Gruyere Gratin Potatoes - Baked Items Recipe Theme

I wanted to end this month’s recipe theme of Baked Items with something that is more savory and I thought a baked potato dish might be just the ticket.  This recipe uses a combo of sweet potatoes and Yukon golds with Gruyère cheese.  This firm tangy tasting cheese from the Swiss family of cheeses, melts well and is perfect with the plain palette of potatoes.

Gruyere Gratin Potatoes

• 1 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1 1/2 pounds medium red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian parsley
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, crumble
• 1 teaspoon sage, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon thyme, striped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 cups (packed) coarsely grated Gruyère cheese (about 5 ounces)

Directions:

Fill large bowl with cold water. Working with 1 Yukon Gold potato at a time, peel, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds and place in bowl with water. Repeat with sweet potatoes. Combine cream, butter, and garlic in medium saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Mix all herbs in small bowl. Mix sea salt and black pepper in another small bowl.

Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Drain potatoes, then pat dry with kitchen towels. Transfer half of potatoes to prepared baking dish. Use hands to distribute and spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of salt-pepper mixture, then half of herb mixture. Sprinkle with half of cheese. Repeat with remaining potatoes, salt-pepper mixture, herb mixture, and cheese. Pour cream mixture over gratin, pressing lightly to submerge potato mixture as much as possible. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Remove plastic wrap before baking.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover gratin tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until top of gratin is golden and most of liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes; serve.

Do ahead version: You can make the recipe and chill up to 6 hours before baking, so you can make it in the morning and then cook for dinner.

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  

To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.

 
You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:
Jan 2021 – Baked Items
Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
March 2021 – Italian Dishes
April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
May 2021 - Appetizers
June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
July 2021 – Pork Recipes
August 2021 - Seafood
September 2021 - Pizzas
October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
November 2021 - Cookies
December 2021 – Gift Recipes

Zucchini Pizza Slices - Weekend Recipe

Something a bit different for the Baked Items Theme this month is this item you can make as an appetizer or a main dish.  Being winter time, you can use any summer squash that you can get at the grocery, or if you want use eggplant.  You can make these for the Big Game coming up next week.

Zucchini Pizza Slices

• 1 large zucchini (about 11 ounces), cut diagonally into 1/4 inch-slices
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup miniature pepperoni slices
• Minced fresh basil

Directions

Preheat broiler. Arrange zucchini in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from heat just until crisp-tender, 1-2 minutes per side.

Sprinkle zucchini with salt and pepper; top with sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Broil until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with basil.

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  

To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.

 
You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:
Jan 2021 – Baked Items
Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
March 2021 – Italian Dishes
April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
May 2021 - Appetizers
June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
July 2021 – Pork Recipes
August 2021 - Seafood
September 2021 - Pizzas
October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
November 2021 - Cookies
December 2021 – Gift Recipes

Honey and Lavender Cookies - Weekend Recipe

Make these cookies for a special occasion like Mother’s Day, a birthday, or a girlie gathering. They could also be packaged up in a pretty box and given as a beautiful handmade gift. If you grow your own Lavender, it can make them even more special to the lucky recipient. I save some of my own lavender to make baked goods with in winter.  My hubby loves chocolate lavender brownies, but I like these cookies.

Honey and Lavender Cookies (makes 36 cookies)

⅔ cup melted Butter
1 cup white sugar
¼ cup honey (lavender-infused honey would be great to use here)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
Coarse-grained sugar, for rolling
2 Tbsp. Lavender buds, fresh or dried

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F  Beat the melted butter, honey, and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well incorporated then fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt. The dough will be very soft so refrigerate for at least thirty minutes and until it has firmed up.

Take 1-2 Tbsp sized pieces of dough and shape it into balls. Flatten them with the palm of your hand and then roll in the coarse-grained sugar, coating the whole cookie. Sprinkle the tops with lavender buds and gently press them into the cookie.

Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10 minutes or until the edges are crispy and light brown in color. They’ll still be soft when you take them out so let them cool to room temperature before eating. Enjoy ~

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  

To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.

 
You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:
Jan 2021 – Baked Items
Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
March 2021 – Italian Dishes
April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
May 2021 - Appetizers
June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
July 2021 – Pork Recipes
August 2021 - Seafood
September 2021 - Pizzas
October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
November 2021 - Cookies
December 2021 – Gift Recipes

Apple Bread - Weekend Recipe

I like this apple bread because it is perfect to make in the winter, with warming cinnamon and easy to get Gala or Braeburn apples you can make it easily even in midwinter. It is great to spread with honey or butter and have for a weekend breakfast.

Apple Bread

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or use BYP Cinnful Dessert Blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups Gala or Braeburn apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and line a standard-size loaf pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce, eggs, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, and vegetable oil. Whisk vigorously until mixture is completely homogenous. Add dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Fold in apple pieces.

Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar, if desired.

 

RECIPE THEME
Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  
 
To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.
 
You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:
Jan 2021 – Baked Items
Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
March 2021 – Italian Dishes
April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
May 2021 - Appetizers
June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
July 2021 – Pork Recipes
August 2021 - Seafood
September 2021 - Pizzas
October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
November 2021 - Cookies
December 2021 – Gift Recipes

Parmesan Herb Biscuits - Weekend Recipe

This recipe makes great biscuits you can serve with soup (we are having a soup sale), make into sandwiches or dip into your tea (we are also having a tea sale this month!)

Parmesan Herb Biscuits

3 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

1 cup milk or buttermilk

1 stick butter, melted

Combine all ingredients, blend well. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 12 min.

 

Turn this into a gift!

Gift Ideas: Blend all dry ingredients well and pour into a cellophane bag or jar. Add a tag with wet ingredients and directions fir a great quarantine gift.  You could also place this into a decorated plant pot with some basil/ thyme seeds a note on how much yummier these would be with fresh chopped herbs.

RECIPE THEME
Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  
 
To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.
 
You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:
Jan 2021 – Baked Items
Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
March 2021 – Italian Dishes
April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
May 2021 - Appetizers
June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
July 2021 – Pork Recipes
August 2021 - Seafood
September 2021 - Pizzas
October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
November 2021 - Cookies
December 2021 – Gift Recipes

Recipe Theme 2021 - Savory Cheese Cake

We have been sharing our recipes on a monthly theme for several years now. This year we will be sharing recipes here on the main blog and also on our website blog as well, now you will get twice as many recipes from our stash of herb themed recipes.  We might yet make a dent in those three filing cabinets of recipes I spent a decade collecting.

This year we have set the theme as follows:

January 2021 – Baked Items

February 2021 – Breakfast Dishes

March 2021 – Italian Dishes

April 2021 - Chicken Recipes

May 2021 - Appetizers

June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes

July 2021 – Pork Recipes

August 2021 - Seafood

September 2021 - Pizzas

October 2021 – Mexican Dishes

November 2021 - Cookies

December 2021 – Gift Recipes

For our first recipe, I have decided on an herb enhanced cheesecake that is savory and makes a great dip as well as something you can serve by the slice.

Savory Cheesecake

3 8-ounce pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 cups sour cream, divided
1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of celery soup
3 eggs
½ cup Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbls cornstarch
2 Tbls finely chopped fresh basil, or 2 tsp crushed, dried
1 Tbls finely chopped fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dried, crushed
1 tsp chopped fresh tarragon or ¼ tsp dried, crushed
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Red bell pepper slices, lemon twists, or fresh herbs for garnish

Directions:

Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, and soup in a food processor or a large mixing bowl.  Blend at medium speed until smooth.  Add eggs, cheese, garlic cornstarch, basil, thyme, tarragon, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Pour into a greased 9-inch springform pan.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Turn off the oven and let stand in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan on a rack.  Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.  When ready to serve, remove from pan.  Spread remaining sour cream over the top.  Garnish.  Serve with crackers, Melba toast or fresh vegetables.

 

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  

To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link. Search the blog with any of the following topics: Recipe2018, Recipe2019, or Recipe2020.

You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD for each month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2021 so you can find them all.

The themes are:

• Jan 2021 – Baked Items
• Feb 2021 – Breakfast Dishes
• March 2021 – Italian Dishes
• April 2021 - Chicken Recipes
• May 2021 - Appetizers
• June 2021 – Mediterranean Dishes
• July 2021 – Pork Recipes
• August 2021 - Seafood
• September 2021 - Pizzas
• October 2021 – Mexican Dishes
• November 2021 - Cookies
• December 2021 – Gift Recipes

 

Vanilla Bath Blend - Bath Blend of the Month

Botanical bath and shower products inspired by the garden were not my first creations when I started the Backyard Patch.  In fact, I expected not to make many at all.  When I began I had Italian Dressing, Dill Dip, 6 herbal tea blends, and one bath salt recipe completed my entire catalog.  

Over time that has changed and I now make a large number of Bath Products.  They are fun and simple to create and as a result of many public demonstration programs,  I have formulated more recipes than I can ever put into my catalog of products so I have decided that I will share some of my favorite bath formulations each month.  Come back around the beginning of each month for another special body treatment. and if you look back through the blog you will see others around the beginning of each month too!

This bath recipe is best made and used immediately.  The vanilla will give you a seasonal scent while the honey soothes and rehydrates dry skin. And if you make your own vanilla extract this is even better.

Vanilla Bath Blend

1 cup sunflower oil
1/2 cup castile soap
1/4 cup honey
1 TBS vanilla

In a small saucepan, grate the castile and cover with a bit of water.  Heat to a simmer and stir until soap is melted.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients.

TO USE: Immediately take the warm and melted ingredients to the bathroom and pour it into a  running bath.