They Can’t All Be Gems: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread AGAIN

Last Thursday I started out the day waking up late, but I got ready at record speed, and even had extra time to spend styling my hair. I flew threw every all green lights on the way to work. It was sunny and I had no traffic. I turned my iPod onto the shuffle setting and the perfect song came on. Just as I was pulling into my parking structure, a car that was parked in the best spot was pulling out. Jack pot! I even ended up making it to work early!

At some point during the day my luck turned.

Earlier in the week I had been notified of a breakfast party my office would be joining another department for. It was encouraged for people to bring a food item to share, and as the other office is a team of practically professional bakers, I had to bring something.

I thought all week about what I should make, and tried to figure out how I’d find the time to make something (I’ve been working long and stressful days with 3 meals a day eaten behind my desk and in front of my computer). I made a successful effort to leave work by 6:00 pm to allow myself enough time to stop by the store and make my dish. It took trips to two different grocery stores to acquire all of the ingredients necessary for the frittatas I was planning to make. When I arrived home I made a fabulous recipe for mini egg frittatas with sun-dried tomatoes, sautéed shallots and garlic, smoked mozzarella, Asiago cheese, and fresh basil.

Having left work “early”, I retreated to my laptop in another room while they were in the oven. I should mention that I’ve had a sinus-thing for two weeks and my normally keen sense of smell has abandoned me. While I was typing away at emails, I failed to smell my mini frittatas burning in the kitchen. I can’t believe that I let that happened! I pulled them out of the oven, and while my husband and I may have bit the bullet and eaten them ourselves, being the perfectionist that I am, I could not serve them to my colleagues! They sadly went directly into the trash.

I checked the clock – it was past 10:00 pm! I did not have enough of the ingredients to remake the frittatas. We do not live near any grocery stores and I had already had a glass of wine, so getting to the store was out of question. To top it off, my husband was out of town on business, and if he had been home, he would have lovingly gone to any grocery store to fetch whatever ingredients I needed. I did not want to show up to this breakfast gathering empty handed!

I began flipping through my cookbook while surveying what I had in my refrigerator and pantry. I had a couple eggs, a can of pumpkin puree that hadn’t yet expired, and barely enough sugar. I could make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread! I pulled out my stand mixer and got going, but unfortunately it had to bake for over an hour. When I pulled it out of the oven I didn’t let it rest long enough (as I was longing to get to bed for an early start for the next day!). As I attempted to put it on a cooling rack, the loaf split in two! I salvaged it with some fancy slicing and headed to bed with only a few hours left before my alarm would hopefully wake me up.

I somehow rose early enough on Friday morning to make it to the gathering with my Pumpkin Bread. When I went to retrieve my plate at the end of the day, all but one slice were gone!

Recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

This went in . . .

. . . and this came out.

San Fran Stew: Cioppino

A couple of years ago my husband and I were watching a Food Network special that spoke about the history of Cioppino (pronounced “chuh-pee-noh”). This fish stew has an interesting origin, as it was developed by Italian fishermen in San Francisco in the late 1800's. The fishermen would all “chip in” their catch of the day to a collective soup pot to create seafood stew, similar to a French bouillabaisse (less the saffron).

My husband orders Cioppino occasionally when we dine at seafood restaurants. Most recently, we shared some with our friend Sarah while dining at Beretta in San Francisco.


I had been intending to make Cioppino at home, but had not taken the time to sort through different recipes. I was delighted to find a Cioppino recipe while I was flipping through my new copy of Ellie Krieger’s So Easy. I flagged the page, bought my seafood (and for such a steal at Trader Joe’s! ), and made this over the weekend to get us through a few dinners this week.

It smelled delicious while it was cooking, it was ridiculously easy to make, and my husband loved it. It wasn’t even mealtime when I finished it (we were somewhere between lunch and dinner), and I had to stop him from eating a whole bowl. He actually said to me, “Kate, I love everything that you cook. But I haven’t been this surprised by something you’ve made since you made Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce for the first time.” (And that was two years ago!) Needless to say, this Cioppino is making it into the regular rotation! I actually can’t wait until we’ve eaten it all up so that I can make it again!

