March 31, 2011

Hostess Cupcake Balls



I have to go to a track meet today in the 90 degree heat.  Yes!  It's 90 degrees in Southern California today.  I'm not a huge chocolate eater, but these look so darn good and I do like a hostess cupcake or ding dong every once in a while.  If I have time tonight, there is nothing going to stop me from trying these.  Thanks Sugarderby for your beautiful blog and so many Cake Ball recipes.


Buttermilk Cornbread

This is a basic, moist cornbread recipe.  It's easy to make because I  use the skillet that I melt the butter in and use a whisk to mix it all together.  This is so good with honey butter or my favorite - along with a bowl of chili.


1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease an 8 inch square pan.

Melt butter in large skillet.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar.  Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended.  Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan.  Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain.  Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Print Recipe



March 30, 2011

Salted Peanut Chews


Since I'm not a Chocolate Lover - I know....UN-American (Chocolate gives me headaches), I use to love Pay Day Candy bars.  These remind me of those.  Salty and Sweet in one.  Brown Eyed Baker has tons of great recipes.  Check out her blog.



Tres Leches - Three Milk Cake

                                        
  Honey- Vanilla Sour Cream Cake   


 Peach Crumb Bars





March 29, 2011

Snickerdoodle Blondies

http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/03/snickerdoodle-blondies.html
There are some delicious recipes on this blog and the photos are beautiful!



Snickerdoodle Blondies
as seen on Brown Eyed Baker (originally from Dozen Flours, I think)

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping to scrape the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir the dough one final time with a rubber spatula to ensure any flour on the bottom of the bowl is incorporated.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan. Spread in an even layer - I like to use my fingertips to spread the dough. I just put a piece of plastic wrap between my fingers and the the dough so it won't be too sticky. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the surface of the blondies springs back when gently pressed. Remove the pan to a wire rack and let the blondies cool completely before cutting.



Soda Bottle Cloche'




This is a complete copy cat project.  Is that bad in blog land?  I saw it just like two days ago and thought it was so clever I had to try it.  Honestly, I can't find who posted it.  I hope if you see this post and you made one recently you will please notify me so I can give the proper credit to you.  I searched for about an hour today, trying to find where I saw this.  I have been getting new followers and have been trying to acknowledge each one, and now I can't remember who posted it and if I'm following you or you are following me or ugghhhh.....I'm sorry. 

Anyway, I thought it was so clever I tried one, and love it.  I went to Ralphs and bought Grape Soda just for the kids (who were overjoyed) for .79 cents.  I cut off the bottom of the bottle, then I spray painted my lid silver, had to use mineral spirits to take the sticky back of the label off but it came off easily.  Put some moss on the pedestal, $1.00 bunnies from the Dollar Tree and tied a sheer ribbon around the lid.  It really does work.  It looks so cute.  Thanks for the great idea......wonderful blogger! 





March 28, 2011

Oatmeal Rolls


As much as I love to bake, I steered clear of yeast and bread.  This past year I decided to tackle my fear of yeast and dive into the bread world.  These are actually easy to make and this recipe is so delicious.  I'm not sure how healthy they are, but with the oatmeal in them, I like to think of them as "healthier".  Plus, you get the added bonus of that delicious smell in your house while they are baking.

2 cups Boiling Water
1 cup Quick or Regular Oats
2/3 cup Brown Sugar
3 tbls. Butter
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/3 cup Cold Water
2 Tbls. Yeast
4 cups Flour

Cook quick oats in boiling water uncovered for one minute.  If you use regular oats, cook for about five minutes.  Combine sugar, butter, salt and cold water in a mixer.  Add cooked oats and leave until butter melts.  Add yeast and flour.  Beat to a soft dough.  Knead 4 minutes.  Let rise until double, then shape into golf ball size rolls.  Place in greased jelly roll pan and let rise for about 30 minutes.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 -25 minutes.  Makes about 24 rolls.





Monday Morning Madness



It's monday morning and as I was taking the trash out, I found a flyer on my door.  It had a little Housework Humor on it, and since my teenagers will be home for the next two weeks on Spring Break, this totally applies for me.  My house is harder to keep clean with teenagers then it was when they were younger.  Here is a little Monday humor.


  • Cleaning your house while your kids are growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. - Phyllis Diller
  • Cleanliness is not next to godliness.  It isn't even in the same neighborhood.  No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burned-on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven. - Erma Bombeck
  • My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. - Anonymous
  • Always keep several get well cards on the mantle, so if unexpected guests arrive, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean. - Maxine
My favorites:
  • Dust is a protective cover. - Anonymous
  • Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it. - Evan Esar

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened to us. - Helen Keller

Today I will be happy my children are home with me and we can spend time together, no matter how messy the house gets.

