Cooking with a Wallflower - Page 101 of 139 -

Wallflower Weekly Finds, 37

Oh my gosh! Earlier this week, I took a sushi making class with my coworkers from one of my dental offices as part of our team building exercises.

I’ve attempted to make California rolls on my own before, but they always came out a little disappointing. Something was always off, the rice always stuck to my hands, the rolls smushed, and it was soo time consuming. So I sort of gave up on it. Lol. Until now.

I wasn’t really sure what this class would be like, but it turned out to be so much fun. We learned how to make California rolls, Rainbow Rolls, and hand rolls. Plus, we got to work on our knife skills and how to cut fish for sushi. A fun and informative class.

Plus, we had to face a sushi challenge to create a Halloween themed sushi in 15 minutes.

If you get the chance, you try taking this class with Breakthrough Sushi.

Baked Pumpkin Walnut French Toast Cups

Pumpkin French toast with walnuts baked in muffin cups then topped with cinnamon sugar for easy individual servings. These baked pumpkin walnut French toast cups are perfect for fall and great for breakfast on the go.

It seems I really like having pumpkin for breakfast this fall.

These French toast cups are so convenient. I love that I can just grab one from the table in the morning and head to work. Of course, you can also drizzle maple syrup all over it before you take a bite. I know I did. Because really, how can I resist topping my breakfast with maple syrup? It’s just not the same without it.

These French toast cups are filled with pumpkin, bits of walnuts, and topped with cinnamon sugar. Each bite is slightly sweet and custardy with the warm flavors of fall.

Poached Pears with Candied Pecans and Pomegranate

Pears poached in spiced apple cider then served with candied pecans and pomegranate arils. This poached pears with candied pecans and pomegranate is the perfect warm dessert for fall.

When you think of autumn desserts, what do you usually think of?

I automatically think pumpkin and apple. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pastries, apple pie, apple tarts. You get the picture. All things pumpkin and apples.

But fall is pear season too, and yet I feel we often overlook them. So of course, I have to remedy that.

Last fall, I was introduced to poached pears. This dessert was something completely new to me, but it’s so delicious and easy to make. I just love the elegance of these poached pears. They look as though you’ve spent hours putting each individual dish together and yet it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and then serve. It can’t be easier than that to surprise your guests during the holidays.

Kale Salad with Cranberries, Apples, and Candied Pecans

Bite sized kale tossed with dried cranberries, pomegranate arils, sweet Gala apples, and candied pecans, then drizzled with poppyseed dressing. This kale salad with cranberries, apples, and candied pecans is delicious, refreshing, and perfect for fall.

I adore salads.

I know, I know. Some of you may disagree with me. I mean, salads are technically just a ton of leaves tossed with a sweet and savory dressing. What’s so special about them?

Well, if your salads are all greens , then maybe, just maybe, I’ll have to agree with you. It does sound kind of boring.

But the salads I like to eat, the ones I’m absolutely addicted to, tend to be filled with colors, flavors, and textures.

The crispness of the apples, the nuttiness of the pecans, the sweetness of the dried cranberries, the slight tartness of the pomegranates. So many different flavors and textures that work so well together.

Glazed Candied Pecans

Glazed candied pecans made with just three ingredients in about 5 minutes. These candied pecans are delicious as a snack or as a topping for salads and desserts.

You guys!

I’ve been obsessed with candied pecans lately. They’re soo addictive when eaten by themselves. I swear, I’ve been eating them nonstop, which is soo bad. Especially when I’m trying to save them for recipes.

Not that they’re hard to make, but I’d like to have them ready as toppings for salads and other desserts.

If only I can stop eating them at the pace that I’ve been eating them….

These candied pecans are so easy to make.

[Read more…]

Recommendations Wallflower Weekly Faves

Wallflower Weekly Finds, 36

Yesterday, I had lunch with my friend Emily from Emily’s Daily. We decided to eat at one of our go to places, Sushirrito.

If you’re in San Francisco, and you’re looking for a quick meal on the go, this is definitely the place to go. Unique sushi rolls uncut to resemble burritos. I’ve tried a few, and so far they’re all good.

This latest roll is the Buddha Belly. It’s filled with spicy Japanese eggplant, Portobello mushrooms fries, ginger guacamole, shaved cabbage, kale, and julienned carrots. It’s soo delicious.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Spiced pumpkin bread filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips in every delicious bite. This pumpkin chocolate chip bread is the perfect treat for fall.

I really like sweetened breads. They’re simple to make and easy to serve. You can have them for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or as a dessert. Whatever strikes your mood. I like having a loaf sitting around so that I can cut a slice for breakfast when I’m in a hurry to leave the house.

Since we’re well into October, I just had to share with you a pumpkin version. Filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, this moist spiced pumpkin bread is slightly sweet and so delicious. Just a few ingredients mixed together, poured into a 9x5inch baking pan, baked for about 40 minutes, and ta dahhh. Pumpkin chocolate chip bread!

Spicy Sage Garlic Butter Lobster Penne

Penne pasta tossed in a slightly spicy garlicky sage butter sauce topped with a lobster tail. This spicy sage garlic butter lobster penne is a great dish for special occasions and entertaining guests.

Oh boy. We’re getting a little fancy today on the blog.

We’ve established that I love all sorts of pasta, but now with all these added flavors and ingredients? I don’t think I’d ever have any other pasta dish again. At least, for the time being, anyway. Until I discover an even better combination of flavors =)

But lobster!

I’ve always associated lobster with fancy expensive dinners for special occasions. Because if you’ve ever ordered lobster at a restaurant, you know the price is ridiculous. But when you can make them at home, it doesn’t have to be, even though it can definitely look it.

[Read more…]

Wallflower Weekly Faves

Wallflower Weekly Finds, 35

Back in college, I was addicted to these coffee granola bars from Caribou Coffee, but after a couple years, they discontinued it. I was so disappointed. It was my breakfast on the go.

But! I stumbled across these Caramel Macchiato Granola Bars from Kind Bars and fell in love. They’re so good. Seriously. Lol.

I’m so obsessed with all things fall. From the gorgeous leaves to the smell of cinnamon. You really need to try this Fresh Apple Cider.

Fresh Apple Cider

A variety of apples simmered in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sugar. This spiced fresh apple cider is the perfect beverage for fall.

There’s no better beverage in the fall than apple cider, whether you drink it cold or hot.

I love the cinnamon-y flavor, it’s so warm and comforting. And can you already smell the spices wafting through your kitchen, and the rest of the house, as the cider is simmering? Fall has definitely arrived in the kitchen.

Last year, I made an apple cider using apple juice, which is definitely quick and easy. This year, we’re making it completely from scratch. It does take a little longer, but it’s just as easy and you can customize the amount of spices and sugar to your taste.

This apple cider can be made in one pot and requires very little prep so it’s super easy. The hard part is waiting for it to be done and then straining them. But it’s soo worth it.

[Read more…]