Guest Post: Fun Fruit Kabobs!

Hey everybody...girlichef here! Miranda is still off enjoying her vacation, so you've got me today. When Miranda asked me to do a guest post, I knew that I wanted to make something fun and family friendly...because that is totally the vibe I get whenever I visit here. Since summer's bounty is banging down our doors right now, I wanted to put some of it to good use! Admittedly there are no pineapples growing in my yard...or anywhere near it (I'm in Indiana), but I had to add some...because they just scream summer to me! The great thing about these... ...is that there is no recipe, per se...just a process...open to change and interpretation. I mean, come on...everybody likes food on a stick- it's fun! These fruit kabobs are something fun to make if you have guests coming over...or pack them for a picnic...or just have all the fruit ready and set it out at a party (for kiddos or kiddos-at-heart) and let everybody join in the assembling fun! I chose to use pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, strawberries and red grapes for my kabobs...but you can use whatever is seasonal or just the fruits you enjoy most when you make these. I love that each of these fruits is a different, bright color- makes them that much more visually appealing!
I'd like to begin by demonstrating the breaking down of a pineapple...because I have had so many people tell me that they are scared to mess with a whole pineapple...too hard to cut up without a pineapple corer/peeler. I want to break that myth...because I honestly think they're one of the easiest fruits to cut up! Simply grab a cutting board and make sure it is anchored well to your counter (pineapples are juicy...don't want it sliding all over the place). Cut off the top and bottom. With a large chef's knife, slice from top to bottom, just under the area where you see the "eyes" of the pineapple. Make your way around. Once all of that scary outer peel is removed, cut into 4 equal pieces from top to bottom, through the core. Next, look for the light yellow core in each quarter and simple slice it off. You will end up with 4 gorgeous pieces of pineapple. From here, you simply cut each piece into chunks, tidbits, spears, etc! Easy, right! If you need rings, that is a bit different. Before you peel it, cut it in half the short way, then plunge an apple corer through the center to remove the core, then peel each half the same way and slice into rings. Now we'll move onto the cantaloupe. You can just peel it and chunk it if you wish...but for added fun, grab your melon baller! The first thing I do is slice of a little piece of each end to make it easier for the cantaloupe to sit still (won't roll). Next, cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds with an ice cream scoop. I use the large end of the melon baller and make my way in a circle around the flesh of the melon, keeping each cut close to the next...for maximum yield. Once you've used up the first row, simply (using a sharp knife) cut that layer off of the melon...straight across...you'll end up with a holey slice. Start again on the next row and continue until it is all used up. You should get a couple of extra balls from the bottom center. And you definitely don't have to throw all the "extra" melon away...simply scoop it away from the outer rind and use it for smoothies...or something of the sort!Honeydew is the same process as the cantaloupe...The watermelon process is basically the same, too (use a seedless watermelon if you can)! The main difference is that a watermelon will yield more because you have that whole surface area! After you've balled the first layer, slice it off and repeat!I quartered or halved the strawberries, depending on their size.The grapes, I simply plucked from their stems. Look at all this gorgeous fruit...ready for threading onto skewers!With all this gorgeous fruit ready, the next thing I do is throw together a couple of easy "toppings". Because dipping food on sticks into things is extra fun!

Yogurt Dip
by girlichef


yogurt- plain or vanilla
honey
cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg


Simply stir up the ingredients, to your taste!
Chipotle Lime Salt

by girlichef

large crystal sea salt

zest of a lime (I actually used the zest of 2 key limes here)

chipotle chili powder

Stir 'em up. That's it!
Thread all of your fruit onto bamboo skewers...this is where you can enlist help (probably willing help, actually) or simply set it out for party guests to assemble themselves. Put your dippers/toppers alongside the fruit and you've got some luscious summertime fun!

Thanks to Miranda for having me over to her place...and thanks to you guys for hangin' out with me for a bit! But you know this is not all you can do with all of this deliciousness you whipped up...head on over to visit me , I also made this right here....

Guest Post..Banana Bread

Hi guys! It's Leslie from The Hungry Housewife.
Miranda is off on vacation for 8 days! Lucky girl huh? She asked me to do a guest post for her so her blog wasn't lonely
I decided to revisit one of my most popular items, My banana bread. It made the food blog rounds a while back and it seemed everyone loved it. I know I do. And everyone always asks for the recipe. So if you haven't tried it before, I urge you to do so!!!

LESLIE'S(The Hungry Housewife) ULTIMATE BANANA BREAD

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups ap flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
4 large nasty looking ripe bananas. smooshed up real good
1/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 to 1 cup toasted walnuts
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup coconut
1 cup blueberries + a handful for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 350 and use middle rack
Cream together butter and sugar with hand mixer or stand mixer. Add egg one at a time, mixing well in between each addition.
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking pwdr and baking soda.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk..(always start and end with the flour..why? I don't know, just cause that's what my mom told me to do!)
Add bananas, vanilla, nuts and coconut and stir until combined. Fold in blueberries.
Lightly grease TWO 8in x 3 3/4in x 2 1/2in pans( I use the Hefty EZ elegance pans)
Pour the batter into both pans evenly. Sprinkle some blueberries on top for a garnish.
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out of the center with only slight crumbs on it.
Try to let it cool before cutting into it..but I can never wait that long before digging in and slathering some butter on it!
Tips***
To toast the walnuts, just place in large skillet over medium heat and cook until fragrant and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Usually around 5 to 8 minutes.
I use the two smaller pans because I found that if you make one large loaf the bottom tends to burn before the middle is done. And besides 2 loafs is better than one.

Guest Post: Sweet Potato Croquettes with Yogurt Sauce

Hi everyone! (*waving hand*) This is Jenn from Bread + Butter. When Miranda asked me to do a guest post, I couldn't refuse the invitation. I'm always happy to help out a fellow foodie. Besides, I love sharing recipes and other food tidbits with others. There's fun to be had all around, right? Anyway, on to this very delectable little appetizer, which I had for dinner recently. I give you my Sweet Potato Croquettes with Yogurt Sauce.

I had some extra mashed sweet potatoes left from when I baked some sweet potato biscuits, which you'll see this coming week on Bread + Butter. I figured I'd make something a little similar to those little patty cakes I did a while back. So I turned them into golf ball sized croquettes. I did omit the sugar from my original recipe and seasoned it with a little salt and mixed in some panko crumbs instead of coating it. I baked them in the oven for roughly 10-15 min. They retained their shape as well as color and they came out with a slight firm crust, but when you bite into them it was soft like mashed potatoes. This is also great to get kinds involved, too. Let them shape the mashed sweet potato into ball.

I made a simple yogurt sauce to go along with this. A friend of mine had made something similar when I had dinner with her and her husband recently. I really loved it so much that I was surprised as to how easy it was to make. It was basically Greek yogurt, chopped fresh parsley and a tiny bit ot water. Simple.

Yum yum!!



Sweet Potato Croquette with Yogurt Sauce

2-3 Cooked and Mashed Sweet Potato
1/2 c panko crumbs
salt
pepper

Yogurt Sauce:
2 Tbsp greek plain yogurt
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp water

To cook the sweet potato:
Peel and cube the sweet potato. Put them into some boiling water and cook until tender. Drain and cool them down witn running cold water. Mash them in a bowl.


Preheat your oven to 375˚F

When the sweet potatoes are mashed, mix in the panko crumbs and season with a little salt.

Take 2 Tbsp of the mashed sweet potato and with your hands form into a ball.

Place them on parchment paper lined baking sheet and baked for 12-15 min.

While they bake, mix together the ingredients for the sauce and set aside until ready to serve.

Bon Appetit!!

I am leaving for vacation tomorrow and will be gone for 8 days. I have amazing writers to guest post so please stop by and check them out.

Here is my last post for the next 8 days. It is a cookie I created yesterday to bring for the kiddos to eat on vacation. Double Chocolate Oreo Cookie. Yes, they are as sinful as they taste. I am very impressed with how amazing they turned out.

One more thing, when I come back I have to post about a new pan line I got. It is called Calaphalon Unison. I must admit, it is my best pans in my kitchen.
I will let you know all about them next week!!!

Enjoy this recipe and wish me luck!! 11 hour drive with two crazy little girls!!!
I will miss you guys!

Double Chocolate Oreo Cookies (This makes a lot of cookies 48 cookies, cut it in half if you would like)

4 sticks of unsalted butter, Rm. temp

3 cps. sugar

4 eggs

4 cps. flour
1 1/3 cp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

15 whole oreos

1. Add the butter and sugar to the mixer. Mix until fluffy. Add one egg at a time.

2. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda together. Gradually add it to the batter.

3. Add the chocolate chips oreos and mix. The mixing process will break up the oreos.

4. Bake on 350 for 8 minutes

DEVOUR!!!!

The Best Thing Ever: Roast Beef Pittsburgh Panini

Let me begin by saying I grew up in a small steel town along the Ohio River. I am from a very very small town, but it is only 45 minutes away from Pittsburgh. I grew up making the drive to that beautiful city. One of my favorite things was going under the tunnel in suburbia and coming out to the most amazing city full of lights. It was breath taking.

