Pesto Mac N Cheese with Italian Sausage

Who doesn't love pesto? (If you're one of them...just don't tell me and we'll remain friends). Every summer, I have mounds of fresh basil from my herb garden that beg to be made into pesto. If you need a recipe, here's mine: Garlic and Basil Pesto

I fill some jars for friends and myself, I then freeze some in ice cube trays (later place in freezer bags) and store it all in freezer, giving me a complete supply for the year.  Besides using it as the usual spread and enjoying it straight up with pasta...what are some ways you enjoy pesto?

I decided to spice up my mac n cheese the other night. This idea was born at the grocery store as I was literally pacing the meat department, trying to spot something that would spark some interest with my taste buds. Italian sausage caught my eye....and a delicious dish was thus born.

Pesto Mac N Cheese with Italian Sausage
Printable Version

8 oz cooked pasta (you want to use something with ridges or holes. I used Riccioli)
8 oz crumbled and cooked Italian sausage (I used hot Italian sausage)
2 TB butter
2 TB all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups half and half or milk (a bit more if sauce is too thick)
1/2 cup garlic and basil pesto
Salt and pepper to taste
4 oz muenster cheese, shredded
4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese,shredded (or more if desired) for topping

Preheat the oven to 375' F. Spray a 1.5 quart oven safe dish with cooking spray. Pour the cooked pasta and the cooked sausage into the dish. Stir to combine and set aside.

In a sauce pan, melt the butter over a medium low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for a few minutes. Don't let the flour get too brown. Slowly whisk in the half and half (or milk if that's what you're using). Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens. Don't let this happen too quickly...you want to cook out the flour taste. Add the pesto, muenster and mozzarella cheeses and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the sauce over your pasta and sausage, stir just a bit to make sure it's everywhere. Top with Parmesan cheese

Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned on top. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. 

This dish can easily be doubled and is sure to please any pesto lover! It's satisfying, flavorful and is bound to ease that oohie-gooie cheese craving that strikes every now and then. 

While you're here....don't forget to enter for your chance to win 1 of 3 

$100 Gift Certificates 

that we're giving away. Check out my previous post for details: 

Homemade Coffee Liqueur for #HandcraftedHolidays 

Homemade Coffee Liqueur for #HandcraftedHolidays

Once upon a time...long, long ago (in a land not so far away)....during a time when I tried so hard to hang onto Santa Clause (well beyond the norm), I remember my aunt giving gifts to the adults that I wasn't allowed to enjoy. She made homemade coffee liqueur.

When no one was looking, I'd sneak a sip here and there....and then again. It tasted so good! My parents would save it for special occasions and that tempting bottle would be in the cupboard for months.

Thus started my love affair with Kahlua.

As an adult, I have always wanted to try my hand at making coffee liqueur. My aunt refused to share her recipe and has now lost it (the recipe, not her mind). I found myself on my own and a bit intimidated.

I was invited to participate in this fun little Handcrafted Holidays round-up, where I got to choose whatever kind of container I wanted and make whatever I wanted to go inside. This was the push I needed to get me feet wet in making coffee liqueur. The hardest part was choosing the container. Freund Container has some really beautiful bottles and jars and just about any kind of container you could possibly need. And they have a lot to choose from.

After searching and looking, you can see I made a beautiful choice. I fell in love with the Clear Glass Art Deco Bottle, Corked. It's festive, fun, and just the perfect size I needed.

Next came the recipe. There are a lot of them out there. Some use a vodka base. Some use a rum base, while others use Everclear. As I researched and compensated and altered...and finally produced, I discovered that coffee liqueur is flexible. The original recipe I had planned didn't quite do it for me. That's when I grabbed the bottle of Kahlua out of the cupboard and started sipping and comparing.

Maybe not such a good idea. For two reasons. One...replicating Kahlua is a high standard to reach, but it helps guide you in the right direction. Two...well, after so many sips back and forth, it's bound to affect you.

You can be the judge on whether or not it's a good idea.

Anyways, I added, altered and changed up as I went...all for the better in the end. And once the finished product was placed in my new beautiful jars...ooooh, I got so excited! I can't wait to hand these out as gifts.

