It's a wine and cheese kind of day

Nothing more lovely than starting off the work week with a unseasonably cold and rainy weather. It's a comfort food kind of day.

Naturally, I decide to spend the rest of my waking hours in the kitchen....This is what I made!

the savory (snack):
So...I decided to make my own Cheese-Its. Mine are gluten-free and use coconut flour instead of regular APF. You could definitely also use half coconut flour and a nut flour, which would add a nice flavor to the crackers.

They just came out of the oven...and they are great! They certainly aren't 100% like a real Cheez-It, but they will do! (Okay, they are really like regular crackers...but still...crunchy and cheesy = win)

They are crunchy, cheesy and will be perfect for dipping or all by their lonesome (I already ate a ton...and I'm not hungry for dinner). I would highly recommend them, or some kind of variation, to anyone.

--1/2 cup coconut flour
--1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
--1/4 cup parmesan cheese
--1 egg
--pinch of salt
--2 tbsp butter

Mix everything in food processor until everything is incorporated. Spread mixture onto lined cookie sheet. Place another piece of parchment paper on top of mixture and roll out until thin. Bake at 400 degrees for ten minutes. After ten minutes, cut crackers into "squares" (as you can see, I failed at that) and bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden brown. ENJOY!

Now onto "real" food--dinner!

the savory:
BBQ chicken thighs

Bone in. Skin on. That is the only way to eat chicken. Salt and pepper both sides. Sear chicken in medium-deep pan until golden brown and skin is golden brown. Since it is raining tonight, I decided to bake the chicken in the oven. This recipe (as are many) is waaaay better on the grill. Put the chicken, skin side down, on an oven-safe cooling rack (this is a must-have...especially for BACON!) and brush with...

The sauce:
Some variation of apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and spices. Tonight, I used apple cider vinegar and ketchup as the base, a few dabs of Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, crushed red pepper, a dab of yellow mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce until thick.

...bake for a few minutes. Flip over and brush the rest of the sauce on the skin side. Bake for a few more minutes until optimally caramelized. Yum!

the sweet:
Fleur de sel chocolate chip cookies

I think I got this recept from Brittany? In any case, I am all about salted anything. Especially caramel...which will be highlighted in a future post.

--2 sticks butter, at room temp
--1 cup dark brown sugar
--.5 cup white sugar
--1 large egg
--1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
--1/2 tsp sea salt
--1 1/4 tsp baking soda
--2 3/4 cup APF
--12 oz. chocolate chips
--fleur de sel for sprinkling

Look at how beautiful this fleur de sel is!

Beat together wet ingredients--butter, both sugars; add in egg and vanilla extract and beat until thoroughly combined. Add in salt and baking soda, then flour in a few batches (as to avoid a flour cloud).  Fold in chocolate chips. Bake on 375 degrees for 8 minutes, at which point sprinkle each cookie with fleur de sel (can buy this at specialty food stores). Bake the cookies for a few more minutes, let cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Happy eating.

xo,
C