March 27, 2011

The Works Pizza

My daughter Kelsey wants to get in on the action of my blog.  She doesn't cook much since she is only 16 (and she has me to do all the cooking), but she successfully made a delicious pizza.  This is her own creation and the picture was taken from her cell phone.  It tasted really good.



Pizza Crust - Fresh & Easy
Pizza Sauce - Fresh & Easy

Toppings:
Mozzarella Cheese
Onion
Red Pepper
Cilantro
Feta Cheese
Pepperoni
Parmesan Cheese

Bake in 450 degree oven for 12 - 14 minutes on a pizza stone.




Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps

Every Sunday after church my husband makes our lunch.  Today, he went out of his way.  These were soooo good.  Depending on how hot you like them, you could leave in some seeds or remove them all.  He removed all the seeds and they weren't spicy at all.  I would have liked mine a tiny bit spicier, but otherwise, Delicious. 


6 Fresh jalapeno peppers halved lengthwise and seeded



Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves.  



Wrap with bacon cut into thirds.  Secure with a toothpick.




Place on the grill and cook until bacon is crispy approximately 20 minutes.


These were delicious.  Remove the toothpick and pop them in your mouth and enjoy.



Graham Cracker Pancakes

This is a beautiful blog with some delicious recipes.  This sounds so good.  All my favorite ingredients with brown sugar, butter, and graham crackers.  I'm a breakfast nut, so these are right up my ally.  Of Course I won't eat these without my Buttermilk Syrup.





Graham Cracker Pancakes
Yield: ten five-inch diameter pancakes
Ingredients:

1 c. all purpose flour (I prefer King Arthur.)
1 generous c. finely crushed graham cracker crumbs (from 9 graham crackers)
1 T. baking powder
¼ c. brown sugar
a pinch of salt
½ t. freshly grated nutmeg
1 t. ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1 ½ c. buttermilk
1 ¼ c. whole milk
¼ c. (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
canola or other neutral oil for the griddle


Method:
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
  • In a small bowl, beat the eggs with a fork and stir in the buttermilk, milk, and melted butter.
  • Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a fork, mixing only until combined. There will be lumps in the batter. Do not overmix.
  • Heat a griddle or large frying pan over medium heat. When it is hot, drizzle in a little oil. When the oil is hot, pour in ½ c. batter per pancake.
  • Fry the pancakes until bubbles form across the top and the edges look dry.

March 25, 2011

Coconut Cream Tart

My family doesn't like coconut, but I love it.  I want to make this dessert and have all the ingredients, but who will eat it?  I know I would enjoy the entire thing.  My kids will be on Spring Break for the next two weeks.  That's a good reason to celebrate right? 

 I love Willow Bird Baking.  She has some delicious recipes and her little rescued poodle is so cute. Take a look at her blog for some great recipes.









Peanut Butter Butterscotch Chippers


This is no ordinary Peanut Butter Cookie.  This is a Peanut Butter - Butterscotch Chipper from http://www.picky-palate.com/


1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups smooth peanut butter
1 cup melted butterscotch chips
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Melt butterscotch chips over a double boiler until melted.  Add melted butterscotch chips and peanut butter to beaten butter and sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.

Place flour, baking soda and salt in bowl; mix to combine.  Add to wet ingredients until just combined then pour in butterscotch chips.  Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough, roll in sugar then place onto baking sheet.  Press tops with tines of fork if desired.  Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cookies are cooked through.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.


March 23, 2011

Microwave Mac & Cheese

I wasn't planning on making a video, hence the pony, glasses, triple chin, and remember the camera adds an additional five pounds.  I have no idea what I'm doing with You Tube.  I've never put anything on there before.  Enjoy the video - it is probably my last.  And for those that don't know me - I'm a what you see is what you get kind of girl.  This is pretty funny.




2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups hot water
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground mustard
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk
8 ounces process American cheese, cubed

In a 2 qt. microwave safe dish, combine first seven ingredients.  Cover and microwave on high for 3 1/3 minutes; stir.  Cover; cook at 50% power for 4 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil, rotating a half turn once. 

Combine flour and milk until smooth; stir into macaroni mixture.  Add cheese.  Cover and cook on high for 6-8 minutes or until the macaroni is tender and sauce is bubbly, rotating a half turn once and stirring every 3 minutes.

Dictionary Covered Plastic Eggs

Easter is almost here and even though I live in Southern California and it is almost always Spring here, it has been rainy and cold (for our standards) lately.  I love the Spring since I grew up in the Mid West and actually miss the extreme changes that Mother Nature gave us back there.  Things are starting to bloom and blossom and there is a feeling of new life around us.    

I have a couple Easter ideas to post on my blog, and this is my first, very easy, fast, inexpensive project.  I bought plastic eggs - 6 for $1.00 and took my handy dandy dictionary paper, tore it into small pieces and mod podged it on. 



