Two Crazy Cupcakes

Chinese Take Out Style Orange Chicken

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

I decided to give chinese take out style food a go...and this turned out so delicious!!

Chinese Take Out Style Orange Chicken

~Recipe adapted by Two Crazy Cupcakesfrom allrecipes.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

***Marinate your chicken breast strips in OJ for at least 30 minutes.

Sauce:

16 oz orange marmalade

4 tbsp orange juice- no pulp

1 ¼ cups water

¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/3 cup rice vinegar (I didn't have it the second time so I used white vinegar-- just as good)

3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (kikoman preferred)

1 clove garlic, minced

Pinch of ground ginger or ½ tsp fresh minced ginger

1 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste but at least ¼ tsp)

3 tbsp cornstarch mixed 4 tbsp with cold water until completelydissolved with no lumps

Crispy chicken breast chunks:

Cut 3 breasts into thinchunks. Marinate strips in OJ for at least 30 minutes. Combine 2 cups flourwith salt, pepper, Lawry’s season salt, cayenne pepper, pinch of baking powder.Dip chicken in beaten egg and coat in flour mix. Fry in 1-2 oil until golden–OR- oven crisp chicken 375 for at least 30 minutes turn halfway throughcooking time.)

***You can alsosubstitute crispy frozen breast tenders cooked according to package for chickento make it fast and easy but "from scratch" tastes more like a restaurant.

1) Combineall ingredients up to red pepper flakes in medium sauce pan.

2) Bringto a boil over medium high heat and cook 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally soit does not burn. Remove from heat.

3) Prepareyour chicken.

4) Placeyour sauce back on medium high and bring to a boil. Stir in cornstarch/watermixture.

5) Boilabout 5 minutes or until thickened and just sticks to back of spoon.

6) Beforeserving toss your crispy chicken in orange sauce. Serve over white steamed ricewith broccoli.

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

2011-10-25T14:26:00.001-04:00

This was so special I had to re-post and share with you. This post is brought to you from Michael, at Life to Her Years. He writes a great blog about being a father of a daughter. He started this list and currently is on rule number 168. Check him out it will make all you moms out there cry :)

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
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2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
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3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
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4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
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5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
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6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
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7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
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8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
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9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
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10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
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11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
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12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
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13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
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14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
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15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.
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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
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17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
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18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
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19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
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20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
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21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
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22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
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23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
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24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
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25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
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26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
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27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
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28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
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29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
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30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
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31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
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32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
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33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
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34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
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35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
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36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
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37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
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38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
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39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
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40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
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41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
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42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
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43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
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44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
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45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
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46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
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47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
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48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
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49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
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50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
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Photo Credits
I was unable to find the original source for #’s 1, 3, 7, 16, 20, 42, and 47. If you know the source for any of these, please tell me so I can give the photographers credit. Here are the rest:
4. Father of the Bride
14. The Life of Rachel
15. Certified Consumer
24. A Peakin To Our Lives
26. Dear Baby Blog
28. Baby Love Blog
32. My Blackbird Photography
34. Emily RC Photography
35. It’s What Makes Me Me
39. Popsicles and Pigtails
43. Irrational Obsessions
50. Lil Miss Bossy
And #’s 8, 10, 13, 27, 29, and 36 were taken by yours truly.
If a number is not listed above, the image came from Life Magazine’s online database of pictures hosted by Google Images.

Overnight French Toast Casserole

2011-08-25T12:01:00.002-04:00

I hosted a baby shower brunch for a friend of mine and made a french toast casserole. Not only was it delicious but it was easy to make ahead of time.

***sorry about the unedited iphone pic but at least you get the idea of what it looks like :)

Overnight French Toast Casserole
Printable

Ingredients:

10 cups cubed (1 inch) sturdy white bread (1 long loaf of French bread)

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (at room temperature)

8 large eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2/3 cup half-and-half cream

1/2 cup maple syrup (pancake syrup)

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 Tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar

Directions:

Place bread cubes in 13"x9" baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Beat cream cheese well with an electric mixer at medium speed until completely smooth. Then beat in eggs at low speed until blended.

Add milk, cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla and wisk or beat until smooth.

Pour mixture over top of bread and press bread down gently into egg mixture making sure the bread is completely coated.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning remove casserole from refrigerator and press down gently to re-soak bread and let stand on counter for 20-30 min.

Bake at 350* for 40-45 minutes or until set. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Sprinkle top with confectioner's sugar and serve with warm maple syrup.

Chicken Stew with Biscuits

2011-07-08T10:04:00.000-04:00

This turned out delicious. It reminds me of a really quality chicken pot pie. Do you see those huge chunks of chicken breast in there? YUM! My kids really enjoyed this one! It is a Barefoot Contessa recipe with some minor changes to make it easier and tiny bit less fattening.

Chicken Stew with Biscuits

Printable Recipe
3 whole chicken breasts, bone in, skin on

Enough water to cover the chicken breasts

3 bay leaves

1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning (dried herbs)

5 cups chicken stock, low sodium

2 chicken bouillon cubes (I prefer organic to cut down on some of the not so healthy stuff)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)

3/4 cup flour

1 10-12 ounce package frozen mixed vegetables (2 cups)

1 10-ounce package frozen corn (2 cups)

1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions -OR- frozen diced potatoes (optional)

1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning (dried herbs)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup half-and-half

For the biscuits:

2 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced

3/4 cup half-and-half -OR- whole milk

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2) ***This can been done day before or morning of to save some time. Poach the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a pot with lid and cover with water. Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning and bay leaves. Cover and cook for 15 minutes over medium-low heat. Set pot aside for 25 minutes and do not remove lid. Remove chicken to cutting board or plate and allow chicken to cool enough to handle. Then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

3) In a large glass measuring cup, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock in microwave.

4) In a large pot or Dutch oven (To save on dishes later I use same pot as chicken and just rinse it out), melt the butter and sauté the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent.

5) Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

6) Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick.

7) Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the half-and-half. Add the cubed chicken, mixed vegetables, corn, onions or potatoes, and Italian Seasoning. Mix well. Place the stew in a 10 x 13 x 2-inch oval or rectangular baking dish. Place the baking dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment or wax paper. Bake for 15 minutes.

8) While stew is in oven, make the biscuits. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the diced cold butter and mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. Add the half-and-half and combine on low speed. Optional-Mix in the parsley. Dump the dough out on a sheet of wax/parchment paper and cover dough with another sheet of wax/parchment paper. Roll out with a rolling pin, to 3/8-inch thick. Cut out twelve circles with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter or use the the rim of a glass or jar like me.
9) Remove the stew from the oven and arrange the biscuits on top of the filling. Brush them with egg wash, and return the dish to the oven. Bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the biscuits are light brown and the stew is bubbly. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Note from Barefoot Contessa: To make in advance, refrigerate the chicken stew and biscuits separately. Bake the stew for 25 minutes, and then place the biscuits on top, and bake for another 30 minutes, until done.

*** I am sure this dish can be completed using ready to bake country style biscuits in a time pinch but I prefer to make my own so I can control what goes in them and make sure we are eating the most natural ingredients possible.

Quick & Tasty Mediterranean Bow Tie Pasta Salad

2011-07-02T21:53:00.000-04:00

Here is a quick and tasty bow tie pasta salad that I threw together one night when we were running short on time. This goes really well with the Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Turkey Burgers.

Mediterranean Bow Tie Pasta Salad

12 oz box bow tie pasta, cooked according to package, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 - 2 cups Newman's Own Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3/4 cup sun dried julienne cut tomatoes herbs packed in oil, drained
optional: olives

1) Combine drained, rinsed pasta with vinaigrette.
2) Fold in feta and sun dried tomatoes.
3) Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Better if left overnight for flavors to combine.

California Sun Dried Tomatoes with herbs packed in oil are my favorite sundried tomatoes. I used these in salads, burgers, pasta, and chicken dishes. I love them mashed on a plate mixed with some oil from the jar, coarse sea salt, and fresh ground pepper to use as a sourdough bread dipping sauce.

Creamy Shells and Cheese

2011-07-01T09:30:00.005-04:00

This has become one of my kids favorites. I got the original recipe from a newspaper article but I cannot remember which one. It has been in my recipe binder for quite some time.

Creamy Shells and Cheese
Printable Recipe

8 oz shell pasta, cooked according to package, drained and rinsed
12 oz can evaporated milk
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup grated colby-jack or parmesan cheese
8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1) Microwave evaporated milk and chicken broth until steamy (not boiling).
2) In large pot (I use the same pot from the pasta), over low heat melt butter. Whisk in flour and then steamy milk mixture. Cook until thickens about 3-4 minutes.
3) Whisk in Dijon mustard, grated colby-jack or parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
4) Remove from heat and whisk in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Fold in cooked shell pasta.

***TIP: Sometimes we make this a meal by stirring in poached or grilled sliced chicken breasts and steamed broccoli.

Jerk Chicken Salad with Mango Vinaigrette

2011-06-29T16:58:00.001-04:00

Jerk Chicken Salad with Mango Vinaigrette

Field Greens or Baby Spinach
Jerk Chicken Breast, sliced with skin on
Carrots, sliced thin
Red Bell Pepper, diced
Ripe Mango, diced
English Cucumber, sliced or diced
Mango Vinaigrette

1) In a large bowl, toss all ingredients with Mango Vinaigrette to taste.

Mango Vinaigrette

1 whole ripe mango, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1-2 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (for lighter taste) Use balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar for more flavor.
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 -1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
1/2 cup light olive oil or canola oil

1) In food processor or blender, combine all ingredients up to kosher salt. Blend well.
2) Slowly drizzle in oil while food processor is running. Combine until emulsified.
3) No food processor...that's ok...you can combine all the ingredients in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid and shake that baby up for 20-30 seconds.

Oven Baked Jerk Chicken Breast

lemon juice or white vinegar
3-4 whole chicken breasts with bones and skin on
1/4 cup mushroom soy sauce (I was taught by a Jamaican chef with this sauce but any soy sauce will work)
3-6 tablespoons Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning, to taste ***See Note
1/4 cup water

1) Clean chicken breasts with lemon juice or white vinegar and cut whole chicken breasts in half.
2) Place chicken breasts bone side down in baking dish.
3) Toss to coat chicken breasts with mushroom soy sauce.
4) Add water to bottom of baking dish.
5) Using back of spoon or gloved hands, rub walkerswood jerk seasoning all over top of chicken breasts.
6) Marinate at least 4 hours for full flavor.
7) Bake at 375F for 30 minutes or internal temperature reaches 160F.
8) Broil for 5-10 minutes to allow skin to crisp.

***NOTE: Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning can usually be purchased in most major cities at a caribbean grocer. Check your yellow pages. Take a lil field trip and you may discover a whole bunch of delicious products you never knew were out there.

