Vanilla Bourbon Soaked French Toast

It’s my first Sunday home after an inspiring vacation in Nashville, Tennessee! The food was so delicious and clearly many people are living the farm to table lifestyle, especially with the close proximity of farms to downtown Nashville. My weekend back home started with the trip to my local farm, where I found the ingredients to make a delicious late summer fruit compote of blackberries, raspberries and dark plums. This autumnal colored compote is a sweet complement to use at breakfast on top of french toast , pancakes or waffles, or at dinner on top of a pork chop or even for dessert on top of ice cream or a slice of pound cake. I decided today to recreate my Nashville experience with bourbon soaked french toast along with the mixed berry and plum compote. It’s a perfect brunch dish for s slow, relaxing Sunday in New York.
From by the bay, wishing you bourbon soaked food memories!
Maryann
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Vanilla Bourbon Soaked French Toast
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup bourbon ( up to 1/3 cup depending on preference)
4 whole eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
8 slices bread, ciabatta or brioche ( thick slices)
2-4 tablespoons unsalted butter as needed
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Set aside baking sheet with rack to hold french toast warm in oven. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the milk, sugar, bourbon, vanilla, eggs and cinnamon.  Pour into a shallow dish, I use a glass pie plate. Dip the bread into the batter and let sit a minute or two to soak. Add butter to a hot griddle or non stick saute pan. Once the butter is melted place the battered bread on the pan and cook until the bread becomes golden brown. Flip the bread slice over and cook until the other side also becomes golden brown. Place toast on rack in warmed oven and continue to make your french toast using butter as needed. Once done place onto a platter and shift confectionary sugar on top. Serve with butter and maple syrup or fruit compote.
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Mixed Berry and Plum Compote

Ingredients
1 cup mixed berries such as raspberries and blackberries
1 cup chopped plum, pitted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
Directions
Place all the ingredients into a non reactive medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or when the plums are softened. Serve at room temperature. Can to stored in the refrigerator for about a week.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

I was shopping at the local farm stand and bakery this weekend and found a delicious treat added to their baked good selection, cinnamon sugar donut muffins. I remember seeing these featured on the Food Network not long ago , so I picked up a few muffins to sample with the family.  It was so fantastic I knew I needed to figure out how to make them. After some internet research, I found that the bake shop featured on the Food Network was the Downtown Bakery and Creamery in Healdsburg, California in Sonoma Valley. They are kind enough to share their recipe which I have below. Although, baked these muffins do taste just like a fried cinnamon sugar donut. The muffin is  easy to make and eating one or two will make your morning and day, if not your week!
From by the bay, wishing you cinnamon sugar food memories!
Maryann
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Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Recipe from Downtown Bakery and Creamery in Healdsburg, California
12 standard size muffins
Ingredients for batter
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup fine granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
Ingredients for Topping
6 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 Degree F. Lightly grease a standard muffin tin. Sift together in a bowl the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. Using an electric mixer cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add one egg at a time, beating to combine.  Using a wooden spoon to mix, alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk and buttermilk. Make sure everthing is throughly combined, try not to over mix. Pour the batter evenly, into each muffin tin, filling the cup almost to the top. Bake muffins in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let cool slightly, and remove muffins from the tin. In a bowl mix the sugar and ground cinnamon together. Use a pastry brush to brush each muffin allover with the melted butter and then roll into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm or cooled at room temperature.