Then after it dried, I took a yellow highlighter, pink ink pad, green marker, walnut ink pad, and colored each egg.  A couple I left the original color of the dictionary paper.  Then I put another coat of mod podge and sprinkled super fine glitter on them.  It's on there, I just have camera issues.



I put them under a cloche (because everything looks better under a cloche), and have them in my downstairs bathroom.  Soooo easy and they look very pretty with the tiny sparkle from the glitter.





March 22, 2011

Cinnamon Bun Icecream without an icecream maker

Oh my goodness.  It is 8:00 a.m. and I tasted it.  THIS IS HEAVEN.   I'm in trouble.  How will I resist this all day?



They have several recipe flavors for this ice cream.  I can't wait until mine is ready.  Licking the spoon gave me an idea of exactly how good it is.



Easy Homemade Ice Cream without a Machine

Easy Homemade Ice Cream without a Machine
How about butter, cinnamon, and vanilla for… Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream! Oh my gracious, it totally tastes *just* like cinnamon buns! You have to try this one.

Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream Recipe
Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream



2 cups heavy cream
1 (14 oz.) Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in large bowl. Whisk sweetened condensed milk, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla in large bowl. Mix well. Fold in whipped cream.
Pour into a 2-quart container and cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Store in freezer.
Read More http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/easy-homemade-ice-cream-without-a-machine.html#ixzz1HMlhGgSq

Almost Lasagna



I have two High School track runners and a baseball player.  They come home from school starving every day, and they always want some kind of pasta.  Especially when the weather is cold.  I tried this recipe and it makes a ton.  Really, it makes a lot.  We might be eating this for a couple days.  If you have a small family, I would not use a pound of pasta.  If you are having dinner guests, this will serve a lot of people.

1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked
1 lb. ground turkey or beef
1 jar Pasta sauce (26 oz)
2 eggs
Parmesan cheese
1 pound Ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 cups veggies (diced zucchini, matchstick carrots, etc.
Salt and pepper

Brown meat and drain well if necessary
While meat is cooking, stir together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan and salt and pepper
Mix cooked meat, macaroni, sauce and veggies.  Add ricotta mixture and blend well



Coat a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray or olive oil and spread half of macaroni mixture evenly over the bottom.  Top with a cup of mozzarella and a healthy sprinkle of Parmesan.  Add the remaining macaroni mixture and top with another cup of mozzarella and another sprinkle of Parmesan.  Cover with foil.

Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 10-20 minutes until cheese is golden brown.



I added a little more pasta sauce at the end.  I thought it looked a little dry and then re-read the recipe and I had only used half the amount of pasta sauce.  Make sure you use a 26 oz. size jar of sauce.  Just keepin it real for my blogger friends.  Yes....Sometimes I goof up the recipe. 

The kids loved it.




Friends



I was featured at:




I have known Alida since 7th grade where we met in Junior High (or middle school as they call it now).  We went to Brooks Junior High, in Kansas. She married her high school sweetheart Tom (at least they knew each other in High School, not sure when they became sweethearts) who I also was good friends with.  She has the most amazing singing voice and Tom is a very funny, funny guy.

They currently live in Belize doing missionary work and helping the people of Belize in so many ways.  Prior to this they lived in Russia for several years, and prior to that they lived in California for awhile.  On my 40th birthday, my husband gave me a surprise party with about 100 friends and family at our house.  Low and behold Alida showed up at my door.  We hadn't seen each other in several years.

I admire her and Tom so much.  They sacrifice many comforts of home, for their love of the Lord and do his work where ever they are asked to teach.  I appreciate her following my little blog and sharing my recipes and ideas with her followers. 

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.  ~Douglas Pagels

She has kept a blog for years and I love following her life experiences and her beautiful photography.  When they moved from Russia to Belize several months ago, they have not had their personal belongings sent to them yet.  Years of memories, heirlooms, and personal belongings have been lost.  Please keep them in your hearts that they will have their furniture and personal belongings returned to them soon.  My heart breaks at the thought of these very personal heirlooms and valuables lost or stolen. 




Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Minis


These are delicious!


I keep eyeballing those cute silver stands they are on.




Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Minis

Ingredients

Crust: 
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 
4 tablespoons sugar 
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted 
12 bite-size peanut butter cups
Filling: 
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature 
1 cup sugar 
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract 
2 eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup of a standard muffin pan.
To make crust: 
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Press crust into bottom of each muffin cup. Put 1 peanut butter cup into the center of each crust.
To make the filling: 
Beat cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Spoon cream cheese mixture over peanut butter cups and graham cracker crusts. Bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

See, easy peasy!
Enjoy!


March 21, 2011

Monday Funnies

 

This is my husband's idea of a Funny for my "funnies tab"
I think he wants to be a blogger so bad!