Dilly Beans

In an earlier post about brunch at Hundred Acres, I mentioned how delicious their dilly beans were. I had no idea what dilly beans were, so I had to find out. It's actually just a pickled green been and boy are they delicious! Especially in a Bloody Mary. Grab a mason jar and here you go!

You will need:

2 pounds green beans, trimmed to fit your jars

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (you can use more if you're a spice person)
4 cloves garlic
2 1/2 cups white vinegar (5%)
4 heads dill
2-1/2 cups water
1/4 cup canning salt (don't substitute regular salt, this is chemistry!)

Pack beans lengthwise into boiling hot (sterilized) jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. To each pint, add 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1 clove garlic and 1 head dill. Combine remaining ingredients in a large sauce pot (non-reactive, like an enamel or glass pot). Bring to a boil. Pour hot liquid over beans, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process pints and quarts 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Wait two weeks before enjoying.

Happy Canning!

Fall Dinnerware

I'm loving this set and may just have to purchase it. Reminds me of the pillows in my living room.

Bone Chillers!

In the spirit of all things Halloween, these ice cubes would be great for party cocktails. And they're only $9.95!

Hello Jello Mousse Temptations

I always have to have something filled with sugar after dinner and love these light, tasty, low cal treats to satisfy my voracious sweet tooth. Sugar free and only 60 calories! I eat them daily.
Another great option is frozen cool whip.

The Ultimate Coconut Cake

This coconut cake is truly out of this world and can be found in Charleston at the Peninsula Grill. I've had it numerous times and I must say it really is quite delish! It has even received national praise:
“A little slice of heaven . . .” New York Times
“. . . light as a cloud,” Bon Appetit
If you want to give it a try in your own kitchen, here's the recipe.

A Cookbook To Satisfy the Vegetarian

This cookbook includes all of your favorite meat dishes, without the meat. I recommend cooking with Morning Star Farms Crumbles. I've used them in chili and spaghetti sauce and they're a great substitute.

Goodbye Grey Goose,

Hello Belvedere! I love a nice, crisp vodka, splash of soda and a couple of limes. According to my girl Chelsea Handler, Belvedere has the lowest sugar content of all vodkas, making it the lowest in calories. Chelsea and I have both recently made the switch from Grey Goose to Belvedere. Thought this was a good bit of info for those of you who don't like to drink your calories.

Simple but Delicious Goat cheese, Fennel and Brussels Sprout Salad

I made a salad for some friends the other night - it turned out great and it's easy. I got the recipe idea from dinner at a friends house the other week.

I took brussels sprouts, halved them, coated them with my white truffle olive oil and roasted them for about 20 minutes on 350

Then I caramelized sliced fennel in some butter

I made my own salad dressing with aged balsamic vinegar, white truffle oil, salt and pepper.

Mixed all of that together and topped it with goat cheese.

Cant live without my Chick'n Nuggs

Thank you, thank you, thank you Judith.
I always throw them in the oven on 375 for about 10 minutes,

and pair them with my favorite bbq sauce. so good.

Pumpkin Pie

Fall has arrived! I'm going to try this recipe with my new baking pumpkin, courtesy of my friends Alex and Sarah K. I'll substitute the canned pumpkin with fresh pumpkin. Cream cheese always takes a dessert to the next level.

My Mom's Brisket

My mom is an amazing cook and hostess and I like to pick her brain for her recipes and ideas. Most recently I made her brisket:

1 can of whole cranberries

1 jar of chili sauce

cup of cheap red wine

salt & pepper

3-5 lbs of brisket

2 cups of cut potatoes (I use fingerling but you can use anything)

carrots

pearl onions

Throw everything into your crockpot and let it cook for about 9 hours and voila! It's too easy and comes out delicious!

Peanut Butter Fudge Deliciousness

I made these brownies the other night when we had guests over and the were to die for!

Gourmet Olive Oil

A few weeks ago I was out in Denver visiting some friends. I'd never been to Colorado but loved it. We took a day trip to Boulder but stayed in the mile high city. On Saturday morning we went to an amazing farmers market which had everything from a biscuit truck to fancy dog treats. The best part was that you could literally taste everything. Who needs breakfast when you can sample! We stumbled upon a great olive oil shop and I of course had to try them all. I'm hooked and will forever order from EVOO Marketplace. I ended up leaving with the truffle olive oil, tuscan herb olive oil, and a 15 yr aged balsamic vinegar. My next purchase will be the chipotle olive oil.

Great, Affordable, "go to" Wine

I have the best liquor/wine store around the corner from my apartment with a huge variety of wines from all over the world. I love trying new ones as much as possible, but whenever I have people over, go somewhere I should bring my host a small gift, or go to a BYO dinner, this is my go to wine. Bogle Petite Sryah - it's not too pricey and always a crowd pleaser.