Author Archives: thereluctantcountrygirl.com

Baked Kale Chips

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Appetizers & Snacks, Recipes (ALL)

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I happen to be watching the Food Network. Yes, I just happen to be! Ok, fine! I watch it a lot. Well they were making kale chips. I thought “Hmmm, really?”. You can make something like that and snack on them? Ok, I’m game! So the daughter and I set out to taste test this as we knew we had some left over fresh kale in the fridge. They were not only interesting but we could not stop eating them. In fact, we discussed sneaking these into movies, staying up late to watch “Master Chef” with these in bed and car trip snacks! By the end of our discussion, we realized we ate them all. Shopping list: Buy more Kale!

Chocolate Eclair Puffs

13 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Desserts, Recipes (ALL)

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Being from New Jersey, I feel eclairs are their own food group along with pasta and almond rings(Next on my list!). Being that there is no bakery here in Murphy that makes genuine Northern eclairs or cream puffs, I have taken this offense as a personal challenge. Let me tell you… the first attempt at the dough was a FLOP!! I could toss it in the yard like a frisbee as I thought this has to be wrong and added more flour!! Well…   Silly me did not follow Nonna’s recipe correctly and to the letter. Shame on me!!  But the second attempt was a success! They were light and fluffy and the cream was perfection. I took one shortcut and that was the chocolate cream which I am so glad I did as I do not think I could have duplicated the sheer delight that was this topping!

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Brie Bacon Burger w Sauteed Crispy Onion & Bruchetta Aoili

11 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by in Beef, Grillin out, Recipes (ALL)

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When I set out to make burgers tonight, I knew it would be something with brie. I got an unbelievable price on a little wheel. $1.99! When does this happen? Rarely. So, I didn’t want to waste this melty cheese on a cracker tonight. Tonight, I wanted it melty and gooey and on my favorite guilty pleasure. A burger from the grill. Seeing as how this was a special burger already, I would also need some special toppings. I have had this jar of Trader Joes Giotto’s Bruschetta sitting in the pantry for a while and I thought why not make some tomato aioli with it. Easy enough, right? It has everything I need; sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil and some spices.  Saute some onions and I have the makings of a gourmet burger. Hmmm, maybe I should charge tonight?

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Fresh Peach, Blueberry, Nectarine & Pomegranate Cobbler

09 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Desserts, Recipes (ALL)

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I had a hankering (is that a word?) for cobbler. But I didn’t just want any old cobbler. I wanted a mixed fruit, so I dug up my favorite recipe and looked at what fruit I had available. I came up with peaches and nectarines from the farmers market, fresh picked blueberries from a friends garden and pomegranate juice which I seem to be in love with right now.  On a hot day like today, we had to have some vanilla ice cream to go with it as well. Let’s just say someone else went out for that, I have a cobbler to make!