tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39793266150993510002012-01-28T13:06:39.188-05:00Cooking in a Closet Sized KitchenKevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.comBlogger1441125ClosetCookinghttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakestag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-55470356760116240562012-01-28T12:30:00.000-05:002012-01-28T13:06:39.199-05:002012-01-28T13:06:39.199-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qWC0Fr0UC8/TyQuwWroI1I/AAAAAAAANrw/p65JU6AcIgI/s800/Taco%2BDip%2B500%2B4368.jpg" alt="Taco Dip" title="Taco Dip" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> With the Super Bowl quickly approaching I have been getting some snack recipes together for the party. The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html">burger dip</a> that I made last week got me thinking about hot cheesy dips and one my favourites has to be this taco dip! Since I last made this dip I have learned a few things and I was just itching to make it again and apply what I had learned. The first thing that I wanted to change was to make it in a wider dish since I had discovered that it works really well for hot cheesy dips when I made the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html">pizza dip</a>. The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html">burger dip</a> that I made last week taught me that topping a hot dip with fresh ingredients makes it even better, as hard as that is to believe! If any dip deserves to be topped with fresh ingredients it is this taco dip as tacos are commonly filled with fresh ingredients!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/01/taco-dip.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5547035676011624056?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/gXgcoDzjBwY" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com30http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/01/taco-dip.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-3662104383874228302012-01-26T19:11:00.000-05:002012-01-26T19:13:08.556-05:002012-01-26T19:13:08.556-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-MvWVSYCpE/TyHix4wG9NI/AAAAAAAANq0/A9AbINc36to/s800/Quinoa%2BFlatbreads%2B500%2B1685.jpg" alt="Quinoa Flatbread" title="Quinoa Flatbread" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> Next up in my week long exploration of Mediterranean cuisine and quinoa was these <a href="http://www.comocomecami.com/comocomecami/2011/06/panqueques-de-qu%C3%ADnoa-y-arroz-integral.html">quinoa pancakes</a> or flatbreads that I came across a while ago. They caught my attention immediately because of the creative use of quinoa and because of the tasty sounding Mediterranean toppings. These flatbreads are really simple to make with only a few ingredients including ground quinoa, flour, an egg and some water. I liked the sound of grinding my own quinoa as it allowed me the opportunity to make it a really coarse grind allowing a lot of the quinoa to remain whole as I figure the texture would be pretty amazing. After the batter is mixed it is as easy as cooking them in a pan as you would a pancake only they are not going to rise.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-flatbread.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-366210438387422830?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/9UjdmnyaSPQ" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com17http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-flatbread.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-421751335687154182012-01-25T19:03:00.000-05:002012-01-26T19:14:55.583-05:002012-01-26T19:14:55.583-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoAwOra1wb4/TyCQoVsgb2I/AAAAAAAANo4/ZpA8ZiaWowA/s800/Falafels%2B500%2B4583.jpg" alt="Falafel" title="Falafel" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Falafel, or fried chickepea patties, have been on my todo list for a while! Making the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.html">quioa tabouleh salad</a> reminded of a photo that I had seen a long time ago where perfectly golden brown falafel were served on a bed of tabbouleh and I figured that it was the perfect time to try making falafel! As it turns out, making light, crispy and perfectly golden brown falafel at home is quite easy, though if you are starting with dried chickpeas you do need to let them soak over night so it takes some planning.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/falafel.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-42175133568715418?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/vXPydSl0Fbw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com27http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/falafel.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-24900441482343701422012-01-24T18:39:00.002-05:002012-01-26T19:15:41.324-05:002012-01-26T19:15:41.324-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgIP0j_h3nY/Tx87bqJakwI/AAAAAAAANn8/GP2ZG4y6IN8/s800/Quinoa%2BTabbouleh%2B500%2B4570.jpg" alt="Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad" title="Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> When I made the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-cakes-with-roasted-red-pepper.html">quinoa cakes with roasted red pepper and walnut pesto, goat cheese and a poached egg</a> it reminded me that I had not done much with quinoa lately and that got me thinking about all of the things that I want to try using quinoa in. A quinoa tabbouleh was pretty high on my list of quinoa dishes to try and it would fit in nicely with a few other recipes as well so I started with that. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbouleh">Tabbouleh</a> is normally made with bulgar but I figured that the texture of quinoa would work well in it. In addition to the bulgar a tabbouleh salads normally consist of tomatoes, cucumbers, parsly and mint and it is dressed up in lemon juice and olive oil. I kept things pretty straight forward with this tabbouleh salad other than swapping the bulgar out for the quinoa and it turned out really well! There is nothing like a light salad filled with fresh herbs and a hit of lemon to push back the gloom of winter!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2490044148234370142?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/Tj5CHK-lpbM" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com19http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-87722832291384552792012-01-23T18:05:00.002-05:002012-01-23T18:05:40.084-05:002012-01-23T18:05:40.084-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaIjNXuCuaU/Tx3ijJN2jKI/AAAAAAAANnQ/EpnXGTcjkbA/s800/Mapo%2BEggplant%2B500%2B1545.jpg" alt="Mapo Eggplant" title="Mapo Eggplant" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> One of my favourite Chinese dishes has to be <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/mapo-tofu-version-20.html">mapo tofu</a> for its use of not only the chili heat and numbing Sichuan peppercorn combo but also for its use of another great Chinese ingredient, fermented black beans. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapo_doufu">Mapo tofu</a> or mapo doufu is a dish where tofu and ground pork are served in a tasty chili and bean sauce but I was thinking that it would be nice to try replacing the tofu with eggplant and braising it in the sauce until it was nice and tender. This dish includes a few ingredients that may not be in every pantry but it is well worth the effort to track them down. If you cannot find the dried fermented black beans you can replace them and the garlic with black bean and garlic sauce which is more commonly available in the Asian section of grocery stores along with the fermented bean paste. I served the mapo eggplant on noodles, which are said to be lucky on the lunar New Year, garnished with green onions along with shredded cucumber to tame the heat of the dish.<br> <br> Happy Lunar New Year!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/mapo-eggplant.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8772283229138455279?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/gUF-uvH3ujE" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com16http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/mapo-eggplant.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-49275268968442802332012-01-22T08:03:00.000-05:002012-01-22T08:03:52.309-05:002012-01-22T08:03:52.309-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgfa2-N3dJA/TxwDBGEHrPI/AAAAAAAANiU/4D4Ryy-4M54/s800/Bacon%2BDouble%2BCheese%2BBurger%2BDip%2B500%2B3557.jpg" alt="Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip" title="Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> The Super Bowl is quickly approaching and that means that it is time to start dusting off some recipes for snacking! I am a big fan of hot melted cheese dips and I had an idea for a new one, a bacon double cheese burger dip that has all of the flavours of a bacon double cheese burger. Beef is the main part of a burger so I started out there and I added some ingredients that I commonly add to burgers including onions, garlic and worcestershire sauce. Next up was the bacon and then the cheese and I included both cheddar for the flavour and mozzarella for the stringy melted goodness. I went with the standard hot melted cheese dip ingredients including the cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream to form the base of the dip. One final touch was the addition of ketchup as it is a pretty standard condiment used in burgers. All of the ingredients are then mixed together and baked until the cheeses all melt and start to brown and get all bubbly.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-4927526896844280233?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-T9No_EWaSMt2gBFkz3wBSD-ME/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-T9No_EWaSMt2gBFkz3wBSD-ME/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-T9No_EWaSMt2gBFkz3wBSD-ME/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-T9No_EWaSMt2gBFkz3wBSD-ME/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=l7q3w8jCFls:IZ9LYMb4VsY:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/l7q3w8jCFls" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com41http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-11304365686670639282012-01-20T18:32:00.001-05:002012-01-20T18:32:09.942-05:002012-01-20T18:32:09.942-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auG_gMKY_3M/Txn1CTO5ujI/AAAAAAAANhY/T2BI-ks6guw/s800/Orange%2BChicken%2B500%2B1154.jpg" alt="Orange Chicken" title="Orange Chicken" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Continuing in my week long exploration of Chinese food I wanted something on the lighter side and this orange chicken seemed appropriate given all of the different varieties of oranges that have been available in grocery stores recently. This orange chicken has a fairly light lightly flavoured sauce that allows the star of the show, you guessed it, the oranges, to come through. Normally this dish would be made with chicken that has been battered and fried in oil until crispy but to keep it healthier I went with simple sauteed chicken which I tend to prefer anyways. Once again this chicken dish is all about the meat and it is commonly served with other vegetable dishes but you could easily toss in a few vegetables and stir fry them along the way. I have to say that the orange chicken was a really nice way to brighten up a cold and gloomy winter day!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/orange-chicken.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1130436568667063928?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_g5CJiGN4_D71x31bFTwuBQssD0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_g5CJiGN4_D71x31bFTwuBQssD0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_g5CJiGN4_D71x31bFTwuBQssD0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_g5CJiGN4_D71x31bFTwuBQssD0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=urCRiFbrKpU:D-Io0wQO40w:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/urCRiFbrKpU" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com28http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/orange-chicken.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-7617442297955074572012-01-18T18:50:00.001-05:002012-01-23T18:08:15.517-05:002012-01-23T18:08:15.517-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fo6Qmh7Q5k0/TxdVq0yuCeI/AAAAAAAANg4/UDZ9eqHvnRY/s800/Kung%2BPao%2BChicken%2B%2528Gong%2BBao%2BChicken%2529%2B500%2B4430.jpg" alt="Kung Pao Chicken" title="Kung Pao Chicken" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> With all of this talk about Chinese food it was about time that I got down to cooking some! There are several different types of Chinese cuisine and I would have to say that my favourite is the cuisine that comes from the Sichuan province for its use of chilies and the mouth numbing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_pepper">Sichuan peppercorns</a>. Kung pao chicken is a quick and tasty dish that hails from the Sichuan province and uses both chilies and Sichuan peppercorns and it is a dish that I keep coming back to for more. This recipe is really easy to make though some of the ingredients may not be in every pantry. Although you can replace some of the ingredients with more commonly available ones, I recommend that you try to track down some of the Sichuan peppercorns as they really bring a lot to the table. This is mainly a meat dish that is intended to be served with other vegetable dishes but you can easily add some extra vegetables to the chicken and quickly stir fry them as I did this time with a red bell pepper. This time I also served the kung pao chicken with some <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/baby-bok-choy-in-oyster-sauce-with.html">steamed baby bok choy in an ouster sauce with fried shallots</a>.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/kung-pao-chicken.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-761744229795507457?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aOitysX6pt-YHaEXm9hwxHWFoqU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aOitysX6pt-YHaEXm9hwxHWFoqU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aOitysX6pt-YHaEXm9hwxHWFoqU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aOitysX6pt-YHaEXm9hwxHWFoqU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=fe96xGpteO8:B2yJl_aG_5c:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/fe96xGpteO8" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com37http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/kung-pao-chicken.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-13215725825533301942012-01-17T07:17:00.001-05:002012-01-17T07:18:49.906-05:002012-01-17T07:18:49.906-05:00<a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/jiaozi-chinese-dumplings.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TUfqcfF-RDI/AAAAAAAALMw/9LtJ67vIU6o/s800/Jiaozi%2B%2528Chinese%2BDumplings%2529%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)" title="Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)"/></a><br /> <br /> With the Chinese New Year right around the corner I thought that I would take the opportunity to pull out some of my favourites Chinese recipes. Chinese cuisine is filled with tasty dishes, great ingredients and new techniques for cooking and it is definitely worth spending some time on to learn a bit more of. <br /> <br /> Some foods are considered lucky to eat for the New Year and they include things like long noodles, spring rolls, lettuce, tangerines, whole fish, whole chicken, sticky rice cakes and more. You could keep to the lucky foods for the Chinese New Year or you could go with your favourite Chinese dishes and here are a few of mine.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/jiaozi-chinese-dumplings.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TUfqczHVihI/AAAAAAAALNA/uT4qtNqYbrc/s800/Jiaozi%2B%2528Chinese%2BDumplings%2529%2B3%2B500.jpg" alt="Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)" title="Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)"/></a><br /> <p>My favourite Chinese food has to be <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/jiaozi-chinese-dumplings.html">Jiaozi or Chinese dumplings</a></p>and they are surprisingly easy to make at home whether you make your own wrappers or not.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/01/chinese-hot-and-sour-soup.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SW6AKpviOgI/AAAAAAAAF8M/Gqw0_cFH5nQ/s800/Chinese+Hot+and+Sour+Soup+500.jpg" alt="Hot and Sour Soup" title="Hot and Sour Soup"/></a><br /> <p><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/01/chinese-hot-and-sour-soup.html">Hot and Sour Soup</a> is another one of my favourites! It has a few uncommon ingredients but it was definitely worth the trip down to Chinatown to find them!