Honey-Rosemary Roasted Cashews

A Fall Favorite

This time of year the appetite turns to the warm, toasty notes of autumn. Here in Central Texas my rosemary plant is bountiful throughout the year so the freshness of this herb makes this snack unmistakably delicious.

Why use so many cashews? Well, they’re great for snacking, parties, and gift giving! I use Costco Organic Whole Cashews which are perfect for this recipe. Add some local Round Rock Bourbon Barrel Honey and your tastebuds are likely to fly into outer orbit!

Sweet + Salty + Herby = One tasty treat!

Time To Prepare:

About 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

2 Pounds 8 Ounces  |  Organic Unsalted Cashews
4 Tablespoons  |  Fresh Rosemary, Coarsely Chopped
1 Teaspoon  |  Cayenne Pepper
3-4 Teaspoons  |  Kosher Salt
4 Tablespoons  |  Round Rock Bourbon Barrel Honey – or – 4 Teaspoons Dark Brown Sugar
2-3 Tablespoons  |  Butter, Melted (I use Falfurrias brand butter)

What To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Evenly place the cashews in a large baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes.

3. Melt the butter. I microwave my butter in a glass condiment prep cup in 15 seconds intervals.

4. While the cashews are roasting combine the fresh rosemary, cayenne pepper, salt, honey, and the melted butter in a large bowl.

5. Remove the cashews from the oven and add them to the bowl and give them a good shake to coat them with the rosemary-honey-butter mixture.

These honey-rosemary roasted cashews are best served warm! Store any leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag. Enjoy!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaulReider.KW.com

Our Friend Ashley Gave Us This Tasty Bourbon Barrel Honey And It’s The BOMB Diggity!

Rosemary Olive Bread Recipe

Bring On The Bread

I’ve never been one eager to make my own bread. But when I stumbled across this recipe that’s a no knead skillet olive bread I tried it. And I loved it! Now it makes regular appearances in my home.

This bread makes a great entertaining appetizer or sidekick for meals – your guests will be surprised you made it with your own two hands.

Time To Prepare:

About 2 hours; most of the time is reserved for the bread to “rise.”

Foodie Tips:

❤  Kalamata olives are my chosen favorite for this bread. You can substitute the kalamatas with your own favorite.

❤  Fresh herbs gives this bread a delightful taste. I noted my favorite herbs to use below – they come fresh from my garden!

Ingredients:

For The Dough:
2 Cups  |  Lukewarm Water
2 ¼ Teaspoons (1 Packet)  |  Active Dry Yeast
4 ⅓ Cups  |  All-Purpose Flour, Divided
½ Tablespoon  |  Kosher Salt
1 Cup  |  Kalamata Olives, Drained And Sliced (Or Whole)
1 Large  |  Garlic Clove, Minced
1 Tablespoon  |  Fresh Rosemary, Chopped
1 Tablespoon  |  Fresh Basil, Chopped (Optional)
1 Teaspoon  |  Fresh Oregano, Chopped (Optional)
1 Teaspoon  |  Fresh Thyme, Chopped (Optional)
1 Tablespoon  |  Olive Oil

To Serve:
1-2 Tablespoons  |  Olive Oil
To Garnish  |  Kosher Salt
To Garnish  |  Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, Chopped

What To Do:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the water and the yeast. Add 1 cup of flour and the ½ tablespoon of salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is well combined.

2. Add the olives, garlic and the herbs of your choice and stir well. Add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time and stir well between additions.

3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour.

4. In a 10-inch iron skillet add the tablespoon of olive oil (you can also use a stoneware baking dish if you don’t have an iron skillet). Using your fingers or a folded paper towel, coat the bottom and sides of the skillet with olive oil.

5. Remove the plastic wrap from the dough. Flour your hands and transfer the dough to the prepared skillet and carefully shape it into a roundish loaf. No kneading needed!

6. Cover the skillet with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F.

7. Score the top of the dough with a knife. Brush the remaining olive oil on top of the dough, sprinkle it with the salt and parsley, and place it in the oven.

8. Bake about 30 minutes or until the top is nice and brown… and a knife comes out clean.

9. Remove the bread from the oven. Transfer the bread from the skillet onto a wire cooling rack. Brush the remaining 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil on top. Sprinkle with salt and the fresh parsley.

