SugarBeams And Other Half Baked Adventures!

~Sweet Red Moscato Cupcakes~

2012-02-28T22:35:00.002-08:00

There is a new blog I came across recently with elegant photography and delicious recipes. It's called Mimi's Kitchen and she has a recipe in there for Champagne cupcakes that looked intriguing. Well, although I didn't have any champagne on hand, I did have a bottle of sweet red moscat leftover from a spaghetti sauce I recently made.

These would be great for a wedding shower or 'girls night out' party. So, break out that bottle of red 'whatever you got' and happy baking!

SWEET RED MOSCAT CUPCAKES

~2 3/4 Cup flour

~3 tsp baking powder

~1 tsp salt

~2/3 Cup unsalt butter

~1 1/2 Cup sugar

~3/4 Cup red moscat wine

~6 egg whites

Mix flour, powder, and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Alternate dry ingredients with wine. Whip egg whites until stiff. Add 1/3 whites to mix and incorporate then add rest of egg whites and mix without over-mixing. Bakes 24 regular or 48 mini. If regular bake at 350 degrees 19 min, if mini bake 350 degrees for 10 min. (adjust times to your oven just don't over-bake)

RED MOSCAT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

~3 1/4 Cup powdered sugar

~1 Cup unsalt butter

~1/2 tsp vanilla

~pinch salt

~3 TBSP wine (or more to thin to consistency)

Cream butter and vanilla. Add sugar and rest of ingredients. Mix to frosting consistency.

See 'Link Parties' above to see where this and other fabulous recipes are shared weekly.

Rustic Sweet Potato Pie

2012-02-24T12:31:00.002-08:00

I know... always with the leftovers, but there are cans of strange and obscure stuff lurking in the back of our pantries. Where the heck did two cans of yams come from? We don't eat yams, no, not even during Thanksgiving. Yet, there they were.

So, what do we do when the pantry presents us with an offering of two aluminum cylinders of unknown origin? Uh...we make pie.

???????

Rustic Sweet Potato Pie

~2 cans yams (so weird)

~1 can evaporated milk

~enough whole milk added to evaporated to make 1 1/2 cups

~1/2 Cup sugar (increase if yams aren't already sweetened)

~3 eggs

~1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

~single pie crust

Mash yams and mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into 9x9 and top with crust. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 350 degrees 60 minutes. (tent with tinfoil if crust starts to brown too much) Top with broiled marshmallows if desired. Enjoy, but remain perplexed...

Check out 'Link Parties' above to see where this and other fabulous recipes are shared weekly!

~Raspberry Truffles Rolled In Crushed Macaroons~

2012-02-21T18:24:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day may be over, but the love of all things chocolaty rich cannot be confined to just one day of the year. Actually, the month of February should be nothing short of one long celebration of cocoa bliss...and so I give you....

RASPBERRY BITTERSWEET TRUFFLES

~8 oz bittersweet chocolate

~1/2 Cup half and half

~1/2 tsp raspberry flavoring

~1/4 tsp vanilla

~7-8 crushed macaroon cookies

~1 TBSP cocoa

Place chocolate in bowl and set aside. Heat half and half to just before boiling point. Pour liquid over chocolate and let sit for 3 minutes. Whisk until smooth and add flavorings.

Refrigerate for 2-3 hours and scoop out truffle size ball and roll in macaroon/cocoa mix.

Check out 'Link Parties' above to see where this and other fabulous recipes are shared weekly!

Red Carpet Time With 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter'!

2012-02-21T12:00:00.002-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's Oscar time again! Time for getting together your friends for a party worthy of Hollywood legend with fabulous food to boot! This year 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!' is inviting viewers to
an online red carpet viewing party. This exciting event will be streaming live on the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Facebook page on February 26th from 3:00 - 4:30 pst.
Toast to the Red Carpet – LIVE, presented by I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
You can have insider access to the red carpet, an exclusive roundtable of Hollywood stars, and recipes that are best picture themed for your very own Oscar viewing party! I will also be giving away a coupon for a FREE tub of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! to a lucky winner! All you need to do to be eligible to win is leave me a comment letting me know why you are going to watch the Toast to the Red Carpet - LIVE online show and interact during the Toast to the Red Carpet - LIVE online show on the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Facebook page. You too can make fabulous recipes like this one that I'm definitely going to try for Caramelized Onion and Fig Pizza http://www.icantbelieveitsnotbutter.com/Recipes/11302/1/Caramelized-Onion-Fig-Mini-Pizzas.aspx

So get ready for Sunday night and get your comments in by 11:59 pm February 26th. Remember the giveaway is provided by I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! per FTC guidelines. Enjoy Oscar night with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and have fun with all those healthy, delicious recipes!

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

2012-02-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

I have recently acquired a 'mini' muffin pan. I really didn't think I'd like it, I mean, it's just a pan that's mini right? So, here's what I think about it....I freakin' love this thing!

What is it about making things in miniature that is so appealing? I don't know, but you have to make these little muffins, you're gonna love these!

CHOCOLATE CHIP MINI MUFFINS

ADAPTED FROM NIGELLA LAWSON

~1 3/4 Cup flour

~2 tsp baking powder

~1/2 tsp baking soda

~2 TBSP Dutch Process Cocoa

~3/4 Cup sugar

~3/4 Cup bittersweet chocolate chips (chopped)

~1/3 plus 2 Tbsp olive oil

~1 Cup milk

~1 egg

~1 tsp vanilla

~coarse sugar for sprinkling on top

Mix together dry ingredients in bowl. Mix wet ingredients separately. Make well in center of dry ingredients and pour in wet. Mix until just incorporated. Line mini muffin pan and scoop 1 tbsp into liners. Sprinkle with sugar and bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 min.

Check out 'link parties' above to see where this and other fabulous recipes are shared every week.

~Seafood Pasta With Spicy Red Pepper Sauce~

2012-02-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

Grab that bag of mixed seafood at Costco, you know the one that looks luscious but you have no idea what you would do with it...

I'm about to give you a fabulous, super easy recipe to wow the seafood lovers in your life.

SEAFOOD PASTA WITH SPICY RED PEPPER SAUCE

~2 Tbsp olive oil

~3 chopped garlic cloves

~2 sliced red pepper

~2 tsp oregano

~2 tsp basil

~1 tsp dried red pepper flakes

~1 can tomato puree
~2 cans clams

~1/2 cup red wine

~1 bag mixed seafood (mussels, calamari,shrimp,scallops)

Sautee garlic in oil and add red pepper slices. Cook till tender. Add spices, tomato, wine, and clams with juice. Simmer for about 20 minutes for flavors to mix well. Add bag of seafood and cook on med high for about 5 minutes till seafood is done but not overcooked. Serve over angel hair pasta with enough french bread to dip in sauce!

Visit 'link parties' above to see where this and other fabulous recipes are shared every week!

We will resume our programming shortly...

2012-02-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

(picture 'corgis' here, which actually look very similar to guinea pigs...)

I should be back to posting here in just a few days, as soon as the power cord to my computer comes in....I have experienced 'puppy' difficulties, i.e. 'Lilly chewed through my power cord and I didn't want to pay $70 to Best Buy for an immediate new one." So, as soon as power cord comes in mail, we're BACK IN BUSINESS!!! See y'all soon!

Bittersweet Chip Coffee Ice Cream

2012-02-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

Every year on the Fourth Of July my parents made maple ice cream. I remember two things distinctly; it tasted wonderful and it was a huge pain to make. It took hours to set up, there were copious amounts of 'dangerous to eat' rock salt lying around, and large bags of store bought ice had to be hauled in which eventually melted on the floor and caused slipping hazards.

Recently I was given a little ice cream maker that only requires the metal inside to be left in the freezer until use, filled with the cream liquid, and turned on.
Could it really be this simple? Why yes, Ms. Caveman who didn't realize these have been on the market for decades, it is!

Oh, are we gonna have fun with this thing! Here is the first of many concoctions to be brewed in the near future!

Take a gander at my pink new fun machine!!

The 'Emergence'...

Get out the 'Thigh Buster' baby, it's gonna be a long night!

BITTERSWEET CHIP COFFEE ICE CREAM

~1 1/2 cup milk

~3 eggs

~1 Cup sugar

~3 tsp instant espresso powder

~2 Cups half n half

~1 tsp coffee flavor (I used coffee flavored oil)

~3/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate chips

Whisk together milk and eggs in sauce pan. Add eggs and cook on med high until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in espresso powder until dissolved. Let cool. Add half n half and coffee flavoring. Refrigerate until cold. Follow manufacturers directions for your ice cream maker and add chips at end of freezing process.

Please visit 'Link Parties' above to see where this and other great recipes are shared!

Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies

2012-02-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, the meat's only hamburger (from a cow).

All those bits and pieces in your fridge like here, make great fillings for a dinner pie. Most store bought pie shells come in twos so if you use one for a dessert pie you can save the other one for a dinner later in the week...enjoy!

Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies

~store bought pie shell

~1 lb hamburger or ground turkey (cooked, drained and seasoned with garlic salt)

~fresh spinach

~fresh mushrooms

~onion, chopped

~mashed potatoes

Bake pie shell at 425 degrees for approx 10 min till golden brown. Sautee spinach, mushrooms, and onion in olive oil and mix in with meat. Pour in pie shell and top with mashed potatoes. Broil until potatoes start to brown.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Lady Behind The Curtain
2. Made Famous By
3. This Chick Cooks
4. theartsygirlconnection.com
5. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
6. One Art Mama
7. Jennifer Cooks
8. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo

Kahlua Truffle Cake

2012-02-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

My baby's 17 today!! A quick tribute to Jake~

Jake is:

1. One of the funniest people I know

2. One of the most maddening people I know

3. Has unbelievable natural talent (one of those people who can easily do anything they want and master it effortlessly {the little fart!}

4. Mensa smart {no reason he shouldn't make straight A's, but that's because...(SEE POINT BELOW)

5. A person of strong will

6. A man I'm proud to call my son!

This cake is en-robed in chocolate ganache, and I have the perfect recipe for it! Fool proof too!

Use it as an all over frosting by pouring it over cake right away, let start to sit up at room temperature for piping, or refrigerate till solid and roll to make truffles~

Cake is dark chocolate infused with coffee, layered with Kahlua custard, frosted with espresso buttercream with chocolate ganache poured over top and then used to make truffles:

PERFECT CHOCOLATE GANACHE

~ 1 Cup heavy cream

~ 10 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped

~ 2 TBSP corn syrup

Heat cream and syrup until steam appears but not quite boiling. Pour over chocolate in bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Crazy For Crust

2. Blessed With Grace

3. Hoosier Homemade

4. Lady Behind The Curtain

5. Made Famous By

6. The Kings Court IV

7. Mrs Foxs Sweets

8. Sugar And Dots

9. This Chick Cooks

10. Something Swanky

11. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo

12. The Artsy Girl Connection

13. One Artsy Mama

14. Jane Deere

15. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

16. Sweet As Sugar Cookies

Don't Let Your Budget Go To The Dogs With High Prescription Prices!

2012-02-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Face it, prescriptions and what they cost are one of those things you don't really think too much about until your standing in line at the pharmacy with that white little piece of paper in your hand that has the answer to all your healthcare woes. And if you don't have a good prescription plan to help offset the costs, the sticker shock can send you back with a whole new set of health problems. Enter the Prescription Savings Club from Walgreens. Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
For only $35.00 a year, a family membership can cover everyone in your household including dependents under 22 years of age, and let us not forget those most important members of the household, your PETS! If it's just you, you will only pay $20.00 a month.
Other benefits of this plan include savings on more than 8000 brand name and all generic brand medications. There are discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. In addition, there are bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services!
So, support Walgreens and stay updated by liking them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @Walgreens. And be sure to help cut you your personal prescription costs and join the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens!
Walgreens on Twitter
Walgreens on Facebook

Spinach~Mushroom Quiche

2012-02-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

Know what? My mother doesn't own a computer so she won't ever read this anyway so I feel relatively safe saying this....
other than iceberg lettuce and the occasional fresh corn on the cob in summer, I did not know what fresh vegetables tasted like until I was grown and on my own. Spinach?...A can of DelMonte. Beets?...DelMonte can. Green Beans?...Well, you get the point.

So needless to say,
I love using fresh ingredients in my dishes. Costco is such a great source for organic fruits and vegetables and although they come in honkin' huge quantities, if your resourceful you can use them up in a variety of recipes like this one....

(BTW, I was over my mom's house the other day and and she did have mushrooms.....in a jar! *sigh* )

Not a stinkin' DelMonte can in sight!

SPINACH ~ MUSHROOM QUICHE

~ 1 store bought pie crust (I think Marie Callenders is the best!)

~6 eggs

~1 1/2 cup half n half

~ 2 large handfuls of fresh spinach (add a little water in bowl and microwave for about 2 min. then squeeze out excess water and chop)

~1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

~1 Cup Swiss cheese grated

~salt and pepper to taste.

Whisk eggs and half n half. Add rest of ingredients and pour into pie shell. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes until set in middle. Run a toothpick or knife into middle to make sure it comes out clean.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Things That Make You Say MMMM
2. Home Savvy A to Z
3. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
4. A Southern Fairy Tals
5. Blessed With Grace
6. ladybehindthecurtain.com
7. Made Famous By
8. The Kings Court IV
9. Sugar And Dots
10. This Chick Cooks
11. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
12. The Artsy Girl Connection
13. One Art Mama
14. Jennifer Cooks
15. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
16. Flour Me With Love

Kahlua Vanilla Bean Cupcakes With Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting

2012-01-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Micah! These were a special order put
in by Micah's wife on Saturday for his birthday today. After a little collaborating on flavor combinations, and after she discreetly slipped me the bag of chocolate covered espresso beans at church on Sunday, we came up with
these cupcakes.

These are vanilla bean cakes infused with Kahlua and brushed with a Kahlua simple syrup. Then they were topped with an espresso flavored cream cheese frosting (with a splash more Kahlua!).

ENJOY!!

KAHLUA VANILLA BEAN CUPCAKES WITH ESPRESSO CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
vanilla cake adadpted by Glorious Treats
~1 1/4 Cups cake flour
~1 1/4 tsp baking powder
~1/2 tsp baking soda
~1/2 tsp salt

~2 eggs
~3/4 Cup sugar
~1 tsp vanilla bean paste (my addition)
~1 tsp Kahlua (my addition)
~1/2 Cup oil
~1/2 Cup buttermilk

Oven at 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Beat eggs in mixer for 20 seconds then add sugar and mix for 30 seconds. Mix in oil and flavors. On low add 1/2 of flour mixture, then 1/2 milk, then flour, then milk and mix until just combined. Batter will be thin. Pour into lined pan 2/3 full. Bake for 13-15 minutes, makes 13-15 cupcakes.

~1 8oz cream cheese
~1 stick unsalted butter
~1 tsp vanilla
~1 tsp instant espresso powder
~splash of Kahlua
~4 cups powdered sugar

Cream all but sugar and add sugar in 1/3's and mix for several minutes until creamy and smooth. Top with chocolate covered espresso beans.

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Blessed With Grace
2. Crazy For Crust
3. Hoosier Homemade
4. The Kings Court IV
5. Sugar And Dots
6. Behind The Curtain.com
7. Made Famous By
8. This Chick Cooks
9. Something Swanky
10. Mrs Foxs Sweets
11. The Artsy Girl
12. One Artsy Mama
13. Jennifer Cooks
14. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
15. Well Seasoned Life
16. Things That Make You Say MMM
17. Home Savvy A to Z
18. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
19. A Southern Fairy Tale
20. Flour Me With Love

Saturday Swedish Pancakes

2012-01-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

One grandmother was of Mexican descent, the other was
Swedish. Quite the combo, I know. As I've mentioned before, along with chocolate pie and Swedish Meatballs, she would always make her famous Swedish Pancakes when she came to visit.

Now, this is not her exact recipe, as her instructions consisted of, "A little of this, a little of that. Add till it's just enough..." So, we are
all left to experiment and figure it out for ourselves. But this recipe is pretty darn close to the ones of my childhood.

(This is included as a shout out to my corgi who went in for emergency surgery Fri when it was discovered a metal 'skin staple' had been hooked into the lining of her stomach since before we got her at 6mo. but didn't start causing trouble until Thur night. She's home now and resting. Don't ask how much it cost. Mr. SugarBeam has acquired a 'thousand yard stare' and hasn't stopped sweating.)

They are ready to flip when bubbly and edges start to dry~

SWEDISH PANCAKES

ADAPTED BY Ready Made

~4 eggs

~2 Cups milk

~4 Tbsp melted butter

~2 Tbsp sugar

~1 1/2 Cup flour

~1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Whisk eggs and milk. Add butter and sugar and stir to dissolve sugar. Mix flour and soda together and add to batter. Now, stir this but not until completely smooth, but not too lumpy. Melt a little butter in a non stick skillet and pour about 1/4 Cup batter in and swirl pan so creates a thin layer that covers bottom of pan. Turn when bubbly and edges start to dry. Serve with syrup, lemon juice and powdered sugar, or Strawberry Compote.

WOO HOOOOO!!!! GET THEM PANCAKES!!!!!

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. A Well Seasoned Life
3. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
4. Home Savvy A to Z
5. Things That Make You Go mmm
6. A Southern Fairy Tale
7. I Should Be Mopping The Floor
8. blessed With Grace
9. Crazy For Crust
10. Hoosier Homemade
11. The Kings Court IV
12. Sugar And DOts
13. Lady Behind The Curtain
14. Made Famous By
15. This Chick Cooks
16. Something Swanky
17. Mrs Foxs Sweets
18 The Artsy Girl
19. One Artsy Mama
20. Jennifer Cooks
21. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

Chocolate Covered Raisin Instant Oatmeal Cookies

2012-01-26T22:29:00.000-08:00

Jonesin' for oatmeal cookies and nothing in
the cupboard but lonely little leftover packets of instant oatmeal from that giant Costco box you bought back in 2009?

