An Oldie but a Goodie {Recipe: Elegant Toffee}

This is a recipe I have been making since the 1980's. I don't recall the where I found the recipe, but it is a family favorite! 

Elegant Toffee

1 cup whole natural almonds

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 12 oz pkg. real milk chocolate pieces

1/2 lb. walnuts (2 generous cups) finely ground

 

1. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Arrange almonds in a single layer over an area measuring 12 x 7 inches; set aside.

2. Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan.  Cook over high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon till butter is melted.  Continue cooking and stirring for 5 to 7 minutes or until the candy is the color of unblanched almonds.  Immediately  pour candy without, scraping the pan, over the almonds, covering all nuts.  Let candy cool completely.

3. Meanwhile, melt milk chocolate pieces in the top part of a double boiler, over hot (not boiling) water or melt the chocolate in a heavy saucepan over a low heat. (Chocolate can also be melted in the microwave oven in a microwave safe bowl, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 to 2 minutes or till chocolate is soft enough to stir smooth.)

4. Break the toffee into large pieces.  Transfer the top part of the double boiler containing the chocolate (or whichever container used for melting chocolate) to the work surface.  Place ground walnuts in a large bowl near the chocolate.

5. Using a fork, dip each piece of toffee into the melted chocolate, spreading chocolate over the toffee in a thin, even layer. Scrape off excess chocolate with another fork.

Using two forks, coat each piece of chocolate covered toffee very lightly with the ground walnuts.  Place on foil or waxed paper to set.  

6. Once chocolate is set, break toffee into serving size pieces. Store in tightly covered container in the refrigerator.  

Makes 2 lbs. or 25 pieces.

Enjoy!

Bakery Taste at Home {Recipe: Easy Almond Croissants}

Until recently, I have stayed away from almond croissants because I don't care for the taste of almond extract, which most almond croissants have. While visiting a friend, she served almond croissants from one of her local bakeries that did not taste of almond extract, and they were delicious.  Anyway, I wanted to replicate the croissants my friend served at home, so here is what I came up with.

Easy Almond Croissants

4 day old flaky butter croissants 

For Almond Cream:

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup sugar

pinch of salt

1cup almond flour or meal

1 egg, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla*

1 tablespoon flour

sliced almonds

powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spit croissants in half and place on a parchment lined baking sheet; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Add almond flour and mix well. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add flour and mix until well combined. Spread 2 tablespoons Almond Cream onto the bottom half of each of the croissants. Replace tops of croissants and spread one tablespoon Almond Cream on top of each filled croissant. Sprinkle each one with sliced almond. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until almonds are golden brown. Place croissants on a cooling rack to cool for a few minutes, then dust with powdered sugar. Almond Croissants are best the day they are baked, but will last a day or two stored at room temperature.

Makes 4 

Note: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract can be added in addition to the vanilla, if desired.

Enjoy!

Too Good Not to Share {Recipe: Jalapeño Cheddar Chicken Smash Burgers}

 

This was a spur-of-the-moment dinner with ingredients we had on hand, but they were so good we had to share! The only problem was we didn't have any tomatoes, which would be excellent on these.

Jalapeño Cheddar Chicken Smash Burgers

1 pound ground chicken

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1 egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons green onions, chopped

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined. Divide mixture into 6 even meatballs, place on grill pan or large fry pan, and, using a spatula, flatten into patties. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Serve on homemade burger buns (http://motheralwaystoldme.blogspot.com/2016/04/if-you-give-kid-recipe.html) or store- bought with these suggested toppings: ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. An extra slice of cheddar can be added to the top of the burger patty for extra cheesiness.

Enjoy!

Sweet Start to the Day! {Recipe: Valentine Chocolate Waffles}

These are a fun start to Valentine's Day or a great way to end it with dessert!

Valentine Chocolate Waffles

2 cups flour 

1/3 cup red cocoa powder* or regular cocoa powder

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/3 cup melted butter or vegetable oil 

1-3/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add melted butter and stir until smooth (a few small lumps are okay). Cook in heart shaped or favorite regular waffle iron according to waffle iron manufacturer instructions. Serve with Nutella, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, ice cream, and/or fresh berries. Waffles can also be dusted with powdered sugar. 

*Note: I used Guittard Red Cocoa Powder that can be found at Cost Plus World Market.

My daughter put this together,
 I think her summer working at a ice cream,
waffle and crepe place shows! 

Happy Valentine's!

Take a Hike! {Recipe: Pain d'Epices (French Spice Bread)}

This recipe is adapted from a recipe I screen shot, but didn't capture the source. It is very similar to a honey bread my father-in-law used to make, so I wanted to record it here. My husband loves it and is sure to request it often. Apparently my father-in-law used to make it for when they would go hiking. It is a sturdy bread that would work well for this. 

Pain d'Epices (French Spice Bread)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. 

In a small saucepan,  over low heat, warm:

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup milk

Remove from heat and set aside. Once cool, whisk in:

1 egg

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon cloves

Add honey/milk mixture to dry ingredients, stir together until well combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Note: to make this recipe vegan, use 1 tablespoon ground flax seed stirred in 3 tablespoons water (let set 5 minutes before using) and any vegan milk substitutes (oat, soy, almond, etc). 

Enjoy!