Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Homemade Granola for the Holidays!

It's December 5th and I am thinking of what can be a handmade gift for the holidays that can be wrapped up and packaged to give to special friends and family near and far, kids that are away at school or working now and that special someone that will bring them cheer.  I think my handmade granola is the perfect idea!  It is full of wonderful ingredients that are great with milk, yogurt, ice cream or just a quick snack!

Homemade Granola

4 C. - Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
1/2 C. - Toasted Wheat Germ
2 C. - Unsalted Sliced Almonds
1/2 C. - Unsalted Pumpkins Seeds
1/2 C. - Unsalted Sunflower Seeds
3/4 C. - Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
1/2 C. - Wildflower Honey (Wildflower, Orange etc.)
1 t.- Vanilla Extract
1 t.- Ground Cinnamon
1/4 t. - Ground Nutmeg
1 t. Kosher Salt
1 C. - Dried Cranberries
1 C. - Dried Cherries or combination with Dried Blueberries)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, toss the oats, wheat germ, almonds, and seeds.  In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir until all the oats and nuts are coated.  Pour onto a baking pan or sheet pan.  Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until all the mixture turns a nice and even golden brown - for about 45 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool - stirring occasionally   Add the dried fruits. Store the granola in an airtight container.

When ready to package for a gift, the granola can be put in old-fashioned jars of any size, a craft bag with a window to see through or a clear bag all tied with cute ribbon and a label.

Makes 10 to 12 cups 

Chef Tip:  If your oven cooks fast, lower the temperature to 300 degrees and stir every 10 minutes.  The granola need to be watched very carefully not to get to brown.  Otherwise, the recipe is very easy to make.
You can substitute your favorite nuts or dried fruits to your own individual preference.



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Laurie Bakke's Cookbook On Sale!!! Buy one today for only $30.00!


Just in time for your holiday shopping! Visit any retail stores listed or go to http://lauriebakkeskitchen.com/ and purchase online for only $30.00!

Limited time only. Valid through January 1st, 2013.

Tis the season to celebrate!  As we enter into the holiday season, I hope everyone remembers why we celebrate.  I believe for happiness, gratitude and joy with friends and family near and far. For sharing our favorite family moments, from festive food and songs, to cozy nights by the fire with the people we love.  And last, for peace on earth and love in our hearts.  Happy Holidays!!

Click here Laurie Bakke's Cookbook for the Holidays to also see Laurie's latest newsletter.




Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Yesterday's Tree Holiday Party!


Guess where Laurie will be THIS Thursday, November 8th??? She will be joining the crew at Yesterday's Tree for their 6th Annual Holiday Party! The invitation is for all and the party is not to be missed. She hopes to see you there! Click HERE for an invite!



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Henderson County Studio Tour is this weekend!

The Open Studiotour is this weekend on Saturday, the 22nd, and Sunday, the 23rd. Please join, Janet Green Jacobson with her exciting new and amazing artwork AND Laurie Green Bakke with her beautifully handcrafted cookbook.It should be a great fall day! You will find us as Janet's studio on Crab Creek!





Thursday, September 6, 2012

Henderson County Studio Tour 9/22 & 9/23 - Laurie signing books!


Please come visit the studio of Janet Green Jacobson, Laurie's sister, for The Henderson County Open Studio Tour. This event takes place Saturday & Sunday, September 22nd & 23rd from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 


Janet will feature $100.00 wall of small originals.


For map & info, go to OpenStudioTourHC.com or janetgreenjacobson.blogspot.com.


Laurie will be signing her handcrafted cookbook and will also be offering samplings. Don't miss out!



Monday, August 27, 2012

Have you visited Laurie's Facebook page?

Lot's of new recipe ideas, garden updates, and what Laurie has been doing for the past few weeks. Visit today!




Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Check out Laurie's Upcoming Calendar Events!

Laurie is one busy woman these days. Visit the latest updates to her web site calendar to see what’s on schedule  for August and September! The first event includes The Asheville Food & Wine Festival at the US Cellular Center in downtown Asheville. She’ll be attending Saturday, 8/25, from 1:30 to 5:00. Swing by and visit. Or, even better, come by to pick up a copy of her book, Laurie Bakke’s Cookbook – and get her signature. A lot to be excited about!



Sunday, July 29, 2012

Fountainhead Cookbook Book Club invites Laurie Bakke to join!



Exciting news! The Fountainhead Cookbook Book Club has invited Laurie to join their group on a permanent basis. She is truly delighted considering their history of book signings and events they've done together over the past year. As part of this fun venture, group members will be preparing recipes from their featured cookbook of the month, The Art of The Artichoke. Being the first of many, this gives members the opportunity to share in the joy of preparing some amazing recipes from some of their other fellow chefs. 

The featured recipe for this month is the Rum Glazed Pound Cake with Fresh Berries. A fabulous dessert for a lazy summer day. Visit Laurie's web site for more details. 





Thursday, July 26, 2012

Laurie's other passion .... organic gardening!


As you can see, Laurie also spends quite a bit of time outside her kitchen and in her beautiful gardens. She feels it is very important to have the healthiest and freshest ingredients to work with when cooking. 







Saturday, July 21, 2012

Laurie's cookbook now available at Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop in Chimney Rock Park!


Exciting news! Laurie Bakke has added a new retailer to her list of book locations "Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop" at Chimney Rock Park!


Named after the old inn that used to be situated on the mountainside before the elevator was installed, the gift shop (located at the tunnel entrance) is a great place to visit anytime during the year. So consider stopping by and picking up a copy of Laurie's cookbook. Hopefully, you'll be able to spare a few extra minutes to sit in one of their comfy rockers while you peruse through your new book and enjoy the vista of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure from their front porch!


Please also note that there will be a book signing sometime in October. Visit Laurie's event calendarFacebook page, or this Blog to find out the exact date!




Click here for directions to the Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Summertime fun outside the kitchen!


Laurie has been busy not only in the kitchen, but also enjoying the summer with her friends and family! 


It all started in late June with Laurie's Cape Cod trip. They usually go with old Chicago friends, Chuck & Tosh Kimball and Armen & Patty Kholamian.  The Kimballs and Kholamians have been going for 7 years or so and the Bakkes have  joined in on the last two years.  Chuck was born and raised on the Cape and has many, many relatives that come and go through the times that they are there.  When these groups of friends get together they have a lot fun!!  They typically rent a large home by Nauset Beach and try to go to the beach everyday, if the girls aren't shopping in nearby Chatham. 


Her next venture took place on July 2, which was also Laurie's birthday. Earlier in the day, she went to the Purple Onion in Saluda with Paul, Chris, and Megan. Her family then left Hendersonville for Lake Summit on July 3rd. Celebrating the 4th of July has always been a fun ritual for the entire family. The lake puts on a fabulous fireworks display that is very impressive.  There is also a large boat parade with serious water fights with balloons being thrown, hoses etc. It's truly a blast! So they all gather with her Mom, various sisters, their children, nieces and nephews and plenty of friends.  Although, this time they had a very special occasion to celebrate before heading out on water to watch the fireworks. Laurie's daughter had surprised her with a "Flag cake" for her birthday (which she found on Pinterest). It was quite yummy & very festive! 


Take a moment to enjoy all of these great moments captured below! 













Friday, July 13, 2012

A fresh garden salad made with chick-peas!

Laurie has a special tomato and cucumber salad recipe with fresh Basil and Dill from her garden for those chick-pea lovers! Visit Laurie's web site for details.




See what Laurie recommends for the Basil Lovers ... 




Check out this refreshing Basil Green Tea Gelato recipe from Sumptious Spoonfuls!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Have you heard? Pinterest is a great resource for recipes and so much more! Check out Laurie's boards to see over 800 pins which feature some wonderful ideas. Good stuff!



Friday, June 15, 2012


Laurie helps support The New Southern Garden Cookbook!


Laurie really enjoyed her evening at The Fountainhead Bookstore on Tuesday, June 12th!! Sheri Castle, another known chef/author, was one of the many guests which made the evening even more special. Check out the beautiful presentation of the Smoked Trout Salad in Cucumber Cups (below), a recipe from Sheri’s new publication “The New Southern Garden CookbookThis dish was prepared by Laurie and some of the other cookbook club members in support of their fellow chef/author. And, to top it off  – they even got to sample them!




Sheri Castle & Laurie Bakke

Smoked Trout Salad in Cucumber Cups

Sheri Castle sampling the tasty dishes from her new cookbook


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Laurie Bakke is featured in the June issue of WNC Magazine!


You may shell your summer peas on the porch with a bowl in your lap or buy them cleaned from a tailgate market. No matter how you procure these little green beauties, Hendersonville Chef Laurie Bakke, author of Laurie Bakke's Cookbook, has a fresh pea dip recipe worthy of their wholesome flavor. Visit WNC Magazine online or pick up a copy of the magazine today!




Tuesday, June 5, 2012

And, here are some great "side ideas" for those Grilled Summer Dishes!


What goes perfectly with Grilled Lamb Burgers, steak, and most other grilled summer dishes? Zesty Sweet-Hot BBQ Tater Fries & Grilled, Caramelized Red Onions! Two yummy creations, one of which, the Sweet-Hot BBQ Tater Fries, was adapted from the 2008, summer issue of Bon Appetit


So give them a whirl yourself and make that summer menu just a little more exciting by visiting Laurie's Facebook page or Laurie's web site for more details!



                                                      2008, Summer issue - Bon Appetit




Friday, June 1, 2012

National Burger Month....Grilled Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce!


I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend with their families! If you missed this wonderful dish I posted on my Facebook page last week  Laurie Bakke's Kitchen, then take a moment to check out this scrumptious recipe by visiting my web site today:  Lauriebakkeskitchen.com


A perfect twist to a yummy summer dish!



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Cooking is one of Laurie's many talents! 

Did you know that she's also an avid organic gardener as well? She uses the freshest ingredients, many from her own garden, for her fabulous recipes. Just to name a few....Basil, Thyme, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Rosemary, Strawberries, Mint and Cilantro. Her tasty collection of recipes are a sure bet to please many palates!


Here are just a few of those wonderfully prepared ingredients that can be found in her kitchen daily.









Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Laurie's been busy! Want to see why? Visit this blog during the next week so you can catch up all of the wonderful events that have been taking place.


Just to start....she's had multiple book signings since last year

  • Lastly, in April, the Spring Salon event at Salon Blue Ridge, Flat Rock, NC AND also at Finders Keepers in downtown Asheville, NC.

Her featured cookbook can be found at many of the locations above (the ones which include live links) and many other retailers throughout North and South Carolina: http://lauriebakkeskitchen.com/retailer.