The Peony Life » honey http://thepeonylife.com Creating memories through food Thu, 19 Jan 2017 01:07:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.19 Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/pistachio-crusted-baked-brie-with-honey/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/pistachio-crusted-baked-brie-with-honey/#respond Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:16:40 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1323 Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey is better than you could ever imagine it would be. Have you ever taken a bite of something incredible and you involuntarily do something ridiculous to express how delicious it is? Dramatic hand gestures? A favorite catch phrase? Random inaudible sounds of pure joy? Well get ready, because this is one... 

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Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey is the epitome of comfort food.

Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey is the epitome of comfort food.

Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey is better than you could ever imagine it would be. Have you ever taken a bite of something incredible and you involuntarily do something ridiculous to express how delicious it is? Dramatic hand gestures? A favorite catch phrase? Random inaudible sounds of pure joy? Well get ready, because this is one of those times. You’re welcome.

Drizzle warm honey over the brie, flipping it over so the brie is coated on all sides.

Drizzle warm honey over the brie, flipping it over so the brie is coated on all sides.

This recipe is so simple and oh so delicious. 15 minutes start to finish and virtually zero cooking. Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey is such a versatile dish. I picture serving this up for my girl friends over wine, a tapas style dinner at home or as an afternoon snack on a chilly day.

I’ve been busy studying for my annual re-qualification exam and drills. As flight attendants, we have to do this once a year and it’s always super stressful! Why? Because if you don’t pass, you no longer get to fly the friendly skies. That’s right; your job is on the line. This will be my 5th annual and you would think it gets easier, but it doesn’t.

Quickly pulse shelled pistachios in the food processor. Don't pulse too much. You want pistachio pieces, not pistachio dust!

Quickly pulse shelled pistachios in the food processor. Don’t pulse too much. You want pistachio pieces, not pistachio dust!

I woke up a couple of nights ago shouting my evacuation commands. In my dream, I was evacuating an aircraft with a fire in the cabin and my exit was blocked due to water. Just lovely! My fiancé was terrified but quickly realized what was going on. If you’re close with any flight attendant I’m sure you’re aware; we can go a little crazy when our annual training creeps up.

Anyhoo, the next day I was exhausted from lack of sleep and didn’t have the energy to cook. I wanted something low maintenance, quick and warm for dinner. I opened the cheese drawer (because cheese is always the answer) and found a piece of wild mushroom brie. Boom! That’s where this idea spiraled from.

Make sure to coat all sides of the brie with honey. This will make it easier for the the pistachios to stick to the brie.

Make sure to coat all sides of the brie with honey. This will make it easier for the the pistachios to stick to the brie.

It’s better to have an entire wheel of brie because it helps keep the ooey-gooey-goodness inside, but I wanted to use what I already had in the fridge. Remember, lazy and tired? No grocery store tripping for this lady. Just keep in mind, an entire wheel looks prettier and more put together. If you’re entertaining; I would suggest going that route.

Remember not to go overboard with pulsing the pistachios. A quick pulse is all you need. You still want the texture of the pistachios. Pistachio dust is not what you’re going for with this recipe.

I served this with fresh bread, prosciutto, apple slices and green grapes. It was such a great, casual dinner! You can’t go wrong with a 15 minute, easy peasy dinner that tastes like a million bucks!

I hope you love this comforting recipe as much as I do  xx

Enjoy this slathered on  fresh warm bread or with apple slices for a healthier approach.

Enjoy this slathered on fresh warm bread or with apple slices for a healthier approach.

Pistachio Crusted Baked Brie with Honey
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This salty and sweet baked brie is the perfect thing to warm you up on a chilly day. It's super simple, with only 4 ingredients and only takes 15 minutes from start to finish!
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Ingredients
  • 1 wheel of brie, size can vary but I generally use a small one
  • ½ cup good quality honey
  • ⅓ cup shelled pistachios
  • crusty bread or sliced apples for serving
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Pulse pistachios in the food processor for a couple of seconds. You want to break down the pistachios but you still want texture. You do not want pistachio dust!
  3. Heat the honey in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour over the brie cheese, making sure you cover all sides.
  4. Start sprinkling the honey covered cheese with pistachios. It's not a big deal if they don't all stick; just try the best you can.
  5. Top with pistachios and bake in the oven for 10 minutes
  6. Let it cool for a few minutes and then serve with bread or apple slices

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Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/herbed-creme-fraiche-dressing/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/herbed-creme-fraiche-dressing/#respond Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:05:38 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1086 Lately I’ve  been trying to eat more salads for dinner but am SO bored of the same old recipes. I had some hot house smoked salmon in the fridge and wanted to build a dressing around it. It didn’t take me long to reach for the crème fraîche. Indulgent I know, but a couple of tablespoons really... 