Look out for another delicious recipe coming soon using Walkerwood Jerk Seasoning!

Alton Brown's Crispy Wings

2011-06-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

These wings are so delicious! As always Alton Brown comes through with another great recipe with moist juicy meat on the inside and a crispy exterior. And the best part these taste like a restaurant but are oven baked wings!

Alton Brown's Wings
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

12 whole chicken wings

3 ounces unsalted butter

1 small clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup hot sauce---to kick up the heat add more hot sauce
(Two Crazy Cupcakes likes Frank's Hot Sauce)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

1) Place a 6-quart saucepan with a steamer basket and 1-inch of water in the bottom, over high heat, cover and bring to a boil.

2) Remove the tips of the wings and discard or save for making stock. Using kitchen shears, or a knife, separate the wings at the joint. Place the wings into the steamer basket, cover, reduce the heat to medium and steam for 10 minutes. Remove the wings from the basket and carefully pat dry. Lay the wings out on a cooling rack set in a half sheet pan lined with paper towels and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

4) Replace the paper towels with parchment paper. Roast on the middle rack of the oven for 20 minutes. Turn the wings over and cook another 20 minutes or until meat is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.

5) While the chicken is roasting, melt the butter in a small bowl along with the garlic. Pour this along with hot sauce and salt into a bowl large enough to hold all of the chicken and stir to combine.

6) Remove the wings from the oven and transfer to the bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve warm.

Honey Lime Cilantro Grilled Chicken Salad

2011-06-22T14:32:00.000-04:00

Honey Lime Cilantro Grilled Chicken
Printable
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

6 cloves garlic (minced in food processor)

1-2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Dash cayenne pepper

1) Pound chicken breasts to 1-1.5" inches with mallet so they will grill evenly

2) Place chicken breasts in baking dish

3) For easy clean up---combine all marinade ingredients in food processor

4) Reserve 1/8 cup of marinade on the side

5) Pour remaining over chicken breasts and allow to marinate at least 30 minutes

6) Preheat grill to medium to medium-low

7) Using tongs, allow marinade to drip from chicken breasts before placing on hot grill

8) Grill 4-5 minutes per side or until internal temp reaches 160F

9) Remove from grill to platter, brush chicken breasts with reserved marinade and allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting

Honey Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette
Printable
1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/8-1/4 cup red wine vinegar (optional to add more tang)

2-3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1) Add all ingredients up to cayenne pepper in food processor or blender. Blend until combined.

2) While food processor/blender is running slowly drizzle in oil until emulsified.

3) Add fresh cilantro leaves and give food processor a quick spin to combine.

To Assemble Salad

Mixed Field Greens

Corn

Roma tomatoes, diced

Black beans, drained and rinsed

English cucumber, cut in thin strips

Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese

Honey Lime Cilantro Chicken Breasts, chopped

Honey Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

Tortilla Strips, optional

1) Add all ingredients into a large bowl.

2) Add vinaigrette to taste and toss before serving.

Lil Monkey Baby Shower

2011-06-06T09:00:00.003-04:00

I recently hosted a LIL MONKEY baby shower for a good friend of mine who is expecting her 3rd baby and this time it's a boy!

The baby shower was a brunch. We served french toast casserole (recipe coming soon), quiche, mini cinnamon rolls, mini muffins, ambrosia, mimosas, fresh cut up fruit, and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes which were super yummy!!

I created some cute party printables using photoshop.

And of course I had to put my Silhouette SD to good use for some of the decorations. Her older daughter and I put together some really cute vines to hang around the party area. You may see these again for my lil monkey's 1st birthday party ;)

I made her a diaper cake to match the party decor. It was simple to make and really adds a cute lil touch to the present table.

Here are some more photos from the shower. The plates and napkins are from Target and the candlesticks are from around my house.

I wanted to snap a picture of the food table before we started eating but I got too busy greeting shower guests and serving drinks.

The mom-to-be's mother helped me host the shower and make some cute bracelets and earrings as favors.

We played two really cute games: unscramble the baby words and name the baby animal.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pretty Princess Tea Party

2011-03-02T12:15:00.001-05:00

A Pretty Princess Tea Party for my lil sweetie!

Disney Theme Birthday Banner and Letter from Mickey

2011-02-16T08:01:00.002-05:00

I made this banner using my Silhouette SD for twins birthday trip to Disney World. It is made from solid cardstock and pattern scrapbook papers. The font is called Disney Park. We stayed in this cool Pirates of Caribbean themed room.

I also made this birthday greeting from Mickey Mouse. I decorated the room while FireMan and the twins explored our hotel. Boy were the kids happy when they saw this! I also requested a birthday phone call from Goofy on their "real" birthday the next morning. That was super cool!

Baby Boy Number 3 Arrives!

2011-02-15T14:58:00.001-05:00

Baby Kingston arrived in January weighing in at 5lb 9oz via emergency c-section! So blessed to have him here. Big Brother and Big Sister are super excited and great helpers.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T09:00:00.002-05:00

Candy Cane Kitchen Sign---DIY from Flamingo Toes

2010-12-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

Check out this awesome Candy Cane Christmas Kitchen Sign made by Flamingo Toes!

She is amazing and has some great ideas posted on her blog! Hop on over there and check her out! She has posted a tutorial for anyone who wants to get their craft on and make one for yourself or a friend!

I'm getting out the glue and wood today to get started. I will keep you posted! Two are for gifts so I gotta hurry!

Elf Your Neighbor---Free Printables

2010-11-28T18:47:00.006-05:00

We haved been "Boo'ed" in the past but I thought I would start a new neighbohood game---We've Been Elfed!

I created some free printables for you to download and print. All I ask is you become a follower in return :)

To Elf Your Neighbor...Print out two copies of the instruction sheet and two copies of the "We've Been Elfed!" sign.

Include some treats or small gifts in a bag along with the free printables! One of the treats we included in our gift bags were Elf Cookies...our take on Bakerella's Cowgirl Cookies!

Our Free Printable Elf Cookie Labels Here!

Pick two neighbors and follow the free printable instructions to begin Elfing!!!

I created the free printables using free scrapbooking pack from Shabby Princess as well as Free Online Elf Clipart.

Happy Holidays!

Baby Boy Nursery...Need some opinions please??

2010-10-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

So I have 13 weeks to go and I have finally settled on a plan for baby boy #3's nursery. It is a completely empty room now with white (eek) walls.

Here is the bedding from Pottery Barn Kids

Here is the crib I am planning to buy but I still can't decide on color...what would you do?

Espresso:

Or White:

I have a changing table/dresser combo from the twins which I plan to paint a navy blue color with the espresso crib or paint it white with the white crib!

I have a glider and foot stool which need a navy blue slip cover. Looks like I have some upcoming projects to post.

So many choices!! What would you do?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T10:16:00.002-04:00

Linking up to parentingbydummies, alotofloves

It's a BOY!!!

2010-09-21T08:00:00.004-04:00

Had my 20 week sonogram last Tuesday and we found out we are having another little BOY!! We are so excited!! Can't wait until January to meet this little guy! The twins have been so cute about the whole pregnancy! They are always talking to my baby bump!

I have some exciting plans for his room! I can't wait to share them with you!

Have a happy Tuesday!! We are heading to Magic Kingdom!

Photo Credit: usflagdepot

Welcome Back!!!

2010-09-20T11:42:00.000-04:00

Back from from my little Blog-Cation!

Didn't realize how long it has been. Now that the kids are in school and my yucky morning sickness is FINALLY over time to get back to blogging :)

I have super yummy recipes and fun stuff to post...like holiday crafts, room makeovers and more!!

Photo Credit: Key Posters

Versatile Blogger! Yay! PLUS A Big Announcement!!

2010-07-02T15:11:00.001-04:00

YAY!!! I got an award from http://www.straightstiches.blogspot.com/!! How sweet to think of me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Plus check out #1 of things about me for my BIG announcement!!!!

Here are the rules:

1) Thank the person/people who gave it to you and leave them a comment.

2) Share 7 things about yourself.

3) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers, whom you have recently discovered, and think are fantastic.

OK...so here goes with the 7 things about me!

1) I will be 10 weeks pregnant tomorrow. YES this is my big announcement to blog world and why I have been MIA for a few weeks! Not feeling well at all!!!! LOL!

2) My dad taught me how to cook! So I have him to thank for all the awesome creations!

3) Met my hubbie online before online "dating" was even popular. We were not even on a dating site! And here we are many years later with twins and new one on the way! Life works in mysterious ways!

4) While getting my master's, I produced a human protein used for cancer treatment in a leaf. Crazy right! If only that could get approved by the FDA! Medicine could be sooo cheap!

5) I was so sick with my first pregnancy with the twins...I lost 15 pounds! Uhhh ya...if that could only happen when I wanted to actually lose 15 lbs! What is wrong with this picture! LOL!

6) I am a natural red head!

7) I lived in Nassjo, Sweden in high school and can speak, read and write Swedish!

Here are the bloggers who I am passing the award to! Please head over and check them out!

1) http://www.knock-offwood.com/

2) http://www.achicabakes.com/

3) http://www.kevinandamanda.com/

4) http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/

5) http://adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com/

6) http://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com/

7) http://sawdustandpaperscraps.blogspot.com/

8) http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/

9) http://lovelypapershop.blogspot.com/

10) http://mackenziescraftymom.blogspot.com/

11) http://craftedition.blogspot.com/

12) http://www.homeandheartsblog.com/

13) http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

14) http://33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com/

15) http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Straight Stiches!

Grape-tacular Smoothie!

2010-05-28T10:50:00.000-04:00

My lil man loves this smoothie! He says, "This is super yummy!"

Grape-tacular Smoothie
6 oz grape juice
6 oz strawberry yogurt
6-7 frozen strawberries
1/4 cup crushed ice

1) Add everything except ice to blender and blend on low to medium speed for 15-30 seconds to chop strawberries.
2) Add crushed ice and blend for 10-15 seconds on high speed.

Enjoy!

(photo credit: webmd)

Twilight Saga: Eclipse Party Preview

2010-05-24T09:00:00.003-04:00

Some of my mom friends and I are Twilight Moms. We are all going to see the midnight showing of Eclipse in June! Ohhh I can't wait! So to get us ready for our big night I am hosting a Twilight Saga Pre-Eclispe Party!

I have everything all planned out. I have already downloaded all my free printable quotes and drink labels from HWTM. Look at these awesome printables she designed.

I created some other super fun printables in photoshop and will have them available for download after the party.

I have my menu all planned out. I will be serving themed appetizers, desserts, popcorn and candy. Twilight and New Moon will be shown and also a fun game!

And of course...can't forget the mommy drinks which I've asked my guests to bring their favorite one.

