Foster's Market Cookbook Giveaway

Just last night I chatted with Kate, a dear friend of mine whom many of you know.  I told her that once my blog reached 50 followers, I wanted to commemorate that milestone with my very first giveaway.  She helped me out a bit (um, a lot!) with a shout out on her Facebook fan page, and poof!  Now with over 50 followers of my blog (welcome each and every one of you), I'm staying true to my word and giving away of a brand spankin' new copy of Sara Foster's original cookbook!

Here's how to enter (you must be in the United States to enter):

1. Use the giveaway manager tool* below; just follow the steps. (* you may have to click "read more" at the bottom of this post to access the tool) 
2. When you do post, I'd love to know your favorite cookbook.

{Simply posting a comment does not qualify you for the giveaway. You must use the tool below to be entered officially.}

New Web Address

After some hemming and hawing and handholding (thank you Kate), I have officially changed my blog's web address to: www.allysonreciperanger.com

Yes, I still love my spoonula and will use it in any and all recipes I can, but the mismatched blog title and address needed to be, well, addressed.  On that pun-ny note, have a happy Wednesday!

Ranger Review: Nofo & NanaTaco

So I post about recipes I've made, Non-foodie nuggets, and High Five for Fridays, but what about the restaurants I go to?  Enter in Ranger Review, blog posts about where I'm eating and what I ate.  Particularly for you in the Triangle area, I hope these reviews are informative.  I promise to be honest about the successes and the failures of the restaurants.  Do let me know if you try any of these for yourself, and if you have any suggestions of where I should go.  As a full-fledged foodie, I'm up for anything!

On Friday night, I went to Nofo and after perusing the menu, I selected their 8 oz burger (with a side of sweet potato fries, obviously not pictured).  You might be asking, what exactly is on top of that burger?  Is it cheese?  Oh yes, it's PIMENTO cheese.  A couple of summers ago, my dad introduced me to the burger/pimento cheese combo, and I haven't looked back since.  This burger was only further proof of this no-fail pairing.  Adding bacon, well, that was a no brainer (what doesn't taste better with bacon?). I had a little help in clearing my plate (thank you Doc), but for the most part, I devoured my sandwich. I give this burger 4 stars.

The next night we went with some other couples to Nanataco, a culinary offshoot of Nana's, a beloved  Durham restaurant.  Thanks to Elise's recent recommendation on her blog, I knew that I needed to try this place out myself.  Lots of options and reasonably priced, I was impressed with the menu.  I mulled over a few and eventually decided on the fish tacos (options: corn/flour tortilla, fried/grilled fish, black beans/pinto beans).  This meal was very good, but I would say that I wish that each taco had two pieces of fish instead of just one, and while the pineapple salsa was the perfect flavor compliment to the fish, it was a little spicy for me (hello jalapeno!).  I really liked the black beans, rice, and their pico de gallo.  And my foodie partner in crime even said he liked Nanataco's guacamole better than Chipotle's.  Gasp!  Could that be true?  It just might be. Overall, I give this meal 3.5 stars.  I will definitely be back for more guac and to try out another menu item.

(you'll have to excuse the poor picture quality...just whipped out my phone to snap these)

High Five for Friday

1. My new Kindle Fire.  Nope, it's not an iPad, but it certainly does everything (and more!) I need it to.  I can watch all of my Amazon Prime videos on it, play Angry Birds and Sudoku till my heart's content, and I can even borrow books through the Prime Members Lending Library.  It's a sassy piece of technology, and I'm glad to have it.  And I'll admit, using a digital copy of the Bible for study is pretty cool--makes flipping "pages" much quicker.  I know it can do more than I understand in my one week of ownership, so I'll keep you posted about my future Kindle discoveries.

2. Eating biscuits with butter and molasses--a true Southern tradition.  This past weekend I should have taken a picture of my dad's famous biscuits, but I didn't.  I should have taken a picture of the sweet/syrupy/creamy goodness that is butter and molasses smashed and swirled together, but I didn't.  I should have taken a picture of the biscuit with the aforementioned goodness slathered on it, but sigh, I didn't.  Why?  Because I ate it before I could take a picture.

3. Remembering to live for the week, not the weekend (thank you, Summit Plumblines), which reminds me of this verse I need to call to mind often and much:

Teach us to number our days, 

   that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

4. Dinner at Raleigh's Nofo @ the Pig.  Located in an unassuming building that used to be old Piggly Wiggly, Nofo is a great place for foodies to eat (and shop...super cute gift store on the second level).  I've had a tasty dinner and yummy brunch there before, but going tonight with a certain special someone will be a distinct treat.  Even better is that I have a Living Social deal to use.  Don't you just love Living Social?

    

5. Another fun English teacher cartoon.  Is it embarrassing how much I laughed at this one?  Perhaps.  Am I actually embarrassed?  Not really.

Non-foodie Nugget: Ecojot Journals

Do you journal?  I'm not so much the journal-about-my hopes-and-dreams-"Dear Diary"-type, but I do reflectively journal nearly every day about the Word, what I hear the Lord saying through it, and responding in written prayer.  What I most appreciate about journaling being able to look back and see His faithfulness in answering prayer, both those I specifically requested and those that, in God's divine and mysterious sovereignty, weren't answered.  Over the years I have filled up many a journal with all of these ponderings, and such ponderings necessitate a solid, sturdy journal, one that travels well, offers sufficient line space and accommodates the unique needs of a lefty.

I can, with the utmost confidence, declare Ecojot as attaining journal perfection.  These are seriously the best journals ever (I prefer the jumbo 6x9 size).  And they're super cute too, don't you think?

You can find them on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble, but I've purchased my last two at The Container Store, mostly because I love any excuse to walk around a world so beautifully devoted to organization.  The bonus of my visit yesterday was that Ecojot journals were on sale, so I naturally bought two.

Ecojot journals are not just environmentally friendly and easy on the eye.  Like Tom's footwear, Ecojot uses a 1 for 1 model: for every product purchased, they donate a workbook to a child in need.  I really respect businesses who leverage themselves like this.

So I've found the perfect journal, but I'm still on a quest for the perfect pen to journal with.  Any suggestions?

My Perfect Chili

Everyone has a different idea of what makes a good bowl of chili.  Most agree that beans are non-negotiable, but what kind of meat, how spicy, and the requisite toppings are debatable.  I happen to like kidney beans and black beans, ground beef, mild/medium spice with some chunky green peppers and onions to boot.  I know I'm not creating anything new, but still, here's my take on this classic one-bowl meal.

Allyson's Chili
serves 6-8
1 pound ground chuck
2 cloves garlic, minced (if you're a garlic lover, go for three)
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel or store brand)

1 15-ounce can black beans, drained

1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained

1 4-ounce can diced green chiles

1 package of McCormick's original chili seasoning mix

1/2 tbsp chili powder*

1/2 tbsp cumin*

a pinch of any and/or all of the following:

red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chipotle pepper

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. In a large soup pot over medium high heat, brown the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and remove from pot to drain (you can leave some of the drippings in the pot--adds flavor).
2. Add a bit of olive oil to the same pot and cook garlic, onions, and pepper over medium heat. After the onions are tender (transluscent), add all remaining ingredients.
3. Add back in the beef. Reduce the heat to low. The key is allowing the chili to cook, and keep adding the spices as you see fit*.
4. After the flavors meld (takes a good hour or so...best if eaten the next day), serve with cheddar jack or a mexican blend cheese and sour cream. Add cilantro and avocado for extra flair and tastiness.

High Five for Friday

1. Dinner at Hayes Barton Cafe and Dessertery.  I don't think there's a better place to eat with your Valentine.  Or your best friend.  Or perhaps that's one and the same. Do heed this essential advice: Save room for dessert (Our State magazine just did an article on HB's desserts). Eclectic, cozy, and just plain delicious, this restaurant is without question my favorite place to eat in Raleigh (a pretty big statement for a foodie like me).  Needless to say, someone made me a very happy Valentine @ HB.

 

2. Celebrating 10 years of The Summit.  I am humbled and blessed to have been a part of the last four; what challenging teaching, encouraging fellowship, and transforming community God has provided for me and so many others through this church. I can't wait to see what else the Lord has in store for Raleigh/Durham through the hands and feet of Summit.

Summit 10 from The Summit Church on Vimeo.

3. Upcoming weekend @ my dad's in the mountains of North Carolina. Amazing view.

4. Wednesday night dinner @ Chipotle with Amber and Kelly.  Great conversation and delicious guacamole made for a fantastic evening.  And, um, I have a confession.  I ate my own side of guacamole.  It's that good so I'm not ashamed.

5. A sophomore boy's take on whether Valentine's Day is a legitimate holiday: "It's kind of false."  The class just laughed and laughed.  I even wrote my Q & his A on the board so I could look at it the rest of the day.  I don't think he knew it was funny... which makes it even funnier.

Strawberry Cream Cupcakes

Valentine's Day. A day of copious amounts of sugar, flowers, and hearts on anything that will stand still. Dessert can take various forms, but most involve chocolate, right?  Chocolate packaged in a box is a default.  Chocolate-dipped strawberries are a trusty romantic gesture.  But a chocolate-free dessert that will still make the heart sing?  Now that's a triumph, a triumph by the name of Strawberry Cream Cupcake.

I made these for my small group last night, and while they are admittedly quite girly, I think the fellas will like this treat.  It's basically the flavors of strawberry shortcake in a sweet, little cupcake that looks all frilly and fancy with the cream in the middle.  And don't be wary of the box cake mix; Giada's recipe uses those pre-measured ingredients as a base to create something far from a box.  With two teaspoons of both almond and vanilla extract, the flavor of the cake is fabulous, plus using only egg whites lends a more angel food cake-y texture.  All the girls agreed that made in miniature size, these would be the perfect sweet bite for a bridal or baby shower. Just be sure to save some for the boys who make both kinds of showers possible. 

Strawberry Cream Cupcakes

slightly adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix 

1 1/3 cups water

3 large egg whites

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries*, coarsely chopped

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting

1. Line 18 muffin cups with muffin papers.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cake mix, water, egg whites, melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract for 2 minutes or until the batter is well blended.  Using about 1/3 cup of batter for each cupcake, spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake the cupcakes until they are very pale golden on top, about 15 minutes.  Cool the cupcakes on a cooling rack.
4. Using a fork, coarsely mash 3/4 of the berries in a medium bowl (I let them sit and macerate a bit at room temperature). Using the stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the cream and 1/3 cup powdered sugar until firm peaks form (tip: put both the bowl and the whisk into the freezer to chill before making the whipped cream).  Fold the mashed berries into the whipped cream.
5. Remove the muffin papers from the cupcakes and cut the tops off of each cupcake.  Spoon the strawberry whipped cream atop the cupcake bottoms.  Place the cupcake tops on the cupcakes.  Dust with more powdered sugar and serve with the remaining berries.

* Giada's original recipe calls for fresh raspberries (2 6-ounce containers), but Trader Joe's was out of 'em, so I opted for the strawberry route.  Feel free to take the route that most appeals to your berry sensibility.

Oatmeal Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips

I've said it before and I'll say it again.   I love Foster's Market, which means I heart Sara Foster's recipes, so naturally, this book can do no wrong.

I received a copy for my 30th birthday (autographed by Sara Foster thanks to E!) and in turn, now fully convinced of its greatness since it's been so trusty in my kitchen, I've bought it for many a birthday and bride.  Need a gift idea for upcoming bridal showers or parties? I assure you, she (or he...no kitchen gender discrimination here) will love it.

Onto the most recent triumph.  Having a couple of very ripe bananas and wanting to use them before they turned into fodder for some sort of science experiment, I rifled through the cookbook and only 9 pages later found this recipe: Oatmeal Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips. Wonderful flavor with just the right amount of sweetness, these are not dainty breakfast muffins.  Nope.  These are "I'm-gonna-get-you-through-your-morning-with-gusto" muffins.

Welcome to my typical 6:30 a.m. set up.  One of the muffins and a cup of coffee paired perfectly alongside my morning reading.  

Can't you just feel the gusto?  How about a closer look?

How's that?  Not quite close enough?

Mmm hmm.  Hello chocolate chip melty banana goodness (bonus texture from the oatmeal!).

As the recipe makes 12, these are perfect for a weekend brunch or to give some away to the special people in your life (but save five for yourself to ensure each weekday morning has its requisite gusto).

Oatmeal Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips

from Foster's Market

1 1/2 cup rolled oats
2 1/2 cups all- purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

3 large eggs
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup buttermilk*
1/4 cup canola or safflower oil
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line 12 large muffin cups with paper liners.
3. Place the oats on a rimmed baking sheet and lightly toast. Set aside to cool.
4. Combine the oats, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl and stir to mix.
5. Whisk together the butter, eggs, bananas, buttermilk and oil in a separated bowl and blend well.
6. Combine the two mixtures and stir just until all the dry ingredients are moist. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin with a large ice cream scoop( 1/3 cup scoop).
8. Place in the oven to bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops of the muffins spring back when touched. remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.

*No buttermilk on hand?  Simply combine 3/4 cup of milk with 2 1/4 teaspoons of lemon juice.  Let stand for about 5-10 minutes to curdle (not the most appealing term, I know).  Great kitchen trick I just learned...saves the trip to the store and wasted buttermilk afterwards.  Unless you know someone who drinks buttermilk.  Blech. That makes "curdle" not sound so bad.

High Five for Friday

1. Today is my dear friend Emily's birthday.  A sassy, stylish, sincere woman of the Lord, Emily's heart has encouraged mine to seek, trust, and believe God.  Ours is friendship quite unique--she's over in Nashville doing production work, I'm here in Raleigh teaching high school.  We don't see each other much (like once or twice a year), but that's the real beauty.  It doesn't matter.  When we are together, it's easy, comfortable, rich.  I'm thankful for you Em.  Celebrating His creation of you and the gift that it is to have a friend who will gladly tromp through snow and stand in freezing temperatures just to see the site of Thoreau's cabin at Walden.

