Chipotle Turkey Chili

If you would have asked me a few months back if I liked turkey chili, I would have probably told you no without hesitation. Whether this would be a definitive 'no' or a waivering 'no', I couldn't say with any certainty. If you asked me 'why not?', I would be scrambling to come up with something a little more substantive than a litany of weak excuses. The truth, when I finally got around to it, was I may have formed an opinion about turkey chili based on maybe having it once or possibly twice in my life. Granted I am not the only one in the world who doesn't give any 'not wowed by it' food a second chance. Although life experiences have taught me this is a kind of short-sightedness often leading to misconceived notions and missed opportunities. Had I stayed true to my younger self's view on mashed potatoes, I would have permanently banished them from my life. Fortunately or possibly unfortunately, I rediscovered mashed potatoes deliciousness. Today I couldn't imagine a Thanksgiving dinner or meatloaf without them. So at a recent stay at the home of a friend, aka the hostess with an extraordinary flair for entertaining and decorating, she served us her homemade Turkey Chili for dinner one night. It's quite possible I may have done my best disguised eye-roll when I learned what we were having for dinner. Turkey and chili in the same sentence weren't exactly words conjuring up any notion of a heavenly meal. And then I took a bite, then a second bite. Before I knew it, I was asking for a second helping. I had experienced a turkey chili awakening! And just like that my chili making and eating preferences were forever changed.

When I sat down with the Turkey Chili recipe she used for inspiration, I realized two things. The first one was her recipe was a nuanced, made with love version of a Cherry Peach Pumpkin Chili. As hard as I might try to replicate it, it might not live up to my memory of it. The second had to do with some of the ingredients. Two of which were not readily accessible as they could be found only in a Michigan based specialty store. While available via mail-order or if one wanted to take a road trip to Michigan, I was hesitant to post a recipe on the blog where access to ingredients might deter anyone from making it. So I started looking at turkey chili recipes, ultimately creating one I was convinced would also be turkey chili awakening worthy. But yes, I ended up including one of the sauces available only from a Michigan-based food-artisan shop as one of the ingredients. Although I developed two other taste-worthy substitutions (see Notes below).

This Chipotle Turkey Chili is a deeply flavored, well-spiced, hearty, healthy, savory dish. Made with ground turkey (a combination of ground turkey and ground turkey thighs), two kinds of white beans, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, sweet smoked paprika, chipotle peppers, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, slightly caramelized onions, garlic, kosher salt, and pumpkin chipotle roasting sauce, it is beyond swoonworthy. Perfect on either a chilly fall or cold winter night, this Chipotle Turkey Chili promises to take your taste buds to new levels of chili deliciousness.

I would guess some of you beef chili lovers may be a little skeptical about believing any chili made with turkey could be any good. Let alone better than good, borderline great. Growing up eating only chili made with beef, I can completely relate to this thinking. Just a couple of months ago, I had that same mindset. One I didn't think could possibly undergo such a dramatic paradigm shift. Proving once again anything is possible if you allow yourself to suspend your deeply held preconceived notions.

Two kinds of ground turkey, browned with slightly caramelized onions and sautéed garlic, form the base layer of this chili. Ground turkey thighs not only added a richer flavor to the chili, it prevented it from being on the 'dry' side. I used equal combinations of ground turkey thighs and ground turkey meat with absolutely great results. However, I can't help but wonder if using two pounds of ground turkey thighs would make this chili even more flavorful. I will have to test out tat theory the next time I make it. For what it's worth, use at least a combination of white and dark ground turkey for the most divinely flavored chili!

Chili is low-brow, comfort food. One of those foods best served straight from the pot so everyone can serve themselves. Not only do cast-iron pots make great cooking vessels, they make incredibly beautiful serving pieces. 

Serve this absolutely exceptional Chipotle Turkey Chili with bowls of sliced avocado, chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, and, of course, some homemade beer bread. 

Is there any better way to start the new year than with a healthier version of chili? Could having a big bowl of chili for dinner on a cold day be the best thing to warm you up?  Regardless if you live in the warmer or chilly climates, you need this soul-satisfying Chipotle Turkey Chili in your life. So get a couple of six packs of beer (more if there are few lushes on your guest list), invite your friends and/or family over this weekend, and have the most epic chili dinner ever! 