One of the staples of Pittsburgh for a foodie is the Primanti Brothers. If you ever visit the Pittsburgh area it is a must try. They make the most incredible Panini's.

I made this for my husband Sunday. He was speechless (the first time ever). He loved it. He loved it so much he called me this morning at 7:30 (DID I SAY AM?)to tell me that he can't get the incredible sandwich out of his head and he will be stopping by ASAP for another panini. Of course, I made him another one......That is what wives do? Right?

Anyway. this is a 10! (Rated by the hubby. This is very rare rating. I think, he is a little stingy on the tens or expects to much. LOL)

ARE You READY!? ONCE YOU TRY THIS...YOU WILL NEVER EVER WANT A NORMAL PANINI.

My Pittsburgh Roast Beef Panini:

The Beef

4lbs Lean Roast
1/4 cp. Montreal Steak Seasoning
4-6 cps Beef Broth
3/4 cp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 Red Onion quartered
4 garlic cloves minced

1. Rub the seasoning all over the beef and then sear all sides. Add the broth, onions, garlic, Worcestershire to the pan.
2. Cook 275 for 3-4 hours.
3. Slice Very thin, against the grain. (I used the slicing on my food processor)
4. Add back into the broth. (This meat tastes even better the next day after sitting in this amazing broth)

The Slaw:

Coleslaw (Pre-made package, very thinly cut cabbage)
1/4 cp. Zinfandel Vinegar
2 TB oil
2 TB Sugar

1. Toss everything together and set aside

Fries or Homemade Fries (I cooked 1/2 bag. I makes 2-3 sandwich's)
(Follow directions. I cook them until they are really crunchy)
Provolone Cheese (1/2 lb)
Tomato
Really Really good bread, I used a Three Cheese from Panera Bread

THE ASSEMBLING
Lay out the two slices of bread. Top the bottom with the a few slices of Provolone cheese, Add the Roast Beef, Add more cheese, Add fries, Add the slaw and then the tomato top with the second slice of bread. Slice in half. I secured with toothpicks.

Take A HUGE BIT of the amazing taste of Pittsburgh! YUM!

Hungry Housewifes Famous Nutella Brownies

My husbands all time favorite treat are brownies. I will be leaving him and wanted to make him something special. I went in the store yesterday and bought Nutella for the first time. I found this brownie recipe and new it was a must try. Not to mention, I knew that HH always has incredible recipes and food.

My Nutella conclusion: Nutella is incredible. I do not know how I lived without it. It will be a staple in my home for now on.

My Brownie conclusion: They are way to good for words. You can find the original recipe here
They are by far the best brownies I have ever had. Chewy. Gooey. Yummy. Goodness.
Don't take my word for it. Give them a try!!!



NUTELLA BROWNIES

1 cp. unsalted butter
2 cps. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 cp. flour
3/4 cp. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
dash of salt
1/2 cp. Nutella
1/2 cp. Smooth Peanut Butter

1. Melt the butter. Add the sugar and mix. Add the vanilla and one egg at a time.
2. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a different bowl.
3. Slowly add to the wet mixture and combine. Do not over mix. Add the Nutella and Peanut butter. Once again, do not over mix.
4. Add to a 9x13 greased pan and cook on 350 for about 50 minutes. When a tooth pick is inserted into the brownies and comes out clean.

Stromboli

Ah.....This is another childhood favorite. My mom would make this and it would be gone in no time. It also another recipe that I do not see that often. To me, it is a comfort food. It warms my soul.

The funny part about making this dish is that I forget my oven was broke. I had to broil high and cover the Stromboli's and then broil low to make sure it is cooked through. It was difficult, but successful.

STROMBOLI (makes one)

1 Pre-made pizza dough
1/4 cp. thinly sliced onions
1/4 cp. thinly sliced red peppers
1/4 cp. thinly sliced green peppers
1/4 cp. thinly sliced pepperonis
1/4 lb. salami
1/4 lb. pepperoni
1/4 lb. ham (I used capicolla)
1/4 lb. provolone
1/2 cp. mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1. Cut the peppers, onions, pepperonis very thin.

2. Roll out the pizza dough. (about 16 in on one end, 10 -12 in. on the other side)
Start layering the meat. Add the pepperoni in rows, then the salami over top, then the ham, then the provolone. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Add the peppers, onions and 1/2 tsp. of Italian seasoning.

3. Roll. Roll toward you and tuck like a burrito. When you finish rolling tuck the ends to the bottom and seal. Brush the egg wash and the rest of the 1/2 tsp. of Italian seasoning on the Stromboli

4. Cook on 375 for 30-45 minutes.

Enjoy.