A sneak peak into some of my menu:

Team Jacob

--La Push Pizza Bites ~ Circular mini pizza bites with tomato sauce, fresh pesto, sundried tomatoes, feta and mozzarella.

--Werewolf Kibble ~ Homemade Caramel Popcorn

--Quileute Peaks (aka James Island) ~ High Hat Mini Cupcakes with a different cupcake paper of course.

Team Edward

--Bella's Ravioli ~ Baked Ravioli with Marinara Dip

--Italiano Bruschetta ~ Pecorino Romano Bruschetta with Roasted Red Pepper Sundried Tomato Spread

--Twilight Cupcakes ~ Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache. Topped with fondant chess board topper and red chocolate chess piece.

Can't give away anymore because some of my readers are coming to the party! I want it to be a surprise!

Photo Credits: HWTM, Caramel Popcorn, Baked Ravioli , and all other photos were taken by me.

FireHouse Cook Off...My Fireman's Station Needs Your Votes...This is the last day!

2010-05-23T00:39:00.000-04:00

Please click this link and Vote for City of Stuart Firefighter Dave Harrow...not only is he a good cook (I mean the guy even brings his own knives to the station)...he is pretty darn funny too! Just wait until you see his video.

Today is the last day to vote for Dave!!

Thanks love you guys!

3-D Fondant Puppy Cake Toppers

2010-05-21T09:18:00.000-04:00

I love baking and making cakes but have always wanted to try and make some 3-D figures. My friend's twins just had a party and her daughter wanted a puppy cake. So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

Here are my puppies...well a puppy and a half. The purple one was digging a hole on top of the cake with chocolate sprinkles for the dirt. I used some candy bones found at the dollar store and I made a little fondant bowl with purple sanding sugar for the food.

To make these I did ALOT of research and after trial and error I found the best method for my figures.

It was to buy ready made white fondant like Wilton's or Satin Ice and add some sprinkles of tylose powder and knead very well to make a quick gumpaste. Divide it into small blocks and wrap in plastic wrap and place in ziptop baggie. Then, you can color your fondant/gumpaste as needed.

I also found the best method was to use all vegetable shortening to prevent sticking to your work surface and your hands. Some people use cornstarch or even confectioner's sugar but the shortening worked awesome for me.

To make the puppies, I used edible glue which is made in a small bowl with a lid from 2 tablespoons of warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of Tylose Powder. Gently stir with a toothpick and allow the Tylose powder to melt at least 1 hour. It will look like it is not blending but if you leave it on the counter for about an hour if you are in a hurry or in refrigerator overnight covered.

My Early Anniversary Present...I'm so excited...

2010-05-17T09:03:00.002-04:00

Fireman came home from the air force base with an early anniversary present for me.

A BIG bag...and inside was this:

Yes...that is right folks I am the proud owner of my first D-SLR...a Nikon D3000!

I'm sooooooooo excited I can barely contain myself!!! Love that man!!!! I was totally caught off guard. I had no idea! I mean I talk about wanting one to document all the beautiful memories of our children growing and our family but never did I think I would really get one!!!!! Yaaaaa-hoooooo!!! I'm shouting from the rooftops!

Now all I need to do is learn how to use this thing! LOL!!!

The Twins Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops...Mmmm!

2010-05-10T10:17:00.001-04:00

I tried a new version of this recipe and these things taste and have almost the same texture as Reeses! Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm is all I have to say about these yummy morsels!!!

Add the natural peanut butter to your bowl. It is important to use natural peanut butter meaning peanut butter containing only peanuts and salt in the ingredients to get the Reese's like taste and texture. I think we used Smucker's Creamy Peanut Butter.

Add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla and salt. Looks like somebody got caught tasting the peanut butter. LOL!

Your mixture will be a little crumbly but when you form the peanut butter balls it will come together nicely.

Mmmm-mmmm...Look at all that peanut butter deliciousness !

Then, dip those babies in the melted chocolate and make yourself a cute lil swirl on top with a toothpick. I realize there are no dipping pictures. Dipping 20 PB drops with 4 1/2yr old twins plus using a camera was too much for me LOL!

After all that hard work you deserve to take a bite and enjoy! Ok well if you are like me...maybe 4 or 5 bites and enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops
Printable Recipe

2/3 cup Creamy NATURAL Peanut Butter
2 1/2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tsp vegetable shortening

1) With a mixer, combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt on low.
2) Add confectioner's sugar and mix until well blended.
3) Add additional confectioner's sugar if needed.
4) Shape into 1" ball. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and put in freezer for 15-20 minutes.
5) Put chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in microwave safe bowl.
6) Microwave for 45 seconds on medium. Stir and repeat until completely smooth.
7) Working quickly so PB balls do not get soft, use a fork to dip PB drops into melted chocolate, rolling around to completely cover. Gently tap fork on edge of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place on parchment paper. If you wish, you can use a toothpick to create a little swirl on top. Refrigerate or freeze. You may need to put chocolate back in microwave will dipping to re-melt and stir until smooth.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T00:01:00.012-04:00

Wishing you a special day to all the mom's out there!

Here is a sweet poem I wanted to share:

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day

With little time to stop and pray

For life's been anything but calm

Since You called on me to be a mom

Running errands, matching socks

Building dreams with building blocks

Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes

And other stuff that children lose

Fitting lids on bottled bugs

Wiping tears and giving hugs

A stack of last weeks mail to read

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet when I steal a minute, Lord

Just at the sink or ironing board

To ask the blessings of Your grace

I see then, in my small one's face

That you have blessed me

All the while

And I stop to kiss

That precious smile

I hope you have a special day with your mom, your little one's or with someone special in your life!

(photo credit)

Mother's Day Brunch Menu...Recipes Included

2010-05-07T05:00:00.002-04:00

This year I will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch at my house! Hopefully, my hydrangeas will still have some of these gorgeous blooms on them!!

Here is the menu I planned for this Sunday. If you need any ideas for your own brunch I have included some printable tasty recipes. Just click the links below. I plan to print out my menu on nice cardstock and post it in a shabby chic frame on the buffet table.

MENU

Blueberry Lemon Scones with Honey Butter

Assorted Pancakes - Blueberry & Chocolate Chip

Warm Maple Syrup

Fresh Fruit Salad

Crispy Bacon

Turkey Sausage Patties

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with Assorted Mix-ins

Croissants

Sliced Honey Ham

Carved Turkey Breast

Orange Juice

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Spa Water

Mimosas

Fruity Rum Punch

I'm participating in these great link parties:

Thank You Sweet Pickles and Chocolate

2010-05-06T14:52:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to say thanks a bunch to Dena @ Sweet Pickles and Chocolate for this special Cinco de Mayo Rave Review! Check her out for Rave Review Wednesdays!

Carnival Party...How to DIY

2010-04-28T05:00:00.007-04:00

Here's how you can DIY a Carnival Party too:

-Carnival Food:

--Set up 1-2 tents side by side for food area. Decorate (see decoration ideas below). Set up an 8' foot folding table for all the food. Put a primary (Red, Yellow or Blue) colored table cloth on the table. Hang a pennant banner on front of table in primary colors.

--Lemonade in glass dispenser (Target and Classic Hostess) and water bottles with custom carnival sticker label (DIY-customize using free downloadable carnival font)

--Hotdogs/Corn Dogs: Use a roller grill or crock pots filled with water to keep the hotdogs warm and ready to serve. Or you can set up a fabulous table just like A Little Polka Dot did here.

--Popcorn in paper pop corn bags (SAMS). Go all out and rent or buy a popcorn machine!

--Nachos (use circle nacho chips and melted nacho cheese, serve in paper or plastic food trays Target) ***Tip: You can use these same paper trays to serve your hotdogs, nachos and big pretzels.

--Big soft pretzels with salt (frozen section of grocery store). Serve with nacho cheese and yellow mustard.

--Ketchup, Mustard, Relish in clear squirt bottles from Walmart or dollar spot at Target. ***Tip: Cut tip of bottle bigger with scissors so relish can squirt out.

--Dessert Table:

--Under a tent, set up a smaller rectangle or card table for the desserts and cover with another primary color table cloth. Add a pennant banner to the front of table that says "Sweet Treats"!

---carnival birthday cake (This is a BEAUTIFUL CAKE from Tammy at Southern Cottage Cakery, inspired me to be a blogger) (how to DIY fondant popcorn)

---popcorn cupcakes (Made by Cakes By Jen )

Here is how Jen did it:

1) Bake cupcakes in red and white striped liners or use a cupcake sleeve. Ice with white buttercream. Use miniature marshmallows to make the popcorn by placing them on top of cupcake onto the buttercream layer.
2) Use a pair of clean scissors and snip the tops of the marshmallows twice (in opposite directions, to form an "x").
3) Lightly spray the top of the cupcakes with yellow color mist to look like butter.

---caramel apples (DIY)

---Confetti Rice Krispie treats (dip in bright colored sprinkles) (DIY)

---cotton candy in paper cones (DIY) Most dollar stores or walmart sell cotton candy or again you can go all out and rent a machine!

---snow cones or try colorful italian ice (Store italian ice in a styrofoam cooler with dry ice and have an adult scoop it into 4oz paper souffle cups for kids. They can squeeze it right into their mouth...no spoon needed!)

---low clear bowl or wide brimmed jar filled with skittles with bright colored whirly pops or unicorn pops stuck in there which can be purchased from Candy Warehouse (Check this out from P is for Party...Beautiful Candy Buffet)

-- There are very cool plates and supplies at Oriental Trading called Under the Big Top. (Google for a coupon code to save some money while you're at it.)

-Carnival Games:

--A group of friends and family members to help out at your booths.

--Shooting Game (Target Buzzy Bee Sharp Shooter Set)

--Ring Toss (Take 25 or 36 plastic soda/water bottles and fill with sand. Put cap back on and spray paint them primary colors: red, blue, yellow. Set them up on a table or low platform in rows of 5x5 or 6x6 with a colored table cloth. Allow children to take a turn tossing the rings which can be pool diving rings.)

--Pie Toss (You will need paper plates with shaving cream or whipped cream, an adult who wants to get messy, a hanging vinyl table cloth for backdrop and plastic chair.)

--Bean Bag toss (Cut circles in cute piece of bright fabric or even a sheet and hang it it up -OR- using plywood DIY ... sew small squares and fill with beans or rice)

--Kissing Booth (Fill a big jar with Hershey Kisses and have kids guess how many are in the jar! The prize: they win the whole jar.)

--Clothes Pin Drop (Big Glass Jug...Try to drop wooden clothes pins straight down into jug)

--Fishing Game (Get a small kiddie pool. Then using plastic fish (which can really be plastic fish or it can be construction paper fish which are laminated) and hot glue magnets to them. Fill pool with half way with water. Using a craft store stick to avoid splinters make a fishing pole. Drill a small hole through stick and feed a string through and make a knot. Attach a magnet on the other end of the string. Go Fishing!!)

