Monday, November 10, 2008

Monday's Ménage à Trois

What an awesome weekend! My sister was in town with her beau Duane. They didn't even put their bags down before they were playing with Tristan. It's so much fun watching him enjoy the company of others.

The weather was gorgeous so I had the patio doors open for most of the weekend.
I also cooked quite a bit & wanted to share a few things with you today. Now, I hope you know by now that when I post a recipe, it's because I believe in it 100%. I not only post it to share with you but I want to catalog it for my own use again. While the broccoli is a tried & true old family favorite, I am sharing the 2 pumpkin recipes today with slight reservations. I believe they can be awesome but with some modifications. So, here they are for you to check out. Please see notes.


GARLIC BREADED BROCCOLI

Italian Style Breadcrumbs / Panko Breadcrumbs
Garlic powder
Pepper
2 pkgs of frozen broccoli spears, thawed & dried
Flour for dredging
4 eggs, whisked
Vegetable or olive oil enough for a shallow fry
Salt
Parmesan cheese

Add some garlic, pepper & whatever other spices you like to your breadcrumbs. I have used a combo of both style crumbs. The panko adds a little more texture but go with what you like best. You will have your pans lined up ~ flour, eggs, breadcrumb mixture.

Dredge the broccoli spears in the flour & make sure to shake off excess. Place in eggs. Then roll in breadcrumbs covering completely. Place on wax paper & continue with the rest.  Refrigerate if able for 1/2 hour. This will allow the breading to stay on better.

Heat oil about 3/4 inch deep for a shallow fry.

Fry until golden brown for 2-3 minutes, turn over for 2 minutes more. When it's golden brown the broccoli will be perfect on the inside. Drain on paper towel &amp. Lightly salt & dust with some freshly grated parmesan, immediately.

Food for Thought


May sound crazy but this leftover broccoli is amazing the next day smashed on an egg sandwich. Also, you can use fresh broccoli but you'd want to blanch it first before continuing on. I have used fresh baby broccoli and didn't need to blanch since the pieces were small enough to cook within the time frame needed for the breading to turn golden. I have used olive oil for frying instead of vegetable oil. Again, use what you like.


PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE PIE

 
If you are interested in making this recipe, I would recommend a couple of things. Double the chocolate amount or at least increase by 50%. Also, make sure your chocolate is very small. I used little morsels & still felt they should have been smaller so they could've melted better & formed a nicer layer. FYI, there wasn't enough room left for the entire pumpkin mixture on top so you'll have some leftover. I was fine with that as more would not have been better!


Click Here to See & Print Pie Recipe


CURRY PUMPKIN SOUP
If you are interested in making this soup, I would highly recommend doubling up on the curry powder & pumpkin pie spice. You may even need to triple it, depending on your taste. And while I did not make the orange-cranberry topper I suggest you do because this could be bland without it. I also only pureed just half of this soup as I like it chunky. Tammy came over to do some taste testing. She suggested & I agree that this also could be nice as a curry sauce over some rice.
Click Here to See & Print Soup Recipe

33 comments:

Kacey said...

Ooooh! Thanks for these and the notes. I am SO EXCITED to start planning my holiday menu and treats that I am going to scatter across my neighborhood. I started buying spices I don't usually have on hand last week. I can't wait! I have a SUPER delicious bread recipe to share with you. I think you'll love it. I hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Kristina P. said...

These all look amazing! You've outdone yourself once again.

Anonymous said...

"Did you know" that you're my favoritist CW ever?

AND you write recipes the way they should be written?

AND I'm glad you had fun with your family this weekend?

AND I hope you're making me proud by jacking around at work today?

Kelly said...

This all sounds delish...We are definetly doing the broccoli and I heart anything curry..so I want to try the curry pumpkin soup...
I wish I had more time to cook...sigh...
Cheers!

Maria said...

Everything looks wonderful here! Looks like you enjoyed a tasty weekend!

Lula! said...

You say "pumpkin" and I come a-runnin'. I could eat pumpkin on pumpkin. Just sayin'.

Lump said...

sounds like you had a wonderful weekend!

and fried broccoli? if I can get someone to make that for me I will be all over it.

I need that pumpkin chocolate cheesecake like... NOW. ;)

Nazarina A said...

