Aug 20-Sept 16, 2021

New Salon every Friday – c’mon in

CS friends, and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

While we’re on a brief break, please enjoy past Salons & and other CS pages. See you right back here on Sept 17. Happy Labor Day!

  Let’s chat   

Kitchen Talk – So, I finally made Joanna Fluke’s chocolate chip crunch cookies. They’re featured in her bakery-themed book series and dvds, also among the recipes in her cookbook based on the bakery goods in that fiction realm. Links for all below in Shopping Finds        I did tweak a bit. First, I used a cup of chocolate chips and a cup of butterscotch chips, because I happened to have those on hand. Second, I measured with an ice cream scoop {walnut sized cookies – nope}. It made 26 and still baked at 375 in 10 min. I know this sort of undoes the whole idea, but not sure about the crunch. A commenter said she used Corn Chex™ {because that’s what she had on hand}, and wondering if just personally I’d like that texture better. The flavor in any case is excellent.        Need to use up some taters? Here’s a tasty, and I’d say healthful too, way to do just that. Thai Curry Potato Soup on Ihe Idaho Potato Commission site, calls upon assertive seasonings that are slightly tamed by coconut milk and chicken bouillon. Interesting garnishes too.

♦  ♦  ♦

Shopping Finds – For Joanna Fluke’s items on Amazon.  Mystery novels   Movies based on the novels   Cookbook with recipes from the stories.        More sparkly stuff! OK, don’t see them in my stores yet but maybe in yours. Nestle ® Toll House ® Disco ™ Semi Sweet & Edible Glitter Morsels. How fun is that??? See more on their page.

This week’s featured CS-designed, Zazzle-crafted item – Our featured item last week was especially for dog lovers. This week, if you’re a dog lover and a coffee lover, this one’s for you. Or maybe for a friend who shares those two passions. “Who’s a good coffeehound???”  Browse on Zazzle, your choice, mug or tee.

   On the Table  

Featured Recipes

Jacques Pepin’s Cream Cheese Soufflé

Wait, come back! Despite a rep that precedes it and not always in the most favorable way, this savory souffle could not be easier. The link actually takes you to a YouTube video where the platinum-credentialed chef himself shows you how it’s done. At the end of the demo there’s a list of ingredients and amounts. That his dishes are so elegant yet simple is a common refrain in the comments. From the Masters at Home series on PBS.

Giant cheese stuffed cracker

While it may borrow some style notes from pies, this is indeed a big-a cracker. And the title really should say CHEESE ’cause that filling blends a whole lot of cheddar, cream cheese and Parm. After the two crusts are baked, it’s all fridge. I did wonder if the crust would be so crackery that it would shatter when cut, but no, demo shows the wedge coming out nice and smooth, pie-like. Interesting way to shape the dough too. From Food Network.

Giant taco roll

Can two things from the same folks make a pattern? Who cares, this sounds like some tasty fun. A wrap made of baby corn tortillas is lightly baked with cheese inside and out. Then in goes a savory filling of ground beef, beans, pico, pickled jalapenos, black olives, seasonings and more cheese, baked and sliced. From Food Network.

Nutella Marshmallow French Toast 

One bite and you’ll want s’more {sorry!}. And simple as can be. I personally like this prep because of the quick dip in the egg/cream mixture and then into the pan. Those who may prefer the more custardy version could certainly let it sit in the drink a while longer.  No Nutella? Do what I did and mix melted chocolate chips with cashew butter {or pb or almond butter}. Btw you could make at least two and maybe more given the amount of egg & cream. From Tasty.

Italian Style Eggplant Parmesan

Well I guess most of us already attribute that dish to this culture. But . . . maybe some of the ingredients do earn this Parm extra Italian credits. Fresh tomatoes rather than a canned products as the base of the sauce. Fresh basil rather than dried. Fresh salted mozzarella. And freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. That’s a whole lot of mmm mmm. From Epicurious.

Their very best pizza recipes

From classic Chicago style deep dish and veggie to breakfast and dessert dishes. And so many ways to put it on the table – English muffin, pocket, pretzel, rolled, snack and casserole versions, also keto and gluten-free options, and yep dessert too. 26 in all. From Food Network.

♦  ♦  ♦

Have a cuppa in Alexa’s room – recipes & more

You don’t have to have an Amazon Echo Show to tap into the particular tidbits we’ve linked below, drawn from its vast culinary bounty.

Just pour a cup and let’s talk food with Alexa. Echo owners, also note that in many cases she guides you step by step through the prep . . .

Reuben Dips  When this came up on the screen and I went to AllRecipes to fetch the prep for you, wowsie, about a bazillion came up. So I just linked to the whole AR page and if you click it, the one that should appear in the first slot is the same one that was on Alexa’s screen and of the ones I checked really looks the best to me, and it is 5 stars. Also see an alternative below particularly suited to Happy Hour.

