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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Latke Love

This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, will fall on Thanksgiving! In celebration of the rare combination of two very important holidays in the Darling home, we decided to put a spin on the traditional fried potato latke and create sweet mini pumpkin latkes for a special dessert. This was not an easy feat.  Grated Pumpkin is more fragile than potato and posed a challenge when it came time to fry. It disintegrated easily, turning into a mealy texture. The first couple of attempts ended with broken up latkes and a few choice words for what seemed to be an inevitable culinary disaster. The third time was a charm. We made the latke size smaller and with patience and delicate maneuvering we produced bite sized latkes to please! These are a decadent treat and truly worth the effort it takes to make them. I hope you enjoy our recipe and your family gathered around your table!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

P.S. For you traditionalists, I have also included our recipe for good, old-faithful, potato latkes below.


MINI PUMPKIN LATKES
Yeild: 20 Latkes
Approximate Time: 40 minutes, plus frying time

3 cups grated pumpkin
2 medium egg yolks
2 tablespoons almond flour
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
vegetable oil for frying

*Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, with the exception of the vegetable oil
*In a large pan (preferably non-stick), heat enough vegetable oil to cover the pan (about 4 tablespoons)
*Scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture and drop in the pan, flattening it slightly with the back of a spatula
*Fry until golden on both sides
*Transfer cooked latkes to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

FILLING
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon confectioner sugar

*In a well chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with confectioner sugar until medium stiff
*Set aside in the refrigerator while you prepare the following ingredients:

1/2 cup cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup pumpkin butter
1/4 cup confectioner sugar
1/4 teaspoon  ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon  ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon  ground cardamon 
a pinch of nutmeg

*Soften the cream cheese at room temperature
*In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, confectioner sugar and pumpkin butter
*Mix well until smooth and fully incorporated
*Add the cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and nutmeg
*Fold in the reserved whipped heavy cream 

ASSEMBLY
*Top one latke with a dollop of filling. (Top with another latke if desired)
*If there are two layers, dot another dollop of filling on top of the second layer 
*Top filling with a piece of crystallized pumpkin or chopped nuts to finish it off

NOTE: This is a rich, decedent dessert. If a more delicate taste is what you are looking for, just use one small latke topped with a dollop of filling and enjoy as one single bite.



TRADITIONAL POTATO LATKES
Yield: 22 Latkes
Approximate Time: 45 minutes, plus frying time

3 large Russet Potatoes, peeled and grated
3 large yellow onions, peeled and grated (use may use more if desired)
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
Vegetable Oil for frying
2 teaspoons of Salt and Pepper

*Pre heat oven to 200 degrees
*Combine grated potatoes and onions in a colander. Rinse well to remove the milky residue.
*Drain well and lay mixture on a paper towel. Dry well.
*In a large mixing bowl, incorporate the potato and onion mixture with the eggs, cornstarch, salt and pepper.
*Heat enough vegetable oil to cover a large pan (about 4 tablespoons). 
*Ladle about 1/3 - 1/2 cup of mixture in hot oil and fry until golden brown, flipping the latkes as many times as needed in order to achieve the same color on both sides. 
*Transfer cooked latkes to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
*Keep warm in the oven until you are ready to serve


These recipes were created in collaboration with Lory Fleischer, Cook/Pastry Chef, graduate of the FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE (Classic Pastry Arts).


OPTIONAL DARLING TOPPINGS FOR TRADITIONAL LATKES
Apple compote over tradition apple sauce

Salmon row over a mixture of greek yogurt and lovage*


*NOTE: Lovage is an herb from the parsley family that, when dried has a briny aroma with a warm and distinct flavor.

Some of my all time favorite spices, including Lovage, have come from Ambrosia -- a wonderful little  boutique store on Nantucket, specializing in organic herbs and artisan chocolate. Stay tuned for an upcoming post featuring the store itself, in addition to my favored spices that I discovered while exploring their beautifully stocked shelves.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Preparing For The Toothfairy


A couple of weeks ago our daughter Izzy discovered that she had a loose tooth! Instead of pining over another milestone that came too quickly (though, I did cry for a few minutes on Mr. Darling's shoulder...) I decided to put a new spin on this latest milestone by using it as an opportunity to make a mundane or even dreaded task - toothbrushing - a habit associated with pride and joy!

