#BrunchWeek
Individual Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding with Pear Compote #BrunchWeek
Today is the last day of #BrunchWeek! I cannot believe the week is already over. Thank you to my wonderful co-hostess, Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. We had such a fun week with our 30 blogging friends and sharing over 120 recipes with you. Be sure to check out my Blueberry Sangria, Whiskey Walnut Tart, 60-Minute Cinnamon Rolls, Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheese Strata, and Lemon Blueberry Crepes from earlier in the week. Today is the last day to enter our HUGE #BrunchWeek giveaway too!
Leftover cinnamon rolls, maple syrup, oats, and walnuts come together to create a delicious dessert combination, granted, I would eat this just for breakfast as is. I love making bread puddings because the flavor combinations are endless. You can use any type of bread, flavor the egg mixture, add mix-ins, and bake until it is gloriously golden brown and delicious.
These Individual Bread Puddings are made with leftover 60-Minute Cinnamon Rolls. I know what you might be thinking – is there such a thing as leftover cinnamon rolls?! My recipe makes about 24 rolls, and in a family of 3.5, we don’t eat that many. I love making bread pudding out of sweet breads and my yeasty, delicious Cinnamon Rolls were perfect for this dessert.
When my family and I brunch, there is usually a mix of both savory and sweet dishes. My best friend and I often get one savory item and one sweet item, when we are out at a restaurant, and share, because everything is so delicious and we want to try it all.
Individual Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding with Pear Compote
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
Individual Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding Ingredients:
– 4 large Eggs
– 5 tablespoons Maple Syrup
– 250 grams Whole Milk
– 250 grams Heavy Cream
– 425 grams leftover Cinnamon Rolls, or any other day-old sweet bread you have, in 1-inch cubes
– 30 grams California Walnuts
– 1 tablespoon Dixie Crystals Cinnamon Sugar
– 25 grams Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats
– 25 grams Dixie Crystals Light Brown Sugar
Individual Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding Directions:
1. Prepare 6 ramekins with cooking spray and set aside onto a sheet pan with sides.
2. In a medium-large bowl, whisk the Eggs and Maple Syrup together. Add in the Whole Milk and Heavy Cream, but do not whisk too much, because you do not want to whip the cream.
3. Gently stir the cubed Cinnamon rolls into the milk mixture and allow it to soak up for 10 minutes while you prepare the filling and heat the oven to 350F.
4. In a food processor, pulse the Walnuts, Cinnamon Sugar, Oats and Light Brown Sugar, until the nuts and oats are roughly chopped.
5. Spoon the soaked bread halfway into each ramekin, then sprinkle with the filling. Spoon more soaked bread and repeat with the nut filling.
6. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Around the 25 minute mark, if you notice the bread on top browning too much, place a sheet of foil over the sheet pan and continue cooking. Cool for 10-15 minutes before eating – the bread pudding is extremely hot.
Pear Compote Ingredients:
– 40 grams Unsalted Butter
– 50 grams Dixie Crystals Light Brown Sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
– 2 tablespoons Bourbon Whiskey, optional but delicious
– 4 tablespoons Pear Juice, or Apple Juice
– 150 grams Woot Froot Pear Slices, diced
Pear Compote Directions:
1. In a medium skillet, heat the Butter, Light Brown Sugar and Cinnamon until the butter and sugar are melted and getting caramelized. Carefully add in the Whiskey while stirring.
2. Add in the Pear Juice followed by the Pears. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the pears are soft and cooked throughout.
Assembly:
1. Top Bread Pudding with Whipped Cream followed by the Pear Compote. Enjoy!
Thank you for joining us this week – we hope you were inspired by all the #BrunchWeek recipes. Don’t forget to see what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers made today!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mocha Frappe from The Redhead Baker.
Almond Champagne Mimosas from {i love} my disorganized life
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Flourless Oatmeal Coconut Breakfast Cookies from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Pyrizhky z Orikhova Masa from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Pancake Muffins with Brown Butter Glazed Walnuts from It’s Yummi.
Buttermilk Waffles with Blueberry Compote from Big Bear’s Wife.
Lemon Blackberry Baked Oatmeal from Cooking in Stilettos.
Bacon Pancake Dippers from Making Miracles.
Espresso Banana Oat Bread from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
Oatmeal and Apple Crown Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Labneh with Pears and Honey from My Catholic Kitchen.
Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad from Bread Booze Bacon.
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Pear and Pecan Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole from Love and Confections.
Spring Celebration Birthday Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Vanilla Yogurt Custard Tartlettes with Roasted Grapes from Taste Cook Sip
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Lemon Blueberry Crepes #BrunchWeek
Welcome to day 5 of #BrunchWeek that I am hosting with Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. So many delicious recipes have been shared this week and these last two days have some great ones as well. There is less than 48 hours left to enter the #BrunchWeek giveaway, so be sure you do before time is up!
I love the bright and creamy lemon flavor and with blueberries in season here, I am using them in as many recipes as possible. If you are a regular reader, you know I love all things lemon, especially lemon curd. Making curd is so easy and homemade lemon curd tastes phenomenal. Trust me, if you haven’t made it yet, you really need to!
I haven’t made crepes in a while and thought #BrunchWeek would be the perfect time. While I worked as a pastry chef in a restaurant, we would make huge batches of crepes at a time on a large, gas crepe griddle. The crepes would be used for both sweet and savory dishes. I love creating all different kinds of combinations for crepes. Lemon and blueberry is a classic that I knew would be perfect just in time for Mother’s Day.
I lightened the lemon curd with some yogurt. I love Stonyfield Organic Yogurt. My refrigerator is stocked full of it at the moment, because there was a huge sale at my local supermarket recently. I love their Petite Cremes flavors! Toddler L&C has been eating Stonyfield Yogurt for almost a year now, and loves it! I usually buy whole milk plain yogurt, because I can use it in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as for breakfast or snacks during the day. I love using it for parfaits with some granola and fresh, seasonal fruit. I sometimes add Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste into our yogurt for a delicious vanilla-flecked treat.