Chicken Tamale Pie  Got a moment? Send your cursor back to the link, click, and see just how good and satisfying this looks. It’s loaded with lots of chicken, plus beans, scallions, salsa, and seasonings, all topped with a buttery, cheesy, cornmeal crust. Rave comments for this one give it its 4.5 stars. From Food Network.

Extra Crispy Spicy Fried Cauliflower  Well the double hit of a coating that includes both flour and cornstarch likely says crispy’s gonna happen. And with a teaspoon of cayenne and two tablespoons of hot sauce you can probably expect that spicy promise to deliver too. With many other flavors also checking in, this is a really nice side dish, but thinking it could easily jump into snackland and right down into Cocktail Hour Buzz. From Tasty.

Would you like your own Echo Show?

Boundless information, music, movies, tv shows, videos, health tips & news, entertainment news, national news, local news, sports news & recaps, weather, timer, alarm, reminders, shopping lists, Amazon delivery notifications, alerts, security camera connection . . .  and food, food, food, all on an interactive screen. Some connect to Amazon Prime.

You can browse all the Echo styles here on this Amazon page

   Cocktail Hour Buzz   

Sundowner snacks, drinks, talk – whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

   As promised, here is the dip referenced above in Alexa’s Room. This one is a Slow Cooker Reuben Dip which could keep warm on the snack table. Whichever one you make, whichever way you make it, probably want a big surrounding pile of rye or pumpernickel pieces or even rye crackers.

   Bad news. Tequila Day was last month and some of us might have missed celebrating it. Good news. Patron has give us enough tequila-based drink recipes to last us till next year’s big day. Shown, watermelon basil margarita. Cheers!

  Trisha Yearwood always brings us such fun food. And tasty too! As a fine example, her Cheese Straws which get an added kick from garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne. Not only great finger food, but thinking could also be pretty good dippers. Demo too. On Food Network.

Want to join the Buzz? Enter CooksSalon in the subject line – sign the way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items including cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

CooksSalon is free to everybody – appreciate anytime you click through to my only affiliate partners

Ninja Grill on Amazon   Amazon Echo Show    Ninja Blenders

Zazzle

Food-themed T-shirts here on CS    Food-themed Mugs here on CS

Food-themed items

♦  ♦  ♦

And for your consideration

No Kid Hungry – discover, donate    K9s For Warriors – discover, donate

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search OR contact me at bjnosek@gmail.com, subject line -> CooksSalon

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2021 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

Recipes Galore & More, Aug 6 – Aug 19, 2021

New Salon every Friday – c’mon in

CS friends, and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

  Let’s chat   

Kitchen Talk – It was only a matter of time before I succumbed to the lure of the Oreo cake balls that were in Alexa’s Room in our 06.25.21’s Salon. They are so, so, easy to make and that might be the bad news because, mercy, they are rich and even luxurious. They were new to me, and a little tour on google revealed they’re generally formed from cream cheese or frosting and cake or cookie crumbs, dipped or rolled in other goodies. All no-bake. And they’re fun, the round shape ready to become sports balls, funny heads, bling, and in fact star pastry chef Buddy Valastro turned them into pretty eyeballs. And – no surprise – Amazon has whole books of them.      And now how about a shortcut? If you aren’t planning anything fancy with the balls, just pat the mixture into a pan and use the chocolate chips to make a ganache frosting, as seen here.  Like the richest ever brownie.      I don’t think I’m alone in appreciating the nutritional benefits of oatmeal without necessarily being a fan of its delivery method {eating it}, and accordingly the Salon has offered various add-in suggestions. My new favorite has a German chocolate cake vibe – after cooked, stir in coconut, pecans, chocolate chips, and brown sugar or maple syrup.

♦  ♦  ♦

Shopping Finds – In our 06.25.21 Salon we featured Joanne Fluke’s foodie mystery novels, in turn the basis for a Hallmark series that we linked to in an earlier Salon. Now, what a nice find – her cookbook that reveals some of those recipes that teased us in the stories. Here it is on Amazon,  Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook.”        Well how fun is this. Could be for a get-together. Could be just so you’re always cooking in a partied-up kitchen. Food-themed balloons! Some are fun, some pretty, some downright appetizing. Note that you can find a specific food design – hamburger, pizza, ice cream, etc. – by entering it after “balloons” in the search window on the Amazon page. Many multi-packs too of food groupings, like the one shown here.     

This week’s featured CS-designed, Zazzle-crafted item  We hear more and more that shelters are are so overcrowded as a result of the pandemic. Is there room in your home and heart for a shelter dog{or cat}? If so, spread the word to others.  Shelter dog mug  Shelter dog tee

   On the Table  

Featured Recipes – 

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Dip

A full 5 stars for this fun and festive mix of of thick spaghetti sauce mix, pepperoni, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parm, ready to be paired with the suggested garlic bread or baguettes. Or how about a baked pizza crust cut in strips. Now while I am pretty sure with its rating this is mega-tasty, and some seasonings would check in from the sauce, still not sure it lives up to the Chicago adjective. I can tell you what would would do that trick is some garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, maybe a bit of basil and fennel too. From AllRecipes.