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/char-siu-bao-chinese-bbq-pork-buns.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TO3Wshzyh5I/AAAAAAAAK9k/ZK4pBD2K9uU/s800/Char%2BSiu%2BBao%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns)" title="Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns)"/></a><br /> <p>Another great Chinese dish is <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/char-siu-bao-chinese-bbq-pork-buns.html">Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns)</a> and the soft and fluffy steamed buns are easy to make at home as well! You can fill the steamed buns with any number of things but my favourite is <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/char-siu-chinese-bbq-pork.html">Char Siu or Chinese BBQ pork)</a>.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/char-siu-chinese-bbq-pork.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TOsQR1qKxfI/AAAAAAAAK9A/8KH7JKDx7Ws/s800/Char%2BSiu%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)" title="Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)"/></a><br /> <p>Speaking of <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/char-siu-chinese-bbq-pork.html">Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)</a>, it is a great dish all by it self and they leftovers are always fun to use in other recipes.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/mapo-tofu-version-20.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SA5fA7l13eI/AAAAAAAAC08/-LM5VTMMrQA/s800/Authentic+Mapo+Tofu+500.jpg" alt="Mapo Tofu" title="Mapo Tofu"/></a><br /> <p>Sichuan recipes are among my favourite in Chinese cuisine as I am fond of spicy food like this amazing <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/mapo-tofu-version-20.html">Mapo Tofu</a> dish that also includes the Sichuan peppercorns that have a slight mouth numbing effect.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/06/shrimp-kung-pao.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SEhinkwzdTI/AAAAAAAADYk/SLbO7elpzYk/s800/Shrimp+Kung+Pao+on+Serving+Plate+500.jpg" alt="Kung Pao Shrimp" title="Kung Pao Shrimp"/></a><br /> <p>Another classic Chinese dish is Kung Pao Chicken though you can make it with other meats and I am rather fond of <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/06/shrimp-kung-pao.html">Kung Pao Shrimp</a>.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/06/honey-lemon-chicken.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SihYhvTx5hI/AAAAAAAAG8M/g94sbdcGeyQ/s800/Honey+Lemon+Chicken+500.jpg" alt="Honey Lemon Chicken" title="Honey Lemon Chicken"/></a><br /> <p>Honey and lemon is a simple and yet wonderful flavour combination that is exemplified in this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/06/honey-lemon-chicken.html">Honey Lemon Chicken</a> recipe that is normally made with cut up pieces of chicken.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/04/honey-walnut-shrimp.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/Sfo80q2XUoI/AAAAAAAAGwk/AnhlcSEXA0Y/s800/Honey+Walnut+Shrimp+500.jpg" alt="Honey Walnut Shrimp" title="Honey Walnut Shrimp"/></a><br /> <p><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/04/honey-walnut-shrimp.html">Honey Walnut Shrimp</a> is not the most diet friendly dish but it is addictively tasty and good!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/09/chicken-and-sweet-corn-soup.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TIuQSeqVu6I/AAAAAAAAKtM/2fS-bg4YtDk/s800/Chicken+and+Sweetcorn+Soup+1+500.jpg" alt="Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup" title="Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup"/></a><br /> <p>Another amazing Chinese soup is this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/09/chicken-and-sweet-corn-soup.html">Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup</a> which is just full of flavour!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/egg-foo-young.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MS9BwrgHU/Tw9yh_hCTUI/AAAAAAAANew/TX_kDx9hq0o/s800/Egg%2BFoo%2BYoung%2B500%2B0641.jpg" alt="Egg Foo Young" title="Egg Foo Young"/></a><br /> <p>A recent addition to my Chinese recipe collection is this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/egg-foo-young.html">Egg Foo Young</a> which is a really tasty vegetable omelette that is served on rice and smothered in gravy and it is not to be missed.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1321572582553330194?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/B7FpeF4cCuwxBIeJhhsni9oNgew/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/B7FpeF4cCuwxBIeJhhsni9oNgew/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/B7FpeF4cCuwxBIeJhhsni9oNgew/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/B7FpeF4cCuwxBIeJhhsni9oNgew/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=ScsaN3H6p38:7m0OtQ95k_0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/ScsaN3H6p38" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com28http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/chinese-new-year-recipes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-25329731068688146042012-01-12T19:29:00.001-05:002012-01-12T19:31:24.282-05:002012-01-12T19:31:24.282-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MS9BwrgHU/Tw9yh_hCTUI/AAAAAAAANew/TX_kDx9hq0o/s800/Egg%2BFoo%2BYoung%2B500%2B0641.jpg" alt="Egg Foo Young" title="Egg Foo Young" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> The Chinese New Year is right around the corner and I figured that that was the perfect excuse to pull our some Chinese recipes! On the top of my list was egg foo young which is a Chinese omelette that is stuffed with vegetables, served on rice and topped with a simple and yet tasty gravy. The base of egg foo young is normally vegetables and bean sprouts, cabbage, onions, water chestnuts etc. are commonly used but you can include pretty whatever vegetables you like. (Making egg foo young is a great way to clean out the fridge!) Meats can also be included and common ones include ham, shrimp, pork, beef and/or chicken but you can easily keep it vegetarian by sticking with just the vegetables and padding them out with mushrooms never hurts. All of the ingredients are held together by, you guessed it, eggs! Once the &#39;batter&#39; has been made it is fried until golden brown in a pan and the cooked eggs hold everything together.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/egg-foo-young.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2532973106868814604?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ES6Ag_iX0yfiRzMbkLfzbWYxEz8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ES6Ag_iX0yfiRzMbkLfzbWYxEz8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ES6Ag_iX0yfiRzMbkLfzbWYxEz8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ES6Ag_iX0yfiRzMbkLfzbWYxEz8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Sv3p0RD9AM0:VLq6K8A-mD8:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/Sv3p0RD9AM0" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com29http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/egg-foo-young.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-77993470329343042352012-01-10T19:55:00.000-05:002012-01-26T19:15:20.525-05:002012-01-26T19:15:20.525-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6pYiF_ZAR4/TwzUAgNpFgI/AAAAAAAANdM/QGIaSKf-rOk/s800/Quinoa%2BCakes%2Bwith%2BRoasted%2BRed%2BPepper%2Band%2BWalnut%2BPesto%252C%2BGoat%2BCheese%2Band%2Ba%2BPoached%2BEgg%2B500%2B4103.jpg" alt="Quinoa Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Pesto, Goat Cheese and a Poached Egg" title="Quinoa Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Pesto, Goat Cheese and a Poached Egg" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> I have been a huge fan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa">quinoa</a> ever since I first came across it and I am always looking for new ways to enjoy it. I recently came across the idea of <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2011/12/05/quinoa-cakes-with-poached-eggs/">quinoa cakes</a> on <a href="http://annies-eats.com/">Annie&#39;s Eats</a> and I immediately knew that I would have to try them! Quinoa cakes are essentially fritters where the &#39;batter&#39; is made from cooked quinoa along with some eggs and flour to bind it and the batter is formed into patties and fried in oil until nice and golden brown and light and crispy on the outside. Although you could add pretty much any flavours that you want to your quinoa cakes I wanted to keep my first quinoa cakes nice and simple and I just added the standard onions, garlic and cheese to the basic batter.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-cakes-with-roasted-red-pepper.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-7799347032934304235?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/krqfy2crSRsFYXevraZochELXZk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/krqfy2crSRsFYXevraZochELXZk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/krqfy2crSRsFYXevraZochELXZk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/krqfy2crSRsFYXevraZochELXZk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=w6XRJ0z7oOM:y1ZIDRcvQgY:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/w6XRJ0z7oOM" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com23http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-cakes-with-roasted-red-pepper.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-11829607257861669272012-01-09T20:21:00.001-05:002012-01-09T20:21:46.195-05:002012-01-09T20:21:46.195-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KyNCCdakznc/TwuHh7IWq7I/AAAAAAAANb4/pCBL2qBPM1Q/s800/Cilantro%2BLime%2BFish%2BTacos%2B500%2B2943.jpg" alt="Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos" title="Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> Another thing that I often think about when I am trying to eat lighter is seafood and one of my goals is to try to include fish in my diet more often. These fish tacos that have been on my mind for a while now and they were the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone so to say. I certainly was not going to let the fact that it is the middle of winter stop me from doing some grilling, not when it is easy enough to pull out my trusty grilling pan. The grilling pan might not give that smoky flavour of a real grill but it is great way to cast back a bit of winter&#39;s gloom by using it to make a summery dish!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/cilantro-and-lime-fish-tacos.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1182960725786166927?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LsDVZ0otkiQCDs1nSkMYaVqsGIQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LsDVZ0otkiQCDs1nSkMYaVqsGIQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LsDVZ0otkiQCDs1nSkMYaVqsGIQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LsDVZ0otkiQCDs1nSkMYaVqsGIQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9y5hj9qlBbw:4uBC9M5I6Zw:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/9y5hj9qlBbw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com22http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/cilantro-and-lime-fish-tacos.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-82817206067879384152012-01-09T18:44:00.000-05:002012-01-09T20:24:47.144-05:002012-01-09T20:24:47.144-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Max6zL6PVXY/Twt4GHhaYpI/AAAAAAAANbg/B-Ag2b0fHaE/s800/Tomatillo%2BPico%2Bde%2BGallo%2B500%2B6400.jpg" alt="Tomatillo Pico de Gallo" title="Tomatillo Pico de Gallo" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/pico-de-gallo.html">Pico de gallo</a> has to be my all time favourite salsa and it is a fresh and mild tomato based salsa that consists of onions, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice in addition to the tomatoes. For a long time I have been wondering what a tomatillo version of pico de gallo would be where the tomatoes were replaced by fresh diced tomatillos and with fish tacos on the menu it seemed like the perfect time to try it out. Luckily I was able to get my hands on some tomatillos even though it is the middle of winter and this fresh tomatillo salsa definitely reminded me of warmer days! If you are a fan of tomatillos then this is the salsa for you! I could easily devour a whole bowl of it, simply scooping it up with with tortillas chips but this time I had something else in mind so I had to save some for later.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/tomatillo-pico-de-gallo.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8281720606787938415?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A4xJXN0qfJe5vRpERM0c-dqH3tI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A4xJXN0qfJe5vRpERM0c-dqH3tI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A4xJXN0qfJe5vRpERM0c-dqH3tI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A4xJXN0qfJe5vRpERM0c-dqH3tI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=OyE712m0Dxw:taZ9u2BPaEE:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/OyE712m0Dxw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com10http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/tomatillo-pico-de-gallo.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-73282986490502034772012-01-07T19:21:00.000-05:002012-01-07T19:21:04.273-05:002012-01-07T19:21:04.273-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0VNQp4oh4Q/TwiZsSs-WlI/AAAAAAAANa0/WWhrk3KRCJ8/s800/Roasted%2BMushroom%2Band%2BGreen%2BBean%2BSalad%2B500%2B3674.jpg" alt="Roasted Mushroom and Green Bean Farro Salad" title="Roasted Mushroom and Green Bean Farro Salad" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> With January here I have been trying to eat healthier and when I am doing that I often think about salads, whole grain salads in particular. The combination of green beans and mushrooms are a favourite of mine whether I am simply sauteing them as a side dish or doing something more with them like making a casserole and I have had the idea to use them in a whole grain salad for a while now. Normally I would start a salad like this by sauteing the mushrooms and green beans but this time I thought that I would try something a little different and roast them both in the oven. Roasting vegetables seems to concentrate their flavours and make them even tastier and I was thinking that that would be the perfect way to go for this salad. With the vegetables decided the next component is the whole grain and there are a lot of choices that would work in this salad but I decided to go with farro. Farro is a really nice whole grain and I enjoy its earthy nuttiness and the chewy texture. For the dressing I went with a flavour packed homemade <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/02/balsamic-vinaigrette.html">balsamic vinaigrette</a> and I finished the salad off with a bit of feta though goat cheese or a mild blue cheese would also be wonderful.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/roasted-mushroom-and-green-bean-farro.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-7328298649050203477?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ud7U2Xt4tfAFCnZevQPo162Bfmk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ud7U2Xt4tfAFCnZevQPo162Bfmk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ud7U2Xt4tfAFCnZevQPo162Bfmk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ud7U2Xt4tfAFCnZevQPo162Bfmk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=VXhvbgx5L1I:hXFeAC8msrI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/VXhvbgx5L1I" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com32http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/roasted-mushroom-and-green-bean-farro.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-41607770856550326792012-01-05T18:36:00.001-05:002012-01-06T17:19:38.782-05:002012-01-06T17:19:38.782-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AF0R9vl0Ju4/TwYsNmwzhuI/AAAAAAAANZ4/XOQ8a1HFmv8/s800/Crockpot%2BChicken%2BSanta%2BFe%2B500%2B0413.jpg" alt="Crockpot Chicken Santa Fe" title="Crockpot Chicken Santa Fe" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Over the last little while I have come across a number of tasty looking crockpot recipes and that reminded me about the crockpot that I picked up over a year ago and hardly used. The only thing that I have really done with it so far is pulled pork, and it is really good at slowly braising pork until it is pull apart tender, but I had always wanted to try doing something more with it. I had always liked the idea of being able to put some ingredients into a crockpot, walk away for a few hours and come back to a fully cooked meal with no fuss and minimum effort but I had never gotten around to trying it out. Even though the holidays are done and the new year is hear, I have been pretty busy and I figured that it was the perfect time to get into some crock pot cooking and I wanted to start with this tasty recipe for <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html">crockpot chicken santa fe</a> that I found on <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/">Skinny Taste</a><br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/crockpot-chicken-santa-fe.