Lemon Blueberry Crepes
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
Lemon Curd Ingredients:
– 100 grams Lemon Juice
– 62 grams Unsalted Butter, room temperature
– 62 grams Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar (first measurement)
– 62 grams Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar (second measurement)
– 12 grams Corn Starch
– 150 grams large Eggs, roughly 3
– Stonyfield Plain Yogurt, for assembly
– Nielsen Massey Vanilla Bean Paste, for assembly
Lemon Curd Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the Lemon Juice, Unsalted Butter and first measurement of Sugar. Whisk to combine and cook on medium to medium-high until sugar has dissolved and mixture is just simmering.
2. Right before the liquids boil, whisk together the second measurement of Sugar, Corn Starch and Eggs in a bowl big enough to hold the liquid and egg mixtures.
3. Temper the eggs: slowly pour the hot liquid, in a small stream, into the bowl while constantly whisking the eggs. Pour the mixture back into the pan and heat on the stove until it is thick and almost boiling.
4. With a sieve, strain the curd into a clean bowl to insure no overcooked eggs get into the curd. Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd and let it cool for 30 minutes on the counter, then refrigerate it until it is thoroughly chilled. Can be made a day before use. Can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Makes 2-3 cups.
Crepe Ingredients:
– 500 grams Whole Milk
– 200 grams Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
– 50 grams Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
– 25 grams Vegetable Oil
– 3 large Eggs
– Pinch of Salt
– Clarified Butter
Crepe Directions:
1. Either in a blender, or in a container with an immersion blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until thoroughly mixed and there are no lumps. Chill in the refrigerator a minimum of 1 hour, preferably 2-3.
2. With either a crepe pan or large flat frying pan, spread on a small amount of Clarified Butter with a pastry brush. Using a measuring cup, pour enough batter to create a thin layer that covers the bottom of the pan. Be sure to swirl the pan, so all the batter is evenly dispersed.
3. Cook the crepe until the bottom is lightly brown, gently flip over and cook for another minute or two (less amount of time than the first side). The first crepe usually comes out bad, so don’t worry if it rips or doesn’t cook properly.
4. Once the crepe is cooked, slide it out of the pan onto some parchment paper. Continue making crepes, buttering the pan every few times, and stacking the crepes one on top of the other. If not using immediately, let them cool to room temperature, place in a zip top bag and refrigerate or freeze. Makes 12 crepes.
Blueberry Sauce Ingredients:
– 300 grams fresh Blueberries
– 75 grams freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
– 100 grams Honey
Blueberry Sauce Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the Blueberries, Lemon Juice and Honey to a boil on medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to medium and continue cooking, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving.
Assembly:
1. Mix 1/2 cup Lemon Curd with 1/2 cup Stonyfield Plain Yogurt and 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste. Spread evenly between three Crepes. Fold the Crepes, layer on a plate and spoon the Blueberry Sauce on top. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers cooked up today!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mango Swirled Coconut Margarita from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Bruleed Grapefruit Mojito from Healthy Delicious.
Strawberry Orange Blossom Sparkler from Baking a Moment.
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Bacon and Egg Sandwiches on Cheddar Biscuits from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Lemon Blueberry Crepes from Love and Confections.
Java Jolt Overnight Oats from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Hagelslag-Covered Bread from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Nutella Stuffed Aebleskiver from greens & chocolate.
Baked French Toast Boats from The Spiffy Cookie.
Skinny Banana Oat Flaxseed Cookies from Hip Foodie Mom.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks from Making Miracles.
Cheddar Pear Proscuitto Pull-Apart Bread from It Bakes Me Happy.
Alpine Cheese Grisini from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Bacon Cheddar Hashbrown Pancake from Pink Cake Plate.
Huevos Rancheros Burgers from The Redhead Baker.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Fresh Mint and Orange Blossom Fruit Salad from Sarcastic Cooking.
Citrus and Cilantro Carrot Slaw from A Day in the Life on the Farm
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Mini Apple Pear Pies from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.
Strawberry Cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Chocolate Chip Walnut Coffee Cake from girlichef.
Raspberry Oatmeal Bars from My Catholic Kitchen.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata #BrunchWeek
It’s day 4 of #BrunchWeek and what a great week it has been. I am co-hosting with Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. The week is half over and the delicious recipes keep coming! Our #BrunchWeek giveaway is still going on, so make sure you enter before the end of the week! I hope you enjoyed my 60-Minute Cinnamon Rolls yesterday, as well as my Whiskey Walnut Tart and Blueberry Sangria that kicked off the week – they are all delicious!
Today I am sharing a breakfast strata, which is kind of like a savory bread pudding. I always love a good bread pudding, like my Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding, Banana Bread Pudding, and Apple Pie Bread Pudding, and have never shared a savory version, so I thought this would be perfect.
I received some gorgeous produce and juices from Grimmway Farms, Call-Organic and True Juice and knew I wanted to use kale in my recipe. I love adding kale to salads and pastas and thought it would be perfect in this strata. Caramelized onions are a favorite in our house. We put them on tacos, with roast chicken and potatoes, and in every meal possible. The sweeter the onion, the better it is to caramelize. Vidalia Onions are the best, but if you don’t have Vidalias in stores yet, a sweet onion will have to do. I use Alton Brown’s method for caramelizing onions on the stove. Also, I love the new Le Creuset Revolution Bi-Material Saute Spoon for making caramelized onions. It is has a flexible silicone edge that is perfect for making sure the onions don’t stick and burn, while being incredibly sturdy.
Of course, you can’t have a strata without some good cheese. I was so excited to receive some amazing cheddar cheeses from Cabot Creamery Cooperative. In addition to their amazing cheeses, Cabot also offers yogurt, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, whipped cream and dips. The Cabot Cheese selection is fabulous! There are so many different flavors and I can’t wait to try them all, especially their Tomato Basil Cheddar, Garlic & Herb Cheddar and Everything Bagel Cheddar.