--Spray Away (Get a foam board and spray paint it a primary color. Paint golf tees with spray paint in another primary color. Stick tees in foam board at regular intervals in a straight line. Place set up on a table covered in primary colored table cloth and put ping pong balls on the tees.Then have kids stand back behind a line and spray the balls with water guns.)

--Tattoo booth

--Face Painting booth

--Balloon Animal booth (you tube has some awesome balloon tutorials)

--Bounce House

--Football Toss

--Big blown up slide

--Ticket Booth (DIY-family Fun)

--Photo booth (Use Fridge/Appliance Cardboard Box. Cut off one side and top completely, spray paint both sides a dark color and cover the back in cute bright wrapping paper (like primary colored polka dots) for your photo background). Have silly props available for photos like clown nose, clown rainbow wig, feather boa, princess crown, funny glasses ect... Have an adult on standby to take kids photos. Give pictures of each kid as thank you cards.

--Win tickets for games and take them to prize table to claim prizes.

--Give kids paper bags with handle (like present style bags) decorated with their names or let them decorate them to collect their prizes. This will be their party favor.

--Prize Board (Cover foam board with bright wrapping paper or fabric, pin prizes to the board in little plastic bags with custom bag tags). Many prizes can be obtained from the dollar store, dollar section at target/walmart, oriental trading.com or a host of other sites out there for party favors. Online shoppers make sure to google for a coupon code for your store before you shop!

-Location:

--Backyard

--Nice open park

-Decorations: This is where you can go all out!!

--Red and White Vertical Stripes scream Carnival. Look around for bold wide red and white striped fabric. I have seen it at IKEA.

--Tie strips of fabric (red, yellow, blue) to backs of chairs for color!

--Hang crepe paper streamers straight down in primary colors from the door way entry to your carnival if it is at home.

--Use bright colored table cloths in primary colors for tables and games.

--Make your own ticket booth by using an appliance box and painting alternating red and white vertical stripes. Cut a rectangle window for your ticket taker using a box cutter.

--Make your own game booths using card tables, fridge/appliance boxes which are spray painted, etc...

--Check these links out walmart decorations & party city decorations

--Hang red, yellow, blue crepe paper streamers from inside center of tent to edges and let them dangle down on 2-3 sides to look like a big top tent. Tie three red, yellow and blue balloons to inside center of tent.

--No Sew custom pennant banner (DIY)

--Balloon arch (red, yellow, blue...easy to make yourself with helium balloons) DIY You Tube

--Make signs for games with carnival font (make signs on computer and print at print shop like Kinko's -OR- Print letter templates and hand cut letters out of felt or use diecut machine. Then glue them to decorated poster board...have fun and let your kids help you too before the party) (Check these fonts Magic Jelly's 12 carnival fonts free download)

--More game ideas

Hope these ideas help you have a super fun carnival party!! If you use any of these tips and post your party on your blog I would love it if you would link back to this post :)

Photo Credits:

Carnival Food Popcorn Machine Nachos Rice Krispie Treats Cotton Candy Snow Cones

Cinco de Mayo Time!!!

2010-04-26T05:00:00.009-04:00

It's Cinco de Mayo time! Here are some yummy treats to get you geared up for the big day!

Here are my recipes:
Blackened Mahi-Mahi (Fish Tacos)
Mango Salsa
Cilantro Lime Rice
Guacamole
Margarita Cupcakes

Enjoy!!

(Source: Shabby Princess Happy Go Lucky Scrapkit)

I'm participating in these awesome Link Up parties:

~Monday:
sumossweetstuff
thegirlcreative

~Tuesday:
blessedwithgrace ~TMTT
allthesmallstuff ~ Tuesday's at the Table
Crazy Daisy ~Tuesday's Tastes
beautyandbedlam ~Tasty Tuesday

Twins Party Planning Time...Lego Indiana Jones Party

2010-04-21T13:48:00.005-04:00

I am in total party planning mode! The twins have decided what theme they want this year and of course they want separate parties so this should be so much fun!

I love planning parties! I get all excited about it!

According to the twins, we will be having an All Girl Fancy Tea Party and an All Boy Lego Indiana Jones Party! I have been searching the web for inspiration. I have already made the invitaions using photoshop and a 4"x6" template for easy printing at a photolab.

I also talked to my sister the other day and she wants help with her son's party! I am in heaven LOL!!!!

We can just start with my little punk's party first...

Here is the Lego Indiana Jones invitation I made in photoshop. I used the image from the cover of the Wii game and a scrapbook paper from Shabby Princess (both available for free). All the fonts I downloaded on the web were for free as well.

So far I have decided to have a scavenger hunt including:
- a mummy station
-snake pit
-crocodile creek
-gross food feeling buffet (eyeballs, brains, scorpion guts, etc...)
-Lego station
-eating poisonous dates (chocolate of course) followed by healing elixir (blue wax candy bottles)
-the big bolder
-excavation in the sand box with bones, legos and gold coins
-And finishing up with finding the crystal skull.

I haven't determined the order of events yet but I am working on the little clue cards for each stop on the adventure. I will post them when I finish them all.

I am collecting décor pieces like burlap, map print fabric, scraps of canvas and rustic serving pieces. I am also in the process of making little bags for the boys like Indiana Jones wears following my Girl Power Purse Tutorial.

As far as food, I am planning to serve chocolate dipped pretzel rods, a small candy buffet with gummy snake, crocs, worms, eyeballs, etc... jello molded monkey brains, hotdogs, fruit tray, chips and cupcakes/cake. For the cupcakes, I will make chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with buttercream dipped in crushed graham crackers for sand effect. Then, I plan to make fondant/gum paste toppers of red snakes and lego pieces. For the cake, it will be a lego indiana jones theme using characters from lego indiana jones building set with a small waterfall, palm trees and rocks.

I have been playing the game with my little punk a lot lately so I can get better ideas for the party plus it is pretty fun too LOL!!

Next... I will post my ideas for the fancy tea party for sweet pea!!

(Photo Credits- L to R: TwoCrazyCupcakes Design, Kotaku, Art of Dessert, NutsOnline, TheCakeStand, CandyWarehouse)

Girl Power: Paper Butterfly Wall Decor (PB Inspired)

2010-04-17T00:23:00.005-04:00

I fell in love with these cute little butterflies from Pottery Barn Kids. My lil sweet pea has a Pottery Barn Kids quilt in her room and she loves butterflies so I thought it would be perfect!

(photo credit: Pottery Barn Kids Catalog)

So I decided to give it a try:

I printed out a butterfly pattern on my two sided paper (Amy Butler K&Co).

I cut out the pattern inside the lines so they would now show on the final product. Using a boning tool, I folded up the wings to give it a 3-D look.

Then I flipped my butterfly over and applied double sided tape.

I found the perfect spot on the wall in my sweet pea's room and applied my beautiful swallowtail butterfly!

Here is what I did:

Supplies

2-sided scrap bookpaper (good quality thick paper)

scissors

pattern

boning tool

double sided tape

1) Choose coordinating scrapbook papers to match your room decor.

2) Print out the pattern. ***This pattern is set to print on 12x12 scrapbook paper so make sure to check the box "scale to fit" to your paper size if you are using 8.5x11 letter sized paper.

3) Cut out your butterflies right inside the lines so they do not show in final product.

4) Using a boning tool, gently fold up the two sides of the wings where they meet the body of the butterfly. This gives the 3-D appearance you are going for. It looks like the butterfly just landed on your wall.

5) Remove one side of double stick tape and apply to back of body of your butterfly.

6) Determine spot on your wall and peel and stick your butterfly right on.

They look really cute in a little cluster. You can reduce the print size of your image in print set-up area to make 3 different sizes like PB if you wish.

~ Enjoy :)

Gardening 101: It's Spring...Let's Plant Some Seeds!

2010-04-14T00:01:00.005-04:00

Finally the weather has warmed up and it's time to sow/plant some seeds. The twins love gardening! I have some great memories of gardening with my dad while I was growing up.

We use this as a learning experience as well! Throw a little home school in while we are at it.

We read How a Seed Grows. And learned about the process in which a seed grows!

This year we are planting carrots, spinach, lettuce, basil, rosemary, cilantro, thai chili peppers and strawberries.

You must consult a zone map to see what zone your in.

What are Zone Maps...you ask?

Gardeners need a way to compare their garden climates with the climate where a plant is known to grow well. That's why climate zone maps were created. Zone maps are tools that show where various permanent landscape plants can adapt. If you want a shrub, perennial, or tree to survive and grow year after year, the plant must tolerate year-round conditions in your area, such as the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount and distribution of rainfall. (from http://www.garden.org/)

This is a helpful website to determine your zone based on your zip code. It also has very useful information on many gardening subjects.

Sowing Seeds:

egg carton(s) and/or plastic strawberry carton(s)

skewer

scissors

vegetable friendly soil such as organic potting mix

seeds for planting in your zone
permanent marker

water

plastic wrap

1) Take your egg carton and cut it into to two parts: top and bottom.

2) Using the skewer, poke 2-3 small holes in the bottom of each egg cup (or whatever they're called LOL).

3) Using a small scoop/shovel, put soil in each egg cup. Then place inside the top of carton. This will hold/catch your water.

4) Poke a small hole in soil with finger and place a seed in each cup. Cover with ~1/4" soil. Remember to use your permanent marker to label your cartons.

5) To gently water your seeds, filling the top portion of the carton with a little water. The place the bottom portion (with the soil in it) of the carton on top of the water. Use room temperature water. Plants do not like cold water. Cover your carton with plastic wrap to keep moisture level constant like a little greenhouse. Place in a sunny location where you will remember to water them like by the front door. ***Do not water them with a watering can. This will disturb your seeds. Check on them and continue to water them as mentioned above. If you notice just the top of the soil is dry, you can spray it with a spray bottle. REMOVE plastic wrap when seeds germinate or sprouts appear. Over watering is just as bad as under watering :)

6) This process can also be done with plastic strawberry cartons; however, do not cut the lid off. You can close the lid after watering to make your own little greenhouse. And the best part is it already comes with drainage holes. To water, place strawberry containers in a dish of room temperature water or better yet use styrofoam trays meat and vegetables come in at the supermarket.

Most seeds will germinate within 14 days!

Stayed tuned for Gardening 102 and more!