Recipe
Chipotle Turkey Chili
Serves 6-8

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
2 small yellow onions or 1 large yellow onion, diced
2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground turkey (1 pound ground turkey, 1 pound turkey thighs)
2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern and/or Cannellini Beans, rinsed and drained (See Note below)
1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes
2 chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, finely chopped (for less heat remove seeds before chopping) OR a 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon sweet smoked paprika (I used 2 teaspoons)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 jar (7 ounces) American Spoon's Pumpkin Chipotle Roasting Sauce (see Note below)
2-3 cups chicken broth (I used 2 1/2 cups)

Grated cheddar cheese, green onions, avocado, sliced jalapeños, and/or sour cream for serving
Serve with a great beer bread, like this Cheddar Cheese Jalapeño Beer Bread

Directions
1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet. Add onion and sauté over medium heat until slightly caramelized (approximately 12-14 minutes). 
2. Add garlic and continue cooking for additional 2 minutes. 
3. Add the ground turkey and sauté until lightly browned.
4. In a large dutch oven, combine the crushed tomatoes, beans, chipotle peppers, chili powder, cumin, sweet smoked paprika, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin chipotle roasting sauce, and 2 cups of the chicken broth. Stir to combine.
5. Add the turkey/onion/garlic mixture to the dutch oven. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and continue cooking (uncovered) for approximately 60-75 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop. Add additional chicken stock as necessary, if mixture becomes too thick for your liking.
6. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, avocado slices, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream. Alternately, serve the chili with the toppings on the side and let everyone choose their own garnishing options.
7. Store leftovers (covered) in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Notes: (1) I used half of a 14 ounce jar of American Spoon's Pumpkin Chipotle Roasting Sauce. It is available online and in their stores. While I don't normally like to post a recipe requiring an ingredient not having wide accessibility (i.e., Amazon or the grocery store), I made an exception here. In lieu of this roasting sauce recommend using 7 to 8 ounces of Williams-Sonoma's Pumpkin Chipotle Braising Sauce or using 7-8 ounces of additional crushed tomatoes and 1 Tablespoons of the adobo sauce from the can of chipotle peppers. (2) I used one pound of ground turkey thighs and one pound of ground turkey. Would consider using 2 pounds of ground turkey thighs in the next batch. (3) I used a combination of Great Northern Beans and Cannellini Beans. (4) You could easily double this recipe for a larger crowd. Any leftovers reheat beautifully. (5) You can make this chili a day ahead, store covered in the refrigerator, and reheat over low heat before serving.

Snowy New Year's Eve in Ephraim, Wisconsin (2018) 

Chicken Liver Pate Crostini (Crostini di Fegatini)

For the second year in a row we welcomed the new year in Door County, Wisconsin with friends. Last year the landscape was a frozen tundra and wind chills so far into the negative double digits we could barely stand to be outdoors for more than a few minutes. When we arrived this year, we were thrilled to discover there was barely any snow on the ground. And with winter air temperatures in the 30s we were able to spend time outdoors exploring and getting in a nice morning hike before the snow began to fall on New Year's Eve. After a fun evening of playing games and enjoying a great four-course home-cooked meal, we woke up to find a winter paradise on New Year's Day. Almost three inches of fresh snow blanketed the landscape making it the most beautiful, breathtaking start to the new year. After packing up the car for the return trip home, I couldn't leave without stopping at several of my most favorite places (Boynton Chapel, Cave Point County Park, and the Coast Guard Lighthouse) to savor the tranquility as well as take some photos. With a backdrop of freshly fallen snow, these iconic places were even more compelling. I almost didn't want to leave. 

Our New Year's Eve appetizers included a charcuterie board, Rosemary Roasted Cashews, and a Parmesan and Lemon Artichoke Spread. But it didn't include the Chicken Liver Pate Crostini, the one getting rave reviews at our Christmas Dinner. The only reason I didn't was because there were only so many pans and serving pieces I wanted to pack up for the three day, two night trip.

Described as a 'rustic, tasty, cheap, and sensible crostini and commonplace on the menus of every trattoria in Florence as well as on family tables for every special occasion', there is nothing common about it. Apparently there are a significant number of recipes for 'Crostini di Fegatini' found in Tuscany. Emiko Davies, author of the cookbook "Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence"), shared most are usually made with anchovies, capers or both in order to provide the trademark Tuscan saltiness flavor. The texture of the pate varies from chunky, to smooth, to a blend of the two. While most genererally cook the livers n red wine, stock or water, the recipe shared by Emiko Davies uses vin santo (a family preference). Having intense, velvety, and complex flavors, vin santo is usually served as an apertif or with dessert. However, it works brilliantly and beautifully in the pate.

Other than leaving out the walnuts and adjusting some of the cooking times, I used the same ingredients and amounts recommended in the recipe shared by Emiko Davies. I processed the pate until its' texture was a cross between chunky and smooth. It was pure pate perfection!

Unlike other pates I have made, this one is intended to be served warm or at room temperature. Which means it's not one made too far ahead of time. As a side note, the chilled leftover pate was still delicious.

Instead of toasting the crostini in the oven, I grilled mine on the stovetop using this cast iron grill pan. To make them in the oven, preheat it to 275 degrees (F). Lay the bread rounds on a large baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes on each side or until they are dry to the touch but not browned.

For those of you who aren't particularly a big fan of pate, this one might change how you think about it. Unlike some of the French versions of pate, this Chicken Liver Pate is simple, rustic, non-pretentious fare. One bite and you immediately understand why it is considered to be one of the beloved dishes in Florence. Having already made it twice in the last couple of weeks, it's also destined to be a beloved entertaining staple here in our home. Although I seriously think I could eat it everyday. 

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art or write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can live. And I hope somewhere in the next year you surprise yourself." (Neil Gaiman) Happy New Year! And happy adventurous cooking, baking, and eating in the new year ahead!

Recipe
Chicken Liver Pate Crostini (inspired by the Crostini di Fegatini recipe from the cookbook "Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence")

Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
5-6 capers, rinsed and dried
2 anchovy filets
18 ounces chicken livers
3 1/2 ounces vin santo or marsala
2-3 toasted walnuts (optional)
Kosher salt and black pepper
Baguette (14-16 ounce size) cut into 1/2 inch rounds, grilled

Directions
1. In a wide frying pan, add olive and one tablespoon of butter cooking over medium-low heat. Add onions after butter melts. Cook onions until translucent (approximately 8-10 minutes).
2. Add capers and anchovies. Continue to cook gently until the anchovies have completely melted down (approximately 2-3 minutes).
3. Add chicken livers and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Add vin santo (and walnuts if using). Cook on low (uncovered) for approximately 20-25 minutes. Add water if necessary to keep the mixture moist.
5. Remove from heat. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Allow the butter to melt. Mix and taste for seasoning. If necessary add more salt and/or pepper.
6. Transfer the warm mixture to a food processor. Blend until mostly smooth. If you prefer your pate very smooth, continue processing until it reaches your desired texture. Note: I liked it somewhere between chunky and smooth.
7. Transfer pate to a serving dish. Serve the pate warm with crostini. Alternately serve the pate at room temperature.

Notes: (1) I used a good quality vin santo. (2) I didn't add the walnuts to the pate. (3) I prefer using capers packed in salt versus in a liquid. (4) I used a Vin Santo Del Chianti Classico, a bottle my sister brought be back from Florence a couple of years ago.  (5) For a perfect presentation, serve the Chicken Liver Pate Crostini with paper-thin slices of prosciutto and wedges of an aged pecorino or parmigiano-reggiano cheese.

