Showing posts with label SYRUP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SYRUP. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Buttermilk Syrup with Coconut Oil



Buttermilk syrup is the unsurpassed champion of all breakfast toppings. This sounds like an opinion, but it is, in fact, FACT.  And it is most definitely NOT on my no-refined-sugar diet I am doing Monday through Saturday.  Sunday, however....

I decided waffles were in order Sunday morning, and I realized we were out of maple syrup. Then, I had the idea of making some buttermilk syrup. Since we are trying to eat healthier, I decided to try making the syrup a bit better for us--definitely not into a diet food--but with more redeeming value.

Most recipes for buttermilk syrup call for butter, sugar, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla (some call for corn syrup as well).  I used a combination of coconut oil and butter; and I used less sugar and more buttermilk than many recipes you may have seen.

As a side note: I have bought this and other brands, and Kirkland Organic Coconut Oil (found at Costco or online) is my favorite. It is unrefined, so the coconut scent is evident, but only very slightly. It is hard at room temperature, but not so hard I have to chisel it out of the jar.  It leaves a fresh feeling in your mouth if you taste it by itself--unlike the icky coating that lower-quality oils seem to leave. 

The recipe I came up with was a HUGE winner! It has the decadent flavor that you expect from a buttermilk syrup, but not the burn-your-throat caramel-like richness of traditional buttermilk syrup that can quickly take over all other flavors. This syrup complimented the waffle taste, instead of covering it. It will be my new go-to homemade syrup! I can't wait to serve it again!


Buttermilk Syrup with Coconut Oil
Serves 8-10

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/8 tsp salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
1. In a medium-large sauce pan, melt butter, coconut oil, and sugar over medium-low heat. Stir in buttermilk and salt. Turn up heat to medium and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Mixture will begin to foam. Stir well. 
3. Serve hot or warm over pancakes, waffles, or french toast. Mixture is thin, but thickens when it cools. Store in a covered mason jar in the refrigerator. Re-heat for future use. 





Monday, July 7, 2014

Maplewood Salad


Last week we visited family out-of-state (and had a blast!). 
My mom and 5 of my 6 sisters were there, so inevitably we spent some time in the kitchen. 
One of my sisters reminded me of my Maplewood Salad, and suggested I do a blog post on it.  

I came up with this recipe about 4 years ago. I think it was one of those "necessity is the mother of invention" things that often comes about when you create a dish out of whatever you have on hand.   It was an instant hit, and I even submitted it to an online recipe contest sponsored by Dole, where it was a finalist. 

What makes this salad unique is the perfect sweet-salty combination that is the result of toasted, salted pecans and a dressing that includes maple syrup! The addition of crunchy celery, sweetened dried cranberries, and salty mozzarella creates a truly delicious salad experience that is always a crowd-pleaser.

Here is the ingredient round-up. I have swapped toasted, salted sunflower seeds for the pecans in the past, which is yummy as well. 

Chop your pecans roughly.  I wanted to show this so you knew not to have too small pecan pieces.

Heat oven to 350°.  Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. Spread the pecans on the pan, then spray the pecans with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with sea salt.

Chop celery to about the same size as the pecans.

Put salad greens, celery, cheese, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans in a salad bowl.

This is the big secret ingredient that "makes" this salad--the maple dressing.  Whisk together 1/4 cup mayonaise with 1/4 cup of maple syrup. 

Toss and serve! I love it when salads are yummy AND pretty!


Maplewood Salad 
Serves 8

Ingredients:
6-8oz green salad mix (Baby Spinach, Romaine, Arugula, etc)
1/2 cup pecan halves
Cooking Spray
Sea Salt
2 stalks of celery
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup mayonaise
1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°.  
2. Put salad mix in a large salad bowl.
3. Roughly chop pecan halves. They should be in pieces approximately 1/3 the size of a pecan half.
4. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Spread chopped pecans on the baking sheet, then spray cooking spray over the top of the pecans. Sprinkle with sea salt.
5. Bake 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
6. Chop celery into pieces about the same size as the pecan pieces.
7. Toss cooled pecans, celery, cranberries, and cheese with the salad mix.
8. In a small bowl or measuring dish, whisk the mayonaise and syrup together until well incorporated.  Pour over salad mix and toss to coat. Serve immediately.



This post is partying at: