Antipasto Chèvre Spread

This weekend I took a trip to Annapolis to meet one of my oldest girlfriends, and go to a Giada book signing (more on that next week!). Afterwards, I couldn’t resist a trip to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s to stock up on goodies. My stockpile here had dwindled over the last couple months. It happened to be a Saturday – so there were all kinds of tasty treats to try and sample…

One of which was this absolutely delicious goat cheese spread. I’m embarrassed to admit that I kept circling the floor to get another taste until all the Melba toasts were gone. At that point I realized I had a problem, and put a tub of the fresh goat cheese in my cart. I’d not really tried it before, always was too scared – thinking it would be too funky for my taste. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Creamy deliciousness, with just a hint of a sharp bite. I picked up some tapanade and chopped roasted tomatoes from the olive bar to mix into it – just like they’d done at Whole Foods. I also added some roasted red peppers that I’d chopped up in as well, just to make it a little more antipasto-ish. And, that was a good call on my part.

We gobbled it up on Sunday afternoon as our football munchie, and both couldn’t get over how delicious it was. This is one I’ll be making again and again…for Holiday parties, for friends who stop by for an impromptu visit, or just for me – just because. I’m also looking forward to trying it in some recipes too. Like maybe stuffing into a chicken breast and then roasting? It’s definitely my new favorite thing, and I know it will be one of yours as well. Enjoy!

Black Truffle Macaroni & Cheese

This macaroni and cheese has been on my “to make” for years, since seeing a rendition of it on Top Chef Season 1. Dave made it, and I remember just being in awe of black truffles as an ingredient. I’d had black and white truffle oil, and loved the flavor it lent to dishes. But, a whole black truffle? I figured that I’d never have a chance to use them in my kitchen.

Then a few years after that, I discovered Wegmans. If you don’t know what they are (they are regional), it’s a high-end grocery store where you can find pretty much anything. Including fresh black truffles…just hanging out in the produce department like it ain’t no thang! Whenever I visited the store, I’d gawk over them – but due to the high price tag I was afraid to buy one. How much did one weigh? What if I got up there and it was $500? That’s definitely too rich for my blood…

I went ahead and took the plunge a couple weeks ago when my girlfriend and I visited a huge craft fair in the mountains at Thurmont, MD. Came home with all kinds of goodies – apples, fresh pressed cider, and one black truffle. It cost me $15.00 for one  pretty good-sized truffle. While expensive, definitely do-able as a treat once in a while. Was thinking I might like to try infusing my own truffle oil at some point!

So, the macaroni and cheese I’d been dreaming about for 7 years finally transpired. And it was worth the wait. Rich and earthy, yet not overpowering. The combination of white cheddar and Gruyere is a great combo that adds plenty of cheesy flavor, but still lets the truffles shine. Black truffle butter is easier to find than  whole truffles, and more affordable. That in combination with a drizzle of the truffle oil would be a good substitution. Or really this macaroni and cheese is delicious on it’s own – with no truffles!

But, it’s getting to be that special time of year where we love to splurge to make a meal a little fancier, or the ingredients a little more special for the Holidays. My mom always called it “the horn of plenty”, and it’s something that I look forward to every year. Can you guys believe it’s November already? Where has this year gone?

Perfect Chocolate Cupakes

I know this may come as kind of a shock to some of you, but chocolate cake isn’t one of my favorite things in the world. If given the choice, I always pick vanilla cake. But, after discovering Beatty’s Chocolate Cake (Blackout cake? Whatever you want to call it!) my views began to shift. I’ve been looking for a good chocolate cupcake recipe – that was easy, baked up well, held up to frosting, but was still (and most importantly) moist and delicious. This recipe definitely fits the bill!

With the addition of buttermilk, cocoa, espresso powder and hot water – it’s totally reminiscent of my favorite chocolate cake recipe. But held it’s shape and is a bit denser, which is just what I was looking for in cupcake form. For the frosting, it’s a standard buttercream in which plenty you add plenty of melted unsweetened chocolate too. That leads to a frosting that is rich and chocolatey, but not cloyingly sweet.

This recipe is for 12 cupcakes, but could easily be doubled to dole out 24. Which, I’m sure will be happening in my kitchen next time. A truly perfect chocolate cupcake, kids. Another one for the books!

Raspberry Lemon Streusel Muffins

I always love to find a new recipe to give my boys for breakfast in the morning. And, muffins always fit that bill. All of us love raspberries, but I’d yet to try them in a muffin. So when I came across this recipe, I knew all of us would enjoy them!

Muffins are always a joy to make in the kitchen, at least in mine. Quickly come together with a few simple ingredients, and they last for 3 days on the counter…available for a quick and easy breakfast or after-school snack whenever. These baked up tall and beautiful, honestly some of the prettiest muffins I’ve ever baked.

And speaking of baking things in an oven, I want to just go ahead and let the cat out of the bag – we’re baking a little something of our own!

baby

Needless to say, this is why things have been a little slow here on the site lately. For the past couple months, it’s all I can do to prepare a meal for my family – much less photograph it and blog about it. So, thanks for bearing with me guys! I’m already getting back into the swing of things, and I can’t wait to see where my pregnancy cravings and crazy ideas lead me in the kitchen this time! Excited to meet this little one in May…due the same day I was with Andrew, our first. What are the odds? Such a great time of year to have a baby!

I hope your family will enjoy these muffins as much as our did. They’re absolutely delicious!