Homemade Coffee Liqueur
Printable Version

1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups water
6 cups espresso (I used instant)
4 TB instant espresso powder
3 cups vodka
3 cups dark rum
3 TB vanilla extract
8oz piloncillo (or brown sugar if you don't have access to piloncillo)

In a small saucepan, combine the white sugar and water. While stirring, bring to a boil. Continue to stir and boil until it begins to thicken and caramelize (this could take several minutes). Combine hot espresso, the espresso powder and the caramelized simple syrup. Stir.

If the espresso isn't hot, don't reheat it....just pour in the caramelized simple syrup anyway. It'll harden instantly

And will look all pretty in a weird sort of way...and it might concern you. But don't worry. Drop it back in and it will slowly dissolve.

Add in the remaining ingredients, including the solid hard mass of piloncillo. It too will melt. In time.

Just stir occasionally and check on it. Not because it needs to be checked on, but it goes through a pretty cool transformation.

Once everything has melted all together, pour your newly made coffee liqueur in your beautiful bottles. Tie a bow around the neck and you have yourself one impressive, sure to please holiday gift.

I mentioned that this is part of a Handcrafted Holiday round-up. Below are the links to several gift ideas for the upcoming season. With the holidays upon us, if you're looking for that special gift that speaks volumes because it was handmade by you....this is the perfect place to start!

Handcrafted Holiday ideas for making gifts from your kitchen using products from Freund Container:

Candy Cookies in a Jar from Alida's Kitchen 

Chai Tea Blend from Curious Cuisiniere 

Flavored Sea Salts {DIY} from girlichef 

Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake 

Homemade Coffee Liqueur from Cooking for My Peace of Mind 

Homemade Crunchy Granola from Magnolia Days 

Homemade Flavored Simple Syrups from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 

Homemade Mexican Hot Sauce from Juanita's Cocina 

Homemade Steak Sauce from The View from Great Island 

And to make the gift making and giving season even better.....We are giving away gift certificates!!! Three....$100 GIFT CERTIFICATES to be exact! Tell me, in a comment, which Freund container you would love to use, and what you would make to put it in. Then take advantage of all the different ways you can enter more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is for three $100 gift certificate to Freund Container & Supply. Gift certificate will expire on February 28, 2014. Gift certificate is a one-time use certificate and must be used in its entirety; any leftover monies on the gift certificate will be forfeited. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. However, it should be noted that due to current International shipping rates, any Canadian winners will pay higher shipping costs for orders. This giveaway will run from Friday November 22, 2013 through Saturday November 30, 2013 (11:59 pm ET).  Winner will be notified within 48 hours of the close of this contest, and given 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.


Freund Container & Supply has been helping build businesses since 1938 as the largest distributor of glass bottles, containers and wholesale packaging supplies online. Freund offers over 5,000 items in stock every day, 98% same day shipping and low-price guarantees. Take a look at
Freund’s wide selection of jars, tins, bottles and vials for all your crafting and food related needs!

I was not compensated for this post, however Freund Container supplied me with a case of jars/bottles for making this project.  They are also supplying the gift certificates for the giveaway.  All opinions are my own.

Blueberry Freezer Jam with Rosemary and Shiraz

For the past week I've had 'blueberry' on the brain.

Not because they're so good for you. Not because they contain antioxidants. Not because they're loaded with vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. And the fact that they're low in fat and calories and are just so dang tasty, has nothing to do with why blueberries have been on my mind either. I buy them every week so whats so special now?

Well, ever since I attended A Very Blueberry Thanksgiving last weekend, I can't stop thinking about these Little Blue Dynamos.

So I decided to hit the kitchen and make something that was meant to last. Longer than a side dish or a smoothie.

Freezer jam!!  I'm a huge fan of freezer jam. Not only is it easy but it's worry free (no concern about canning and lids sealing or the chance of botulism). And the fresh fruit flavor in freezer jams just can't be beat. That's right..fresh fruit as in....not cooked. There is a very different flavor going on between canned jams and freezer jams. I'm not saying canned jams aren't good. I'm just saying....they're different.

Speaking about 'different flavors going on'...are you wondering about the rosemary aspect here? Believe it or not, rosemary could quit possibly be blueberry's new best friend. (Sorry lemon, make room for a new member of the group). Lemon still has it job as "flavor brightener" but rosemary adds a new dimension and depth, and it's a mutual experience. Blueberry helps define the sweetness of rosemary and the rosemary balances the tang of the blueberry while adding this almost.....I dunno...cocktail, mixology level. Peppery, sweet, sappy, yet sill all blueberry. It's just delightful!

Btw...this jam is all grown up. Not only is it packing some earthy sweetness, but it's packing vino. Shiraz to be more specific.

Sorry kids, but this batch will not be found with the peanut butter in your lunch pails.

Blueberry Freezer Jam with Rosemary and Shiraz
Makes about 7 8oz jars of jam

Prepare 7 or 8 8oz jars and lids for canning by cleaning, then rinsing with boiling water and drying thoroughly.

3 cups frozen blueberries, thawed
5 1/4 cups white sugar
zest from 2 lemons
1 pack of pectin
3/4 cup Shiraz wine
Leaves from 1 4" fresh rosemary stem, minced

In a food processor or blender, pulse the blueberries 3 or 4 times, just enough to break them up without pureeing. If you do not have a blender or food processor, you can mash them with a potato masher. You might have more obvious pieces of blueberry skin as a result.

In a large bowl, combine the 'mashed' blueberries, sugar, and lemon zest. Allow to sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a small saucepan, combine the pectin, wine and minced rosemary. Heat over high heat, bringing to a boil while stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute, or until pectin has dissolved. You will notice the pectin mixture turn a foamy pink. Keep going...it'll quickly become a beautiful clear, deep red.

Add the pectin mixture to the blueberry mixture and stir for 3 minutes.

Fill your prepared jars to about 1/2 below the rim. Clean up anything that may have spilled on the rim or the sides. Cover with lids and allow to rest out on the counter for 24 hours.

Once set, store in the freezer for up to a year. After a jar has been opened, keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks.

If you can put the spoon down and stop eating it as is for just a minute, try it over a block of cream cheese, smeared all over a slice of fresh baked bread. If you're inclined to share, you might want to present this at your next party. The holidays are just around the corner. Then send your guests home with their own jar.

For more information and recipes, visit the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and see what all the buzz is about Little Blue Dynamos.

A Very Blueberry Thanksgiving

It works. Blueberries with your Thanksgiving feast. I swear! If you're not much of a cranberry fan, then go for the little blue dynamos! If you LOVE blueberries, then just do it! You get that slight tartness with a little sweet, of course, but blueberries also work in savory dishes.

I promise!

Until yesterday, I had no idea that blueberries were so versatile.

I attended A Very Blueberry Thanksgiving luncheon with Food Bloggers of Los Angeles, hosted by Erika of In Erika's Kitchen, sponsored by Blueberry Council and Rioja Wines.

Every dish had blueberries in it, from the appetizers to the main course and last but not least, the dessert. The courses were magnificently paired with 6 different Rioja Wine varieties.

One thing that stuck in my head, as I listened to the Little Blue Dynamos guys talk about blueberries, was the quality of produce that comes from Chile. For some reason I have always thought that imported produce wasn't as regulated as domestic. Well, Chile is an "export powerhouse" and in order to sustain that, they need to maintain a high level of quality and safety standards. Not just US standards but also Canadian, South Korean and European, just to name a few. What that means is the quality is just as good, if not better than what we get domestically. And since their harvesting time is opposite of ours (due to that south of the equator thing) we have the benefits of obtaining various fresh fruits during our winter months.

Our Rioja Wine representative had so much to say (and I realize even more, how little I know about wine). I thoroughly enjoyed each selection that was presented (I even won a bottle!). Here's a nice little tip: if you have a bottle of wine and the tannin is just a little too strong for you, place the bottle in the fridge for about 15 minutes or so and the flavor will soften and you'll have a nice smooth wine to enjoy.

If you follow me on Instagram (PeacefulCooking), twitter (ImStuffed) or facebook (Peaceful Cooking) you will have seen previews of the following amazingly delicious dishes on Sunday. All of which contained blueberries. Every single dish was fantastic. I'm going to share photos and links to the recipes since there are several, rather than make this post 2 miles longs (instead of just 1 mile).

First up we had.... 

