Thursday, November 27, 2014

persimmon white chocolate bread pudding



I shared photos of these persimmons in this post, here.

They were gifted to me by our friends, the Waren's.  Aren't they beautiful!?!




I displayed them on a cake stand and watched them ripen/rest over the course of a week . . . and pondered what I was going to make with them.

A 'butter lettuce, persimmon, feta, and hazelnut salad,' maybe? 

Well, as good as that sounds (and is!), I opted for a comforting dessert instead . . . a persimmon white chocolate bread pudding.




Have you ever tried a persimmon?

Their appearance and color is so unique; and their delicate, sweet flavor makes them ideal to use in jams, chutneys, sorbets, baked goods, and other desserts.





In this dessert, persimmon puree is paired with a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and creamy white chocolate . . . allowing their tender sweetness to shine through. And the crisp (and shiny) raw sugar topping makes it extra special.

This is a warm and delicious dessert worthy of cooler Fall days . . . and cold Winter nights.

              . . . And just in time for the long, relaxing weekend after a busy Thanksgiving week . . .




persimmon white chocolate bread pudding
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
1 1/2 cups fresh Fuyu persimmon puree, 
or 5 Fuyu persimmons, peeled, seeded and mashed
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup sugar, plus more, for baking dish
unsalted butter, for baking dish
10 slices (about 1 1/2 pounds) 3/4-inch-thick day-old or toasted brioche, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
6 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped or chips
1 cup milk
1 cup half-and-half
3 large eggs
raw sugar, for sprinkling on top 
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small saucepan, combine persimmon puree, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup sugar; simmer over low heat until sugar is dissolved.

Butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish, and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Place bread in baking dish; sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.

In a medium saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar, white chocolate, milk and half-and-half; stir frequently over low heat. Remove from heat once chocolate melts.

Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk warm milk mixture into eggs, being careful not to cook the eggs; stir in persimmon mixture. Pour mixture into baking dish, covering bread completely. Using a Tablespoon, sprinkle desired amount of raw sugar over the top. 

Bake until filling sets, about 35 minutes. Enjoy!


a simple pictorial . . . 

puree your persimmons by peeling, seeding, and mashing
follow preparation for adding the remainder of wet ingredients


butter your baking dish and sprinkle lightly with sugar
place bread in the baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg 


slowly pour persimmon mixture over the bread cubes 



 sprinkle tops with raw sugar


bake and enjoy!




LET'S STAY in touch!





Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleThe Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage Chic California, Lamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweSweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's CornerNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeEveryday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with CurlsMade from PinterestSimply Gloria







Wednesday, November 26, 2014

a little note . . .



Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, 
chaos into order, 
confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow. 
~ Melody Beattie


Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving,
Suzanne








Tuesday, November 25, 2014

creating Christmas memories with vignettes, our nativity



Sweet Diane, author of An Extraordinary Day, invited me to join in on her 'Creating Christmas Memories with Vignettes" series.  Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to create memories in your home with family and friends through new traditions, and through memorable and meaningful vignettes.




Fall and Christmas are my favorite times of year to decorate our home . . . and although my decor and vignettes change every year, there are a few vignettes that make an appearance every year.

our nativity . . .
These statues are just a few pieces of a very large and comprehensive nativity set/scene that was handed down to me after my grandma passed away.

I grew up admiring this Nativity scene for as long as I can remember. It always found a special place in my grandma's decor every Christmas season.




It's not only special to me because it reminds me of her . . . and the loving way she brought the spirit of Christmas to our family, but because my late uncle hand-painted it for her and gave it to her as a Christmas gift more than 25 years ago. 

I am so very blessed to have it now, as there are more than 30 living grandchildren and great-grandchildren who could have also received it, but it was trusted to me . . . and I care for it greatly.

I proudly display a few pieces every year, and add more to the scene as my little ones grow older. It's found a home nestled under our Christmas tree, on our mantle, and on a table in our entry.

It serves as a beautiful reminder to us of the reason we celebrate this joyous time of year.




I have something special planned for our Nativity scene this year, and can't wait to share it with you in a few weeks. 

Here's a hint . . . It makes for a fun, family activity . . . and a memorable vignette at a holiday party.

Thank you, Diane, for giving me this opportunity to share one of the most meaningful vignettes in my home this time of year. I hope you and your readers come by and visit me through the holiday season for more holiday fun, recipes, and decorating ideas.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season,
Suzanne

photos from 2013


 






LET'S STAY in touch!





Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleThe Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage Chic California, Lamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweSweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's CornerNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeEveryday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with CurlsMade from PinterestSimply Gloria






Monday, November 17, 2014

a Fall favorites wrap up . . .



I typically wait until the day after Thanksgiving to listen to holiday music, but I couldn't resist this year.

So . . . I've been happily decorating and Fall baking to the sounds of Christmas tunes.

Sounds lovely, except that it started stirring an excitement to begin decorating for Christmas and holiday baking.

Friends, we're still in November . . . and haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet. So I'm trying hard to enjoy THIS amazing season and all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells that it brings to us this time of year.

Yes, I'm still listening to holiday music . . . it's so hard not to now; but I thought it would be fun to share a few more Fall favorites to keep us on track (wink!). I hope you enjoy!






My dear friends, the Waren's (thank you!), gave me these beautiful persimmons. They're from their backyard. I can only image how breath-taking their tree is this time of year!

So I'm thinking that these will make for the perfect Persimmon White Chocolate Bread Pudding! Stay tuned for photos and recipe!





Have you seen these darling Cinnamon Whisks?  

I found them at Trader Joe's (99 cents! each) a few weeks ago . . . and bought several of them. 

Their cinnamon scent sure smells like the Holidays. I have them hidden in various rooms in our home. 






I bought these two TALL, slender terracotta pots when I visited J. Woeste (read more about this beautiful nursery here) last weekend.

They're going to make the perfect home for these Paper White bulbs! 




And what is Fall without more amazing Fall baking . . . 

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
Cinnamon Crumble Cookie Bars
with Pumpkin Spice glaze

petite Pumpkin Cheesecakes
with a sweet sour cream topping

Pumpkin Butter Streusel Cakes
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .






I bought these 'baseball pumpkins' while visiting Avila Valley Barn on our Annual 'girl's trip' last weekend. I piled them high in a pewter bowl . . . and paired them with one of my bigger lemon cypress. 




And here's a final peak at the theme of this year's Thanksgiving table . . . pumpkins & pansies

This year marks my 4th year hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for our family . . . and I couldn't be more excited or thankful!






LET'S STAY in touch!







Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleThe Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage Chic California, Lamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweSweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's CornerNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeEveryday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with CurlsMade from PinterestSimply Gloria





Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thanksgiving dinner . . . at home



I have been so incredibly blessed to host Thanksgiving Dinner in our home the last 3 years.

This year marks my 4th year hosting a completely home-made, traditional dinner for our family and extended family members.




My first year hosting was quite an under-taking . . . and I still remember feeling like I had conquered Mount Everest.  I was exhausted . . . and so very happy . . . all in one!

Four years later, I feel like I've perfected the menu, the timing, and all the preparation that goes into hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
Thanksgiving Dinner 2011, my first Thanksgiving Dinner
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

The table centerpieces and decor change every year.  


These photos are actually from LAST year's Dinner. I had hoped to share them last November, but December rolled around so fast that I didn't have a chance to. So I thought I would sneak in a few photos before this Thanksgiving.




I love displaying one large, framed menu, or small menus at each place setting. Guests like to know what they'll be eating . . . and it also gives them something to look forward to.





I researched recipes for weeks and weeks before creating my menu, with the goal of preparing and serving (what I felt was) the perfect Thanksgiving dinner.

I have a binder dedicated to this very special meal, and it includes . . . .

my shopping list,
recipes with personal notes, 
a day-to-day schedule that starts the Sunday before Thanksgiving Thursday, 
and - of course - an hourly schedule that starts at 7 am on Thanksgiving Day

It might sound intense, but being organized is the key to pulling off a 'successful' Thanksgiving Dinner with little, to no, stress.




My menu was/is completely inspired by recipes from Cook's Illustrated and American's Test Kitchen. They're exceptional recipes and dishes!

The only recipe that's original to me are the home-made bread rolls. Bread baking was passed down to me by my mom shortly after I got married. A recipe and method that she learned from her grandmother shortly after she married my dad more than 45 years ago. It is quite an honor to bake bread for my family on this special day.

I haven't swayed much from my original menu, with the exception of a new dessert that I added last year . . . Pumpkin Cheesecake with a sweet sour cream topping.

And although I still prepare a Classic Herb Roasted Turkey, I baste it in Chardonnay now. A new method that I learned from a dear friend. It involves basting the turkey every 20 minutes during the cooking process. It yields a tender, and slightly sweet turkey. It's amazing!




.     .     .     .     .     .     .
.     .     .     .     .     .     .




I make every. single. dish. from scratch . . . even this amazing Apricot Ginger Cranberry Sauce (photo below). It's a little bit of sweet, spicy, and tart . . . yum! A delicious compliment to turkey and stuffing.

I wish I had photos of all the side dishes to share with you in this post, but I lost many of them a few months ago when my computer crashed (Yikes!). We were able to recover 90% of my photos; but sadly, I lost several from last year's Dinner. 




My hope is to take more photos of this year's Thanksgiving side dishes, so that I can share the recipes (and photos) with you next year.





Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, or attending dinner at someone else's home . . . I send you warm and happy wishes that your day is filled with love, family and friends, and exceptional food.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Suzanne






Thanksgiving,
to be truly Thanksgiving,
is first Thanks,
then giving . . . 




LET'S STAY in touch!









Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleThe Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage Chic California, Lamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweSweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's CornerNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeEveryday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with CurlsMade from PinterestSimply Gloria
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