Domestic Divas Holiday Giveaway: Win A Hammer Stahl 4 Quart Saute Pot ($229 Value)!

Hammer Stahl Saute Pot

Domestic Divas wishes you a happy holiday...with a great giveaway!

This cooking blog features healthy farm-to-table recipes, and the most important tool in your kitchen is a great set of cookware. That brings me to Hammer Stahl. 

Designed for flavorful, low-fat cooking, their cookware is top-notch, made with stainless steels and titanium surfaces that disperse the heat safely and evenly. Their products are manufactured in the U.S. at a facility in Clarksville, Tennessee. For the first time at retail Hammer Stahl is introducing its new 4-quart deep sauté pot. Here's a little more about it:

The interior layer of steel of the pan has been changed, so that the cooking surface is the least reactive to salts and acids. This stainless steel is significantly more resistant to corrosion and reduces the reaction between food and the cooking surface to ensure that meals have exceptional flavor.

A great sauté pot should be your best friend in the kitchen. You can use it to cook almost anything, from a great vegetable sauté to fish and meat, and this one is top of the line.

THE GIVEAWAY: 

I'm giving one of these amazing sauté pots and cover (a $229 dollar value) to one lucky reader! Also so everyone can benefit, Hammer Stahl is offering its new 4-quart deep pan with cover at the special price of $99.00 (regularly $229) only through December 31, 2015.

To check out this special promotion and locate a retailer, visit www.hammerstahl.com/316Ti.

HOW TO ENTER: 

• Leave a SEPARATE comment on this post per entry

• Tell me your favorite holiday dish that you cook on the stovetop

• Make sure I have a way to contact you if you are the winner by either 1) following me on Twitter @JenniferBrody; or 2) sending your contact info to domesticdivasblog [at] gmail [dot] com

• You can enter as many times as you want. More entries = more chances to win!

• The winner's name will be chosen in a random drawing

• Hammer Stahl will ship this giveaway within the USA 

• This giveaway will close on Friday, December 4th at noon PST

• The sooner you start entering, the sooner you can start cooking!

Baked Vegetable Penne (Gluten Free)

Domestic Divas Blog "Baked Vegetable Penne"

I realize it's been a little while since I posted here, but I've had so much going on lately!

My debut novel The 13th Continuum publishes on April 19, 2016. How cool is that? That and everything that goes along with it has been taking up a ton of my time. BUT...I've been getting back to the farmers market lately and cooking up some fun dishes, so I thought I'd share a recent one. 

I'll warn you—this is comfort food.

Yup. No doubt about it.

It's a classic Baked Penne with vegetables and gluten-free pasta. I used a brown rice based penne, but almost any sort of pasta would work here. I filled in the layers with fresh ricotta and summer heirloom squash, purple bell peppers, and spinach, but almost any sort of veggie combo would work. It's topped with organic mozzarella cheese for lots of yum factor. 

Any questions?

This dish can be made a day ahead and then baked when the time comes. It also keeps great leftover (it may even be better a day later). Enjoy!

Domestic Divas Blog "Baked Vegetable Penne"

Baked Vegetable Penne (Gluten Free)

Baking time: 40 minutes

Serves 6 to 8 people

Gluten free; vegetarian

Ingredients

1 pound gluten free penne (or other pasta)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cups fresh ricotta cheese

1 egg

pinch of nutmeg

2 cups zucchini, sliced

4 cups fresh baby spinach

2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped

3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)

24-ounce jar of tomato sauce

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

2. Heat the olive oil over medium, then add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini and bell peppers and saute until becoming tender (about 5 minutes). Add the spinach and stir, letting it cook down. Fold in the fresh basil if desired. Season the vegetable mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente (about 7 minutes). Drain and return to the pot. Toss the pasta with the jar of tomato sauce. 

4. To make the ricotta mixture, beat the egg in a mixing bowl. Add the ricotta and 1 cup of the mozzarella and stir together until smooth. 

5. Spray a baking pan (8x12 in.) with nonstick cooking spray (or any oil will work). Spoon half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the bottom. Spread the vegetables on top of the pasta, and then spoon the ricotta mixture over the vegetables in an even layer. Top with the rest of the pasta and sauce, and then finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. 

6. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes, or until the it's heated and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

The 13th Continuum Cover Reveal & Available on Amazon for Preorder!

Publication Date: April 19, 2016 (Turner Publishing)

I'm excited to reveal the book cover for my debut novel—The 13th Continuum. It's still early days, but the book is up on Amazon and available for preorders. The publication date is April 19, 2016. 

THE 13TH CONTINUUM on Amazon (paperback available for preorder)

How freaking cool is that? 