Shoyu Chicken

All the classic Asian flavors come together to beautifully bronzed chicken thighs that taste as good as they look. While the demo shows that the skin was left on, I did remove the skin and would say no harm done. From Food Network.

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter S’Mores

How much does that title telegraph a decadent promise? And it looks like it will definitely live up to it. Especially since there’s even more. Because Nutella and white almond bark also come to the party. More? Suggested toppings reach into pistachios, pretzels and sprinkles. From Food Network.

Stuffed Queso Meatloaf

Even non-meatloaf lovers may want to grab a fork. Crumbed corn tortillas, tomatoes, chili powder and cumin join the usual suspects in the meat mix. Then, soft cheese and jalapenos are channeled in, and a tomato/ketchup glaze goes on. Bake, wait, slice, yum. From Food Network.

31 No-Bake Desserts

Any “no-bakes” that look good I’ll be sending your way right here, so as little as possible see the oven {even as we may feel like we are}. These are from FoodFeed, and the sneaky petes draw you in right from the git-go with chocolate peanut butter bugle bars. 🎵

♦  ♦  ♦

Have a cuppa in Alexa’s room – recipes & more

You don’t have to have an Amazon Echo Show to tap into the particular tidbits we’ve linked below, drawn from its vast culinary bounty.

Just pour a cup and let’s talk food with Alexa. Below are recipes recently displayed on the screen. Echo owners, also note that in many cases she guides you step by step through the prep . . .

Banana Bread Ice Cream Cake  What is it about bananas that they just excel at adding flavor, texture and moisture in so many ways to so many goodies. Here they’re mashed into a fairly classic banana bread, but after it’s baked the magic begins. Sliced into three the long way, it’s layered first with vanilla ice cream, then with chocolate, then frozen. The thing is, looking at the demo it seems it doesn’t come out like a brick but rather supple slices, spoon-ready. From Tasty.

Country Style Pork Ribs with Bourbon & Cola BBQ Sauce  In the slow cooker! In addition to the title ingredients, the sauce gains even more flavor from ketchup, tomato paste, garlic, brown sugar, Wooster, chili powder, cayenne, vinegar and syrup. From Epicurious.

Berry Smoothie Bowl  Take a sip of summer. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and bananas whirl into yogurt, almond milk and peanut butter. The recipe serves two so can go into a couple of glasses or maybe be the destination for two straws. Or, apply a multiplier and voila . . . summer punch. From Tasty.

Would you like your own Echo Show?

Boundless information, music, movies, tv shows, videos, health tips & news, entertainment news, national news, local news, sports news & recaps, weather, timer, alarm, reminders, shopping lists, Amazon delivery notifications, alerts, security camera connection . . .  and food, food, food, all on an interactive screen. Some connect to Amazon Prime.

You can browse all the Echo styles here on this Amazon page

   Cocktail Hour Buzz   

Sundowner snacks, drinks, talk – whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

  The gins of summer  After sacrificing on our behalf and taste-testing 65 gins, writer Ray Isle offers these nine selections for cocktails on the patio. He never quite says quite why he chose this lineup, but we do get clues from his descriptions, which speak of lemon, lime, orange, florals, mint, even seaweed. From Food & Wine.

   Fresh Summer Appetizers  This lineup is a happy matchup for warm weather snacking, pretty much utensil-free and seasonally inspired. Think mini savory pancakes, little pizzas, stuffed veggies, quesadillas, nachos, dips and lots more. Shown, the mini corn cakes with smoked salmon and dill creme fraiche {shortcuts & subs – store-bought cornbread or muffins, sour cream, dried dill}.  From MyRecipes.

   Bloody Mary Bar  One of my absolute favorite brunch places featured a bloody mary bar that looked a mile long. Such fun! On a nice site I found and will visit again is a great diy array of tasty stuff to mix in, dip in, or prop atop the marys. In addition to the bar checklist, you’ll also find “The Best Bloody Mary Recipe.” The site is FoodieCrush.

Want to join the Buzz? Enter CooksSalon in the subject line – sign the way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items including cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

CooksSalon is free to everybody – appreciate anytime you click through to my only affiliate partners

Ninja Grill on Amazon    Amazon Echo Show    Ninja Blenders

Zazzle

Food-themed T-shirts here on CS    Food-themed Mugs here on CS

Food-themed items

♦  ♦  ♦

And for your consideration

No Kid Hungry – discover, donate    K9s For Warriors – discover, donate

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search OR contact me at bjnosek@gmail.com, subject line -> CooksSalon

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2021 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin