Toasted Cider

Courtesy of Sandra Lee, from Sandra's money saving tips

Toasted Cider

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
24 ounces spiced rum, if desired (for the grown-ups)

Directions

Heat the cider in a large pot over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Add 3 strips of orange zest, the orange juice, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice and stir. Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to low to keep it hot, but not simmering. Heat for 5 minutes to allow all of the flavors to meld together before serving.
Serve hot in heatproof mugs with a shot of spiced rum, if desired

I cant wait to try this for the holiday season.

Cap'n Crunch French Toast

I know it's tough, but try not to eat the whole box of cereal beforehand

Cap'n Cunch French Toast

4-5 servings

3/4 cup heavy cream

3 Lg eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups cap'n crunch cereal

8-10 slices of bread

butter for cooking

topping

1 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp confectioners' sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups assorted fresh berries

Direction

1. Mix the cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and whisk until combined

2. Put the cereal in a storage bag and crush cereal until it looks like grahm crakers crumbs. Transfer cereal into sallow dish

3. Dip a few slices of the bread into the cream and egg mixture, then press into the cereal crumbs to evenly coat, place on a sheet pan and repeat with remaing slices

4. Heat a large skillet or griddle over meduim heat, add butter as needed and cook bread on both sides until caramalized.

5. For the whipped cream topping: Beat the cream and confectioners' sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until soft peeks.
6. Dollop on french toast and add berries.

~Enjoy~

It's an adult meal with some of your childhood mixed in.

Curried Split Pea Soup

So the other night I had the house to myself and I LOVE soup! I decided to make a carrot habanero soup that I've been dying to try... well needless to say (since that is not the title of this blog) It was a major disappointment, it kind of came out like pureed baby food. yuck!
The curried split pea soup is a good one I know I can fall back on (courtesy of Alton Brown).
Disclaimer: I am not a fan of peas what-so-ever, but my boyfriend loves them so I tried this out for him. And the whole family we're the guinea pigs (dad HATES peas and mom likes them). This was going to be a contoversal dinner.
It came out amazing and my dad had 2 bowls. You really don't taste the peas and it is really yummy

Curried Split Pea Soup

2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp mince fresh garlic
12 oz dried green or yellow split peas (rinsed and picked through)
5 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp curry powder

Place the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. once melted, add onions and a generous pinch of salt and sweat 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and continue to sweat for additional 1-2 minutes, making certain they do NOT brown.

Add the peas, chicken stock and curry powder. increase heat to high and bring to a boil. reduce heat to low and cover. Cook at a simmer until the peas are tender and barely holding their shape (approx: 45-50 min). Taste and adjust seasoning to liking. Using a stick blender, puree soup to desired consistency.

~Enjoy!~

I like adding a little bit of Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

Mrs. Alton Brown

As I was sitting here I realized how addicted to the Food Network I really am. My internal clock went off and said to turn the TV on, I know the schedule: Alton Brown Good Eats is at 8 and 11 pm. I love him and his show! I currently have (thanks to my mother birthday present to me) 3 dvds of his episodes, his Feasting on Asphalt book and his gadget book. I'm working on getting his other 2 cookbooks. His show is full of witty and fun facts and some history. Each Good Eats episode lends itself to one food or a style of food. He will do a whole show on bananas or avocados and show the most popular and most interesting recipes. The show is filled with wacky little skits and crazy looking props, but they get the lesson cross.
If it was up to me, and if he wasn't married already: I would marry him. And yes, I have told my boyfriend this. Usually I watch his 11 o'clock show (due to school and work schedule) so I end of falling asleep towards the end of the show. I will almost always send my boyfriend a txt before I head to bed ("good night"). Sometime I will include in that txt that I am falling asleep to my other boyfriend (Alton Brown).
As I love alot of other shows on Food Network, he is my absolute favorite!
You will here alot of references to him and now that I have the gadget book, I will be sharing his expertise.