cutter or knife, cut the marshmallows into 1 inch squares. 4) Once the marshmallows are cut, place a few batches of marshmallows at a time into the powdered sugar mixture. Coat the marshmallows on every side. Store in an airtight container. Winter Citrus Salad This salad is colorful, simple and healthy. It also can be made a night ahead so when it’s time to start breakfasting there will be something ready to nibble. There are no amounts listed on the fruits. This is to let you add the preferred quantity of whichever citrus is your favorite. If you prefer chunks of fruit opposed to slices of fruit, feel free to prepare the fruit according to your preference. The dressing may need to be doubled depending on how much fruit is used.   Ingredients Oranges Grapefruit Mandarins Tangerines Lemon Limes pomelos (if available) honey lime dressing (recipe below)   Directions 1) Slice each citrus to your preferred thickness. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with honey lime dressing. 2) Serve chilled or at room temperature.   for the Honey Lime Dressing Ingredients 2 tablespoons honey juice of 1/2 a lime zest of 1 lemon pinch salt 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped   Directions 1) Place all ingredients into a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Mini Peppermint Pancake Muffins These mini peppermint pancake muffins will feel like a Christmas morning treat when you bake them up alongside your loved ones. Be sure to pick-up your favorite brand of pancake mix from Market Street (I prefer Stonewall) to make these lovelies. Don’t forget the toppings too-- it might be the best part!   Author note: To make these mini pancake muffins a bit more “minty” add a drop of peppermint extract to the batter.   Ingredients 3/4 cup candy canes, crushed (about 7-8 candy canes) 2 cups pancake batter (use your favorite mix) cooking spray chocolate syrup, for topping maple syrup, for topping whipped cream, for topping sprinkles, for topping   Directions 1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. 2) Add the crushed candy canes to the pancake batter. Mix well. 3) Coat mini muffin tins with cooking spray. Fill the tins about 2/3 of the way. 4) Place in the oven and bake for 11-12 minutes, or until golden on the edges. Broiled Eggs with Garlic and Goat Cheese Every sweet bite deserves a salty one as well. Speak to your savory breakfast eater with a tantalizing batch of baked pasture raised eggs and toasted crusty bread made fresh from the Market Street bakery. A glass or ceramic pie pan also works for this recipe. If you want to double the recipe, use two pie pans. This is a easy way to serve breakfast to a crowd.   Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup cream 6 eggs 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese 1/2 cup arugula, chopped hot sauce   Directions 1) Heat the broiler to 500 degrees. 2) Crack the eggs and set aside. Prepare all other ingredients (chop garlic, chop arugula, crumble goat cheese). 3) In a 9 inch tart pan, add the butter and cream. Adjust the oven rack so the pan is 6 inches from the broiler and broil for 3 minutes. 4) Remove pan. Add the eggs and then evenly distribute the salt, garlic and goat cheese. Place back into the oven. 5) Broil for 4-5 minutes and remove (4 minute for a runny egg, 5 minutes to a cooked egg). 6) Top with arugula and hot sauce. Serve warm with crusty bread. Read More

Cherry Chocolate French Toast

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  Morning glories—those small parts at the beginning of the day where joy and cheer reside. Admittedly, morning is not the best time of the day for me. I’m groggy and slow to wake. However, I find myself surrounded by three morning glories (four if you count the dog) almost daily which makes daybreak that much better for me. Breakfast is the sunshine to their already happy start. It’s a meal that I have had to grow into. A cup of coffee with steamed milk is all I crave. They, on the other hand, will shovel as much food as possible into their systems to get their day rolling. I have grown into the role of morning cook in my (almost) eight years of motherhood. It started off with early morning feedings that evolved into 7:30 am bottle rituals that grew into pureed baby foods and then solid foods. Morning by morning I’ve nourished them to get their day started and I’ve come to love the mornings and their excitement for breakfast. This isn’t the typical Mother’s Day post where I encourage others to make all the mothers a beautiful spread of food to showcase the love you have for the women in your life. Today, I want to showcase what women do, day-in and day-out for the ones they love. They feed them… Physically Spiritually Emotionally Mentally A mother’s job is done in love every day. It comes in the form of embraces, words, chores, errands, silence—there are too many words to choose from that describe the doings of a mom. These actions feed the lives around them and that’s what makes mothers feeders. My mother embodied motherhood. She loved, played and worked hard for her daughters. Her devotion to us never faltered. Cooking was a chore for this lovely woman, but there were a few meals she would get excited to make. One being breakfast for her three morning glories. French toast was one of her specialties. I would remember her cracking the eggs and scrambling them up with a fork. She would always add ground cinnamon to the mixture and a touch of sugar. The bread would be dipped into the mixture and coated on both sides, then browned to golden perfection. We would smother the toast with syrup and smile, sticky faces and all. I see this same excitement with my children when I make them French toast. Every time I make this breakfast I think of my mom and the way she beautifully and lovingly fed her little family. This Mother’s Day I want to embrace the role given to me seven and a half years ago. I want to feed the ones I love. Strolling through Market Street, a job many of us feeders do weekly (or bi-weekly even), it is difficult not to get excited for Mother’s Day. The display of Mother’s Day gifts and floral bouquets is inspiring as are the fresh produce and baked breads. The newly arrived cherries beckoned me to whip up a cherry jam that reminds me of my grandmother and the fresh baked bread from the bakery reminded me of my mother’s French toast. This Mother’s Day I want to honor the woman who poured so much into me with a meal she cooked on several occasions. I grabbed the cherries, bread, eggs and half and half. I couldn’t resist the beautiful flowers from the floral department. These flowers will grace the table that I plan to serve my morning glories French toast on this upcoming Mother’s Day. No breakfast in bed for me today, I want to feed my people and tell them a story about a woman who loved so incredibly well.   This post is dedicated to my mother, Nancy Jo Johnson. July 1st 1954-April 16th 2018 Cherry Chocolate French Toast 8-10 thick slices of French bread 4 large eggs 1 cup half and half 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon cocoa powder unsalted butter maple syrup for topping cherry jam for topping, recipe below whipped cream for topping, recipe below   1) Combine the eggs and half and half in a large flat bottomed dish. Whisk until well-mixed. Add the salt, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Continue to whisk until the cinnamon and cocoa powder are thoroughly incorporated. Be sure to break up any pockets of cinnamon and cocoa powder. 2) Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and melt. 3) Coat four slices of bread on both sides with the egg and half and half mixture. Place the bread into the skillet and cook until golden on both sides. Turn only once or twice to get the best sear on the toast. 4) Set aside and let cool on a cooling rack. Repeat these steps until all the bread is nicely toasted. 5) Serve warm topped with maple syrup, cherry jam and whipped cream.   Cherry Jam Author note: This recipe is easily halved. If cherries are not in season, frozen cherries also work, but require a bit more simmering time. Serve on your favorite French toast, biscuits, vanilla ice cream or PB&J sandwich. 3 pounds fresh cherries, pitted pinch of kosher salt 3/4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick   1) In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Stir and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. 2) Remove the lid, stir the mixture and increase the heat to medium or medium-high. Cook for 35-45 minutes (the cherries should maintain a steady boil). Stir frequently to prevent burning. When the mixture is reduced, thickened and coats the back of a spoon it is finished cooking. 3) Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge.  Whipped Cream 1 cup cream 1/2 cup crème fraiche 3 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract   1) Place a stainless steel bowl (or the preferred mixing bowl) in the fridge and let chill for 15 minutes. 2) Once the bowl is chilled, remove it from the fridge and place all ingredients in the bowl. 3) With a whipping attachment, whip the cream mixture on medium until peaks form. 4) Place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to use. Read More