Take heart, these whole grain babies do not have to go to waste. Without further
ado....I give you.....

CHOCOLATE RAISIN INSTANT OATMEAL COOKIES

ADAPTED FROM TACKY LIVING

~1/4 Cup white sugar

~1/2 Cup brown sugar

~1/4 tsp baking powder

~1/2 tsp baking soda

~1/2 Cup butter softened

~1 egg

~6 packets of instant oatmeal (any flavor)

~1 Cup flour

~ 1 Cup chocolate covered raisins.

Cream first 6 ingredients. Add next 2 and gently stir in chocolate raisins. Drop by round balls and flatten. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Jennifer Cooks
2. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
3. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
4. A Well Seasoned Life
5. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
6. Home Savvy A to Z
7. Things That Make You Go mmmmm
8. A Southern Fairy Tale
9 Cupcake Apothecary
10. I Should Be Mopping The Floor
11. Blessed With Grace
12. Crazy For Crust

13. The Kings Court IV
14. Sugar And Dots
15. Lady Behind The Curtain
16. Made Famous By
17. This Chick Cooks
18. Something Swanky
19. Mrs Foxs Sweets

Peanut Butter Cookies (and a little reminder about label reading)

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm cheap. This causes a bit of a rub between the old hubby and I. I'm often torn between wanting him to
go to the store with me to enjoy his company, and trying to avoid spending the extra $40 it'll cost me to pay for his 'deals'. (quote/unquote)

But being cheap can occasionally cause a problem or two. We all know that peanut butter prices are up this year and I was pleasantly surprised to find a cheap store brand a little while back. Then my oldest started to complain about not feeling good after eating his PB sandwiches. I ignored him. He may be 18 but he can complain with all the geriatric gusto of a grumpy 75 yr old when it comes to what he eats and how it 'affects' him. (btw, I usually use quotation marks to indicate sarcasm...just in case you didn't 'catch' that)

However, upon reading the label I made an unpleasant discovery....the ingredients were: peanuts, salt, and hydrogenated fat .....that's Crisco to laymen like you and me. BLECH! I made my apologies and trundled off to buy a jar of good Old Fashioned Pure Peanut Butter. Just peanuts and salt. mmm mmm good!

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

~1 stick butter

~1 Cup peanut butter

~1 Cup packed dark brown sugar

~1 egg

~1 tsp vanilla

~1 1/4 Cup flour

~1 tsp baking soda

~1/2 tsp baking powder

~1/2 to 1 tsp salt

Cream first 5 ingredients and mix in remaining ingredients. Form into balls and crisscross with fork. Sprinkle extra brown sugar on top and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. (longer or less depending on how crispy you like your cookies)

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Blessed With Grace
2. Crazy For Crust
3. Sugar And Dots
4. Lady Behind The Curtain
5. Mrs Foxs Sweets
6. This Chick Cooks
7. Made Famous By
8. Something Swanky
9. The Artsy Girl Connection
10. One Artsy Mama
11. Jennifer Cooks
12. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
13. Bacon Time With Hungry Hypo
14. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
15. A Well Seasoned life
16. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
17. Home Savvy A to Z
18. Things That make You Go mmmm
19. A Southern Fairy Tale
20. Cupcake Apothecary

Cranberry Upside Down Muffins

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Good Sunday morning!! Just remember the golden rule when
making muffins, DO NOT OVER MIX THE BATTER! I treat muffin batter like whipped egg whites, gently fold. This makes all the difference between a tough muffin and a tender one.

CRANBERRY UPSIDE DOWN MUFFINS

adapted by The Kings Court IV

~1 can whole cranberry sauce

~2 Cups flour

~2 tsp baking powder

~1/2 tsp salt

~1/3 Cup sugar

~4 tsp melted butter

~2 eggs
~1 cup milk
~1 tsp vanilla

Spray muffin pan with nonstick spray. Scoop a generous tablespoon into each muffin cup.
Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In separate bowl, whisk butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Make a well in center of dry ingredients and pour wet into middle and gently fold until just mixed. Spoon batter over cranberries and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool for a few minutes and invert onto cooling rack with cranberries on top.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. A Well Seasoned Life
2. Things That Make You Go MMMM
3. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
4. A Southern Fairy Tale

5. Home Savvy A to Z
6. Lady Behind The Curtain
6. Blessed With Grace
7. Crazy For Crust
8. Sugar And Dots
9. Sweet and Savory
10. Mrs Foxs Sweets
11. This Chick Cooks
12. Made Famous By
13 Something Swanky
14. The Artsy Girl Connection
15. One Artsy Mama
16. Jennifer Cooks
17. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
18. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
19. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
20. I Should Be Mopping The Floor
21. Hoosier Homemade

Breakfast Baguettes

2012-01-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Oooo la la! C'est magnifique! Look, I don't know how
French this is, but what are they gonna do, recall my beret?

So my little Francophiles, pour yourself a cafe au lait (or wine....what?), paint your poodle's nails, and 'baguette it up'!

Costco sells these artisan breads from a delicious little bakery out of LA.

Hollow out middle section-

BREAKFAST BAGUETTES

adapted from Spoon Fork Bacon

~3-4 Demi sourdough baguettes

~5 eggs

~1/3 Cup milk

~4 oz cheddar cheese

~4 cooked, chopped sausage links

~1/4 Cup finely chopped spinach

salt/pepper

Cut a 'V' to about 1/2" from bottom and hollow out some of the bread. Whisk eggs and milk. Add remaining ingredients, season to taste. Pour mixture into bread 'boats' and bake 350 degrees 20-30 minutes until egg is set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Jane Deere
2. A Well Seasoned Life
3. things that make you go mmmm
4. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
5. A Southern Fairy Tale
6. Home Savvy A to Z
7. Blessed With Grace
8. Sugar And Dots
9. Made Famous By
9. Lady Behind The Curtain
10. Sweet and Savory
11. This Chick Cooks
12. The Artsy Girl Connection
13 One Art Mama
14. Jennifer Cooks
15. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
16. Bacon Time With Hungry Hypo
17. I Should Be Mopping The Floor
18. Hoosier Homemade

Black Bottom Banana Pie

2012-01-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

Black Bottom Banana Pie

They say that 'necessity is the mother of invention', well how about 'there's nothing but
stale cookies in the cupboard and everyone's complaining so this mother better get inventing' ?

This is a homely looking pie, I know. This was simply a 'pull whatever you can find from the pantry and throw it in a 9"'.

Hey, they can't all be gems! It does taste good though!

Quick homemade graham cracker crust...

Chocolate pie filling on the bottom...

A scattering of bananas...

Pilfered chocolate gold coins from someone's Christmas stocking for decoration (hey, I'm not proud...)

BLACK BOTTOM BANANA PIE

~1 recipe of pudding (only minus the peanut butter and chocolate)

~1 Tbsp cocoa powder

~1 banana

~ 10 graham crackers

~1/4 cup sugar

~4 Tbsp butter, melted

Make pudding. Take 1/3 of pudding mixture and mix in cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Chill both vanilla and chocolate puddings.

Crush graham crackers and mix sugar and butter in and press into pie plate. Cook at 350 degrees for about 7 min. Let cool.

Spread chocolate layer on bottom. Add banana slices over and top with vanilla layer. Chill.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Something Swanky
2. The Artsy Girl Connection

3. Things That Make You Say MMMM!
4. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
5. One Artsy Mama
6. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
7. Jane Deere
8. A Well Seasoned Life

Grandma's Swedish Meatballs

2012-01-17T00:21:00.000-08:00

Grandma's Swedish Meatballs

I had a Swedish grandmother who would always make three things when she would come to visit during the year. She would
make chocolate meringue pie, her famous Swedish pancakes, and my personal favorite--Swedish Meatballs! Now, I've looked online and several found recipes for these little balls of meat.
There are a lot of complicated and somewhat fussy versions, but my grandmother's were relatively simple. Actually, ridiculously simple and the authentic Swedish recipe I found was uncomplicated too. Typical of food from the past, basic but heartwarmingly delicious!

Just 4 ingredients (but I used ground turkey instead of beef)

PERFECT!!

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

~1 LB ground turkey

~1 finely chopped onion

~2 eggs

~ 1 Cup bread crumbs

~ salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Form into balls, place in baking dish and cook at 425 degrees for 30 min. Serve over mashed potatoes.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Blessed With Grace
2. The Kings Court IV
3. Sugar And Dots
4. This Chick Cooks
5. One Artsy Mama
6. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

Whole Wheat Walnut Waffles With Strawberry Compote

2012-01-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Walnut Waffles With Strawberry Compote

Open the freezer. Dig past the 1/3 full crystallized carton of cherry cheese cake ice cream that seemed
like a good idea when you went to Safeway to 'just pick up milk' back in August. Move aside the freezer burned french fries ( why 'freezer burn'? Cause 'some uncivilzed teenager couldn't be delayed by a millisecond to open them in a way that the 'reseal' zipper would not be savaged and therefore rendered useless). Now, you see that tiny crumpled bag in the corner with the ice chips forming around it? That's it, now grab that wayward little bugger out of there. What is it? It's a lonesome remnant of berries left over from your last 'smoothie kick'. It's not quite enough for a full blown dessert and your 'smoothie cycle' has not made it's way back around again....hmmmmm...I KNOW! Let's heat em' up, smash em' in a pot, and add sugar and cornstarch! Oh yeah.....COMPOTE!

From this...

To this...

TO THIS!!!!

WHOLE WHEAT WALNUT WAFFLES WITH STRAWBERRY COMPOTE

~ Krusteaz Whole Wheat Pancake Mix (follow instructions on back for batch of waffles)

~ 1 Cup finely chopped walnuts

~1 Cup frozen strawberries

~1/4 Cup sugar

~1/2 Cup water with 1 Tbsp corn starch dissolved in it

~1 tsp vanilla

~ squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Mix walnuts into waffle mix and cook waffles in waffle iron.

Place strawberries, sugar, water, vanilla, and lemon in pot and cook until berries are soft and can be smashed with a potato masher. Cook until compote thickens and pour over waffles.

MORNING SUNSHINE ON A PLATE!!!!

(by the way, the idea for this post came from a blog I really enjoy~Yammie's Noshery

This recipe shared at:
1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. Well Seasoned Life
3. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
4. Home Savvy A to Z
5. A Southern Fairy Tale
6. Blessed With Grace
7. Crazy For Crust
8. The Kings Court IV
9. Mrs. Foxs Sweets
10. Sugar And Dots
11. This Chick Cooks
12. Something Swanky
13. The Artsy Girl Connection
14. Things That Make You Say MMMM!
15. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
16. One Artsy Mama
17. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
18. Jane Deere

"They Say That Breaking Up Is Hard To Do..." (Especially when you need that script filled!)

2012-01-13T21:02:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

So your feeling poorly, you've got a nice little prescription in your hand, and your headed to Walgreens to use your Express Scripts Program to hopefully get
in and out and back to feeling better. Oh, if it were only that simple. Walgreens and Express Scripts have had a split, and like in all separations there are complications and inconveniences. The loss here is mostly for the customer.

Walgreens and Express Script

So in order to help these people out and to keep them as customers, Walgreens is offering an alternative to Express Scripts in the form of 'Walgreens Prescription Savings Club'. You can get significant savings on more than 8000 brand name and generic drugs. You get discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions (see illustration above), nebulizers and diabetic supplies. This is all for only $10 a year for a family which includes spouses and children under 22 years of age AND pets. Individuals can join for only $5! Walgreens also guarantees savings on this program, if you do not save more than the cost of your membership during the course of the year of your membership, Walgreens will refund the difference to you.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

So, if you are caught in this middle of this 'corporate craziness', check out what Walgreens is offering with it's Prescription Savings Club and keep the convenience and reliability of your corner drugstore.

Walgreens on Twitter

Walgreens on Facebook

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Pudding

2012-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

(too edgy? Ah well, take a walk on the wild side)

There are some things
that were just meant to go together: wine & cheese, flowers & sun, vampires & sparkles (ooo, was that one audible?), and of course...chocolate & peanut butter!

This little concoction is embarrassingly easy. You probably have everything to make this in your kitchen right now, so...this stuff is simple but wicked. Trust me...the proof is in the {NO! No! I won't do it!}

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Pudding

Costco is your friend, buy yourself a big honkin' bag of these and you'll always have a key dessert ingredient on hand.

Pudding is at perfect consistency when it coats the back of the spoon...

Peanut Butter mixins...

Chocolate morsel fixins...

Another Costco necessity...

(Hey Costco, hows about floating a little sponsorship love my way?? ("nudge, nudge, wink, wink, a nods as good as a wink to a blind bat...")

PEANUT BUTTER/CHOCOLATE PUDDING

2/3 Cup sugar

2 Tbsp cornstarch

2 1/2 Cups whole milk

4 egg yolks

2 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp peanut butter

1/4 Cup chocolate morsels

In saucepan whisk sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add and whisk in milk and yolks. Cook on med/high until thick and coats back of spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Take 1/3 of pudding and mix in chocolate and mix in peanut butter to 2/3 left.

ooooo! AAAAAAAH!

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Blessed With Grace
2. Crazy For Crust
3. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
4. Lady Behind The Curtain
5. Mrs. Foxs Sweets
6. Sugar And Dots
7. This Chick Cooks
8. The Kings Court IV
9. One Artsy Mama
10. Something Swanky
11. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms

~Mighty Meaty Minestrone!~

2012-01-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

Might Meaty Minestrone

ABBONDANZA!! Get your Italian on and fill your belly with a concoction that contains
all the food groups in one healthy, hearty bowl! You got your protein, you got your vegetables, you got your grains, you got your healthy fats, you got your...well, you get the idea.

ENJOY! EAT! EAT! CIAO BELLA BABY!!

OOOOOO, I can feel the antioxidants coursing through my cells!

This is so healthy its makin' me sick!

MIGHTY MEATY MINISTRONE

~1 LB. ground turkey

~ olive oil

~2 cloves minced garlic

~4 celery ribs, chopped

~1 chopped onion

~3 carrots, chopped

~2 chopped zucchinis

~1 lg. can pureed tomato

~1 lg. can chopped tomato

~ 1 can cannellini beans

~ oregano

~basil

~ 1 lg. can chicken broth

~ prepared elbow macaroni

Brown chicken in skillet. Sautee' garlic, onions, celery, carrots, zucchinis in olive oil until tender. Combine rest of ingredients in large stock pot and use seasonings to taste. Cook on med-low for 45 min.

Mangia! Mangia! (okay, I'll stop)...
This recipe shared at:
1. Home Savvy A to Z
2. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
3. A Southern Fairy Tale
4. Blessed With Grace
5. Lady Behind The Curtain
6. Sugar And Dots
7. This Chick Cooks

8. The Kings Court IV
9. One Artsy Mama
10. Something Swanky

Luscious Lemon Ice Box Cookies

2012-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Lemon Ice Box Cookies

Does anyone else crave citrus this time of year like me? It must be the body's natural need for
vitamin C to boost the immune system, but the tangelo and lemon trees here in Arizona are bursting with fruit and I eat at least 3 a day!

This is the perfect time to make this little gem of a cookie. Bring these to your next function or give them as a gift and I guarantee there will be a clamoring for the recipe!

True to 'ice box' cookie form, you divide the dough in two and roll each portion into a log and refrigerate for a couple hours (or overnight, or you could freeze the logs for another time)

After logs are firm, simply slice and lay on cookie sheets to bake:

LUSCIOUS LEMON ICE BOX COOKIES

~2 sticks butter

~3/4 Cup sugar

~1 egg

~2 Tbsp lemon zest

~1 tsp vanilla

~ Cup flour

~ 2 1/3 Cup flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix well and add flour. Divide dough into two and form each into a log, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate at least 2 hours until firm. Slice 1/4" thick slices and bake 350 degrees 10-15 minutes.

LEMON ICING

~1/4 Cup fresh lemon juice

~1/2 tsp lemon zest

~1/2 tsp lemon extract

~1 1/4 Cup powdered sugar

Whisk all together and ice cooled cookies.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. Well Seasoned Life
3. Home Savvy A to Z
4. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
5. A Southern Fairy Tale
6. Blessed With Grace
7. Cookies & Hus XOXO
7. Crazy For Crust
8. Lady Behind The Curtain
9. Mrs Foxs Sweets
10. Sugar And Dots
11. This Chick Cooks
12. The Kings Court IV
13. Something Swanky
14. One Artsy Mama

Bittersweet 'Fat Witch' Walnut Brownies

2012-01-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

Bittersweet Walnut Brownies

We have an incredible brownie company here in town called Fairytale Brownies. Unfortunately, Fairytale
has not given out its recipe. (But if your ever in need of the best brownies in the world, check em' out)

But, I have heard tell of a brownie maker that has risen to the top of the brownie heap.

Fat Witch Brownines :

AAAAAH! NO NOT THAT!.....

This.....

They have come out with a cookbook and published their recipe so all us chocolate cravin', brownie jonesin' poges can get our 'fix'! So, following the recipe found on Bake Or Break, here's what I got....

7 basic ingredients...

mixed together....

with one extra, (cause I digs the nuts!)...

and.....

BOOM CHICA, BOOM CHICA... (insert beginning of sleazy/twangy 70's slow make out song)....

(insert Barry White's low bass velvet tones here......) "OH, BABY!!!!!...."

Take er' home, Barry my man......