Lemon Poppyseed Plum Muffins

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My grandparents would grow italian plums on their small weekend farm. We always looked forward to early fall when we would have a short but sweet time to enjoy these little purple treats. When I found them at the local farm stand, I bought a big basket of plums and tasked myself with the best way to enjoy them. This weekend, the plums were worked into a delicious lemon and poppyseed muffin. It was a delicious combination and one I’m sure you would enjoy too! Hurry and buy some italian plums before they are gone for the year.
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Lemon Poppyseed Plum Muffins
12 standard size muffins
Ingredients for batter
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup fine granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons poppyseed
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups plums, pitted and chopped, preferably italian plums

Preheat oven to 350 Degree F. Lightly grease a standard muffin tin or use paper liner. Sift together in a bowl the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in poppy seeds and set aside. Using an electric mixer cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add one egg at a time, beating to combine.  Using a wooden spoon to mix, alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk, buttermilk, and lemon zest. Add plums and combine, try not to over mix. Pour the batter evenly, into each muffin tin, filling the cup almost to the top. Bake muffins in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let cool slightly, and remove muffins from the tin. Serve warm or cooled at room temperature.

Cornmeal and Sweet Corn Pancakes

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Spying some fresh corn in the corner of my farmstand, I quickly moved  to take a few ears home with me to enjoy before the sweet corn is gone for the season. I immediately knew how to use the corn. Having recently returned from a recipe inspiring trip in Nashville, I wanted to try my hand at fresh corn and cornmeal pancakes. My breakfast food preferences lean towards the savory side while my sister Nancy loves a sweet breakfast. Finding a perfect breakfast to meet everyone’s preferences is not an easy task, but these cornmeal pancakes are the perfect solution. For those who like a savory breakfast these cornmeal pancakes with just a little butter on top are delicious just as they are. A perfect accompaniment would be some grilled ham, bacon or sausage. For those who like a sweeter breakfast, you can top your pancakes with some warm maple syrup or your favorite berries or some jam. When working on this recipe, I purposely used just a touch of sugar to keep the dish on the savory taste. As for technique, my preference is adding boiling water to the corn meal , as if i were making polenta. The buttermilk adds a touch of acidity and adds a lightness to the pancake. Everyone in your family will enjoy these pancakes!
From by the bay wishing you sweet corn food memories!
Maryann
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Cornmeal and Sweet Corn Pancakes
Serves 4

3/4 cup cornmeal

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus additional butter for griddle
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg, at room temperature

3/4 cup fresh corn, off the cob ( 1 ear)

Directions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In a medium bowl place the cornmeal, sugar and salt. Cover with boiling water and leave to the side from 5 to 10 minutes. In the meantime, in another bowl combine remaining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix. In a large measuring cup add the buttermilk , melted butter and  egg. Whisk together. Add the buttermilk mixture  to the cornmeal and mix. Add the remaining dry ingredients to the same bowl and combine. Lastly, fold the corn into the batter. Batter will be a little lumpy.  Heat a griddle pan, melt a tablespoon of butter and spread 1/4 cup of batter for each cake. Cook approximately two minutes on the first side, until the edge is set and the cake starts to bubble.  Flip the cake and cook another minute. Place on baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Repeat adding butter to the griddle as needed 1 tablespoon at a time until all cakes are made and ready to serve. Serve with butter or warmed maple syrup.

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Maple Panna Cotta

As I was thinking about some of my favorite flavors to welcome Fall, of course maple syrup comes quickly to mind. I decided to incorporate the maple taste into an easy elegant dessert – panna cotta, This is a dessert that I enjoyed many times on my visits to Florence, Italy. Maple seems a nice way to give it an american touch. For many years, I was reluctant to try panna cotta, it seemed daunting , using gelatin leaves and then removing from the mold before serving, but was I wrong , this dessert could not be easier to make.  If removing your panna cotta from the mold is preventing you from trying this lovely dessert then don’t bother. You can serve your dessert in some other little containers such as little jam jars as I did below, or a tea cup or pretty glass. If you are feeling ambitious serve some pepita brittle along side the dish. As always enjoy!
From by the bay wishing you sweet maple food memories!
Maryann
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Maple Panna Cotta
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup ( optional extra for serving )
3 sheets gelatin leaves
vegetable oil
Directions
Prepare 6 – 4 ounce custard cups by lightly oiling them with canola oil. Place the gelatin sheets in a bowl and cover with water. Set aside. In a medium saucepan add the cream, sugar and maple syrup . Place on medium heat and cook until sugar is dissolved , stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat. Remove the gelatin sheets from the water, gently squeeze to remove excess water. Add to the sweetened cream. Stir until dissolved. Ladle into the custard cups. Cover and refrigerate until firm, several hours or overnight. To unmold, run a knife under hot water, wipe it dry and then run the knife around the panna cottas and invert onto plates. Serve immediately, with a little maple syrup on top.
Optional: if you don’t want to unmold the panna cotta serve in the custards cups as is or in
another glass or porcelain container. I like to use a small glass jelly jar.
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Irish Coffee Apple Caramel Crisp

