TOP: Winter Toast: Bourbon Fried Pears with Vanilla Ricotta, Hazelnuts, and Maple Syrup. BOTTOM: Chinese New Year Toast: Ginger Honey Stewed Mandarins, Cream Cheese Yogurt, and Toasted Black Sesame Seeds

Hey y’all. How’s the latest weather system treating ya? Ain’t no matter if you got the polar vortex middle finger or the pineapple express mooning, we all are going through the same blues – hence – it’s good to have something nice, bright, and tasty to get your day started!

A lot of times morning toasts looks like something out of ‘sad desk lunch’, with a smear of something or with globs of nutella, which is not bad, but hey, why not change it a little?

Here are 2 quick and easy recipes I tried this weekend – which made a huuuge difference in my morning routine, because food is that powerful. Also Chinese new year is just around the corner and lots of stores are packed with beautiful mandarins and other goodies, so why not take advantage of it?

Get the full recipes to make this Winter and Chinese New Year Toasts after the jump!

Winter Toast: Bourbon Fried Pears with Vanilla Ricotta, Hazelnuts, and Maple Syrup

This is as cozy as a blanket!

Makes 1

Ingredients:
– 1 slice of challah or brioche
– 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
– 1/2 vanilla pod
– 1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon bourbon
– 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
– 1 D’anjou pear, not ripe
– Real maple syrup to drizzle

Instructions:

1. Using a knife or mandoline, slice the pear thinly. Place the butter and brown sugar on a frying pan over medium-low heat, once the butter starts to melt, place the pear slices and leave them there to fry for about 5 min. Don’t touch them! Let them caramelize. When you see the edges turn golden brown, add the bourbon and let it simmer for a couple minutes. Remove from heat, set aside.

2. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod and add them to the ricotta (save the pod to flavour creme or other pastries). Mix well set aside.

Assemble:

– Toast the slice of challah or brioche, then place a generous amount of ricotta and spread it evenly, arrange the slices of pear over it, and top with the roasted hazelnuts. Drizzle the whole thing with maple syrup and go to town!

Chinese New Year Toast: Ginger Honey Stewed Mandarins, Cream Cheese Yogurt, and Toasted Black Sesame Seeds

I like the mix of yogurt and cream cheese for this toast, it adds a rich tart layer that goes very well with the tangy and sweet mandarin oranges.

Makes 1

Ingredients:
– 2 mandarin oranges
– 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
– 1 star anise
– 1 cup water
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, toasted
– 1/3 cup greek yogurt
– 1/3 cup cream cheese
– 1 slice of rye (a bit more dry and malty) or sourdough (more neutral but nice touch of sourness).

Instructions:

1. Peel the mandarin oranges and separate the segments, set aside. Place the water, honey, ginger, and star anise in a pot over medium heat and let them simmer until they get syrupy. Once the liquid has thickened (about 8 min) add the mandarin segments and let them simmer for about 3-5 minutes until they look translucent. Don’t let them cook through or they’ll fall apart. Strain segments and save the syrup.

2. In a small bowl mix the cream cheese and yogurt until they are smooth.

Assemble:

– Toast the bread
– Spread a nice layer of the yogurt cream cheese
– Add cooked mandarins and drizzle some of the syrup
– Top with black sesame seeds

YUM! It’s quite a mix of flavours! Feel free to try any other kind of bread you like.

Alrighty, hope this helps your morning routine ;)