My Southern Living Challenge! Recipe #6

 

Southern Living's Best of 2011

February


They say "timing is everything" and this final recipe for February was no exception. I always try to schedule these challenges when my husband is in town from work so that we can enjoy the experience together. On this weekend, my husband was not feeling well and our weather turned rainy and cold. So the Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie was just what the doctor ordered. 

Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/double-crust-chicken-pot-pie-50400000109951/ 

I did have to change it up and added mixed vegetables instead of leeks. I knew my husband would enjoy the more traditional version.

Here is how I did it:

I purchased a Rotisserie Chicken, pick your battles and without compromising the recipe take shortcuts when you can. 

Sauteed one small onion in the butter, I couldn't find the onion/pepper hash browns called for in the recipe. 

Slowly added the flour, makes a roux. Do not walk away, keep stirring not to burn the butter and flour.

Add the chicken stock while stirring, you want a saucy texture so if needed add a little more stock. I had to add a tad more to get the consistency I wanted. 

Added the chopped chicken, frozen hash browns and frozen mixed veggies (16oz bag).

 Blend all ingredients

Add the fresh parsley

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured board and rolling pin.

I had a square deep dish plate so I added the pastry in opposite directions in the pan instead of the traditional round crimped edges.

Add the chicken mixture.

Folded over the pastry and crimped the edges, brush with the egg wash.

Baked and golden brown.

It's flaky crust and creamy filling makes this recipe a "must do" for your family!

Enjoy!!

Gratefully,

Deborah...xo! 

A Sweet Valentine's Day and Recipe #5 of My Southern Living Challenge!

A Day of goodies made with LOVE!

Southern Livings First Kiss Cupcakes:

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes...for fluffier cupcakes, reduce oven temp to 325, fill 3/4 of cups and bake 20-25 mins. 

Icing mixed with cherry juice.

Makes a pretty pink icing

I use a Ziploc freezer bag to pipe the cupcakes

Blot the cherries (need them with the stems) before dipping in chocolate.

So Cute!

LOVE...with a cherry on top!

Southern Livings Salted Chocolate Caramels:

Sweet and Salty...YUM!

Sweetheart Cherry Pie Pops:

Fun!

Happy Valentine's Day from my heart to yours!

Gratefully,

Deborah...xo!



My Southern Living Challenge! Recipe #4

Southern Living's Best of 2011

February


It's the second month of my challenge and I cannot believe it's February already. Guess the old saying is true "time flies when you are having fun!" 

Each month I look at the recipes and try and pre-plan when I will tackle each one. I always want to experiment when my family is home, they don't mind being my Ginny Pigs at all!  So with the family here last night for our town Mardi Gras parade I decided to make the only breakfast recipe for the month this morning...Praline Pecan French Toast.

French Toast has been a long time favorite with my kids, their Nana made her homemade version for them anytime she baby sat for me.  My Mom's French Toast was more traditional, sprinkled with powder sugar and drizzled with the best maple syrup she could find. But in my Mom's exceptional style she started with her very own homemade bread. Not from a bread machine but made by hand every month. My mom made all of our bread, I cannot remember any store bought bread in the house. She was and still is one hard act to follow!

Assemble this breakfast treat the night before for a fabulously easy and special morning meal. This dish would also be an excellent dessert...crispy edges and a soft middle that taste like bread pudding.

Here is the link to this recipe:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/praline-pecan-french-toast-50400000109944/

Some of my pics:

Praline mixture on the bottom.

I sprinkled a little extra cinnamon on the bread.

Chill for at least 8 hrs, but so easy to make the night before and just pop in the oven in the morning.

Enjoy!

Gratefully,

Deborah...xo!

My Southern Living Challenge! Recipe #3

Southern Living's Best of 2011
January

With just a few days left before the end of the month I had one last recipe to try for January. For as long as I can remember Sundays have been marked the day of comfort foods, especially in the winter. So I couldn't wait to make my next recipe Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese, a blend of smoked gouda and smoked ham. This delicious recipe is light on the butter and cheese but still melts in your mouth! 

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/baked-smokin-macaroni-cheese-50400000109452/

This is not a complicated recipe but here are a few of the tweaks I made:

Have your ingredients ready to go before starting the recipe, as you start the process you will not be able to walk away. I also cooked the pasta and drained well beforehand so the process would go quickly and smoothly.

Slowly add the flour to the melted butter while constantly whisking, it will combine to a light roux texture but look like a paste.

Be ready to slowly add the milk and constantly whisk for 8-10 minutes. You want a creamy sauce texture, I had to add another tbsp. of flour and cook about 3-5 mins longer to get the consistency I wanted. If you have to add more flour, mix the flour with some of the liquid from the pot in a separate bowl and then slowly add back in.

 Once the sauce came together, I added the cooked pasta and chopped ham. 

Add the mixture to a pan sprayed with cooking spray. 

 I didn't want to use corn flakes for the topping, so I opted to use Panko breadcrumbs.

Creamy and light with a slight smoke flavor, really delicious.

Enjoy!

Gratefully,

Deborah...xo!