CHEF ILONA: PANETTONE BREAKFAST BAKE

"Christmas morning should be a low effort meal-time; it’s the perfect day to savour a hot drink and the twinkling lights on the tree."

Several years ago, I was visiting the homestead for the holidays which meant I got to enjoy watching my mom putter around the kitchen cooking up all of our most favourite foods.

My dad has a penchant for the Italian Christmas bread, Panettone, and there is almost always one on the counter for the entire month of December.

Panettone is a sweet Christmas bread which has its origins in Milan. This rich dough is studded with citron, raisins, and other candied fruits. It is baked in a cylindrical shape and has a domed top. In some ways I can see a bit of a flavour profile similarity with Easter’s hot cross buns, but Panettone is much fluffier. Now from time to time, the Panettone gets a little stale or dries out a bit, and this particular year I was there for such a situation. My mom decided to use the bread for French toast. It tasted amazing, but I was still thinking there had to be an even easier way to make this French Toast, so mom didn’t have to stay at the stove. We decided to make a bake out of it, and it worked like a charm.

It is the kind of dish that is a hybrid of bread pudding and French toast. I started adding in eggnog in the last couple of years and it is even more festive. If you are so inclined, I recommend a jigger of rum mixed in with the eggnog base; it is so at home in this mélange.

This can be made and ahead the night before, or when you are ready to eat it.

Eggnog and Panettone French Toast Bake

Created by Chef Ilona Daniel

1 loaf all-butter panettone bread 7 large eggs 1 1/4 cups eggnog 1 Tbsp vanilla extract Zest of 1 orange 2 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg ¼ cup brown sugar Icing sugar and Syrup for serving if desired.

Slice the panettone into slices that would fit into your toaster and tile them into a buttered casserole dish.

Gently whisk the remaining ingredients together and pour over the bread.

Cover and place in the fridge overnight so it will ready for baking in the morning or place into a pre-heated 375f oven.

Bake for 30 minutes and serve with syrup and powdered sugar if desired.

Posted @withrepost • @takeahikemarket We continue to grow each and every day! We have often found ourselves new or unfamiliar territory throughout the process of building TAHM. The best part of that is the growth each of us has experienced along the way as a result of gaining the knowledge and understanding that’s been required. Growth and development are concepts we think are crucial to our success both as leaders and in business. I, for one, am thankful that Amanda & Jonathan are so like minded in this regard ❤️️ #canmorealberta #findmoreincanmore #yycfood #canmorekananaskis #yycfoodie #canadianchefs #canadafood #explorecanmore #canmorefood #supportlocalcanmore #eatnorth #canadafoodie #canadianfood #food #canmorelife #candadianchef #buyitinthebow #lovefoods #foodie #tastyfoods #foodporn #canmore #yyceats #yycfoodies #tourcanmore #downtowncanmore #canada #canadianfoodblogger #eatcanada #canadianrockies (at Canadian Barista Institute - Calgary Campus) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cii6i4gL2uS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Kinesiology Science behind my OysterKnife - we’ve put in the GiveawayContest! @chefworkscanada ✨GIVEAWAY CONTEST✨ To celebrate Oyster Month, we are collaborating with Chef Patrick McMurray, @ShuckerPaddy to gift the following combo to one (1) WINNER 👕 One Boulder Bib Apron from @chefworkscanada 🔪 One Oyster Knife made by @swissmar_official from Shucker Paddy ⭐ SPECIAL: 📘 The Oyster Companion book, 🦪 One Box of @BarstoolOysters, and a ZoomShucking Lesson with Shucker Paddy ✨For your chance to WIN: 1. LIKE ❤️ this post 2. FOLLOW👍 both @chefworkscanada and @shuckerpaddy 3. TAG *ALL of your friends* who loves seafood *Extra ❤️ * if you share this post to your friends ⏳ The contest runs from 08 Sep to 14 Sep 2021, within Canada. The winner will be announced on our Instagram Stories on 15 Sep 2021 ______________________ Disclosures: ***This contest is open to both Facebook and Instagram friends. The winner will be drawn from both platforms*** ***This contest is only available to those 18+ years and older living within Canada*** ***This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram. As such, Instagram is released of any and all liability from each entrant and participant*** #cheflife #chefapron #chefstyle #chefgear #chefworkscanada #chefworks #findthefork #shuckerpaddy #oyster #oysters #seafood #seafoodlovers #canadachefs #canadachef #canadianchefs #canadianchef #culinary #chefs #cheflife🔪 #chef #chefsofcanada #restaurant #kitchen #cook #torontochef #vancouverchef #montrealchef #calgarychef #halifaxchef #chefsincanada https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyJQDdLe9n/?utm_medium=tumblr

Your favorite chef #cheflife #cakedesign #cakesofinstagram #chef #caketopper #caketopper #cakedecorating #chefs #chefs #canadianchef https://www.instagram.com/p/CH55WQ3pqTFC8KV365GeptHtLMI9BLMi4fTbtY0/?igshid=1ozsdic274pty

"Hospitality for Southern Italian people is very important. So, when you come to our home, we have to do everything that's possible to make you feel comfortable and try to make you happy..." - Chef Luciano Schipano ⠀ ⠀ Reposted • @menusano thanks for sharing one of my main quotes and principles in life and business. #foodtech #chefsofinstagram #chefstagram #foodies #torontochefs #torontochef #tochef #canadianchef #chefstrong #chefsoftoronto #chefsintoronto #foodstagram #goinglive #torontofood #torontorestaurant #torontorestaurants⠀ ⠀ @lucianoschipano⠀ @novaristorante ⠀ @kennedyroad_to⠀ @culinarium.to @jamieoliver (at Culinarium) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEovKWOHZ2t/?igshid=14plmilrmv63w

Thanks for watching our brand new segment with @chef_murali - here is the recipe card. We’ll announce next week’s time slot soon. #food #foodnetwork #cheflife #canadianchef #toronto #kitchen #horsdoeuvres #french #gastronomy https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Gjg5_HG8v/?igshid=1bd2ocs2ndh9h

What do you make when you have some pasta , feta and tomatoes. A fine dish of 🍝 spaghetti! Recipe 1 pack long noodles 1 pack cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup of feta cheese Salt and pepper to taste First boil a pot of water add salt. add your noodles. When it is ready drain. While that is boiling cook your tomatoes with olive oil and italiano seasoning In a frying pan. Add that to the pasta mix well together Serve with feta and some garlic bread 🥖 Xo Lizzyefremova #shebrewitgood#whole30#keto#feedfeed#foodbuzz#buzzfood#tasty#f52grams#yummly#foodandwine#delish#chefsofinstagram#chefsroll#tastemademedoit#foodie#canadianchef#pasta#halfbakedharvest (at Lizzie's Kitchen) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-noUSknG4L/?igshid=7ojh5y1enkf2

Isn’t it interesting that some people would use this extra time at home to criticize instead of keeping things positive. My comment of the day was quite unsettling. Apparently, (according to this person) they are quite upset and state that I need to clarify the term and use of tart tins to muffin tins for these “Ultimate Canadian Maple Butter Tarts.” This recipe and accompanying article has consistently been my most popular post with positive feedback. I really don’t know how to answer this person’s rather caustic comment or even if I should bother. @urbnspice has always been a teaching blog with a pay-it-forward mantra , sharing my culinary and pastry knowledge free of charge (my site is and always has been non-mobilized). My recipes make use of easy to access equipment (like muffin tins to make tarts). Anyway, if you happen to have a spare muffin tin, you should make these butter tarts. If I could deliver a dozen of these delicious tarts to this cranky person, I don’t think they would mind if I made them using muffin tins instead of tart tins. #behappy #bekind #wereallinthistogether Here’s the link: https://urbnspice.com/my-recipes/dessertsandsweets/ultimate-canadian-maple-butter-tarts/ #stayhappy #staystrong #stayathome #commentoftheday #ultimate #pastry #canadianrecipe #canadianchef #proudtobecanadian #pastrychef #crankypants #buttertarts #ultimatebuttertart #allcanadian #proudchef #maplesyrup #maple (at Kelowna, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-F_JR6FJBe/?igshid=vbx1qfytn80o

Some of what was made yesterday during The Higher Estate show with @dr.iraprice and @thestonerchefcanada The podcast is up now! Please go check it out 🙏 and follow Dr. Price for regular cannabis news and conversation too. @tylerrm710 @lucaij I look forward to working with you talented men again in the future. 💚 #podcastshow #podcastersofinstagram #podcasts #starttheconversation #cannabiscanada #canadiancannabiscommunity #canadianmade #medicaldoctor #canadiandoctor #canadianchef #influencer https://www.instagram.com/p/B0n71t3hg0z/?igshid=zuaiiu7r56bh

CHEF ILONA: The secrets to the best chocolate chip cookies ever!

Chocolate is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes, both sweet and savoury.

"Our love for chocolate varies from person to person, and is a cherished indulgence because of its taste, texture, cultural significance, and personal associations."

From childhood to adulthood, we always find a way to come back to the classic comfort that chocolate inherently is.

Secrets to softer cookies

One of the keys to a tender chocolate chip cookie is our choice in sugars. Sugar is hydroscopic. In simple terms this means that sugar has a property of attracting and absorbing moisture from the surrounding environment. I have used a combination of both white and brown sugar. Brown sugar is more hygroscopic than white sugar primarily due to its higher molasses content, making it an essential component of the best chocolate chip cookie.

Cocoa Butter Percentages

Cocoa butter percentages in chocolate indicate the proportion of cocoa butter in the overall composition of the chocolate. Higher percentages generally correspond to higher-quality chocolate with richer flavors and smoother textures. For example, a chocolate bar labeled as "70% cocoa" means that 70% of the chocolate bar's weight is derived from cocoa products, including both cocoa butter and cocoa solids. The remaining 30% may include sugar, milk solids (if it's milk chocolate), and other ingredients.

White Chocolate

White chocolate is made primarily from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. Unlike dark or milk chocolate, white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids, which are responsible for the brown color and characteristic flavor of chocolate.

The cocoa butter provides the creamy and smooth texture of white chocolate. Sugar is added to sweeten the chocolate, giving it a pleasant taste.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 1 dozen cookies

½ cup butter, melted ½ cup white sugar ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 1 Tablespoon vanilla 1 egg 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ cup 75% dark chocolate chunks (I just smash up a chocolate bar)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Microwave the butter for about 30-40 seconds to just barely melt it. (It shouldn’t be hot)

Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, beat the butter with the sugars until creamy.

Add the vanilla and the egg; beat on low speed until just incorporated; about 10 seconds. (Extended beating of the egg will make the cookies tough)

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until crumbles form. Add the chocolate chips and incorporate either with your paddle whisk if using stand mixer or use your hands if using electric beaters.

Scoop the dough into 12 large balls and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate the cookies for 1-2 hours.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies look puffy and dry and just barely golden. DO NOT OVERBAKE. You will know the cookies are done when the bottom of the cookies are just becoming golden across the entire surface, and the top is gently puffed and pale.

It is a must to cool the cookies on the tray for 30 minutes. These should stay soft for many days if kept in an airtight container. I also like to freeze them.

Posted @withrepost • @takeahikemarket Do your coffee tastebuds prefer sour, sweet or bitter? ☕ Who knew that those three words are the backbone of coffee flavors? Well, we certainly did not… but we do now! All thanks to the Barista course that Amanda & I (Korin) took, it was a great learning experience and if you know us, then you know we love to learn! 🧐 #canmorealberta #findmoreincanmore #yycfood #canmorekananaskis #yycfoodie #canadianchefs #canadafood #explorecanmore #canmorefood #supportlocalcanmore #eatnorth #canadafoodie #canadianfood #food #canmorelife #candadianchef #buyitinthebow #lovefoods #foodie #tastyfoods #foodporn #canmore #yyceats #yycfoodies #tourcanmore #downtowncanmore #canada #canadianfoodblogger #eatcanada #canadianrockies (at Canadian Barista Institute - Calgary Campus) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cii6v9ir5dV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#SabrosoSauce Goûtez la sauce #Foodie #canadadistributor #canadian #canadafood #seasoning #sauce #healthy #canadaday #canadagoose #canadianchefs (at Montreal, Quebec)

👋 Hi, that’s me wearing one of @chefandcocanada ‘s fab aprons. They are comfortable, practical, and look good. Buy local, cook global! Posted @withrepost • @chefandcocanada We want you to meet a new family member of Chef & Co Canada, Susanna Gilbert! @mainlyfood She was introduced to us through one of the Masterchefs in Vancouver. She has some very exciting events and projects coming up. Stay tuned on our posts in the next little while to learn more and participate. We want to tell you a bit about her and welcome her to our food network of friends so we asked her a few questions and this is her response: . “I’ve enjoyed cooking for as long as I can remember and am eternally grateful to my parents who let me and my siblings experiment in the kitchen — as long as we cleaned up. It’s a gift to be able to rummage through fridge and cupboards and come up with a meal. Way before mystery boxes and secret ingredients, grocery exile, or simply a busy life taught me to make the most of what’s available. I grew up in Norway, spent time in France, and now live in Vancouver, Canada with my three boys — 16, 20 + hubby — and a very cuddly cat. They like eating my various experiments and often have suggestions for improvement. They also make great sous chefs, dishwashers, and obviously critics. When I’m not cooking, reading cookbooks, browsing the farmers market or local specialty stores, and thinking about what to make next, I work in marketing at a local tech company — sharing weekly recipes with my colleagues, of course.” . . 📸 @matthewmct @mainlyfood . . #torontofood #aprons #canadianchefs #cooking #homecooks #vancouverfoodie #vancouverchefs #vancouverrestaurants #chefstable #foodies #vancouverfoodies #chefs #cooks #kitchen #vancouvermom #personalstylist #chefaprons #vancouverbc #canada #gastown #pacificnorthwest #discovervancouver #discoverchefs #yvreats #foodstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XokMshZ3z/?igshid=1p403ostfwvye

What a night what a chef ❤#class#style#chef #canadianchef #toronto @rubywatchco #thanks #lifeisgood #livingwell # (at Toronto, Ontario)