Janruary Cookbook Book Club

My Cookbook Book Club had our monthly luncheon on Tuesday, Jan 23. Our hostess decided we would cook from a blog instead of a book this time. The blog, Damn Delicious hosted by Chungah Ree. Her goal as she expresses on her blog is to "prepare simple, fresh ingredients, transforming them into sophisticated and elegant meals for the everyday home cook". I think she has reached her goal considering that each and every recipe brought to our luncheon was outstanding. She has also recently published her first book which is in book stores now. It's one I would buy for myself and probably will since I am a collector of cookbooks.

Our hostess chose a Valentine theme when setting her table and it was beautiful.

 

Utilizing some of her gorgeous Camellia's as our centerpiece. That was a challenge since in our area we had recently had temperatures go down into the 20's but she was able to get a few of her lovely heritage Camilla's. We enjoyed them even more.

Our group toasting our hostess sitting at the end. We were treated as we were arriving to a wonderful cocktail, a Salty Dog. A new cocktail to me and she had used freshly squeezed grapefruit juice from her own grapefruit trees from her garden. How special is that and quite simply delicious.

Friend Martha started our luncheon with a yummy Roasted Cauliflower Soup. You really couldn't tell that it was a Cauliflower soup but was creamy deliciousness. Everyone just loved it.

 This is a recipe that I will make at home, it was outstanding. This pic also shows the lovely china our hostess used, exquisite. We all felt so special that our hostess had set such a beautiful table.



Now this was the ultimate entrée, Lemon Dill Salmon in foil. Absolutely exceptional, moist, delicious and not over done. The best part was that I was told it was so very simple and it made it's own delightful sauce. Lemony, buttery goodness.

Here are a few of the other recipes shared. We were stuffed when we went home and you can certainly see why when you see what we had eaten.

I had trouble with this pic. Couldn't get it to turn right when uploading but friend Sharon started our luncheon off with these delicious Garlic Shrimp and Avocado Crostini. The perfect pairing with our Fresh Salty Dogs that our hostess served us.

A Brussels Sprout Gratin that was wonderful.



 Ham and Peas Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce, a quick and creamy pasta dish. The garlic, oregano and thyme gave this pasta dish an excellent flavor.

Teriyaki Chicken Zucchini Noodles, a quick and easy dish, a ten minute dish, healthy and low carb. What's not to love about that?

Another uploading problem, Oooops. This was a Slow Cooker Four Cheese Mac and Cheese, who doesn't love a good mac and cheese and in a slow cooker makes it a great recipe.

Again another uploading foul up and this was an outstanding dish. Creamy Broccoli Salad, the absolute BEST broccoli salad I have ever eaten. Whats not to like, it had cheese, cashews, red onion, cranberries and of course, broccoli in it. Outstanding!!!!! And one I'll make over and over again.



Cinnamon Pecan Roasted Butternut Squash, an under used veggie in my opinion. This was delicious as well and another recipe that I will make.

I brought dessert, a Banana Pecan Nutella Snack Cake. What on earth is not to like about anything with Nutella swirled in it. A moist cake using buttermilk.

Banana Pecan Nutella Snack Cake

150g unsalted butter, softened (5½ oz.)

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup plain flour

1 cup whole wheat plain flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

⅔ cup buttermilk

3 large, ripe bananas, roughly mashed

½ cup Nutella (8 tablespoons)

½ cup pecan halves

Preheat the oven to 350* F. Using a 9 X 13 baking pan spray it with a good baking spray.

 

Beat the butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla, beating well after each addition.

 

In a separate bowl, combine the cinnamon, both flours, the baking powder, soda and salt.

 

Alternately, add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture stirring until just combined between each addition. Mix in the bananas. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Drop tablespoons of Nutella around the cake randomly and swirl in roughly with a knife, so there is a bit of Nutella everywhere. Scatter the pecans over the cake, pressing some in and leaving some on top.

 

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, until a deep golden brown until  a skewer inserted comes out clean.

 

Allow to cool slightly before cutting. Makes 20 squares.

 

 

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Luncheon was served buffet style.

A good time was had by all. The decision to cook from this blog, Damn Delicious  was an excellent one and it is definitely a blog anyone seeing this post should take a look at. Simple recipes but yet delicious. My cookbook group will meet again in a couple of weeks and I am looking forward to another fabulous culinary experience. Us

Southern girls do know how to have fun.

 

Thank you for visiting my blog and please do come again. I will be sharing this post at Between Naps on the Porch.

 

Carolyn