Fancy

(One Pan & Done!) Artichoke Gratin

November 7, 2017 by mollygilbert520 1 Comment

The holidays are upon us!? How is it that they sneak up on us every year? Have you seen this cartoon yet? It is both ridiculous and accurate.

If you’re looking for a rich and warming dish to dive into in the coming months (either to help celebrate the holidays or to help stress-eat your feelings this season), I think you might like to know about this artichoke gratin.

It’s a gratin! Grah-tin? Grah-TEH? Cheese-filled skillet of indulgence? Yep, that’s the one.

It’s from my most recent cookbook, One Pan & Done, so it promises to be quick and easy to pull together, and packed with rich, cheesy flavor (plus some tang from the artichokes and garlic). It’s awesome served with crisp apple slices to balance out the richness, although crackers and chips are always a good move.

Happy Gratin Season!

(photos in this post by the amazing Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle Et Vanille)…

Victoria Sponge

July 21, 2017 by mollygilbert520 3 Comments

Ever since I first laid eyes on the absolute delight that is the Great British Baking Show (or Bakeoff, depending on where you live), I’ve been jonesing for some Victoria Sponge.

I’ve also been in a generally better mood, because as anyone who has watched this show can tell you, it’s the loveliest of lovely things to watch and, somehow, can make you forget (if only for an hour-long episode) that things like this are the truths we live with now.

Plus, there’s cake! Or sponge, if we’re being British about it. As far as I can tell, a Victoria Sponge (I really want to call it a “Victoria Sponge Cake” but isn’t that like saying “Victoria Cake Cake?” Help me, Brits!) is basically just two light and buttery pound-ish cakes, sandwiched with a thin layer of jam and a thick (beautiful, billowy) layer of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

SWOON.

I’d put it firmly in the category of snack cake, which as we all know is the best kind of cake — the kind you can just snack on all day long and it somehow feels appropriate. Not overly adorned. Lightly sweet. Snacky. You know?

Anyway, when I went to create my own version, I ran quickly towards Nigella Lawson, Domestic Goddess that she is, and she didn’t steer me wrong. (Also, Mary Berry’s version — and most versions, actually — calls for castor sugar, which is the Brit way of saying superfine sugar, which I didn’t have on hand. I eventually picked some up, though, because the cake — the sponge, I should say — really benefits from a final dusting of the stuff before serving). The final verdict on this thing is: SCRUMMY. Let’s eat cake.

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Ginger Peach Whiskey Smash

August 19, 2015 by mollygilbert520 33 Comments

Hey, all! Today I’m celebrating #DRINKTHESUMMER (a low-key, high-vibe, boozy internet bash created by Sherrie and Renee ) with these sweet, smokey, spicy whiskey smashes!

They’re everything that’s great about summer (which I’m trying my best to pretend isn’t almost almost over), in drink form. Juicy fresh peaches and a smack of lemon? Check. Ginger bubbles? Check. Whiskey? Check CHECK.

Let’s ignore the fact that it’s almost September (gah!) and get into this end-of-summer drink the drinks situation. Everyone’s doing it! In fact, if ginger peach whiskey smashes aren’t your thing (but like, come on… they are), you can find a whole slew of other summertime libations (both alcoholic and non) created by a great group of bloggers below!

Join the fun. #drinkthesummer!

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Strawberry Lilac Pavlovas

May 4, 2015 by mollygilbert520 42 Comments

Happy Monday, friends, and May the 4th be with you! Today I’m just bursting with bright, springtime bloominess (not a word but should be) because there’s an Edible Flower Potluck petaling up (also not a thing) the interwebs!

This gorgeous, flower-filled potluck started with Renee (as lots of good things do), and I have to say, I’m not sure a more beautiful (if virtual) potluck ever existed. Just look at all of these gems!

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Brown Butter Citrus Madeleines

April 14, 2015 by mollygilbert520 3 Comments

What do you do on a bumpy plane ride?

I’ll tell you what I don’t do. I definitely don’t freak out. I do NOT insist on staring out the window while counting slowly to one hundred in my head. And by no means do I start listening to Will Smith songs because of the comfort that knowing 100% of the words to “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” brings.