Thanksgiving Tips, Tricks and Recipes

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  Thanksgiving. This word evokes memories unique to your own past experiences and how “it” has always “been done.” There’s nothing like gathering around a table with loved ones and continuing the traditions of the past. There is not one set precedent on what a Thanksgiving celebration looks or tastes like. Each table and food is based off of family size, culture and available time to cook. When you sit down to go over the menu, who is making it and how it’s all going to come together, remember that the best gatherings are done with love. It is a time to be thankful. The food on this menu reflects what I have come to want on my thanksgiving table. Tradition. Color. Variety. Fall. Sage 75 Milk Braised Turkey Breast Thanksgiving Noodles Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes Buttered Peas Butternut Squash and Red Lentil Soup Gougeres Pumpkin Panna Cotta This menu includes a treasured family recipe, multiple make ahead dishes, gluten and nut free recipes and meatless options. It is a feast where everyone can participate. A few thoughts on how to make this year’s Thanksgiving smooth: Organize the menu before you go shopping. Write down the menu in detail, along with the ingredients needed and when each item will be made. This will not only make it easier for shopping but will also help with the cooking process. I also like to peruse the Market Street weekly ad to see what’s on sale. Check out what’s happening at your local Market Street by clicking here. Consider all types of diets. The menu below considers that many Thanksgiving celebrations will have guests present that have food allergies or follow a vegetarian lifestyle. Delegate the cooking responsibilities. Many people like to be included on the festivities even if they are not the “host.” Ask your guests who would be willing to bring a dish and even consider offering up a recipe you would like served. Also, it’s okay to delegate some of the cooking. Market Street has an excellent selection of dishes available on the catering menu or available for pick-up at the deli. Call your local store or talk to the concierge to make an order. Prep the food in advance. Several items can be made in advance and reheated the day of the celebration. Utilize all cooking devices in the kitchen from the stovetop, microwave, grill and oven. It will cut back on cooking ‘wait’ time. Add flair to the table even if it’s just one new piece. This season I purchased two wooden serving boards from Market Street’s Dish Department to add to my table top collection. Relax. Thanksgiving is a labor of love that can and should be enjoyed. Choose to enjoy it and start by making a little cocktail to get the celebration started. Sage 75 This cocktail combines clementine juice along with sage infused simple syrup. Top with bubbles. Make Ahead: the sage simple syrup can be made a week in advance. Milk Braised Turkey Breast The flavors of apple and cinnamon infuse this turkey breast with taste of fall. If serving a crowd, make two turkey breasts, you’ll be surprised at the amount of meat that will be available. This recipe is gluten free. Thanksgiving Noodles A treasured family recipe, Thanksgiving Noodles are perfect to go alongside mashed potatoes and turkey. Make Ahead: The noodles will need to be made at least a day before cooking. Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes Creamy salty delicious mashed potatoes. There are a few special flavors (like lemon zest) that send these potatoes to the next level. This recipe is gluten free. Make Ahead: These mashed potatoes can be made two days in advance. Buttered Peas One of my favorite and easiest side dishes. It can be made in the microwave and requires only three ingredients. If dairy is a problem, substitute the butter with extra virgin olive oil. This recipe is gluten free and can be adjusted to be dairy free.   Butternut Red Lentil Soup This soup is packed full of protein and vegetables. It would be a nice turkey replacement for diners who may not eat meat (be sure to replace the beef stock with vegetable stock). This recipe is gluten and dairy free. Make Ahead: This recipe can be made three days in advance.  Gougeres One of my favorite ways to make homemade biscuits. 10 minutes on the stove top and 25 minutes in the oven. Make Ahead: These can be made one month in advance. Store in the freezer and reheat in the oven. Pumpkin Panna Cotta Decadent and delicious. This dessert tastes like pumpkin pie and heaven. This recipe is peanut and tree nut free. Make Ahead: The panna cotta can be made two days in advance.     Recipes:    Sage 75 Ingredients:  4 small ice cubes 1 tangelo (or orange) slice 2 ounces gin 1 ounce sage simple syrup, or more to taste 2 ounces sparkling dry wine (prosecco or Champagne) 1 sage leaf, for garnish Directions:  Place the tangelo slice in the glass and lightly muddle the fruit. Add the ice cubes in the glass and then pour the gin over the ice cubes. Add the simple syrup and top with the sparkling wine. Gently stir and top with the sage leaf.   Simple Syrup Author note: This recipe was inspired by a beautifully presented sage simple syrup I saw on Instagram. I am unaware of the creator; however, I give them credit for this idea. This recipe is my translation of the concept of sage simple syrup. Serve in Champagne, prosecco, cocktails and teas – actually, the possibilities are not limited to drinks and they are quite endless. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups water 1 cup sugar 30-40 sage leaves and stems, tied (about 5 branches of sage) Directions: In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and cook over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally. Let the syrup simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, bring to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the fridge.   Milk Braised Turkey Breast   Author note: The cooking time varies depending on the size of the turkey breast. This recipe also works well with a halved boneless turkey breast. The cook time for a boneless breast is 30 minutes.   Ingredients: 1 bone-in turkey breast (about 2 1/2 pounds) 2 teaspoon kosher salt 5 slices of prosciutto 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 onion quartered 1 apple quartered 1 cinnamon stick 3 garlic cloves, crushed 5 sage leaves 2 rosemary sprigs 1/4 cup cognac 1 1/2 cups whole milk   Directions: Heat the oven to 300 degrees Evenly salt the turkey breast with 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Set aside. Heat the butter and prosciutto over medium high heat. Once the butter is melted, the fat rendered from the prosciutto and the pan is hot, remove the prosciutto and set aside (to be used later). Brown the turkey breasts, about 3 minutes per side (for a total of six minutes). While the turkey is browning, add the onion, apple, garlic, herbs and cinnamon stick. Continue to cook these items for about 1 minute after the removal of the turkey. Stir occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium and add the cognac and scrape up the brown bits on the pan. Let the cognac simmer for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the milk, remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the turkey breast. Bring the milk to a low simmer. Cover the breast with the cooked prosciutto and baste once. Place in the oven. Cook the turkey for 45-55 minutes, or until the turkey reaches 160 degrees. Baste every 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm with the milk sauce.   Thanksgiving Noodles   Author note: Keep in mind the portioned dough balls will need additional flour when rolled out. This recipe is designed to let the cook use as much (or as little) flour as needed. When I cook the noodles, I use 8 cups of homemade chicken stock and 3 cups of store bought low-sodium chicken stock. If you prefer to use store-bought stock be sure to use less salt than instructed in the recipe.   For the egg noodles (makes about 7 cups) 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour (plus 1/2 cup, or more, for rolling out the dough) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 3 eggs 3 tablespoons heavy cream   Directions: Add 2 cups of flour, salt and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add the eggs and cream to the flour mixture. Using your hands, incorporate the wet ingredients into the flour to form a large dough ball. Divide the dough into five equal portions. Keep in the bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap. On a floured surface and with a floured rolling pin, roll out one dough ball until thin, flouring as needed to prevent sticking. Lift one edge of the dough and loosely roll the dough into a cylinder. Cut the cylinder into 1/2 inch wide pinwheels. Unravel the pinwheels and separate into thirds or halves (depending on the desired length). Lay flat on parchment paper. Dry for 24 hours and store in an airtight container.   