2012: Our favorite Dishes

After a full year of posting, I decided it would be nice to capture our favorite dishes from each category that were made in 2012. As for our new year's dinner tonight... we're eating out!

Starters:

Sean's Pick: Bacon-wrapped Dates

Ro's Pick: Lemon-Goat Cheese Balls (though Candied Bacon was a close second)

Soups:

Sean's Pick: Chili

 

Ro's Pick: Creamy Potato Bacon

Mains: (We decided to do 2 each for this one because there were so many good ones!)

Sean's Picks: 

Braised Short Ribs with Prunes

Pasta and Broccoli

 Ro's Picks:

Risotto with Bacon and Spicy Greens

Salmon Cakes with Broccoli Slaw

Honorable Mentions go to Kimchi Bacon Noodles and  Linguine with Clams.

Sides:

Sean's Pick: Apple Curry Quinoa

Ro's Pick: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Capers, Walnuts, and Anchovies 

 Sweets: 

Sean's Pick: Sesame Cookies

Ro's Pick: Sean's Cheesecake

Breakfast:

Sean's Pick: Korean Brunch

Ro's Pick: Bagels

It was a good year!

Wine Cork Wreath

With years of wine corks saved up we finally got around to doing something with them, and it turned out great! In previous cork projects, we've made coasters and trivets, so we wanted to do something different.  We decided to make a wreath and so we looked around on a couple sites to figure out the best way to approach it.  Using a styrofoam wreath (purchased from Michael's) and some sturdy party toothpicks inserted into the corks seemed to be the best way.  We did secure a couple corks that seemed loose with a glue gun to make sure they wouldn't fall out.  While our fingers felt like they were going to fall off after sticking the toothpicks in over 200 corks, it was worth it in the end.  Now... we just have to figure out how to hang it!  This wreath is seasonal-friendly so we'll try to dress it up with different accessories throughout the year.

Supplies:
Styrofoam wreath (we did a 14 inch wreath, but smaller would be fine too)
Corks - we used approx 225-250 
Toothpicks - sturdy and round with pointed tips
Pliers - optional, to help with inserting toothpicks
Glue Gun- optional, to secure loose toothpicks

Directions:
Begin by inserting toothpicks in the corks.  Insert them into the side you do not want to show on your wreath.  For the corks that came from red wine, we always put the toothpick through the top of the cork so the bottom with the reddish color would show on the wreath.  Try to get at least 1/4 of the toothpick in the cork so it feels secure enough that it won't fall out.  

When you start to put the toothpicks in the wreath, lay the wreath flat and do an inner and outer ring as seen in the picture.  These corks won't be as visible in the final product, so use the less pretty ones first. (Of course the cats had to get involved)

Next, begin to insert the rest of the corks to fill in the wreath.  Don't follow a particular pattern and insert the corks at various angles so all the gaps are covered.  Leave some corks sticking out further than others.  Continue this until the wreath is full of corks.  

Check for any loose feeling corks that might need to be glued down.  Use as a centerpiece like we did with a candle in the middle, or hang from your door with ribbon or string.  I'll update this post once we have ours hanged.

Creamed Spinach

If you love creamy cheesy dishes like I do, than this creamed spinach recipe is an amazing way to enjoy cooked spinach.  It's not the healthiest way to eat it, but the small amount of cream goes a long way and is balanced out by the healthy greens. (or so I think).  The addition of cheese adds another flavor element.  I like to use a combination of Jarlsberg and Parmesan but other types would work well too.   

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter 
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 lbs spinach, washed and chopped (seems like a lot but it really wilts down)
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese (or Swiss)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:
In a medium to large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the oil.  When the butter has melted, add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent, 5-7 minutes.  

Add the spinach, bit by bit, stirring and allowing it to wilt before adding the next handful.

Once the spinach has fully wilted, add 1 teaspoon salt and saute over medium until some of the liquid has reduced.  

 After about 10 minutes, add the cream.  Stir until heated and slighty reduced, 5 minutes.  Add the cheese and stir to melt. 

 

Add the nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the mixture, and taste for more salt and pepper.   Let the creamed spinach cool slightly before serving.  This will help thicken the mixture.  Enjoy!

Spiced Ginger Granola

In this batch of granola I switched it up by adding some chopped crystallized ginger along with some other wintery spices to give it a seasonal flavor.  I have to say... it came out pretty delicious.  It's great as a breakfast or healthy dessert.

Ingredients: 
5 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup bran
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 300 degrees F. Mix the oats, nuts and wheat germ in a large bowl.  

In a smaller bowl, combine the butter, oil, honey, sugar, vanilla, and spices.  

Microwave for 20 seconds (so that butter is melted) and stir the mixture well.  Pour it over the dry ingredients and mix with your hands or a large spoon until the oats and nuts are evenly coated.   Spread the mixture onto a large sheet pan (or two).  You could also use a casserole dish but it will take longer to bake since it won't be as spread out. 
Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes to ensure even cooking.  When the granola is a golden-brown color, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.  

Add the dried ginger and cranberries and store in a sealed container.  

 

Creamy Potato-Bacon Soup

This soup combines all of the flavors you would have in a loaded baked potato, and it comes out at the perfect creamy and thick consistency for a hearty winter soup. It is relatively simple and there aren't that many ingredients.  The key is to infuse the bacon flavor into the entire soup, and then to add the creaminess by making a sauce separately that gets mixed in at the end.  Best of all, there is no actual cream in the dish so it isn't as bad for you as you might think!

Ingredients:
3/4 lb bacon
5 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
1 onion, diced 
2 ribs of celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk 
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3-4 green onions, sliced thinly
salt and pepper

Directions:
Dice the bacon before cooking- this allows it to cook evenly and it's already crumbled for when you add it back into the soup.  In a large pot over medium, cook the bacon pieces until they are crispy, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Drain with a slotted spoon into a bowl lined with paper towels.  Remove all but about 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pot. 

Cook the onions, celery, and garlic in the bacon grease for about 7 minutes or until tender.  Add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and some freshly cracked pepper to the mix while cooking.  

Next, add the potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil.  The potatoes should be fully covered.  If your broth is unsalted, add a teaspoon of salt.  You can always add more later, but the potatoes will have more flavor if there is some salt in the broth.  

Cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, until they are just tender.  Careful not to overcook because they will get mushy.  Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan make your roux.  Melt the butter over medium-low heat and whisk in the flour.  Let the flour cook for 3-4 minutes, whisking often.  Slowly add the milk and continue to whisk until all the lumps are gone.  Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Once the potatoes are done, scoop out a small bowl full and mash them up before returning to the pot.  Add the thickened cream sauce to the soup as well, stirring to combine.  

Next, add 1 cup of the cheese, half of the bacon crumbles, and half of the green onions. Let the cheese melt and stir.  Add 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper, and taste to see if you need to add more salt or pepper.

Serve with more cheese, bacon, and green onions on top.  Enjoy!