That just doesn’t sound like me.

(But you gotta, Prada, bag with a lotta, stuff in it, give it to your friend let’s spin…)

#whateverittakes

I’m on my way to Philadelphia! To see my parents and do a little book promoting. I’m excited to chat up Sheet Pan Suppers and also tell everyone I come in contact with about the little veggie garden we planted in our backyard last weekend. Look at this!

It’s growing real, actual vegetables! Butter lettuce, spinach, sweet peas, onions and beets! Also some strawberries, raspberries and chives. I’ve never had my own garden before, but last year Ben and I managed to kill every single one of our apartment-sized potted plants, so here’s hoping things are on the up and up for us, green-thumb-wise.

But what am I saying? You guys are here for the cookies, no? Let’s talk about madeleines! I broke in my madeleine pan with these bad boys. (If you don’t have one, not to worry – you can bake these in a muffin tin instead – they won’t have the same shape, obviously, but they’ll be just as delicious.)

I loosely followed Daniel Boulud’s recipe, the one that was published in Bon Appetit a few months ago, and it seems the man knows his madeleines. These are infused with browned butter and orange zest, and they’re soft, cakey and just perfect with a cup of hot coffee or tea. Their one downfall is that they depreciate quickly, losing their light, fluffy texture after just one day at room temperature, but the good news? I found the solution.

…Now excuse me while I eat every single one.

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Salty Chocolate Cream Pie (+ Giveaway!)

November 28, 2014 by mollygilbert520 10 Comments

It’s a special edition of #PieDayFriday! Today I’m bringing this salty chocolate cream pie to a Friendsgiving Potluck hosted by Renee at Will Frolic For Food, and featuring J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works!

You know, just in case you didn’t get your fill yesterday (#thanksgiving).

…What? More pie is always a good move.

This was actually my first-ever attempt at a chocolate cream pie, and I’m prettyyyyyy pleased with how it turned out. There are three different components at work here, all of which are surprisingly easy to pull off. One: dark chocolate cookie crust. Crush and mix. Easy. Two: creamy chocolate pudding. The most involved step of all (melt, whisk, boil, strain), but still, easy. And three: fresh whipped cream. Whip whip whip. Eaaaasy street dot com! Plus extra salt for flavor and a small avalanche of chocolate shavings because we’re not savages, jeez.

As I mentioned above, this virtual Friendsgiving celebration is sponsored by J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works, a rad company out of West Virginia that harvests super fresh, clean-tasting sea salt (from an ocean source that flows underneath the WV Appalachians, OBVI), and they were kind enough to provide me with an extra jar of their delicious sea salt to give away!

So if you’re interested in a nice lil jar of hand-harvested sea salt amazingness, simply leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Thanksgiving dish, or tradition, or whatever, and I’ll choose a winner on Monday evening (December 1st)!

Contest is over! Thanks friends!

Happy #PieDayFriday, all!…

(Sheet Pan) Apple Galette

November 25, 2014 by mollygilbert520 1 Comment

YUP, it’s another sheet pan recipe! It seems I just can’t help myself. I figure you can’t serve your turkey roulade without a hefty slice of something sweet alongside, amiright?

Apple Galette, hello! You are easy (sorry, girlfriend). You are delicious. You are vaguely French. You go well with a drizzle of salty caramel. You will feed a crowd this Thursday, and you will look good doing it. I’m going to make the ish out of you! And top you with a pretty pile of whipped cream. …Platonically. (Weird.)

When making a galette, keep in mind: perfection is not the goal. Galettes are forgiving. Messy is fine. We can call it “rustic” and serve it for company. Tender crust, warm apples with sugar and spice, all topped with a pile of melting ice cream (or whipped cream, as the case may be)? Let’s do this.