Pre-feast nibbles:
Paired with Muga Blanco 2012

Mashed Potato Pops with Blueberry "Not Ketchup"
Printable Recipe

These little pop-in-your-mouth morsels were very good with that little crispy-crunch on the outside. But what made them beyond good, was the Blueberry "Not Ketchup"! Seriously people, you have to try it. It's not too sweet, very smooth with a slight tang. If it were socially acceptable, I would've been eating the dip with those skewers once the potato balls was gone. It's that good!

Pumpkin Soup Shooters with Dried Blueberry Dust
Printable Recipe

Light, subtle flavors, not too thick or heavy. Just enough to keep you from fainting due to starvation while waiting for the big meal! (you know how it is....you don't eat all day because you want to save your appetite) Adding the fun little dusting of blueberries gives this soup shooter that special festive touch.

First Course:
Paired with: Cune Rosado 2012

Butternut Squash Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Printable Recipe

Oh my goodness! This is one dish I wish I had taken more of. And a definite addition to my table this year! I'm not much of a salad person but when the flavors and textures blend so wonderfully, I just couldn't help myself. I love this salad. I'm not sure which ingredient won me over...of course the blueberries...but then the pepitas spoke to me....and then...I think the Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette started singing to me. Yes! That's what it was. (Nothing like a private serenade)

Side Dishes
Paired with: Cune Rosado 2012
Vina Herminia Tempranillo 2012
Torre  de Ona Finca San Martin 2010
Conde de Valdemar 2010

Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Dried Blueberries
Printable Recipe

Sweet potato fans...here's your chance to get out from under that sweet potato casserole! Healthy, quick and easy and look how beautiful that is. Talk about back to the basic with a new twist. Delish!!

Pulled Turkey Sliders with Blueberry Chutney
Printable Recipe

This is actually a great idea for turkey leftovers. Or maybe a little something to hold over those football fans until the feast is served. If you're an early Thanksgiving Feast eater...then how about a quick bite before you go to bed. Whatever you choose, it's gonna work. These are easy, delicious and fun to eat!

Blueberry Stuffin' Muffins
Printable Recipe

Baking stuffing in a muffin tin? YES!! Little individual servings and everyone gets the best of both worlds....the moist center and the crunchy top. I'm sure you've seen people add cranberries, apples, grapes..etc to their stuffing. Why not blueberries? This whole dish is ingenious! (and look how cute they'd be next to the Pulled Turkey Sliders above!)

Brussels Sprouts with Blueberry Balsamic Glaze
Printable Recipe

If you struggle to find that vegetable side dish that can stand up to the main course, look no further! Brussels sprouts are roasted in a blueberry balsamic glaze yet they maintain their cabbage like integrity that so many enjoy.

Main Course:
Paired with: Lan Edicion Limitada 2008 (my personal favorite of all the wines offered)

Boneless Roasted Turkey Breast with Blueberry Salsa
Printable Recipe

I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the turkey this was served with but we all know what that looks like. I went back for seconds and all that was left was a little of this salsa....and I was totally fine with that. The combination of blueberry, green apple, and red onions is phenomenal! If you're going to skip the gravy, for whatever reason, then this is the perfect compliment for your turkey.

Last but not least.....

Dessert
Paired with: Blueberry Mulled Cider
Printable Recipe
A lovely refreshing yet comforting cider to finish with. (I don't know why I failed to take a picture. Maybe I drank it before thinking about it)

Pumpkin Blueberry Triffle
Printable Recipe

What a way to end the day! This is truly a delightful dessert. It's not heavy, it's not too sweet. It doesn't make you groan at the end as if you ate so much and wished you hadn't. I should've brought some home though, because now as I'm looking at it, I really want some. It has all the right holiday spices and flavors rolled up in perfect harmony.

If you're looking to switch things up a bit, or introduce a new dish....maybe you have the privilege of enjoying more than one Thanksgiving dinner....the dishes above come highly recommended, by yours truly.

Thank you Blueberry Council and Rioja Wines for sponsoring such a lovely spread.

And Thank you again Erika for a wonderful afternoon, for your hospitality and your expertise in the kitchen!

Curry Butternut Soup

Here's a quick one. Not much story behind it other than I got the recipe from.....

Delicious Disney.

I love soups. I love creamy soups. I especially love squashy creamy soups...and that's why I chose it.

If you can purchase (and eat) Thai Red Curry Paste, then this soup recipe will be a lot quicker than how I made it. Thai Red Curry Paste contains fish sauce and shrimp sauce, which I can't eat. In this case, I made my own. A vegan version. It was easy enough and the ingredients were simple enough but there are a lot of ingredients which made the soup making process longer than it could've been. I'll give you the recipe for the Thai Red Curry Paste at the end.

This soup is delicious. The flavors are strong and subtle at the same time. Smooth yet lasting. Rich and comforting. Each bite brings out a new dimension. I'm eating a bowl of leftovers as I type and the flavors really pop after mingling for a day or two.

Curry Butternut Soup
Printable Version

2 TB butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
Juice from 2 lemons
2 tsp Thai red curry paste
1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
2 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups milk
4 TB sour cream
Fried wonton strips, cilantro and pickled ginger to garnish (optional)

In a large, heavy bottomed pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender (about 5 minutes).

Stir in the cumin, coriander, lemon juice and curry paste. Add the squash and vegetable stock. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.

Puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Return to heat. Stir in the milk and sour cream and heat through without boiling.

Garnish with fried wonton strips, cilantro and pickled ginger.

That simple....and that good!

When reheating, I added a little bit of coconut milk to thin it out....mmmm.

Vegan Thai Red Curry Paste
Inspired by: Thai Food

1 shallot, chopped
2-3 tsp chili sauce
4 garlic cloves
1 thumb sized chunk of fresh ginger, sliced
2 TB ketchup or tomato paste
1 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp pepper
2 TB soy sauce
1 TB Thai Golden Mountain Sauce *
1 tsp sugar
2 TB chili powder
3 TB thick coconut milk
2 TB lime juice

Combine all ingredients and puree.

*I couldn't find Thai Golden Mountain Sauce so I mixed 2 TB soy sauce, 2 TB vegetable stock and 1/4 tsp sugar. (yes, all that and I only used 1 TB of the stuff).

Since I've never tasted real Thai Red Curry Paste, I do not have a comparison as to how close of a substitute this is. All I can say is that the flavor is fantastic!

I'm entering this in the Souper Sunday round-up at Deb's place Kahakai Kitchen Head on over there and see what wonderful soups, salads and sandwiches she's gathered

Arnold Julep starring Owl's Brew

There's a new kid in town. A little mysterious yet familiar. Quite pure but with a wild agenda. And this new wild child just landed on the west coast. 

Owl's Brew. 

Fresh, spicy, fruity, herb-y. Natural, pure...what you see is what you get. Tea, water and agave, micro-brewed specifically for cocktails. 

I recently attended the West Coast Launch of Owl's Brew. The posh Riviera 31 Lounge in the Sofitel Hotel in West Los Angeles was the perfect setting with a cozy outdoor patio, complete with pumpkins, bones, a ouija board.

And cocktails. 

Tea for cocktails. Why not just make your own? Well, this tea is unique in the fact that it's micro-brewed in small batches creating a unique blend of spices, fruits and herbs. The resulting flavor is intense yet pure, giving it the ability to hold it's own when mixed with your favorite alcohol. If I were to try to brew a tea this strong at home, I'd end up with something rather bitter.

Not so with Owl's Brew. 

I was introduced to their 3 blends;

Coco-Lada: Black tea, chai spice, pineapple and coconut. This was paired with vodka and was my personal favorite

Pink and Black: Black tea, strawberries, lemon peel and hibiscus. A very nice blend with beer.

The Classic: English breakfast tea and lemon peel. This is the blend I brought home to play with....

Arnold Julep
Makes 2 drinks

4 oz Bourbon
6 oz Owl's Brew, The Classic
2 oz lemon-lime soda
10 - 15 mint leaves plus more for garnish
1 tsp sugar

In the bottom of a large cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves with the sugar.

Fill the shaker half way with ice. Add the bourbon and Owl's Brew. Shake vigorously for a minute.

Strain into 2 ice filled cocktail glasses. Top off each glass with about an ounce of lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a small prig of mint leaves.

Want another quick one?

Owl's Brew Sangria

Mix equal parts of your choice of Owl's Brew blends and your favorite wine. Add a little simple syrup (to taste) and a splash of club soda.

Voila...instant Sangria!