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-4160777085655032679?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-ZMrl0tTBHdhSz0ncaBO7OhrfWk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-ZMrl0tTBHdhSz0ncaBO7OhrfWk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-ZMrl0tTBHdhSz0ncaBO7OhrfWk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-ZMrl0tTBHdhSz0ncaBO7OhrfWk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=bMFWU-20z9M:l77-RwZYXbw:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/bMFWU-20z9M" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com22http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/crockpot-chicken-santa-fe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-56356934365726055622012-01-03T18:35:00.002-05:002012-01-23T19:22:06.670-05:002012-01-23T19:22:06.670-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQNLdRiGRzA/TwOQgeow3OI/AAAAAAAANY8/tb_-NjR7fzc/s800/Lasagna%2BSoup%2B500%2B0506.jpg" alt="Lasagna Soup" title="Lasagna Soup" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Winter is the time for soups and I have been certainly making a lot of them lately! <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/02/lasagna.html">Lasagna</a> has to be one of my all time favourite meals and when I recently came across the idea for a <a href="http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/03/24/lasagna-soup/">lasagna soup</a> on <a href="http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/">a farmgil&#39;s dabbles</a> I was immediately enamored with it. A basic lasagna is made with layers of a tomato meat sauce, pasta and cheese and this soup has them all! At the base of the soup is some tasty Italian sausage along with diced tomatoes to form the &#39;sauce&#39; of the soup and of course it is easy to add pasta to any soup and that only leaves the cheese layer which is added just before serving in the form of a dollop of cheese that melts quite nicely into the hot soup.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/lasagna-soup.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5635693436572605562?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yHk2nBY8A6qQQ3AkryhioKOP0cI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yHk2nBY8A6qQQ3AkryhioKOP0cI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yHk2nBY8A6qQQ3AkryhioKOP0cI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yHk2nBY8A6qQQ3AkryhioKOP0cI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=2orvtOJ7k1U:8hHTuZmyiqo:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/2orvtOJ7k1U" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com41http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/lasagna-soup.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-19964702527603952542012-01-01T17:09:00.000-05:002012-01-05T18:38:17.386-05:002012-01-05T18:38:17.386-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mySlfpLEUYA/TwDQNA3AbcI/AAAAAAAANYo/vwvqeU282ic/s800/Black%2BEye%2BPeas%2Band%2BCollard%2BGreens%2B%2528Hoppin%2527%2BJohn%2529%2B500%2B3654.jpg" alt="Hoppin&#39; John (Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens)" title="Hoppin&#39; John (Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens)" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea">Black-eyed peas</a> are commonly served for New Years as they are said to bring luck and I hardly need an excuse to eat more beans! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoppin&#39;_John">Hoppin&#39; John</a> is a southern rice and beans dish that uses black-eyed peas which makes it perfect for New Years cooking. The black-eyed peas are slowly simmered with a ham hock or bacon until the get nice and creamy and they absorb all of that amazing smokey flavour. After the beans are done simmering the meat from the ham hock can be pulled from the bone and shredded to make the Hoppin&#39; John a bit heartier. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/hoppin-john-recipe/index.html">The recipe for Hoppin&#39; John</a> that I like to use is a slightly modified version of Emeril Lagasse&#39;s and it is pretty easy to make though it does require some time to properly bring out all of the flavours. Other than the fat in the meat this dish is pretty healthy and I like to serve it on top of steamed brown rice and to top it with steamed collard greens which are also said to be lucky for the new year.<br> <br> Happy New Year!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/hoppin-john.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1996470252760395254?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_G_f4n4AxWZ4wkYnC0EcZlDtX4k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_G_f4n4AxWZ4wkYnC0EcZlDtX4k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_G_f4n4AxWZ4wkYnC0EcZlDtX4k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_G_f4n4AxWZ4wkYnC0EcZlDtX4k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=5pbPHmP6Osk:-1Xz0IGn04E:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/5pbPHmP6Osk" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com9http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/hoppin-john.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-76583799183101819702011-12-31T18:41:00.000-05:002011-12-31T18:41:00.648-05:002011-12-31T18:41:00.648-05:00Now that we have seen some of the most popular recipes of 2011 on Closet Cooking I would like to share with you some of my favourites. 2011 was filled with a lot of really tasty food and narrowing my favourites down to just the top 10 was no easy task but I managed to do it and here they are, in no particular order:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/jalapeno-cornbread-grilled-cheese-with.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SGCZCLQSMg/Tup5KDX3Q4I/AAAAAAAANUQ/DI9DnLOLzKQ/s800/Jalapeno%2BCornbread%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2Bwith%2BChipotle%2BCaramelized%2BOnions%252C%2BRefried%2BBlack%2BBeans%252C%2BGuacamole%252C%2BSour%2BCream%2Band%2BCilantro%2B500%2B8843.jpg" alt="Jalapeno Cornbread Grilled Cheese with Chipotle Caramelized Onions, Refried Black Beans and Guacamole" title="Jalapeno Cornbread Grilled Cheese with Chipotle Caramelized Onions, Refried Black Beans and Guacamole"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/jalapeno-cornbread-grilled-cheese-with.html">Jalapeno Cornbread Grilled Cheese with Chipotle Caramelized Onions, Refried Black Beans and Guacamole</a> is easily my favourite new recipe from 2011! All of the flavours and textures go so well together in this grilled cheese sandwich and it is definitely worth the effort of making!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/10/pumpkin-mac-n-cheese.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9Rd7P8VvgE/TqcrTfvO8UI/AAAAAAAAM4k/vdxuEft4mso/s800/Pumpkin%2BMac%2Bn%2BCheese%2B500%2B5112.jpg" alt="Pumpkin Mac n Cheese with Amaretti Crust" title="Pumpkin Mac n Cheese with Amaretti Crust"/></a><br /> <p>In 2011 I experimented with a few new mac n cheese recipes and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/10/pumpkin-mac-n-cheese.html">Pumpkin Mac n Cheese with Amaretti Crust</a> was my favourite! Although pumpkin is great in this mac n cheese you could easily use some other form of squash such as a butternut squash which is still readily available in the middle of winter.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI5ssO-JMfs/TZuogvf18bI/AAAAAAAALmA/o5y2pS56Edo/s800/Jalapeno%2BPopper%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html">Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a> with spicy roasted jalapenos was one the most popular recipes of 2011 and it is one of my favourites as well!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy3lCZIcwU/TZJpt93RnYI/AAAAAAAALjs/CpUBELlNkvs/s800/Pizza%2BDip%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Pizza Dip" title="Pizza Dip"/></a><br /> <p>I am a huge fan of hot melted cheese dips and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html">Pizza Dip</a> would be welcome at any party!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/07/banh-mi-burgers-with-vietnamese-caramel.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NsHzc8EKWNk/ThOO-L98GbI/AAAAAAAAMM4/viWTd4kTyiQ/s800/Bahn%2BMi%2BBurgers%2Bwith%2BVietnamese%2BCaramel%2BBBQ%2BSauce%2B500%2B7373.jpg" alt="Banh Mi Burgers with Vietnamese Caramel BBQ Sauce" title="Banh Mi Burgers with Vietnamese Caramel BBQ Sauce"/></a><br /> <p>During grilling season I enjoy experimenting with different flavours in burgers and these <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/07/banh-mi-burgers-with-vietnamese-caramel.html">Banh Mi Burgers with Vietnamese Caramel BBQ Sauce</a> are hands down a winner!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/mexican-baked-eggs.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42ZKrMD42wI/TnKCTshEbmI/AAAAAAAAMp8/pcRFznMFttA/s800/Mexican%2BBaked%2BEggs%2B500%2B6853.jpg" alt="Mexican Baked Eggs" title="Mexican Baked Eggs"/></a><br /> <p>These hearty, tasty and healthy <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/mexican-baked-eggs.html">Mexican Baked Eggs</a> are a great way to start any day! </p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/10/roasted-pumpkin-quiche-with-caramelized.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA1maJt9Ak0/To4sfC3tGGI/AAAAAAAAMxQ/98Ho05K8Ny8/s800/Roasted%2BPumpkin%252C%2BCaramelized%2BOnion%2Band%2BGorgonzola%2BQuiche%2B500%2B8518.jpg" alt="Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola and Sage" title="Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola and Sage"/></a><br /> <p>The tangy blue cheese and sweet roasted pumpkin are a magical flavour combination that goes great in this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/10/roasted-pumpkin-quiche-with-caramelized.html">Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola and Sage</a>.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/mushroom-grilled-cheese-sandwich-aka.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjFfd6AHVaM/Tt6khTG9XvI/AAAAAAAANPI/ANjxYX2NMmc/s800/Mushroom%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B%2528aka%2BThe%2BMushroom%2BMelt%2529%2B500%2B4485.jpg" alt="Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich (aka The Mushroom Melt)" title="Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich (aka The Mushroom Melt)"/></a><br /> <p>I am totally into mushrooms and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/mushroom-grilled-cheese-sandwich-aka.html">Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a> was definitely one of my favourite grilled cheeses of the year.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/guinness-chocolate-cheesecake.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BrwpdNPvJ4/TX1LgsevQ1I/AAAAAAAALcg/Gk1u3Z4Gsls/s800/Guinness%2BChocolate%2BCheesecake%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake" title="Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake"/></a><br /> <p>On the sweet side of things is this amazing <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/guinness-chocolate-cheesecake.html">Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake</a> that goes great on St. Patrick's day, or any other day for that matter.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/07/duck-tacos-with-chipotle-cherry-salsa.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WK56XCAIAXo/Ti8-dQS-kMI/AAAAAAAAMXA/lFgFCqwGfxw/s800/Duck%2BTacos%2Bwith%2BChipotle%2BCherry%2BSalsa%2B500%2B9031.jpg" alt="Duck Tacos with Chipotle Cherry Salsa and Crumbled Goat Cheese" title="Duck Tacos with Chipotle Cherry Salsa and Crumbled Goat Cheese"/></a><br /> <p>In addition to other things, I am mildly obsessed with tacos and these <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/07/duck-tacos-with-chipotle-cherry-salsa.html">Duck Tacos with Chipotle Cherry Salsa and Crumbled Goat Cheese</a> definitely have a winning flavour combination!</p><br /> Similar Posts:<br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/top-10-recipes-in-2011.html">Top 10 Recipes in 2011</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/12/my-top-10-favorite-recipes-in-2010.html">My Top 10 Favorite Recipes in 2010</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/12/my-top-10-favorite-recipes-in-2009.html">My Top 10 Favorite Recipes in 2009</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/12/happy-new-year.html">My Top 10 Favorite Recipes in 2008</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/12/2007-year-i-discovered-food-blogging.html">My Top 10 Favorite Recipes in 2007</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-7658379918310181970?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UaGqtCr8QSYej86415yzhOSABS4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UaGqtCr8QSYej86415yzhOSABS4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UaGqtCr8QSYej86415yzhOSABS4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UaGqtCr8QSYej86415yzhOSABS4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=EQ5Q4OPxB4w:2gxe0aCe1Ks:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/EQ5Q4OPxB4w" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com17http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/my-top-10-favorite-recipes-in-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-46104725539408646622011-12-30T10:50:00.000-05:002012-01-01T18:52:28.176-05:002012-01-01T18:52:28.176-05:00I hope that everyone is enjoying the holidays! I probably say this every year but; Where did the year go? 2011 was full of tasty food and with the end of the year here I would like to take the opportunity to look back at some of it starting with a roundup of the 10 most popular recipes of 2011.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI5ssO-JMfs/TZuogvf18bI/AAAAAAAALmA/o5y2pS56Edo/s800/Jalapeno%2BPopper%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich"/></a><br /> <p>2011 certainly was a good year for grilled cheese sandwiches and one of my favourites has to this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html">Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a>!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy3lCZIcwU/TZJpt93RnYI/AAAAAAAALjs/CpUBELlNkvs/s800/Pizza%2BDip%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Pizza Dip" title="Pizza Dip"/></a><br /> <p>Next up was this tasty hot melted cheesy <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html">Pizza Dip</a> with all of the flavours of your favourite pizza.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/buffalo-chicken-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgRVAMUOu9Y/Tk2urqQbOhI/AAAAAAAAMgg/gqV3N-e4-xc/s800/Buffalo%2BChicken%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B500%2B4983.jpg" alt="Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich"/></a><br /> <p>Another strong contender for the best grilled cheese sandwich of the year is this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/buffalo-chicken-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html">Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a> inspired by the flavours of buffalo chicken wings.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/jalapeno-popper-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/ScghBkk2-zI/AAAAAAAAGfA/vGQdKujpERo/s800/Jalapeno+Popper+Dip+500.jpg" alt="Jalapeno Popper Dip" title="Jalapeno Popper Dip"/></a><br /> <p>Continuing to rock the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/04/jalapeno-poppers.html">Jalapeno Popper</a> flavours is another hot melted cheese dip, the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/jalapeno-popper-dip.html">Jalapeno Popper Dip</a> that is highly addictive!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SSNf47E2UeI/AAAAAAAAFf8/EvsS8N1Ed0o/s800/Hot+Spinach+and+Artichoke+Dip+500.jpg" alt="Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip" title="Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html">Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip</a> is a classic that never grows old and goes great as a snack while watching the big game.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/05/spinach-pesto-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/S_hU93l6I-I/AAAAAAAAKQ0/f5wghL0hJxk/s800/Spinach+Pesto+Grilled+Cheese+Sandwich+500.jpg" alt="Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich"/></a><br /> <p>Continuing with the grilled cheese sandwich experimentation this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/05/spinach-pesto-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html">Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a> that proves that pesto works amazingly well in a grilled cheese sandwich.