For the Thanksgiving Noodles   Ingredients: 11 cups chicken stock, I prefer 8 cups homemade and 3 cups store-bought 7 cups dried egg noodles 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or less depending on what type of chicken stock is used)   Directions: In a large heavy bottomed stock pan bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the noodles, butter and salt. Cook until the noodles are fall apart tender and the chicken stock is thickened. Stir very frequently to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Serve warm with crème fraiche mashed potatoes and turkey.   Homemade Chicken Stock Author note: Chicken stock is one of my most favorite items to cook. When homemade chicken stock is added to meals, it enhances the flavors and gives it a whole new depth. Chicken stock is freezer friendly and is something I always have handy. To tell when the stock is done, take a spoonful of stock, add a pinch of kosher salt and if you want to keep eating it, stop the cooking process. If it tastes watery, continue to let it cook and reduce. Ingredients 1 whole chicken (about 4 ½ to 5 pounds) 2 carrots, quartered 1 celery heart, leaves removed and halved 1 head of garlic, halved 2 leeks, white parts only 2 onions, peeled and quartered 2 tomatoes 2 bay leaves 5 parsley stems 5 branches of thyme 1 teaspoon peppercorns 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 16 cups water Directions:  Heat the oven to 450 degrees. In a large dutch oven, add chicken, carrots, celery, garlic, leeks, onions and tomatoes. Evenly distribute the oil over the chicken and vegetables. Place the dutch oven into the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, bundle the bay leaves, parsley stems and thyme and tie with kitchen twine. Remove the dutch oven from the oven and place on the stove-top. Add water, herbs and peppercorns to the dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a moderate simmer and let cook for 2 ½ hours or until the liquid is reduced by half. Remove the dutch oven from the stove-top. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let cool. Strain the stock from the vegetables and let cool. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze after cooling completely.   Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes   Author note: These mashed potatoes can be made-ahead two days before service. To reheat, place on stovetop with a splash or two of milk and a little butter. Heat on low, stirring occasionally. Be sure to purchase a boiling potato, my favorite is Yukon Gold. Do not use Russet. Lastly, make sure the butter is unsalted. If you choose to use salted butter use less salt to season the mashed potatoes.   Ingredients: 8 cups Yukon Gold potatoes (about 5 large potatoes), diced 8 ounces crème fraiche 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream 8 tablespoons unsalted butter zest of 1 lemon 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt finely chopped fresh thyme, for topping (optional)   Directions: Remove the crème fraiche from the fridge and set aside. Bring a large pan of water to boil. Place the potatoes into the water. Boil until soft and easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain the water from the potatoes and remove from the stovetop. Add the butter, salt and lemon zest to the potatoes. Stir well. Add the crème fraiche and heavy cream. With a potato masher, mash the potatoes until creamy and thick. Stir well, once the potatoes are mashed. Serve warm with chopped fresh thyme.   Buttered Peas   Author note: This is one of my favorite and easiest ways to cook peas. On nights that I’m needing a quick vegetable, this is what I make.  Ingredients: 2 cups peas (frozen or fresh) 1 tablespoon unsalted butter kosher salt   Directions:  Bring a pan of water to boil. Add the peas, cook for about 90 seconds. Strain the peas from the water. Place the peas in a medium size bowl, add the butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the peas are thoroughly coated. Salt to taste and serve warm.   Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Lentil Soup   Author note: Vegetable or chicken stock is an acceptable substitute for the beef stock. To make prep time easier, purchase pre-diced butternut squash in the refrigerated section of the produce department. This soup is freezer friendly.   for the soup Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 bay leaves 3 thyme sprigs 3 cups beef stock 1 cup water 1 cup red lentils 4 cups diced roasted butternut squash (see roasting instructions below) 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt pomegranate seeds, for topping goat cheese, for topping cilantro, for topping   Directions: Rinse the lentils with cold water. Add the oil and garlic to a large pan and cook over medium heat until the garlic becomes fragrant. Meanwhile, heat up the water and beef stock. Add the lentils to the pan and stir to coat with the oil, let cook for about 1 minute. Pour the warmed water and stock over the lentils. Add the bay leaves and thyme. Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce the heat. Cover the pan with a tilted lid. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils have softened. Remove the bay leaves and thyme. Add the roasted butternut squash. With an immersion blender (or a food processor), puree the mixture until it is smooth. Serve warm topped with goat cheese, pomegranates and cilantro.   for the roasted butternut squash Ingredients: 4 cups diced butternut squash 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 thyme sprigs   Directions:  Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine the squash, oil, thyme and salt. Mix well to coat. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes. After roasting remove the thyme leaves.   Gougères   Author note: Gougères are French cheese puffs. It is one of my favorite ways to make homemade rolls and feel fancy. These little cheese puffs are freezer friendly. Once baked, cool to room temperature and store in a freezer safe plastic bag. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5-8 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, you can pipe the dough into decorative shapes using a pastry bag. I prefer a spoon for a more rustic look.   Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup water 1 stick unsalted butter 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt pinch of nutmeg pinch of paprika 1 cup flour 3 eggs 3/4 cup grated gruyere 3/4 cup grated white cheddar   Directions: Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a sauce pan, combine the milk, water, butter, salt, nutmeg and paprika. Cook over medium-low heat until the butter is melted. Stir occasionally. Quickly pour the flour into the saucepan and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue to do this until the dough pulls away from the pan and forms a ball. Stir until the dough begins to slightly stick to the bottom of the pan (about two minutes). Remove from the heat and let cool for 1 minute. Add one egg at a time to the batter, stirring constantly. The dough will get a somewhat shiny gooey exterior. Add the cheese and stir well to combine. Spoon the dough into 1 1/4- 1 1/2 inch rounds onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Baked for 22-25 minutes, or until the gougeres are lightly browned.   Pumpkin Panna Cotta   Ingredients: 4 cups heavy whipping cream 2 cinnamon sticks 4 1/2 teaspoons gelatin 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree graham cracker crumbs, optional topping whipped cream, optional topping   Directions: In a large sauce pan combine the whipping cream and cinnamon sticks. Evenly sprinkle the gelatin on top on the cream. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Place the saucepan on the stovetop. Cook over medium. Stir constantly. Once the cream is warmed (about 5 minutes) add the sugar, allspice and vanilla extract. Continue to stir until the sugar and gelatin has dissolved, for another 5 minutes, for total of about 10 minutes. Add the pumpkin. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Continue to stir. Strain the panna cotta into a separate bowl. Strain for a second time into another bowl. Add the panna cotta into individual serving bowls and place in the fridge until the panna cotta is set. At least 4 hours. Serve cold topped with graham cracker crumbs and whipped cream. Read More