Greetings from Colorado!
My sweetie made your steamed burgers on Saturday and it is like you say moist and juicy and delicious. He made his and a few friends in the beer ( your exact recipe and mine and a few other friends that do not drink, made it in beef broth that was my idea ha! ha! Thank you for being so bold with these juicy burgers.
Also may I just say that the curried pumpkin soup looks yummmmeeee!!!
I have made a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake last year. I am also "following" you so I get all your updates!

We lived in North Miami beach before and moved to Colorado after graduating. We moved here for the snowboarding.

Rebecca said...

I saw Giada fry up some veggies on her show a couple weekends ago and I thought they looked so good. She did cauliflower - I LOVE cauliflower! Well, the broccoli looks like what she did and it just looks scrumptious!

Carrie and Jim said...

I think almost anything in a good breading and deep fried in oil can taste delicious. Great pumpkin receipes, I might try the pumpkin one.

FROGGITY! said...

ooh lala! i am sooooo all about that pumpkin cheesecake....

smack smack yum!

Carrie said...

Garlicky Deep Fried Broccoli? SMASHING idea! Yummmmmm...

I love anything pumpkin, so I think I'd really like the pumpkin chocolate cheesecake. When I clicked the printable link, it took me to BHG and wanted a login.

~Marie~ said...

Anything with Garlic I am all over!!! MMm... I will have to try the broccoli.

Anonymous said...

That broccoli looks delicious! And the pumpkin cheesecake pie looks good too! And I love the title of this post! hehe

Lorie said...

I think I gained 10 lbs looking at this post! Especially the pie!

I am going to have to try the broccoli. Yum!

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

Everything sounds great. I'm definitely going to try the broccoli. I have a great broccoli recipe too!

Deanna said...

I think I just gained 10 pounds.

Michelle said...

We eat broccoli almost every night. I'll betcha my girls would love it if I did something besides steam it!!

Oh, pumpkin cheese cake is one of my favs! Can't have chocolate though. :)

Unknown said...

I'm going to have some sweets today. That pie has me drooling all over the place. I got flashbacks when I saw the fried broccoli, it reminds me of the South and how everything is fried.

Helen Ruth said...

The first time I tried pumkin soup was over an open fire at a pioneer setting. YUMMY! I'm anxious to cook that broccoli, but feel somewhat guilty as we tend to FRY everything here in Texas, and if it doesn't move, we lather it in gravy! ;-)

Your recipes are inspirational!

Claremont First Ward said...

Your dark night is so cute! He looks so strong. :)

The mini apple pies are calling my name, and I'm so glad that you've tried so many great recipes and are leaving your recommendations for how to make them better. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing!!!!!! Yum yum yum yum!!!! cheesecake, chocolate, pumpkin...does it get any better?

Jen said...

this is so cool, 3 for the price of one. How exciting. That broccoli looks really good. This may be the first thing that I try and fry. ;)

Gabby said...

Hi from SITS! I am going to be making the broccoli for sure...and the mini apple pies!

Unknown said...

I am SO excited to make that broccoli! I am glad you had a nice weekend with your family! Aren't they the best blessings? Family is so important! I am glad church was a blessing as well. For some reason, I just couldn't concentrate on the sermon on Sunday...and then I kept feeling guilty because I knew I could concentrate on The Iron Chef great on Saturday night at midnight : )...

Meaghan said...

Wow these look so yummy, guess i have my recipes for this weekend! And...as usual your profile pic made me so thirsty :)

Stopping by to say hi and invite you to this weeks coffee giveaway!

www.getthebean.blogspot.com

On The Wings Of Love said...

......mmmmm....just the recipe I've been waiting for .

I'm not sure I could deep fry my way out of a paper bag though ...but for that recipe - I'll give it a try !

.......with all your fantastic recipes I won't need recipezaar anymore !

Cheers,
Bre
http://chantillygrace.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Garlic breaded broccoli?!? Awesome! I MUST try this!

Pam said...

The recipes sound really good but I am glad you gave notes to improve. The broccoli looks and sounds AMAZING!

Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly) said...

Oooooo, that broccoli sounds delightful. I love broccoli in any shape or form, but how great is fried. Thanks!

tiarastantrums said...

I have SO been looking for a pumpkin cheesecake recipe - and this one has chocolate! All the better ! You know I don't care for pumpkin so anything to get me to make this hubbie says!!

Yellow Beads said...

what fabulous fall foods!!!

April said...

I hate you right now. I am so hungry I could eat my arm. Those look AMAZING...