New Products for My Kitchen~ pears~cookbooks

 

 

 

                                                    

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Santa on Pinterest

Note: This is a really interesting and fun blogspot to peruse.  Tons of wonderful recipes and pictures.

The Food Network has some new products at Kohl's.  They are all on sale right now and I am
especially pleased with their new Dutch ovens.  They are sold for $99. most places, but with all the savings Kohl's generously offers they were $69. each and in a variety of colors. (But with all my other Kohl's dollars and other savings, I got them almost free.) I am hard on cook ware but am bound and determined not to spend big money on the French line that I have used and abused for so long. I am getting ready for Thanksgiving and intend to fill all of my pots that are this size with good stews and soups. I can see little difference in these pots from the French Le Creuset Cookware line.  They weigh the same, look the same and cook the same--it's just a difference in price and name.  The Food Network also offers a line of white table and serving ware which I have many pieces of, but like to add to, as often as I see something stylish and yet practical. I am especially pleased and thankful to the Kohl's stores for their exceptional quality and generous discounts. (No, I am not getting paid to write this praise.)

LOL. I often laugh thinking about what my mother and aunts would say if I told them about a pan with a lid for $200.( In fact, $69. would be a giggle for them.)

             

 

If you have puff pastry in your freezer some apples OR pears, then you can have this luscious display very quickly and handily.

I happened to have some coconut sugar, grandulated coconut nectar, that I bought in New Orleans.  I simply peeled the apples, tossed them in coconut sugar and popped them in the oven at 400 degrees until browned and pretty. When they came out I glazed them with warm jam to make them sleek.

 

                                                            BE SURE TO VOTE.

If you don't have a TRADER JOES, I'm sorry. Each time I go into one of these stores I buy something I've not had in order to try it.  Not once have I been disappointed. I just bought these two cookbooks and am eager to try some of their good plans for food.

 

These small grocery stores always have something interesting to try--a new cheese, bread or vinegar.  If something is not on the shelf there will be an inspired substitute that you may like even better. The workers in each of the stores I have visited are happy and of many different ages. The stores have creative artwork in unique locations and the wines...ahhhh. As I read the cookbooks, I will let you know what I am trying and how it goes over with the family and guests.

NOTE: I am reading these cookbooks like novels. I want to make everything I read.  You know how you like, at least I do, pictures of the recipe done up? Well, with these cookbooks you don't even care, your imagination takes hold and you are eager to get to Trader Joe's for the ingredients. LOVE these cookbooks!

 

I can't seem to end this post. Don't these look good? Biscotti... so good with a cup of coffee or tea and they are easy to produce while being strong enough to hold many good and varied insertions into the thick batter.

Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti

2 tablespoons olive oil
a heaping 1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
a heaping 3/4 cup of flour
a pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup unsalted whole pistachios

Preheat oven to 300° F. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together oil, sugar, almond and vanilla extracts, then mix in egg. Stir in flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until smooth. Mix in cranberries and pistachios.

With your hands, form dough into a log, about 2 x 12-inches long, on a baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper. If dough is sticky, wet your hands with cold water. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until light brown. Remove pan and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Cut the log into about 1/2-inch thick slices, or desired sizes. Lay slices back on the baking sheet and bake for about another 10 minutes, until dry. Cool before serving.

Total Time: 70 minutes
Yield: makes about 20 biscotti cookies