Columns

April 3, 2012

Caramelized Onion Pie for Easter Brunch {Powernap}

Onion Pie

This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.

When were cleaning out the fridge before our trip to Charleston I found a large bag of onions. This was not a surprise in the least, I always stock up on onions since I cook with them all the time. To use some up I decided to caramelize them and make a fresh version of our favorite vegetable pie. It seemed like the perfect thing to have on hand for the last few days before vacation. There is nothing easier to heat up in a pinch between loads of laundry and packing suitcases! I whipped up this easy pie while my daughter napped, then kept it in the fridge for a few days while we nibbled on a slice here and there until there was nothing left.

Recipe

Anytime Vegetable Pie

Ingredients

pie crust (in this case I used a Whole Foods frozen pie crust, but feel free to make your own if you have the time)
red pepper, chopped (or any other vegetable you feel like!
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
4 eggs
1 c. half & half
2 c. Monterey Jack, shredded
1/3 c. Parmesan, grated, plus more for sprinkling
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare pie crust in a 9″ pie dish according to directions.
    2. Saute the onions and garlic in olive oil for about 20 minutes, or until the onions are completely caramelized.
    3. In a bowl mix eggs, half & half, monterey jack and parmesan.
    4. Add the caramelized onions to the egg mixture and combine.
    5. At this point I recommend adding salt & pepper to taste and perhaps seasoning it with any other herb that might be fresh at the time your making it.
    6. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust and sprinkle the thop lightly with parmesan cheese.
    7. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.
    8. You can tell when the pie is done by making sure the center is set when you lightly jiggle the pan.

    Naptime Notes

    Naptime Recipe Serving ideas

    This recipe is a fast, easy brunch recipe that always delivers. Have fun making it with different vegetables!

    Naptime Stopwatch

    This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare, which includes pre-baking the pie crust. Once you pop it in the oven you only need to check on it one or two times, so you have plenty of time to do other things.

    Naptime Reviews

    A terrific pie for breakfast or dinner!

    More Naptime Recipes

    March 30, 2012

    South Carolina Book Tour Events! {Tales from the Trenches}

    At the moment here are the Tales from the Trenches from my book tour! I have TWO awesome book tour events coming up in South Carolina this week and I hope you all can come.

    JMcLaughlin Charleston

    The first one is on April 4th from 3 -6 pm the JMcLaughlin store at 212 King Street. Invitation above! Everyone is welcome!

    The second is on April 5th from 3 – 5pm at the JMcLaughlin on Kiawah Island. Invitation above! Everyone welcome!

     

    For more book tour dates be sure to see my book page!

    March 29, 2012

    Citrus Cornmeal Cake with Lavender Glaze for Easter {Naptime Everyday}

    Cornmeal Cake

    Tomorrow we are off in a blaze of glory for our annual trip to Charleston. This year we are driving (!) which ought to be an adventure. My challenge for this venture is, of course, packing food suitable for a road trip. I have all the ingredients for my favorite summer sandwich set to go as well as a huge bag of Trader Joe’s snacks. I also am going to try and pack a cake to share with my parents when we arrive. They are so nice to host us (and babysit!) while we visit it is the least I can do. Also, they won’t be home for Easter this year so I want to bring a taste of Easter to them.

    March 27, 2012

    The Naptime Chef Cooking Show with OXO: Artichoke-Lemon Pesto

    Welcome to the second episode of The Naptime Chef Cooking Show!! This series of three cooking shows is made possible with support from OXO and features recipes from my new book. My first show featured my recipe for Couscous with Tomatoes & Arugula. This episode features my Artichoke-Lemon Pesto from my Side Dishes & Salads section and features the awesome OXO measuring cups, a great OXO citrus juice, and a handheld mandoline. The final cooking show in this series will be rolled out in two weeks will each have more giveaways for awesome OXO tools and my book. We’re also going to be having fun Facebook contests and Twitter parties so stayed tuned!

    3 Piece Cups Naptime Chef

    oxo dry measuring cups naptime chefOXO Citrus Naptime Chef

    OXO Naptime Chef

    To enter to win your very own Measuring Cups, Citrus Juicer, Handheld Mandoline and SIGNED copy of my book see below:

    1) Leave a comment sharing your favorite dish with artichokes!

    2) Like The Naptime Chef on Facebook.

    3) Like OXO on Facebook.

    4) Sign up for The Naptime Chef newsletter on the upper right hand side of my website.

    5) Contest runs from Tuesday, March 27th at 7:00am ET through Tuesday, April 3rd at 7:00am ET. Winner will be announced Wednesday, April 4th at 7:00am ET.

    6) Winner will be chosen by Random.org. Winner has 48 hours to claim her prize before another person is chosen.

    March 22, 2012

    The Naptime Chef Book Tour Details! {Tales from the Trenches}

    Naptime Chef Evite

    I am going to start checking in regularly with book tour details as they roll out. I am beyond thrilled and honored that JMcLaughlin is headlining my tour. They’ll be hosting wonderful book signings, complete with nibbles from the book, at their stores all over the country and I am so grateful for their support. My first signing event will take place at their Westport location and the invitation is above. PLEASE COME! BRING FRIENDS! Everyone welcome!