This strata is a mix of everything I like for breakfast all baked into one dish. The challah bread soaks up the egg and milk mixture and is layered with onions, kale, bacon and cheddar – such a delicious combination! You can even prepare this the night before and bake it in the morning, just be sure your baking dish is made to go from the refrigerator to the oven.
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata Ingredients:
– 12 ounces Challah Bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
– 2-3 teaspoons Olive Oil
– 5 ounces of Kale, rinsed, dried, de-stemmed and roughly chopped
– 2 pounds Caramelized Vidalia Onions
– 6 ounces Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Premium Aged Cheddar Cheese
– 12 slices of Bacon, chopped
– 10 large Eggs
– 1 & 1/2 cups Whole Milk
– Butter or Cooking Spray
– Salt and Pepper, to taste
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350F. Toast Challah Bread cubes for 5 minutes in the oven while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
2. Lightly saute the Kale in a large skillet with some Olive Oil, then set aside. Use Butter or Cooking Spray and prepare a deep 9 x 13 pan.
3. Place 1/3 of the toasted Challah Bread in the bottom of the dish, followed by 1/2 of the Kale, 1/2 of the Onions, 1/3 of the Bacon and 1/3 of the Cheese. Place another layer of Challah followed by the second 1/2 of Kale, second 1/2 of Onions, 1/3 of the Bacon and 1/3 of the Cheese. Layer the last bit of Challah Bread, last 1/3 of Bacon and last 1/3 of Cheese.
4. In a large bowl, crack the Eggs in and whisk to break them apart. Add in the Whole Milk, Salt and Pepper and whisk to combine.
5. Gently pour the egg mixture over the filling and let it sit for 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the Strata is set and the top is lightly brown. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!
Join us for Brunch today with these recipes from the #BrunchWeek Bloggers!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Grape Mojito from The Spiffy Cookie.
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Cheddar Strata from Love and Confections.
Kale and Toasted Quinoa Egg White Scramble from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Breakfast Enchiladas from Cooking in Stilettos
Croque Madame Breakfast Casserole from Bread Booze Bacon.
Rainbow Chard and Cheddar Cheese Frittata from My Catholic Kitchen.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Perfect French Toast from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.
Oat Breakfast Cookies from Pink Cake Plate.
Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes with Spiced Pear Syrup from The Redhead Baker.
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Muffins from Making Miracles.
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Bacci Bread and Pear Pudding from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Pear Coffee Cake and Fruit & Cheese Salad from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Waldorf Quinoa Chicken Salad from Cupcake & Kale Chips.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Chilled Strawberry Soup from The Suburban Soapbox
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Orange Blossom Olive Oil Cake with Mango Citrus Glaze from Taste Cook Sip.
Walnut Meringue Banana Mess from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
60-Minute Cinnamon Rolls #BrunchWeek
Welcome to day 3 of #BrunchWeek. I am hosting this week along with Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. We are so excited to share such wonderful brunch recipes with you. 30 bloggers are sharing over 120 recipes this week and we are also having a huge #BrunchWeek giveaway with 12 winners! Don’t forget to use the entry form for your chance to win.
These Cinnamon Rolls should really be called 60 Minute and Thirty Second Cinnamon Rolls, because that is how long it takes to both make, then scarf eat one of these delicious baked beauties. I mean, seriously, who doesn’t love a warm cinnamon roll right out of the oven. I usually equate Cinnamon Rolls with special occasions. We always eat them on Christmas morning, before opening presents. They are a welcome treat at both Easter and Thanksgiving mornings too.
Granted, you don’t need a special occasion to eat these delicious, gooey, sweet rolls. They are glorious any day of the week! I love working with this dough because it is so easy to use. In just a little bit of time, you can have warm, fresh, right-out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls slathered in a scrumptious glaze.
For this recipe, I went with the original filling of cinnamon and sugar. You can definitely customize the filling with different sugars, nuts, fruits or chocolate and I plan on blogging about a few of my other cinnamon roll creations soon. The glaze is dotted with vanilla seeds from my Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste. Vanilla Bean Paste is one of my favorite ingredients, because I love seeing all the flecks of vanilla throughout my baked goods, frosting and glazes.
These cinnamon rolls use yeast to make them rise. Be sure you get the correct type of yeast. If you are new to using yeast in baked goods, I have a helpful bread-baking guide with yeast that you should look at. Also, don’t forget to enter our #BrunchWeek giveaway! Enjoy!
60-Minute Cinnamon Rolls
Adapted from a Culinary School recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
60-Minute Cinnamon Roll Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
– pinch of Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
– 1 & 1/2 cups warm Water
– 1/2 cup Milk
– 1/4 cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
– 1 teaspoon Salt
– 12 tablespoons unsalted Butter, room temperature
– 5-6 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
– Dixie Crystals Cinnamon Sugar Shaker
– 1 & 1/2 cup Dixie Crystals Powdered Sugar
– 2-4 tablespoons Whole Milk
– 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste
60-Minute Cinnamon Roll Directions:
1. Place Yeast in a clean, small metal bowl and sprinkle a pinch of Sugar on top. Add in the warm water and stir gently to insure all the yeast is wet. Let the Yeast sit and bloom while you prepare the other ingredients. If your yeast does not bubble and grow, it is dead and you will need new yeast before moving forward.
2. Heat 4 tablespoons of Butter, Milk, Sugar and Salt until the Butter is just melted.
3. In a large bowl, place 4 & 1/2 cups of Flour. Add the Yeast mixture into it and stir with a spatula. Add in the Milk mixture and continue stirring. The dough will be extremely sticky.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using your hands or a bowl scraper add in the remaining flour, a little at a time, while kneading it into the dough. The amount of flour you will use depends on your dough, so don’t worry if you don’t use it all. Weather and humidity affect dough, and if it is humid out, you might use all 6 cups of flour. The dough needs to be soft and pliable, but not sticky.
5. Spray the inside of a large metal bowl with cooking spray and place the ball of dough inside. Turn it once to coat, wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and let it rise for 30 minutes.
6. Once it has risen, roll it out onto a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. I usually do either 22 x 14 or 24 x 16. With an offset spatula, spread the remaining softened Butter evenly over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the dough evenly with the Cinnamon Sugar.