You can let the bread cool entirely but I like mine served still warm. Dipped in olive oil or red sauce I’ve enjoyed this bread as my meal!

Yield: About 12 servings.

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaulReider.KW.com

Recipe: Irish Beef Stew

A True Pot o’ Gold

Spring is in the air which means St. Patrick’s Day is front and center. While Lucky Charms and green beer frequent the leprechaun’s table, this is a hearty stew that will make eyes green with envy for the recipe. And here it is!

For the past several St. Patrick’s Days this Irish Stew has made a special appearance in my home. After we served it at our first St. Patrick’s Day party in our new home our guests raved about this so much we’ve been making it ever since.  🍀🍀🍀  We don’t just enjoy this for St. Paddy’s Day but any day we have an appetite for a delicious stew.

Try it once and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we do!

Time:

To Prepare: About 20 minutes
To Simmer: 2-3 hours (the longer the tastier)

Foodie Tips:

❤  The best sidekick for this stew is a 1-2 cup-sized dollop of my family’s smashed potatoes. I form a large divot in the middle and ladle the stew on top. There’s nothing better!

❤  Whether you use a skillet, dutch oven or crock pot, the special “oomph” to this recipe is to make sure your cooking vessel has a lid — covering this stew during the simmer stage will ensure the flavors are infused into the stew for a super-tasty dish.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon  |  Olive Oil
1 – 2 Pounds  |  Chuck Roast, Cut Into Cubes
1  |  Yellow Onion, Chunked
5 Large  |  Carrots, Peeled And Chopped
3 Cloves  |  Garlic, Minced
2 Teaspoons  |  Fresh Rosemary, Chopped
2 Teaspoons  |  Fresh Thyme, Chopped
1 Teaspoon  |  Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon  |  Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
3  |  Bay Leaves
2 Cups  |  Beef Broth
2 Tablespoons  |  Flour, Sifted
2 Tablespoons  |  Butter, At Room Temperature (try Falfurrias available at HEB)
½ Cup  |  Peas

What To Do:

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet or dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Add the cubed chuck roast and cook, stirring here and there until it’s browned. Do not cook the meat until it’s well done! 

2. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaves and cook until the onions begin to soften (about 5 minutes). If using a slow cooker (Crock Pot) transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot. Otherwise… add the broth, cover and low-simmer for 2 or more hours, stirring periodically. You’ll love the smell that forms from this savory dish!

3. In a small bowl with fork or whisk, make a slurry by mixing the flour and softened butter together. Pour this into the stew. Add the peas and let everything mingle and thicken. Just before serving remove the bay leaves and discard. Serve into bowls and enjoy the stew alone… or even better partnered with my smashed potato recipe (see recipe tips above). Sláinte!

Serves about 4-6 Texans, depending on the size of their appetite!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaulReider.KW.com

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes — there’s more than 50 recipes here on the Home Style Austin blog!

Recipe: Chicken Pappardelle

Pappardelle In My Belly!

Not too long after posting about my Roasted Tomato and Garlic Pesto Pasta recipe, I fell in love with this dish. It seems I like pasta as much as the blue Texas sky.

Pappardelle? It’s a wonderfully wide noodle that hails from Tuscany. It was during a trip to Italy when I first discovered a delightful dish of pappardelle resting underneath cinghiale (wild boar) paired with a nice glass of red. Despite the fact that Italy is half the size of Texas, its 20 regions are wildly diverse in geography, dialect, and food. Pappardelle is authentic to the hills of Tuscany.

Try this dish and I’ll hope you enjoy it!

Foodie Tips:

❤  You can find pappardelle pasta at Central Market and HEB.

Pappardelle costs about $5 and it’s worth its weight in gold!

If you’re adventurous you can also make pappardelle by hand – here’s a fun video that shows you the magic:

❤  Many foodies prefer to cook pasta 1 minute less than the package directions indicate for al dente perfection! What does “al dente” mean? In Italian… “to the tooth,” which implies the pasta is tender, but not mushy.

❤  I once had an Italian finger shaken at me for using red sauce from a jar. “Why would you use jarred sauce?” If you’re not in a hurry, try my homemade red sauce recipe.