I’ve got so much to be thankful for this year, starting with a fat slice of apple galette and ending with a new cookbook, new husband and, not least of all, my ever-amazing group of family and friends (including you!) — thank you, thank you all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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(Sheet pan!) Turkey Roulade with Autumn Hash

November 24, 2014 by mollygilbert520 6 Comments

It’s short-week Monday, hooray! I hope you’re gearing up for Thanksgiving, because in just three short days, the oven mitts come off and the battle begins. Who will win out this year – you, or the Butterball? (Here’s hoping it’s you.) Your dignity, or a fourth slice of pie? (Hint: it’s always the pie.)

Here’s a little secret though, about this turkey-est of holidays: you don’t have to roast a whole turkey on Thanksgiving.

(Gasp!)

It’s true. It’s not even sacrilege. Not when you make a turkey roulade, instead!

A roulade hits all the high points of the holiday – tender meat, crispy skin, warm stuffing – without any of the lows (like waiting 3 hours for a whole bird to roast, for one). It’ll still feed and please a crowd, but can also be scaled down for a smaller, more intimate gathering. Plus the recipe is from my cookbook (the whole thing cooks on one sheet pan, yipee!), which comes out in just 9 days! Celebrations all around!

With this gorgeous roulade on the table, all you’ll really need to round out a hearty Thanksgiving dinner is some mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce! And maybe a few slices of pumpkin or pecan pie. Or both. …Probably both.

I know this is a busy week, but check back in periodically — I’ll have a few more recipes up for you before Thanksgiving, and maybe even a giveaway or two! Happy turkey week!

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Crab & Avocado Toasts, Charcuterie Cones

December 27, 2013 by mollygilbert520 2 Comments

Look who’s fancy in 2014! (We are).

I can’t really believe that another year is wrapping up — it never comes easy, this warp-speed time phenomenon. Weren’t we just watching my sister get married? Just brainstorming ideas for Mother’s Day brunch? Just putting strawberries on sandwiches?

A lot of important things happened to me in 2013. I bought a doughnut pan (important). I had a niece named Matilda! I tried surfing (and wasn’t immediately attacked by a shark, which I was pretty sure would happen). I discovered yogurt mousse (yum). I started getting paid to write! Not much, mind you, but it’s something and it feels big. It’s been an important year, I think.

So. Let’s send 2013 out with a bang. With bubbly toasts and other toasts which are golden-edged and topped with avocado and crab. And charcuterie, too! Shaped like a cone because that sounds like fun.

In truth, New Years Eve usually feels like an over-hyped affair to me. There’s a lot of pressure to do something amazing, to have the best (!) night (!) ever (!), usually while out at a bar surrounded by strangers, which I feel like is a tall order.

Let’s ditch the strangers (but keep the booze), and instead surround ourselves with loved ones and appetizers. Doesn’t that sound better? Crab toasts, meat cones, fancy outfits, bubbly flutes, and maybe even an overly decadent dessert or two. Our kind of party, I think.

Happy New Year, all! I wish I could give you a hug. Be safe and content. Love to you in 2014!

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Cran-Raspberry Pie

November 25, 2013 by mollygilbert520 12 Comments

More cranberries! Fresh ones. Because they’re beautiful gems and they taste good with raspberries in a pie. Or a tart? I can’t decide what this is, really. It’s kind of half and half. A halfsies situation.

The important question is, do you want to go halves on this thing?

I think this little number would make a nice addition to our regular line-up of Thanksgiving desserts. It’s pretty and seasonal and sweet/tart satisfying. It could go in between pumpkin and pecan, maybe? Kitty corner from good ol’ apple betty? We could call it crazzberry pie. Nice ring to it, eh? The crazzberries taste like crazzberries!

…Sorry. I’m excited. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! It’s the one time of year that the whole family comes to town and, drinks-wise/food-wise/fun-wise, we go to town. My family is big and loud and kind of nuts, and on Thanksgiving I just feel the luckiest. There’s a lot to be thankful for.

Thank you by the way, for being you. For stopping by from time to time and getting chatty in the comments. For you and for so many other things, I am thankful. I hope your holiday is filled with love and laughs, and plenty of pie, crazzberry or otherwise.

(…Also stretch pants. She’s a brave yet uncomfortable gal who wears jeans to Thanksgiving dinner. Just saying.)

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