A Pleasant Little Christmas Menu

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  Lets be honest. Christmas dinner for many families is kinda like Thanksgiving Repeat. Turkey (or ham), potatoes, gravy, casserole such-and-such... and then pies. Since this exact meal was cooked a few weeks prior, it's not surprising that it's missing the labor of love that goes into Thanksgiving. It moves down on the priority list when gifts and other Christmas festivities are being planned. Growing up we spent many a Christmas in east Tennessee. It is a memory I treasure. However, the moment that always stands out isn't Christmas day...it is the Christmas Eve ritual. A big breakfast in the morning, followed by no lunch (or light snacks for us little ones) and then a most memorable dinner at Aunt Linda's house. This was not a sit-down dining event. It was a mill-around-and-gather meal from a variety of the tastiest finger foods one could imagine. The rooms were filled with love, warmth and some of my most favorite people. We gathered in the living room when Uncle Curt began to play the guitar, dulcimer or harmonica. He lead us in merriment and we joined in carol singing. Mugs of Christmas wassail filled many hands. This Christmas Eve celebration filled my soul so much that it never left space for me to remember what we ate on Christmas day. When given the opportunity to host Christmas for the first time I stepped outside the box. It was not going to be Thanksgiving Repeat. I wanted to own the Christmas meal like my dear aunt who put her stamp on Christmas Eve. My first Christmas dinner involved a salt crusted tenderloin. There was no turkey or ham. Sides included a ginger and garlic infused creamed cabbage and mashed potatoes with caramelized onions. Mulled wine was passed out to open hands. The whole meal was a hit and was even praised for being a nice break from a turkey dinner. It was a success and I felt like I had a new tradition: to be non-traditional. Christmas dining is an opportunity to depart from Thanksgiving Repeat and to look for adventurous recipes. Make it fun. Make it your own. This year, I'm not hosting Christmas Day. Christmas Eve morning will belong to my small family of four. It will be non-traditional...starting with my new cow plates purchased at Market Street’s Dish Department and coffee cake muffins. This year, add one new item to your Christmas meal...or if you're daring, six. A Pleasant Little Christmas Menu Mulled Wine Arugula, Goat Cheese and Proscuitto Puff Pastry Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Cilantro Arugula Orange Manchego Salad Beer Braised Short Ribs Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Mulled Wine This drink is a cinch to make and takes little effort. Have fun with what you use to add flavor to the wine. Don't forget to check out Market Street's wonderful selection of wine and the benefits of joining its Wine and Beer Club (click here to read more). Prosciutto Puff Pastry Pick up some pre-made puff pastry from the freezer section at Market Street and then meander to the cheese and meat section. There's a wonderful selection of Italian cured meats to choose from if you are looking to substitute prosciutto. This recipe can be prepared half a day in advance and then baked before serving. Arugula Orange Manchego Salad By December, citrus is in full swing and this salad embraces this delicious season. It is the perfect light side dish to serve alongside the puff pastry, beets and short ribs. Roasted Beets This recipe will catch your diners off guard in a delicious way! Beets are not only tasty but they also offer a purple color that will make every plate pop. Give beets a chance. Beer Braised Short Ribs These bad boys cook low and slow, perfect for a holiday gathering. It can also be made two days in advance and gently reheated in the oven. This recipe is easily doubled.   Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Beautiful and decadent. Enjoy making this dessert with your family a few days before serving. Add a variety of toppings like peppermint, cookies and sprinkles to make this a fun sweet holiday treat!     Recipes:    Mulled Wine Author note: The beauty of mulled wine is that you can be creative with the flavors you add. Choose from star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, all spice to an arrangement of herbs and other spices. Have fun and don’t forget a splash (or two) of liquor at the end.   Ingredients:  1 bottle red wine (I prefer an Old Vine Zin) 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves 1/3 cup sugar 1 bay leaf 1 vanilla bean, sliced open 2 cinnamon sticks 2 rosemary sprigs 2 strips of lemon peel (about 3 inches), 3 strips of orange peel (about 3 inches), brandy, rum or whiskey to top   Directions:  1) Combine all ingredients except whiskey, into a large saucepan. Warm through gently for 15-17 minutes. Serve warm with a splash or two of brandy.   Prosciutto Puff Pastry   Ingredients: 1 package of puff pastry, thawed 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese 8 ounces shredded monetary jack 12 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, 6 cups arugula 1 egg   Directions: 1) Heat oven to 400 degrees 2) Spray bottom of 9 x 13 glass baking pan with cooking spray. 3) On a floured surface roll out one the puff pastry sheets. Lay one of the puff pastry inside the pan. 4) Evenly spread both cheeses on top of the puff pastry dough. 5) Halve the prosciutto pieces (hot dog style) and then scrunch into bite sized balls. Add the prosciutto in evenly spaced rows until there is no more prosciutto. 6) Top the prosciutto with arugula. 7) Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry. Cover the arugula. Try to seal the ends of the puff pastry, however if you can’t that’s okay. Remove excess dough. 8) Place in the fridge and let the dough chill for about 15 minutes. 9) Meanwhile, beat the egg in a small bowl. Brush the the top layer of the puff pastry dough with the egg wash. 10) Place in the oven and cook for 20-23 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffy. 11) Serve warm.   