I'm still pinching myself.

About the Book (from Amazon): 

One thousand years after a cataclysmic event leaves humanity on the brink of extinction, the survivors take refuge in continuums designed to sustain the human race until repopulation of Earth becomes possible. Against this backdrop, a group of young friends in the underwater Thirteenth Continuum dream about life outside their totalitarian existence, an idea that has been outlawed for centuries. When a shocking discovery turns the dream into a reality, they must decide if they will risk their own extinction to experience something no one has for generations—the Surface.

You've probably noticed that I haven't been blogging here as much. The truth is that I've been enmeshed in finishing the second book in my series and beginning the third book (my deal is for three books). So many great things are happening! I'll have more announcements soon. 

In one short week, I leave for Tuscany, where I'll be working in residence at the Lemon Tree House. So thrilled they accepted me. Looking forward to an inspiring and joyous trip, filled with writing and travel. You can visit my official author website for more information and updates:

Jennifer Brody's Author Website

I'm also working to build up my social media following and appreciate any support. You can friend me on Facebook, like my Facebook Writing page, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads, where I just set up my official author page. Thanks again for your support!

Facebook Writing Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbrodywriter

Twitter: @JenniferBrody

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jendawnbrody/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14248804.Jennifer_Brody

My Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Burgers Featured on Chow.com!

Happy Friday, Divas!

I had to share that my Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Burger recipe was featured on Chow! I simply adore this recipe and make them all the time. I originally wrote this recipe because I'd grown frustrated with bland grocery store offerings and also wanted to make a Gluten Free veggie option. This recipe has also been published by Meatless Monday and other publications.

Click here to see the article!

BIG NEWS... Announcing My Publishing Deal!

So... I realize that it's been a while since I've posted here. But I swear, I have a good reason!

Ready for it??

I just signed a 3 book publishing deal with Turner Publishing. Yes... 3 books!

Woo-hoo!!!!

The first book—THE 13TH CONTINUUM—will be published in Spring 2016. I'm busy working on the rest of the series, so I may post recipes less frequently. I also have a great team of film producers on board and we're working on our pitch for the movies. I should have more exciting announcements coming soon... but in the meantime you can check out my author website (click here!).

The Announcement from Publisher's Weekly:

Screenwriter Jennifer Brody’s post-dystopian trilogy, THE THIRTEENTH CONTINUUM, where, as life on Earth ended, humans built thirteen pods to fill with hand-chosen survivors and dispersed them into space, inside mountains and into the deep ocean; when a young woman in the ocean colony learns that they have only eight months of oxygen left, she begins searching for an ancient and forbidden device from Before Doom that’s supposed to lead them back to the Surface, to Stephanie Beard at Turner Publishing, by Deborah Schneider of Gelfman Schneider/ICM (NA).

Gluten-Free Blueberry Oatmeal with Flax Seeds & Almonds

So... I'm always trying to bump up my eating routine. Vary it a little, streamline it, try some new stuff. I know oatmeal doesn't seem very exciting...

But this oatmeal is something different!

Seriously. It's so yummy & decadent, you won't even notice that it packs a healthy punch. It's made with Gluten Free oats from Trader Joe's. Fancied up with fresh blueberries, a touch of maple syrup and a little Stevia, almonds and toasted flax seeds, and cinnamon. 

So what do you think? Sound like a good breakfast treat to you?

Gluten-Free Blueberry Oatmeal with Flax Seeds & Almonds

Serves 1 person

Vegan; gluten-free

Cooking time: about 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup water

pinch of salt

1/2 cup gluten free oatmeal

1/4 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen would work)

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon almonds

1 tablespoon toasted flax seeds

dash of cinnamon

Stevia to taste, if extra sweetness desired

unsweetened almond milk for serving

Directions

1. Bring the water and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the oatmeal, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping cooking for about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency. 

2. When the oatmeal is almost finished cooking, add the blueberries, maple syrup, and cinnamon and stir to combine. Add a little Stevia is more sweetness is desired.

3. Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl and top with the flax seeds and almonds. Serve with a little unsweetened almond milk. Enjoy!

Blackberry Almond Muffins (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)

I'm a muffin baking machine these days!

This came about for a few reasons. For one thing, they're delicious. For another thing, I realized that I needed to up my fiber intake, yet I wasn't thrilled with the gluten-free products available at the store.

I've never been much of a baker in the past. It's always stressed me out a bit. But as I've been experimenting and trying out different ingredients, I've gained confidence.

Better yet, I reap the rewards of freshly baked muffins. One batch lasts for several days at least. I wake up, mix them together, and throw them in the oven. Bang out a quick yoga practice while they bake, and then feast on the deliciousness.

Along with my muffin smothered with Kerrygold pastured butter, I eat smoked salmon and greens sautéed with olive oil, Celtic sea salt, and turmeric. This is my breakfast almost every single morning. I love it.

Here are some geeky baking details:

For you gluten-free folks out there, my preferred all purpose flour blend comes from Pamela's. I always keep it stocked in my pantry. My other new obsession is this line of sprouted whole grain flours from To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co. Whole Foods started carrying them. The benefit of sprouted grain flours revolves around their digestibility and increased nutritional content.

I rotate my flour blend, using 1 cup of Pamela's and then one cup of a sprouted grain flour, choosing among sprouted corn flour, sprouted millet flour, and sprouted brown rice flour. This keeps variation in my diet and makes it more fun. I also rotate my muffin ingredients, choosing among different types of fruit (apples, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.) and nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, help seeds, flax seeds, etc.). You can't go wrong—all the combinations are great!

Feel free to play around and try different ones!

Enjoy!

Blackberry Almond Muffins (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
Makes about 8 small muffins
Baking time: 25 minutes
Gluten-free; dairy-free

Ingredients

1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour (such as Pamela's brand)
1 cup sprouted brown rice flour or other whole grain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil (melted)
1 cup fresh blackberries
1/2 cup raw slivered almonds
raw turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder). In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (egg, maple syrup, olive oil, almond milk, vanilla, apple cider vinegar). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined, but be careful not to over beat the mix. Fold in the blackberries and almonds.

3. Grease a muffin tin. Pour the mix into the muffin slots and sprinkle a little sugar on top, if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with butter. Enjoy!

Pan-Seared Jumbo Scallops with Sweet Potato Mash

Do you know how easy it is to cook scallops?

Simply dusting them with salt and pepper and searing them up in a pan produces a fantastic result. They cook fast. Maybe a little butter to jazz them up. Some lemon.

That's all you need.

Why mess with something so good in the first place?

For this recipe, I did just that. They're served over a simple sweet potato mash. To make it, I back sweet potatoes in the oven. Then I allow them to cool and peel off the skins. Add butter, salt and a dash of cinnamon. Mash them with a fork. They're so tasty!

The sweet potato mash gives this dish a nice seasonal flare, don't you think?

Without further ado... here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Pan-Seared Scallops with Sweet Potato Mash
Serves 2 people
Cooking time: about one hour (including baking the sweet potatoes)
Gluten free

Ingredients
6 jumbo scallops
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
3 medium sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons butter (preferably pastured like Kerrygold brand)
1 lemon, halved
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of smoked paprika (optional)
salt and freshly ground pepper
fresh chopped parsley (optional)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

To make the sweet potato mash, poke holes in the sweet potatoes. Bake them in the oven on a lined baking sheet for 45 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Peel the skins off the potatoes and place in a bowl. Add the butter, cinnamon, and salt to taste. Mash with a fork.

Meanwhile, to cook the scallops, heat the grapeseed oil in a pan over high heat, until almost smoking. Rinse the scallops and pat them dry. Season with salt and pepper, and smoked paprika if desired. Gently add the scallops to the pan so that they're not touching. Sear them, turning once, for about 1 1/2 minutes per side. They should form a golden crust. Remove the scallops from the heat and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

To plate, spoon some of the sweet potato mash on the bottom of the plate and top with three scallops per plate. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Fusilli Pasta with White Beans, Cherry Tomatoes & Wild Arugula (Gluten Free)

So... I made this for dinner last night.

And it turned out so fabulous!

It was one of those great moments where I was working with the dregs of my last grocery store run, combing through the cupboard. What can I make with this stuff? I always keep a quality gluten free pasta on hand for just such cooking emergencies. This is a new one I tried out last night and really loved—Bionaturae Organic Fusilli. It had the texture of "normal" pasta and held up well.

So that was a start. Then I sorted through the last of my veggies:

Organic heirloom cherry tomates
Organic yellow bell pepper
Organic wild arugula

That had the makings of a tasty pasta. I grabbed a can of organic white beans. I love throwing them into pasta because of their great, creamy texture. Plus, they add some protein to veggie meals. Other cupboard staples include garlic, chili flakes, extra virgin olive oil, white wine and parmesan reggiano.

The final ingredient?

Some fresh basil clipped from the plant on my porch, which miraculously hasn't died yet. There you have it. Now here's how I threw it all together to make this tasty little dish.

