Break over, back to work

Sorry about that guys, started to feel as thought I was talking to myself. Had to take a break. But I'm back now. Let the blogging continue.

Pears

While there are many things one might do with a pear, slicing them up for a snack is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this seasonal fruit. But as you guys know, I love posting something really special.

This recipe from Giada De Laurentiis is a poached pear for dessert. Love it.

Another fabulous option is to serve a port wine, some bartlett pears and stilton cheese as dessert. Place the pears straight on a platter with some hearty chunks of the cheese. It looks beautiful and is a light way to end a heavy holiday meal. So elegant.

Mushrooms

These two are my all time favorites!

This has got be the easiest appetizer. It is a hit every time I make it!

Ingredients:

2 regular size packages baby portobello mushroom caps

1 container Light Alouette Garlic and Herb cheese spread

1 1/2 cups panko japanese bread crumbs-way crispier than regular bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove stems of mushrooms and discard. Rinse mushrooms and pat dry. Make sure they get dry or they will be soggy. Lay your caps upside down on a foil wrapped cookie sheet and, using a butter kn

ife, fill with the cheese spread. Then sprinkle the panko over the tops and pop it all in the oven for about 7-15 minutes depending on the size of your mushrooms. Take them out when they are hot and bubbly and the panko has browned slightly. So good.

As for a second venture for mushrooms, I HIGHLY recommend this next one. It is a cream of wild mushroom soup from Barefoot Contessa. It is astounding. Now for people who don't like cream of mushroom soup, you are in luck! This is noting like that culinary atrocity in a can! It is more of a chowder I would have to say. Please try it, if you hate it give it to someone who has the flu. I am sure the gesture would be appreciated. It is by far Hubs favorite soup of mine. Given that I love to make soup, that is really saying something. Really really special.

One toy to rule them all...

Almost every child has "the one toy". The item that goes everywhere with them and could only be left behind by accident. For us, those toys come from Jellycat. H has the large pink corduroy cat pictured above. Today H helped to choose one for E. A medium sized beige bunny with extremely long ears was the winner. They are made of many different materials and come in a variety of sizes and species. Wooly mammoth anyone? But the thing these cute and addictively cuddly animals do have in common is how shockingly soft they are. Seriously, it's tough for Hubs and me to stop touching them. Get two or three for when one is tragically lost.

Figs

Figs are one of my favorite fruits! They have such amazing flavor and just look at how beautiful they are.

Holiday Hens with Fig Glaze and Cornbread Stuffing is a culinary masterpiece! Just as great for a dinner party as it is for your average wednesday night dinner. Just so very very lovely. The recipe says it serves 4 but you can split those hens and make more stuffing, it would easily feed 8 with a little salad. Seriously great, I cannot recommend this enough.

Second is a super easy spread for toast or crackers.

Ingredients:

8 ounce package plain goat cheese, softened

3-4 fresh figs, minced

2 Tbsp good quality honey

Mix this together and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Spread on toast, bagels, crackers, anything you like! Great with breakfast eggs.

image via eyeonspain

Celery

The humble celery stalk has been used as an aromatic in soups, sauces, roasts, and stews for what seems like eons. I could have given you that type of recipe, there are many to choose from. But I wanted to give you something that would showcase celery as a more prominent flavor.

First up for your consideration: a Celery and Pear Salad It's crunchy and crisp. I think it would make a great lunch. Bonus: it incorporates pears, another fall food on our list!

Second is an appetizer. Stuffed celery is a great recipe to make with your kids!

Ingredients:

1 celery heart, separated and washed

8 ounces softened cream cheese or goat cheese or a mixture of both

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

20 green pimento stuffed olives, chopped

Mix the cheese(s), nuts and olives. You may use a butter knife to spread this mixture on the stalks and then cut them into more bite-sized pieces. Or you may form the cheese mixture into a ball and serve the stalks along side for dipping. This spread is also good with crackers, great for the holidays!

Ipod Love

We are doing a new series on music. I think it is so important for kids to grow up with a love of music. The next time you reach for a dvd to put in, try putting on some music and playing on the floor. You will find your child dancing more, something every parent loves. So here is a new playlist I made last night.

Chillin' Like A Villian

Augustana-All the Stars and Boulevards

Broken Flowers Soundtrack

Lost in Translation Soundtrack

Garden State Soundtrack

The Last Kiss Soundtrack

Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs

Imogen Heap-Speak for yourself

She and Him- Volume One

It's mostly Indie Rock. But it just has such a lovely vibe for relaxing. Enjoy!