~Determining a location for your garden, preparing your soil, how to make easy raised beds

and container gardening. (I'm putting my degree to some use finally LOL)

Cinnamon Apple Crisp

2010-04-13T22:00:00.003-04:00

Fireman had an airforce buddy stay here for one night until his flight home the next morning. Kinda last minute so I had to whip together dinner super fast. We had indoor grilled salmon (recipe coming soon), asparagus with hot pepper oil and balsamic glaze, roasted dutch potatoes with thyme, iron skillet rosemary dinner rolls and last but not least APPLE CRISP with natural vanilla bean ice cream!

Apple Crisp

2-3 large jonagold apples, peeled, cored, diced
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
juice of 1/2 lemon

1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 stick butter melted

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Toss diced apples with lemon juice in 8.5 x 11 rectangular baking dish.
3) With clean hands, combine diced apples, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
4) In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Drizzle with melted butter. Stir with a fork to combine.
5) Top apples with crumb topping.
6) Bake for 30 minutes in middle of oven.
7) Check and bake for an additional 10 minutes in top of oven until lightly brown and apples are bubbly.

Adapted from Pioneer Woman's Pear-Cinnamon Crisp.

***To make it extra yummy, allow your ice cream to soften slightly and stir in some cinnamon.

@BlessedWithGrace

Girl Power: 30 minute purse for your little rockstar

2010-04-13T09:36:00.004-04:00

Just some things I made last night....30 minute purse, twirly skirt, and applique tank for my lil sweet pea! My sewing machine has been upstairs collecting dust. Sweet Pea has been begging me to make her another purse for the longest!

I got some inspiration from a purse I made her awhile ago and also some very useful information

from Skip To My Lou which I used in my tutorial as well.

I posted a short tutorial on how I did this here!

Here are the other pieces:

I have plans to add some gemstones to the guitar after I peel it off and put it on the right way LOL! Guess it was a little late and I didn't flip it before I traced it on the fusible webbing. Oh well!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Eggs, Eggs...Egg Salad!

2010-04-10T14:43:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to use up all these eggs! I just made an egg salad sandwich on a potato roll that was soooo yummy!

Egg Salad (Serves 2)

4 hard cooked-eggs, chopped in big chunks, chilled
2-3 tbsp mayonnaise (I prefer Hellman's)
1 tsp dijion mustard
1 1/2 tsp onion, chopped (yellow or red for color)
1 tbsp celery, chopped
1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp salt and pepper, each or use 1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp fresh dill or parsley (Optional)

Combine all ingredients and serve on a nice soft roll or bread!

Family Feud!

2010-04-09T09:14:00.000-04:00

Wish me luck...today my family and I are trying out for Family Feud! I'm nervous but really excited too!! My mom called two weeks ago to tell us she entered us to be on the show. Who would have thought we would be called for an interview!!

Fireman downloaded the Family Feud app for our iphones so we could practice!

If you are in Florida and want to be on the show click here!

Hope you have a Happy Friday and a Fun Weekend!

RRF: Berry Banana Extreme Smoothie and GP Converse Makeover

2010-04-09T08:24:00.000-04:00

Robin Robin is 1 year old! I'm participating today for the first time! It is a link party and a giveway. Go check it out!

Here are my two posts for RRF:

Berry Banana Extreme Smoothie

Girl Power: Converse Makeover Part 1

Berry Banana Extreme Smoothie

2010-04-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

My little sweet pea LOVES smoothies especially because she can literally make them by herself. I hover of course because she is using a blender and it's also made of glass LOL!

Throw all the stuff in your blender and blend away!!!

Enjoy!

Berry Banana Extreme Smoothie

8 ounces Orange Juice With Calcium
1 whole Medium Banana, Ripe
6 ounces Fat Free Yogurt, Strawberry
8 whole Strawberries, Frozen
8 ounces Ice, Crushed

1) Add all ingredients to blender except ice.

2) Blend on high for 30 seconds.
3) Add crushed ice and blend for 1-2 minutes

Chipotle Lovers...Look No Further...30 minute meal

2010-04-06T00:01:00.010-04:00

If you love chipotle like we do then you need to check this out! I have been trying to re-create some chipotle menu items. This one is pretty tasty and quick! It tastes like a combo of chipotle chicken with chipotle hot salsa. Caution: This is pretty spicy so put some chicken on the side first for the kiddos!

BTW...the chicken is BOGO at Publix Supermarkets this week ;)

Click here for Printable Recipes!

Spicy Chipotle Chicken
3 tbsp oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red or spanish onion, thinly sliced
10 oz can Rotel (diced) tomatoes with green chiles, drained
2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
4 tbsp adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
1 package of Perdue Shortcuts Carved Chicken Breast, Southwestern Style, CUBED
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1) Add oil to skillet and cook onions and garlic over medium-low heat for 10 minutes to start carmelization process.
2) Add diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce and chicken. Stir to combine.
3) Cook over medium to medium high for 3-5 minutes to warm all ingredients and reduce any liquid.
4) Stir in cilantro.
Serve with shredded white cheddar cheese, lime-cilantro rice, chopped green leaf lettuce, and guacamole!

Lime-Cilantro Rice
2 cups uncooked white rice (jasmine or basmati) use traditional white rice...Not uncle bens style rice
3 1/2 to 4 cups water depends on your rice you choose
juice of 1 1/2 limes
zest of 1/2 to 1 lime
1 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or more to your taste preference

1) Add rice, salt, water and juice of 1 lime in rice cooker or heavy pot with tight fitting lid.
2) Cook rice approx. 20 minutes until done. Fluff rice with fork and allow to rest with lid on for another 5 minutes to redistribute moisture throughout.
3) When rice is cooked, toss rice with 1 tsp oil, juice of 1/2 lime, zest of 1 lime and cilantro.

Click here for chipotle corn salsa recipe.

@BlessedWithGrace

Two Crazy Cupcakes Got a Facelift...you can do it too!

2010-04-05T20:44:00.004-04:00

FINALLY... I had time to sit down and mess around with photoshop. I have been wanting a custom header and background!

How do you like it???

With the help of some great blogs I did it and you can do it too!!

First, you need a photo editing software like photoshop or paint shop pro.

Then, purchase yourself a digital scrapbook pack.

Go to layout--Choose Pick a new template--Use Minima Layout.

Here are the dimensions you need to set your canvas to before you start!

Check these guys out for more great tips on blog design, free layouts, Free fonts galore, and even scrapbooking!

While your at it make your self a grab button....Check out these awesome instructions!

-Or- if you don't have time then download some of these great templates from:

Black Dagger Brotherhood

2010-04-05T12:05:00.007-04:00

I just have to say I am in love with these Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward. I was turned onto them by my friend, Kristen.

I read all seven of them in a flash. And in a flash I mean like a little over a week. I told some other friends about them and they are hooked too!

I am waiting patiently for the eighth book, Lover Mine, to come out April 27th. I mean look at this cover...how could you not want to read this!

If you are a Twilight fan, then you will love these. It is what Twilight was missing! Trust me!!

Girl Power: Converse Makeover Part 1

2010-04-03T00:02:00.002-04:00

My little sweet pea got some converse hand me downs from her brother! But not stylish enough for my little fashionista! So we did a little converse makeover.

Start with a pair of converse sneakers...new or cleaned up hand me downs.

Place a dab of glue and rhinestones onto separate plates.

Using a toothpick apply small dots of glue to front of sneakers in a row. It is best to work two to three rows at a time.

Using the tweezers grasp and apply the rhinestones to your sneaker pressing firmly to attach.

Keep following the glue and apply technique until the entire front of sneaker is covered in rhinestones.

Girl Power: Converse Makeover Part 1

What you need:
converse sneakers
embellishing glue like Gem Tac or E600 ***(I tried Jewel It but it's not strong enough for shoes)
3MM round rhinestones: traditional silver and pink
toothpicks
tweezers
paper plate
newspaper

1) Clean your sneakers if they are hand me downs.
2) Line your work surface with newspaper. Remember this glue is permanent.
3) Put a small amount of glue on your paper plate.
4) Using a toothpick make small dots of glue on the front of your sneakers working 2 rows at a time.
5) Dump your rhinestones on another paper plate.
6) Use your tweezers to grasp and apply your rhinestones to your glue dots pressing firmly into place.
7) Follow same technique to fill the front of sneaker with rhinestones.
8) Allow glue to set for 20 minutes and use another toothpick to remove excess glue from around rhinestones.
9) Allow to dry at least 24 hours before wearing.

Stay tuned for Converse Makeover Part 2!

Just in Time for Easter...Hard Cooked Eggs

2010-04-02T11:32:00.001-04:00

I always mess up hard cooked eggs so I did a little research! Here you go...just in time for easter!

1) Gently put eggs into pot large enough to hold them in single layer. Cover with cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. HEAT over high heat just to boiling.

Step 2

REMOVE from burner. COVER pan. LET EGGS STAND in hot water about 15 minutes for large eggs (12 minutes for medium eggs; 18 minutes for extra large).

Step 3

DRAIN immediately and serve warm. OR, cool completely under cold running water or in bowl of ice water, then REFRIGERATE.

Source: The Incredible Edible Egg

Pictures to come! I'm doing some serious baking and sewing today and tomorrow! But on the bright side there will be lots of future posts ;)

2000th Commenter Award!

2010-04-01T18:39:00.000-04:00

Yay! I won 2000th commenter from Mrs. Marine & The Tiny Troops! I'm so excited!

Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday-Sweet Pea at Flower and Garden Festival

2010-03-31T03:32:00.005-04:00

Wordless Wednesday...well sort of! My Little Sweet Pea at Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival. She is all about that purse these days her Auntie Von made for her! She is growing up so fast right before my eyes. Love you Sweet Pea!

Participating in a Link Party with Seven Clown Circus, 5MinutesforMom, LotsofLoves, Mrs.Marine

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Turkey Burgers with Carmelized Onions

2010-03-29T23:12:00.003-04:00

Mmmm...turkey burgers are my favorite! Especially when layered with melted cheese and piled high with the sweetness of carmelized onions and roasted red peppers on a toasty bun!

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Turkey Burgers w/ Carmelized Onions
Printable Recipe

1.25 lbs ground turkey (93/7)
3 tbsp worcheshire sauce
1/2 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp italian seasoning, dried
1 whole roasted red pepper
4 oz cheese (monterey jack, cheddar, or mozzarella), grated
4-8 Potato Rolls
1 whole Onion, Carmelized

1) Saute garlic in oil for 2-3 minutes. Reserve oil.
2) Combine ground turkey, worcheshire sauce, salt, pepper italian seasoning and garlic.
3) Form into compact patties...careful not to handle too much. 4 normal sized patties or 8 sliders
4) Place on oiled grill or grill pan over medium heat.
5) Cook about 5 minutes on one side.
6) Carefully flip (only once) and allow to cook until internal temperature reaches 160-170 degrees F about 5 minutes.
7) Top burgers with cheese. When cheese begins to melt remove burgers from heat.
8) Brush the rolls using oil from sauteed garlic. Toast the rolls on grill briefly.
9) Place burger on bun and top with roasted red peppers and carmelized onions. Top with bun.

Had to come up with something yummy for TMTT from Blessed with Grace and TATT from All the Small Stuff.

Martha Monday: Red Velvet Cupcakes

2010-03-29T09:21:00.003-04:00

The twins helped me make another cupcake for our family birthday dinner. They were Martha's Red Velvet Cupcakes from page 30 in Martha's Cupcake Book (Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat).

The twins LOVE cooking and baking! Some of their favorite parts were adding the baking soda to the vinegar...fizz fizz, turning the cupcakes RED and of course operating the kitchenaid mixer!!

Martha's Red Velvet Cupcakes

Makes 24 standard cupcakes.

2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self- rising), sifted

2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon red gel-paste food color

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa, and salt.

2) With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in food color and vanilla.

3) Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds.

4) Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

5) To finish, use a small offset spatula to spread cupcakes with frosting. Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight containers; bring to room temperature before serving.

Martha's Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1) Beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
2) Reduce speed to low. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, and then vanilla; mix until smooth.
3) Frosting can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; before using, bring to room temperature, and beat until smooth.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

2010-03-28T15:03:00.005-04:00

Fireman decided he wanted homemade tomato sauce for dinner. So here is what I came up with! It was very tasty!

Slice and dice green and red bell peppers.

Dice up a whole onion and mince some garlic while your at it. Dice a little carrot too...why not!

To keep it extra tasty. I used San Marzano tomatoes (Cento Brand). They are rumored to be the best tomatoes for making sauce. The first San Marzano tomatoes were grown at the base of Mount Vesuvius in volcanic soil. These tomatoes are full flavored and rich. San Marzano Tomato (image from cento.com)

Puree whole tomatoes with juice in blender.

Get your pot going and cook the veggies!

Add your tomatoes and seasoning to the pot. And cook, cook, cook!

Bring it to a boil and then let simmer for 45-60 minutes until thickened. Stir and continue to cook to desired thickness. The sauce will thicken after cooling a bit as well.

We enjoyed this with sauteed sliced bell peppers and onion and ground turkey cooked with italian seasoning over pasta. YUM!

And with Fresh Rosemary Rolls baked in a iron skillet. Those rolls are a whole other story...they are heavenly!!!

Homemade Tomato Sauce
Printable Recipe

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 large green bell pepper, diced
1/2 large red bell pepper, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 fresh cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrot, diced
2 (28 oz) cans of San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes
1(16 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2-3 bay leaves
2-3 tbsp italian seasoning, dried
2-4 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup white wine
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1) Add whole tomatoes with juice to blender and puree.
2) Heat olive oil in stockpot over medium. Add bell peppers and carrots. Cook 3-4 minutes.
3) Add onions to pot and cook until soft.
4) Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes.
5) Add pureed tomatoes with their juices, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, wine, sugar and italian seasoning. Bring to a boil.
6) Season to taste with salt and pepper. Best to go light on the salt now and add more later if needed.
7) Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thicken, approx 45-60 minutes. Stir and taste. Add more salt if needed.
8) Simmer longer if needed to desired thickness.
9) Remove bay leaf before serving.

*** For extra chunky sauce, add a can (16 oz) of drained diced tomatoes with other tomatoes to pot in step #5.

Margarita Cupcakes

2010-03-28T07:28:00.004-04:00

Yum! I made these mini margarita cupcakes for a friend's birthday! In lieu of BUNCO, we all played poker. How fun was that!

They were pretty simple to make. It starts with Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita.

You might as well pour yourself one while your at it!

There you go...get yourself a little buzz going and whip them right up! LOL!

Margarita Cupcakes

1 pkg (18.25 ounces) white cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
10 ounces Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime zest grated

1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Line standard muffin pan with baking cups.
2) In large bowl, combine cake mix, Margarita mix, egg whites and vegetable oil using electric mixer. Stir in lime zest; mix completely. Fill prepared pans 2/3 full.
***I like to use ice cream scooper. Perfect size everytime!
3) Bake 22-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
4) Cool in pan on cooling rack 5-8 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.

For mini cupcakes: Bake 350° F for 10-15 minutes.

Cupcakes From: Wilton Cupcake Fun Book

Margarita Buttercream

2 sticks of butter, room temperature
1 1/4 lb confectioner's sugar, sifted
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita
2 limes, zest only
Margarita Salt
Green gel paste food color

1) In mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed until creamy, approx. 2 minutes.
2) Reduce speed to medium and gradually add 4 cups confectioner's sugar 1/2 cup at a time. scrap down sides as needed.
3) Increase speed to high and beat 30 seconds.
4) Add margarita, lime juice and zest. Beat until frosting is smooth.
6) Add up to 1 cup more of confectioner's sugar to make sweeter, if needed.
5) Add gel paste food color a drop at a time (use new toothpick each time). Blend and add more color if needed to reach desired shade of green.
6) Frost cupcakes with offset spatula generously.
7) Sprinkle with dash of margarita salt.

Store in fridge.

Pecorino Romano Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Roasted Red Pepper Spread

2010-03-27T07:30:00.004-04:00

The crostini were so toasty, cheesy, and delicious!!! The rich flavor of garlic and romano cheese was set off perfectly by the roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes in the spread.

It was recently my birthday along with two other family members. I made these as an appetizer for our family birthday dinner and they were a BIG hit!

Pecorino Romano Crostini
Printable Recipe

1 good quality fresh baguette (not from neighborhood supermarket)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated pecorino Romano
5 large fresh garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1) Cut baguette into approx. 24 (1/3") slices.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3) Place bread on baking sheet in single layer and brush with 3 tbsp olive oil.
4) In small bowl, combine 1 tbsp olive oil with remaining ingredients.
5) Spoon approx. 1 tsp of cheese-garlic mixture on top of baguette slices.
6) Bake in center of oven just until cheese starts to melt, approx. 6-8 minutes.

Sun-Dried Tomato Roasted Red Pepper Spread
Printable Recipe

1/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes with herbs
2 tbsp chopped roasted red peppers (drained RR peppers from jar work just fine)
1/4-1/2 cup walnuts, toasted at 350 degrees for approx. 6-7 minutes
1 tsp finely chopped shallot
1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
1/4 cup olive oil
salt

1) In mini food processor, combine all ingredients except oil and salt.
2) Puree until almost smooth.
3) Slowly add oil in a steady stream with food processor running allowing to blend until incorporated.
4) Season lightly with salt to taste.

From Gourmet Today.

Enjoy!

Yummy Balsamic Vinaigrette...

2010-03-26T09:38:00.001-04:00

This is my go to dressing recipe. It is a basic vinaigrette with a few extras added.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/3 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1) In a bowl or mini food processor, combine all ingredients except oil making sure to whisk or blend well. 2) Add the oil a little at time while whisking or blending to allow dressing to emulsify.
3) Use right away or chill. Let come to room temperature before serving.

Vietnamese Avocado Shake (sinh tố bơ or Butterfruit Shake)

2010-03-25T20:15:00.007-04:00

This is a thick rich shake! In Vietnamese, it is called sinh tố bơ or butterfruit shake.

When Fireman first made this I thought...hmm...avocado and sweetened condensed milk...interesting combination! But after trying it I really like it! And so does our son! Give it a try I think you will be surprised!

First, you need to get yourself a blender. Fireman likes to use his Single-Serve Blender. He got his from GNC.

Then, you need to peel and cut your avocado. This is a very nice instructional video on how to do that. How-To-Cut-an-Avocado

Add crushed ice to the blender and then the avocado.

Add the sweetened condensed milk and whole or reduced fat milk. Blend until smooth. Enjoy your thick rich shake!

Vietnamese Avocado Shake/sinh tố bơ
Printable Recipe

2 ripe avocados (Hass) , preferably chilled overnight
1 1/2 cups crushed ice
1/4 - 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
2-4 tbsp whole or reduced fat milk (to desired thickness)

1) Cut and peel chilled avocado.
2) Add crushed ice, sweetened condensed milk and milk to blender.
2) Add avocado to blender
3) Blend until smooth.
4) Add a little more milk to desired thickness.

Enjoy!

Under the Weather...

2010-03-25T17:38:00.000-04:00

So no posts in awhile...I'm so sorry!!

I have been a little under the weather with the stomach flu!

I have some pictures uploading now of some yummy stuff though.

We had 3 birthdays in our family (mine!!!) and a good friend, Gina, this month so of course we had to have cupcakes!!!!!

We had red velet with cream cheese frosting, margarita cupcakes with buttercream, carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and last but not least my favorite...high hat cupcakes which are chocolate cupcakes with swiss meringue buttercream dipped in milk chocolate...sooooooo delicious!

Coming soon!!

Turkey Meatloaf with Roasted Potatoes

2010-03-08T09:06:00.003-05:00

Sunday dinner was Turkey Meatloaf with Roasted Potatoes! Fireman and twins loved it! I don't eat beef or pork so I have to get creative to come up with dinners.

Turkey Meatloaf

2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
3/4 tsp freshly ground pepper, according to taste
3/4 tsp kosher salt, according to taste
1 tsp italian seasoning, dry
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup ketchup
1 3/4 lbs of ground turkey
3/4 cups italian bread crumbs
2 eggs (1 whole egg & 1egg white), lightly beaten
cooking spray
foil
**optional: shredded carrots ~1/3 cup
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onions until lightly translucent, approx 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another minute.

2) Add salt and pepper to taste, italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth and 2 tbsp of ketchup to onion mixture in pan. Mix well and allow to cool.

2) In large bowl, combine with clean hands ground turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, and onion mixture. Mix well.

3) Line a 13x9 baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf in center of baking dish. Spread 2 tbsp of ketchup over the top of the loaf.

4) Bake in center of oven for 1 hour. Place a small baking dish with hot water on bottom rack of oven. This helps keep meatloaf moist during cooking process. Internal temperature should be between 165-170 degrees F. Serve warm or cold.

Roasted Potatoes with Fresh Herbs

4 tbsp Olive oil
cooking spray
foil
2-3 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tbsp garlic, minced
~1 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 lbs of red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into fourths (do not remove skin)

1) Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray. ***Can be cooked at 375 degrees F with meat loaf. Adjust cooking time to ~40-50 minutes, checking for doneness with a fork.

2) In a large bowl, combine oil, rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper and potatoes. Toss to coat potatoes.

3) Spread potatoes in baking dish in a single layer.

4) Bake 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway. Potatoes should be tender when stabbed with a fork and slightly golden.

The Twins Make Pancakes (Organic)

2010-03-03T08:33:00.006-05:00

The twins LOVE pancakes. At our house, we eat them a couple days a week.

The recipe I normally follow is more less a take from Alton Brown's recipe. You can keep it for up to 3 months in an airtight container. There is no artificial stuff in there and you can use organic ingredients like us if you choose. SEE bottom of post for our recipe. **They are very tasty so we don't normally put more butter on them after cooking but it looked good for the picture.

*** See bottom of post for a few helpful tips!!

Printable Recipe & Tips

INSTANT PANCAKES RECIPE:

Mix Ingredients:

6 cups unbleached unbromated flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (check expiration date first)

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1) Combine all of the ingredients in a lidded container. Shake to mix.

2) Use the mix within 3 months.

"INSTANT" PANCAKES:

2 natural or organic eggs, separated

2 cups organic buttermilk (we use fat free) ***(No buttermilk...that's ok...See tips below)

4 tablespoons melted organic butter

2 cups "Instant" Pancake Mix, recipe above

organic butter or oil, for greasing the pan

Optional mixins:
-2 cups organic fruit such as blueberries or strawberries
-chocolate chips (mini works great)
-bananas sliced thin/walnuts- or- granola
-extra fiber

Serve with "REAL" organic maple syrup

1) Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350-375 degrees F. Optional: Heat oven to 200 degrees F for holding pancakes.

2) Whisk together the egg whites and the buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the melted butter.

3) Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.

4) Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.

5) Lightly grease the griddle with oil or butter. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. (No butter should be visible.)

6) Gently ladle 1/4 cup of the pancake batter onto the griddle and sprinkle on fruit or chocolate chips, if desired. When bubbles begin to appear, edges set around the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

Serve immediately or remove to a towel-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Can hold in a warm oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

Yield: 12 pancakes

TIPS:

*** Sometimes if I know we will be busy during the week I make several batches. Then, place the pancakes individually on baking sheets in freezer. When they are lightly frozen, put them together in a container in freezer. This way they do not stick together and you can grab them to pop in toaster oven or microwave in a hurry! You have healthly organic pancakes at your fingertips!

***No Buttermilk...that's ok! Just substitute 1 cup buttermilk for 1 cup yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup.

***I also use buttermilk for baking and cooking but not ALL the time so I freeze it in individual portions like 1-2 cups. Pop it in fridge the night before to thaw and I'm good to go. I would not suggest this if you are a buttermilk "drinker" however! Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

So that McLinky Thingy....Flavor of the Month...Chocolate

2010-03-02T10:07:00.001-05:00

I happened upon this cute blog Bakeat350. And decided to participate in the McLinky Thingy...Flavor of the Month...Chocolate!

I linked our Chocolate Dipped Valentine Hearts!

And yet another cool McLinky...Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays from Blessedwithgrace...Eat more chicken!

I linked Delicious Garlicky-Chicken-and-Dutch Potatoes!

Martha Monday: Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-03-01T23:19:00.003-05:00

The twins made Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes from Page 118 of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Book (Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat).

Melt chocolate and unsalted butter over double boiler .

Combine chocolate mixture with sugar.

Add eggs and combine until smooth. Then add vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Add flour mixture and stir.

Now for peanut butter filling. Melt butter and combine with confectioner's sugar.

Add peanut butter, salt, and vanilla. Stir to combine.

Add 2 tablespoons of chocolate mix to cupcake liner. Followed by 1 tablespoon of peanut butter filling. Top with 1 tablespoon of chocolate mix and 1 teaspoon of peanut butter filling. Use a chopstick or skewer to gently swirl "TOP" only. Bake at 325 degrees for approx 30 minutes.

Frosting:

We changed it up a little though and filled them even further with Martha's Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting from page 310 (Recipe). We then topped them by piping Martha's Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting and Hershey's Especially Dark Frosting (Recipe) swirled together.

We used half the recipe for Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting. Combine cream cheese and confectioner's sugar until fluffy. Add salt, peanut butter and vanilla. Beat to combine.

Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture until smooth.

Hershey's Especially Dark Frosting:

Combine melted butter and dark cocoa powder.

Alternate by adding confectioner's sugar and milk and blending. Add vanilla. Add more milk if necessary.

We used the creamy peanut butter frosting to fill cupcakes with a # 10 tip after they cooled as well as swirled it with Hershey's Especially Dark Frosting and piped a swirl on top.

I have to say they turned out pretty yummy but they are more like brownies than a traditional cupcake! Good concept but I will probably follow a different chocolate cupcake recipe next time and add the peanut butter swirl from this recipe to make it more cake-like.

Coming Soon...Martha Mondays

2010-02-26T08:35:00.003-05:00

I just got this book, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat !!

Yummy!!!!

On the first Monday of the month, I will post a different cupcake from the book that I have made. Oh I can't wait!!

Eat This Not That....WOW!!

2010-02-19T08:21:00.002-05:00

I know alot of us have a weight loss goal or a goal to get our families healthier. I love this book Eat This Not That!

but check out this oneCook This, Not That!: Kitchen Survival Guide. I am gonna have to pick that up.

Eat This Not That now has an iphone app. Oh yea baby! If you have never checked out these books here are two helpful links to see what it is all about. They are little slide shows. For sure check these out!! It is amazing what you think is healthy and what is not healthy. Guess what is on the healthiest list... Chipotle...that's right! YUM well minus the beef ;)

The 20-Worst-Restaurant-Foods-America

20-Best-Restaurant-Foods-America

Have an awesome day! We are heading to disney. Where we pack our own food for sure...yikes is all I have to say about the health factor there...but it also saves a TON of money too. We do splurge on ice cream for kiddos (and hubbie LOL) though ;)

Eat This Not That Home

Yummy Thai Chicken Pasta

2010-02-17T17:52:00.001-05:00

Tonight we are having Thai Chicken Pasta. I got the original recipe from Laura, a fellow playgroup mom. I have made a few changes though.

Thai Chicken Pasta

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
3/4 to 1 cup Light Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (Kraft)
2 tbsp Peanut Butter
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
vegetables (julienne red bell pepper, julienne carrots, snow peas)
2 tbsp olive oil
8 oz linguine pasta

1) Option 1: Cut chicken into strips. Marinate chicken in 1/4 cup dressing for 30 minutes. Then, cook chicken in a nonstick skillet until done. Option 2 (my fav): Cook chicken breasts in crock pot on low for at least 4 hours until tender with 1/4 to 1/2 cup dressing. Remove chicken, discard sauce and cut into strips.
2) Mix 1/2 cup dressing, peanut butter, honey and soy sauce in small bowl.
3) Cook pasta according to box directions and drain.
4) In pasta pot, add olive oil and cook vegetables over medium high for 3-5 minutes while stirring until tender crisp.
5) Add pasta back to pot and pour in sauce. Toss to combine. Enjoy!!

The Twins Make Valentine's Cake Hearts and Cupcake Bites!

2010-02-12T16:01:00.002-05:00

We love cupcakes in this house!

We made Bakerella 's cupcake bites and cake balls into hearts. It was very fun and easy! And the best part
they taste sooooo good!!!

We chose to go with red velvet cake to keep with the whole Valentine's theme but any flavor works. You can use your own recipe or box mix. We went with a box mix this time. You also will need some cream cheese frosting again either your own recipe or a can of frosting.

We baked the cake according to directions in 13x9 baking dish. Allow to completely cool!

Next, crumble cooled cake into a large bowl and add entire can of frosting. This is the fun part! Use your hands to incorporate the frosting into the crumbled cake.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and make little balls of cake (1.5"-1.75' diameter) with your hands. Place them on cookie sheet. Stick cookie sheet in the freezer (~15 min).

Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter to form the cake hearts. We used Wilton Heart Cut Outs to make our heart shapes.

Take each ball flatten slightly with palm of your hand and cut out with cutter.

The top may need to be trimmed with a knife.

You will end up with these cute little hearts.

Place them back on your parchment lined cookie sheet and put in freezer (~15min) while you are melting your candy coating or chocolate.

We used Merckens Coco Lite and Pink Candy Coatings for dipping the hearts.

To melt candy coating, place a small amount of candy coating wafers in small microwave proof bowl. I have found this 2 cup Pyrex Dish works really good for melting and dipping. Microwave candy coating for 1 minute at 50% power (or defrost). Stir and microwave in 30 second intervals at 50% power until melted. I usually add Paramount Crystals to thin the candy coating to make dipping easier.

Take a few hearts out of freezer at a time. Dip the hearts into melted candy coating with a fork and allow excess candy to drip off into the bowl. Tapping the fork on the edge of the bowl helps to remove excess candy coating. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and allow to set. We decorated some hearts with Wilton Valentine Nonpareils Sprinkles before candy coating set. We also decorated some with drizzles of candy coating in another color after primary coat set. Sometimes you may need to dip a second time if you are using red velvet or chocolate cake.

We are planning to give these yummy treats to family and neighbors in a cute little hand made box. We will post that little craft later ;)

We also made cupcake bites following Bakerella's directions here for a Valentine's playdate.

Enjoy!!!

Wordless Wednesday-Twins First Time at Disney World

2010-02-10T01:54:00.002-05:00

The Twins Make Strawberry Shortcake with Sweet Biscuits

2010-02-09T22:13:00.017-05:00

The twins are at it again! They LOVE cooking and baking.

Strawberry Shortcake with Sweet Biscuits

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt,

sugar, and baking powder. Then, add cold butter and cut into dry ingredients. We used a kitchen aid stand mixer with flat beater on speed 2 to cut in butter until butter is the size of peas.

Add milk (or cream) and vanilla. Mix until just combined. Batter will be sticky.

Knead dough briefly on floured surface with floured hands approx 6-8 turns.

Form into medium sized round biscuits for rustic appearance. Or flatten dough on floured surface to 1'' thick and cut with biscuit cutter or drinking glass. **USE A HEART COOKIE CUTTER FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!!! And pop in the oven! (Nice cookie sheet...I know...can you tell it gets alot of use LOL)

Rinse the strawberries and allow to drain.

Cut stems off and slice strawberries into quarters. The twins use a serrated plastic knife to do this. Place in bowl and gently combine with sugar.

Let strawberries rest while you whip the cream. We used a kitchen aid stand mixer with wire whip and gradually increased speed to 8 until sharp peaks were formed. Don't forget to add sugar and vanilla after cream begins to thicken a bit.

**Optional: Throw some of the sugared strawberries in a mini food processor or use potato masher and puree. This will give a nice puree to drip on your biscuits.

After you have allowed your biscuits to cool for a few minutes, slice them in half, drizzle with strawberry puree and place some sugared strawberries on top.

Slap on some whipped cream, top with biscuit and repeat process.

ENJOY!!!!

Strawberry Shortcake with Sweet Biscuits

Sweet Biscuits

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp baking powder

2/3 cup sugar (powdered sugar preferred)

1 stick cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup milk (or cream)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2) Combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl

3) Cut in butter until butter is size of peas.