Fusilli Pasta with White Beans, Cherry Tomatoes & Wild Arugula (Gluten Free)
Serves 4 people
Cooking time: about 20 minutes
Vegan (if served without cheese); gluten free

Ingredients
1 bag of fusilli pasta (12 oz.), cooked per package instructions
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
pinch of chili flakes
1 yellow, red or orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups wild or baby arugula, tightly packed
1 can white beans (15 oz.), drained and rinsed with cool water
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
grated parmesan reggiano for garnishing (optional)

Directions
1. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and chili flakes, and stir for about a minute, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and bell pepper and continue to cook, until beginning to soften (about five minutes). Then add the arugula and cook for another minute or so, until beginning to wilt. Add the white beans, stirring to combine, and cook for another minute.

2. Add the white wine to the pan and simmer until reduced by half. Stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Toss the pasta with the vegetable and bean mixture, adding a little reserved pasta cooking water if needed to create a little sauce.

4. To serve, spoon the pasta into bowls and top with grated parmesan. Enjoy!

Curried Heirloom Carrot Soup

Still winter... though you wouldn't know it based on the SoCal weather!

Even so, I've been in winter comfort food mode. One of my favorite things to make this time of year is root vegetable dishes. I always keep carrots stored away. They're such handy ingredients in so many different dishes. Check out these beautiful organic heirloom carrots.

I whipped them up for lunch, turning them into a lovely little soup. This soup is vegan—instead of cream, I add a few peeled potatoes to give it a creaminess. Though I did serve it with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt (totally optional). Curry powder gives the soup an unexpected twist.

Did I mention this recipe is easy peasy?

And it's hearty enough to be the centerpiece to a meal. Keeps great in the fridge, and it's even better the next day, if I so say so myself. What else is there to say?

Curried Heirloom Carrot Soup
Serves 4 to 6 people
Cooking time: about 25 minutes
Vegan; gluten-free

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cups low sodium vegetable stock (plus more for desired thickness)
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder
about 1 tablespoon maple syrup (possibly more to taste depending on the sweetness of the carrots)
salt and freshly ground pepper
good olive oil for drizzling
creme fraiche or plain Greek yogurt for garnishing (optional)

Directions
1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until softened (about five minutes). Add the garlic and curry powder and saute for another minute, or until fragrant. Add the carrots, potatoes, and stock. Bring to a boil and then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about twenty minutes.

2. Remove from heat and puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or transfer to a regular blender and puree in batches. Season to taste with maple syrup (for extra sweetness), salt, and pepper. Note: more stock may be added to achieve desired consistency.

3. To serve ladle the soup into bowels and drizzle with good olive oil. Top with a dollop of creme fraiche or plain Greek yogurt if desired. Enjoy!

Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Patties

Happy new year!

May we all have a fantastic 2015, filled with cooking and great food!

I've been meaning to share this recipe. It's an updated version of my Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Burgers. A little easier than the original. I can't stop making these suckers. They can be eaten by themselves, or foisted onto a bun and eaten like a veggie burger. They're chocked full of healthy ingredients, like kale and sweet potato.

They're also kind of "anything but the kitchen sink" recipe. You can substitute in any vegetables you want to play around with. In this recipe, I mention adding flax or hemp seeds, but I've also made them with pumpkin seeds. You can change it up however you like. If you want to make these vegan, leave out the egg. And I make them gluten free, but you can use any sort of all purpose flour.

Seriously, I love this recipe! They can be made ahead of time, and they're great leftover, especially for breakfast with a sunny side up egg. Enjoy!

Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Patties
Makes about 8 patties
Cooking time: about 30 minutes
Vegetarian (with easy vegan conversion); dairy-free

Ingredients

1/2 cup quinoa, prepared per package instructions
1 14 ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 sweet potato, cooked and skin removed (this can be done quickly in the microwave)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup fresh kale
2 tablespoons flax, hemp and/or pumpkin seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 egg, lightly beaten
salt and freshly ground pepper
flour for dusting (I use gluten free all purpose flour)
grapeseed oil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Add the kale, chickpeas, and kale to a food processor and pulse a few times until chopped. Place the veggie mixture in a mixing bowl with the sweet potato, quinoa, flax/hemp/pumpkin seeds, cumin, and egg. Season to with salt and freshly ground pepper. 

3. Mix together well (I use my hands). Shape the mixture into individual patties.

4. In a heavy-bottomed saute pan or cast iron skillet, heat two tablespoons of grapeseed oil over medium high heat. Working in batches and adding more oil as needed, drench the patties in flour and then fry up until nicely browned, turning once. Transfer the patties to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. 

5. Remove from the oven and serve with ketchup and/or hot sauce. Enjoy!

Advance Preparation: The patties can be shaped up to 3 days ahead of time and kept tightly wrapped in the refrigerator until you're ready to brown them. They can also be made in advance and then reheated in a low oven or on the stovetop.