Diva Delight

Who isn't getting excited about all the holiday fun that is about to be upon us! I love all the family, food and fun that encompasses the holiday season. In the December Glamour issue, I came across a great article about the 31 days of giving. It's a great way to start off the season of giving and thankfulness! Some suggestions won't even cost you a thing except your time.

Bread Baker's Challenge: Recipe 4

Note: Just noticed this post never went up! In the words of Homer Simpson, D'oh! Read on for more bread goodness!

With week 4 of The Bread Baker's Challenge safely tucked under my divalcious kitchen apron,I'm starting to feel like a bonafide baker. This challenge has really helped me with the fundamentals/techniques of bread baking. I've learned the importance of letting your starter/sponge sit over night to intensify the bread's flavors and creating a steam filled environment for the early stages of baking. While I might not lust after every recipe in this book, I definitely have found a few new favorites. I never would've guessed that I would make yummy bagels of my own. (Diva Note: I promise to update you once I make Cheddar Jalapeno bagels...mmm).

This week I tested brioche, which was as buttery and flaky as promised. The recipe made enough for 3 loaves, so I made 2 traditional white loaves and 1 cinnamon sugar swirl loaf. All breads were very tasty, but I'm more into texture (like the anadama) and less into the buttery/flakiness of the traditional loaf. The real winner was the cinnamon sugar loaf, which is an absolutely salacious start to cinnamon rolls. (Diva Note: I'll be tackling cinnamon rolls in a few weeks. MMM I can't wait).

Next Up: I've decided to venture off course and hit my second favorite bread, the English Muffin! I can just taste the breakfast sammies that I'll make with these.

Smoking Hot

We had a delicious BBQ at Casa Diva over the weekend and oh man did Mr. Diva deliver! He smoked up a fabulous pork shoulder while the rest of us provided some killer sides: Gouda Grits (below), Spinach Balls, Artichoke Dip and Pumpkin Dessert Squares to name a few. Next up for the smoker: Thanksgiving Turkey!

Grits

1 c quick grits

2 c Gouda cheese (or sub your fav cheese)

1 c sour cream

3 eggs

1 stick butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Cook grits on stove top. Once cooked, add all the other ingredients and stir until melted. Pour into baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes.

The Burrito has landed...almost!

Chipotle West End is set for an official opening on Friday and of course, everyone, all two of us, here at Casa Diva is thrilled. Even more exciting is the fact that this Chipotle is offering free burritos from 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. It really doesn't get much better than that!

Diva Updates

A few updates from the Diva:

1. I'm really wanting to give Thomas a run for their money, but I'm just not there yet! I'm 2 batches in on the BBA's English Muffins, but still feel like they need a little work. I'm hoping to try a 3rd batch, which will include delectable honey, a little later this week. I'm so ready to scream VICTORY! If you're close to Casa Diva, feel free to stop by and weigh in on the current batch.

2. Mr. Diva hit the smoker this past weekend to raving reviews. If you're lucky, I might just post a few pics from the experience as well as some tasty side dishes that were served up!

3. Finally, a little plug. I'm working on a fabulous new Nashville-based website, Glossed and Found. Please check us out if you haven't and feel free to follow us on twitter, @gfnashville.

Diva Delight: Red Stamp

It seems these days there is always someone getting married, having a baby or just needing to celebrate themselves. I have absolutely no problem with that and love any reason to toast my diva-rifc friends. Earlier this summer, I stumbled upon the folks at Red Stamp, who offer amazing customer service and fun products. I always get rave reviews from fellow party goers. Who doesn't love that! Check them out the next time you need to be stylize your posts and tell them the Diva sent ya!

Bread Baker's Challenge: Recipe 3

As many of you know, I'm a big time fan of cream cheese and anything that goes with it. It should come as no surprise that I heart bagels. My all time favorite is the Asiago Cheese at Panera. I just love the cheesy goodness slathered with loads of cream cheese. Well this week's bread challenge recipe didn't disappoint. The challenge was to make a plain white bagel, but I veered slightly off course with cinnamon raisin bagels. I'm a big fan of using golden raisins in lieu of the brown shrunken kind. They just plump up better and plump they did with this recipe. These holes of bread genius were great plain or with cream cheese. Next time, I'm going to try and get the exterior a little more crisp, but other than that they were a hit! I've also found an alternative recipe: Jalapeno Cheddar, so watch for that update. Up next: Brioche!

Side note: Mr. Diva was off with the camera, so sadly, you'll just have to take my word that these looked and tasted delicious!