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Drizzle this Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing over my Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado

Drizzle this Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing over my Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado

Lately I’ve  been trying to eat more salads for dinner but am SO bored of the same old recipes. I had some hot house smoked salmon in the fridge and wanted to build a dressing around it. It didn’t take me long to reach for the crème fraîche. Indulgent I know, but a couple of tablespoons really make this dressing something to talk about.

The crème fraîche lends the perfect amount of creaminess to the salmon without being overpowering. The chives & dill add so much flavor and the apple cider vinegar brings a subtle zing!

I’m really happy with how this turned out! This salad dressing just seems fancy and decadent to me. Try this drizzled over my Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado for brunch or over your favorite salad for lunch.

This Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing will keep in the fridge for 2 days so you can try it would a couple of dishes.

Enjoy! xx

Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing is so quick & easy to whip up!

Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing is so quick & easy to whip up!

Herbed Crème Fraîche Dressing
 
Prep time
Total time
 
This fresh and flavorful dressing is perfect drizzled over a salad or my Smoked Salmon Benny with Avocado!
Author:
Recipe type: Salad Dressing
Serves: ½ cup
Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp crème fraîche
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp spicy mustard such as dijon
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • 1 tbsp chives, minced
  • 1 tbsp dill, minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Whisk all of the ingredients together and put in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
This recipe yields ½ cup dressing and will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

 

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Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/lemon-ricotta-cupcakes-with-fluffy-lemon-frosting/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/lemon-ricotta-cupcakes-with-fluffy-lemon-frosting/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:15:12 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=407 When my fiancé gifted me with a kitchen aid mixer, it seriously changed the game at home. Full disclosure: I’m not much of a baker. I love to decorate cupcakes & cookies occasionally, but I don’t have the same passion for baking as I do cooking. I would much rather make Halloumi Saganaki with Strawberry Salsa instead of... 

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Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting. The perfect cupcake!

Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting. The perfect cupcake!

When my fiancé gifted me with a kitchen aid mixer, it seriously changed the game at home. Full disclosure: I’m not much of a baker. I love to decorate cupcakes & cookies occasionally, but I don’t have the same passion for baking as I do cooking. I would much rather make Halloumi Saganaki with Strawberry Salsa instead of a cupcake any day.

CRÈME FRAÎCHE+ALBANIAN HONEY+RICOTTA+EGGS+LEMON ZEST

CRÈME FRAÎCHE+ALBANIAN HONEY+RICOTTA+EGGS+LEMON ZEST

Except for mayyyyybe this cupcake! This bad boy is pretty much perfect. I’m so happy I stumbled upon this recipe the other day while going through old pages I had ripped out from magazines. Coming from a girl who isn’t crazy about cupcakes; you need to try these! Maybe the reason I love them so much is because they’re not too sweet. The lemon zest+ricotta+crème fraîche really bring something different to the table. These may be the best cupcake I’ve ever had!

Delicious honey from the mountains of Albania

Delicious honey from the mountains of Albania

MY FAVORITE EGGS FROM 'LONELY MOUNTAIN FARMS'. I LOVE HOW EACH EGG IS ALWAYS UNIQUE!

MY FAVORITE EGGS FROM ‘LONELY MOUNTAIN FARMS’. I LOVE HOW EACH EGG IS ALWAYS UNIQUE!

APOLOGIZE WITH THESE CUPCAKES AND YOU WILL FORGIVEN!!

APOLOGIZE WITH THESE CUPCAKES AND YOU WILL FORGIVEN!!

Lemon-Ricotta Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Make ahead tip! The cupcakes can be refrigerated or 2 days.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
  • FROSTING
  • One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • CUPCAKES
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅔ cup honey
  • ½ cup fresh ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ¾ cup creme fraiche
Instructions
  1. Make the frosting in a medium bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  2. Scrape dow the side of the bowl. Add butter and 1 tablespoon lemon zest and beat until incorporated.
  3. Beat in the honey, vanilla and salt.
  4. Cover and refrigerate until firm and spreadable, about 3 hours.
  5. Meanwhile lets make the cupcakes..
  6. Preheat the oven to 350. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  7. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  8. In another medium bowl, whisk the honey with the ricotta, vegetable oil, lemon zest and vanilla
  9. Whisk in the eggs and yolk
  10. Whisk in one-third of flour mixture just until incorporated, then whisk in half of the creme fraiche until smooth, scrapping down the side and bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
  11. Fold in the remaining flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the remaining creme fraiche until well incorporated.
  12. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups and bake for about 25 minutes, until the cupcakes are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  13. transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool completely.
  14. Frost the cupcakes and garnish with lemon zest.
Notes
Make ahead tip! The cupcakes can be refrigerated or 2 days.

 

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