Cioppino
(Adapted from Ellie Krieger’s So Easy)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (6 oz.) jar tomato paste
1 cup dry white wine
2 (14.5 oz.) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 cup fish stock or water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
¾ teaspoon salt
½ - 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (you may want to remove the tails, too)
½ - 1 pound scallops
½ - 1 pound skinless halibut fillet, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Fresh bread for serving

Directions
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large soup pot. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, an additional 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and their juices and the fish stock (or water) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, for 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, salt, and pepper. (This base may be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)

Heat the soup base to a boil. Add the shrimp, scallops, and halibut. Reduce the heat and simmer, until everything is just cooked, about 5 minutes. Divide among 4 bowls and garnish with the parsley. Serve with bread.

Sweet & Tangy: Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese and Honey

Honey and cheese is a fantastic combination. I’ve been served cheese plates in restaurants where they’ve drizzled a little over each wedge of cheese. The sweetness of honey pairs so well with the saltiness, nuttiness, or tanginess of cheese.

Honey really mellows out the tangy gorgonzola in this crunchy crostini. Even if you don’t normally like blue cheese, you may surprise yourself and enjoy this simple, yet scrumptious treat! (This worked as my "blue" hors d'oeuvre for the "Brown Bear" themed birthday party!)

Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese and Honey
(As seen on Everyday Italian)
Ingredients
36 slices (½-inch thick) baguette bread, about 1 loaf
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces Gorgonzola, sliced
3 Tablespoons honey

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Arrange the sliced baguette on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.

Arrange the cheese on the toasts and bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

Drizzle the toasts with honey. Place on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Tradition: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

This recipe goes back as far as I can remember. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread was always a favorite in my family around the holidays. About 15 years ago or so it turned into a fixture in my diet year-round. My mother would make it and pack it in my lunch, or I’d even snack on it for breakfast. Some things never change. Over time we have improvised with this recipe and turned it into Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, which makes it a little easier to eat on the go.

When my husband and I lived in New York, our friends became our family. A few of our friends especially played the part, as we gathered at least monthly for a 'family dinner' and board games. Those nights are some of my most treasured memories in the city. I would cook up a storm in our apartment's tiny kitchen, our friends would show up with wine, and we laughed into the wee hours of the night over Trivial Pursuit or Taboo.

After our move, I experienced withdrawal from not being able to cook for these friends. I have yet to figure out how to snail-mail them homemade sauces and soups, but I do send them one treat each year. I don’t know if they’ve come to expect it, but each Wednesday or Thursday after Thanksgiving they receive a loaf of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread in the mail, tucked inside a shoebox and wrapped in Christmas paper. This year is no different. Enjoy, ladies!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
(I usually do a double batch of this and use two loaf pans)
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (for a double batch, use a whole can of pumpkin)
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits (when I do a double batch, I put in one whole bag on nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1 cup walnuts, firmly chopped (optional)

Directions
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger and cloves in separate bowl. Add this dry mixture alternating with pumpkin to egg mixture - beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate bits and 3/4 cup walnuts (optional).

Grease bottom of loaf pan (or two if doubling), and pour in mixture. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until done. (Depending on oven - baking time can be 40 - 60 min. Check browning of top of loaf, and stick knife or tooth pick in to see if done. Loaf should be nicely toasted and crisp on top.) Slice into 1-inch slices once cooled. Serve or freeze.

Vegetarian Version: French Onion Casserole

I don’t know where this recipe originated from, but I know it’s been showing up at family holiday dinners for years. We all have our “usuals” that we’re assigned to for family gatherings, and last year I added the French Onion Casserole to my contributions. The recipe calls for beef stock, but I knew that if I made it myself I could substitute with vegetable stock, and then be able to eat it myself. (Sneaky, I know.)

The casserole resembles French Onion Soup, complete with toasted bread and melted cheese. The recipe as follows should be doubled if you’re bringing it to an event and serving for a crowd. For our Thanksgiving dinner last week I went a little overboard on the cheese (I was trying to use up the Swiss I had purchased), and a little extra melted cheese is not a bad thing! You can use store-bought croutons, although I always find myself purchasing fresh French bread, cubing it, and toasting it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to make my own homemade croutons.