I love traditions, but sometimes we need new ones. I wanted to make a dessert that delivered just a subtle hint of Irish Coffee to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish Coffee Apple Caramel Crisp does just that! Apple and caramel is a perfect marriage of flavors. There is just a touch of coffee in this rich caramel apple filling, topped with a crunchy crumb. The crisp is covered with a cloud of irish whiskey whipped cream.  It’s hard to make whipped cream taste better but using a touch of irish whiskey or bourbon does just the trick.  This is the perfect topping to any dessert. When you combine all the these flavors you have a winning dessert perfect for any
celebration. You can start a new tradition too!
From by the bay wishing you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Maryann
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Irish Coffee Apple Caramel Crisp
Serves 6
Ingredients
Filling
3 apples such as Gala, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon coffee
1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
3/4 cup all purpose flour
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degree F. In a bowl mix all toppings ingredients together, making moist clumps. Place in refrigerator to chill. To make filling, add butter and sugar into a saute pan on medium heat until smooth sauce forms. Add coffee to pan and cook, stirring until caramel starts to thicken and foam, about 5 minutes. Add salt and then apples. Toss the apples until coated evenly about 1 minute. Divide filling between 6- 4 ounce ramekins, placed on parchment lined baking sheet. Remove topping from refrigerator and divide the crumb topping over each ramekin. Place into the oven for about 1 hour. The crisp should be golden brown and the filling bubbling. Let stand to cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Irish Whiskey Whipped Cream
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon Irish Whiskey
Directions
In a large bowl whip the heavy cream into soft peaks. Add the sugar and whiskey to the cream and continue to whip into hard peaks. Place into refrigerator and serve cold. ( Do not make too far in advance, I prefer no longer than an hour).

 

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

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Looking for a pumpkin based treat to satisfy my inner child as well as fully embrace fall and the upcoming holiday – Halloween, I looked no further than my local Starbucks for inspiration. This is my take on one of their seasonal breakfast baked goods. I love the tangy cream cheese filling in contrast to the complex spice of the muffin.  The pumpkin seeds on top add just the right amount of texture and crunch. This is definitely one of my favorites! Make it one of yours and treat out this delicious seasonal treat!
From by the bay, wishing you tangy food memories!
Maryann

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

For Filling
4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 teaspoons vanilla
For Muffins
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
roasted and salted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) to garnish top of muffins
Directions
In a small bowl mix the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla together. Place on a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log. Place in the freezer for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Use a 12 cup muffin tray and line each cup with a paper baking cup, preferably unbleached. In a medium size bowl add the ingredients for the batter except the pumpkin seeds. Mix well. Fill each cup about 3/4 full. Remove the cream cheese from the freezer and cut into 12 rounds or pieces about 2 teaspoons each. Place the cream cheese into the batter, it should be level with the batter and showing the cream cheese in the center. Top each muffin with 5 ot 6 pumpkin seeds. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a tester comes our clean from the batter part of the muffin, don’t use the tester in the cream cheese. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tray. Serve warm, cold or at room temperature.