I set to work preparing for the Tooth Fairy. The first step was finding the perfect Toothfairy Pillow. There were dozens of precious pillows to chose from but the one that I knew belonged to our family was Oeuf's molar shaped Tooth Fairy Pillow!  This chic and modern pillow is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and made from baby alpaca wool. With it's sweet little face and cuddly soft knit, my little darlings will surly fall in love with our family's newest children's keepsake.  I found ours at Barney's but you can purchase yours from Oeuf.com, a Darling family favorite site!

Though Izzy's new toothfairy pillow has the traditional pocket for a monetary surprise, we have decided to create tiny little notes from the Toothfairy herself. Her first note will be a few tips on keeping her big girl teeth healthy and clean. For every tooth lost, Iz will receive one special gift that relates to dental hygiene -- her first Sonicare electric toothbrush (the gift after her first tooth is lost), all natural children's mouthwash from Tom's of Maine and tiny posies of Dentek Fun Flossers!

I see moments and milestones like this as great opportunities to think of ways to establish family traditions and memories your children can pass down to their children. Our upcoming tradition may not fit well with your family style and my advice is to stay true to your family and what makes your children happiest! There is nothing better than the look of joy and wonder on your child's face. Only you, as their parent, know how to fire up that kind of light!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Darling Throwback Thursday


June 3, 2008 - Hours before our first child, Isabel, was born. Life has changed so much since that day and we couldn't imagine it any other way. We are thankful every day for the change, the perspective and the blessings that came with starting our family.

When I look back to this time last year, Mr. Darling and I were making our big escape for the evening to the movie theater.  It had been ages since we sat down together without the kids climbing all over us. A movie with popcorn and a soft drink sounded like the perfect indulgence since the reality was, we were too tired to sit across from each other over a dinner in a restaurant. That night we enjoyed the simple pleasure of taking in a movie side by side -- one of our hands in the popcorn, the other hand in each other's. It was bliss, but the real joy of the evening came in a quiet reflection before the movie started. Today, I'm taking advantage of "Throwback Thursday" to share a personal facebook post from last year:

It's been 9 months since [Mr. Darling] and I went to the movie theater. We purchased tickets, found our seats and he went to buy popcorn. After realizing I hadn't put on a hint of make up for our "big night out" sans babies, I reached in my bag for my lip gloss. The first thing I grabbed was a teething ring. The second was a package of grape scented "boogie wipes" and in my coat pocket I found two pacifiers, a glitter tie and a half eaten mini pack of Annies Bunnies-- My life has changed so much in the past 5 years and I'm thankful for every bit of it! Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!


With love,
Mrs. Darling

Monday, November 18, 2013

Mrs. Darling's Thanksgiving Prep Essentials

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I want to share a few of my preparatory essentials with you! Over the years I have discovered little things aside from the basics (a roaster, twine and thermometer) that have helped me when it comes to cooking and bringing out the full flavor of the holiday season. Remember, there is nothing more essential than the presence of family and friends at your dinner table -- Everything else is gravy.

Please click on the orange links below to find where to buy my Thanksgiving essentials!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Woodford Reserve Bourbon - Woodford Reserve is one of my favorite bourbons because not only is it delicious and delightful all on it's own but it is my secret kick to Mr. Darling's favorite pecan pie. You can use a tablespoon here and there to spice up the most traditional thanksgiving dish. Try a splash in your glaze while roasting the pièce de résistance!

Williams Sonoma Dry Brine - I find that using a dry brine is the fastest and simplest way of producing a juicy turkey year after year! Williams Sonoma's dry brine is my absolute favorite brine on the market. I love the hint of citrus in the mix of herbs and spices, especially because I stuff our bird each year with, lemon and orange wedges with a bouquet of fresh herbs!