7. Roll the dough, into a tight log, starting with the long side. Cut into even slices and place into two pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. I usually get 24 pieces so I divide them between a 9 x 13 and 9 x 9 pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes while your oven heats.
8. Heat oven to 425F. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the cinnamon rolls for 12-16 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool the rolls for 10 minutes and prepare the glaze.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together the Powdered Sugar, Milk – one tablespoon at a time, and the Vanilla Bean Paste, until you get a good consistency. You don’t want the icing too thick or thin. Spread it on the rolls and enjoy! Best if eaten immediately, but can be store for up to 2 days.
Come see what today’s #BrunchWeek Bloggers are creating!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Mixed Berry Yogurt Smoothie from Taste Cook Sip.
Tequila Sunrise from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Sparkling Pineapple Mojitos from girlichef.
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Baked Eggs over Maple Roasted Vegetables from Big Bear’s Wife.
Bacon and Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Making Miracles.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
60 Minute Cinnamon Rolls from Love and Confections.
Chocolate and Walnut Challah from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Braided Ham and Cheddar Bread from Sarcastic Cooking.
Pear Oatmeal Crème Brûlée from The Spiffy Cookie.
Tattie Scones with Cheddar and Chives from The Redhead Baker.
Chocolate Chip Flaxseed Waffles from Hip Foodie Mom.
Chile Relleno Quiche from Cooking in Stilettos.
Double Chocolate Sweet Rolls from It Bakes Me Happy.
Sour Cream Streusel Coffee Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola from Baking a Moment.
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Harissa Chorizo Hash from greens & chocolate.
Smoked Salmon Canapes with Whipped Chive Cream Cheese from The Suburban Soapbox.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Kinpura Gobo from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Tropical Fruit Salad with Vanilla and Lime from Healthy Delicious.
Beet and Heirloom Carrot Rosti with Creme Fraiche and Caviar from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
Carrot Salad from My Catholic Kitchen.
Italian Carrot Salad from {i love} my disorganized life
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Nutty Banana Bread from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Gluten-Free Pear and Walnut Crumble from It’s Yummi.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Whiskey Walnut Tart #BrunchWeek
Welcome to day 2 of #BrunchWeek hosted by myself and Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. I hope you enjoyed my Blueberry Sangria from yesterday. With 30 bloggers and over 120 recipes shared this week, we have something for everyone – plus a huge #BrunchWeek giveaway. I decided to continue the adult beverage theme into today’s recipe – Whiskey Walnut Tart.
This tart is kind of like a pecan pie, but kicked up a notch. While I do love pecan pies, sometimes they are a bit too much. My Whiskey Walnut Tart is chock full of nuts with a chewy molasses and brown sugar filling. It is the perfect ratio of crust to filling, and adding bourbon to a dessert is always good in my book! Plus, it is topped off with a drizzle of chocolate – booze and chocolate are dessert perfection!
Even though I added Bourbon to my tart, you are more than welcome to omit the Whiskey if you choose. After baking, the Whiskey flavor is still very present but most of the alcohol has burned off. I actually added an extra dose of Bourbon in a Vanilla Bean Bourbon Whipped Cream that I will be sharing next week!
One of my favorite types of pastries are tarts. You can have so many different flavor combinations – chocolate, nuts, fruit, lemon, etc. I also love miniature tarts because they are great for gatherings and buffets. This Whiskey Walnut Tart dough and filling can be used for mini tarts as well, and all you would need to do is adjust the baking time accordingly.
This tart comes together very easily. I always use my KitchenAid Stand Mixer to make the dough. I usually make a full batch and freeze whatever I do not use. The dough lasts about 1 month in the freezer if properly stored and wrapped tight. Mixing the filling is extremely easy as well. Just add your ingredients to a bowl and mix together using Le Creuset’s newest Revolution Bimaterial Saute Spoon. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway the #BrunchWeek giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 12 prizes from our sponsors!
A fun little tea towel I bought while on vacation in Savannah. |
Whiskey Walnut Tart
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
Tart Dough Ingredients: *makes enough for 2 tarts
– 560 grams All Purpose Flour
– 225 grams Butter, cold and cut in small cubes
– 225 grams Confectioner’s Sugar
– 5 grams Salt
– 158 grams Eggs (roughly 3 large eggs)
Tart Dough Directions:
– Combine first 4 ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, on a low speed, mix the ingredients until the Butter becomes pea-sized and the mixture feels somewhat like sand.
– Add the Eggs, one at a time, and mix until combined. This can be a sticky dough.
– Once mixed, enclose the dough on plastic wrap, shaping it into a rough circle, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
– After the dough has chilled and rested, roll the dough out on a floured work surface. Gently place the dough in the tart pan without stretching it. Press it to the bottom, in the corners, and up the sides. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling
Whiskey Walnut Tart Filling Ingredients:
– 1/2 Tart Dough Recipe – I usually make the full recipe then freeze whatever I don’t use.
– 4 large Eggs
– 170 grams Dixie Crystals Light Brown Sugar
– 50 grams Molasses
– 50 grams Light Corn Syrup
– 1/2 teaspoon Salt
– 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste
– 3 tablespoons Bourbon Whiskey
– 40 grams unsalted Butter, melted
– 275 grams California Walnuts, chopped
– 75 grams Pacari 70% Raw Chocolate, melted
Whiskey Walnut Tart Filling Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350F.
2. Whisk the Eggs together in a medium bowl. Using a spatula or spoon, mix in the Brown Sugar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Vanilla Bean Paste and Whiskey.
3. Stir in the melted Butter and Walnuts. Remove tart from the refrigerator, place on a sheet pan with sides and fill to the top, with the mixture.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is firmly set. Let the tart cool completely before unmolding.
5. Once cool, place tart on serving dish and drizzle with melted chocolate. Enjoy!
Take a look at what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers are cooking up today!
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Build Your Own Benedicts from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Ham, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Egg Muffin Cups from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Donut Holes with a Trio of Dipping Sauces from The Redhead Baker.
Trail Mix Granola from Making Miracles.
Bananas Foster Baked Oatmeal from The Suburban Soapbox.
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Vegetarian Breakfast Enchiladas from The Spiffy Cookie.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Caramelized Onion and Sweet Potato Hash from Take A Bite Out Of Boca.
Oat-Chata from Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
Asparagus and Heirloom Carrots Salad from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
Roasted Grape & Bleu Cheese Bruschetta from Bread Booze Bacon.
Papas con Chorizo from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Whiskey Walnut Tart from Love and Confections.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Blueberry Sangria #BrunchWeek
Welcome to #BrunchWeek 2015!!! This year please welcome Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca as my co-hostess. We are SO excited to share all the wonderful goodies with you this week, in preparation for Mother’s Day. We also have a HUGE GIVEAWAY with from 12 sponsors with over $1500 in prizes.
I never thought that my little idea, three years ago, would become such a loved event with my blogging friends. Every year, I kick-off #BrunchWeek with a cocktail. I mean, what good brunch doesn’t have one? I loved my Blood Orange Mimosas and Frozen Peach Bellinis from the first two #BrunchWeek, so I decided to keep the tradition going.
Blueberry season is in full swing and I have already gone picking twice this year. I hope to be able to go one more time before it gets too hot outside. The bushes are full of sweet, juicy fruit and you can pick to your heart’s content at the local organic farm I frequent every year.
Last year, I didn’t know if I would make it out into the fields, since Baby L&C was only a few months old. We decided to go and had a good time. She stayed nice and covered in her stroller and my Dad and I were able to pick a few pounds of berries.
Then and now – Toddler L&C (and my Dad) one year later! |
The most recent blueberry picking was a little bit different. Now that she is Toddler L&C, nothing gets in her way. She is rambunctious and always wants to do her own thing. This year, she only sat in her stroller for about half the time. My Dad watched her, mostly, while I picked a good amount of the berries. She wanted to get out, run around, and do it herself – which of course meant she either picked leaves off the bushes or tried to eat fallen berries (yuck!).
I made so many things with the pounds of blueberries I picked – pancakes, muffins, smoothies, homemade jam. I was so excited to try a sangria with my blueberries and knew it would be perfect for my first #BrunchWeek post this year. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway and Happy Brunching!!
Blueberry Sangria
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe
Blueberry Sangria Ingredients:
– 1-750ml bottle of Sweet Red Wine, chilled
– 1 cup Blueberry Liqueur
– 1 cup Raspberry Liqueur
– 3-4 cups Lemon-Lime Soda
– 2 cups Blueberries, frozen
– Blueberries and Mint for garnish (optional)
Blueberry Sangria Directions:
1. I pick fresh blueberries, then freeze them to use in baking and drinks. Using frozen blueberries instead of ice cubes doesn’t water down the Sangria.
2. Combine Red Wine, Blueberry Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur and Lemon-Lime Soda in a large pitcher. Stir in frozen Blueberries. Divide among glasses and please enjoy responsibly. This recipe is intended for individuals ages 21 & up. Please drink responsibly.”
Take a look at what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers are creating today!
BrunchWeek Beverages:
Blueberry Sangria from Love and Confections.
Bloody Margarita from The Suburban Soapbox
BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Caramelized Onion, Swiss Chard, Mushroom and Alpine Cheddar Croissant Strata from Taste Cook Sip.
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict from The Redhead Baker.
Fried Eggs with Kale and Mushrooms from Hip Foodie Mom.
Chimichurri Breakfast Sandwich from Healthy Delicious.
Asparagus, Brie and Smoked Salmon Omelet from girlichef.
Braised Leeks with Poached Eggs from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner.
BrunchWeek Breads, Grains and Pastries:
Savory Pancetta and Cheddar Waffles from The Little Ferraro Kitchen.
Avocado Toast Bar from Sarcastic Cooking.
Mocha Nut Granola from greens & chocolate.
Chocolate Hazelnut Croissants with Bourbon Sauce from {i love} my disorganized life.
Berry Cacao Nib Scone Cakes from The Spiffy Cookie
Spiced Pear Oatmeal from Making Miracles.
Overnight Cinnamon Bread French Toast from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
Nutty Chocolatey Oatmeal Muffins from A Day in the Life on the Farm.
Vanilla Orange Scones from Sew You Think You Can Cook.
Sour Cream and Dark Chocolate Oat Bread from Bread Booze Bacon.
Cherry Vanilla Almond Granola from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins from My Catholic Kitchen.
Macadamia Nut Crusted French Toast with Spiced Pineapple Syrup from Cooking in Stilettos.
Maple Cinnamon Scones from Pink Cake Plate
BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Breakfast Wraps from Big Bear’s Wife.
Brunch Charcuterie Cheese Board from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine.
BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Whipped Yogurt and Ricotta with Figs and Honey from Take A Bite Out of Boca.
Gluten Free Swiss Chard and Mushroom Galette from It Bakes Me Happy.
BrunchWeek Desserts:
Mini Creamsicle Bundt Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze from It’s Yummi.
Lemon Bars from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Chocolate Walnut Macarons with Salted Caramel from Baking a Moment.
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
This post is linked up to Tipsy Tuesday by Grey is the New Black
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
#BrunchWeek 2015
Welcome to the third annual #BrunchWeek My co-hostess this year is Shaina from Take A Bite Out Of Boca. We are so excited to have you join us this year! Celebrate Brunch with us this week as we prepare for Mother’s Day. 30 Bloggers from around the country will showcase their best brunch dishes, from cocktails to casseroles, breakfast breads, sandwiches and salads – there is something for everyone! Our amazing Sponsors have donated some great prizes for the #BrunchWeek giveaway. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about them all and what you can possibly win!
Prize #1: Bob’s Red Mill is giving one winner a Pie Plate, Gluten-Free Oats, Gluten-Free Pie Crust Mix, Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and a Bob’s Red Mill Flour Sack Towel.
About Bob’s Red Mill: Trust, honesty and integrity. The three principles their business is built on. Their packaging is a great example of this commitment: clear bags that let you see the high quality of every one of their products. By producing the very best in whole grain foods, they are able to fulfill their commitment to help look after more and more people through better nutrition.
Prize #2: Cabot Cheese is giving one winner a Gift Box with a selection of Cabot Cheeses as well as a Cheese Board and Knife.
About Cabot Cheese: Cabot blends state-of-the-art facilities and a savvy entrepreneurial spirit, with the timeless values a personal commitment to quality that comes from being 100% owned by their farm families. Cabot is a cooperative owned and operated by their members, dairy farmers and their families throughout New England and Upstate New York. Cabot products include Cheese, Yogurt, Dips, Butter and Whipped Cream.
Prize #3: Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Wilton Master Tip Decorating Kit along with a 4lb bag of Granulated Sugar, 2lb bag of Powdered Sugar and 2lb bag of Light Brown Sugar.
About Dixie Crystals: Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Our pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.
Prize #4: California Walnuts is giving one winner a Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in white.
About California Walnuts: The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The board is funded by mandatory assessment of the handers and the California Walnut Commission, established in 1987 is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. More than 99% of the walnuts in U.S. are grown in the fertile soils of California’s Central Valley. Internationally, California walnuts supply three-quarters of the world’s walnut trade. Sustainability is important to the California walnut industry. The California Walnut Board has supported sustainable growing practices through its production research program for over 20 years.
Prize #5: Le Creuset is giving one winner a set of their new Revolution® Bi-Material Utensils. The pliable combination of flexible silicone and rigid glass-filled nylon allows Revolution cooking utensils to conform to the edges of pots and pans, making it easy to stir, scoop and serve your favorite chili recipe to family and friends.
About Le Creuset: Respect for tradition and authenticity has been Le Creuset’s guiding principle since 1925, yet our innovative designs and exceptional quality ensure that we remain relevant today. The Le Creuset signature color, Flame, was born in this first piece. With their new ability to pigment the enamel glaze, Desaegher and Aubecq modeled their first color after the intense orange hue of molten cast iron inside a cauldron (“creuset” in French). We still manufacture our cast iron in the original foundry, with each piece passing through the hands of 15 skilled artisans to ensure flawless perfection. With the consistent qualities of authenticity, originality and innovation, Le Creuset maintains a connection to both heritage and modernity.
Prize #6: KitchenAid is giving one winner a Maximum Extraction Juicer. The KitchenAid® Maximum Extraction Juicer (slow juicer) gives you more juice with less prep work, featuring a patented two-stage blade and auger system and wide chute. This juicer also comes with 3 pulp screens for low pulp, high pulp and sauces. Perfect for hard, soft or leafy fruits and vegetables.
About KitchenAid: In 1919 our iconic Stand Mixer was born. And from that stemmed an entire kitchen of high-performance appliances-all created with the same attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, versatile technology and timeless design. As the only appliance brand that only makes things for the kitchen, we continue to keep pushing the limits with our products so you can keep doing the same with everything you create. So, here’s to you, your kitchen and the delicious world that surrounds us all.
Prize #7: Nielsen-Massey is giving one winner 2-oz bottles of their entire line of flavor extracts: Pure Almond Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Rose Water and Orange Blossom Water.
About Nielsen-Massey: Nielsen-Massey has been crafting world-class vanillas and flavors since 1907. It is still a family owned business today and focuses on quality and its customers. Nielsen-Massey uses a cold extraction process for making its vanillas, which preserves more than 300 distinctive flavor compounds present in vanilla beans. Nielsen-Massey product can be purchased at Williams-Sonoma and all of their products are gluten-free, allergen-free, GMO-free and Kosher. Nielsen-Massey also has a line of organic vanillas available as well.
Prize #8: Pacari Premium Organic Chocolate is giving one winner a gift box which includes: 8 bars (3 Single Region Bars, 1 Raw 70% (multi-award winner), 4 Andean Flavors Collection Bars (Salt and Nibs, Lemongrass (award winner), Merken and Andean Blueberry, 2 chocolate covered boxes: 1 Banana and 1 Goldenberries (award winner), and Dry Cacao Beans.
About Pacari Chocolate: Pacari Chocolate is a line of premium organic chocolate and is the first single-origin organic chocolate entirely made in Ecuador. We carefully select the finest ingredients and work in small batches in order to bring you an unforgettable chocolate experience. All of the ingredients are 100% organic and produced according to fair and equitable standards. Each of our single-region, raw and specialty chocolate products is crafted to maintain the complex flavor profile of the Arriba Nacional cacao bean. We partner directly with over 3000 small-scale cacao growers to preserve their traditional way of farming, thereby safeguarding the biodiversity of cacao in Ecuador. We undertake a number or sustainability programs for the benefit of the cacao-growing communities with which we work. The founders and owners are a young couple that around 10 years ago started with a vision of making the best organic chocolate at the source of the best cacao in the world and paying the farmers that grow it twice market prices.
Prize #9: Stonyfield Organic is giving one winner a Shirt, $40 in coupons, Cookbook, Mason Jar and Measuring Cups.
About Stonyfield Organic: Back in 1983, our co-founders Samuel Kaymen and Gary Hirshberg were running a nonprofit organic farming school on a small New Hampshire farm. They were on a mission to help family farms survive, keep food and food production healthy, and help protect the environment. They began selling yogurt made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The yogurt was a hit and Samuel and Gary realized that a successful organic company could make a bigger difference for family farms, people and the planet than their school could. Today, our organic yogurts, smoothies, soy yogurts, frozen yogurts, milk and cream are sold in supermarkets, natural food stores and colleges across the country. And we make all of it without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics or GMOs. We’re still located right here in New Hampshire—about 30 miles east of the old farm—but now our organic ingredient purchases support a huge network of food producers made up of hundreds of organic family farms, thousands of organic cows, and over 200,000 organic acres. We’ve also pioneered planet-friendly business practices—from offsetting our yogurt works’ emissions, to making yogurt cups from plants instead of petroleum, to making our own renewable energy, and much more. Our old organic farming school is just a memory. But the thought and passion that started it in the first place have only grown stronger, and we’ve never stopped working for healthy food, healthy people and a healthy planet.
