comfortfood – Cookin' with Carmel

I haven’t posted a Sinful recipe in a while, or any recipe really in a while! New Years Resolution/goal: BLOG MORE!!

Yes I try to stick to a healthy diet and avoid processed foods, BUT it’s the holiday season. And holidays to me bring back memories of me and my siblings are the breakfast/lunch/dinner table chatting, catching up, and enjoying my Mom’s delicious food. We’re a chaotic loud bunch but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I’m hooked on smoothies, stir fries and hefty salads as seen on my Instagram and encourage a balanced lifestyle, but I think we have allow ourselves to enjoy the festive period and indulge here and there! I’m bringing you an easy recipe to enjoy with your loved ones this festive season-EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST! It’s pretty decadent and filling!

Tis the season to be merry and full of comfort food!

I do believe brioche bread works best for the recipe. For the eggnog I use Costco’s Kirkland brand, and it has the flavors of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla mixed into it. So if your eggnog doesn’t include spices and vanilla, add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Ingredients (serves 4-5):

1 loaf of brioche bread, 2 slices per person

3 eggs

1 cup of eggnog (I used Kirkloand Signature which comes with the spice and vanilla flavors-if your eggnog doesn’t

Method:

In a mixing bowl, or dish, whisk well together your eggs and eggnogs. Put your slices of brioche bread into the eggnog mix and let soak. I fit about 3-4 slice in my bowl. Let soak. While brioche is soaking, melt a teaspoon of butter in a frying pan. When the butter is melted and pan is hot, add your brioche. was able to fit three to four slices on my pan, and in between each batch add a teaspoon to the pan. Yes, lots of butter but it makes it so delicious(especially if using KerryGold)! Flip when golden brown. Repeat process until everyone has a full plate!

To serve: Sieve over some powdered sugar and drizzle on some Maple Syrup! E

Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

It’s been a minute! If you been following on my Instagram(the social media I post on the most, find me @cookinwithcarmel), you know I can now call myself a FITNESS INSTRUCTOR! It was this time one year ago I started out my own transformation, and what a year it’s been! SO much sweat, a few tears, lots of doubt, but I can say I am in a VERY happy place since I made the choice to give my life a makeover. And now I’m helping people with their own transformation!

Since moving into fitness I get asked A LOT if I’ll ever become a chef again, and this was a question brought up many times at my high school reunion this past weekend. I’d still call myself a chef, just a former commercial kitchen chef/at home healthy chef. I’m focusing more of the nutritional side of food when it comes to eating and cooking, how we can use food as fuel. So if you need a little help in what to eat to help you get through a workout, I’m here to help! And that might actually be my next blog post!

Anyways, this past weekend was Thanksgiving! My favorite holiday! Not just because of all the food, but because it’s a time for family. And with my large family, the holidays are always a blast! Back to the food, we had a SPREAD: pumpkin donuts for breakfast; dinner was turkey, ham, two bowls of stuffing, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, more veg, and PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE!

The recipe was highly requested, and I highly recommend it this time of year! Such a cozy dish! It’s really easy and quick! There is dairy in it, those following me for a while know I cut dairy out for a little bit. But this is a HOLIDAY dish, and during the holidays you’re allowed to indulge a little! I cut back on cheese and added nutritional yeast. That way I was going even a small amount of benefits, without losing that cheesey flavor. I used 3/4 of a cup of cheese, but you can even experiment and cut it down o 1/2 of a cup and add 1/2 cup of nutritional yeast.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 can of pureed pumpkin

1 cup of milk (I used dairy; alternative: use unsweetened/unflavored almond or soy milk)

2 tablespoons butter (alternative: Smart Balance vegan butter)

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

3/4 of a cup cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of nutritional yeast

2 tablespoons minced garlic

Pinch of salt and pepper

Elbow/macaroni pasta or spiralized zuchinni

Method:

Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring occasionally, bring to the boil. Stir until cheddar has melted and ingredients are combined through. Add a little more salt and pepper to adjust. Cook your choice of pasta and mix it with your sauce!

This recipe makes about 3 1/2 cups of sauce. Store in a mason jar and use within three weeks!

Tag: comfortfood

Eggnog French Toast

Tis the season to be merry and full of comfort food!

Ingredients (serves 4-5):

Method:

Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese and Pilates

Here’s what you’ll need:

Method: