Cozy & Creative

 My Fall Favorites...

This is to all my blogger friends who love to decorate

I thought I would give you some inspirations for decorating this season

I get so excited when fall shows itself in Oregon

The colors & smells, the warm fuzzy slippers, pumpkins, FALL dishes, and of course decorating

so here we go, take a look and get excited about the FALL season

This is my favorite, what would be more fun then a bon-fire with family & friends on a FALL day.

                    Pictures are from The Pottery Barn, Better Homes & Garden

Happy Fall Season

I hope to see  you soon and lets get together for a Latte!!! Cheers  Susan

Fabulous Fall Dish

PUMPKIN-GINGER WAFFLES

Does this scream FALL??   I think so!!

This time of year in Oregon is breath taking, it is so beautiful!!!

The trails & parks in the Willamette Valley is a must see, if you haven't vacationed in Oregon before you must come soon.

I love summer but I equally love FALL.

Harvest Fest, carameled apples, carving pumpkins, picking fresh apples from a tree and

baking an apple pie,or pumpkin pie brings a smile to my face:)

It just all sounds so good.

We have our family pictures taken each year around this time, I thought I would share my beautiful family with you, October 2010.

I thought being outdoors in the beauty of fall would make for a gorgeous picture.

No, really what I wanted to share was this recipe from Country Living Magazine

PUMPKIN -GINGER WAFFLES

Serves 5

1 1/4 C All purpose flour

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

2t ground ginger

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 C finally shopped crystallized ginger

2 large eggs

3/4 C buttermilk

1/2 canned pumpkin puree

1/2 C sugar

3/4 t vanilla

3T unsalted butter melted, and slightly cooled

Combine all dry ingredients in bowl, set aside.

Whisk eggs, buttermilk, pumpkin,sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Combine the flour mixture. 

Stir in butter and crystallized ginger, do not over mix.

Heat your waffle iron to. Spray Pam if needed. Use about 1/2 cup of batter per waffle pour over waffle maker and close lid. It usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep warm in the oven set at 200 degrees.

I hope you try this recipe. I will be serving these at the Lions Gate Inn B&B for our guest.

Cheers to a great FALL season   

Thanks Susan

Fresh Grilled Corn Salad

Hello friends

It's Wednesday already and I am realizing we are well on our way to fall.

I can see the signs...leaves falling, cold mornings, and today I found halloween candy in the store:(

The one good thing about this time of year for me is buying sweet corn.

We love corn in our family..I can't resist stopping at a good stand on the side of the road and picking
some up.

There are so many great ways to fix corn....my favorite is on the grill.

That is why I love this recipe... Fresh Grilled Corn Salad

                                 photo taken from Simple Recipes

Grilled Corn Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ears of corn, do not shuck 
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 5-inch long zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 serrano chili pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (best if you toast whole cumin seeds then grind)
• 1/4 cup crumbly salty cheese such as feta or cotija (optional)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp cider vinegar or lime juice
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 Prepare your grill, gas or charcoal, with direct, high heat, about 550°F.

2 Place the corn in their husks on the hot grill. Cover. Turn the corn occasionally, until the husks are charred on all sides, about 15 to 20 minutes.

3 Remove corn from grill. Let sit for 5 minutes. Use a hand towel to protect your hands while removing the silks and charred husks from the corn.

Let the corn cool down for a few minutes and pull back the husks. Stand the corn husks vertically, tip facing down, in a large shallow bowl or baking dish. Use a sharp knife to make long, downward strokes, removing the kernels from the cob, as you work your way around the cob.

Once the bell pepper has cooled a bit, remove the outer peel. Cut open the pepper, remove the seeds and stem. Chop the bell pepper into small pieces.

Slice the slightly browned zucchini again lengthwise and chop into small pieces.

Place grilled or toasted corn kernels, chopped bell pepper, chopped zucchini, red onion, cilantro, and serrano (if using) into a large bowl. Add the cumin, olive oil, vinegar or lime juice, and crumbly cheese (if using). Mix gently. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve cold or at room temperature. Serves 4.

Enjoy  Susan

S'mores Galore

S'mores Brownies

                                        photo is from Recipe Girl

Obviously when I see s'mores I think of camping

It's just one of those treats you don't leave behind in the food department.

I know summer is coming to end, but maybe there is one more camping trip or family event happening for you.

I thought these are a great bring to the party idea as well..S'mores Brownies

Cheers to the last summer weekend...Susan

s'mores brownies

Yield: 12 brownies

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 60 min

Everything you love about S'Mores- but in a brownie...

Ingredients:

CRUST:
7 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (8 or 9 whole graham crackers)
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
pinch of salt

BROWNIE:
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

TOPPING:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips
3 to 4 cups mini marshmallows
about 1/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs (1 whole cracker, crumbled)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 8x8-inch pan with foil so it hangs over the edges a bit. Spray with nonstick spray. (You can use 9x9-inch pan, but baking time might need slight decrease and your end result will be a thinner brownie).

2. Prepare crust: In a medium bowl, mix butter with crumbs, sugar and salt. Press crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Prepare the brownie: Place butter and chocolate in microwave-safe bowl. Melt for 1 minute; stir. Melt another minute; stir. Keep microwaving at 1 minute intervals until mixture is completely melted. (Alternately, you can melt this mixture in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water on the stove). Add sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate and mix together. Add eggs and beat vigorously until you see a thick and glossy batter. Stir in flour and mix just until incorporated. Pour batter over the baked crust. Bake until top is set and toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, 35 to 40 minutes (you don't want to overbake the brownie- a little gooey inside is good).

4. Remove pan from oven. Turn up heat on the oven to broil. Sprinkle chocolate chunks over the baked brownie. Add a nice, thick layer of marshmallows next. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top.

5. Place your pan of brownies back into the oven (they should be 6 to 8 inches away from the heating element). Toast under the broiler until golden- KEEP AN EYE ON IT- it can go from golden to burned in a matter of seconds. 1 to 2 minutes under the broiler should be plenty.

6. Cool for a few minutes, then use foil to remove brownies from the pan and set on a cutting board. Carefully pull the sides of the foil away from the marshmallows and brownies. Cut brownies into 12 squares. Helpful tip: Use a large, WET & SHARP KNIFE to cut the brownies. Slice through the brownie, then clean the knife and slice through again with a clean, wet knife. Keep cleaning off the knife after each cut for the cleanest cuts.

recipe is from Food Network

BAKED OATMEAL W/BLACKBERRIES AND BANANA'S

Good Morning blogger friends:)

I thought since blackberries are in season this would be a great recipe to share. 

I actually made this recipe for the first time for our guest at The Lions Gate Inn B&B.

It was a huge success in flavor

It's easy to make and very healthy..love the blackberry banana combination.

The only change I will make next time is to spray my pan.  I forgot that important part.

                             photos are from BakedBrie.com

RECIPE

2C Rolled Oats

1/3 C Maple Syrup

1t baking powder

2t cinnamon

1/2 t salt or sea salt

2C Milk

1Egg

3T melted butter

2t vanilla

2 banana's cut into pieces

1 1/2 C of blackberries or blueberries

Start with buttering your 9x13 pan 

Mix together in a bowl, the oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside

Mix together in another bowl..eggs, milk, butter, vanilla. 

Spread your banana's and blackberries in your pan first..reserving a handful  of your blackberries for the topping.. Then add your 

oatmeal mixture over the top,

then the wet ingredients making sure the milk is mixed in well.

Spread a few blackberries on top and bake at 375 for 35 minutes.

Remove from oven, let it set for a couple of minutes.

Serve in a bowl...with some maple or honey drizzled over the oatmeal.

I hope you enjoy this recipe  Susan

A Splash of Blueberries

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

                                  photo taken from BakedBrie.com


Blueberry Cheesecake idea..

What could be better then Cheesecake & Blueberries in one dish.

This recipe looked so good to me, so I thought I would share it with you.

Did you know that blueberries are full of antioxidants, and vitamin C.

If your looking for a light and tasty recipe then give this one a try.

Recipe
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter
1 (8-ounce) cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon flour
2 eggs
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla


In a saucepan add the sugar, cornstarch, orange juice. Cook for about 4 minutes until bubbly. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl mix butter, flour and powdered sugar. Mix until it looks crumbly.
Using a 9x13 pan..line with parchment paper or foil, add your crust and bake for 20 minutes.
While the crust is cooking mix together cream cheese, sugar, flour,eggs, vanilla, and orange zest.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the hot crust, spoon in the blueberries over the cream cheese.
Then take a knife and swirl the blueberries into the cream cheese mixture.


Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let you bars set for about an hour. Then refrigerate them for 20 minutes before cutting into. Sprinkle with Powdered sugar.

   Photo was taken from BakedBrie.com Recipe was adapted from Better Homes & Garden
Enjoy Susan

Summer Breakfast Idea

OPEN-FACED SANDWICH

Greetings to all my blogger friends,

I hope your summer has been full of relaxation, vacations, family time and lots of good cooking outside.

I love whoever invented a BBQ..that is the greatest idea!!!!

My summer has been filled with great memories, good summer concerts, corn on the cob, homemade ice cream, beach trips, drive in movies, meeting lots of really great people, and of course cooking some pretty amazing breakfast for our guest.

I am in  love....

I have come up with a very easy, light, and tasty idea for summer breakfast...An Open-Faced Sandwich.

I started serving this to our guest this summer at the B&B

It is so easy to put together!!

Whoever you serve this sandwich to, you will amaze them with this dish.

My recipe..makes 1 sandwich

A slice of Marble Rye Bread  ( toasted)
A thick slice of bacon   ( I use back bacon)
A thick slice of  Tomato
A 1/2 Cup of Arugula
1 Tablespoon of  Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 Fried Egg

Toast your bread first, layer a slice of bacon then a  tomato. Mix in a small bowl arugula & balsamic vinaigrette, add the arugula in a mound on top of the tomato. Fry one or two eggs, sprinkle with some salt & pepper, place the egg on top
Optional ideas...melting some cheese (fontina cheese) to your bread, or( cream cheese). Spinach is also a nice flavor for this sandwich if  you don't have arugula on hand.

To add even more to the plate, I love to serve some oven roasted dill potatoes.

This breakfast sandwich is healthy and super simple to make for your family or guest.

Cheers to eating healthy in the morning

Enjoy Susan