BITTERSWEET 'FAT WITCH' BROWNIES

~14 Tablespoons unsalted butter

~1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp bittersweet chocolate chips

~1 1/4 Cup granulated sugar

~4 eggs

~1 tsp vanilla

~1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp flour

~pinch of salt

~1/4 Cup chopped walnuts (my addition)

~additional choc chips to melt on top (my addition)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate and butter. Add sugar,eggs,vanilla (beaten together) to cooled chocolate mixture. Add sifted flour and salt. Stir in walnuts. Bake for 30-35 minutes in buttered and floured 9 x9" pan and sprinkle choc chips over done brownies spreading as they start to melt. Eat. Break out favorite deck of smokes.

This Recipe Shared at:

1. Home Savvy A to Z

2. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms

3. A Southern Fairy Tale

4. Blessed With Grace

5. Crazy For Crust

6. Sugar And Dots

7. Lady Behind The Curtain

8. This Chick Cooks

9. Mrs Foxs Sweets

10. Something Swanky

11. The Artsy Girl Connection

12. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

13. Jane Deere

14. One Artsy Mama

15. Sweet As Sugar Cookies

16. A Well Seasoned Life

Baked Binge Beans

2011-12-31T16:10:00.000-08:00

Baked Beans

Now, let's be delicate, but frank. We're coming off the holidays, yeah? And we didn't partake of the
healthiest, most nutrient rich food on the gorging table did we? No. We didn't. We're RED BLOODED-ALL AMERICAN-SCARF IT DOWN-FILL ER' UP-SLAP ON SOME MORE-CHRISTMAS LOVIN'-SUGAR COOKIE EATIN'-TINSEL HANGIN' FOOLS! And we LOVE IT!!! As well we should. We live in the greatest nation on earth and enjoy the freedom to celebrate as we choose.

That being said, there are often consequences to our boisterous holiday carousing. And without unnecessary details, suffice to say we could use a little fiber rich enhancement about this time. Thus......I give you......the 'BAKED BEAN'.

Fry a little combo of what surely must be in almost every dish served in Heaven, 'bacon and onions'-

Add two more pantry staples, ketchup and brown sugar-

and....VOILA'! A Mess O' Beans!!!! YEEEEEEE HAWWWWWW!!

BAKED BINGE BEANS

-2 Large Cans 'Buschs' Original Baked Beans

-10 slices bacon

-1 chopped onion

-1/4 cup ketchup

-1/4 cup brown sugar

Fry onion and bacon together. Combine all ingredients in pot and cook on med-low for 2 hours.

This recipe shared at:
1. Home Savvy A to Z
2. Make Ahead Meals For Moms
3. A Southern Fairy Tale
4. Blessed With Grace
5. Sugar And Dots
6. Lady Behind The Curtain
7. This Chick Cooks

" Psst! Christmas Isn't Over!! "

2011-12-27T22:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Want Christmas to continue...for YOURSELF? Here's how you can win one of many Subway Gift $10 Gift Cards!

'Gilbert The Gift Card Machine' is giving away more than 100 gift cards a week leading up to Gift Card Weekend!

Then $10 Subway Gift Cards will be given away daily to Facebook fans from Dec 23 - Dec 31. All that needs to be done to make yourself eligible to win a gift card is to 'like' Gift Card Weekend on Facebook!

Gift Card Weekend like

Then share with your friends on Facebook and increase your chances to win with every 'like' you influence! Oh, and if that's not enough, stick around all through the month and there will be even MORE giveaways! And after you 'like' Gift Card Weekend, pop around and see what's available. This is a once a year event where participating retailers give featured offers for gift cards purchased through the holidays and redeem from January 6- January 8. (Get a head start on next year!! {it's never too early!} )

Here is a list of participating stores and restaurants:

-JC Penny

-Regal Cinema

-Subway

-Sephora

-Applebee's

-Bass Pro Shops

-Addidas

-Bucca Di Beppo

-Lowe's

-Spa Finder

-Marriott

-Giant Eagle

Turkey Tortilla Soup

2011-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Turkey Tortilla Soup

So you've got that great big turkey leftover from Christmas dinner, you've picked off the meat and
bagged it for sandwiches, and now your faced with that great big carcass and all the little bits of stuck turkey meat that won't come off-------TIME TO MAKE SOUP!!!!

TURKEY TORTILLA SOUP

~turkey carcass

~2 cans chicken stock
~2 diced onions

~1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

~1 bunch green onions, diced

~1 can diced tomatoes

~2 cans Ortega green chilies, chopped

~cumin,salt,pepper,red pepper flakes

~shredded cheddar cheese

~tortilla chips

Cook carcass, stock, and enough water to fill pot for several hours on low until stock is flavorful and meat falls off bone.

Strain bones out of stock and pick through to save meat pieces. Return broth and meat to pot. Add next 6 ingredients and add seasonings to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes so flavors mix all through soup. Serve with chips and cheese sprinkled on top of soup.

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Blessed With Grace
2. Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
3. Home Savvy
4. Sugar And Dots

Christmas

2011-12-24T23:50:00.000-08:00

The Last Sugar Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need

2011-12-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sugar Cookies

So, here is one of my deepest darkest. You may not like me very much after I confess this, and you may even consider me unfit to write a food blog. You may even get together a surly little mob and work up a biblical stoning. But I must come clean...I must unburden myself.......

*(I don't like sugar cookies....)*

Now, let me clarify this statement. I have never tried a sugar cookie I liked, except for this one. Sugar cookies usually range from giant, soft, tasteless underooked lumps of dough to those weird puffy sugar bombs with the unnatural colored frosting you get from the grocery store.

Except for this one...this is my great grandmother's recipe. It has a secret ingredient, and that secret ingredient is cream of tartar. Trust me, this makes all the difference in the world. I don't fully know why, I just know it works. That's really all I can say, this one ingredient separates this recipe from the 'sugar cookie dross' and raises it to the level of 'sublime'. Try it, you'll become a believer.

Separate into discs and wrap in wax paper like pie dough for easier rolling out~

SUBLIME SUGAR COOKIES

~ 1 Cup butter

~1 1/2 Cup sugar

~ 3 eggs

~1 tsp vanilla

~3 1/2 Cups sifter flour

~2 tsp cream of tartar

~1 tsp baking soda

Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Add vanilla. Sift all dry ingredients together and add gradually to creamed mixture. Divide into two discs and wrap with plastic. Refrigerate two hours or overnight. Roll out onto floured surface 1/4" thick and cut out shapes. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Frosting

~ 1/4 Cup butter

~ 4 Cups powdered sugar

~2 egg whites

~ 1 tsp vanilla

~ 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

~milk for desired consistency

~assorted Amerigel colors

Cream all together until smooth.

THIS RECIPE SHARED AT:

1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies

2. Well Seasoned Life

3. Crazy For Crust

4. Sugar And Dots

5. Sweetolotgy

6. Mrs Foxs Sweets

7. Something Swanky

8. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
9. Fire Flies And Jelly Bean

"Setting Yourself Up For Success With 'Slim-Fast' "

2011-12-17T00:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Slim-Fast
Here we are again, the 'Gorging Season'! For me personally, all it takes is one day. No seriously, one day! One day of not watching
what I eat, eating past full, or overindulging late at night, and the vicious cycle begins. The scale has 2-4 pounds extra on it in the morning, and all the 'best laid plans on mice and men' about not eating the next day goes out the window as I find I have miraculously grown a third stomach overnight and now have an insatiable appetite. *sigh* Are there not volumes of writing we could all present about our struggles with weight and weight loss? I have a double whammy as well, I have Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome which means along with many other side effects, I have the metabolism of an especially lazy South American sloth.

So lets try something different this year, let's set ourselves up for success rather than failure. How about preparing ahead of time for what we know will be the inevitable weight gain and subsequent diet change. While you are out and about for the next two weeks buying all the goodies for your 'Who Feast', why not pick up some of the new SLIM-FAST 3 2 1 shakes and bars. I was able to try one of these shakes and YUM! These taste like melted milk shakes, rich and creamy and delicious! (Try blending with ice in a blender and make yourself a real milk shake!) My thoughts are if we stock up and are prepared for the day after Christmas with the SLIM-FAST 3 2 1 products, we will be more likely to start and stick to a plan that will immediately start to work at shedding those extra 2011 pounds.

On the plan you eat 3 snacks a day. This could be fruits, nuts, veggies, or 100 calorie Slim Fast snack bars. Then have 2 Slim Fast shakes (10 grams protein/5 grams fiber/24 essential vitamins and minerals). Finally, a well balanced 500 calorie meal at night. This seems like a simple and satisfying way to work on that New Years weight loss resolution. AND, these products are conveniently available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Good luck everyone, plan for your success and it will happen!

Slim-Fast

~My Abuelita's Mexican Rice~

2011-12-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Mexican Rice

To this day I have yet to find anyone who can make Mexican Rice like my grandmother did. This dish does not have many ingredients, (4 actually), no fancy spices or
fussy fixin's. As with so many of these recipes from the past, it is not about ingredients. It's about technique and time. This is not a 'stick it on the stove and forget it' food. It requires your instinct and your patience, but the results are divine. The taste is simple and homey and absolutely unique. This is Mexican Soul Food at it's finest, and if you can't dig that, I feel truly sorry for you. Really good, authentic Mexican food is one of God's most wonderful gifts to us....'bueno la comida!!'