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/01/artichoke-bread.html"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/S1j-KgppNJI/AAAAAAAAJX0/fGitIv8nwVM/s800/Artichoke+Bread+1+500.jpg" alt="Artichoke Bread" title="Artichoke Bread"/></a><br /> <p>Of course dips go great with chips for scooping but you can also change things up by baking the dip right on something like a loaf of bread like I do with this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/01/artichoke-bread.html">Artichoke Dip Bread</a>.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/11/pumpkin-pie-white-hot-chocolate.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/Svg3hdxhI7I/AAAAAAAAI68/f1qxOK70X8g/s800/Pumpkin+Pie+White+Hot+Chocolate+1+500.jpg" alt="Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate" title="Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/11/pumpkin-pie-white-hot-chocolate.html">Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate</a> is the perfect way to stay warm on cold winter days and the white chocolate and pumpkin flavour combo is certainly a magical one.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/caprese-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jH1SxpdymPk/ToJUY2YBxDI/AAAAAAAAMtU/oiJleZ41Im4/s800/Caprese%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B500%2B2161.jpg" alt="Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/caprese-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html">Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich</a> will definitely remind you of summer with all of the components of a caprese salad grilled to golden brown buttery perfection and stuffed with ooey gooey melted mozzarella.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/05/okonomiyaki-japanese-pancake.html"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SgTFecsU3hI/AAAAAAAAGzU/NaxCppCjfrY/s800/Okonomiyaki+1+500.jpg" alt="Okonomiyaki" title="Okonomiyaki"/></a><br /> <p><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/05/okonomiyaki-japanese-pancake.html">Okonomiyaki</a> otherwise known as the 'as you like' Japanese pancake is something that I never tire of and making them at home is actually super easy!</p><br /> Similar Posts:<br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/my-top-10-favorite-recipes-in-2011.html">My Top 10 Favorite Recipes in 2011</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/12/top-recipes-in-2010.html">Top 10 Recipes in 2010</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/12/top-10-recipes-in-2009.html">Top 10 Recipes in 2009</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/12/top-10-recipes-in-2008.html">Top 10 Recipes in 2008</a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/12/top-10-recipes-in-2007.html">Top 10 Recipes in 2007</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-4610472553940864662?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8vLR1dLx-FeuK08QhFRci6aD0lI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8vLR1dLx-FeuK08QhFRci6aD0lI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8vLR1dLx-FeuK08QhFRci6aD0lI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8vLR1dLx-FeuK08QhFRci6aD0lI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=GgAHcprSz30:r-2A3XPvyzo:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/GgAHcprSz30" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com14http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/top-10-recipes-in-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-24636366329972353282011-12-22T18:35:00.000-05:002011-12-22T18:35:00.240-05:002011-12-22T18:35:00.240-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rmc1WB71nIQ/TvJtbixOhEI/AAAAAAAANYQ/N97nRVGyzLU/s800/Dark%2BChocolate%2BShortbread%2B500%2B9729.jpg" alt="Dark Chocolate Shortbread with Fleur de Sel" title="Dark Chocolate Shortbread with Fleur de Sel" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> After making two savoury shortbreads on my weekend of shortbread baking madness it was time for some sweet ones starting with the classic plain <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/12/shortbread.html">shortbread</a> which is always a favourite. Next however it was time for something more interesting and I was thinking that a chocolate shortbread would be nice. I figured that there were two main ways that chocolate shortbread could be done, either by making them all chocolate of by making them more chocolate chip cookie like and I was immediately taken with the idea of a light coloured shortbread filled with chunks of solid dark chocolate. Of course I opted to use a solid block of dark chocolate rather than chips and I just shaved off small pieces for use in the shortbread. The dark chocolate shortbread would be amazing just like that but I have been into the idea of combining sweet and savoury and the addition of a touch of salt to an otherwise sweet dish can be really amazing so I added some fleur de sel to the shortbread.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/dark-chocolate-shortbread-with-fleur-de.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2463636632997235328?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/03L7-6suBjY1Uo-KSuHL2yeOJN4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/03L7-6suBjY1Uo-KSuHL2yeOJN4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/03L7-6suBjY1Uo-KSuHL2yeOJN4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/03L7-6suBjY1Uo-KSuHL2yeOJN4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-OUDk-5p2M8:hEszTA9FAYI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/-OUDk-5p2M8" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com31http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/dark-chocolate-shortbread-with-fleur-de.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-22126093958634827722011-12-21T18:27:00.000-05:002011-12-21T18:27:08.817-05:002011-12-21T18:27:08.817-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z80WQIShvKA/TvJlrmx36PI/AAAAAAAANXo/v23k1N7vULM/s800/Gorgonzola%2Band%2BPistachio%2BShortbread%2B500%2B9631.jpg" alt="Gorgonzola and Pistachio Shortbread" title="Gorgonzola and Pistachio Shortbread" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> With gourmet shortbread on my mind, I went on a shortbread making marathon this past weekend that will more than fulfill my holiday needs! After the success of the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/stilton-and-rosemary-shortbread.html">stilton and rosemary shortbread</a> I wanted to try another savoury one and since I am such a big fan of blue cheeses, the gorgonzola and pistachio shortbread that I saw on <a href="http://shortbread.ca/">The Coach House Shortbread Company</a> was calling to me. I figured that a younger gorgonzola dolce would be perfect for the shortbread as it is softer and creamier then fully aged gorgonzola and thus it would cream into the butter more easily. Its mellower flavour would also help ensure that those that are not big fans of blue cheese would be able to enjoy the shortbread as well. The blue cheese and gorgonzola flavour combo is one that I always enjoy and it worked particularly well in this savoury shortbread! The touch of lemon zest helps keep things a little brighter and a hint of heat from cayenne round things out in these cookies. This shortbread would find a perfect home on a party platter filled with things like meats, cheeses, fruits, dips and spreads for your holiday entertaining.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/gorgonzola-and-pistachio-shortbread.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2212609395863482772?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vAlGIJ8t8f_WyeiySRWWqIntgXc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vAlGIJ8t8f_WyeiySRWWqIntgXc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vAlGIJ8t8f_WyeiySRWWqIntgXc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/vAlGIJ8t8f_WyeiySRWWqIntgXc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=UZKFCot4Ois:TZm-Jerw8mI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/UZKFCot4Ois" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com15http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/gorgonzola-and-pistachio-shortbread.