Witch Finders Direct

*Apparently BBC has blocked this video. What a shame.*

If you enjoyed that, you'll definitely enjoy these Chocolate-Hazelnut Smooches, or as my kids like to call them, "Witch Hat Cookies"!

Witch Hat Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup orange sprinkles, or orange sugar

1 (9-ounce) package of chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped (Hershey's)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In another medium bowl (or stand mixer), place the chocolate hazelnut spread, butter, and both sugars. Using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), cream the ingredients together, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and blend until incorporated. Stir in the dry ingredients, just until incorporated.

Shape the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll the balls in the orange sprinkles or orange sugar, pressing to adhere. Place the cookies on a heavy cookie sheet about 4 inches apart. (I put 8 cookies per sheet.) Bake for 6-8 minutes. (6 for softer cookies and 8 for crispier cookies.) Meanwhile, unwrap as many kisses as you need. Remove the cookies from the oven. Quickly place a chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie and slightly press down, the puffed edges will crack. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 2 minutes. Cool the cookies on a wire rack. Yum!

Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis.

Video from CBBC Channel!

Bon Appetit, Ya'll!

I love checking out cookbooks from my local library. It keeps my bookshelves from overflowing and allows me to try some of the recipes before I may decide to purchase the book. When I saw Bon Appetit, Ya'll: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking by Virginia Willis, I just had to check it out! I tried many recipes in the book, including the one for Jambalaya (which does have an error in it), but the recipe I keep going back to is a simple one for "Toasted-Pecan Green Beans." 

When we think of southern style green beans, we assume it's the meltingly tender ones that are slow cooked, usually with some type of pork product and onion. Although I love them, my green bean-phobic husband does not...but he loves these! This simple recipe is like a southern version of green beans amandine, where the green beans are blanched first, then sauteed with buttery toasted pecans, minced garlic, and a dash of fresh basil. The result is perfectly cooked green beans that taste absolutely amazing! In addition, this technique (which works well with other types of vegetables, see Spring Vegetable Tumble) allows you to blanch the beans ahead of time, freeing your focus to the main course, and gives you a beautiful side dish that takes only minutes to put together! Thanks Virginia, for giving me my green beans back!

Toasted-Pecan Green Beans

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds haricots verts, trimmed (Sadly, I am finding it harder to locate haricots verts in my area, so I used regular green beans and blanched them for 5 minutes.)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 garlic clove, very finely minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Prepare an ice-water bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil over high heat. Add the beans and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. (5 minutes for regular green beans.) Drain well in a colander, then set the colander with beans in the ice-water bath (to set the color and stop the cooking), making sure the beans are submerged. (I just dump the beans in the ice-water bath, then drain them before finishing the dish.)

In the same pot (I use a large saute pan), heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the pecans and cook until toasted, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and basil; cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds.

Drain the beans, shaking off the excess water, and return them to the pot. Toss to combine with the pecan mixture. (Keep tossing until the beans are reheated.) Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Beef. It's What's For Dinner.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is a trade association designed to support and promote U.S. cattle and beef producers. In 1992, under contract by the Beef Checkoff, they launched their advertising campaign through television, radio, and print ads touting "Beef. It's What's For Dinner." The ads have featured actors Robert Mitchum, Sam Elliott, and in 2008, Mathew McConaughey. McConaughey reminds me of that eccentric relative everyone has, who can't help but make you smile!

Nicked this funny picture from popwatch.ew.com! Ha! Ha!

However, McConaughey's beefy Texas drawl has been silenced (gasp!), to be replaced by Garrett Hedlund, in hopes of appealing to a younger audience. Hedlund is best known for his roles in "stellar" movies (cough, cough) such as Troy, Tron Legacy, and the debacle Country Strong. Why? I don't remember Mitchum or Elliott being any spring chickens? So, while we will miss our favorite bongo boy buddy promoting lean cuts of beef as part of a heart-healthy diet, I do have an excellent recipe for "Maple-Balsamic Marinated Steak with Grilled Pear Salad" from you know who, The National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

This simple recipe is one of my new favorites! Strip steaks, pears, and red onion are marinated in a flavorful mix of maple syrup, balsamic vinaigrette, thyme, and black pepper. The vinaigrette helps give a lot of smokey flavor by causing flare-ups on the grill. (Remember to keep it covered so they won't burn!) The steaks are then sliced and served along side the smokey pear and red onion salad, complete with leafy greens, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese! Fantastic! I'm sure McConaughey would approve, and yes, please come to dinner!

Maple-Balsamic Marinated Steak with Grilled Pear Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 boneless beef top loin (strip) steaks, cut 1-inch thick (about 8-10 ounces each)

2 Bartlett or red Anjou pears, halved and cored

1 medium red onion, cut into wedges large enough that they can be skewered for grilling

8 cups mixed salad greens or arugula

1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans*

1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese*

Kosher salt, to taste

*Walnuts and blue cheese would be another option, if preferred.

For the Marinade
1 cup reduced fat or regular balsamic vinaigrette
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons coarse grind black pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves

Directions:

Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup marinade for dressing the salad. Place beef steaks and 1/3 cup marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in the refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours. Reserve remaining marinade for brushing the pears and onion.

Soak two 10-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain. (I just used some metal skewers.) Thread the onion wedges onto the skewers. Brush onions and cut sides of pears with half the reserved marinade.

Remove the steaks from the marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange onions and pears around the steaks. Grill steaks, covered, 11-14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 11-15 minutes) for medium rare (145 degrees) to medium doneness (160 degrees), turning occasionally. Grill onions 12-15 minutes (13-16 minutes for gas) and pears 8-10 minutes (gas grill times remain the same) or until tender, turning occasionally and brushing steak, onions, and pears with remaining reserved marinade.

Remove onions from skewers., Chop onions and pears into bite-size pieces. Combine greens, pears, onions, cheese, nuts, and reserved 1/2 cup marinade; toss gently to combine. Carve steaks into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with salad mixture.