 '

Freshly fallen snow on the grounds of Boynton Chapel on New Year's Day 2019  (Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin)

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, this is what the unbaked version of these Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells looks like. You can probably guess why there isn't a photo of these shells after they came out of the oven. I have two excuses or rather I should say explanations. The first would be due to the chaos of getting everything on the Christmas dinner on the table while everything was still warm. My long galley kitchen doesn't really lend itself to having multiple hands helping. The second reason for the absence of a finished photo can be blamed on our very ate in the afternoon dinner. After the appetizer course and opening of gifts, the only light in the kitchen came from candles burning, recessed lighting, and the crystal chandelier. Not exactly the best lighting for capturing the beauty of food (at least not best for me). But like the Hazelnut Torte, this was another recipe I wanted you to have sooner rather than later. In other words I was simply too excited to wait to share it until next year! And just in case you were planning to have friends and family over for dinner over the New Year's holiday, these Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells would be so perfect.

If you think these stuffed shells look good unbaked, wait until you see them baked. Better yet, wait until you taste them!

There are so many things I love about these Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells I don't where to begin. They can be made early in the day or even the night before. You can used a good quality jarred marinara sauce (I am partial to Rao's) instead of making a homemade one. You can feed a crowd especially when paired with a salad and good bottle of wine. They are super easy and relatively inexpensive to make. Last but not least, they are divine!

Cream cheese, whole milk ricotta, and fresh herbs are what make make this savory filling so mouthwatering luscious. In addition to the flat leaf parsley, fresh thyme and/or oregano, some green onions (or chives), and finely chopped garlic bring the filling even more incredible flavor. I have made them using only thyme, only oregano, and a combination of both.

Fill the shells using a pastry bag rather than a spoon. If you don't have a pastry bag, use a large plastic ziplock bag and snip off a corner. 

Before placing the stuffed shells in a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the marinara on the bottom. Once all the shells are in the baking pan (filled side up), place dollops of the remaining marinara sauce over the top. At this point they are ready to go into your 350 degree (F) preheated oven or can be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator.

Baking time for the Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells ranges from 30-35 minutes. If baking them after they had been chilled, remove from the refrigerator at least 10-15 minutes before baking. The dish is ready when the filling is completely heated through. There is no better way to test for this than to stick your finger into one of the shells. 

If you are looking for deeply flavorful, rich entree, make these Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells would made a perfect Sunday, holiday, or special occasion dinner. They are destined to become one of your most favorite baked pasta dishes.

Recipe
Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Serves at least 6-8, more like 8-10

Ingredients
16 ounces (552g) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces (228g) whole milk ricotta
1-2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 large eggs and 2 large egg yolks

10 ounces (283g) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed of its' liquid
3 Tablespoons finely chopped green onion or chives
3 Tablespoons of coarsely chopped fresh parsley
3 Tablespoons of finely chopped fresh herbs (Choose from thyme, oregano or a combination of both)
3/4 cup (100g) fresh bread crumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound (454g) jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
4 cups (32 ounces-907g) homemade or good quality jarred marinara sauce (See note below)
Optional: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated, for serving

Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and ricotta. Beat with a mixer until smooth and well blended.
2. Add the eggs and beat until just incorporated.
3. Using a spatula, mix in the spinach, garlic, green onion (or chives), parsley, fresh herbs, bread crumbs, kosher salt and black pepper until completely blended.
4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish.
5. Using a pastry bag, pipe approximately 2 Tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the al dente cooked shells. Place the filled shells, filled side up, in the baking dish. Note: You may end up with a few extra, unfilled shells.
6. Top the stuffed shells with the remaining marinara sauce.
7. At this point you can cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the shells for several hours or overnight.
8. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Take the baking dish out of the refrigerator (for at least 15 minutes) while the oven is heating. 
9. Uncover and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the filling in the shells is cooked through.
10. Remove the baking dish from oven. Let sit for 5 minutes and serve.

Notes: (1) I generally use a jarred marinara sauce when making these shells. My go-to favorites is made by Rao's. My first choice is their Tomato Basil Sauce, my second choice is their Homemade Marinara Sauce. (2) Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave. (3) I put several pieces of a hearty white bread in the food processor to make the bread crumbs. Boxed store-bought bread crumbs don't work as well. (4) You can top the Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells with some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to send it even more over the top.

Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola)

"The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving. Even the simplest food is a gift." (Laurie Colwin). After last year's Christmas dinner, I decided ours needed a change. Considering how much we all love Italian food, our holiday dinner would be, what else, but Italian themed. A significant departure from our traditional fare was either going to be an epic win or epic fail. As it turned out, it may have been one of the best holiday meals ever. From the cheese board filled with an array of Italian meats and cheeses, to the Pate made with Vin Santo, to the Baked Ricotta with Crostini, to the Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells, to the Tortellini in Gorgonzola Cream Sauce, to the Florentine-Style Peas with Guanciale, to the Fennel and Garlic rubbed Pork Tenderloin, to the Honey and Pistachio Panna Cotta, to this Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola), it was a feast for the eyes and senses. And this menu was a slightly scaled back version of what I had initially planned. 

Along with the new Christmas menu came some made for the first time recipes. A potential risk considering I have a family not shy about voicing their opinions about wine and food. As luck would have it, these risks turned out to be ones having great rewards and garnering even greater reviews than anticipated. But there was significant downside to making these new recipes. Trying to photograph them turned out to be the biggest challenge of the day. So forgive me now for these less than picture perfect photos of the Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola). I may come to regret posting these photos, but I am unable to contain my excitement over this torte. So I somewhat reluctantly decided to put my amateur photographer's ego aside because sharing the recipe now rather than later was more important. In all honesty, this torte may be the most decadent, elegant, richest, swoonworthiest, most delicious one I have ever tasted.  

The recipe for the flourless Hazelnut Torte was recently published in Olive Magazine, a British food magazine featuring recipes from around the globe. If you have ever made recipes from European cookbooks and/or food magazines you know the ingredient measurements are in grams and/or milliliters, not in cups or ounces; baking temperatures are in Centigrade not Fahrenheit; and, the sizes of baking pans are ones not typically used here in the states. In spite of all these things, none are insurmountable obstacles. Because sometimes a recipe comes along justifying the purchases of a metric scale and/or an eight inch springform or ring. And this would be the one of them. Everyone should have, no everyone needs this Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola) in their lives. A sliver of this torte will send your palate to places it has never been before. It is one worthy of belonging in the exclusive 'last meal' worthy dessert category. In other words, you haven't lived your BEST life until you have had a piece of this Hazelnut Torte.

While this is essentially considered a flourless torte, roasted and pralinized hazelnuts processed until finely ground give the torte it's texture and incredible flavor. Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from the Piedmont region of northern Italy, was listed as an optional ingredient in the recipe. I would go so far as to say it's an essential one. The combination of the flavors from the hazelnuts and hazelnut liqueur creates a deeply flavorful torte. However, if there were one option to this recipe it would be serving this truffle like torte with freshly whipped cream or a scoop of a good quality vanilla ice cream rather than serving it plain. Although there is nothing plain about a sliver of this torte.

Relatively simple to make, it makes for the most elegant end to a dinner party, a special birthday celebration, and/or any holiday dinner. 

More than likely this torte, along with all of the other Italian inspired recipes we savored on Christmas Day, could become the 'new' holiday tradition here. Or at least that's what I hope it will become. Because in all honesty, this Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola) couldn't have been a more perfect finish to an epic Christmas dinner. 

Recipe
Hazelnut Torte (torta alla nocciola)  - a very slight adaptation of a recipe from Olive Magazine
Serves 12-14

Ingredients
Torte
7 ounces (250 g) hazelnuts
8 3/4 ounces (250 g) caster sugar, divided
7 ounces (200 g) dark or semisweet chocolate, chopped
14 Tablespoons (200 g) unsalted butter
6 large eggs, separated
2 Tablespoons Frangelico
Generous pinch of kosher salt

Ganache
8 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Cocoa powder for dusting the finished torte

