Saturday, July 20, 2013

Crabby Snacks and Homemades: Eat these with Silver Linings Playbook (or an Eagles game)


My own version of "Crabby Snacks and Homemades"

I read this on my Kindle on my trip back from Aruba (good easy plane reading)

I always remember hearing the expression, "every dark cloud has a silver lining" growing up; a lesson in optimism, that the glass is always half full, and a reminder to always look on the bright side.  Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick is told from the point of view of Pat Peoples, a somewhat mentally disturbed character, who is looking for his "silver lining"  in his life story.

I have to admit, I am a "book before movie" kinda girl, but I saw the movie first on this one, and I'm glad I did.  First, the author doesn't really go into much detail on what the characters look like, so picturing the characters clearly in this book is helpful as you read it.  Second, the book is just weird...but in a good way....and Third...well I don't have a third.  However, (SPOILER ALERT) the book is very fitting that it doesn't have a "happy ending," but a "silver-lining ending."   You can find more about this book here.

OK...so the food. The family in this book is obsessed, or should I say O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D (AHHHH!)...(you'll get it if you read the book) with the Eagles pro football team, and the mom makes the family snacks to watch the games. She makes "crabby snacks" and "homemades." What the hell are "crabby snacks"and "homemades" you ask?  Well, I had to consult my friend Google for this one and found a lot of chatter about them online.  Crabby Snacks actually sound DISGUSTING, but as most processed foods are, probably tastes really good.   It's basically a mixture of canned crab meat, butter, mayonnaise, and a jar of Kraft Cheese mixed together, and then topped on English Muffins, baked, then quartered.  Homemades are essentially a "handcrafted" pasta....such a strange mix of two foods: easy processed food (crabby snacks) and difficult crafted pasta (homemades)...but that is just one weird example in the book - it is so strange.

I did not make the ACTUAL crabby snacks, but I did include a link to a recipe I saw if you dare to try them:
 Link to Legit Crabby Cakes and Homemades Recipe

However, I made it a little bit more my style and made:
  • Lump Crab Bruschetta
  • Pappardelle with Corn and Tomatoes
Lump Crab Bruschetta (my version of "Crabby Snacks")
I followed this recipe: http://fishcooking.about.com/od/crablobsterrecipes/r/Buttery-Garlic-Crab-Bruschetta-Recipe-Italian-Crab-Meat-Appetizer-With-Garlic.htm.

I basically followed the instructions - I  used the lump crab (jumbo lump crab not needed) in the refrigerated seafood section. I think it was about an 6-8 oz jar. 

Pappardelle with Corn and Tomatoes (my version of "Homemades"....OK a stretch, but someone "homemade" that pasta!)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pappardelle-with-corn-recipe/index.html. I followed the recipe except I added 1 cup of Parmesan cheese instead of 1/2 cup. I also made grilled shrimp to add to the pasta...but I forgot I made the shrimp, so they never made their way to the pasta...oh well...it was clearly still good without it!
I used a bag of dried garlic and chive pappardelle that I bought at a farmers market made by http://www.pappardellespasta.com/.  Here is a picture of the pasta:
  
I was all very tasty!  I may try out those original crabby snacks during football season!
And...P.S.:  I was at my pool yesterday as a dark cloud approached over my head (what is it with the rain in Atlanta this summer?)....and gleaming out from behind it was a Silver Lining!!!
I took a picture of a Silver Lining I saw in a dark cloud at the pool yesterday.  Silver Lining....couldn't go to the pool, but got to catch up on my blog!
Cheers Crabby Snacks, Homemades and Silver Linings!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Fourth of July: A Patriotic Red, White and Blue Cake

Celebrate your independence with a festive Red, White, and Blue cake representing our nations' flag of course!

The cake a few slices in



The cake one slice in


The whole cake before we cut it

A slice!

