Warm Winter Wonder & Thai Chicken-Coconut Curry

 

It's was a cool, cloudy morning.  I woke up and lit some new candles to make things cozy as I got my first cup of coffee.

 

 

 After I put my Christmas away, I decided to leave out some snowmen and winter greenery at least for the next few weeks!  While I really like for there to be less clutter and to reorganize things at the beginning of the year, I think it's fun to have out some cute cold weather decor to brighten the house on these dark days.

 

 

 I really love this picture that my hubby and I took of us 3 years ago on a very snowy day!  I keep it in this frame my parents gave us a couple of years ago and put it out every winter!

 

 

 I decorated my large shelves that I usually have trouble knowing what to fill with.  They're so tall and deep and, well, awkward!  I kept things fun and simple here, and I like how it's turned out.  I just need a little candle to bring life to my old lantern!

 

 

 This is one of my favorite pillows!  With red and cream plaid and homemade looking snowmen, it's just so country cozy!   It's like the sweet snowmen are giving a winter greeting to those in the room!

 

This pillow a Christmas gift from Mom a couple years ago. 

 

 

You know, I welcome every change of season and each new holiday as they come.  Like I've shared before, I look for and find the joy in them all!  I know that January in my part of the country isn't a time to be outside to garden, grill, or relax on the patio, so I think it's that much more important to keep inside my home a place where we love being.  Just with the help of a few simple things like having yummy candles lit, the fireplace cracklin, new books on hand to read and a well stocked pantry for new recipes or a batch of cookies on the fly, it's easy to be inside!!!

 

One of my favorite things about winter is that it's quite okay to have sparkly lights here and there to give a warm glow inside the house.  I decided to keep out this sparkly sprig that's so pretty, especially at night!

 

 

 

Another favorite photo of us with our best friends in front of the Louvre in Paris!  I think it's appropriate to keep in this Parisian frame by the Eiffel Tower.

 

Oh!  How I wish to go back some day....

 

 

 

Underneath the shelving I keep a big basket --I love this basket!--with snugly throws and blankets in year round.  We love curling up around here under soft throws, and we have them everywhere!  I have my favorite one kept on the couch.  This new grey one is Mr. Cozy's and it's incredibly soft!!  (Haha, we "claim" certain ones as our own, although I did give him this one!) As you may remember, the quilt here is a family heirloom. :)

 

 

Last night for supper I made some delicious chicken & coconut curry filled with tender chicken breasts, sweet basil, red and orange bell pepper and broccoli.  We LOVE Thai food, and this is one of our favorites.  I thought I'd surprised my husband by making it since I rarely cook Thai at home.  This recipe is extra simple because it uses ready made red curry paste that you can find any almost any grocery in the Asian food.  This mixed with succulent (light) coconut milk makes a creamy base for this recipe.

 

Last night on Facebook I mentioned that I was cooking it and posted a picture and there was quite a response for the recipe.  Because this picture was a quick one taken with my phone, it's not "styled" the way I like to present my food on the blog, but I want to share with recipe with you all anyways! This is a wonderfully easy recipe for anyone who loves Chinese or Thai food!   

( I have another Thai recipe, Thai Chicken & Mango Curry, that I posted a while back that you should check out, too!) 

 

Perfect on a winter night, we ate a bowl of this over some whole grain Jasmine rice to satisfy our body and give a little comfort to the soul. :)

 

 

 

Chicken Coconut Curry or Kai Kang Dang

Slightly adapted from Allrecipes.com

 

1 can coconut milk

1 heaping Tbsp. red curry paste

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 in. pieces

2-3 Tbsp. fish sauce

1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1/3 c. Red Onion, sliced thinly

1/2 Red Bell Pepper, chopped

1/2 Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped

1 1/2 c. ( or 1 medium head) Broccoli

3/4 c. Fresh Basil Leaves, torn

1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Squeeze of 1/2 Lime

 

Before I proceed with the recipe, note a few things:

  You can add more coconut milk if you want more soup to your curry.  If you do this, you'll probably want to add more curry paste.  Also, I added a few dashes of reduced sodium soy sauce and didn't put in quite as much brown sugar.   Add whatever vegetable you love in this kind of food, like carrots, snow peas or bamboo shoots.  Feel free to play around with the recipe like I do.

 

 

Bring 1/4 can of the coconut milk to a simmer and whisk in the red curry paste in a heavy bottomed pot.  Cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. 

 

Add the chopped chicken and cook until slightly golden or at least cooked just on the outside, about 5 minutes. 

 

Stir in the rest of the coconut milk,vegetables, fish sauce, sugar, cayenne pepper and basil leaves.  Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 

 

Pour lime juice over the dish and remove from heat.  Serve warm over rice.  Deliciousness!

 

 

I'm linking up with friends at:

 

Patti's 1880s Settlement Sawdust Pie

(Don't you want a piece??)

This incredible slice of Sawdust Pie, is from a favorite local restaurant that is known for their over-the-top seasonal decor, 2 in. pork chops, "mile high" meringue pies and I also think their sawdust pie!   This beloved eatery is Patti's 1880's Settlement in the small yet charming, lakeside town of Grand Rivers, Ky.  

I've had this recipe for a few years now and every time I make it I remember just how good this pie really is!          

Being filled with graham cracker crumbs, coconut and pecans with a mound of fresh whipped cream and sliced bananas, this pie is good for a decadent breakfast or delicious dessert!  I tend to think of it more in the fall, but it's warm flavors are always welcome in my tummy. :)

Patti's (as us locals call it) is known for their amazing Christmas decor!  My Grandmother and I recently went there as tradition for her birthday, and they had the Christmas up and decorated it's all it's glory!  This is just a glimpse of some of the decor over the window in just one of the many rooms. I think the theme in this room was the nativity scene.

My Grandmother and I have always been very close.  She means so much to me and I love that she wanted to spend her birthday celebration at Patti's just the two of us!    

It was a day of fun!  The food (my delicious Kentucky Hot Brown with homemade potato chips and sawdust pie), the gifts, the Christmas atmosphere, all the chatting and laughing, and most importantly the company made this day one I won't forget.  I just had to share a piece of it with you!

If you live too far away to visit Patti's, then you should at least make this incredible Sawdust Pie!!!

Patti's 1880s Settlement Sawdust Pie

7 egg whites, whipped 

Add

1 1/2 c. pecans

1 1/2 c. sweetened coconut

1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 c. sugar

Did I mention this is so easy to make?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mix all together well.  

Pour into 9 in. deep pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  

When cool, top with whipped cream and freshly sliced bananas.  (Both are a must!)

Enjoy!

I'm linking up with:

A Basket Full of Coconut Macaroons

Saturday night we went over to a good friend's house for a fun night of good home cooked food, movie and games.  The food was amazing!--smoked brisket, cornbread filled with an ear of fresh corn and cheddar cheese, baked beans, pasta salad, and roasted garden squash!  What a good summer meal!  I was asked to bring some cookies for dessert.  My sea salt double chocolate chip cookies were requested, and my husband suggested coconut macaroons!  We had all of the ingredients for them, and they are so easy  to make and coco"nutty" delicious!  (We love some coconut!)  I filled a cute pie basket full of cookies to share with our friends!  

Mr. Cozy actually helped make these...he's very handy in the kitchen...and they turned out beautiful. They are gooey, even creamy in the center, and a bit crisp on the bottom, while being loaded through and through with coconut!  I like how the top get toasted for that yummy intense coconut flavor.  For my Cookies and Cocoa Christmas party last year I made these, and drizzled some with melted chocolate!  We wanted to do the same this time around, but we had to run out the door right after these came out of the oven.  Hot and ooey gooey!  With only a handful of ingredients, these cookies take no time make, and seriously, no time before they're gone!  

Thanks to my Honey for helping me make these cookies.  They were perfect!!