ABUELITA'S MEXICAN RICE

~2 Cups uncooked white rice

~large can of diced tomatoes (and some fresh ones too if you have them)

~1 diced sweet onion

~water/salt/pepper

~oil for frying

Now, do not skip or change any of these steps!!!

Rinse the rice in water in bowl and drain and repeat until the rice no longer turns the water white. (if you do not do this you will end up with a tasteless, starchy mess {I've eaten this nastiness at more potlucks than I care to remember}

Spread rice out onto paper towels and pat dry.

Heat oil in skillet and fry the dried rice until it tuns a nice toasty brown color. Add diced onion and all of tomatoes, juice and all.

Now, here is where your instinct is going to have to kick in. Add hot water, enough to cover rice. Turn to simmer and watch it occasionally. When the liquid disappears to almost nothing, add more water, not so much it won't get absorbed by rice (rice soup) and just enough to continue cooking and softening your rice grains. You may need to do this several times, eyeball it. Eventually you will see your rice getting soft and you know not to add more water. And while it is absorbing liquid, pat it down so it is packed in (you will see liquid bubbling through), this insures all your grains are covered by liquid. Add salt and pepper to taste.

THIS RECIPE SHARED AT:
1. A Southern Fairy Tale
2. This Chick Cooks
3. The Artsy Girl Connection
4. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo

Peppermint Espresso Ice Cream Shakes!!

2011-12-11T21:14:00.000-08:00

Peppermint Espresso Ice Cream Shakes

WHEW!! This is a busy time of year!! I applaud all those bloggers out there who are busy as well and yet still make their regular posts, you are SuperWomen!

Well, I am not a superwoman and have woefully
neglected my regular posts in the wake of a full and somewhat exhausting schedule, so....without further ado... I give you ......(drumroll)....MY POST!!

One of my favorite things that comes along this time of year is Peppermint Ice Cream. I dig this stuff big time! And of course, throwing espresso and ice cream together in a blender is pure genius.

Peppermint Espresso Ice Cream Shake

~3-4 scoops favorite peppermint ice cream

~1/4 Cup espresso

Blend in a 'Bullet' or regular blender and top with more ice cream, whip cream, candy canes, or whatever floats your 'yummy' boat!

This Recipe Shared At:
1. Well Seasoned Life
2. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
3. Crazy For Crust
4. Mrs Foxs Sweets
4. A Southern Fairy Tale
5. This Chick Cooks
6. Hugs & Cookies xoxo
7. The Artsy Girl Connection
8. Something Swanky
9. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo

Check Out 'Frosting For The Cause'!

2011-12-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Please go to Frosting For The Cause today and check out my post!

Pictures From SugarBeams First Wedding!!

2011-12-04T00:04:00.000-08:00

3 layer carrot cutting cake~

~ Almond cupcakes w/almond buttercream and Carrot cupcakes w/cream cheese buttercream

*

2011-12-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

(sorry.....I couldn't help myself...)

~ 'Frosting For The Cause' Red Velvet Cherry Cake Truffles

2011-12-02T23:17:00.000-08:00

Many of you may have heard of 'Frosting For The Cause' or seen the button on the left hand (now the right) side of my blog. It is an organization seeking to raise awareness for breast cancer research (and other forms) through
the wonderful world of baking. I signed up months ago and was given this date (will actually post on their site on Monday the 5th) in December to post, and here we are! Please go to their site, check out what they are all about and by all means spend some time perusing the luscious sweets made by all the caring and talented women who have passed through with their stories and creations.

Now, the person I am going to write about did not have breast cancer, but she did have a form of lymphatic cancer that almost claimed her life. Her name is Lori and she is a good friend of mine who I have unfortunately lost touch with a little over the years, but still occasionally see. About 5 years ago Lori discovered a 'lump' on her neck. She saw the doctor and had to hear those two words we all dread, "It's cancerous...".

Lori will be the first to admit that she was not the most health conscious of individuals. She battled obesity for many years (much of which began and was rooted in childhood abuse). I was in 'group' with her at the time and will never forget how just prior to this particular trial she prayed that God would do what He had to do to deal with and heal her of her battle with and 'love affair' with food. It was soon after this she discovered she had cancer. Now, hold on, don't let me lose you here, listen to the whole story. So of course, she had some big decisions to make in order to do what she had to do to battle cancer. There was another individual in our church who had battled with testicular cancer for years (going through conventional treatment) and was eventually given 3 mo to live. Terrible/heartbreaking time I'll never forget, he is my husband's best friend. So, Lori after much gut wrenching prayer, decided to go the route that this man took. (BTW it has been 8 years and he is still cancer free)

Lori embarked on what was some of the most difficult two years of her life. She followed the The Gerson Therapy and went to Mexico for 2 mo., came back and with the help of her devoted husband and a few close friends (and most importantly the work she did herself) she spent the next two years rigorously and faithfully following Max Gerson's cure for cancer. In a nutshell it turns the body from being a 'cancer feeding machine' into a 'machine that eats cancer'!

Lori has been cancer free for 3 years. And of course has lost weight and is winning her battle with food. (God does answer our prayers, just not always the way we think He should) All therapies are not for everyone, and this one is definitely not free of controversy, but when your faced with cancer and the life changing decisions your forced to make, it's your right to check out any and all options available to you. (I've also known 2 people who have been cleared of MS after following this therapy.)

Congratulations to you Lori and if you read this, forgive me if I've gotten a few details incorrect. The heart and whole of it though I believe is true to your story. Love ya sister!

So.......this leads me to my goodie! Now, this is most definitely NOT Gerson approved. All things in moderation... :-}

RED VELVET CHERRY CAKE TRUFFLES

~favorite red velvet cake recipe
~20-30 maraschino cherries
~red candy coating discs

~frosting:
1 stick butter
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tsp vanilla
milk for consistency
(mix all frosting ingredients together till smooth)

*Crumble baked red velvet cake in mixer bowl with frosting and mix on med until incorporated. Fill a scooper 1/2 way and insert cherry in middle, then fill the rest of the way and form a ball.

Put truffles in freezer for 15 min before coating them.
Melt 'coating discs' and dip in truffles carefully removing with a fork and place on waxed paper to dry.

This recipe shared at:
1. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
2. Something Swanky
3. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
4. The Artsy Girl Connection
5. Jane Deere
6. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
7. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
8. Well Seasoned Life
9. Joy Of Desserts
10. Crazy For Crust
11. Southern Fairy Tale
12. sugar and dots

~Monday Night Football Fare: Beer Batter Mahi Mahi~AND A NEW ADDITION!!~

2011-11-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

Beer Batter Mahi Mahi

Monday night football again!!!! This post is for everyone out there who had to go back to work today and slave away after a long holiday weekend. I always was particularly down at
work the Monday after a holiday. So I made you something yummy, and you know how I feel about cooking with beer....mmmmmm beer! Happy Monday y'all, and remember we have Christmas to look forward to now. Enjoy this time, it's one of the best times of the year!

And at the end of this post, there will be an 'extra special' bonus!!!! (prepare your 'awwwwww!' bone-)

before.....

after.....

oooo! Guess what this is!

BEER BATTER MAHI MAHI

adapted from Cooks.Com

~2 Cups flour
~2 tsp baking powder
~2 eggs
~2 tsp salt
~2 Cups beer
~1/2 Cup oil
~fresh or frozen mahi mahi (or other firm white fish)
~oil for frying

Mix flour, powder, eggs, salt, beer, and oil in electric mixer until well combined. Heat oil to 350 degrees and dredge fish in a little extra flour. Dip fish in batter mix and fry for 3-5 minutes on each side.

AND NOW......MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE SUGARBEAM TEAM!!!!!!

'LILY'

the Welsh Corgi!!

THIS RECIPE SHARED AT:
1. This Chick Cooks
2. Sugar And Dots
3. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
4. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo

Christmas Cookie Saturday six ~ Christmas Coal Cookies

2011-11-26T00:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Coal Cookies

For all the 'naughty' ones in your life who you can't help but love. Fill their stockings with presents anyway and fill their bellies with 'coal cookies'!

Dutch chocolate and extra strength coffee-

Black chocolate deliciousness!

CHRISTMAS COAL COOKIES

~1 cup butter

~1/8 cup Tbsp Dutch Process Cocoa

~3 Tbsp double strength coffee

~3/4 cup brown sugar

~3//4 cup white sugar

~2 eggs

~1 1/2 tsp vanilla

~2 1/2 cup flour

~1 tsp baking soda

~1 cup chopped walnuts

~1 bag dark chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar. Mix cocoa and coffee into paste and add to butter mixture. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix flour and baking soda and add to chocolate butter mixture. Add chips and walnuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.

