Recipes compiled from everyday life..

Chocolate Eclair Puffs

13 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by thereluctantcountrygirl.com in Desserts, Recipes (ALL)

Tags

basic puffs, choclate cream puffs, choux dough, cream puff, dessert puffs, eclair

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 thereluctantcountrygirl.com in Beef, Grillin out, Recipes (ALL)

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

bacon burger, brie and bacon burger, brie burger, falksalt burger, fried inion burger, gourmet burger, grilling burgers, perfect burger

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 thereluctantcountrygirl.com in Desserts, Recipes (ALL)

≈ 3 Comments

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bisquick cobbler, blueberry cobbler, cobbler and ice cream, cobbler dessert, fruit cobbler, mixed fruit cobbler, nectarine cobbler, peach cobbler

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!

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Pesto Chicken Rotini Pasta w/ Fresh Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms

08 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by thereluctantcountrygirl.com in Chicken, Italian & Pasta creations, Recipes (ALL)

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basil pasta, chicken pesto, food, Homemade Pesto, pasta, pesto pasta, rotini pesto

When we made this yummy pesto, we had to make something to go with it, right? So my daughter came up with her own recipe tonight and I let her roll with it. Not only was it wonderful, but I loved how she added special little touches like fresh spinach, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Nice to have a break and sit back and watch your little one create. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

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Homemade Pesto w/ Walnuts

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by thereluctantcountrygirl.com in Dressings, Recipes (ALL), Sauces, Vegetarian

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Basil sauce, olive oil sauce, Pesto, Pesto dip, Pesto sauce, vegetarian sauce

My daughter wanted to learn how to make pesto. She said she had a craving and she was taking over dinner tonight. Assisted I assure you, but still her idea. I agreed and off we went to the garden. I have a small potted herb garden that is almost barren from all of the picking but it sure makes it easy when you need just that little something to perk up your dish. Herbs are so easy to take care and best of all you get to eat them after tending to them. We grabbed a hefty portion of basil and headed in. One thing we love in our homemade pesto is walnuts in place of pine nuts. I love the richness it brings with a subtle nutty flavor the pine nuts don’t seem to bring to the sauce. So tonight we are making a chicken pesto and rotini pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes and mushrooms. But first we have to make the Pesto. Creamy and rich with the luscious texture of the olive oil and Parmesan cheese. I can’t wait!

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