Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

Posted by Brit

I could never run a legitimate food blog.  Tonight's recipe doesn't have any photos because I didn't even think I would post about it.  It turned out so great I just had to share.  I adapted it from a Cabot Vermont ad I found in my Better Homes and Gardens magazine I got in the mail today as a replacement for the now defunct ReadyMade mag I used to get.  The original less fatty (and presumably less delicious) recipe can be found here.  My version is below.


Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

1 Tb. Cooking Oil
1 & 1/4 C. Chopped Onion
1 Medium Head Cauliflower, roughly chopped
2 & 1/2 C. Chicken Broth (we used 2.5 chicken bouillon cubes to about 2.75 C. water and boiled it)
3/4 C. Heavy Whipping Cream (okay, go with whole milk to save on the fat if you want)
1 C. Vermont Sharp White Cheddar, grated (we bought the Kroger/Private Selection brand)
2-3 Tb. Fresh Dill, chopped
Salt
Pepper

1. Chop Onion and Cauliflower
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and saute for about 3 minutes until tender.  The onion shouldn't carmelize.  Add cauliflower and keep cooking for about 3 more minutes.
3. Add broth and heavy whipping cream.  Add a half teaspoon salt and a teaspoon pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and puree mixture in batches.  Return to pan over medium low heat.  Stir in cheese and dill until cheese is melted.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve.  Throw a little extra dill on top for good flavor.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Posted by Brit

Yesterday I made Saltine Cracker Toffee.  I had this once as a child and loved it.  I didn't really know what it was though until I found this recipe on the internet the other day while checking out the website Pinterest. I saw a comment my friend Cassi made on my friend Ashley's facebook ("you really don't have a Pinterest?") and thought, "well gee, I don't either."  While I didn't sign for an account I did find this food blog, The Girl Who Ate Everything, and this recipe.

Ingredients:
1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1 C. Unsalted Butter
2 C. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Sleeve Saltine Crackers

Set oven to 400 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and then line it with saltines.  Make sure to put enough tin foil in your pan so that you can bend it up the edges.  This will help to keep the gooey caramel from escaping onto your pan.

Next melt together the butter and brown sugar.  Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

While boiling the brown sugary butter mixture put the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time.  Stir in between microwaves.  Continue until smooth.

Pour the boiling caramel mixture over the saltines and spread to cover them completely.  Then put the saltines in the oven and bake for about 6 minutes.  When you pull the crackers they should be sort of "swimming" in the caramel.  Allow them to sit for about a minute so that the caramel hardens slightly.  It will then be easier to spread the melted chocolate over the caramel crackers.

Spread the chocolate and allow the toffee to cool completely.  Then break it up into pieces and enjoy!  Prior to breaking my toffee, but once it was completely cooled, I stuck it in the fridge for about 5 minutes.  This allows the chocolate to harden a bit more so it doesn't melt on your hands while breaking.

october

october

Posted by Brit

It's been a while since the last update.  I've not been incredibly busy, but busy enough I suppose.  Work is busy but for the most part I am enjoying it.  It's getting cold - I'm not enjoying that.  A couple of weeks ago I went to Lawrence to visit some family with Ron.  It was a much needed trip and I was so happy to be able to catch up with my grandma and aunt.  My cousin Sarah has just about the cutest kid in the world and he is growing up fast and happy.

Some of the things I've been up to... carving pumpkins, going to concerts, and celebrating my 23rd birthday alongside some great people.

One Tooth Jack

The whole bunch. Tracee, Me, Tia, Genevieve

 I had just about the greatest birthday week.  Tia's birthday was also this week so we did lots of celebrating.

Gillian Welch stage at The Orpheum

Carrie Nation and The Speakeasy at Rock Island Live

Birthday Cheers

Oh I cut my hair off and I love it.