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-75633746380321756232011-12-20T19:50:00.000-05:002012-01-13T05:26:28.834-05:002012-01-13T05:26:28.834-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK0taRqLO8I/TvElADq9xmI/AAAAAAAANXA/4DPNQumsKoo/s800/Stilton%2Band%2BRosemary%2BShortbread%2B500%2B9602.jpg" alt="Stilton and Rosemary Shortbread" title="Stilton and Rosemary Shortbread" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/12/shortbread.html">Shortbread</a> has to be one of my favourite holiday cookies! It is so easy to make and with its crispy outside and melt in your mouth buttery good inside, they are almost impossible to resist. I recently read an article in the newspaper about a local company making shortbread, <a href="http://shortbread.ca/">The Coach House Shortbread Company</a>, where they mentioned that they make savoury shortbreads in addition to sweet ones! I had never even thought about the possibility of a savoury shortbread and I knew that I would have to try some as soon as I heard the idea!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/stilton-and-rosemary-shortbread.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-7563374638032175623?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i4PFd5KEdmzOvIIYyQGTrPeoa7o/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i4PFd5KEdmzOvIIYyQGTrPeoa7o/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i4PFd5KEdmzOvIIYyQGTrPeoa7o/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i4PFd5KEdmzOvIIYyQGTrPeoa7o/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=NA8Y9hed9zc:8S1UaWcl5Q0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/NA8Y9hed9zc" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com23http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/stilton-and-rosemary-shortbread.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-29721923982416117602011-12-19T18:25:00.002-05:002012-01-22T15:50:53.661-05:002012-01-22T15:50:53.661-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMfZPQcW5lw/Tu_Dv23P5WI/AAAAAAAANWw/HjE5yEf_thM/s800/Fig%2Band%2BProsciutto%2BPanini%2Bwith%2BArugula%2BSalad%2Bin%2Ba%2BBalsamic%2BVinaigrette%2B500%2B8348.jpg" alt="Fig and Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Fig and Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwich" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> The idea for this sandwich has been floating around in my head for a few weeks now as I worked on the recipe and this weekend I finally nailed the it and got the chance to make it. The basic idea behind this sandwich was to combine sweet fig preserves with salty prosciutto in a grilled cheese sandwich that is cooked panini style in a grill press. Sweet things like jams and preserves work surprisingly well in grilled cheese sandwiches and when combined with something like prosciutto you definitely have a winning combination. For the cheese I wanted to go with something that does not have a strong flavour so that it does not drown out the flavours of the fig preserves and prosciutto and mozzarella was the perfect choice. At this point the sandwich was already sounding really good but I was sure that some peppery arugula, lightly tossed in a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/02/balsamic-vinaigrette.html">balsamic vinaigrette</a> would make the sandwich even better! For the bread I went with a ciabatta bun that worked particularly well when pressed panini style.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/fig-and-prosciutto-grilled-cheese.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2972192398241611760?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X6_RzYUT_goNT9AvPnaJP-7AruM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X6_RzYUT_goNT9AvPnaJP-7AruM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X6_RzYUT_goNT9AvPnaJP-7AruM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/X6_RzYUT_goNT9AvPnaJP-7AruM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=03nKQ8iCoDI:aiN8SdyQOhg:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/03nKQ8iCoDI" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com9http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/fig-and-prosciutto-grilled-cheese.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-86575789721219109232011-12-18T17:58:00.000-05:002011-12-19T06:29:29.796-05:002011-12-19T06:29:29.796-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G31Rb3rWAis/Tu8ZR-I56_I/AAAAAAAANWQ/6foASjpsC1g/s800/Deconstructed%2BGreen%2BBean%2BCasserole%2B500%2B9307.jpg" alt="Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole" title="Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/02/green-bean-casserole.html">green bean casserole</a> is one of my favourite holiday side dishes but oven space and time is at a premium so I decided to come up with a stove top version. For the big Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner you are going to be roasting the turkey or other meat and the side dishes like the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/02/green-bean-casserole.html">green bean casserole</a> or the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/12/sweet-potato-casserole.html">sweet potato casserole</a> also need to be baked, not to mention dessert, and getting them all into the oven so that they are all ready in time for dinner can be a challenge. For this version of the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/02/green-bean-casserole.html">green bean casserole</a> I tried to keep all of the flavours of the classic <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/02/green-bean-casserole.html">green bean casserole</a> without any of the oven time. Steamed green beans are nice and easy on the big day and smothering them in a tasty stove top mushroom sauce is always a win. Of course, we cannot forget the signature french fried onion topping that adds a nice crispy texture.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/deconstructed-green-bean-casserole.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8657578972121910923?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-RyV0Hz2GGBDAQfF2smKSWk-d3g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-RyV0Hz2GGBDAQfF2smKSWk-d3g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-RyV0Hz2GGBDAQfF2smKSWk-d3g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-RyV0Hz2GGBDAQfF2smKSWk-d3g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=d3eTKATfxCA:CuzsGEipS5g:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/d3eTKATfxCA" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com11http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/deconstructed-green-bean-casserole.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-38435767968234838332011-12-16T20:09:00.001-05:002011-12-21T18:28:50.011-05:002011-12-21T18:28:50.011-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPKfApCRPr4/Tuvloq0OPcI/AAAAAAAANVQ/bVyRgpN_yQM/s800/Almond%2BCrescent%2BCookies%2B500%2B3226.jpg" alt="Almond Crescent Cookies" title="Almond Crescent Cookies" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> It is time to get back to some holiday baking and no Christmas with my family would be complete without a couple of batches of almond crescent cookies. These crescent cookies are basically a short bread cookie, which is nice and easy to make, with chunks of almonds mixed in and they are coated with a dusting of snow like icing sugar. As with most shortbread cookies, these ones are nice a crispy on the outside and all buttery and good on the inside, seemingly melting in your mouth. The almond flavour really comes through and the chunks of almonds that appear as the cookie melts away are like finding little crunchy gems as you go. You could easily replace the almonds with any other nut and pecans are really good but I find that I keep coming back to these almond crescent moons that my mother always makes.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/almond-crescent-cookies.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-3843576796823483833?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JUMbrAI9CKp-a20dQgjkJJkPcvk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JUMbrAI9CKp-a20dQgjkJJkPcvk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JUMbrAI9CKp-a20dQgjkJJkPcvk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JUMbrAI9CKp-a20dQgjkJJkPcvk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=V9tG8aaACqc:DiRgoj-jOkc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/V9tG8aaACqc" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com18http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/almond-crescent-cookies.html