My Favorite Things: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving + Pumpkin Pie {recipe #66}

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

I made my very first pumpkin pie this year!

I was nervous, but it turned out really awesome actually!

I just used the recipe on the can of pumpkin and it was wonderful.

I also made my favorite fall pie Apple Cranberry, with a crumble crust.

Coming Soon: "12 Things I am Grateful For", because being grateful is not limited to Thanksgiving or even November!

What are you grateful for this season?

All for now,

Alexandra

Friday, November 9, 2012

Berry Delicious Game Night {recipes #63, 64 & 65}

A while ago, we had a game night with our good friends Emy and Matthew.

It was the first time we had really had people over to our apartment and we wanted to do something fun. We decided to play several games including Ticket to Ride (above).

We also wanted to have some yummy food and drink available. This was over the summer so we decided to utilize a LOT of fresh berries.

So here are recipes 64, 65 & 66:

Berry Sangria {+ simple syrup} & Mini Berry Trifles {whipped cream}

Berry Sangria

{Borrowed Adapated and Enjoyed from 101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks by Kim Haasarud}

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of 3 of the following berries {strawberries (hulled and sliced), blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries

3/4 cup simple syrup

1 bottle of red wine

1/2 cup of triple sec

1/2 cup berry flavored vodka

1 cup orange juice

1) In a saucepan, combine all of your chosen berries {we used blueberries, strawberries and raspberries} with the simple syrup {recipe below} over low heat. Stir constantly until berries just begin to soften and discolor.

2) Combine the remaining ingredients in a large ceramic or glass container. Add the berry mixture {berries and liquid} and stir well.

3) Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Serve in Pretty Glasses and Enjoy!

Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup hot water

1) In a bowl, glass or empty wine bottle mix the sugar and hot water. Stir or shake until completely dissolved. Let cool completely before using. {this sangria recipe you cook the simple syrup with the berries, so it doesn't really require cooling!}

Mini Berry Trifles

This recipe really isn't that new to most people, its just store-bought pound cake, sugared berries and whipped cream. What makes it count as one of my recipes is just that I made the whipped cream from scratch, which I had never done! But it was VERY worth it!

Ingredients:

Pound Cake

Sugared Berries of your choice {cleaned, sliced and hulled if necessary}

1 pint of heavy cream

1 T. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1) Mix the berries with sugar to taste and set aside.

2) Slice, Tear or crumble the pound cake into small pieces.

3) Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until fluffy.

4) Set up the ingredients buffet style and let your guests build their own mini trifles by layering the ingredients to their liking!

Enjoy!

What is your favorite way to use berries?

All for now,

Alexandra

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Pumpkin Waffles {recipe #62}

This recipe is perfect for fall and DELICIOUS!

Pumpkin Waffles

{recipe borrowed, enjoyed and adapted from: Farm Chicks in the Kitchen}

Makes 8 Waffles

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 T. sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

3 large eggs (separated)

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 cup (or more) canned pumpkin

veggie oil for brushing the waffle iron

REAL maple syrup, whipped cream etc for serving

1) Heat the oven to 250 degrees Farenheit. Heat waffle iron. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2) Whisk together egg yolks, milk, butter, and pumpkin in a medium sized bowl. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring until combined.

3) Beat the egg whites in a small bowl (or KITCHEN AID MIXER!) until stiff and fold them into the batter.

4) Brush the waffle iron with the oil and spoon about 1/4 cup of batter per each waffle in the iron. *Our waffle iron makes 4 at once. If yours makes one, just do the 1/4 cup. As always with waffles it takes a bit of testing/knowing your waffle iron! :)* Cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5) Transfer waffles to the rack in the oven to keep warm and crisp. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve hot with desired toppings.

I bet that this would be AMAZING with a maple whipped cream topping! :)

What is your favorite fall breakfast?

All for now,

Alexandra

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election 2012!

Hello there friends!

I hope that November is treating you well these first 6 days!

For my American readers out there, its Election Day!

If you haven't already voted... hightail it on out to your local polling location!

I feel so blessed to live somewhere where I have the opportunity to share my voice in such a meaningful way!

So, GO VOTE! :)

My first election (2008) was an amazing experience. I thought nothing would ever top that, but this year I am getting pretty darn excited. I definitely have a candidate that I strongly want to win, but I am more focused on how many Americans are utilizing their right to vote! It's very inspiring! :)

However, I will be watching that map change colors all night!

The other stickers in the photo above were from my preschooler's this morning. I was apparently very popular! Speaking of my preschoolers.. See what clever idea our director dreamed up this morning!

She is teaching them to vote in general. They have very little concept of politics at their age, but they are being taught that their opinions matter!

All for now,

Alexandra