This morning I awoke with a craving for banana bread. Not just any banana bread. Banana bread with chocolate and walnuts. Lucky for me, I had three ripe bananas perfect for this task and all the ingredients needed. Make banana bread is pretty straightforward, and this recipe is super easy! All you need are the ingredients, a mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, and the right size baking pan. With a pot of coffee brewing in the background, and the aroma of freshly baked goods you’ll find a smile on the face of anyone stepping into your kitchen. What a great way to start the day! For this recipe, I used Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips, and I used brown Turbinado sugar instead of white sugar. I like the slight molasses/caramel flavor it adds to the bread.

Super Easy Banana Bread with Chocolate and Walnuts

Course: Dessert, Breakfast, BrunchCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Delicious moist and tasty banana bread. Serve up a slice as is, or add a smear of cream cheese or a teaspoon of your favorite preserves.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas

• Butter, melted

• Egg

• Sugar

• Vanilla extract

• Salt

• Baking Soda

• All-purpose flour

• Chocolate Chips

• Walnuts, chopped

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Melt the butter over the stove or in microwave
• In a large bowl, smash the bananas (I used a potato masher)
• Add the butter into the bowl with the mashed bananas, and mix together using a wooden spoon.
• Mix in the egg, sugar and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture until moistened. Tip: mix just enough to blend the ingredients; do not over mix.
• Add walnuts and chocolate chips to the batter and mix until evenly distributed.
• Butter a 8.5” x 4.5” bread loaf pan.
• Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, butter the parchment paper.
• Pour the batter in the pan.
• Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and let cool for 5 – 10 minutes (I like to serve my banana bread warm, so 5 minutes is good for me).
• Remove from pan, slice and serve.

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Unless you’re the type that has unplugged, tuned out, and turned away from media of any kind (which would make you a very special person in my book), you’re sure to be aware of the scandalous, hyped-up event coming our way this Sunday night on 60 Minutes – the Stormy Daniels interview about her alleged affair with President Trump and an examination of the potential legal and political ramifications of the $130,000 payment.

“The President may be able to fire Mueller, but he can’t fire me!” – Stormy Daniels

With salacious headlines abound – we tip our hat to a cocktail that is beyond suitable for this occasion – the DARK & STORMY. Apropos, right?

Here is a recipe round-up of creative takes on the DARK & STORMY.  As stated in Esquire’s recipe: “The key to nailing a Dark and Story is the precise ratio between the spice of the ginger beer and the richness of the rum. Depending on which brands you use, you may want to play around with the proportions.”

The preferred brand for your cocktail soiree is Gosling’s dark rum, although Amanda, publisher of Chewtown.com, has chosen Kraken rum for their luscious libation. https://chewtown.com/2013/05/chew-town-cheers-dark-and-stormy-cocktail/

Dark & Stormy Drink / Esquire.com
“No true Bermudian would put lime juice in his D&S, but here in the States, that’s how it comes. frankly, we prefer it with the lime, so dump it in for an extra layer of flavor.”

Ingredients

• 2 oz. dark rum
• 3 oz. ginger beer (not ginger ale)
• 1/2 oz. lime juice (optional)

Directions
Combine the rum, the ginger beer, and the lime juice in a tall glass full of ice cubes. Stir.Garnish with a lime wedge.

And here are three more seductive recipes:

Dark & Stormy Julep Cocktail / Chewtown.com
This is a lovely take on the drink with fresh ginger and maple syrup. #YUM!

Dark & Stormy / Chewtown.com
“The Kraken is the most fearsome of all sea monsters that lie up to 3000 feet beneath the surface of the ocean.” – need I say more?  Check out this recipe to learn about this dreaded behemoth and this desirable drink.

Autumn Dark & Stormy / Powell & Mahoney
Take a sip of this sugar crusted cocktail – you’ll love the Brûlée oranges – a beautiful touch!

The post A Dark & Stormy Affair first appeared on Seduction Meals.

Apple Sharlotka Cake

Recipe adapted from Natasha’s Kitchen Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, quartered, and cut into 1/4” chunks
• 1 tablespoon lemon rind
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Granulated sugar, to dust top of cake

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with a circle of parchment. Lightly apply a nonstick spray or softened butter on the paper and the sides of the pan.
• Peel, core and cut up apples.
• In a large bowl, toss the apples with the lemon rind, set aside
• Add eggs to the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, and beat on high for 1 minute until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating on high for about 8 minutes or until thick and you can see ribbons forming on the surface as you are mixing. Beat in almond extract.
• In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder.
• Sift flour mixture into egg batter in 3 increments – folding with a spatula between each addition.
• Fold in apple pieces, reserving 1 cup for the top.
• Pour batter into prepared springform pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Scatter remaining apples over the top.
• Bake for 50 – 55 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and rest in pan for 15 minutes until cool.
• Slide a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen, unsnap springform pan, and transfer cake to a plate or board to cool.
• Dust with confectioners sugar and/or whipped cream, and serve warm.

