Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Accordion Potatoes With Rosemary and Garlic


How to make accordion potatoes

Potatoes are an absolute must whether your planning a dinner party or Christmas dinner or whatever you celebrate this holiday season. Not only are potatoes delicious, they're also naturally gluten free, so it accommodates a variety of diets. This is a great alternative to rolls or bread if you're serving them. I love making these accordion potatoes (also known as hasselback)! They are a more crispy version of a backed potato. Plus, they are super pretty. I made mine with a couple of lemons to add aroma and a pretty garnish. 
How to make hasselback potatoes
Accordion Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
Needed: potatoes (I made 10 total and used a smaller size variety. You can use any variety you like, but this will affect your baking time.), 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 teaspoons minced rosemary leaves and 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
First wash and dry your potatoes, removing any dirt. Slice 3/4 through in an accordion style. I thought this was harder than it looked. If you find yourself accidentally slicing all the way through your potatoes try placing wooden skewers or chopsticks on each side to create a guide for your knife to stop at. Place the potatoes on a cooking sheet. In a microwave safe bowl combine the butter, oil, rosemary and garlic. Cook just until melted. Use a kitchen brush to coat each potato, taking time to make sure the butter gets between each slice. Bake at 375°F for 38-40 minutes (again, this will vary based on the size of your potatoes. The goal is to make sure they are done on the inside and crispy on the edges.) Then brush with another layer of the butter mixture and serve. I served mine with sides of sour cream, chopped green onions and shredded cheddar cheese. 
xo. Joanna.

Aztec Hot Chocolate

Aztec Hot Chocolate Recipe
Happy Holidays! After being uncomfortably squished in yet another plane, I'm so glad to be home. Like being back home with my family isn't enough, it's also snowing!!! Anytime my family goes out to the snow, we have a tradition to watch a Christmas movie with hot chocolate afterwards. Coincidentally, one of my all time favorite drinks for winter is hot chocolate. We love the classic hot chocolate, but here's a delightful, delicious way to spice it up!


Aztec Hot Chocolate Recipe
Aztec Hot Chocolate, makes 4 servings.
Aztec Hot Chocolate Recipe
I love to serve these with giant marshmallows and a few cinnamon sticks. Have fun spicing up your hot chocolate this season! 

Needed: 6 cups milk (I used almond milk because my family excluded dairy), 10 ounces chopped dark chocolate, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch or two of cayenne (optional) and marshmallows/cinnamon sticks for garnish.
In a pot combine the (almond) milk and chocolate. Melt the chocolate over low/medium heat, stirring constantly. Once melted and the mixture is warmed through stir in the cinnamon and cayenne (if using). Serve hot!
Merry Christmas Eve!
xx,
J

Monday, December 2, 2013

Potato Chip Brownies

Potato chip brownie recipe

Hear me out: potato chip brownies; it's a good thing. Chocolate plus a crunchy, salty, starchy topping. Yes, please! Last month when I was in New York, my friends introduced me to chocolate covered potato chips. And I absolutely fell in love with chocolate covered potato chips, like, in a big way. And that's how I got the idea to create potato chip brownies. Why not? 
Potato chip brownie
Potato Chip Brownies, makes two 8x8 pans (only one is pictured).
Needed: 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup butter, 10 ounces dark chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon cocoa (I used dutch processed), 2 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 5 eggs and 3 cups crushed potato chips (I like to used the ridges kind, but you do as you will).
In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa. Set aside. In a small pot melt together the butter, 8 ounces of chocolate and sugar. Once melted together remove from heat and set aside. Add eggs and extract to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Pour in the chocolate butter mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into prepared baking pans. Top with potato chips. Bake at 350 F for 28-32 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle on the additional 2 ounces of melted chocolate. Allow this to set before serving. *Note: if you are saving these be sure to cover them and refrigerate. Do your best to make sure the potato chips don't dry out and become stale.
Potato chip brownies
Yay for new dessert combinations!
xx,
J