Optional: Freshly whipped cream or good quality vanilla ice cream for serving

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Toast the hazelnuts in the oven for 10 minutes. Transfer hazelnuts to a flour sack or heavy paper towel to rub as many of the skins off as possible. Don't worry if you don't get them all off. Let cool.slightly.
2. In a medium sized frying pan, heat 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) of the caster sugar until melted (stirring frequently). Add the toasted hazelnuts and stir to coat the nuts with the caramelized sugar. Continue cooking over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, until the hazelnuts are completely coated with the sugar. Remove from heat and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let cool completely. Note: The nuts may initially cluster together but will separate again during the five minute cooking process.
3. When the nuts have cooled, transfer to a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Remove 3 Tablespoons of the coarsely chopped hazelnuts to a small bowl and set aside.
4. Continue processing the remaining hazelnuts until finely ground.
5. Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees (F). 
6. Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water. Remove from heat and stir in the finely ground hazelnuts. Set aside to cool for approximately 15 minutes.
7. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and remaining 5 1/4 ounces of caster sugar and pinch of kosher salt until pale and doubled in size (approximately 3-5 minutes).
8. Fold in the cooled chocolate and hazelnut mixture. Stir in the Frangelico.
9. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
10. Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate./hazelnut mixture until no streaks of egg whites remain.
11. Pour the mixture into a lightly greased, parchment paper lined 8 inch springform pan and bake for 50-60 minutes (or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean). Note: I place an 8 inch cake ring inside a 9 inch springform pan using some folded aluminum foil to ensure the ring was stabilized.
12. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the baking pan. then gently remove from the pan and allow to cool to room temperature.

Ganache and assembly
1. Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Warm the heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan until almost boiling (tiny bubbles should appear along the edge of the pan).
3. Pour cream over the chocolate and leave for 5-6 minutes without stirring.
4. Whisk cream and chocolate mixture until slightly thickened and shiny, yet having a pourable consistency.
5. Pour over the cooled torte, spreading evenly over the top and allowing it to drip along the sides of the tore. Note: You might not use all of the ganache. Reserve for another use.
6. Sprinkle the cake the with reserved three tablespoons of hazelnut praline and sifted cocoa powder.
7. Serve in slivers and enjoy! Note: Serve with a side of freshly whipped cream or high quality vanilla ice cream.
8. Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, if it lasts that long.

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Now that the first wave of the holiday baking is finished and all of the holiday gift boxes have been sent out, my attention has shifted to savory foods. One can live on cookies and confections for only so long. As hard as even I find it to believe, I am getting dangerously close to my holiday sweets consumption limit. This largely may be due to all of the taste-testing done during three non-stop days of baking. Other than taking time for a little bit of sleep, a Saturday morning long run, and going to an event Saturday night, I spent all of my waking hours in the kitchen. My holiday baking list happened to be a little on the over-ambitious side. Because there is no such thing as scaling back for this over-achieving, someone having astrologically cursed perfectionist tendencies, glutton for punishment girl! Do you detect a teeny bit of a whining undertone here? Okay, maybe just an iota. However, I wouldn't push myself to the edge if I wasn't experiencing a relatively high level of satisfaction from it all. And besides, it's the holidays. Aka the homemade love time of year.

If you are having family and/or friends staying over or visiting for the holidays, more than likely you will be making a meal or two. If one of those meals happens to breakfast or brunch, nothing is easier to make and more impressive to serve than a breakfast casserole. Made the night before and baked in the morning, they makes breakfast/brunch seem almost effortless.

Breakfast casseroles fall into two broad categories: Egg-based and Bread-based. This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is a cinnamon raisin swirl bread based one. If a custard mixture poured over thick slices of the cinnamon swirl raisin bread isn't enough to get your attention, how does the addition of thinly sliced apples and cubes of cream cheese sound?

 Would you be in with a finishing drizzle of warm maple syrup?

One of the keys to making the most epic version of this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is the quality of the cinnamon-swirl raisin bread. Save the pre-sliced loaves of cinnamon raisin bread for toast For this breakfast casserole, go to your favorite bakery, or to the bakery section of your favorite grocery store, or to any store that sells dense, whole loaves of bread. You want to be able to cut the bread into thick slices.

The custard for the casserole is made with half-and-half, whole milk, confectionary sugar, vanilla, kosher salt, and eight large eggs. 

Some breakfast casseroles call for cutting the bread into cubes. But this one calls for thick (approximately 3/4") slices. You should be able to get 12-14 slices from a one pound loaf of the cinnamon swirl raisin bread. Cut all of the slices in half so you end up with 24-28 pieces of bread.