French Onion Casserole
Ingredients
4 medium onions
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all purpose floor
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¾ cup vegetable stock
¼ cup dry sherry
1 ½ cups plain croutons
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ounces processed Swiss cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions
Cook onions in the 3 tablespoons butter until just tender. Blend in flour and pepper. Add stock and sherry; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

Put onion mixture into a 1-quart casserole dish. Toss croutons with the 2 tablespoons melted butter; spoon atop onion mixture. Sprinkle with Swiss and Parmesan cheese. Place under broiler until cheese milts, about 1 minute. Serve immediately. Makes 4-6 servings (double for the holidays).

Mission Figs: Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

The last week of October brought me and my husband a little getaway to the Bay. In a trip that was a fusion between work, school, and pleasure, we got to experience the pleasant fall weather in San Francisco, and a lot of time visiting with friends. It is rather ironic how just a year ago it seemed like we hardly knew anyone in Northern California, but now we have friends from SF to San Jose to Oakland. We were welcomed by all of these friends, and split our stay between Oakland and SF. Lucky for us, all of our hosts are fellow "foodies", so we had many memorable meals and abounding tastings of wine.



We stayed a couple nights with our friend Sarah at her fabulous Russian Hill apartment. When we arrived at her place she greeted us with a bottle of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a plan to watch the sunset from her kitchen, before heading out to dinner. She has what must be one of the most spectacular views of the city and the bay! Her kitchen is a wall of windows, and you can sit at her kitchen table pondering life and watching the city and sailboats go by. The prime time to marvel at her view is when the sun is setting. The sun bounces off of Berkeley in the distance, and the reflection glimmers and twinkles, appearing as bouncing little flames across the cityscape.




Sarah prepared the perfect hors d'oeuvre, without even knowing my affinity for figs. I had actually placed myself on a mission for this trip, and was determined to eat as many figs as possible. This hors d'oeuvre is simple and tasty, and we devoured it before heading to our “real” dinner at hotspot Beretta in the Mission. (I actually could have tasted more figs for dessert at Beretta, but by the time we were offered the dessert menus it was late (particularly on EDT), I was full, and I may have been falling asleep at the table!)

A few days later we stopped at the Berkeley Bowl to pick up picnic supplies for a day in Napa, and I grabbed a couple containers of fresh figs. The ones that made it through the day accompanied me on the plane (in first class, nonetheless – not me, just the figs. Darn overhead bins getting full.) Upon arriving home, I gave half to my mother, and pondered over how I could savor mine. My mind went straight to Sarah’s crostini and I then set forth to replicate it at home.

After an exhausting day at work, I was able to put these together mindlessly and actually ate them as dinner. I’ll long for the next time I have fresh figs to work with. In the meantime I may try this recipe with fig spread, although I tend to pair that with blue stilton cheese. Thank you to Sarah for her generous hospitality and her ideal hors d'oeuvre idea!

Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
Ingredients
* 1 French baguette, sliced into small ½ inch rounds
* 12 fresh figs, sliced
* 4 oz. fresh goat cheese
* 1 tbsp. honey (preferably lavender honey, if available)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sliced baguette on large baking sheet and bake for approximately 8 minutes, until bread is crispy. Spread goat cheese on baguette slices and top with 1-2 slices of fig, each. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.

Two for Two: Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich, and Chicken Quesadillas with Avocado Cream

I’m back. In the kitchen, that is. After an embarrassing amount of time eating take-out, I found some time today to venture to the three grocery stores and back into my kitchen. To my delightful surprise, while I was at the store my mother stopped by to drop off some more homemade food (vegetable pot pie, which I am so excited to try!). My family has a way with food, and in times of need (sickness, loss of loved ones, births of babies, moving, returning from a trip, etc.) we provide each other with healthfully prepared homemade meals. Thanks, Mom!

My first order of business in the kitchen was to help out a friend in need. “Sunny” and I go way back (definitely first grade, and if I could find a class photo, I might be able to confirm kindergarten too). She is married to her high school sweetheart (I was privileged to witness their budding romance in the high school Honors English class we all took together), and they currently reside in Seattle.

In March I took a business-related trip to Seattle, and my husband tagged along as it was a destination previously unexplored to us both, but on our list of places to visit. We used our time in town to get together with Sunny. We met her, her husband, and their adorable little boy for brunch. They picked a fantastic brunch spot, and if you’re in the Seattle area, I definitely recommend Table 219. We got to witness their son’s first taste of one of my favorite foods, sweet potato fries. Even more notable, though, was his first taste of a grapefruit, and none of the adults at the table could grasp why this little one-year-old seemed so keen on such a tart and bitter taste.




Sunny has since shared the exciting news that they will be expanding their family by two! With twin baby boys on the way she is needing to up her caloric intake, however this carb-o-holic has been having an aversion to practically all food! I asked if I could help in any way, and she said that she had some mediocre guacamole at a restaurant and it agreed with her stomach. She asked for a recipe with avocado and some chicken (to add protein). I have two, and they also offer up some calcium (cheese), carbs (sandwich rolls and tortillas), and veggies (carrots, tomatoes).

The first recipe is a chicken sandwich that works well when you’re having company. There is little prep work, and the sandwiches can be assembled by each guest. It is easy to up the quantity, and grill a lot of chicken breasts for a large crowd. If you’re (having twins and) looking to add some more protein, fat, and calories, you can add bacon too! (You can also add an extra slice of cheese.)

Kate's Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwich
Ingredients
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
* 4 sandwich rolls (I used ciabatta rolls, but hamburger buns will work too)
* 1 cup Italian salad dressing
* 1 beefsteak tomato, sliced
* 1 large avocado, sliced
* 1 lime or lemon, zest and juice
* ½ cup mayonnaise
* 4 slices provolone cheese

Directions
Marinate chicken in salad dressing for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. Preheat grill. Grill chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked; the meat should be solid white throughout. Grill sandwich rolls, cut side down, for about 2-3 minutes, until bread is toasted.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine lime or lemon zest, juice, and mayonnaise.

Assemble sandwiches, placing on each sandwich roll: one chicken breast, one slice of cheese, 2 slices on tomato, 2 tbsp. mayonnaise mixture, several slices of avocado.



The second recipe is a new one that I just tried. The final product looked (and smelled) so good to me that I think I’m going to have to make it again as a vegetarian version so that I can try it too. The recipe is from Cooking Light, and includes a fruit salsa. It was too difficult to find the exotic fruits it calls for in the Midwest in November, so I omitted it altogether. Sunny, you may want to use regular sour cream instead of fat-free. These will work as an entrée, appetizer, or hors d'oeuvre.

Chicken Quesadillas with Avocado Cream
(Adapted from Cooking Light, July 1998)
Ingredients
* Cooking spray
* 1 1/3 cups shredded carrot
* 1 cup thinly sliced green onions
* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, divided
* 8 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas
* 2 cups chopped ready-to-eat roasted skinned, boned chicken breasts (such as Tyson; about 2 breasts)
* 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
* Avocado Cream (recipe follows)

Directions
Place a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat until hot. Add shredded carrot and onions; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons shredded cheese over each of 4 tortillas, and divide carrot mixture evenly over tortillas. Top each tortilla with 1/2 cup chicken, 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, and 2 tablespoons cheese, and top with a tortilla.

Place skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until hot. Add 1 quesadilla, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until quesadilla is browned. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into 6 wedges. Arrange 4 quesadilla wedges on each of 6 plates. Top each serving about 3 tablespoons Avocado Cream.


Avocado Cream
Ingredients
* 1 peeled medium avocado, pitted and cut into chunks
* 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
* 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Directions
Place first 3 ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Spoon pureed mixture into a small bowl; stir in cilantro. Cover and chill.







UPDATE: She liked it!!!

