It's Official

Halloween was Friday night marking the official start of the Holiday season. From here on out there will be dinner parties and cocktail parties to attend and all things wintery will be done. I know the store got a jump on things by quickly marking down and taking down Halloween decorations (on Halloween) and putting up Christmas display. In my own simple way I have gotten a jump on some things, other things can just wait. The pumpkin wasn't carved until Halloween for example but...two weeks ago I made a batch of biscotti to see if I liked it enough to make it and give it this Christmas. I love using the people at work and at the BF's work for the purpose of trying out my new recipes, and honestly they don't seem to mind all that much either.

Chocolate Anise Biscotti

In a large bowl cream together 1 stick of unsalted (you could use salted) butter and 3/4 cu. of white sugar.

Add 1 tsp. of ground anise to the butter and sugar.

Add two large eggs one at a time combining after each egg is added.

Then in a separate bowl combine 2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 tsp. of baking powder and 1/4 tsp. of salt (some people like more).

Combine flour with the butter mixture in batches.

Then mix in by hand somewhere between a 1/2 cup and 1 cup of mini semi sweet chocolate chips. I think I added about 2/3 cup.

Flour your counter and make a slightly flattened log 16 in. long and 3 in. wide. Transfer to a parchment lined cookie sheet. This is not easy but it can be done. Keep the faith.

Bake log in a 350 degree (preheated) oven for somewhere between 20-30 min. I baked mine for exactly 26 min. and I wish I would have cooked it a little bit less. Cool log for 30 minutes before cutting.

Cut the biscotti diagonally with a sharp serrated knife somewhere between a 1/2 in. and 3/4 in. thick. Place cut side down on a baking sheet.

Back in the oven they go until lightly toasted. Should take about 15 min. but it really depends on your oven and how toasted you want your biscotti. I also turned mine over about halfway through the baking time.

Gently place cookies on wire rack and let cool completely. Everyone really liked these, but next time I need to adjust the time for what I am looking for, and I think I will swap out the Anise for lemon zest and the chocolate chips for dried blueberries.

I would like to thank everyone who helped with donations to Katsu's gofundme page. Katsu is home and doing great. The procedure he had turned up an issue that can not be fixed surgically, so we are left with trying to keep him healthy, happy and infection free. It is going to be a project, but he is worth it right down to the last tiger stripped hair on his bushy tail. He loved being a part of Halloween this year buy gently barking at the few trick or treaters we had.

Had K.B. and Mr. B over for dinner last night good food, good fun, and loads of conversation...perfect evening. I made my Brisket, buttermilk mashed potatoes, my biscuits and spicy, garlicy sauteed green beans. Yup it was delicious. For dessert I made Cannoli Cheesecake the day before. If you try this recipe keep an eye on your baking time. I actually had to bake this 15 min. longer that the recipe calls for...and I may move that up to add ten more min. the next time. Super yummy cheesecake.

Have a great rest of the weekend. I am off for a second cup of coffee and to work on my Thanksgiving greeting cards.

Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings

We spent, and when I say we I mean the bf, an entire Saturday working on the front yard. It looks amazing, thank you sweetie. I however spent most of the day working inside cleaning, doing laundry, and watching my son's Chihuahua mix puppy run roughshod over my black tortie kitten Willow. But at some point yesterday I knew the bf and I both had to come up for air and have dinner. Lunch consisted of a half bag of potato chips and a cold one.

This recipe was super simple and went together in minutes.

In a bowl you blend together 1 clove garlic mashed with 3/4 tsp. of salt, 2 Tlb honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, 1 tsp. sesame oil, pinch or two of cayene ( I suggest 2 pinches ). Next time I think I would bump up the honey to 3 Tlb. and I think the addition of some red pepper flakes would go a long way to give a little more heat.

Trim up 3 lbs. of chicken wings (remove the tips and separate the little drum from the little arm ).

Put them into the sauce and coat them real well. ( I let the chicken sit in the sauce for a about 20 min. ) Then place the chicken onto a foil lined, sprayed with cooking spray, heavy duty cookie sheet. Place into an oven that has been preheated to 425 degrees and bake for about 35 min. ( giver or take depending on your oven ). Turn the chicken over half way through the cooking time.

When done pull them from the oven and place in a bowl. Sprinkle chicken with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seed.

For a side I washed and cut the ends off about a pound of green beans and tossed them into a hot skillet with a 50/50 blend of olive oil and butter. I sauteed the green beans until about halfway done ( when I say halfway done I mean still pretty crunchy ) I tossed in 3 cloves of minced garlic some salt and fresh cracked black pepper and let the garlic get a little color ( don't let that garlic burn ).

Then I add just a couple of Tlb. of water, lid the beans and let them steam just a minute or two....Delicious!.

Perfect dinner to end a perfectly busy Saturday.

Thanks K.B. for sharing the 1980's, perfect condition, pint canning jars. What a find! I can see lots of good things ahead.

Happy Sunday to one and all. I have a bike ride penciled in for my morning. I hope everyone does something good today!

Dinner, Drinks and Dessert

Had a couple of friends over last night for dinner and despite the rain and thanks to a covered porch we (and when I say we I mean the bf) grilled some steaks and I made some garlicky green beans and some delicious butter steamed baby red potatoes.

Because my dinning and kitchen area are on the small side I don't usually invite more than a couple of people over and I try to keep the dinners simple and delicious. The other reason I keep my dinner parties small is, and I know I am not the only one who goes through this, no matter what everyone is going to hang out in the kitchen and dining room while you make dinner. I don't know why and neither does anyone else that I have spoken with about this strange phenomenon. I mean I clean my house before any and every dinner party but I pay special attention to the kitchen because that is the only room anyone is going to really see.

Spring has finally arrived so I was able to cut a fresh bouquet of daffodils for the table from my flower bed out front. They are bright, cheery and not too heavily scented, which is perfect for the dinner table. I always try and avoid anything that is going to compete with the aroma of a wonderful dinner.

Now for dessert I like to make things that don't need any last minute steps with the exception of maybe whipping some whip cream up to serve on top, or pulling ice cream from the freezer. Keep it simple and if you can make it ahead then do it. Last nights dessert was a Butter Pecan Cake that was really yummy, and turned out perfectly. I will say this though I thought the batter to be a little stiff so I added a touch more buttermilk to get my cake batter to the consistency I wanted, and the frosting I don't think needs to set up in the fridge for an hour. Maybe 45 minutes maximum.

The layers rose really well.

Aren't those pretty.

One of the two food scales I have. I truly think a food scale is a must in the kitchen.

Who doesn't love homemade frosting?

In goes the buttered Pecans.

Towering layers of love a.k.a Butter Pecan Cake.

Thanks to my friends Mr. G & Racey for the Sake, dogs, conversation...and for liking my cooking. It is always fun to have you over and thanks to my bf for being a master griller once again.