Recipes

Roasted Potatoes and My Visit to Smucker’s

0 · Nov 4, 2013 · 1 Comment

// Roasted Potatoes Recipe //

A few weeks ago I had the fabulous opportunity to visit Orrville, Ohio the home of the Smucker's Family.

You know… Like Smucker's jam and jelly. Little did I know how diverse the Smucker's family really is. It's not all jam & jelly, they have a large family with all kinds of wonderful and iconic brands like Folgers, Jiff, Hungry Jack, Pillsbury Baking and Crisco to name a few. We had the chance to meet Tim & Richard Smucker the Grandsons of J.M. Smucker the founder of the family owned Smucker Brand.

Leigh Anne (Your Homebased Mom) // Me (WhipperBerry ) // Tim Smucker // Sarah (A Thrifty Mom) // Kristen (Six Sisters Stuff)

Richard Smucker & Myself

We had a couple of amazing days learning all about this truly remarkable company. Still family owned, still infused with the values instilled by J.M. Smucker himself. A company that refuses to let go of the family touch in a world where products and brands are becoming more and more sterile.

Here is the whole crew out in front of J.M. Smucker's house that he built right on the grounds of his company headquarters back at the turn of the century. The house is still there along with some of the old buildings he used back in the day. Today it is a beautiful campus with a good mixture of old and new. A fabulous way to help their employees remember their roots and core values.

I just fell in love with the whole Smucker Family and I can't wait to share more of what I learned while I was there. But… instead of boring you with one long wrap-up post. I thought I would develop some fun recipes using some of the Smucker's products to tell the story.

Since we are getting close to Thanksgiving, I thought I would share one of my family's favorite side dishes. Roasted Tri-Color Potatoes. I know, you thought you were going to get a jam or jelly recipe coming from Smucker's… Don't you worry, I thought I would start with the savory.

Roasted Tri-Color Potatoes

What makes these roasted potatoes special, is that I use three different types of potatoes. Sweet, Russet & Fingerling potatoes are the key to this dish. The secret ingredient that takes it over the top… Crisco Culinary Fusions Garlic & Herb Oils.

Roasted Tri-Color Potato Ingredients

2 – 3 sweet potatoes

3 russet or baking potatoes

1 lb. of fingerling potatoes

1 1/2 tablespoon of Crisco Culinary Fusions Roasted Garlic oil

1 1/2 tablespoons of Crisco Culinary Fusions Italian Herb oil

4 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425˚

Cut potatoes into bite sized cubes uniform in size. Place in a large bowl with generous amounts of salt & pepper, your chopped parsley and the oil.

Mix to coat all of the potatoes in the oil and seasoning.

Pour mixture onto a baking sheet and place into the 425˚ oven.

Bake for 20 minutes and then remove the sheet from the oven. Carefully toss the potatoes and the return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and test your potatoes to make sure they are done. If they are still a little hard, return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or so.

Once they are finished remove from oven, sprinkle with salt and let cool for a few minutes. Serve as a side dish for all kinds of meals. You could even serve this as a fun mashed potato alternative at Thanksgiving. The flavored oils make these potatoes taste so good. You have all the flavor from the garlic and the herbs without having to spend the money and go through the hassle of preparing those ingredients each time. I LOVE It!!

These oils are also really good for marinating meats and veggies before you grill or even use as a dipping oil for bread. They are so versatile. What is your favorite way to use flavor infused oil?

Modern Buttercream with Craftsy

2 · Oct 31, 2013 · 1 Comment

This post brought to you by Craftsty // I LOVE learning new skills and one of my go to places for that is… Craftsy. Have you discovered Craftsy yet? Craftsy is your premiere online learning resource for anything creative. They have sewing, knitting, jewelry making, cooking and cake decorating to name just a few. They have gathered top experts in their field to create high quality classes for you to enjoy and learn from right in your home and on your own time schedule. The other day I took one of their free classes that they have available, Modern Buttercream…

Now, I'm no stranger to cake making, but… I am no expert. I am self taught, I have been dying to learn how to make my cakes look a little more professional. I knew it was time to take a class, but who has time to take a class? I sure don't. That's why Craftsy is perfect! I logged onto my class while sitting on my couch in my PJ's with Gage (my three year old tag along) hanging out with me. It was perfect, I didn't have to find a babysitter or even get dressed. I was able to learn the finer points of creating a buttercream cake from Joshua John Russell. He is an amazing cake artist who I've been watching for several years on the Food Network. He is super talented and a fabulous teacher…

I am blown away every time a take a class through Craftsy. They are indepth and create a class that you can really learn from. I learned a ton from Joshua. Like how to carve a cake so that it not only looks good, but tastes even better too.

I have always used a "buttercream" that is simple to make, but it's not a real buttercream. In this class Joshua teaches how to make a traditional Swiss Buttercream and then how to frost your cake so that it looks like a professional decorated it. Another tip I learned, drizzle a simple syrup on your cake before you assemble. this way your cake stays nice and moist…

I was able to watch right along with Joshua on my iPad while I worked right along with him…

Craftsy even has their very own app so it's even easier to watch your classes on your mobile device.

I was able to practice my carving skills (which I still need more practice.)

