Alton Browns Food Network Overnight Cinnamon Buns

Do you like my buns?

 After doing a lot of research online on a Cinnamon bun recipe I stumbled across this one on the Food Network website, I instantly got stucked in by the good reviews and the 5 star status. However this recipe takes a lot of work and patience but I do think its worth it, Needless to say make sure you follow the recipe exactly step by step and use the correct ingredients if you want the correct results. Please follow the link to get the recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/overnight-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/index.html

Sugar, Spice and all things nice...

Posh Parma Ham, Halloumi And Strawberry Salad With Fresh Mint Vinaigrette

Hi Guys and Gals, I just wanted to share a quick post to you about this great little recipe. I made it last night for dinner and I have to say its really really good! Hands down the nicest salad I've ever had in fact!

The contrast of different flavours and textures really works! The saltiness from the ham, the pepperiness from the watercress, the sweetness from the strawberries and the freshness from the mint. Best of all it only takes 5minutes to toss together and looks great!

All you need to do is season the Halloumi and saute it in a pan for a couple of minutes until crisp on both sides. 

To make the vinaigrette just add equal parts of olive oil and white wine or cider vinger then add fresh mint, wholegrain mustard and a little honey. 

Then assemble all the parts together to make a lovely salad. 

Serve with Rustic bread and white wine then enjoy.

Classic American Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't think there is anything quite as satisfying as watching an old movie and eating hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies dunked into a cold glass of milk. That was my Sunday afternoon. On a Monday morning me and my mum go to weight watchers meetings but knowing I had just made these how could I not bring them with me, so I did. When we got there we quickly jumped out of the car into the meeting to get weighed (surprisingly I lost 1 pound!) then we ran back into the car and scoffed the cookies, only to realise a post man had been watching us the whole time, he found it rather funny (Slightly embarrassing to say the least!) that shows how good these really are! But I'm not sure my Weight watchers lady would approve if she found out!

 These cookies are my perfection, Once you try them you will never buy out of the packet ones again! They are soft, chewy and have a lovely fudgey flavour to them. I think the secret of making gorgeous cookies is to under cook them slightly because as they cool down they harden a bit anyway. Also I used my secret ingredient 'Organic Vanilla Paste' which I love to use in most of my baking.

Here's The recipe

Ingredients

250g Plain Four

1/2 Teaspoon Bicarbonate Of Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt 

170g Unsalted Butter, Melted 

200g Dark Brown Soft Muscovado Sugar 

100g Caster Sugar 

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Paste

1 Egg 

1 Egg Yolk 

300g Mixed Chocolate Chips/Chunks

Preheat the oven to 170 C / Gas mark 3. Grease baking trays or line with grease proof paper.

Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Set aside.  

In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter with both sugars until well Incorporated.

 In a separate bowl, mix together the vanilla, egg and egg yolk and add the mixture to the butter and sugar and mix well.

The good stuff!

 Mix in the sifted flour, bicarb of soda and salt until just blended. 

 Stir in the chocolate using a wooden spoon. 

Ummm Cookie Dough!

Place cookie dough onto the prepared baking trays, I find that flattening the dough helps them to bake evenly and gives them a more perfect shape. Cookies should be spread widely apart on the tray.  

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes on the middle shelf in the preheated oven, until golden brown.
 

Slow Cooked French Onion Soup With Giant Garlic And Gruyere Croutons

Slow Cooked French Onion Soup, With Giant Garlic and Gruyere Croutons!

This soup really is a delight to eat and is the ideal winter warmer.There is just something comforting about slow the cooking the onions until they turn all soft and gooey and I love the wonderful aroma it fills the house with. I discovered this recipe whilst in France when I was younger, I haven't made it in a while however it tastes just like I remember. 

This recipe easily feeds 4-6 people and is a meal in itself - A messy meal (you might need to wear a bib!)

For The Soup

1.5kg (Approx. 6 large) Fresh White Onions, Sliced

1 litre of very good quality Fresh Beef Stock

50g Butter
Olive Oil

2 Tbs Brown Sugar

75ml Sherry 

Fresh Sage and Thyme

1 Crushed Clove of Garlic

Salt and Pepper

For The Croutons

1/2 Rustic French Baguette, thickly sliced

50g Butter

1 Crushed clove of garlic

Gruyere Cheese, finely grated

To Serve-optional

Sage Leaves

Creme Fraiche

To start, Melt the butter and oil in a large pan. Add the sliced onions, Fresh Sage and Season well with salt and pepper. Cover and leave to gently cook on a low heat until the onions are soft and caramelised  (This can take a while so be patient-its worth it. The lower the slower the better!)

Next add the brown sugar this brings out the sweetness and gives The onions more colour. Pour in the Beef stock, Sherry, Thyme and Garlic.  

Cover and leave to simmer.

Meanwhile get started on the croutons

Start by melting the crushed onions and butter together. Place the sliced baguette pieces on a baking tray and brush the butter mixture on top. Add a generous handful of grated cheese on top and grill them for a couple on minutes until they are lightly golden and crisp.

Assemble the soup in suitable bowls, serve with creme fraiche and extra cheese & garnish with sage and tuck in! 
 

Foodie Loubie's First Ever Post!

Well here it goes or shall I say here I go! After months (OK years) of deliberation I have decided to take the plunge and create my own food blog. I aim to share my passion and wisdom with you guys. Let me introduce myself I'm Louise (AKA Foodie Loubie) I am in my mid twenties, I live with my long term boyfriend ( AKA Mr Foodie Loubie) I am a full time Beauty Therapist working in a very busy salon in Worthing West Sussex and in my spare time I love to try new places to eat, attending foodie events and most of all I love to look busy (or stressed) in my little and sometimes (VERY) messy kitchen! 

Please keep coming back to keep updated with all my latest recipes, food trends, kitchen disasters and restaurant reviews! Lou XxX