4) Add milk (or cream) and vanilla and gently combine. Dough will be sticky.

5) Gently knead dough briefly on floured surface with floured hands approx 6-8 turns.

6) Form into medium sized round biscuits for rustic appearance -OR- flatten dough on floured surface to 1'' thick and cut with biscuit cutter or drinking glass.

**USE A HEART COOKIE CUTTER FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

7) Bake approx 12-15 minutes depending on oven.

Topping - Strawberries

2-3 baskets fresh strawberries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1) Rinse strawberries and allow to drain.

2) Cut stems off strawberries. Cut into quarters and place in large bowl.

3) Sprinkle strawberries with granulated sugar.

4) Gently combine strawberries with sugar.

5) Allow strawberries to rest for 10 minutes.

6) Optional: In a mini food processor or with potato masher, puree several strawberries to create a nice strawberry puree for drizzling over sweet biscuits.

Sweetened Whipped Cream

1 cup Heavy Cream

3-4 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1) In a chilled mixing bowl, add heavy cream.
2) Using electric mixer, beat cream until slightly thicken.
3) Add sugar and vanilla.
4) With mixer, beat cream until sharp peaks form. Careful not to over beat...we don't want butter ;)

Assembly

Sweet Biscuits

Strawberry Topping

Sweetened Whipped Cream

1) Cut biscuit in half. Place half on plate.

2) Drizzle biscuit with optional strawberry puree and strawberry topping.

3) Add a dallop of sweetened whipped cream.

4) Top with other half of biscuit.

5) Drizzle with optional strawberry puree and strawberry topping.

6) Add a dallop of sweetened whipped cream and ENJOY!

Delicious Garlicky Chicken and Dutch Potatoes

2010-02-06T17:00:00.001-05:00

We had this for dinner last night...YUM!!! Words cannot describe the garlicky deliciousness of this chicken and potatoes!!!

Delicious Garlicky Chicken and Baby Dutch Potatoes

Garlicky Chicken

1 whole chicken, cut up
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
30-40 cloves of garlic, peeled
10-15 fresh sprigs of thyme or rosemary
sea salt
fresh ground pepper

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Rinse Chicken.
3) Season chicken with salt and pepper.

4) Heat Dutch oven over medium high heat.

5) Toss chicken in about 2-3 tbsp olive oil.
6) Lightly brown chicken in Dutch oven on both sides.
7) Add remaining extra virgin olive oil, herbs, and garlic.
8) Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
9) Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
(adapted from recipe by Alton Brown)

The meat just falls right off the bone. It is so moist and garlicky delicious!

***Tip: An easy way to peel garlic cloves is to use a chef's knife. Cut off the base of the garlic clove. Place clove, curved side up, under flat blade of chef's knife (the blade needs to be parallel with cutting board) on cutting board and use the heel of your hand gently slam the portion of the knife on top of the clove. The clove should slide right out of the skin. This also helps relieve some frustration at the same time :)

Baby Dutch Potatoes

1 1/2 lb baby Dutch potatoes
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
10-15 springs of thyme or rosemary
10 cloves of garlic, peeled
1/2 tbsp - 1 tbsp coarse sea salt (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper to taste

1) Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
2) Scrub potatoes.
3) In 2.5 quart round dish with lid, add potatoes.
4) Toss potatoes with olive oil to coat.
5) Toss potatoes with sea salt and pepper to taste.
6) Add garlic clove and rosemary or thyme sprigs.
7) Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
8) Stir potatoes and bake another 30 minutes.
9) Serve with garlicky chicken.

**After chicken has been in the oven for 30 minutes, put potatoes in there too. Both will be done at the same time.

Mega Swag Bucks Day Today!!

2010-02-05T08:47:00.003-05:00

I just recently joined swagbucks. This is awesome. You just use swagbucks.com to search instead of another search engine. Then, you earn swagbucks (points) for just searching to buy stuff! And they have some good stuff!!

Check it out!!! Today is Mega Swagbucks Day meaning you can win anywhere from $1 to $500 for just searching!

CLICK HERE

You earn swagbucks for just joining! How can you go wrong!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

2010-02-03T01:25:00.004-05:00

One of our family favorites is Vietnamese Spring Rolls for the obvious reason because Fireman is Vietnamese and also that they are so tasty!!

They are very easy to make once you get the hang of the rolling part.

First, assemble all of your ingredients in the center of dining table.

Briefly dip Rice Paper in lukewarm water and allow excess water to drip off.

Place Rice Paper on your plate with a little hanging over the edge. You will need to grab this edge later...this is the easiest way...trust me!

Place 2-3 shrimp on rice paper closest to you. Place 1 lettuce leaf, veggies, meat and rice vermicelli on top. Careful not to put too much or it will be to fat to roll!

Beginning at the overhanging edge closest to you, carefully grasp the rice paper with both hands.

And fold the edge over on top and under your fillings to cover them.

Then carefully fold in both edges.

Tuck the edge under and gently roll away from you until you have a tight little roll.

Dip and Enjoy!!! Fireman prefers a fish sauce based dipping sauce (nuoc mam cham) and I prefer a hoisin based dipping sauce or even low sodium soy sauce works for me!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Chicken Breast (cooked and sliced thin)
Shrimp (shelled and cooked)
Spring Roll Wrappers-made from rice (Banh Trang)**
Rice Vermicelli (Rice Stick)**
Green Leaf Lettuce (rinsed and drained)
Fresh Cilantro
Bean Sprouts
Cucumber (peeled and sliced in thin strips)
Matchstick Carrots
1-2 Bowls of Lukewarm Water

~Optional:
Pork Loin (cooked and sliced very thin)
Egg (scrambled)
Fresh Mint Leaves
Garlic Chives
Avocado

**Available at Asian Supermarket

1. Boil rice vermicelli in water approx. 2-3 minutes, stiring occasionally.

2. Strain rice vermicelli in mesh strainer and flush with cold water immediately for 1 minute to stop cooking process. Put in serving bowl.

3. Arrange all your ingredients in the center of dining table.

4. In a bowl of lukewarm water, briefly soften 1 sheet of rice paper and allow excess water to drip off. Lay on your plate over hanging edge slightly.

4. Lay 2-3 shrimp on the rice paper on the end closest to you. Lay 1 lettuce leaf, assorted vegetables/meat and rice vermicelli on top of shrimp.

5. Fold wide edge closest to you over the top of the fillings and tuck under. Then fold in both sides. Continue rolling spring roll away from you until tightly rolled.

6. Serve with a variety of dipping sauces.

Dipping Sauces

-Nuoc Cham (Fish Sauce)
-Soy Sauce
-Hoisin Sauce
-Bean Dipping Sauce

Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/3 cup fish sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 thai chili peppers, cut in rings (add more chili peppers for more kick)

1. Boil water. Add vinegar and sugar and return to boil.

2. Allow it to cool.

3. Add garlic and peppers to mixture.

4. Add the fish sauce and combine.

*This mixture can be kept for several weeks in fridge.

Bean Dipping Sauce

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup bean sauce
1/4 cup plum sauce
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp peanut butter

1. In medium saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients and cook over medium heat until sauce begins to bubble.

2. Stir in peanut butter and remove from heat. Allow to cool before serving.

* A friend of mine makes a dipping sauce similar to this one with less water, hoisin sauce and peanut butter that is very tasty.

Our New Family Additions...

2010-02-03T00:05:00.004-05:00

We have been promising M & M pets for the longest. I guess our fish just don't cut it anymore!

Fireman and I talked it over...and went back and forth...Dog vs.Cat...Dog vs.Cat....Dog vs.Cat...and we decided to adopt a kitten.

We took M & M to a local pet store who does adoptions on the weekend and checked out all our options. Then we saw a crate with the sweetest little 8 week old kittens you could imagine! We held several of them and Miss M had her heart set on this sweet shy little black kitten. And of course Mr M wanted a BOY and he wanted this little orange firecracker of a kitten.

Mommy is a sucker when it come to the twins so guess what....we adopted them both. Of course Mommy sweet talked the adoption fee down because I am super saving coupon mama!!

Meet Buddy and Batgirl, our newest additions!

M & M play hair cut!!! Yikes!

2010-01-31T19:31:00.002-05:00

OK...when you have 4 year old twins who are playing nicely upstairs and you don't hear a peep...they must be up to something!

So of course that is what happened to us...M & M decided to play haircut...and with plastic scissors I might add!! Apparently they are pretty darn sharp!

Mr M decided to be the haircut guy and Miss M decided to be the customer!! Then they switched!!

I went upstairs and freaked!!!

Luckily Miss M had her hair up like Tinker Bell with her costume on so only the back of her hair got cut and her LONG hair is still there :) Mommy had to trim it up a bit.

And Mr M ended up with premature balding in the back LOL!!!

Deep Breath Mom...Deep Breath!!!

The Twins Make Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

2010-01-18T09:37:00.005-05:00

The twins love to cook and bake. At four years old, they can do almost everything in the kitchen except put in and take stuff out of the oven. And of course use hot oil...YIKES! We want to keep this fun and not go to the ER :)

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
(recipe from Betty Crocker but of course we changed it a bit)

First M & M made the brownie batter with a mix. Sometimes we do it from scratch too.

Then the twins put it in the 13 x 9 baking dish.

Put them in the oven and M & M started the YUMMY peanut butter layer...real butter, peanut butter, & powdered sugar...who could resist.

And Mix...

Took a little break for a bath while brownies cooled. Now time to spread on the peanut butter layer...

Yum...

Now for chocolate layer...

And the finished product...borrowed this image from bettycrocker.com for time being but will update with our photo when I upload them :~)

These brownies were so YUMMY! I have put away several. Now time to head to the gym. See ya soon!

***UPDATE: Ok so we ate them all REALLY FAST and gave a few away. Took a picture but don't know what happened to it. So thanks Betty Crocker for letting us borrow your picture and of course promote your DELICIOUS brownies!!

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies (bettycrocker.com with minor changes **)

Brownie Base

1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 3/4 cups powdered sugar **

2 teaspoons milk

Topping

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup melted butter **

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)

2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 30 minutes and then you can stick in fridge to cool faster.

3. In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping chocolate chips uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Add melted butter and stir. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions for 13x9-inch pan on brownie mix box

Here we go...

2010-01-15T11:31:00.001-05:00

I have gone from

a Scientist soon to be Doctor to

Wife to

Pregnant to

Mom of Twins (SURPRISE) to

Ice Cream Business Owner (WHO KNEW)

in 5 crazy years.

It has definitely been a whirlwind.

Our ice cream business just closed on Dec 26th so now I'm back at home with the twins FULL TIME and decided no time like the present to start blogging about things I love and this wild crazy journey called LIFE.