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So, you’ve met someone special and you’re ready to invite her for a weekend getaway. You’re looking to make an impression but prefer something casual, and you’d like the option for activities. We’ve got just the place for you.

Head upstate New York for The Brampton. Located in Warrensburg, near Lake George, The Brampton is a secluded lodge set among 10 acres of woodlands. If you like to travel with a pack of friends, there’s the main lodge – a cozy, contemporary cabin with six bedrooms that can be booked as a group for a fun-filled weekend. Be sure to ask for one of the private rooms for two.

Or, perhaps you’re the romantic type and prefer an intimate romantic rendezvous for two? There’s a refurbished vintage VW mini-van on the property that sleeps two with a moon roof for stargazing. Or, consider their luxury tent for two. You’ll ascend a long wooden staircase and at the top is a very private camping area featuring a very cozy large tent. Yes, this is your chance for romantic glamping!

And let’s not forget, Fall is such a seductive time of the year on the East coast. You can’t help but cozy up to each other on a brisk day under a backdrop of vibrant red, orange, and yellow trees against a clear blue sky. Sigh….

You’ll feel right home at The Brampton…cozy is their mantra.

Here’s a sample of what you can do.

Day One: For a mellow start to your weekend, unwind with an outdoor yoga class, or sit by one of the two fireplaces and enjoy a shared breakfast. Then, wander over to the hot tub for some pure relaxation. Ready for a little more action? Tucked away in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, you’ll find many activities to choose from. You can go swimming, hiking, fishing, kayaking, enjoy a round of golf and more.

After a day of exploring the area – head back to The Brampton for a romantic meal for two. Get this: The Brampton offers an onsite chef that will cook all your meals, or maybe you just want a romantic fireside dinner? Either can be arranged.

Want to freshen up before dinner? You’ll LOVE sharing an outdoor shower. There’s one outside some of the bedrooms, right on the balcony. After dinner, be sure to share a nighttime toast under the stars at the fire pit. And if you’re up to it, there’s a rec room for a game of ping pong or pool.

Day Two: On your second day, shoot for some fun in the sun. The Brampton has a speed boat ready to whisk you away to one of 165 mini-islands on Lake George. Each island is equipped with a fire pit, a deck for a picnic blanket or tent, a picnic table, and outhouse. And, the views are spectacular.

It’s a good time to fall in love. xoxo

The Brampton / Visit their Website to book your trip

1525 River Rd, Warrensburg, NY 12885

The post Falling In Love At The Brampton Lodge first appeared on Seduction Meals.

Get ready to dazzle your guests with this easy, delicious dinner.

Inspired by a beautifully assembled deconstructed Salmon Cobb Salad I discovered on TasteSpotting, I decided to try my hand at creating a Salmon Board for a Saturday evening get-together with eleven friends. I love the idea of a shareable platter of delicious treats so everyone can pick and choose their favorite combo. Your platter can feature fish, chicken, or meat as the star of your meal surrounded by any combo of vegetables, cheese, nuts, citrus, etc.   This is the kind of dinner you can get creative about. And of course, vegetarians can serve up a mushroom medley or a curry tofu as the central focus/main course.  I see doing this for breakfast too – scrambled eggs or a frittata as the main course surrounded by smoked salmon, tomato and lemon slices, cheese, olives, potatoes, sliced radishes, and so on. Scale down the portions and you have a beautiful way to present a romantic meal for two. Start cooking 1-2 hours before everyone arrives and have it assembled for that WOW factor.I served a simple green salad as a side: lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, and endive with a simple olive oil/lemon dressing.

The presentation is easy. Just have all ingredients ready for assembly and get creative. Working on a large wooden board, a tray or your favorite serving dish – arrange vegetables along the edges, leaving a place in the center for the salmon. Lay a few lettuce leaves in 1 or 2 corners and in the center under the salmon.

Once all ingredients are in place, add the main course, garnish and you’re ready to serve!

Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Platter

Ingredients

• Easy Bake Lemon-Garlic Salmon (Recipe Here)
• Roasted Tomatoes (Recipe Here – go for the fast bake version on the bottom of the page)
• Roasted red onion, quartered
• Boiled baby potatoes, cut in half lengthwise
• Boiled Eggs, cut in half lengthwise
• Kalamata Olives pitted
• Grilled Baby Sweet Peppers, sprayed with olive oil and grilled
• 1/2 brick of Feta Cheese, cut in cubes
• 1 large Cucumber, sliced
• Mixed Greens or Large Salad leaves

Pre-Prep: Each of these items take between 10 and 30 minutes to prep. Once grilled or cooked, set aside for final assembly.

• In one pot boil the potatoes. Drain the potatoes and cut in half and set aside covered.
• In another pot boil the eggs, drain the water and let cool. When cooled, peel and cut the eggs in half. Set aside
• Follow the recipe for roasted (sometimes referred to as blistered) cherry tomatoes. Set aside covered.
• Grilled the sweet peppers and red onion on the same sheet as the tomatoes (or on the grill if you prefer)

Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon – Recipe Here

The fish takes 15 – 20 minutes to cook and can be served hot, warm or cold. Figure about 1/4 lb of salmon per person.

 Plating the Platter

• Take a large serving platter, wooden board or tray, place a small bunch of greens in each corner
• Working from the outside in, place ingredients around the board – work with color, and place things that look good together, or pair well together (like cucumber and feta, or potatoes and Kalamata olives).
• Place mixed greens or large salad greens in center, place salmon over this and garnish with lemon slices on top
• Option: you can sprinkle herbs over the platter like chopped basil or parsley.
• Add sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

TIPS:

1. Scrape the juices from the grilled peppers, onions and blistered tomatoes over the vegetables on the platter. (There will be a little)
2. Dressing: This recipe for baked salmon is very juicy so you don’t need to add a dressing over the fish. However, you may want to sprinkle an oil/citrus based dressing or a Green Goddess Dressing over the vegetables. Or, simply sprinkle a little extra virgin olive oil – but go very light on the dressing or oil.

Dinner is Served!  #RomanticMeals #SeductionMeals

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Easy Bake Lemon Garlic Salmon

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh or dried thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 – 2 lbs of salmon, skin on  (figure 1/2 lb per person)
• garnish: 3-4 rings of lemon, thinly sliced

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a small bowl
• Line a baking sheet with a large sheet aluminum foil, and place salmon on top skin side down. Fold up the four sides of the aluminum foil and pour the butter mixture over the fish.
• Fold up the four sides of the aluminum foil over the salmon and seal it closed on the top. This method of cooking allows the salmon to steam in the herbed butter mixture while cooking – giving an amazing flavor to the fish.
• Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until opaque. Test the thickest part to be sure it’s cooked to your liking.
• Place fish on serving platter.
• Garnish with lemon rings/slices overlapping on top and serve immediately.

The post Easy Bake Lemon Garlic Salmon first appeared on Seduction Meals.

Here’s a dish where I served up roasted cherry tomatoes over baked cod garnished with strips of basil.

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

The tomatoes will collapse as they cook; this is what you want. And, with slow roasting, they will not dry out. FYI: You can use plum tomatoes, small vine tomatoes or cherry tomatoes with this same recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint of tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise or you can keep them whole.
• Sea salt and Fresh ground pepper
• 3 cloves or garlic, sliced
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• (option) A few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients
• Place tomato mixture on a rimmed baking sheet or non-stick pan (you can also use parchment paper)
• Slow bake for 6 – 8 hours
• You can serve immediately or let cool, they taste fabulous either way

NOTE: If you don’t have 6-8 hours, you can use the same ingredients and fast bake them.

Preheat oven to 450°. Toss all ingredients together and place a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, tossing once, until tomatoes are blistered and beginning to burst, 20–25 minutes. Let cool.

The post Slow-Roasted Tomatoes: The Perfect Side Dish first appeared on Seduction Meals.

When visiting the Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery in Gardiner, NY,  be sure to make a reservation at the Tuthill House at the Mill Restaurant and Tavern. You’ll be in for a very special treat.

Yesterday, I featured a post about my visit to the Hudson Valley’s Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, a tour of the facility, and the coveted tasting room experience for a flight of New York Corn Whiskey, Baby Bourbon Whiskey, Single Malt Whiskey, Four Grain Bourbon, Manhattan Rye Whiskey and Maple Cask Rye Whiskey.

For this post, we focus on the food and drinks served at the Tuthill House Restaurant. Gourmet. Delicious. Innovative. Beautifully plated. What more would you hope for? The restaurant has two floors. Downstairs you will find the kitchen, a bar in the center of the room, and tables alongside the wall. There is a lovely bank of windows in the back overlooking the stream and an outside deck for al fresco dining. Take a look at the photos below for a sense of the artistry coming out of this kitchen and from behind the bar. It’s a great place for a romantic meal for two and a day spent in the Hudon Valley.

