Spiced Apple Butter

As many of you know, I am a jam fanatic. I used to have jam on toast, oh, everyday. Then, I discovered apple butter. It is a healthier alternative, but still satisfies my spreadable-sweetness craving (less sugar, more fiber, and all that good stuff). For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, it has the texture of a thicker, smoother apple sauce. Use it just like jam -- on toast, crackers, and the like. My morning ritual now consists of toast with a good smear of it with peanut butter. A very satisfying breakfast, and also a great snack!

White Bean & Chicken Chili

Here's to some healthy AND delicious recipes for the New Year! Hope you enjoy this light, flavorful twist on chili.

Chocolate Cherry Trifle

For all of you who haven't made, or tried, trifle -- trust me, you are in for a treat! Trifle is a traditional English dessert made from layers of sponge cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream. Many traditional recipes often include soaking the cake in some kind of alcohol (including this one). The possibilities are endless, and I have recently come across a plethora of incredible-looking trifle recipes.

The classic combination of chocolate and cherry is one that I prefer in the colder months, especially during the holidays. I made this trifle for Christmas this past year, and my family absolutely could not get enough. It makes a large amount, so it is good for sharing with a crowd. I also think this would be a beautiful dessert for a Valentine's Day meal (your date will certainly thank you). A trifle's flavors develop the longer it sits, so you can also eat on it for days, and it will keep getting better. In fact, I would plan on making this the day before serving, if you are able. It is crucial for the cake to soak up the custard, and for the flavors to develop overnight. The cherry brandy can be left out, and this is probably best if serving kids (you really can taste it). However, if this is an adult occasion, I highly recommend splurging on the brandy. It gives the dessert such a decadent flavor, and it pairs perfectly with cherry and chocolate flavors.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I have been eating a lot of sweet potatoes lately. They are inexpensive, healthy, delicious, and simple to cook! I usually bake them like a regular potato, or slice them up and roast them with some olive oil (not surprising, given my affinity for roasting). I have also been enjoying the recent trend of the sweet potato fry option in restaurants, but when I tried making them at home, I was not getting the same crispy-fry texture. I thought it must be the price you pay for baking versus deep frying.

However, this recipe is wonderful because it gets the sweet potato fries more crispy than my previous baking attempts (although I must admit, still not as crispy as frying). Also, there is a dipping sauce included. The sauce is a nice touch -- I mean, who doesn't LOVE dipping their fries in something tasty? This is also the first dip I've tried that complements the sweet potato flavor well (ketchup unfortunately tastes really bazaar with sweet potato IMO).

I've made these fries on the side of bison burgers a few times, and you should definitely give it a try; it is SUCH a good combo (I will have to post the burger recipe soon). Also, I definitely enjoy just eating them as a snack (while nomming on the couch, of course). Either way, you can't go wrong!

Ingredients
* Sweet potato, peeled and sliced
* Corn starch
* Olive oil
* Salt

-- The proportions depend on how much you want to make. It's very flexible. See instructions below.

Dipping Sauce
* Mayonnaise
* Sriracha sauce

-- I like 3 parts mayonnaise to 1 part Sriracha (nice and spicy), but alter proportions depending on your taste. Just mix the two ingredients, and serve with the fries!

Directions
* Preheat oven to 425 F.
* Put your prepared sweet potatoes in a bag.
* Sprinkle in a little corn starch, and give it a good shake. The corn starch should just lightly coat the potato on all sides. Start out with just a little, and add if you need more (it's hard to dust the corn starch off if you put too much on, but possible if need be).
* Then lay your potato slices on your baking sheet or in a bowl, and lightly coat with olive oil. You while want to use your hands to toss the slices to make sure all sides have a nice light coating. Then, lay slices on your baking sheet like so:
* Bake for about 15 minutes. I then like to flip all the fries onto the opposite side, and bake for another 5 minutes or so (this helps get both sides nice and crispy).
* Lay your fries on a napkin, and sprinkle with some salt. I let the fries sit there for a few minutes, they will start to crisp up more as they cool.
* Serve with your dipping sauce!
* Note: When cutting, the picture above is a good example of the desired size for a good & crispy fry.

Recipe adapted from this blog.

Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Omelette

Now, time to put those omelette skills to the test! This is a new favorite. Red pepper and goat cheese is such a classic combo, seen mostly in pastas and sandwiches. But trust me, it's time to give those flavors a try a la an herby, fluffy omelette stuffed with the creamy, tangy goat cheese, alongside the sweet & smokey roasted red peppers. Just stellar.

How To: Omelette

When I have a little free time, one of my MOST favorite things to do is to sleep in, and cook up a hearty breakfast or brunch. Eggs also happen to be one of my favorite foods, so I wanted to share the basic techniques for creating classic egg dishes (planning for more to come). Hopefully, when you have some free time, you can whip up some eggs for you and your loved ones!

Omelettes can be a little tricky. I've tried multiple methods, but I have found a fail-proof way that works for me, so I hope it can help you! And please, have NO fear if you haven't made them before! The first few times I tried, I ended up with last-minute scrambled eggs, but practice makes perfect.

Here's what you'll need for each omelette:
* 2 extra-large eggs
* 2 tbsp. milk (some people swear by water for fluffing omelettes, but I like milk)
* 8 or 9-inch omelette pan, buttered well
* Sturdy spatula (somewhat small works better for me)
* Whatever you want to fill your omelette with!

Directions
* Whisk the eggs and milk together until just combined (this is another point of contention, some people like to whisk the batter until frothy -- you can try both and see what you like)
* Season with salt and pepper (or add any other herbs or spices you like)
* While mixing the eggs, heat your buttered pan on medium heat.
* When the pan gets warm, pour in your egg mixture.
* The bottom will set, and immediately turn the heat down to low.
* Give the top a stir as you wait for it to cook through more (making sure not to break the bottom).
* Sometimes I will put a lid on the top just for about 30 seconds, to help the omelette cook through a little more quickly (so the bottom doesn't burn).
* When there is still a little liquid on top, and the bottom has set completely (without getting browned), flip your omelette over carefully with a sturdy plastic spatula.
* This is close to what you want (got a little more cooked than I would like)...
* As soon as you have flipped, immediately take the pan off the heat, and put your filling in!
* Then, just fold, and serve!

Favorite Fillers
* Ham and cheddar cheese
* Bacon, jalapeno, and cheddar cheese
* Sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and gruyere
* Green bell pepper, onion, and cheddar cheese
* Turkey, avocado, and Monterey jack
* Green chili and chorizo
* Roasted red pepper and goat cheese

Christmas Menu Planning

There are many recipes I wanted to blog about post-Christmas feasting, but then I realized that might not be beneficial in anticipation of cooking/baking for Christmas and New Years. So, I have been scouring the internet, my favorite cookbooks, blogs, as well as searching for inspiration from family traditions, to provide a compilation of things that I plan on making or have made in the past (and others that I am cataloging for future years), so that y'all can see if these recipes interest you this Christmas!

Breakfast
* Red Velvet Pancakes
* Eggnog French Toast
* Lemon Cranberry Muffins
* Caramel Apple Sticky Buns
* Baked French Toast Casserole
I've made this before. SO good. I hope to make it some lazy day over the break, and if so, will post pics then!
* Cranberry Nutmeg Pancakes w/ Meyer Lemon Curd

Cheese Plate
* Camembert & Pears
* Baked Brie w/ Cranberry Sauce & Walnuts
* Baked Brie w/ Rosemary Honey & Toasted Almonds

Entrees
* Whisky & Coke Ham
You are looking at a tried and true Fiedler family tradition here. My Dad makes this ham every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it is seriously the BEST.HAM.EVER. And yes, there is a bit of a theme here. The Fiedlers absolutely love cooking with (and drinking) whisky. The recipe above is where my Dad got the idea (thank you, Emeril). I know he has put a couple twists on it, but if you follow this recipe, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. After Christmas, I will try to remember to post some pics of my Dad's, and talk with him about any other suggestions he has for the recipe. But until then, please try it out for your own Christmas!! It will be one of the best presents you can give your family!
* Roasted Turkey
There are lots of great turkey recipes, but I included this one because it includes a good brine. In my humble opinion, brining is THE MOST important step to having a good turkey! Please don't overlook it! You should definitely read up on the process if you haven't done so in the past.
* Beef Bourguignon
I made this for a dinner party, and it's one of the best things I've ever cooked. I really wish I would've taken pictures and posted about it, because it is a complex recipe. However, if you want to impress, this is without a doubt the dish to make!!
* Roast Prime Rib
* Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Sides
* Cranberry Sauce
* Green Bean Casserole
* Dijon Braised Brussels Sprouts
* Roasted Broccoli & Cherry Tomatoes
* Mashed Cauliflower & Cheese
Also made this at the dinner party, and everyone raved about it! Sorry I didn't take any pics of this either.

Desserts
* Rum Cake
* Guiness Gingerbread
* Chocolate Cherry Trifle
I'm in charge of dessert for Christmas day, and this is what I am making. Will get a post up as soon as I can afterward. Doesn't it look fantastic?!
* Peppermint Ice Cream
I reallyyy want an ice cream maker from Santa.
* White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Gift Box Ideas
* Decorated Sugar Cookies (cookie recipe and glaze; TB: 12/22)
* Peppermint Bark (very easy to make; TB: 12/22)
* Dark Chocolate Whoopie Pies w/ Toasted Almond Cream (first time making these; TB: 12/23)
* Red Velvet Cake Balls
* Sinner Bark (this, and next three are on my blog)
* Seven Layer Bars
* Gingerbread Cookies
* Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars
* Hot Chocolate Mix

Drinks/Cocktails
* Crock Pot Hot Cocoa
* Peppermint Mocha
* Cranberry-Pomegranate Margarita
* Cranberry-Ginger Fizz
* Pomegranate-Vanilla Sangria

Hope this helps. Wishing you, and your family, a very Merry Christmas feast!

P.S. If anyone has great holiday recipes, please please share!