2. Watching the Superbowl with great friends on Sunday.  We ate delicious food (see Pioneer Woman's drip beef below), laughed at funny commercials (the Sketchers dog has my vote), and two of us took the DISC personality profile test (I apparently don't fit on any chart...I'm an "I" with high "D," average "S," with a smidge of "C").  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Me either.  I've resolved to do further exploring.  Ultimately, the end result of the Giants winning sat well with us all.  And the drip beef, well, it will have to be made again because it was absolutely that good.  Doesn't this picture make your mouth water? Michal and her slow cooker are to be commended...her husband Chris declared it was better than any restaurant's French dip.  After watching him finish his third sandwich, I believe him.

3. Lemon Poppyseed Sugar Cookies.  I made these for small group the other night, and Amber said they tasted like spring.  They were such I hit that I didn't even have any cookies left to photograph, so I'll post Mel's picture from her awesome food blog.

4. Teaching 1984.  I can't think of a better book to study in senior English.  Even though my students' minds are swimming in "doublethink," most seem appreciative of Orwell's frightening dystopia, and though at first glance a far-fetched conception, it becomes all too real when looking at our modern world's North Korea.

 

5. Meet the Teacher night has come and gone.  It's not exactly my favorite night of the year (imagine being at your workplace for 12 hours...and to be peppy and personable the last hour), but it's never as bad as I think it will be.  I also find it entertaining when I can easily match parent to student.  Some of my kiddos are carbon copies.

Mel's Broccoli Cheese Soup

As promised, here's my review of the quintessential broccoli cheese soup recipe thanks to Mel's Kitchen Cafe, a fantastic food blog you should check out.  Like now.  Don't delay.  Start saving recipes to her site's handy dandy recipe box.  ASAP.

What I most appreciate about this recipe is its thickness.  Some soups are just, well, too soupy.  You know what I mean, right?  If I'm going to eat a cream-based soup, I want it to be thick, not thin like broth-based ones.  Thanks to the roux, this soup thickens up exactly as it should, and thanks to the glass bowl microwave trick, you have additional texture from the perfectly-cooked broccoli.  Now it may not smell the best in your kitchen (seriously, why does cooked broccoli have such a pungent stench?), but you won't really care because you'll be too busy spooning this deliciousness to your mouth.

Broccoli Cheese Soup 
from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used Cabot's Seriously Sharp)
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese (I used a Swiss/Gruyere blend from Trader Joe's)
2 1/2 to 3 cups chopped, lightly steamed or blanched broccoli*

1. Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. 
2. Heat milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes. 
3. In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour, salt and pepper. Cook together, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium heat until soup starts to thicken, about 5-8 minutes. 
4. Add warmed chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. 
5. Add cheeses and stir until completely melted. 
6. Stir in seamed broccoli. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. 
7. Serve immediately in bowls or bread bowls.

Serves 4 (easily doubled...your dutch oven has plenty of room, I promise)

*Note from Mel (aforementioned broccoli trick): To make my life easier, while the soup is coming together, I put the chopped broccoli in a large glass bowl, cover with saran wrap and microwave for about 3-4 minutes. It cooks perfectly and just in time to add it to the soup.


**Note from Allyson: I love when cookists share tidbits like the one above.  Not only is that the perfect method to cook the broccoli for this soup, it's the perfect technique to add steamed broccoli to any dinner you serve.  And for my readers who love butter as I do, add a couple of pats to the bowl before steaming in the microwave.  

High Five for Friday

TGIF everyone!  I hope your week has gone well and that you have a restful, fun, football-loving weekend ahead of you.  Linking up again with Lauren's blog From My Grey Desk, here's my top five of the week:

1. All Sons & Daughters.  My iTunes hasn't stopped playing Brokenness Aside: EP No. 1 and Reason to Sing: EP No. 2.  True worship albums with scripture beautifully woven into the lyrics, these songs captivate heart and soul.

Reason to Sing EPK from All Sons & Daughters on Vimeo.


2. Superbowl Sunday.  I'll be cheering on the Giants because Eli is Peyton's brother.  As a Tennessee alum, there's really no other way to go.

 

Ok, to be perfectly honest, I'm most excited about the day's menu, which includes PW's restaurant style salsa, drip beef sandwiches, hot artichoke and olive dip, not to mention some amazing bread concoction involving cheese and mushrooms.  Pictures and posts coming next week.


3. Discovering Mel's Kitchen Cafe.  She's an organized mother of four who believes in cooking from scratch.  Simply fabulous.  A post reviewing her Broccoli Cheese soup is in the works.





4. Newest addition to the kitchen:  my very own Silpat.  My sister has sworn by hers for years, and I'm finally following suit. No more parchment paper lined baking sheets.  Woo hoo!

5. Safe travel to and from Egypt, a country in much turmoil and in desperate need of true leadership.  Thankful that a certain someone is now back on American soil.  Very, very thankful.