Food

February 2017 Share and Inspire Others! BREAD – SWEET AND SAVORY

Anyone who loves carbs will want this post, thanks to Esmé, for their recipe file. Bread-lovers unite! 🥖🍞🥐

cookandenjoyrecipes's avatarEsmeSalon

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I know, I know, I am early in releasing this post, but look at all the wonderful recipes we received for our Februay 2017 Share and Inspire Others!  BREAD – SWEET AND SAVORY Recipe Exchange.  I just had to share this immediately with you all!!  Thanks again for all the awesome entries.

Remember to check out my blog as the new theme for March will be released on 1st March.

All participants, have time from now up untill midnight February 20th, to Promote and do a post/reblog on your own blog, linking back to this post.

Posted in order of emails received:

Crunchy cinnamon apple French toast roll ups courtesy of cookwithsmileblog
Make your morning breakfast more interesting. Kids will love this.trh-crunchy-cinnamon-apple-french-toast-roll-upsThin crust Bread pizza on Stove top  courtesy of cookwithsmileblog
Craving for Pizza? Can’t wait too long? Try this quick thin crust Bread pizza. This can be ready within minutes with handful of…

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Who Will Stop the Rain?

Sometimes it’s nice to sit on the edge of a party. Minutes after we settled in, a couple of mobile restaurants pulled up to the curb. Food Truck Stop Thursday at Kauai Beer Company typically offers two choices of food venues in lieu of their regular menu. George of da Jungle versus Scorpacciata are the featured chefs of the night. Street musician, guitarist Lara Brady of Epiphany, sat poised a few feet away from the wrought iron patio crooning tunes from 40 years ago when she was still a teenager. “Do you mind if I take your photo?”, I inquired. “Sure”, she replied. “It’s like a Stradivarious”, she went on, “the style of wood in this guitar. You can’t find it anymore.” I dropped a buck into her guitar case. Her toothless grin smiled in appreciation. About that time, the sky opened up and spilled forth a deluge of rain. Everyone scrambled for cover under the sidewalk awnings and sipped on a flight of eight specialty brews until it blew through. As suddenly as it began, the downpour ceased like the man upstairs turned the water spigot off. Larry, the event coordinator, looked up to the heavens, spread his arms wide, and grinned from ear to ear. “Life is good,” he exclaimed. “Let’s get this party started!” Grills fired up, high intensity pizza ovens were set to 800°, and the lines began to form placing food orders for the duration. The place was abuzz with noise and clatter. As fast as the servers could deliver, piping hot menu items were exchanged for table numbers while conversations lingered and new friendships were being made. 

Dining Outside the Home: Café Portofino in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Café Portofino in Lihue, Kauai!  A hidden Italian gem sits above the beach on Kalapaki Bay where a sunset panoramic view sets the stage for an unforgettable evening. Familiar romantic love songs gently rise from the strings of a harp. The candlelit atmosphere for dining al fresco is further complimented by savory aromas of old Italian favorites. Choose a rich creamy pasta, minestrone soup, calamari fritti, and tiramisu dessert guaranteed to pamper the taste buds. No need to rush. This is Italy. Sit back, relax, and absorb the ambience. 

Dining Outside the Home: Hā Coffee Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Hā Coffee Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  Now here is a coffee shoppe with a mission statement. Hā means “breath”, a description of island culture. It’s about the ohana community, or family, of people who choose to work together in unity. At Hā Coffee Bar you’ll find coffee, tea, and local-sourced goods. Coffee-lovers may choose between whole bean, espresso, cold brewed, pour over, and french press coffee. The atmosphere is conducive for interaction. Make yourself at home in a comfy chair, or choose a rustic table with a window view, or slide up to the communal wooden table below the vaulted ceiling fan. Sit and sip. Support the environment, support the culture, support the community. We’re all in this together. Everyone is welcome. 

Dining Outside the Home: Pietro’s Pizza in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Pietro’s Pizza in Lihue, Kauai!  What does a pastor do when he needs a hobby? He opens a Neapolitan-style pizza parlor with an Italian flare, in honor of his ancestors. The traditional imported flour from Italy adds passion to the freshly handmade dough. One bite reveals a world of difference. The authentic brick oven, from Naples, requires turning the pizza pie the entire time it’s baked in temperatures around 900°. The results? Unbelievable! One could almost describe its success as “heaven sent”, which wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows the time, effort, faith, and perseverance that has been poured into making Pietro’s Pizza the best Kauai has to offer. The legacy continues. Carry on!

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter U

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Upside-Down Pineapple Bundt Cake! This light and easy alternative for dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the pounds. The secret is the tropical taste of pineapple. 
UPSIDE-DOWN PINEAPPLE BUNDT CAKE
Ingredients:

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix

1 20-ounce can of Crushed Pineapple with Juice

1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions:

Set oven rack to lowest setting. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray Bundt pan with non-stick cooking oil. Sprinkle brown sugar on the bottom of the pan. Mix the Angel Food Cake Mix with the Crushed Pineapple, including juice, by hand for one minute or until well blended. Pour into Bundt pan and place in oven on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean and the cake is set. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Option: Garnish with a sprig of tarragon and top with maraschino cherries, stems removed. 
Serving Suggestion

Mixed Berry Sauce:
1 pound of fresh blueberries 

1 pound of fresh mulberries 

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar
In a medium sauce pan add berries, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Cook on medium heat, while stirring until the berries reduce down. Change the heat to low setting and press the berries against the side of the pan to make them burst. Continue cooking for 30 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add 2 drops of lemon extract while stirring with a spoon. Pour into jar and store in refrigerator. 

Hint: This is delicious on toast or pancakes or ice cream. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter T

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Turnips and Roasted Sweet Potatoes! Here’s a little twist on adding turnips to your menu. When seasoned and mixed with other root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, the somewhat bland flavor of the turnip becomes robust and savory. You’ll find yourself serving them more often. 
TURNIPS & ROASTED SWEET POTATOES 
Ingredients:

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges 

4 medium turnips, peeled and cut into chunks

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well until vegetables are evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for one hour. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Spread vegetables into single layer. Avoid contact. Bake about 40 minutes or until tender and slightly browned. 
Serving suggestion: For a creamy dip, mix Greek yogurt with fresh onion chives. It will seem like a mild onion dip, but with a much lighter flavor. 

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  Known as the “Westernmost Sports Bar in the U.S.”, it is a favorite gathering place for fun and entertainment. And the extensive menu is pretty tasty, too. I chose Ahi tuna seasoned with a toasted sesame furikake, then grilled to perfection and laid on a bed of shredded cabbage and white rice. Feel the kick? That’s wasabi cream, you’re newest addiction. Don’t hate me. These volcanic spices are what makes this plate an island favorite. Come early, relax, chat a bit, and take advantage of Happy Hour specials before the crowd sets in and the games begin. Well done, Kalapaki Joe’s. 

Dining Outside the Home: Kukui’s Poolside Restaurant and Bar at the Marriott Beach Resort in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kukui’s Poolside Restaurant and Bar at the Marriott Beach Resort in Lihue, Kauai!  Relax poolside with first-class service of American or Polynesian food and unsurpassed tiki cocktails. There’s no need to leave the comfort of a covered cabana under rustling palms or the shade of an umbrella chaise lounge. The soothing fountains of the magnificent pool offer tranquility that soothes the soul. Nibble on ethnic finger foods and garden salads made from island organic ingredients. Need to cool off? No worries. Take a dip into the pool, towel off, and order another round of Mai Tai Chi cocktails. No parasol needed.