    March 21, 2012

    Chocolate Chunk Dried Cherry Granola {Naptime Entertaining}

    Granola Naptime Chef

    I have a great granola recipe in my book and I wanted to spruce it up a bit for an upcoming brunch gathering. With some dried cherries and awesome dark chocolate chunks on hand (my favorite secret ingredient for nearly everything!) I knew I had the perfect additions to give our favorite breakfast treat a new twist. Plus, I was fairly certain the chocolate would make it very kid-friendly.

    March 20, 2012

    Baked Eggplant Goat Cheese Stacks with The Beekman Boys {Naptime Everyday}

    Eggplant

    What’s Going on Today: Returned from taping newest segment for Connecticut Style!

    Naptime Goals: Bake eggplant with new Beekman Boys-technique.

    Tonight’s Menu: Baked Eggplant Goat Cheese Stacks, Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette, Red Wine

    As a native Cooperstonian I am a little embarrassed it took me this long to write about The Beekman Boys of Beekman 1802. I was born and raised two hills over from the Beekman Mansion. In fact, my parents once looked at it when it was for sale a long time ago. Needless to say they didn’t buy it, my Dad had no interest in renovating a farm and especially didn’t like the fact that a seasonal stream ran through the basement. I keep meaning to jaunt over when I am there in the summer but for some reason I always get distracted at The Black Cat and The American Hotel and never seem to make it. This summer I will! I swear! (It make a great travel episode for The Naptime Chef Cooking Show don’t you think?!)

    March 15, 2012

    Chocolate Chunk Pretzel Cookies {Powernap}

    Chocolate Chunk Pretzel Cookies

    This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.

    I am never one to pass up the opportunity for a cookie recipe experiment. When I returned from Thailand earlier this month I discovered our sweet stash completely depleted. Turns out my husband was hungry when he was home alone for a week! I was in the mood for some simple chocolate chippers but wanted give them a little extra oomph. With a fresh bag of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Chunks and a handful of pretzels remaining in our snack jar I decided to make up a new, cool cookie variety.

    March 14, 2012

    Spicy Thai Fish Sandwiches {Naptime Everyday}

    Fish Sandwich

    What’s Going on Today: Busy Friday preparing for book launch.

    Naptime Goals: Make sauce for fish, prepare couscous salad (book recipe)

    Tonight’s Menu: Spicy Thai Fish Sandwiches, Couscous with Tomatoes & Arugula

    I’ll admit, these days my daytime cooking time is being eaten up preparing for book events. I don’t mind it though, I had planned this would be the case. As a result I’ve been focusing on enjoying my time cooking, just in smaller increments. With the flavors of Thailand fresh on my palate post-Sea Cuisine adventure I’ve been leaning toward spicy foods as of late. I’m the first to admit I usually don’t gravitate toward sweaty-brow inducing dishes, but I’ve been seduced by the mild sweet heat that comes from peppers and chili paste.

    March 13, 2012

    The Naptime Chef Cooking Show with OXO: Episode #1

    March 12, 2012

    The Naptime Chef Virtual Book Tour {Naptime Simple Tips}

    To celebrate my official on-sale date I am hosting The Naptime Chef Virtual Book Tour along with Running Press Cooks. Bloggers from around the world have brilliantly cooked and photographed recipes from my book and have written about them on their blogs. Best of all, each blogger is giving away a copy of my book. There are so many chances to win! To join in the fun come to our Twitter Party Wednesday March 14th from 12 – 1pm ET and use the hashtag #naptimecooking to chat all things naptime! I’ll be adding links and photos to this post all week long so keep checking back for more delicious dishes!!

    Cranberry Spice Granola

    My Cranberry Spice Granola from Aggie’s Kitchen

    Couscous salad

    Couscous with Blue Cheese & Cranberries on The Merry Gourmet

    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    Homemade Marinara Sauce on Recipe Girl

    Chocolate Egg Cream

    Chocolate Egg Cream on La Fuji Mama

    slow roasted tomatoes

    Slow-Roasted Tomatoes on Wicked Noodle


    ham & corn chowder

    Ham & Corn Chowder from Gluten is my Bitch

    Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew

    Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew from Cooking with my Kid

     

    Naptime Chef Sausage Soup

    Sausage Ravioli Soup from Big Girls, Small Kitchen

    blueberry muffins naptime chef

    Blueberry Muffins on Brooklyn Supper

    Chocolate Zucchini Loaf from One Hungry Mama


    Green Beans with Walnuts Marla Meridith Photography

    Green Beans with Toasted Almonds & Quinoa from Family Fresh Cooking

    March 8, 2012

    Grandma Pat’s Oven-Fried Cornflake Chicken {Naptime Entertaining}

    Chicken

    At Applemania last October Nicole served homemade fried chicken for a picnic dinner. It was the perfect dish to serve a crowd on a mid-fall evening. I don’t make fried food very often, but I was thinking about that meal the other day and it put me in the mood for a homemade crispy chicken bucket. We weren’t entertaining, though this recipe is excellent for serving a crowd, but I didn’t let that stop me from making it the centerpiece of our Sunday night feast. One of my favorite things about it is the chicken is baked at a high temperature giving it a crispy “just fried” texture without any actual deep frying. While deep frying is, of course, delicious, I don’t love how unhealthy it is, not to mention that smell that lingers in my kitchen for days afterward.