Prize #10: Woot Froot is giving one winner a Cuisinart Griddle Panini and Sandwich Maker, a Hamilton Beach Smoothie Blender and fresh Woot Froot. Peaches, pears, nectarines and grapes are the perfect addition to almost any meal to help jazz up your routine dishes and flavors—whether it’s in a pear, ham and grilled cheese Panini, nectarine margarita or grilled peaches or just a plain old snack. But to get you cooking these kitchen appliances will help you get a head start on your dinner menus! We’ll even throw in some Woot Froot packages too! #WootWoot
About Woot Froot: The story of Woot Froot began 25 years ago, when owner Kim Gaarde (Mama Woot) was growing and selling nearly every variety of peach and nectarine to places near and far. But that all changed when 10 years ago, she wondered why no one had started selling fresh cut peaches and nectarines. After many years of research, trial and error – not to mention naysayers, Woot Froot freshly sliced peaches and nectarines was finally created! Over 500 varieties of peaches were tested for flavor and texture to ensure that you received that “bite right flavor”! In fact, many people believe the softness equates ripeness. Not true at all. We have a special formula that is just the right firmness and brix (sugar) to get great consistent flavor without getting puree in a bag. Woot Froot is a woman-owned, family business. Along with peaches and nectarines, Woot Froot also offers freshly sliced pears and de-stemmed red grapes year round! Peaches and nectarines are available June – October while in season. Woot Froot sliced peaches and nectarines will stay ready to eat for a whopping 21 days in your fridge! And even better, they use all natural ingredients and preservatives to ensure that your fruit stays flavorful and fresh from day 1 to day 18.
Prize #11: Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic and True Juice is giving one winner a Ninja Professional Blender with food processor and single serve blender, assortment of True Organic Juice Blends, and a package of Grimmway Carrots and Cal-Organic veggies. Grimmway carrots and Cal-Organic veggies are enjoyed fresh and whole, or as part of a delicious smoothie – which is why we thought you’d love the Ninja blender to help you make some! Don’t trust your own culinary skills to make your own juices and smoothies?! We decided to throw in some of our own True Juices for you to try as well!
About Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic & True Juice: The story of Grimmway began in 1968, when brothers Rod and Bob Grimm set up a roadside produce stand and planted the seed that would blossom into today’s Grimmway Farms. Grimmway Farms began growing carrots back in 1971! Today, Grimmway Farms has become the largest grower, producer and shipper of carrots in the world! Not only does Grimmway Farms play a part in every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks—but they also play an essential part in the health of growing children and active adults. Bringing Grimmway home to your family means bringing home the best in produce and the best for their health! Join Grimmway’s Twitter parties and conversations by following the hashtag #JustCrunchEm! Sustainability is in our DNA. From using all parts of the carrot, having a full organic line and using our own veggies to make juice, we believe taking care of the environment is part of taking care of you. Cal-Organic Farms is a large part of our farm where we grow over 40 fruits and veggies from kale and potatoes to blueberries and watermelons. True Juice is just that – juice that’s truly organic, sustainably grown, and delicious with products from our own farms. Although the flavor names might be hard to pronounce, they’re full of simple ingredients – like Bananaberry Crush with strawberries, kiwi, banana, beets, carrots and apples! Try all of our great flavors – BananaBerry Crush, Pure Carrot, Wild Berry Blend, Bunched Greens, Blended Blue and Tropical Mango.
Prize #12: Vidalia Onions is giving one winner an OXO SoftWorks Handheld Mandoline Slicer, Vidalia Sweet Onion Cookers, Vollrath 8″ Stainless Steel Non-stick Fry Pan, Weber Style Grill Vegetable Basket and fresh Vidalia Onions. Since Vidalia onions are such a versatile item to cook with, we thought setting you up with a few appliances to help explore different cooking styles would be a perfect way to introduce you to Vidalia onions! Slice them, dice them, cook them, sauté them or grill them – any way is delicious! We’ll even throw in a bag of Vidalia’s for you to get cooking with!
About Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions are unique to a very small region. In fact, they only grow in 13 counties in Georgia! Vidalia onions were discovered back in 1930’s, and just like back then, they are still planted, transplanted and harvested all by hand! Vidalia onions are grown during the winter months, and are only available in stores between April and September, making them a true seasonal specialty! In 1990, Vidalia onions became the official state vegetable of Georgia! Vidalia onions are a great source of Vitamin C, and are also fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free! In order to grow great tasting Vidalias, and to give them their characteristic sweetness, they must be grown in a sandy soil mixture that is low in sulfur (sulfur in soil is what gives onions their hotness). Each year, approximately 5-million, 40-pound boxes are shipped out around the country. Now that’s a lot of onions!
Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Bob’s Red Mill, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, California Walnuts, Dixie Crystals, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic/True Juice, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Pacari Chocolate, Stonyfield Organic, Vidalia Onions, and Woot Froot for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek. All opinions are my own. The #BrunchWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up only. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Twelve winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #BrunchWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.
Happy Mother’s Day & #BrunchWeek Wrap-Up
Happy Mother’s Day. This is my first Mother’s Day as a Mom. Last year at this time, I had just announced to my family we were going to have a little addition. It wasn’t public knowledge yet, but we eventually shared it with everyone and later revealed we were going to be blessed with a baby girl!
It has been a whirlwind and a whole lot of changes have happened. I can’t believe my little girl is almost 5 months old. She is growing so big and learning new things every day. Her latest achievement is grunting – which is not the greatest when that is the only noise she makes – but she has also started to push up when on tummy-time, grab her toes and legs and wants to be a big girl and sit up on her own – even if she tends to fall over when she tries.
I am so lucky to have Grace in my life and glad she made me a mom. I also want to give a special shout out to my fellow blogging friends who are also celebrating their first Mother’s Day: Katie from Katie’s Cucina, Stephanie from Macaroni and Cheesecake, Tina from My Life as a Mrs and Stefanie from Sarcastic Cooking.
