Top 12 Posts of 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope that your 2013 is already off to a great start and that you’ve had time to reflect on 2012. It sure was a great year for this little blog. Over the past 12 months, we’ve made the big switch from wordpress.com to wordpress.org, learned a little HTML, and even got a professional camera. We’ve developed new recipes, shared our travels, and met many of you through your e-mails, comments, tweets, and posts. We can’t wait to see what this new year will bring and are thrilled to have you along for the ride. Here are our top 12 posts from 2012! Cheers!

Cookie Butter Bars

Cookie Butter Bars

Otherwise known as “cookie butter chocolate chunk oatmeal heaven-sent make me gain 10 pounds bars.” You may recall that earlier this week, I said that we were going to feature some healthy posts and get back on track after our Thanksgiving smorgasbord. Well, we’re going to hold off on those healthy posts until January, because according to our stats, you readers prefer to indulge this time of year. Who doesn’t? It’s all about portion control, right?

Anyway, the other day as I was wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s, I happily stumbled upon another one of their magical products: Speculoos Cookie Butter. After tasting, my mind was blown! This stuff is so. good. It has the consistency of peanut butter with the taste of fresh gingerbread cookies.

These cookie butter bars are a perfect afternoon snack or late night dessert. Either way, be sure to have a glass of milk handy, because they’re rich. So go ahead, try the cookie butter and hold on to your hats! And your waistlines. Yum.

Cookie Butter Bars

Prep time: 15 minutes     Cook time: 15 minutes

Adapted Recipe From: How Sweet Eats Oatmeal Peanut Butter Snack Squares

Ingredients:

1 cup cookie butter

1 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup low-fat milk

3-oz. semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, blend cookie butter, vanilla, and milk together until creamy and smooth.

In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and oats together and add them to the creamy mixture.

Fold in chocolate chunks and use your hands to mix dough thoroughly. Press into a buttered glass baking dish. (I used a 9.5 x 7″ dish. Random, I know.) I’m sure a 9 x 9″ would work great.

Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and allow to completely cool before cutting squares. Serve with cold milk.

Makes 12 squares

Parker House Rolls from Heaven

Okay, who is still in a food coma? Raise your hand. MAN our meal was great. We sustained a few battle wounds… and maybe a small oven fire… (okay, just a few flames for a second), but with the help of loved ones, we managed to make the most delicious meal this little kitchen has ever produced. We’ll share a few other recipes throughout the coming weeks that you can use at Christmas time or file away for next year. The first thing we’d like to share with you are these AMAZING easy to make parker house rolls.

The following link to the recipe is NOT ours. I repeat, we did not create any of this recipe. We just want you to know that it’s hands down the best roll recipe we’ve had. Ever. Homemade, delicious, light and fluffy parker rolls with a touch of sweet in the dough and topped with flaky sea salt and melted butter make them quite possibly the most addicting carbs ever. Not only did my brother in law make a batch of these on Thanksgiving, but he made a second round the day after for delectable turkey sandwiches. Bon Appétit is not sponsoring us to say this, but if you really want to give a good gift this year, share their magazine with a friend. Their recipes are fool proof and always delicious. Here is their perfect parker roll recipe:

Parker House Rolls: Bon Appétit

Thanksgiving Menu (Share Yours!)

Okay, who has had time to blog this week? (Not me!) We’ve been too busy preparing for one of the greatest feasts of the year. Turkey Day is almost here and we are so excited. Want to know what The Newlywed Chefs are making this year? Here is the menu:

Appetizers:

Arancini Bites from Trader Joe’s

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Sides:

Homemade Parker House Rolls

Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Lemon & Parmesan 

Incredibly Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Root Vegetables

The Main Event:

Turkey. Brined for three days and roasted.

Desserts:

Classic Apple Pie

Semisweet Chocolate Layer Cake with Vanilla Cream Filling

Nana’s Pumpkin Cupcakes

We can’t wait! Now it’s YOUR turn. Post your Thanksgiving menu here and let us know what you are cooking! Happy Thanksgiving, foodies!

Baba Ghanoush

Baba Ghanoush

I dare you to keep a straight face while serving this to your guests. “Hi guys! Would you care for some Baba Ghanoush?” Your guests may look puzzled at this point and start to laugh awkwardly, which is when you’ll need to step in and explain what in the world it is.

Baba Ghanoush. It’s basically roasted eggplant dip. The way to make it is similar to hummus, and really the two dishes share a lot of the same ingredients. It’s the perfect appetizer to serve guests not only due to the conversation starter name, but also because it’s so versatile. Try experimenting with different spices and serving it with various finger foods. We like to use pita bread for dunking, but you can certainly serve vegetables, crackers, or chips. It also works great as a spread for a sandwich or wrap. Delicious and healthy.

Enjoy! Baba Ghanoush!

Ingredients:

2 eggplants

1/3 cup tahini

1 lemon, juiced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450°. Cut eggplant lengthwise and place on a baking sheet skin side down. Bake for 25 minutes until roasted and soft when poked with a fork.

Allow roasted eggplant to cool and scoop out the inside flesh into a food processor. Add all other ingredients to the food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil to finish.

Pistachio Pesto Pasta

Pistachio Pesto Pasta

Is it me, or did October totally zoom by? Ready or not, November is here and if your family is anything like mine, holiday planning is well underway. As soon as November 1st hit, a “send me your Christmas wishes” family mass e-mail was circulating. When it comes to holiday visits, I think a lot of people take time to plan every morsel of food eaten on the big day, but the thing is, most out of town family members tend to stay a few days before or after the main event. Now is the time to test a few recipes you’re thinking of serving the masses while they’re visiting.

Making a functional dish like this pistachio pesto pasta is a great way to please a large crowd without much hassle. This recipe requires little prep work aside from removing the pistachio shells. I’m all about easy dishes before and after the holidays. Leave the hard work to the big day. We hope you and all those visiting you over the next two months will enjoy this recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup pistachios, shells removed

1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 cup olive oil

1 pound pasta

Preparation:

In a food processor, pulse pistachios, parsley, garlic, parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper together until well combined.

While food processor is on, slowly add the olive oil to the pesto. Continue to combine until well mixed.

Store pesto in an airtight container until use.

Stir in at least 3/4 cup pesto per pound of pasta. Taste and add more as needed. Top with extra Parmesan cheese.