Brunch for Guests: Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce

Last fall my cousin came in from out of town, and brought his then-girlfriend and a couple of their friends to stay with us for the weekend. Trying to be the ever-pleasing hostess, I made them a lot of food! We had other activities planned during the day, so I only had two breakfasts with which to woo them. I had been eyeing several recipes of eggs poached in a tomato sauce, and decided to try it out for my guests. They loved it so much that I am still hearing about it over a year later.

My cousin and his girlfriend have since gotten engaged and I will be attending their bridal shower this weekend. A tradition in our family is to have guests bring a recipe to the shower to share with the couple. My cousin and his fiancée actually requested for this recipe to be my contribution to their "recipe book".

Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce is the ultimate comfort food, as it is warm, filling, and can be eaten for any meal (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and even a late night snack!). It also comes together quickly and is made mainly with staple pantry items (feel free to omit the fresh herbs if you don't have them on hand). I make this pretty frequently for me and my husband to eat for dinner!

Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste (preferably with Italian seasoning)
2 tablespoons olive oil, separated
1 clove garlic, minced
1 clove garlic, whole and sliced in half
Splash of white wine
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 large eggs
4 slices country bread, for serving
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper and cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine. Add canned tomatoes (including the juice) and bring to a boil; season salt and pepper. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

Gently crack eggs into tomato mixture, cover, and let cook 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, uncover, and let stand 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, use remaining olive oil and brush oil on both sides of bread slices. Lay bread slices on a baking sheet, and bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes (until bread is golden and crusty). Remove bread from oven and rub immediately rub each side of bread with halves of garlic clove.

Transfer each egg to a piece of toasted bread. Spoon over sauce, garnish with cheese and parsley, and season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.

Two-for-One: Roasted Winter Vegetables & Soup, with Kate’s Toasted Baguette with Gruyere

I love making soups year-round, but the root vegetables of fall and winter give way for making soups with a thick consistency, and adding nothing more than a little seasoning and broth. Roasting the vegetables caramelizes them, making them soft enough to quickly puree with some broth. I make soups with all different variations of root vegetables, and this Ina Garten recipe combines them all.

This recipe is really a two-for-one. The first part leaves you with a colorful and delicious side dish of roasted vegetables. You can leave them as is to serve along with an entrée , or puree them into a soup. This is a great soup to make in the cooler months of the year, but for some reason I also find myself craving this soup in the spring with a light salad.

This evening we ate this soup with a variation on a grilled cheese. The crusty baguette and gooey cheese are a great compliment to the warm hearty soup, and I like to dip pieces of the bread into my soup bowl. The splash of chardonnay on the baguette is a nice touch that adds another layer of flavor, and freshly ground black pepper adds a little kick.

Her recipe calls for chicken stock, however I use vegetable stock. I puree the soup with an immersion blender in the stock pot, rather than transferring to a food processor.

Roasted Winter Vegetables & Soup
(From Barefoot Contessa Family Style)

Roasted Vegetables:
Ingredients
1 pound carrots, peeled
1 pound parsnips, peeled
1 large sweet potato, peeled
1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and seeded
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425° F degrees.

Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1- to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small.

Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 sheet pans. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

Roasted Vegetable Soup:
Ingredients
3 to 4 cups vegetable stock
1 quart Roasted Winter Vegetables (see recipe above)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
In a large saucepan, heat 3 cups of vegetable stock. In 2 batches, coarsely puree the roasted vegetables and the vegetable stock in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pour the soup back into the pot and season, to taste. Thin with more vegetable stock and reheat. The soup should be thick but not like a vegetable puree, so add more vegetable stock and/or water until it's the consistency you like.


Kate’s Toasted Baguette with Gruyere
Ingredients
1 French baguette
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons white wine (like chardonnay)
1 cup gruyere, grated
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F degrees.

Slice baguette into thirds, and then slice each section in half horizontally. Place baguette slices on a large baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle bread with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in oven for approximately 6-8 minutes, until bread is crispy. Remove from oven.

Splash white wine over baguettes, sprinkle with gruyere, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Turn broiler on high, and toast baguettes until cheese is melted and bread is toasted (approximately 2-4 minutes). Serve immediately.