First, a little bit of history. Built in 1788 by 18-year-old Selah Tuthill, the Tuthilltown Gristmill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 1980s, the mill began grinding Kosher matzoh flour which continued until 2003. Back in the day, before the railroads were built in the 30s, Tuthilltown was the commercial, cultural and social center of the town. While the mill has undergone a series of upgrades and additions over the years, you can still experience a sense of its history with mill equipment, shafts, hoppers, grain elevators, hullers, blowers and original stone grinding wheels dotted throughout the restaurant and the gardens.

The Tuthilltown Gristmill of the past is now home to the Tuthill Restaurant and Tavern. The menu is inspired by American country cooking, featuring fresh, local artisan products and ingredients of the Hudson Valley.

Here is what we enjoyed at the Tuthill House Restaurant.  Every bite, every sip, was absolutely delicious. You know, the kind of meal that with each bite or sip taken, you have to close your eyes to savor every moment. To whet our appetite, we were served what is now my new favorite drink: Getting Caught in the Rain  #JustDivine

The Menu
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Sauteed Scallops
Kaffir Lime Panna Cotta

Cocktails

Getting Caught in the Rain
Coconut Infused Hudson Manhattan Rye, Pineapple, Vanilla, Egg White

Burnt Ends
Smoked Apple-Vanilla infused Half Moon Orchard Gin, St. Elizabeth All Spice Dram, Lemon

Friends with Benefits
Hudson Manhattan Rye, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Aperol

***Check out our next post for recipes to some of the restaurant’s specialty cocktails***

That’s a wrap!

An alluring destination for foodies, cocktail aficionados, a hot date, or an al fresco gourmet meal overlooking the Shawangunkill River – be sure to make the trip upstate NY to experience a refreshing day in the Hudson Valley.

Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery
14 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner, NY 12525
Call: 845.255.1527 | Write: distillery@tuthilltown.com

Website: http://www.tuthilltown.com/

The post A Romantic Lunch for Two at the Tuthilltown Distillery first appeared on Seduction Meals.

A friend called the other day asking for my advice. He wanted to enjoy an upstate NY day trip with his new girlfriend. They’re both foodies. I didn’t hesitate. Having recently spent a day at Tuthilltown Distillery I knew he’d make an impression with a day of gourmet food, beautifully crafted cocktails, and whiskey tastings in the country. What’s not to love about that?

You’ve probably seen the ubiquitous bottles of Hudson Whiskey and Hudson Baby Bourbon, the signature expression of Tuthilltown Spirits, in your local bar or liquor store. Having earned the distinction of being New York’s first whiskey distillery since prohibition (a pretty big deal thanks to the passion of proprietors Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee), today, Hudson Whiskey is recognized as an award-winning, iconic American Whiskey brand. All that hard work paid off; in 2010 William Grant & Sons acquired Tuthilltown’s flagship Hudson Whiskey.  The distillery also produces Halfmoon Orchard Gin, Indigenous Vodka, Tuthilltown Cacao Liqueur, Casis Liqueur,  Triple Sec Liqueur, and Basement Bitters – all of which can be purchased at their Visitor Center.

Upon arrival you’ll come to a sign with many arrows directing you to all the grounds has to offer. The restaurant is the first thing you’ll see. To the left is a festive outdoor deck overlooking the Shawangunkill River; to the right is the distillery. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and as an homage to the past, you’ll find vintage equipment and artifacts adorning the property and old grindstones can be found dotted throughout garden beds.

My day trip started with an introduction to the history of the distillery followed by a tour of the facility in action. Next, a leisurely lunch of beautifully prepared gourmet food and luscious craft cocktails. Tune in tomorrow for a review of our meal – a food porn post if ever there was one. You’ll definitely want to book a reservation when you see this seductive feast. After lunch, we moved to the tasting room for a flight of New York Corn Whiskey, Baby Bourbon Whiskey, Single Malt Whiskey, Four Grain Bourbon, Manhattan Rye Whiskey and Maple Cask Rye Whiskey. Truth be told – I wasn’t a whiskey or bourbon drinker before my visit. I now have a mix of Hudson Whiskey bottles in my bar.

Take a look at the photos below for a snapshot of a day at Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery in Gardiner, NY. For more information or to book a reservation visit their website: Tuthilltown.com

Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery
14 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner, NY 12525
Call: 845.255.1527 | Contact: distillery@tuthilltown.com

website: Tuthilltown.com

The post A Unique Date at Tuthilltown Distillery first appeared on Seduction Meals.