Whipped Goat Cheese

1/3 c olive oil

3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1/2 T chopped thyme

1 large clove garlic - lightly crushed

8 ounces goat cheese softened

4 ounces cream cheese softened

1 tablespoons honey 

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon sea salt add more to taste

Slicled lightly toasted baguett

Heat the oil over low heat and infuse with garlic and thyme until the farlic is soft.  Do not burn the garlic.  Place the softened goat cheese, garlic from the oil, and cream cheese in a small food processor and whip until light.  Add the honey, cayenne, 1/2 chopped thyme, and pinch of salt, and beat until combined.  Remove the thyme from the oil and discard.  Whip in enough of the infused oil to make a creamy consistency.  Serve with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of the remaining thyme.  Spread on the toasted baguette slices.

Homemade (Easy) Crackers

Cooking spray and flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon dried minced garlic

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or a combination of Parmesan and other cheese, like pepperjack or cheddar)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter cold, cubed into small pieces

4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream or sour cream

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or just a sprinkle of cayenne

Flaky sea salt or fine sea salt, optional (or everything bagel seasoning)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray and lightly flour the surface. The original instructions say not to use parchment or silicone liners, but I think that I have in the past without preparing the pan.

In a food processor, pulse the flour, seasoned salt, pepper, paprika and dried garlic until combined. Add in the cheese and pulse a few more times to combine. Add the butter a pulse again.  Add 4 tablespoons heavy cream (or sour cream). Pulse a few more times, then add the last tablespoon if needed (clumpy dough should be forming.)

Dump the dough mixture straight from the food processor onto a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Pour the Italian seasoning on top and fold the herbs into the dough gently until a nice dough comes together. Avoid kneading or overworking.

Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the ball of dough and roll out the dough to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the parchment paper on top and (if desired) trim the edges (not necessary). Then use the plastic wrap to pull up the large sheet of dough and invert it onto the prepared sheet pan.  As mentioned, I’ve simply rolled it out onto a silicone mat and placed it on the baking sheet.  If using Everything Bagel Seasoning, I sprinkle it on and lightly press it into the dough using the rolling pin.  Using a sharp knife, perforate the dough to make lines for the crackers.

 Bake for 8–14 minutes or until lightly browned at the edges. Remove from oven and sprinkle immediately with sea salt flakes (if desired). Let stand on sheet pan until cooled.

Break into the crackers along perforated lines.

Bourbon Pecan Truffles (perfect for Derby Day)

160 g Pecan Shortbread cookies (or 1/2 package of 320 g - Aldi)

227 g Pecans (chopped or whole) toasted

1 c (230 g) light brown sugar

1/2 t salt

1/4 c Bourbon

1 t vanilla

2 T maple syrup (or more if needed)

10 oz (283 g) semisweet chocolate chips

2 T vegetable shortening

Pulse the shortbread cookies in the food processor until the consistency of sand.  Tip into a medium bowl.  When the pecans are cook, pulse until finely chopped consistency.  Add to the shortbread crumbs. Add the brown sugar and salt until combined.  Add the bourbon, vanilla and maple syrup.  

Mix together using your hands to full incorporate.  The mixture should come together when squeezed.  Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon and press into walnut-sized pieces.  Place on a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, about one hour.

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave carefully).  If the chocolate is thick, add 2 T of shortening and stir together.  When the chocolate is smooth and pourable, dip the frozen truffles in using a fork.  Tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess and use another fork to place onto the lined baking sheet.  Let the candies set until firm, about 20 minutes.

Store at room temperature in an airtight container.  

Belgium Liege Waffles

2 c bread flour (may need more)
1 ½ T sugar
1 t salt
2 t instant or rapid rise yeast

Whisk together and add///

12 T unsalted butter – cut into large cubes
½ c warm milk
1 egg
1 T vanilla extract

Using a dough hook mix on low speed for one minute.  Once mostly combined mix at medium low for 12-15 minutes. 

Rest overnight in a bowl covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Press cold dough out to about an inch thick

Press Belgium pearl sugar into top of dough.  Roll up using a bench scraper, incorporating the pearl sugar.  Form into a log and cut into 8 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 2 x 4 inch oval shape.  Place on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap and let come to room temperature – about 1 ½ - 2 hours. 

Dip each piece into granulated sugar and cook on a waffle iron (gently lay the waffle iron lid down without pressing) for 2 ½ minutes.  Let waffles sit on a wire rack.  Be very careful.  You can get a very nasty burn from molten hot sugar – so handle with two forks.   Enjoy as a snack.