Caramel Pear Bread

I love baking (and eating!) bread, all kinds.  Bread is one of my major weaknesses.  Making a yeast bread can be very therapeutic and relaxing. Surely, the kneading of it is a great way to relieve stress and anger! But making yeast breads takes time, often many hours, as you wait for the dough to rise. My schedule doesn't allow that on a regular basis.  Non-yeast breads, or quick breads, is a great alternative.  Like their name implies, they are quick to make.  Usually it is just throwing the ingredients in a mixing bowl, mixing it up, putting the batter in a loaf pan and baking. Because they are so easy to make, they are great to share with neighbors, family and friends. I often bake a loaf to take to the office. I especially love to have a quick bread in the morning, with a cup of tea or latte.  Banana bread, pumpkin bread, zucchini bread are all so yummy!

I had a few pears languishing in my produce drawer so decided to make a bread with them.  I am getting a little tired of things with cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin spice, etc. so went online looking for something a little more basic.  I ran across this apple praline bread and decided to put a pear twist on it. I knew I would not make the praline topping, I'm not a big praline candy fan anyway, but it just looked too rich for me.  Instead, I drizzled some caramel sauce over it. The bread itself isn't real sweet so the caramel gave it just a little extra "oomph" of sweetness.  I also didn't add as much nuts to the top of the bread, sprinkling it with about 1/3 cup (give or take a little, who measures this stuff?) The original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups apples, I had two large pears, so went with that.  I find that pears bake up much moister than apples do. I was happy with the dough to fruit ratio, I think another pear would've made the bread too mushy (don't you love my technical baking terms?) I also toasted all the pecans, I think it brings out more of the nutty flavor.

We really enjoyed this pear bread. Every bite had a little taste of vanilla-spiced batter, pear and pecans. I took half of it to my parents' house and it got good reviews there, too.

Caramel Pear Bread

1 cup chopped pecans
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups finely chopped peeled pears
Caramel sauce (I used Fran's)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with baking spray (or grease and flour it).

Spread pecans in a small skillet, over low heat. Toast, stirring occasionally, until light brown.

In medium bowl, beat sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla on low speed 2 minutes. Beat in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt just until blended. Stir in pears and 2/3 cup of the toasted pecans. Spoon batter into pan.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup toasted pecans; lightly press pecans into batter.

Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, covering with foil during last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning, if necessary.  Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack.

Spoon caramel sauce over top of bread. Cool completely, about 2 hours.

The Wisdom in Little Golden Books

Most of us are very familiar with Little Golden Books, the small cardboard books sold at grocery and variety stores.  Our parents read them to us when we were young. We, in turn, read them to our children. The short stories and colorful illustrations have become classics.  Who can forget The Poky Little Puppy, Chicken Little, and The Gingerbread Man?

A few months back I was introduced to a book that showed me  Little Golden Books aren't just for children, they contain messages for adults, too. In Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book the author takes illustrations from the little books and combines them with words of advice that are relevant to our busy lives today. It's a darling book, you will find yourself smiling as the pictures remind you of a favorite childhood book or character (I love the Poky Little Puppy!) It's very creative how the author combined the books' illustrations with  pertinent words on how we should live our lives. If you know of someone who needs a little encouragement or need just one more stocking stuffer, this is the book for you. It's even a great book to keep on your personal bookshelf for those times when you need a pick-me-up! I just love it!

 

Dresden Plate Pillow

The Dresden plate quilt pattern was very popular in the 1920’s and 30’s. It is also know by names such as Grandmother’s sunburst, sunflower, and friendship ring. There are usually 12 or more “petals” that are sewn together, radiating from a central circle, and then appliqued onto a block of fabric. They often look like flowers, hence the many garden names. The "petals" may be smooth at the outer edge of the circle or shaped into arcs or points, or a combination. The center of the Dresden can be plain, embroidered, decorated with trim, yo-yo's or doilies. It's a very versatile and creative pattern.

I have a Dresden plate quilt made by my Grandma over 20 years ago.  It's gotten rather threadbare so it no longer resides on a bed. I've always loved the pattern and when she offered to make me a quilt that was my request. When Grandma made a quilt she had to make a paper pattern, trace out the pattern onto the fabric, then cut out each piece.  This was all very time consuming, of course. Modern quilters have it much easier.  There are rulers and circle guides, rotary cutters and cutting mats of all shapes and sizes. It never occurred to me to make a Dresden plate, I'm not a quilter (though I'm thinking I should attempt one!) but then I saw this tutorial and she made it look so easy.  I ordered the two rulers and got to work. It was much easier than I thought it would be.  Who knew?!!

My first Dresden plate went on a pillow for my sister's birthday. I embellished the center of the Dresden with ric rac trim and added piping to the pillow. Now it's time to repeat the process and make one for me!

I'm linking up to Inspire Me Tuesday.

No Willpower Equals Skillet Brownies!

I've mentioned the food board that I belong to.  We've been together over 10 years now.  We are spread out all throughout the United States.  Some of us have been able to meet up in person.  I traveled to a drag race in Pennsylvania a few years back and was able to meet up with Elsa.  A trip to Phoenix resulted in a meet-up with Eileen. A few ladies, Nancy and Sharon, live along the California coast and we have met up more than once, the latest being when a member from Maine, Kim, was vacationing out here. It's amazing how it feels as though we've known each other forever, our love of food and entertaining unites us. It's a wonderful group of women, I feel very blessed to be a part of the group.

We share recipes, restaurants we've been to, where to find certain ingredients, and our review of cookbooks.  We also share our lives.  We've "watched" kids grow, celebrated graduations and marriages, we all put up with the posting of grandchildren pictures. We've had a few members die much too early from cancer.  It's a community.