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons  |  Olive Oil
1 ½ Pounds  |  Chicken Breast or Boneless Thighs, Chopped Into Chunks
To Taste  |  Salt and Pepper
1  |  Yellow Onion, Diced
2 Stalks  |  Celery, Diced
1  |  Red Pepper, Diced
1 ½ Teaspoons  |  Fresh Rosemary, Chopped
½ Teaspoon  |  Red Pepper Flakes
2 Cups  |  Bertolli Organic Pasta Sauce (Olive Oil, Garlic & Basil)
⅔ Cup  |  Chicken Broth
1 Pound  |  Pappardelle
¼ Cup  |  Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, Chopped
To Love  |  Parmigiano-Reggiano, Shredded

What To Do:

1. Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven or medium-sized pot over medium-high heat.

2. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper and saute it until golden brown (about 5 minutes).

3. Add the onion, celery, and red pepper – cook until the onion is soft and translucent (about 3 minutes).

4. Add the fresh rosemary and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 minutes to marry.

5. Add the pasta sauce and broth, stir, and bring to a boil. Shred the chicken with a fork or wooden spoon. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

6. While the sauce is simmering, prepare the pappardelle and add to the sauce.

7. Transfer your chicken pappardelle to a pasta bowl (or plate). Top with freshly chopped parsley and parmigiano-reggiano. Molto bene!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes – there’s more than 50 recipes here on the Home Style Austin blog!

 

 

Rosemary Veggie Dog Treats

The Best Dog Treat Recipe!

Their Favorite Dog Treat Recipe

I used to run an eco friendly pet specialty company, so I’m a big fan when it comes time to care for our furry friends. In fact, some of my very best friends have four legs and I consider myself the lucky one to have known some of these loyal, gentle souls.

To make a tasty dish they’ll really love, we make a batch of these homemade dog treats which were my company’s signature treat – I handmade thousands of them! I hope you enjoy these treats from my pack to yours! I can honestly say that my Labs love these treats as much as I love sharing them. They smell wonderful!

Foodie Tips:

❤  Have fun creating these crunchy treats with a variety of cookie cutter shapes! Some of our favorites include a mini Texas, heart, stars, cats, a fire hydrant and of course dog bones. You can also buy seasonal shapes which are perfect for gift-giving (shamrocks, pumpkins, candy canes, etc.). Williams-Sonoma has a great cookie cutter line-up.

❤  You don’t have to slow-cool the cookies overnight if you (or they) are in a hurry … but allow at least a couple of hours for the treats to crisp up.

Ingredients: 

½ Cup  |  Canned Carrots (no salt added)
½ Cup  |  Canned Green Beans (no salt added)
¼ Cup  |  Low Sodium Chicken Broth
¼ Cup  |  Fresh Rosemary, Finely Chopped
1 ½ Cups  |  Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup  |  Rice Flour
½ Cup  |  Wheat Germ
¼ Cup   |  Brewers Yeast
2 Tablespoons  |  Garlic Powder
¼ Cup  |  Olive Oil

Directions: 

0. Preheat oven to 350°F.

1. Purée the carrots, beans and chicken broth. We used a Cuisinart Smart Stick (an immersion blender).

2. In a large separate bowl, combine the rosemary, the two flours, wheat germ, yeast and garlic powder. Add the puréed veggies and the olive oil. Mix well by hand. This is a dry mix so don’t give up – work out any frustrations on the dough until it comes together well enough to roll (about 4-5 minutes). Take a moment to enjoy the smell along the way – these treats smell wonderful!

3. Lightly dust a cutting board with a bit of the whole wheat flour. Roll the dough to about ¼” thick. Cut out your doggie treats with their favorite cookie cutter shapes and place them on a cookie sheet lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.

4. Bake for 15 minutes in your preheated oven. Turn off the heat and allow the treats to slow-cool overnight.

Yield: About 9 dozen Doggie treats if using small cookie cutters about 1-2″ in size.

Stores well in an airtight container or bag. 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

Texas-Tuscany Beef Stew Recipe

One Hearty Meal

Even during the hottest days of summer, I dream of this amazing beef stew. Best of all, this stew is easy to make and even easier to eat!

The stew’s signature ingredients? Chianti-marinated beef brisket and a Texas jalapeño or three!