Then I practiced my crumb coating skills. Do you know why you use a crumb coat? You'll have to come take the class to find out.

Then I did my final coat and a simple decoration and a rustic finish for my first buttercream cake…

It turned out pretty good, but I'm ready for some more practice so I can make a cake just like Joshua. The nice thing… it tasted amazing! I did add a little more sugar to his buttercream recipe because I like my buttercream a little sweeter, but overall this class was excellent. I am going to work on another autumn themed cake this weekend to practice my skills. I'll let you know how it turns out next week. In the mean time… You should head over to Craftsy and take one of their free classes to see how amazing the platform is. They have this Modern Buttercream class and Fondant and Hand Painted Cake classes… You'll be amazed!!

Come back next week for my second cake, I have a few more secret tips that I will be sharing!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Craftsy. The opinions and text are all mine.

Gilgamesh Oatmeal with Bob’s Red Mill Oats

0 · Oct 28, 2013 · 2 Comments

This post brought to you my Bob's Red Mill // I’m part Scottish… By definition I was born with oatmeal in my blood. OK, not really… But, oatmeal is a large part of my Scottish heritage and one part that I really love. It’s one of those foods that you don’t have to feel one iota of guilt for loving. No matter what your taste, there is an oatmeal for you.

Bob’s Red Mill has a whole collection of different types of oatmeal… Organic Extra Thick, Steel Cut, Scottish, Rolled. Old fashioned and quick cooking, they even have Oat Bran. So no matter how you like your oatmeal, Bob’s Red Mill has you covered. They are an employee owned company that has a passion for creating quality products with time honored processes. Rather than trying to find new technology to process fine whole grain products, they use time tested, traditional techniques that preserve the quality and integrity of the grain, which in turn brings even better nutrition to your table.

The folks at Bob’s Red Mill challenged me to try one of their fun recipes to try with their oatmeal.

I chose their Gilgamesh recipe and added a few more little treats to fit my tastes. It has a bit of an exotic taste that takes me back to my travels in Israel. I made mine with the Organic Extra Thick Rolled Oats to have a real hearty bite. Here’s how you make it…

Gilgamesh Oatmeal Ingredients

Pistachios

Chopped Dates or Dried Figs

Golden Raisins

Honey

Milk or cream

Cardamom or Cinnamon (you could even do a small pinch of both)

Gilgamesh Oatmeal Directions

Cook your favorite type of Oatmeal according to package directions. Once slightly cool, place in a bowl and top with chopped pistachios, chopped dates or dried figs (I couldn’t find dates so I went with dried figs), golden raisins, a splash of milk or cream, a drizzle of honey and a small pinch of cardamom and/or cinnamon.

You will be transported to the Mediterranean and all the spicy flavors of that part of the world. It’s a trip in a bowl for sure!

Spicy & exotic not your style? Don’t worry… the folks at Bob’s Red Barn have all kinds of ideas up their sleeves.

So, what’s your favorite way to eat your oatmeal? What’s your favorite type of oatmeal? Come share some of your favorite toppings!

Disclaimer // This is a post sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. I received product and payment for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Turkey, Pear & Brie Sandwich with Hidden Valley™ Ranch Oven Roasted Garlic Sandwich Spread

0 · Oct 24, 2013 ·

A few years ago my family and I traveled to Europe and spent several weeks traveling in Germany and France. While we were there I fell head over heels in LOVE with their rustic style sandwiches. They are always simple with layers of flavor created by using the finest ingredients. They always start with a nice crusty bread and then, the magic is up to you. You pick the scrumptious fresh veggies or even fruit in this case. Find some fine cuts of meat and your favorite cheese and then tie the whole sandwich together with a lovely spread. When the folks at Hidden Valley™ asked me to create a sandwich using one of their new line of Hidden Valley™ Ranch Sandwich Spreads, I knew right off the bat exactly what I was going to make. A rustic turkey, pear & Brie sandwich on a crusty French loaf with a spread of their new Oven Roasted Garlic Parmesan spread to tie it all together.

This sandwich is so simple and yet full of complex flavors. First, I sliced a nice crusty loaf of French bread length wise and spread some of the tasty Hidden Valley™ Ranch Oven Roasted Garlic Sandwich Spread on the bread…

Made with cream cheese and white beans, the Hidden Valley™ Sandwich Spreads & Dips are low fat with one-third the calories of mayonnaise and only two grams of fat per serving. You can't go wrong with that AT ALL!! Next, I layered the turkey, pear, brie & some parmesan shavings onto the bread…

Then all you need to do top off the sandwich with the bread, slice and serve. This is a perfect sandwich to share with a group of friends. Slice it on the bias and your have a beautiful presentation showing off all the lovely layers of this rustic treat…

Serve with a bowl of olives and some bagel chips along side a bowl with some extra sandwich spread. It's a perfect dip as well!!

Hidden Valley’s line of new Sandwich Spreads & Dips will take your boring sandwich routine to another level. With new flavors like Spicy Chipotle Pepper and Oven Roasted Garlic Parmesan, your mouth will be thanking you and you’ll be on your way to delivering sandwich-envy.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hidden Valley Ranch. The opinions and text are all mine.