Turkey Stock - I use turkey stock in almost every dish of my Thanksgiving Dinner. Chicken stock is wonderful as well, but why have chicken stock on Turkey day when you can have the stock of the bird in favor?  Homemade stock is amazing, but in a pinch, my favorite store bought brand is Kitchen Basics. I buy mine at Whole Foods, but many grocery stores stock the Kitchen Basics brand as well. You can also click on the link to have it shipped directly to your home from Amazon.com!

Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven - My cast iron Staub dutch ovens are a favorite for two reasons. I love the verstatility in meal preparation when it comes to cooking. In a cast iron dutch oven, you can brown a brisket to perfection and after its cooked for a few hours in the oven you can transfer it to a platter and prepare a minestrone soup once it's cleaned out.  The second reason is that there is practicality in the combination of function and style with a Staub dutch oven.  My Staubs go straight from oven to table, without disrupting the feel of my tablescape.

Wooden Spoons- I like to keep at least 4 wooden spoons handy at all times while preparing a big meal. I prefer wooden spoons because they are sturdy enough to handle high heat cooking, and they are gentle enough to preserve cast iron pans and stainless steel pans alike through rough scraping while I cook. My favorite spoons were found during our last trip to Paris in E. Dehillerin, a phenomenal cookware store in the 1st arrondissement. Since it is not possible to order them directly from the website, I suggest checking out Littledeer wooden cooking paddles as an alternative. They are beautifully made and meet the needs of any cook.

Silicone Oven Mitts - What I love most about these particular mitts is that they are easily hand washed and also dishwasher safe. In the past, my traditional oven mitts did the inevitable shrink up after they were washed. With silicone oven mitts, not only are your hands protected, but so is the integrity of the mitt. I currently own a "no-name" pair that I picked up at the grocery store, but the Mastrad Oven Mitts (that can be found at Sur La Table) are on my list for next year!

Shout Stain Remover- This item speaks for itself. As a culinary enthusiast, mother of two and wife to a life-long tinkerer , I've treated a fair amount of stains. Shout Stain Remover is my absolute favorite product for immediate spray treatment. I have found that allowing the Shout to sit for at least 10 minutes on the treated stain really helps when trying to remove the toughest spots!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Cranberry Sauce - Darling Style

There is no doubt that cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving meal essential. While many believe cranberry sauce is a condiment for the turkey, I believe that my mother's cranberry sauce could be a dish all on it's own. My sugar teeth were not the writers of that last statement. I am discerning when it comes to many things and cranberry sauce is one of them! The cranberry sauce that we enjoy every Thanksgiving is not overly sweet and unlike many versions of this holiday classic, it maintains the texture of the berry with no gelatin. The flavor has a subtle complexity between the tang of the berries and orange zest  and the luscious juice that the pear brings. The hint of ginger takes the flavor to a new level and from one bite, you can tell that this is not your average cranberry sauce. I highly recommend that you add the "optional" sweet sherry at the finish. It really gives it that extra je ne sais quio!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

MRS FLEISCHER'S CRANBERRY SAUCE
Yield: 1 quart
Approximate Time: 40 minutes
1 8 oz package (2 cups) fresh cranberries
2-3 slices of fresh unpeeled ginger, crushed lightly
1 large pear, peeled and diced
1 cup water
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
1-2 tablespoon sweet sherry (optional)


*Boil water, sugar and ginger until mixture is clear and syrupy
*Add pear and bring mixture to a medium boil. Cook for 1 minute.
*Remove the 2-3 slices of ginger
*Add in cranberries and zest. 
*Allow to simmer without stirring, until cranberries pop and mixture thickens
*Off heat, stir in sherry if desired


These recipes were created in collaboration with Lory Fleischer, Cook/Pastry Chef, graduate of the FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE (Classic Pastry Arts).

Monday, November 11, 2013

Happy Veterans Day


We are proud of Mr. Darling every single day, but on this very special day, we get to celebrate his service to our country. Like any parent, we want to protect the innocence of our children for as long as possible, yet we believe that it's never too early to bring awareness to the importance of respecting and honoring all who serve and have served in the armed forces.