Arugula Orange Manchego Salad   Author note: To make this salad ahead of time, slice the toppings and place in an airtight container. Once ready to serve, add the toppings to the arugula and vinaigrette and toss.   For the Salad 1 7 ounce bag of arugula 1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade (and more for topping) 3/4 cup shallots, thinly sliced 3/4 cup manchego slices (used with a vegetable peeler) 1 orange, quartered and thinly sliced Basil-Orange Sherry Vinaigrette   Directions: 1) In a large bowl add the arugula. Then top with the basil, shallots, manchego and orange. Add half of the vinaigrette and toss. 2) Add the remaining vinaigrette and toss again. Serve immediately, topped with extra basil.   For the Vinaigrette 2 garlic cloves, rough chopped 2 shallots, rough chopped 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 large basil leaves, chopped 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar zest of 1 orange 5 tablespoons fresh orange juice 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil   Directions: 1) In a medium sized bowl, add the garlic, shallot and salt. Muddle until a rough paste is formed. 2) Combine the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice and stir well. 3) Slowly add the oil to the mixture in a steady stream,  whisking constantly. 4) Place in an airtight container.   Roasted Beets   Ingredients: 3 cups beets, peeled and diced into bite sized pieces 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups radishes, sliced (save the leaves) juice of 1 lime 1/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves, plus more for topping 1/4 cup chopped radish leaves, plus more for topping 2 ounces goat cheese, plus more for topping   Directions: 1) Heat oven to 400 degrees. 2) In a medium-sized bowl, toss the beets with the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. 3) Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. 4) Toss the radishes in the same medium-sized bowl with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. 5) After the beets have cooked for 20 minutes, add the radishes to the baking sheet. Stir well to coat with olive oil and incorporate with the beets. 6) Roast for an additional 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. 7) Remove from the oven, spritz the vegetables with lime juice and vinegar. Then add the cilantro and radish leaves. Stir. 8) Transfer the vegetables into the medium-sized bowl, add the goat cheese and stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature topped with additional leaves and goat cheese.   Beer Braised Short Ribs   4 1/2 pounds bone-in short ribs 3 teaspoons kosher salt 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 cup shallots, chopped 1/4 cup carrots, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 12-ounce bottles of light amber beer 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves   Directions:  1) One hour before cooking, remove the meat from the fridge. 2) Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 3) With 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt, evenly season the short ribs on all sides. 4) In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over high on the stove top. Once hot add the short ribs and brown for 3 minutes per side, for a total of 6 minutes, and set aside. This should be done in 2 batches. 5) Lower the heat to medium low and remove the Dutch oven from the heat. Add the shallots, carrots and garlic, and continue to cook off the heat for 2 minutes. 6) Add the Dutch oven back to the stove top, and then add the tomato paste and heat for 2 minutes. While cooking the tomato paste, smash it to make sure it’s all being cooked. 7) Add 1/2 cup of the beer to the paste and deglaze the pan. Once the brown bits are scraped from the pan, add the sugar, Dijon, Worcestershire, bay leaves and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well. 8) Place the short ribs back into the Dutch oven. Pour the remaining contents of the 12-ounce beer plus an additional 1/2 cup of the second bottle, or more if needed, to submerge the short ribs just over halfway. 9) Bring the beer mixture to a boil, cover the Dutch oven, and place it in the oven. 10) Cook for 3 hours. Serve warm.   Dark Chocolate Ice Cream   Author note: Do not expect all the cocoa powder to dissolve. After heating up the cocoa powder with the cream mixture there will be clumpy bits on the bottom of the pan. Be sure to strain the cooked liquid before tempering the egg yolks. This keeps the clumpy bits from ending up in the ice cream.   Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cup whole milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder   Directions: 1) 24 hours before making ice cream with an electric ice cream maker, place the freezer bowl in the freezer. Check your ice cream maker manual for specific instructions. 2) In a small sauce pan, heat the cream, milk, vanilla extract on medium-low for 5 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally and not to let it boil. 3) After 5 minutes, add the cocoa powder to the milk mixture. Stir occasionally to keep the chocolate from sticking to the pan. Cook for 10 additional minutes. 4) Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, add the yolks and sugar. With a whisk, break the yolks and combine with the sugar. 5) Remove the liquid from the stovetop and strain into a bowl. Immediately begin to temper the yolk mixture with the warm mixture. To temper the yolks, whisk the eggs quickly while slowly adding the warm liquid (about 1/4 cup at a time) until all the liquid is combined. 6) Cover the bowl and place in the fridge. Let it chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours. 7) Place the ice cream mixture into the ice cream maker and mix for 20 minutes, or until the ice cream is thickened to the desired consistency. 8) Serve immediately for soft serve, or place in a freezer safe container and freeze for a firmer texture. Read More

Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  I ate a lot of mashed potatoes growing up. Once a week our family would have a roast at Granny’s house and instead of roast potatoes she would serve mashed potatoes. I still remember the hand held potato masher my grandfather would man as he mashed the boiled potatoes. As he mashed he would generously add milk, butter and salt. They were delicious potatoes and part of my weekly diet. It’s the only thing I ever remember him making and he mastered it. Needless to say as I’ve gotten older, mashed potatoes has been on my list of sides to perfect. However just eating potatoes is not enough to understand the art of the potato. It requires a bit more research. Cooking with and reading about potatoes is also important. I’ve learned a handful of important pieces of information about potatoes from Marcella Hazaan, Jaques Pepin, Julia Child and through trial and error in my kitchen. I’d like to share them with you. 1) Not all potatoes are created equal. For mashed potatoes, go with a large Yukon gold potato (for baking select Russet potatoes). 2) Potatoes absorb liquid easily, so the less boil time the better. Slice or dice your potatoes in smaller sizes and decrease your cook time. 3) For the perfect mashed potato, do not whip your potatoes with a mixer, instead mash the potatoes with a hand held masher. 4) While the potato is being mashed salt the potato first before adding any liquid. 5) Potatoes and butter are best friends. Be generous with the butter. 6) Do not add cold liquid and butter to the hot potato. Cold ingredients will cool the potatoes. The goal is to keep the potatoes hot at the beginning of the mashing process. Add the cold ingredients (like cheese or sour cream) at the very end. 7) Warm the liquid (like whole milk, half and half or cream) and melt the butter together in a sauce pan before adding to the mashed potato. When using this method, a variety of flavors can be infused into the mashed potato. For example, add a few pieces of crushed garlic cloves to the liquid and the liquid butter mixture will have a hint of garlic flavor. Eureka! For a few years now I’ve longed to incorporate a Texas spin on Thanksgiving. At the heart of Thanksgiving is embracing the land in which you live and celebrating its culture on your table with loved ones. I live in Texas, so let’s honor Texas. No Thanksgiving table is complete without mashed potatoes and Texas would not be the same without jalapenos. Soooooooo….. Jalapenos + Caramelized Onions + Jalapeno Infused Cream and Butter = Everything I Want to Eat in My Potatoes It was even as if Market Street confirmed this Texas flavor profile in mashed potatoes. While gathering the ingredients at Market Street I was pleasantly surprised at the proximity of all the key ingredients. The potatoes, onions (grown in Texas too!) and garlic were all situated on the same stand. All I had to do was spin 180 degrees and there were the jalapenos. I win! Once home boiling potatoes and caramelizing onions, I decided that sautéed jalapenos weren’t enough jalapeno flavor for these potatoes. To infuse an additional layer of flavor into the mashed goodness I threw in the tops and bottoms of the jalapenos to the half and half butter mixture that was warming. Might have been the best decision yet because Jalapeno infused half and half is a treat. These mashed potatoes were filled with caramelized onions and sautéed jalapenos. It hit the bullseye on creating a hearty side dish that has a taste of Texas incorporated into it. So surprise the ones you love this Thanksgiving and serve them mashed potatoes that have a little bit of Texas “pop” to them. Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes   Author note: These potatoes can be made up to three days in advance. To reheat, add additional half and half while heating on the stovetop, microwave or oven.   Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 onions, halved then thinly sliced 7 jalapenos, seeded and diced (set aside the stems to be used) 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 8 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 cup half and half 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup sour cream   Directions 1. In a small saucepan warm the half and half, butter, garlic and jalapeno stems over low heat. Heat through for 15-20 minutes. Set aside. 2. Place the olive oil into a medium sized skillet. Add one layer of onions and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add another layer of onions and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook on medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. 3. Add the jalapenos and stir well. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Set aside. 4. Meanwhile bring a large pan of water to boil and add the potatoes. Cook until tender. Strain the water. 5. Place the potatoes onto the stovetop. With a potato masher, mash the potatoes. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and stir. 6. Strain the half and half and butter mixture into the mashed potatoes. Stir well and continue to mash out any chunks of boiled potatoes. 7. Add the jalapeno onion mixture and sour cream to the mashed potatoes. Stir well until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Salt to taste and serve warm. Read More

November is National Diabetes Month

  November is National Diabetes Month.  This year’s theme for American Diabetes Month® is “Eat Well, America!”  According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes affects nearly 30 million children and adults in the U. S. today – nearly 10 percent of the population.  Every 19 seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes. As dietitians,  we want to help you learn how to enjoy delicious, healthy food while managing your diabetes.  Learning to manage diabetes is the key to living well with diabetes.  We offer many opportunities to help our guest improve their diabetes management. Take a shopping tour! Let our dietitians show you which foods will help improve your glucose.  This tour is designed to help you make healthier selections and understand carbohydrates, how they impact your blood glucose and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/dietitiantours Free glucose screenings- All Market Street locations will be offering free glucose screenings every Thursday in November from 1pm-4pm. For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association website at  http://www.diabetes.org   Diabetes can be an overwhelming diagnosis, but learning how to manage it step by step is a great way to control it and live well. Read More

Honey Grilled Peaches

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  If the grill is hot, why stop the cooking fun when the main dish is finished. Grill dessert too. Why, you ask? Because you can, it’s fun AND it’s unexpected. The perfect dessert recipe to start with is honey grilled peaches. Grab a brown paper bag full of peaches at Market Street and let them ripen at home (if they’re not already ripe). Cut these golden beauties in half and then drizzle with local honey. Place face down onto the grill and warm them up for about six minutes. What’s wonderful is that the steps to this summer-fresh dessert are few and the outcome is a sweet dessert that is healthy and appealing to many. Looking for something a little more indulgent? Not a problem! Take a jaunt down the freezer aisle at Market Street and pick up some Tillamook vanilla ice cream to pair with the grilled peaches. If you’re craving a little bit more goodness with your grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream snag a freshly baked pound cake from the Market Street Bakery. Easy peasy. Honey Grilled Peaches (with ice cream and pound cake) is a summer-fresh dessert that carries on the beauty of outdoor cooking— no mess inside and a sweet summer experience. Honey Grilled Peaches Serves 4-8 Author note: The more ripe the peaches are, the less grilling time is necessary.   4-8 peaches honey pound cake, sliced (optional) vanilla ice cream (optional) fresh mint, for topping (optional)   1) Heat the grill to 350-400 degrees. 2) Slice the peaches in half. Remove the pit. 3) Drizzle the peach halves with honey. Place on the grill face down and grill for 4-6 minutes. 4) Remove and top with fresh mint. Serve immediately. Or place 1-2 peaches into a bowl with a slice of pound cake and a scoop of ice cream. Top with mint, serve immediately. Read More

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Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

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Brisket Stroganoff

A Pleasant Little Football Menu

Roasted Turkey

A Pleasant Little Christmas Morning

Cherry Chocolate French Toast

Thanksgiving Tips, Tricks and Recipes

A Pleasant Little Christmas Menu

Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

November is National Diabetes Month

Honey Grilled Peaches

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