Foodie Tip:

❤  If you like tummy fillers like I do, you can serve the stew on top of rice or noodles. One thing we enjoy is that instead of boiling rice/pasta in water, we substitute water with beef or chicken broth for an extra-special flavor.

Ingredients: 

3-5 Pounds  |  Beef Brisket (get a good cut)
3-4 Cloves  |  Garlic, Halved
1 Bottle (750 ml)  |  Italian Chianti Wine
4 Tablespoons  |  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
To Taste  |  Kosher Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper
2-4 Cups  |  Beef Broth
3-5 Medium-Sized Carrots  |  Peeled And Cut Into 1″ Pieces
3 Stalks  |  Celery, Chopped Into 1/2″ Pieces
4 Medium  |  Russet Or Red Potatoes, Cut Into 1-1/2″ Chunks
3 4 Inch Sprigs  |  Fresh Rosemary, Chopped

Plus Ups:

1/2 Cup  |  Kalamata Olives, Halved
2 Leaves  |  Sage Or Bay
2-3  |  Jalapeños, For A Texas-Inspired Kick
To Enjoy  |  Rice Or Noodles (Optional)

Accessories:

To Cover  |  Cling Film
To “Pat” Beef Dry  |  Paper Towels
To Brown  |  A Dutch Oven Or Large Pan
To Cook  |  A Crock Pot (Or Slow Cooker)

Directions: 

1. Place the beef into a 13-inch by 9-inch glass baking dish. Cut 6-8 “slits” in the brisket and insert the garlic halves. Pour the wine over the meat and marinate in the refrigerator, loosely covered with cling film, for 2 hours (overnight recommended). Turn the meat over and marinate here and there.

2. Remove the brisket from the wine and “pat” it dry with paper towels. Reserve the wine.

3. In a large Dutch oven or large pan, heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the meat on all sides with salt and pepper.

4. Using tongs, place the meat in the pan and brown on all sides, about 2 minutes for each side. Remove the meat and place it into your Crock Pot.

5. In the pan, pour the reserved wine, scraping up any brown bits. Cook for about 1-2 minutes. Transfer into the Crock Pot.

6. Add beef broth to almost cover the beef. Cook on low Crock Pot setting for 2-2.5 hours.

7. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, potatoes and rosemary (plus the olives, sage and jalapeños, if desired). Cover and continue to cook on low setting for another 2-2.5 hours, or until tender.

8. [ Sidenote: The beef may already be soft and falling apart before you cut it! In this case, skip this step. If not… ] Remove the meat from the stew. Place the meat on a cutting board and cut into quarters. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the meat to the stew and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

9. Serve with a glass of Chianti and enjoy!

Love this recipe? We want to hear from you!

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

DIY : Italian Housewarming Basket

One of the most important of Italian traditions is to celebrate and welcome friends and family to their new home. This “recipe” is an easy way for you to honor their life event.

The items below have great significance and when combined, make a thoughtful and memorable gift from you to them!

Ingredients: 

Bread  |  So you will never go hungry
Wine  |  So you will never go thirsty
Salt  |  Sprinkled around doors and windows, for good luck
Olive Oil  |  Which represents good health
A Candle  |  Symbolizing light
Wood  |  To bring peace, harmony and stability to your new home

Tips:

For The Bread: We like giving an artisan loaf of Rosemary Bread from Central Market.

For The Wine: You can only “go right” with an Italian red. We found this Piccini Chianti at our local Twin Liquors.

For The Salt: We gift gray sea salt; it’s flavorful and prized by cooks around the globe.

For The Olive Oil: Try a first press olive oil in a glass dispenser to show-off it’s distinctive gold and green color.

For The Candle: We put an aromatic candle inside a decorative votive holder.

For The Wood: A high-end wooden cooking utensil – perhaps olive wood – will do the trick and will remind them of you each time they’re cooking in the kitchen. Here in Austin try Sur la Table.

What To Do:

1. Arrange the goodies in a small basket lined with a fabric napkin.

2. Top the basket treats with a handmade card (ours is shown above) with a printout of the ingredients list; when the recipient reads the history and learns the significance of the items, a smile (sometimes a tear) comes to their face.

Enjoy!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.