Musings: Company Pot Roast

We’ll be posting Ina’s Company Pot Roast starting Thursday, Nov. 26. How did it stack up to your family’s favorite recipe? Did you make any changes or substitutions?

Musings: Creme Brulee

Time to dust off the blowtorch and try Ina’s Creme Brulee! Are you making any substitutions? How does her recipe stack up to others you’ve tried? We’ll start posting these Thursday, Nov. 12.

November Recipes

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the types of food we cook and eat changes from season to season.  And if you feel the same way I do, you won’t be surprised that we’ve got a couple of fantastic recipes coming to you for November.  The first is one you’ll be proud to serve for your holiday dessert (not that you’ll need a special occasion to want to make this one!) and the second is one that will make you want to curl up on the couch with a good book while you’re waiting for it to cook.  I hope you enjoy these two recipes as we head into the hard-core holiday season!!

P.S. – If you’re participating in A Week with the Barefoot Contessa, don’t forget to send me your photos and info for the round-up post!

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Suzie from Munch + Nibble

has chosen Crème Brulee

which can be found in Barefoot in Paris on page 222

and should be posted on Thursday, November 12th.

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Lisa of Lime in the Coconut

has chosen Company Pot Roast

which can be found in Back to Basics on page 117

and should be posted on Thursday, November 26th.

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Musings: Roasted Potato Leek Soup (A Week with the Barefoot Contessa BRC)

How did this stack up against your favorite potato soup? Did you like the flavor of the roasted vegetables? Have any trouble finding leeks or creme fraiche? Wondering if Ina owns stock in an arugula farm?

Musings: French String Beans (A Week with the Barefoot Contessa BRC)

Was this recipe a keeper, or will you be reaching for that trusty can of beans next time? Did you like the difference in texture? Make any changes?

Musings: Caramelized Butternut Squash (A Week with the Barefoot Contessa BRC)

Butternut squash has taken over the Internet this fall! What did you think of this caramelized version? Any issues?

Musings: Chicken Chili (A Week with the Barefoot Contessa BRC)

So, how does Ina’s chicken chili stack up to others you’ve tasted? Were you tempted to make some changes of your own?

Musings: Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars (A Week with the Barefoot Contessa BRC)

There’s nothing like a good PB&J to make you feel like a kid again. What’d you think of these bars? Are you making any substitutions?

BRC: A Week with the Barefoot Contessa

I realize this BRC has been a long-time coming but I think you will be pleased.  Let me explain…

In August 2008, I challenged myself to cook and post one Ina recipe everyday for a week.  I think I came pretty close to achieving my goal of posting everyday and wanted to repeat this idea this past summer by opening up the invitation to the BB group to join me.  Somehow the summer slipped away though and here we are in the second week of October…not that I really mind though because this season usually yields some of my favorite types of food so choosing these recipes wasn’t all that difficult.

I’d love for you to join me in this challenge!  Please keep reading for the instructions and recipes…

1. Choose any or all of the recipes listed below and post about them during the week of November 2 – 6.  You don’t have the make all of the recipes during that week, just post about them. (HINT: schedule your posts early if you are unable to write a post everyday).

2. There is no set posting day for any of the recipes. The idea is to post one recipe each day (if you plan to make all 5 recipes) but feel free to post multiple recipes on one day if you want to.

3. I want to do a round-up post here on the blog so after you’ve posted, please send me one photo from each of the recipes you’ve chosen to post about.  In this email, please include your first name, blog address, and the recipes for which you are sending me photos.

4. If you’re not a member of Barefoot Bloggers but have been hanging around here debating whether or not you want to join, I encourage you to join us for this challenge as well!  I think this will give you a decent idea about what the group is like and will also give you the opportunity to participate in the Musings posts that will go along with each recipe. Consider it a “trial run.”

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A Week with the Barefoot Contessa Recipes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars – Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 170

Chicken Chili – Barefoot Contessa Parties!, page 232

Caramelized Butternut Squash – The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, page 151

French String Beans – Barefoot in Paris, page 160

Roasted Potato Leek Soup – Back to Basics, page 63

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Musings: Blue Cheese Soufflé

Another recipe from “Barefoot in Paris”! Are you ready to tackle a soufflé? And how do you feel about blue cheese? We’ll be posting this one Thursday, Oct. 22.

Musings: Cheddar Corn Chowder

Fall is here, and that means soup. What did you think of Ina’s chowder? Did you make any changes or substitutions? Any issues? We’re posting this one Thursday, Oct. 8.

October Recipes

I’d like to first start you all off this month with a little BB publicity!  Apparently, we were featured (mentioned??) in a food article in the in the Taste section of the  Honolulu Advertiser website!!  I posted this on Twitter yesterday but wanted to make sure that those of you who don’t use Twitter saw this article. Give yourselves a pat on the back!

So now on to the recipes…I think you’ll find yourself curling up with these incredible recipes this October!! Enjoy!!

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Jill of My Next Life

has chosen Cheddar Corn Chowder

which can be found in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook on page 74

and should be posted on Thursday October 8th.

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Summer of Sexy Apartment

has chosen Blue Cheese Soufflé

which can be found in Barefoot in Paris on page 50

and should be posted on Thursday October 22nd.

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Musings: Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Our second recipe for September is Beatty’s Chocolate Cake. How did it stack up against other chocolate cakes you’ve made? Did you keep it or give it away?

How was your experience with this cake?

The posting date for this recipe is Thursday, September 24.

Musings: Birthday Sheet Cake!

Wow, time is flying! Almost missed this one.

Our first recipe for September is Ina’s Birthday Sheet Cake. Did you make this one for Labor Day weekend? What did you think of it? Please post your issues with the recipe, substitutions and suggestions.

We’ll start posting our cakes on Thursday, September 10.

Housekeeping 9.3.09

Just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone!  I hope your summers (and winters for one or two of us) have been spectacular and that you’re ready to transition into some cool weather foods…I certainly am! It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted with Housekeeping but thought it was time…

1. As I mentioned last month, I’ve been working on a new BRC (Bonus Recipe Challenge) for September.  Please check back tomorrow for the big announcement! Sorry for the tease…
2. Over the last 2 days, I have been through every single blog on the list and if you haven’t noticed already, the list today is considerably shorter than it was yesterday.  There were quite a few blogs on the list (too many to count) that had ZERO BB posts since the blog owners joined the group…so I want to say to those out there who are considering membership: Do not join if you do not think you can keep up with us. These empty blogs are a waste of time not only for me but for all of the active group members who enjoy perusing the list on posting days.
3. On a brighter note, there are a good handful of members who have blogged every.single.recipe since they joined – some who have been with the group for over a year now. You know who you are and you are doing a fantastic job!!
4. The Facebook group is still open to group members.  It’s been a little slow over there lately so let’s liven it up!  Check the sidebar for instructions on how to join.
5. Comments? Questions?  Send me an email or post ‘em here.