And now for the part everyone is waiting for… the winners of the #BrunchWeek Giveaways. A HUGE thank you, once again to our wonderful sponsors, California Walnuts, Bob’s Red Mill, OXO, Dixie Crystals, Whole Foods Market Orlando, Grimmway Farms, Vidalia Onions, Woot Froot, Baloian Farms and Stemilt!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRIZES, LIST OF WINNERS AND ALL THE #BRUNCHWEEK RECIPES
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict for #BrunchWeek
The second annual #BrunchWeek is almost over! I am so excited to have Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen as my co-host this year! Join us while we celebrate the deliciousness of brunch and to prepare for Mother’s Day and summer brunching season. We have 32 bloggers bringing you their best brunch recipes, from cocktails to eggs benedict to donuts; there is something for everything this week.
Earlier this week I posted a Frozen Peach Bellini, Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal, Orange Marmalade Pound Cake, Sausage, Pepper and Caramelized Onion Quiche and Lemon Blueberry Parfaits. As #BrunchWeek comes to a close, I am still in awe of how one little idea last year came to be such a great event. I was having brunch with my best friend, MC, and thought “wouldn’t it be fun to blog about brunch for a whole week”.
The Crab Cake Eggs Benedict is definitely a meaningful dish and one worthy of any brunch. I first had it with MC and fell in love with the flavors. This is a very appropriate dish for Mother’s Day because it is inspired from both of my grandmothers. One of my grandmothers gave me my love for hollandaise and taught me how to poach eggs. My other grandmother made the best salmon cakes and I tried to do her justice with my crab cake.
Brunch, to me, is a time for family and friends to gather, celebrate and eat together. You can gather for a specific reason or just because. To celebrate an occasion, like Mother’s Day or Christmas, or celebrate just being together. To share good food with good company. I am so grateful to be able to share all this with you. I hope you have a chance to look at all the amazing recipes from the Food Bloggers this week. They are a tremendous group of individuals and I am glad to share a virtual Brunch with them. Happy Brunching!
Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict
a Love and Confections original
serves 2
Crab Cake Ingredients:
– 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
– 2 teaspoons Yellow Mustard
– 2 teaspoons Mayonnaise
– 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
– 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
– 1 tablespoon minced fresh Parsley
– 8 ounces Crab Meat
– 3 tablespoons Panko Breadcrumbs
– 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
– 1 tablespoon Butter
– Pinch of Salt
Crab Cake Directions:
– In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Old Bay, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire and Parsley.
– Using a fork, lightly mix in the Crab Meat.
– Add in the Panko Breadcrumbs and mix lightly with fork.
– Heat the Olive Oil and Butter in a skillet on medium.
– Portion the crab mixture into 4 patties. Cook about 4-6 minutes per side, then place on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil. Sprinkle Salt on the crab cakes if desired. You can keep them in a warm oven for a short period of time while preparing the rest of the dish.
Other Ingredients:
– 2 English Muffins
– 4 Eggs to poach
– 1 tablespoon White Vinegar for poaching
– Salad Greens, optional
How to Poach an Egg:
– Place a medium pot, half filled with water and 1 tablespoon White Vinegar. Heat on medium until small bubbles form
– Crack eggs individually into small bowls.
– Using a spoon, swirl the water to create a cyclone effect. Slowly pour the eggs in the pot – best if done in 2 batches. Put the lid on, and take off the heat.
– Cook for 4 minutes. Do not open the lid while it is cooking. Remove with a slotted spoon and slightly pat dry on paper towels. Place egg immediately on top of crab cake
Hollandaise Ingredients:
Hollandaise Directions: – 1 Egg Yolk
– 1 teaspoon Water
– 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
– 1/8-1/4 teaspoon Salt, to your liking
– 1 stick Unsalted Butter
Hollandaise Directions:
– While the eggs are poaching, make the Hollandaise.
– In a medium cup that fits the head of an immersion blender, add in the Egg Yolk, Water, Lemon Juice and a pinch of Salt.
– Melt Butter in a small skillet on the stove. Once melted, pour into a heat resistant measuring cup.
– Turn on the immersion blender and mix the Yolk.
– In a slow, constant stream, pour in the hot Butter while continuously blending the Yolk. The easiest way is to pour down the side of the cup you are using.
– Blend for about a minute, until all the Butter in incorporated. It should be smooth, pale yellow and slightly thick. Taste and add any desired Salt or spices. Use immediately
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict Assembly:
– Toast 2 English Muffins – I never cut mine, rather I poke them with a fork to preserve all the nooks and crannies
– Place warm Crab Cakes on each muffin
– Place warm Poached Egg on the stack
– Spoon warm Hollandaise over the top and Enjoy!
Brunch Beverages:
- Prosecco Mojito from Cooking in Stilettos
- Pineapple Ginger Mojito from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Brunch Egg Dishes:
- Crab Cake Eggs Benedict from Love and Confections
- Eggs Benedict from Big Bear’s Wife
Brunch Breads, Grains and Pastry:
- Individual bourbon Bacon Bread Pudding from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Maple Coconut Granola from That Skinny chick Can Bake
- Cheese Blintzes with Mixed Berries from It’s Yummi!
- Blueberry Scones from Roxana’s Home Baking
- Almond Cake from Real Housemoms
Brunch Fruits, Vegetable and Sides:
- Orzo Veggie Salad from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
- Balsamic Pear and Blue Cheese Bruschetta from White Lights on Wednesday
Brunch Desserts:
- Fennel-Kissed Lemon Tart with Salted Hazelnut Crust from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Disclaimer:
California Walnuts, Bob’s Red Mill, Oxo, Dixie Crystals, Whole Foods Market Doctor Phillips, Grimmway Farms, Woot Froot, Vidalia Onion, Baloian Farms, Stemilt and Bonne Maman are providing the prizes free of charge. I have received product from the sponsors to use for #Brunchweek. All opinions stated are my own.