Having the discussion with your children about the meaning of Veterans Day is necessary for their understanding of what it means to serve and protect our nation.You can begin this conversation with your children by something as simple as bringing their attention to a service man or woman in uniform, or writing a letter to someone who is deployed.

Our daughter Izzy often asks, when she sees a man in uniform at the airport, if he works with her Daddy. Since she has no problem striking up a conversation with just about anyone, I encourage her to thank the service men and women she meets for protecting our country. This act has lead to many conversations surrounding patriotism and also shows her, that expressing thanks can give more to someone's heart than a physical token of gratitude.

I can't wait for the day when our children can fully understand the meaning of their father's service and how it changed our lives forever. Through our military family we learned to cherish every moment together, the importance of patience, the deeper meaning of sacrifice and the beauty of family created by ties stronger than one could ever explain.

I am proud to be able to call my husband a Veteran and I am thankful to have raised our daughter in a community belonging to a band of brothers who willingly and selflessly protect our right to live in freedom and peace.

Happy Veterans Day to the leader of the Darling home-front and all of the brave men and women who have served, those who are serving now and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for protecting our country and the freedom that we hold so dearly to our hearts.

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Friday, November 8, 2013

Weekly PD: Vanilla Buttercream


All of my teeth are sweet teeth. There is no singular in that statement. For me, it sometimes takes a straight up sugary treat to make the straight up nastiness of the day melt away. As a candy aisle junkie, with two children in tow, a special trip down aisle 3 in the grocery store (also know as my happy place) can pose a bit of a problem when it comes to setting a good example for healthy eating.  So when I get home and after the children are in bed, I mix confectionary sugar, butter and vanilla and produce a satiating agent of the best sort ... Vanilla Buttercream Icing.

If you care to try my tranquilizing Pixie Dust after a challenging week, please click here to find the ultimate vanilla buttercream recipe from The Magnolia Bakery on my Pinterest board, Confection!

With love,
Mrs. Darling




A little bit of vanilla buttercream goes a long way!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Giving Thanks


November first was the beginning of the count down to one of our favorite holidays, Thanksgiving! Every year we try and find ways to make Thanksgiving more meaningful for our family of four. This year we decided to start the tradition of building a "Thanksgiving Tree". 

I ordered a tree silhouette wall decal from my favorite new website, Lulu and Georgia. (Wall decals are fantastic for decorating because they are easily removed with no damage to your walls).  Each day of November, the children choose a leaf from the tree to write down what they are thankful for and then decorate the leaf so that it is filled with color. So far Izzy has said that she is thankful for her family, "the nutritious food Mommy makes", our home and our dog Sailor. Right now her focus is on things that are familiar to her, but as the days go on, she will have to reflect more deeply and as a result, I'm sure it will lead to many interesting conversations between us as a family. I can't wait to hear what she comes up with.

Our twist on this tradition was to build our tree by bringing the black silhouette to life with the color of various stickers chosen by Izzy, instead of adding a leaf each day like our friends do. If you are following our example, I suggest allowing your children to stand on a stool or a chair with you present, as they decorate, instead of pulling off a leaf each day and putting it back up. This way it is less of a process and they get the thrill of something they are not typically allowed to do (Also, I can never remember where I got the leaf from -- Mommy Brain).

A few of my girlfriends have done something similar in their homes and I always loved the idea. This year it is more of a focus for Izzy (five-years-old) than her baby brother (almost two-years-old) because she is more aware of her surroundings and can easily express her thoughts and emotions. Even though Izzy is the main participant, I think it is important to have the conversation of being thankful and what that means to our family around McClain. My belief is, the earlier children are exposed to family discussions, the better they will be at taking time to reflect and form an opinion of their own, and most importantly, learn to express their opinion in a respectful way. 

We will continue this month long craft until the day of Thanksgiving when we can step back, admire and give thanks for the true and meaningful gifts in a beautiful life. 

With love,
Mrs. Darling

The Darling Family Thanksgiving Tree

Izzy's first leaf on the tree

We love seeing the tree come to life with the blessings that we count every day. Our family can't wait to see how vibrant the tree is by Thanksgiving!