Blackberry cream cheese baked french toast

 Fresh blackberries were on a screaming sale at the store.  What to do... I made this decadent creation with freshly made Challah bread and it was amazing!  The creation sits overnight and then you bake it in the am.  Sometimes you just want to roll in it. 

 

There is a layer of bread, a layer of cream cheese mixture then more bread.  It couldn't have turned out better.  Well, maybe if I had bacon.

I started this to document my food journey as of late.  I have been taking lots of pics and need and outlet for them.  I am not (obviously) a pro at photography but I love pretty things. I guess I should include recipes, although there are plenty out there.  I usually find one I like and change it to fit my mood or my on hand ingredients.

1 package fresh blackberries.  6 ish oz.  Warm in small saucepan on stove with 1/3 cup sugar.  berries will release liquid.  lightly mash them.  If they are really sweet on their own, I wouldn't add sugar at all.   Set aside while assembling.

I pretty much used an entire loaf of Challah bread.  I tore it into chunks and lightly pressed it together to form a layer on the bottom.  (I'd eaten a slice because I couldn't help myself)
I used 2/3 block of cream cheese, mixed it with 1/3 cup powdered sugar.  I put it in chunks/ spoonfuls onto the layer of bread.
Spoon 1/2 of berry mixture on top of the cream cheese.
Using the rest of the bread torn into chunks I layered it on top pressing it together.
Layer the rest of the berry mixture on the top of the bread
In a separate bowl mix 4 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla and 4 tbsp. of cream, half and half or milk.  Whatever you have.  Sprinkle cinnamon in with egg mixture then poor all over the bread trying to get it all covered.
Cover entire pan with foil and set into refrigerator over night. 
The next morning set pan onto counter and let come up to room temp for about 30 min.
The next morning set your oven at 350 and bake for 45 minutes covered and 15 more uncovered or until gets brown on top. 
ENJOY!

Caprese Bites

Yum, right?  Just a quick snap of a plate I took to a party.  The couple throwing the party are both gluten free so I made these caprese bites.  Fresh basil from my garden, cherub tomatoes and mozzarella pearls.  Pretty darn easy, cut tomatoes  in half,  skewer and drizzle with a good balsamic.

Please, do NOT go cheap on your balsamic.  The thicker, aged vinegar is life changing.

 

Fresh Food

Here it goes!  I'm jumping back into blogging after a long absence.  It is a food blog, and what ever else I decide. I read a lot of blogs on food.  They all have something to offer.  However; when reading one of the food blogs I came across a post where the blogger stated that she didn't eat the food she baked and blogged about.  What!?!?  It was like finding out that Santa isn't real.  I was crushed. 

What ever food I post here you can rest assured that I have eaten it!  I have made it or I will state that I am at a restaurant etc.  I am not trained in any sort of culinary arts.  I am a home cook that loves food.  I mean I think about it ALL of the time.  I am eating breakfast and planning lunch and dinner and perhaps two or three other meals. 

There is no special diet I follow, IE: gluten free.  I LOVE green chile and that makes my life complete. That and garlic.  That makes my life complete.  Well, green chile, garlic and onion.  (you get the picture).

This picture is of my haul from the farmers market last night~ 

The above photo is produce from my brothers garden.

LOVE all of it!

I will post photos as I eat and use it up.