Ingredients:

Cake:
  1. 1 box Duncan Hines Strawberry Cake
  2. 1 box Duncan Hines White Cake
  3. Eggs, Oil and Water per box directions
  4. 3 round pans (8 or 9 inch)
  5. Parchment Paper
  6. Cooking Spray
  7. Red and Blue food coloring
  8. 3 bowls
Frosting:
  1. 4 sticks of unsalted softened butter
  2. 2-1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
  3. 2 jars (total of 13 oz) of marshmallow fluff
Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
  • Spray down your pans with cooking spray and add a circle of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan and then spray it again
  • The red layer: In one bowl, make the strawberry cake according to package directions. Add lots of red food coloring to make it bright red.  Then, pour half the mixture into one of the prepared pans.  Use the other half of the mixture for cupcakes or something else.
  • The white player: In the second bowl, make the white cake according to package directions and then pour half the batter into a third bowl.  The batter left in Bowl 2 is already white, so you can pour it into one of the prepared pans.
  • The blue layer: In bowl three, add lots of blue food coloring to the cake mix until it is dark blue. Then pour into the prepared pan.
  • Bake the cakes for 30 minutes or so, and then let cool in the pans. Then, invert the pans and let the cakes cool on a rack or plate.
Frosting

  • Using your electric mixer, put your softened butter in and mix until creamy
  • Add the powdered sugar about 1/2 a cup at a time and mix away.
  • Add the marshmallow fluff in and stir up

Assembly:
  • After your cakes have cooled all the way, layer them with the blue on the bottom, white in the middle and red on top. Put lots of frosting in between the layers as you build it, and then lots of frosting on the top and sides.
  • If it started to get hard to handle, put it in the fridge to cool/harden and then come back to it
  • Garnish with blueberries and strawberries
  • Would be cool if you put a sparkler on top - but i didn't do that.
Enjoy your patriotic masterpiece!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Read Safe Haven with Brie Puff Pastry Bites with Cherry Preserves


These were my inspiration on Pinterest of the Baked Brie Bites


Ok, here are how mine really came out  - not quite as beautiful as hers

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Normally I don't blog about romantic Nicholas Sparks books - although if The Notebook didn't bring a tear to your eye, there is something wrong with you.  I downloaded this book on my Kindle and couldn't put it down!  It's the perfect combination of romance mixed with suspense, mystery, and spoiler alert...a happy ending!  I loved it, and can't wait to see it in the movies when it comes out...although, I saw the previews and the characters don't look like what I pictured at all.

Anyway, the main character Katie, has a date with her neighbor, Alex and she makes him dinner - the dinner seemed a little mismatched but each component sounded good - she made a bacon wrapped brie with raspberry sauce for the appetizer, and then for dinner she made stuffed green peppers, shrimp stuffed with crab meat cooked in a scampi sauce, and corn bread. 

Inspired by the baked bacon wrapped brie with raspberry sauce, I made Brie Bites in Puff Pastry with Cherry (you could use Raspberry) Preserves. They were really good!


I adapted the recipe from this blog: http://joythebaker.com/2011/12/bite-sized-baked-brie/ and she has STEP BY STEP (very anal) instructions for those that want them.

Bite-sized Baked Brie
makes 24 squares
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed but still cold
1/2 wedge of brie (about 4 ounces), cold
1/3 cup cherry jam (or any flavor you fancy!)
1 large egg, beaten
splash of milk
coarse sea salt
  • All-butter, store bought puff pastry  usually comes frozen and folded into thirds.  We’re going to use these folded thirds to our advantage.  Cut the puff pastry into thirds along the creases.  Cut each panel into four pieces.  They’ll be 2 1/4-inch tall and 3-inches wide.  One sheet of puff pastry will yield 12 rectangles.  Cut each rectangle in half.  You’ll have 24 little rectangles that will create 12 little rectangle pockets.
  • Combine beaten egg and splash of milk.  Brush 12 of the small rectangles with egg wash.  If you’d like to make brie bites on sticks, now is the time!  Place a popsicle stick halfway up the puff pastry and press in gently.  Place a small sliver of brie (rind and all) on top of the egg wash (and stick).  Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cherry jam.  Take another square of puff pastry and press between your fingers to make the rectangle slightly bigger.  Place puff pastry on top of the cheese and jam.  Use a fork to press the edges together.  The egg wash will act as  glue.  Make sure to seal the edges well by crimping with the fork.  Prick the top lightly with a fork.
  • Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place prepared brie bites on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle with a touch of coarsely ground sea salt.  Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
  • Brie bites are best served warm, but are also delicious at room temperature.