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I have been on the hunt for a new line of mustard for our store.  It’s one of those condiments that I rely on regularly – more than just topping of a ham and cheese sandwich.  It’s a key ingredient in many of my vinaigrettes, sauces and marinades so I wanted to pick a line of mustard that was not only delicious, but also made with clean ingredients in the USA.

I am pleased to say that Koops’ Mustards, which was established in 1897, was the mustard company I’d been looking for.  They are mustard experts who use clean, non-GMO ingredients, and have an impressive line of mustards… 14 to be exact.   I’m here to tell you, not all Stone Ground or Dijon mustards are created equally, and I’ve tasted many that lacked the flavor and tang of these organic mustards from Koops’.

I was inspired to get cooking with them on this cold and snowy Central New York evening so it time for Roasted Chicken Thighs with Mustard Sauce.

This one is soooo easy!

Pour yourself a nice glass of chardonnay and relax for an hour while it cooks in the oven.

This is delicious served with rice, cauliflower rice or oven roasted potatoes.

Enjoy!

Michele

 

This quick and simple breakfast bread is the perfect thing to whip up for family or guests who may be on a gluten-free diet.

I used Blends by Orly Sydney Blend for this recipe.  It’s a gluten-free flour blend that works as a 1:1 replacement for all purpose flour and is perfect for cakes, muffins and quick breads.

I also prefer to use grapeseed oil in my baking.  Grapeseed oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E,  and because it’s virtually flavorless, it’s a perfect oil for baking as it won’t interfere with the flavor of your ingredients.   Grapeseed oil also has a high smoke point, which makes it a good substitute for olive or vegetable oils when stir-frying and sauteing.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Streusel Quick Bread

2       Cups Blends by Orly Sydney Blend*
1 1/2 Cup of sugar, divided
1       Teaspoon baking soda
1/2    Teaspoon salt
1       Cup Buttermilk
1       Large egg
1/4   Cup Napa Valley Naturals Grapeseed Oil*

Topping
1/2    Cup Sugar
3       Teaspoons ground cinnamon
3       Tablespoons Blends by Orly Sydney Blend*
2       Tablespoons butter, diced into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a regular-sized loaf pan.

In a large bowl, add flour, sugar, baking soda. and salt. Whisk together. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the buttermilk, egg and Grapeseed oil. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix just until ingredients are combined.

To make the topping, add all the topping ingredients into a medium bowl – cut butter in with a pastry blender, or use your hand to work the butter until the mixture is crumbly – (as pictured below).

Pour half the bread batter in the loaf pan. Top with 1/2 the topping (avoiding the outer edge of the pan). Then top with the rest of the bread batter. Take a butter knife and gently swirl the batter. Then top with remaining topping

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

If you’d like to make this recipe with regular all-purpose flour… That works too!

Enjoy!

*Find Blends by Orly flour blends and Napa Valley Naturals Grapeseed Oil at à la Maison in Baldwinsville, New York or call 315-440-6637.

There are so many reasons to love an arrangement of white flowers and stems…Simple elegance… These white hydrangeas arranged in chicken wired lined bottles work with a variety of design styles such as farmhouse, contemporary or traditional.

Impact…  Even a single bloom has great impact.  Tuck this little arrangement on vanity, night stand or bookcase.

Natural beauty… These creamy virbinum look to be growing wildly out of this arrangement.  I love to arrange flowers as you might see them in nature.  Organic, simple, beautiful.

Simplicity… Keeping it simple with a few blooms of white peonies.

Versatility… White florals are a great choice for a house warming, hostess gift or wedding  decor as they are neutral and will always work.

We are loving these new wreaths and topiaries for quick and easy spring decorating.

What a perfect little accent for a entryway, bedroom or powder room?!

It’s positively frigid outside here in Central New York!   The temperature is 17 degrees, but the windchill makes it feel like 0 degrees.  I promised myself to not leave the house and spend the entire day in my home studio doing some pricing and my favorite task… creating some new floral and plant arrangements.

Nothing is more relaxing – hours pleasantly drift by as I work away on my creations.  It’s so peaceful!

Red seemed to be a common thread in my ordering for the store this spring.  I started with beautiful Le Cadeaux dinnerware in a pretty red pattern, then followed with several red linen napkins and towels…

I think these arrangements with red kalanchoe will fit in quite nicely!

It may be cold outside, but it’s looking like spring in here… and I am ready!!!