Now there is a downside to this group.  We are always posting about cookbooks we've bought, dishes, linens, where to find a certain piece we saw in a magazine. It's very easy to get caught up in the action and buy things that I didn't know I needed, especially cookbooks.  I have a lot of cookbooks. I've been collecting cookbooks since I was in high school. I've been on a mission to pare down my collection and to stop buying.  I was doing really well, haven't bought a cookbook in over a year.  Then Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, came out with a new cookbook.

I resisted pre-ordering it last spring.  I resisted for almost two weeks as the food board members started talking about how they were enjoying it, the recipes they were making.  I felt so strong!  Then I watched the Barefoot Contessa one Saturday morning.  She made skillet brownies from her new book.  She made them in the cutest little skillets!  I CAVED! Not only did I buy the cookbook, but I ordered the skillets, too!  No Willpower!

I can attest that the latest Barefoot Contessa cookbook is awesome.  So are the skillet brownies.  The little skillets are adorable (you can get them here).  I know I will use them for many things, such as individual portions of cornbread, fruit crisps, even a mini frittata. So, all is well with the purchases.  I will try to resist better next time!

Skillet Brownies

¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces plus ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1½ ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 extra large eggs
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 pint vanilla ice cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter, 4 ounces of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate together in a medium bowl set over simmering water. Set aside for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together ¼ cup of the flour, the baking powder and salt and add to the chocolate mixture. Toss together the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips and one tablespoon of flour in a medium bowl and add them to the chocolate mixture. Spoon the mixture into five 3½ inch cast iron skillets and place them on a sheet pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Don’t over bake!

Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream on top. 

Having a kitchen helper makes things so much more fun!  She loves to bake with me.  She loved the brownies, too!

Apple Butter Bread

I make apple butter every fall (recipe here).  It's probably my favorite toast topping.  Like most jams and jellies, apple butter can also be used for baking and cooking. Today it goes in this tender and moist bread, with all the spicy flavors we come to expect in the fall.  It's wonderful with a cup of tea or coffee.

I used a simple confectioners' sugar glaze for this, adding some cinnamon for more spice.  Apple cider or juice can also be substituted for the milk to get more apple flavor.

Apple Butter Bread

Makes 1 9x5-inch loaf

For the bread:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon apple pie spice (see note below)
3/4 cup apple butter
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, if desired

For the glaze:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom and sides of loaf pan; dust with flour, tapping out excess.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and apple pie spice; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the apple butter, brown sugar, milk, oil vanilla and eggs (one at a time). Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Stir in nuts.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing loaf to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and milk.  The mixture should be somewhat thick but pourable.  Slowly add more milk, if needed. Pour the glaze over the top of the loaf and let it drip down the sides.  Let the glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving.

Recipe notes: To substitute for the apple pie spice use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon allspice.  Or make homemade version (recipe here).

A Pumpkin Pot and Pumpkin Rolls!

Belonging to a food board community can be both dangerous and good.  Foodies tend to be on top of the newest dishes, cooking utensils and, of course, great recipes.  It takes restraint to not buy everything that is being brought to our attention. Sometimes, however, a girl just can't resist.  Such was the case with this Staub pumpkin pot.  Becky (who passed away a few years ago, much too young) is the one who first found this pot and informed the rest of us.  Little by little, many of us got one. Sadly, I admit I caved right away.  Is it possible to love a pot?  Because I'm very fond of this one!  Every October it comes out of the upper storage cabinet and takes center position on my cooktop.  All through fall I use it for soups, stews and other braised dishes. Though it wasn't inexpensive, it's very heavy and well-made, this pot will outlast me.  It may be the only inheritance my kids get! 

On this evening the pot held Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup. To serve with the soup I made a batch of pumpkin rolls. 

I first spotted this bread recipe on Pinterest last year and pinned it to one of my boards. I thought they were so cute! Like many of my pins on Pinterest I forgot about it.  A food board friend, Martha, made these a few weeks back and I was reminded of the recipe. She gave it rave reviews so I knew I had to make them.  We loved them.  They have a slight pumpkin flavor, not overpowering, kind of sweet.  They were excellent with the soup and would be a wonderful accompaniment to any fall dinner.  They can be served with cinnamon butter, it takes the rolls from ordinary to over-the-top.

To give credit to the original poster of this recipe I direct you to the recipe here.  Her pictures of the various recipe steps are very helpful.

Join me at Inspire Me Tuesday.

It's All About The Mouse...and Baby, Too!

My daughter-in-love was the guest of honor at a cute baby shower, Mickey Mouse style.  She is a huge Disney fan so the shower theme was very appropriate for her.

Once I knew the theme my mind went into overdrive thinking of Mickey Mouse baby things I could make.  First up was a bib in Mickey colors. I used a yellow terrycloth towel for the back of the bib, should be very durable for the little one.

On Etsy I found these "month" stickers.  I love the pictures that show a baby every month for the first year. What a special way to chronicle how fast they grow!

Finally, I made our little Jakey a quilt.  I am not much of a quilter so a rag quilt is about as good as it's going to get from me!  I love them, though, they are soft and durable.  My "Stitch 'n Bitch" friend, Linda, graciously did the machine embroidery of the Mickey Mouse silhouette and Jacob's name in the Disney-style font.  It made a simple quilt a little more special, I think!

My daughter-in-love was blessed to have three baby showers. I don't think there is anything major that they need to set up babykeeping, just the baby.  Another 5-6 weeks and he will be here! I know the time will fly by and we will soon be taking him to see Mickey Mouse!