Vanilla Cupcakes with Pink Whipped Cream and Pink & White Sprinkles

Another pink treat from the baby shower earlier this month. Vanilla Cupcakes (Magnolia Bakery Recipe) topped with pink sweetened whipped cream and pink and white sprinkles.

Cheers,
Naho

Treats @ The Baby Shower
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Chocolate Brownies

I tried my first attempt at chocolate ganache and well, it didn't quite work out as I had imagined. I guess when they suggest heavy cream, I should use it! Well this silky concoction was still very tasty and it would be a shame to throw away, so I thought why not make some chocolate brownies. When making brownies I always find I need to make a liquid base anyways, so this would help add to the rich treat. They turned out really great for trying out my own recipe and they got great reviews. Not too over whelming and just a touch of white chocolate to finish it off.

Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

1 batch of Chocolate Ganache:
-- 3/4 cup cream
-- 1 1/2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cups flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Note: to make the chocolate ganache, have chocolate waiting in a heat proof boil. Bring the cream to a boil and then poor slowly over the semi-sweet chocolate and mix until smooth. Let cool 20 minutes.

1. When the ganache is slightly cooled, add in the melted butter or margarine, mix well.
2. Add in lightly beaten eggs, very slowly as you do not want to cook them in the warm mixture.
3. Once blended, add in vanilla.
4. Add the brown sugar and mix well.
5. Add the flour 1/4 cup at a time to the mix until you've reached a thicker consistancy, you may need a few extra teaspoons depending on ganache mixture.
6. Pour into a greased and floured baking pan or brownie pan and bake for 20-30 minutes.
7. Once baked all the way through, cool and cut into sections. Drizzle with white chocolate or coat with chocolate of your choice.

Cheers,
-Naho

Chocolate Brownies
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Baked Penne with Rose Sauce and Broccoli

While in Montréal on a weekend get away with my Fiancé and his mother, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant, Mangiamo I believe it was called. Well one of the cousins had a dish that looked rather tasty, a type of pasta gratin. So seeing as we don't have this restaurant in this area I tried to duplicate it and it was not bad at all, except I did not add chicken to mine.

Baked Penne with Rose Sauce and Broccoli

This was a recipe I created for a quick dinner, it's rather simple, nothing fancy.

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Penne (cooked, as per package directions)
1 jar of Rose sauce (store bought)
1 cup chopped Broccoli
1/2 cup shredded cheese (marble, or more to preference)
Dash of salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil the penne as per the package directions and drain
2. Toss in broccoli
3. Mix in rose sauce until well blended, add more or less to preference
4. Pour into a greased oven proof dish/skillet
5. Add a dash of salt and pepper
6. Sprinkle cheese on top and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes

Cheers,
-Naho

Baked Penne with Rose sauce and broccoli
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Dutch Baby w/Bacon

After seeing so many photos of this scrumptious breakfast/brunch item, I had to try it out for myself. This is a very cool recipe to try out if you like pancakes, crepes or french toast. It's simple and makes enough for 2-4 people depending on your portion preference. I made this for Fiancé and his family for brunch and they all loved it. Add a side of bacon and some fruit and powdered sugar for the dutch baby and enjoy!

Cheers,
-Naho

Dutch Baby w/Bacon
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Cretons

I did learn a few new things in regards to cuisine whilst in Montréal and one of them was cretons. Cretons is a popular addition to breakfast and brunch in Québec and it's a pork spread eaten with toast, similar to a smoother tuna salad in texture. Emeril has a great recipe that I tried out and you can find it here, and don't forget to read up on cretons if you are interested in trying it out. I made some for my Fiancé's mother and she loved it.

Cheers,
-Naho

Cretons
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Applesauce Spice Muffins

I had mentioned earlier that I made these really tasty and healthy applesauce spice muffins. Well here they are and you can make them yourself by using this wonderful recipe on Epicurious. And remember, you can always alter the ingredients to adjust them to your personal taste, as I did here with less sugar and butter!

Cheers,
-Naho

Applesauce Spice Muffins
Originally uploaded by Nahren

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I just love banana bread and muffins, so I decided to add some semi-sweet chocolate chips to this recipe. I got this wonderful recipe from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook as I have stated before. It was moist and sweet with a great touch from the chocolate chips.

Cheers,
Naho

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Originally uploaded by Nahren