The peeled and cored apples should be thinly sliced and then tossed into half of a cinnamon sugar mixture. The coating on the apples not only adds flavor, it helps them retain their color. I used Granny Smith apples, but you could also use Honey Crisp apples.

Starting with a lightly buttered 9"x12" (or 9" x 13") casserole dish, place two thirds of the bread slices in two rows. You should be able to slightly over lap the slices. On top of the rows of bread, scatter two-thirds of the sliced apples and one half of the cream cheese cubes are as evenly as possible. Lay the remaining slices of the bread over the apple/cream cheese layer. Then top with the remaining apples and cream cheese cubes. Pour the custard mixture over the casserole, then sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Place a large piece of aluminum foil over the top of the baking dish, then press down just enough to help the custard infuse itself into all of the bread slices. Wrap the edges of the foil around the pan and refrigerate overnight. Sit back, relax, and the let magic begin.

Take the casserole dish out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before putting on a baking tray,. Uncover and bake in a preheated 350 degree (F) for 70-80 minutes. The Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is done when the top is golden brown, the sides have puffed up, and a knife inserted in the center comes out 'clean'. Clean in this case means the baked custard is not drippy or liquidy on the knife. 

Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving. 

To describe this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole as insanely scrumptious, drop the mic delicious, or epic doesn't even begin to do it justice. So I will simply say it is destined to be a 'huge hit' with your family and friends. It might even turn out to be one of your mosts requested breakfast casseroles!

A generous drizzle of maple syrup over wedges of the casserole is the most perfect finishing touch. The top of the casserole is a little bit crunchy, the inside layers are rich and custardy, the flavor of cinnamon compliments the tart apples and cream cheese pillows, and the sweetness of the maple syrup makes this the most heavenly of all breakfast casseroles.

What better way to cap off the holidays or to indulge in your overnight guests than with this slightly rich, little bit rustic Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole. To round out your breakfast or brunch menu serve the casserole with some crispy bacon or sausages, freshly brewed coffee, and maybe some orange juice or fresh fruit. The casserole reheats beautifully in the microwave. Which means if you have any leftovers, you don't have to even think about what to serve for dinner. Enjoy!

Recipe
Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Serves 8-10

Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Casserole
16-18 ounce loaf of a good quality cinnamon-swirl bread, thickly sliced (Cut slices in half)
8 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup whole milk
2 Tablespoons confectionary sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 large apples (I used Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Cut slices in half)
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into half-inch cubes
1-2 Tablespoons of butter
Real Maple Syrup

Directions
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Divide in half. 

Casserole
1. In a medium sized bowl, add in the sliced apples. Pour half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the apples. Toss to coat. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk the eggs until loosely mixed. Add in the confectionary sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, half and half, and milk. Whisk until well combined.
3. Generously butter a 9"x13" (or equivalent) ovenproof casserole dish.
4. Using approximately 2/3 of the bread slices, layer them in two rows, overlapping the slices in each row slightly.
5. Sprinkle 2/3 of the apples over the bread. Note: Do not pour any of the liquid from the apples into the casserole.
6. Sprinkle half of the cream cheese cubes over the apples.
7. Layer the remaining bread slices on top.
8. Sprinkle remaining sliced apples and cream cheese cubes over the bread.
9. Pour the egg/milk (custard) mixture over the casserole.
10. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top.
11. Place a large piece of aluminum foil over the baking dish. Press the foil down into the casserole. Wrap the edges of the foil over the baking dish. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
12. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Take the casserole out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before you preheat the oven.
13. Place the casserole dish on a large baking sheet. Remove the foil. 
14. Bake for 70-80 minutes or until casserole is puffed and medium golden brown. Note: Begin checking for doneness at 60 minutes.
15. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
16. Serve with slightly warm maple syrup. Enjoy!

Note: (1) The Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Panera Bread was used to make this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole. (2) Instead of using Granny Smith apples could use Honey Crisp. (3) The casserole reheats beautifully in the microwave. Cut into squares before placing in the microwave.

Christmas in bloom at the Wilder Park Conservatory in Elmhurst, Illinois (December 2018)