This recipe shared at:

1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. Well Seasoned Life
3. This Chick Cooks
4. Hugs & Cookies XOX
5. Sugar And Dots
6. Something Swanky

'Coffee-House Quality Drinks For Pennies AND A Free Demo by TASSIMO!'

2011-11-23T15:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tassimo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Should a person really have to take out a substantial personal loan just to have a professional high quality coffee drink on a regular basis? It seems that when times get hard financially, the little luxuries that
keep us going with a smile on our face are the first to go. For me, it's my favorite caramel latte at the corporate corner coffee chain. What are these people using anyway, gold plated beans?
Now, Tassimo has come up with a truly unique and convenient idea. It's a TASSIMO PROFESSIONAL office brewer made especially for the office. This little baby produces high quality espresso drinks (using real GEVALIA espresso), as well as SUCHARD chocolate beverages and teas. I can just imagine how delicious a drink combining fresh brewed coffee and luxurious hot chocolate would be! A coffee-house mocha for a fraction of the cost...sign me up! And, the discs used in the machine are designed specifically for the office machine and not for home use so anybody looking to 'borrow' a few for home would be unable to do so.
Tassimo Professional free demo
So here's where I get to the good part, the FREE part. You can sign up by clicking on the link above for a FREE office demo of the Tassimo Pro brewer. Be the office hero and bring this great idea to your co-workers. Believe me, they're going to thank you when they not only have an incredible hot gourmet quality coffee drink in their hands, but also $5-$7 saved in their pocket. In this economy with all the necessary 'trimming of the fat', it's exciting to know my love of coffee can remain 'fat free' and free of exorbitant cost!
Tassimo Professional

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Spice Buttercream~

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes w/Vanilla Bean Spice Buttercream

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes w/Vanilla Bean Spice Buttercream

~4 TBSP butter

~3/4 Cup sugar

~2 eggs

~1 tsp vanilla

~scant 1/2 Cup pure pumpkin

~1 Cup flour

~1 Cup self-rising flour

~1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

~1 Cup milk

Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in pumpkin. Combine dry ingredients and add in 1/3's beginning and ending with dry alternate dry and wet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

~1 Cup butter

~3 Cups powdered sugar

~1 tsp vanilla bean paste

~1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Combine all until smooth and creamy.
Sprinkle with candied walnuts.

THIS RECIPE SHARED AT:
1. A Southern Fairy Tale
2. Crazy For Crust
3. Hoosier Homemade
4. This Chick Cooks

5. The Artsy Girl Connection
6. Something Swanky
7. One Artsy Mama
8. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
9. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
10. Well Seasoned Life

Pin It

~Monday Night Football Fare: Six Layer Dip & Cheese Onion Enchiladas~

2011-11-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

Six Layer Dip

Cheese Onion Enchiladas

Almost everyone has some version of this dip and all I can give is this warning: WARNING! THIS STUFF IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!

The enchiladas I grew

up on. You can skip the 'dipping the tortillas in oil' part, but be aware, you will not get the full authentic flavor.

SIX LAYER DIP

~large can of re fried beans

~1 packet of taco seasoning

~4 avocados (make sure you get a good interest rate on the loan you'll take out to purchase these)

~garlic salt

~squeeze of lemon

~large container sour cream

~1 finely chopped sweet onion

~shredded cheddar cheese

~diced tomatoes

~2 cans black olives (2 cause after you eat almost all of the first can while you make dip you won't have any leftover for the top layer)

Mix beans and seasoning, layer on bottom of 13 x 9. Mash avocados and season with garlic salt and lemon juice-layer over beans. Mix sour cream and onions-layer over guacamole. Sprinkle cheese, tomatoes, olives on top. Serve with tortilla chips.

(see? I only bought one can!)

CHEESE ONION ENCILADAS

~doz. corn tortillas

~1/4" oil in pan

~'Old El Paso' red enchilada sauce

~cheddar cheese

~diced sweet onion

Briefly fry tortillas in hot oil (not till crisp, but a little firm), drain on paper towels. Heat sauce in separate pan and dunk tortillas in sauce, lay in casserole dish, fill with cheese and onions and roll up. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas when finished rolling last one. Bake 350 degrees for approx 20 min.

Recipe shared at:

1. This Chick Cooks

2. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

3. One Artsy Mama

4. Well Seasoned Life

Dirt Cake For The Birthday Boy

2011-11-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

Dirt Cake

Whew!! Mr. SugarBeam is now officially 46 !! I knew this man when he was 17! How strange and wonderful to grow old with someone. Well,...he's old, I'm still a spring chicken! So,

as is your inalienable right when it is your birthday, you get your favorite cake. His is Dirt Cake, and this is it....HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!!

DIRT CAKE

~1 package of Oreos

~1 container Cool Whip

~1 8oz package cream cheese, room temp

~1/2 stick butter

~2 small packages of vanilla instant pudding

~1 1/2 Cup milk, cold

~gummi worms or bugs

Process Oreos (cream and all) in food processor. Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Whip milk and pudding until sets up. Mix cream cheese mixture and pudding mixture. Fold in Cool Whip. Layer starting with cream mixture in 13 x 9 dish, Oreo and cream mixture ending with Oreos (dirt). Decorate with worms, bugs, or both!

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies

2. A Well Seasoned Life

3. A Southern Fairytale

4. Joy Of Desserts

5. Crazy For Crust

6. This Chick Cooks

7. The Artsy Girl Connection

8. Something Swanky

9. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

10. One Artsy Mama

Master Your Gravy And Much More With 'Gravy Master' !

2011-11-19T02:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of GravyMaster for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Gravy is the one part of the holiday dinner I've never been able to get quite right. I'm always on the lookout for something to add just the right flavor to make people 'ooh' and 'ahh'. I think I just may have found it in 'Gravy Master'.
Originally introduced in 1935, 'Gravy Master' was made from the the company's left over sugar from their rock candy production. It has been used in restaurants and by private cooks ever since. A product that contains no artificial color, preservatives, or additives this product has many varied uses.GravyMaster
I love the fact that
'Gravy Master not only can be used to make your gravy extra delicious, but that it can be used as a marinade and caramelizing agent. I may well try basting it on my turkey! Major 'wow factor' to not only have excellent tasting gravy, but to also present a perfect caramel colored bird on my holiday table!

With a shelf life of well over a year, I can use this product all year long. From marinating fish and vegetables to giving my soups that 'secret ingredient' flavor. As soon as I'm done here, I'm off to make my list for Thanksgiving dinner and 'Gravy Master' is definitely going on there! Leave me a comment to let me know if your familiar with this product and how you use it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Master the meal

BREAKING DAWN!!!

2011-11-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

VAMPIRES RULE!!!!!

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Red Velvet and Oreo Cake Pops

2011-11-15T01:09:00.000-08:00

Red Velvet & Oreo Cake Pops

So, you remember all those 'Cupcakes In A Jar' you made for the fundraiser? And, oh yeah, you remember all the 'Cupcakes In A Jar' that didn't sell? And so you brought them home to freeze them and then decided you didn't like the way they thawed out a little dry? So what was that you decided to do? Oh, how clever you are! You dug them out of the jars, mushed them all together and made 'cake pops'!! (you innovative little devil you!)

Red Velvets ready for the 'dunk'~

'Le Dunking Sauce'~

Oreo

Red Velvet~

"POPALICIOUS!!"

Cake Pops

~favorite cake

~favorite frosting

~bags of candy melts of choice:

~lollipop sticks

Mix cake and frosting in mixer until incorporated and nice little ball forms. And follow Bakerella's instructions for basic cake pops HERE, trust me, this is the 'go to' for all things cake pops.

She is the 'guru' of the cake pop genre!

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Hoosier Homemade

2. Crazy For Crust

3. Sugar And Dots

4. Larks Country Heart

5. This Chick Cooks

6. Hugs & Cookies

7. The Artsy Girl Connection

8. Something Swanky

9. Jane Deere

10. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans

11. Sweet As Sugar Cookies

12. A Well Seasoned Life

13. A Southern Fairy Tale

14 Joy Of Desserts

Pin It

Liebster Award Winners!!

2011-11-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

I was recently given the 'Liebster Award' by Mrs Fox at mrsfoxssweets.blogspot.com! Thank you so much Mrs. Fox, and so now I pass it on to five other blogs--

A German word meaning;
sweet, kind, nice, beloved, valued, and endearing. The Liebster award is given to those awesome blogs that have under 200 followers (but are well on their way to 1000's! Cause' their so awesome!!!!!) I give this award to the following blogs I follow and it is well deserved (and in no particular order):

1. A Cake Bakes In Brooklyn

2. Pixie Crust

3. Soap Mom's Kitchen

4. The Freshman Cook

5. Pinch Of This That And The Other

I will be letting you lovely ladies know of your award and if you'd like, link back to me and pass it on to five of your favorite under 200 member blogs!