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Lamb Meatballs with Tomato Cherry Sauce

A good friend of my recently took me to a Lebanese restaurant and we were delighted with the food and the wide variety of small plates offered. This is my version of our favorite dish we experienced that evening. These lamb meatballs are flavorful little bites that work terrific as an appetizer, to serve at a cocktail party or just to make an easy sandwich, a few in a pita bread with some greek yogurt, sliced cucumber and mint. It’s a perfect party food since you bake the meatballs, they fry in the oven, using significantly less oil with a really easy clean up. The sauce has a bit of a sweet and sour component from the cherry preserves and lemon juice, but with a middle eastern twist. It’s wonderful mix of flavors. You’ve love this dish!
From by the bay wishing you , sweet and sour food memories!
Maryann
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Lamb Meatballs with Tomato Cherry Sauce
Serves 6 to 8

Lamb Meatballs
Ingredients
1 pound ground lamb
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
olive oil spray
Directions 
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well using your hands.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with olive oil spray.  Once the meat mixture has chilled for 30 minutes, remove from refrigerator and dampen your hands and form 28 to 30 meatballs approximately 3/4″ diameter. Place on the lined baking tray. Spray top of the meatballs lightly with olive oil and bake in the heated oven for about 30 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Serve with tomato cherry sauce or just plain as a party appetizer with plain greek yogurt and some chopped mint on the side.
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Tomato Cherry Sauce

Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup organic low sodium ketchup
1/4 cup cherry preserves
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup scallions, chopped to garnish lamb meatballs with sauce
Directions
Place warm water in a bowl and add dried cherries. Let cherries soak in the water 30 minutes. Strain cherries, adding the water into a medium sauce pan.  To this pan add remaining ingredients except cherries and cook on moderate heat stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Add the cherries and simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve with lamb meatballs. Garnish with chopped scallions.

Asian Style Barbecue Beef Short Ribs

Boneless beef short ribs are larger, more tender and meatier than their pork counterparts – making it a perfect barbecue food. I decided to make these short ribs using some of my favorite Asian flavors – ginger, garlic, cinnamon and star anise to braise the meat and infuse with these flavors, then make a barbecue sauce to brush on the ribs, as they caramelize on the grill. The result is meat that is slightly crisp on the outside, tender on the inside and packed with flavor. It’s really simple to make and the results are terrific.
From by the bay wishing you asian style food memories!
Maryann
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Asian Style Barbecue Beef Short Ribs
Serves 4-6
Ingredients

For the ribs
21/2 pounds boneless beef short ribs
2 star anise
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 cinnamon stick
1 inch piece ginger, peeled
chopped scallions to garnish
For barbecue sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup cooking water from ribs
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
Directions
Place short ribs in a large cooking pot with star anise, cinnamon, garlic and ginger. Add water to just cover the ribs. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to simmer and cover with a lid for 45 minutes. Remove the ribs and place on a platter, covering with some foil. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water for the barbecue sauce. To make the sauce, add to a medium sauce pan the hoisin sauce, ketchup, cooking water, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and toasted sesame seed oil. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes. Preheat the grill . Brush the short ribs with the barbecue sauce and grill for 8 to 10 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

Spicy Maple Roasted Marcona Almonds

One of my guilty pleasures as evening approaches here by the bay is watching the glorious sunsets with a glass of chilled white wine and some little nibble along with it. These spicy maple roasted marcona almonds are the perfect pairing to a glass of wine. Each bit captures the perfect mix of being savory and sweet with an under note of heat. The best part is just how simple these cocktail nuts are to make. Enjoy!
From by the bay, wishing you savory and  sweet food memories!
Maryann
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Spicy Maple Roasted Marcona Almonds
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups marcona almonds, roasted and salted
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon smoked spanish paprika
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh coarse sea salt, such as Maldon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl toss all ingredients except the salt. Turn onto the lined baking sheet, spreading into a single layer. Bake nuts for about 20 minutes, until the nuts are golden and bubbling. Sprinkle with the sea salt and let cool for 20 minutes, before breaking about. Serve immediately or store in an air tight container for up to one week.
Note: if you can’t find marcona almonds this will also work with regular dry roasted almonds or actually any dry roasted nuts that you prefer.