Thursday, December 5, 2019

Perfect Pecan Pie

Perfect pecan pie - now there's a tasty alliteration!



My mom is known throughout the maritimes for her pecan pie. I, therefore have never attempted it, haha! It is however Dan's favorite pie, so this Thanksgiving I endeavored to make one.

I don't really know why pie crust has always seemed so scary to me, but it has. Thankfully everything went divine, and the pie was a huge success!


And now, without further ado, here is your "Perfect Pecan Pie" recipe.


Pie crust 

Ingredients:
(makes one 9-inch pie)
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbs/85 grams butter
2 tbs vegetable shortening (here in Europe I substitute with Rama)
2-3 tbs (ice) cold water

Directions:
1. Using the whisk attachment on your standing mixer combine flour and salt.

2. Next, cut in your butter and shortening. (If you do not have a mixer, alternatively you can use a pastry cutter or two knives.) Let mixer run until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble. (Looks kind of like cornmeal.)

3. Take bowl off of mixer. Sprinkle the cold water over the flour mixture, 1 tbs at a time. Mix lightly by hand until the pastry holds together when lightly pressed. 

4. Shape the pastry into a ball. Flatten to a 1-inch thick disc. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. (You can also do it overnight, which is what I did. If you chill it overnight, make sure you take your dough out about 30-45 minutes before you intend to use it so that it is pliable.) 

5. When ready to use: Lightly flour a flat surface and rolling pin. Roll out dough into about a 11 inch round. Have 9-inch pie pan waiting. Gently roll dough onto rolling pin, and unroll it into the pie pan. Cut pastry overhang in such a way that you can slightly fold under some excess to give yourself a thicker crust at the top. Using your knuckles, go around and create a scalloped edge. Poke the dough with a fork on the bottom some.




Pecan Filling

Ingredients:
4 eggs lightly beaten
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup 
1 tbs all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup/57 grams melted butter
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup pecan halves (or enough to cover the top)

Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 350 F/180 C. (Do not use convection setting.)

2. In a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs, sugars, corn syrup, flour, vanilla and salt until well combined.

3. Stir in the melted butter and chopped pecans.

4. Pour the pecan filling into the pie crust.

5. Arrange pecans on top in any way you would like. (I chose concentric circles.)

6. Bake pie for 55-60 minutes, or until the filling stays firm when the pie is gently shaken. Cool on a wire rack.

Optional decorations:
Using seasonal cookie cutters (I used leaves and acorns), cut shapes  out of the overhang you cut off. Using a toothpick define some of the details (like the veins in the leaves and the texture of the acorn's "hat"). Place on a baking sheet and brush with and egg wash. Once the pie is out of the oven, pop the little pie crust pieces into the oven, and bake until they are golden brown (approx. 10 minutes, but keep an eye on them.) Allow them to cool, and arrange on top of pie.



Tips:
- You may want to place aluminum around the edge of your pie to avoid the crust browning too quickly. If you find that your pecans on the top are browning too quickly too, you can also cut a circle out of aluminum and place it on top. It will protect the pecans while still allowing the pie to keep baking.
- If you make it the day ahead, you can cover it, and leave it at room temperature.
- This is a very sweet dessert, which means you can always add some ice cream of whipped cream when serving it, to cut the richness a little.
- If you're in Europe, and can't find corn syrup, some Asian markets sell something called "golden syrup" which is an okay alternative. You can also substitute it with maple syrup, for something a little different.


Honestly, the pie turned out perfectly, and I had a very happy husband on my hands (and considering he - very gladly - made the turkey, homemade gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and cranberry relish, I guess he deserved it, lol!).

If you decide to try this recipe, I would love to hear how it goes!
What's your favorite holiday dessert?

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Shopping Small Christmas Gift Guide

I really love shopping small. There is a whimsy and character to things that are produced in smaller batches. The products are usually of a higher quality, and made from materials that are better for our planet. Shopping small means that you're not helping a CEO buy another mansion or yacht, you're helping a small business owner support their family. Also, they are more likely to put their money back into their community as well - creating a positive cycle. Online shopping has revolutionized our access to goods, and we are able to buy things from small shops around the world. Next week is "Shop Small Saturday", therefore there is no better time! So, here are some of my favorite ideas for shopping small this Christmas season!
(I haven't been compensated by any of these shops, nor have they asked for these reviews. These are just some of my favorite products I've tried and/or admired for quite some time.)

For the chef in your life

This cookbook was just released, and I am thrilled to have one in my possession! It's by Špela Vodovc, who is a native of the Slovene capital Ljubljana. It's a compilation of Slovene recipes, sorted by season. Slovene cuisine is not very well known, however thanks to Ana Roš - a Slovene chef named best female chef in the world - it's becoming more renowned. With this cookbook you will help your most beloved chef be "in the know" about this up and coming trend.

This digital meat thermometer is so cool! My parents got one for Dan earlier in the year. It connects to an app on your phone, where you set the temperature you want to cook your meat to, and then it tells you the temperature of your meat, and approximately how much longer it needs to cook. So cool!



For your littlest loves -

Last year, my go-to place for unique baby toys was Etsy. Just write key words in the search bar, find a shop with good ratings, and order away!












For toddlers in your life -

We bought our youngest the Indigo Jamm doll house and camper for her birthday, and followed it up with the princess carriage for Christmas. The toys are ethically produced, and made from a renewable material, rubberwood. I love their colors (bright, but not offensive to the eyes), and I love that the doll house is for 18 mo+, while the other peg dolls are 12 mo+ - a rare find in the doll world! They have a wide range of peg doll toys, as well as imaginative play toys, like kitchen sets, tea sets, a doll high chair, etc. as well as ride-on toys.

 Sadly, I came across this toy company after spending what we'd agreed on for Christmas gifts this year, so I'll be keeping it in my back pocket for birthdays and next year. I am completely in love with their doll house (3+), and am hoping that our youngest continues to enjoy playing with hers, so we can get her this one to add to her playing.  
The toys from this company are also ethically produced, and made from rubberwood. Again, I love the colors and aesthetics of their toys!


















I've saved the best for last (for this category)! These Dinkum Dolls are ridiculously precious! I love that they come in such a variety of skin tones and hair color - representation is so important, especially when it comes to modeling behavior to children. We purchased Poppet (the one on the far left) for our little peanut for Christmas, as well as an extra outfit. Grandma and Grandpa bought a second outfit and a "luggy" (wheeled basket) for her to take her treasures with her wherever she goes. This company also has the most adorable wicker doll pram the world has seen! <3


For your bigger kids


This is what we plan on getting or oldest kiddo for his 6th birthday in February. These guitars have 3 strings, are perfect for small hands, and easily transition the child to a regular guitar once they're big enough. The one pictured is for kids 3+, and then they have an electric one for kids 8+. These loog guitars come with a book to help the kids learn the basics, and there is access to an app that helps teach them as well. It is meant to be easily self-taught or with the help of a parent. Oh! And they have the coolest colors! Rock on!!



A KiwiCo subscription would be a FANTASTIC gift for anyone, but especially for your budding scientist or engineer. These crates are sorted by age, and really are age-appropriate regarding their instructions and required skill sets. I love that they are educational as well as fun!


For your jewelry lovers

I received a ring like this one with my kiddos' names on it last year from this jewelry maker. It is beautiful, and although delicate has held up really well, too!





I follow this jewelry maker on Instagram, and their pieces are just so feminine and intricate! 










For your favorite baker

These embossing rolling pins are so fun! They have ones for all different holidays, with different patterns, and well, they are just really beautiful! 





For those "family" gifts


This is my friend from college and super talented artist, Nic. She created this beautiful portrait of Anne Shirley for our little girl's nursery! She takes orders for personalized portraits, and they are just adorable!  You can order them through her Etsy shop, or find her on Instagram.






For those unique ornaments

I found this artist when I was looking for Anne of Green Gables dolls - she makes clothespin dolls and ornaments, and they are just darling!! She also does also do personalized "family" ornaments, however I believe her deadline for this Christmas has passed. You could always get a head-start on next year! :) All I can say is, "As you wish...!"











For your eco-conscious friend

We've used these single-use-plastic-alternative food storage wraps for two years now, and they are fantastic! They are great  for lids on bowls of leftovers, for keeping cheese fresh once it's open, and even for bread!





And there you have it! My recommendations for shopping small this holiday season. What are your favorite places to find unique gifts from local artists, or other small(er) business owners?

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Mmm... Chocolate Cupcakes!

It's National Chocolate Cupcake Day!
With these made-up "everyday is a holiday" days, I feel kind of torn - on the one hand it's getting crazy, and EVERYTHING has a day; on the other hand I love celebrating things that bring me joy, and chocolate cupcakes bring me joy.



While searching the internet, I came across this detailed recipe from Cupcake Project. It was great, I had all the ingredients on hand, and the cupcakes were delicious!



You should definitely go check out their recipe as she's got some good tips, but I'm gonna write it out for you too. 

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temp.)
1 cup sugar
2 oz of your favorite chocolate (I used semi-sweet chocolate chips)
2 eggs (room temp.)
2 egg yolks (room temp.)
9 tbs sunflower oil
2 tsp vanilla 
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water (room temp.)


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C.
2. Prep your cupcake liners in your muffin pan. (I made home-made ones out of baking paper, and they worked amazingly! I'll share a DIY soon.)
3. Sift together your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, cocoa powder) into a medium-sized bowl.
4. Using the paddle attachment on your mixer, cream together butter and sugar.
5. (Carefully) Melt your chocolate. (Dutch oven method, or very short time increments in microwave.)
6. Once the melted chocolate is cool to the touch, add it to the sugar and butter mixture.
7. Keep mixer going. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, making sure each one is incorporated before you add the next. Mix until just combined.
8. Mix in vanilla, sour cream and oil until just combined.
9. With the mixer going, add the dry ingredient mixture in 3 portions, mixing just until incorporated each time.
10. Mix in water until just combined.
11. Fill cupcake liners until 2/3 full. (Since I had higher "tulip" liners, I filled them a little more.)
12. Check for doneness at 18 minutes. I ended up needing an extra 10 minutes, because I made mine bigger. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
13. Take cupcakes out of the tin, place them on a cooling rack, and wait until they completely cool before trying to frost them.

(Makes 12-15, depending on size.)



As a bonus, here is my current favorite chocolate buttercream frosting:

Frosting:
- 3/4 cup room temperature butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 2 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbs sweet and condensed milk
- about 4 tbs hot chocolate mix (like Nesquick)

The frosting was just the right amount for the cupcakes. Perfection.

I baked these to celebrate our son's first goal in soccer, and let me tell ya - I won all the mom points that day! Delicious!





Monday, September 30, 2019

Soča Valley Family Photos



































Photographer: Happy Moments

Outfits:
Women's Dress: Mango
Men's Shirt: Banana Republic
Boy's Shirt: Petit Bateau
Boy's Shoes: Target (Honestly, I'd buy this shoe in every size.)
Girl's Dress and shoes: Zara