CONGRATULATIONS!! ;-}

Christmas Cookie Saturday five ~ Autumn Spice Cookies

2011-11-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Autumn Spice Cookie

These cookies are chock full o' fall! So go take a brisk walk in the cool November air, then curl up next to a cozy fire with a couple of these tasties and a hot cup of Chai Delight. Enjoy your Saturday!

Apples in the mix~

AUTUMN SPICE COOKIES

~1/2 Cup butter

~1 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar

~2 eggs

~1 1/2 tsp vanilla

~1 chopped Granny Smith Apple

~2 Cups Oats

~1 1/2 Cup flour

~ 1 tsp baking soda

~1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

~1 Cup raisins

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and apple. Mix dry ing. Add to wet. Stir in raisins. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min.

THIS RECIPE SHARED AT:
1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. Crumbs And Chaos
3. A Well Seasoned Life
4. A Southern Fairy Tale
5. Joy Of Desserts
6. Crazy For Crust
7. Larks Country Heart
8. This Chick Cooks
9. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
10. The Artsy Girl Connection
11. Something Swanky
12. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
13. Jane Deere
14. One Artsy Mama
15. KB and White Snake Home
15.

Pin It

'Gluten Free' ~ Blazing The Trail On The New Culinary Frontier

2011-11-09T00:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Schar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
There was a time, not too long ago, when dealing with special dietary needs meant little to no options. Especially from the mainstream food industry. Tasteless 'low fat' and bitter 'sugar free' fare was all that was available to the general public tackling
food related health issues. But thanks to companies like Schar those days are long gone.
Schar is the leader in gluten-free foods and has recently launched several products that make the lifestyle of those who cannot tolerate gluten in their food easier to live with. These include sandwich rolls, ciabattas, and baguettes. They also offer a service through the Schar Club where you can sign up for exclusive access to new products, tips, recipes, and promotions. Schar Club
Personally I know at least five people who are gluten-free eaters. One has celiac disease, and the others are gluten sensitive and allergic to wheat. Now, to be honest, I have tasted some of the 'baking alternatives' they eat and personally, eating sawdust off the floor would be a fairly accurate description of the taste and flavor offered. But these products from Schar actually look appealing and appetizing! I am especially looking forward to trying the baguettes, they would go perfect with my recent French Dip post!
So, if you or those you love find themselves in need of tasty gluten-free offerings, give Schar a try! And share in the 'comment' section what delicious creations you would make! We all need to share our ideas and recipes to keep us out of the 'food rut', and none so much as those who are limited in what they are able to consume. Schar free sample

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Cupcakes In A Jar

2011-11-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

Cupcakes In a Jar

This weekend was spent creating and packaging these little lovelies to help benefit the Safe Harbor House ministry at our church. So, as busy as I have been, I have not had the time to create any wondrous and

elaborate posts. Forgive me. I have shame...

Anyway, these are nothing more than your favorite cupcake fixins layered in a mason jar. The benefits that accompany these are the fact that they can be refrigerated up to a week or even frozen!

Great holiday gift idea!!

Red Velvet~

Apple Pie Spice~

Oreo~

OREO BUTTERCREAM

~2 sticks butter

~3 Cups Powdered Sugar

~2 tsp vanilla

~1 Cup crushed Oreo Cookies

Combine all but cookies and mix until smooth. Mix in cookies just until incorporated.

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Hoosier Homemade
2. Crazy For Crust
3. Hugs & CookiesXOXO
4. Sugar And Dots
5. This Chick Cooks
6. Larks Country Heart
7. Something Swanky
10. The Artsy Girl Connection
11. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
12. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
13. Jane Deere
14. Crumbs And Chaos
15. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
16. A Well Seasoned Life
17. A Southern Fairy Tale
18. Joy Of Desserts

Pin It

****

2011-11-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cookie Saturday four ~ Nick's Nutella Nutcrackers

2011-11-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

Nick's Nutella Nutcrackers

Today's delicious holiday creations are being brought to you by my son Nick! The term 'Nutella Freak' doesn't even begin to describe the obsessive mania this boy feels for the chocolate hazelnut butter concoction.

So one night being seized

by the uncontrollable desire for Nutella any way he could get it, these cookies were created and devoured!

Trip to the store for the 'chocolate gold'----

Anonymity must be preserved!

Mmmmmmm......num..num..num..num..num!!

Nutella Nutcrackers

adapted from Tasty Kitchen

~1 Cup Nutella

~1/2 Cup sugar

~1 Cup flour

~1 egg

~1 Cup chocolate chips

Blend all ingredients together and form into 1" balls. (if dough does not hold together add more Nutella) Press down with bottom of glass to flatten out. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Melt chocolate and drizzle over cool cookies.

This Recipe Shared At:

1. Sweet As Sugar Cookies
2. Joy Of Desserts
3. A Southern Fairytale
4. Crazy For Crust
5. Hugs & Cookies XOXO
6. Sugar And Dots
7. This Chick Cooks
8. Larks Country Heart
9. Something Swanky
10. The Artsy Girl Connection
11. Fire Flies And Jelly Beans
12. Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo
13. Jane Deere
14. Crumbs And Chaos

SugarBeams And Other Half Baked Adventures!

~Sweet Red Moscato Cupcakes~

*Rustic Sweet Potato Pie*

~Raspberry Truffles Rolled In Crushed Macaroons~

Red Carpet Time With 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter'!

*Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins*

~Seafood Pasta With Spicy Red Pepper Sauce~

We will resume our programming shortly...

*Bittersweet Chip Coffee Ice Cream*

*Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies*

*Kahlua Truffle Cake*

Don't Let Your Budget Go To The Dogs With High Prescription Prices!

*Spinach~Mushroom Quiche*

*Kahlua Vanilla Bean Cupcakes With Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting*

*Saturday Swedish Pancakes*

*Chocolate Covered Raisin Instant Oatmeal Cookies*

*Peanut Butter Cookies* (and a little reminder about label reading)

*Cranberry Upside Down Muffins*

*Breakfast Baguettes*

*Black Bottom Banana Pie*

*Grandma's Swedish Meatballs*

*Whole Wheat Walnut Waffles With Strawberry Compote*

"They Say That Breaking Up Is Hard To Do..." (Especially when you need that script filled!)

*Peanut Butter/Chocolate Pudding*

~Mighty Meaty Minestrone!~

**Luscious Lemon Ice Box Cookies**

*Bittersweet 'Fat Witch' Walnut Brownies*

*Baked Binge Beans*

" *Psst! Christmas Isn't Over!!* "

*Turkey Tortilla Soup*

*Christmas*

*The Last Sugar Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need*

"Setting Yourself Up For Success With 'Slim-Fast' "

~My Abuelita's Mexican Rice~

**Peppermint Espresso Ice Cream Shakes!!**

Check Out 'Frosting For The Cause'!

Pictures From SugarBeams First Wedding!!

*

~ 'Frosting For The Cause' ** Red Velvet Cherry Cake Truffles**

~Monday Night Football Fare: Beer Batter Mahi Mahi~AND A NEW ADDITION!!~

*Christmas Cookie Saturday six ~ Christmas Coal Cookies *

'Coffee-House Quality Drinks For Pennies AND A Free Demo by TASSIMO!'

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Spice Buttercream~

~Monday Night Football Fare: Six Layer Dip & Cheese Onion Enchiladas~

*Dirt Cake For The Birthday Boy *

Master Your Gravy And Much More With 'Gravy Master' !

**BREAKING DAWN!!!**

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Red Velvet and Oreo Cake Pops

*Liebster Award Winners!!*

*Christmas Cookie Saturday five ~ Autumn Spice Cookies*

'Gluten Free' ~ Blazing The Trail On The New Culinary Frontier

+++Cupcake Tuesday+++Cupcakes In A Jar

****

*Christmas Cookie Saturday four ~ Nick's Nutella Nutcrackers*

Rustic Sweet Potato Pie

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bittersweet Chip Coffee Ice Cream

Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies

Kahlua Truffle Cake

Spinach~Mushroom Quiche

Kahlua Vanilla Bean Cupcakes With Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting

Saturday Swedish Pancakes

Chocolate Covered Raisin Instant Oatmeal Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies (and a little reminder about label reading)

Cranberry Upside Down Muffins

Breakfast Baguettes

Black Bottom Banana Pie

Grandma's Swedish Meatballs

Whole Wheat Walnut Waffles With Strawberry Compote

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Pudding

Luscious Lemon Ice Box Cookies

Bittersweet 'Fat Witch' Walnut Brownies

Baked Binge Beans

" Psst! Christmas Isn't Over!! "

Turkey Tortilla Soup

Christmas

The Last Sugar Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need

Peppermint Espresso Ice Cream Shakes!!

~ 'Frosting For The Cause' Red Velvet Cherry Cake Truffles

Christmas Cookie Saturday six ~ Christmas Coal Cookies

Dirt Cake For The Birthday Boy

BREAKING DAWN!!!

Liebster Award Winners!!

Christmas Cookie Saturday five ~ Autumn Spice Cookies

Christmas Cookie Saturday four ~ Nick's Nutella Nutcrackers