(Oh, and thanks to Sarah and Jordan for good meal and fun time over the weekend. :) 

Coconut Macaroons

(Barefoot Contessa recipe)

14 oz. sweetened shredded coconut

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

(You can also use low-fat or fat-free)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 extra large egg whites, at room temperature

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine coconut, condensed milk and vanilla in a large bowl.  Whip egg whites and salt in a large bowl until reaching medium-firm peaks.  Carefully fold in whipped egg whites into coconut mixture.

Drop about tablespoon sized balls of batter onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.  (Check at 25 minutes.)  Serve warm or cool.

Makes 20-22 cookies.

I'm linking up with:

Irresistable Tropical Pineapple & Coconut Bars

This is a Paula Deen dessert recipe.

That is all I should have to say!

I came across this recipe in an older Paula Deen magazine, and I immediately knew by the picture that these bars would be mouthwateringly d'lish!  Every single Paula Deen dessert I've made has been unbelieveably good!!  (Here's my favorite cookbook of hers.)

I quickly made the decision that this would be the dessert to make for a visit from my wonderful mom and sis!  We were not dissapointed--these are amazing!  Gooey, chewy and sweet pinapple in the middle that's sandwiched between a crumbly coconut shortbread-like crust and a toasted coconut topping. (!!!) 

These are seriously yummy! :)  We nibbled on these bars all afternoon.  I mean we could've skipped the fried chicken dinner, I made, for these pineapple and coconut bars if that tells you how good these really are! (Trust me fried chicken is a rare treat for us.) 

Yes, we kind of splurged on Saturday.  Although I did also make a yummy, fresh from the Farmer's Market salad with heirloom tomatoes, avocado and mozzarella tossed in a olive oil vinagrette that was light and tasty!  I'll have to make it again and tell you guys more about it...

Please make these if you like coconut or pineapple even a little bit, because they will become one of your favorite desserts to make!  Easy and good, how does it get better than that?  Frost some milk glasses and you'll be ready to sit down for a treat with some tropical pineapple & coconut bars!

Tropical Pineapple and Coconut Bars

3 1/2 c. all purpose flour, divided

1 c. sweetened flaked coconut

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 c. butter, divided

1 c. sugar

3 large eggs

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained well

Garnish: toasted flaked coconut *Must*

Preheart oven to 350.  Lightly grease a 13x9 in. baking pan.

In a large bowl, combie 2 1/2 c. flour, coconut, brown sugar and baking soda.  

Using a pastry blender, cut 1/2 c. butter until mixture is crumbly. 

Reserve 1 c. crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, beat remaining 1/2 c. butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixture until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in remaining 1 c. flour.

Stir in pineapple.

Spread mixture over baked layer.

Sprinkle evenly with remaining crumb mixture.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted somes out clean.

Add the delicious toasted coconut to the top and allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Eat and be merry. :)

I'm linking up with:

(Remix!) Toasted Coconut covered Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are a remix of the delicious Sea Salt Double Chocolate Chip Cookies I posted about a couple of months ago!  

We hosted an ice cream social at our house last Friday night, and I had to have some cookies to go along with the ice cream.  So I thought I'd make some yummy chocolate chip cookies but instead of just baking them off as normal, I rolled the dough in coconut for a tropical twist--they were so good!  The coconut toasts up in the oven and gets a little crispy around the soft cookie as it bakes.  This is just a fun way to spruce up your cookies!  Originally I really wanted to dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate and then in toasted coconut (after baked and cooled), but because I was running behind on the time I just decided to roll them in the sweetened coconut before baking them off golden brown!  Well, I'll just have to try my other idea another time.

You can be so creative with a simple cookie recipe.  There are so many ways to remix your favorite cookie, depending on the add in, what you drizzle over, or roll it in.  I love this part of baking--the creative part--almost as much as the eating part!  Try these if you want something slightly different while keeping the good ole familiar taste of a gooey chocolate chip cookie.

I'm linking up with: