Shrimp Stir Fry

Baby Girl is now 15 months old.  I have lost the pregnancy weight.  However, I am still working on the TTC weight gain.  I have been trying to start 2016 right and meal prep.  January was not that successful at all.  February is not too bad.  I have been trying to use Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration for meal ideas. 

This meal was a hit in my house.  El Husbee and Baby Girl ate it.



Stir fry shrimp with vegetables.  I also tried making rice with frozen vegetables.  It's okay.  I mean not my first choice.  But I am trying to get in as many vegetables as possible. 

Shrimp and Vegetables

1lb shrimp

1lb mushroom

1 onion, small

1 red bell pepper

1lb broccoli

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1.  Rinse and clean shrimp. 

2.  chop up all vegetables

3.  Heat up pan with oil and garlic. 

4.  Once you smell the aroma of garlic put in onions. 

5.  Once the onions are tender put in shrimp.  Cook until pink shows.

6.  Toss in mushroom, red bell pepper, and broccoli.  Put lid on pan.  Cook until broccoli is green. 

Keep cooking my friends!

XOXO

Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

I feel like there is a new craze with Greek yogurt.  It's super healthy and everyone is eating it.  I feel like it's dominating the yogurt aisle.  However, there is just something about Greek yogurt that I don't like.  It's just too tangy for me.  With that said, I do love cooking with Greek yogurt and substituting it instead of sour cream. 

I tend to buy Fage Greet yogurt the most.  I am not sure why.  Maybe it's because Bobby Flay sponsors it.  I dunno.  The power of advertising. 

Now if you are anything like El Husbee and me, there is never a shortage of bananas in the house.  I mean, bananas are the perfect snack food.  They are healthy, filling, and super easy.  I like to buy lots of bananas in hopes of leftover to make treats such as these cupcakes. 

Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, large room temperature
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 rip bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

Peanut Butter Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake pan with liners.
2.  Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.
3.  Cream together butter and sugar until creamy and smooth.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Stir in the Greet yogurt and vanilla extract.  Mix in the mashed bananas.
4.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until flour disappears.  Do not over mix!
5.  Use a ice cream scoop and scoop batter in cupcake liners.
6.  Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7.  While cupcakes are cooling make the peanut butter frosting.  Cream butter and peanut butter on high until smooth.  (make sure to use a spatula to scrap down the bowl to make sure butter and peanut butter is fully incorporated)  Slowly add the powdered sugar.  Add milk and vanilla extract.  Beat until frosting is smooth.
8.  Frost the cooled cupcakes. 

I made these cupcakes for my grandmother's birthday.   The cupcakes are super moist and full of banana flavor.  If you can resist waiting they taste even better the second day.  There is just something about baked banana goods that get better the next day. 

Keeping making yummy food for your family.

XOXO

Spaghetti Squash

Trying new things can be scary for me but I know it is good for me.  I am not always happy about change especially when there is nothing wrong to begin with.  But in life you must adapt.

I love pasta.  But sometimes you need a alternative to pasta.  Spaghetti squash is your answer!




























Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1 onion, small diced
1/2lb ground turkey
 2 cups mushroom, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 jar marinara sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon oregano

Topping: shredded colby and cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scrap out seeds.  Lightly spray insides of both halves with cooking spray. Broil for about 20 minutes
2.  Brown garlic and onions in large pan.
3.  Add ground turkey and cook until done.
4.  Add mushrooms and cook until soft
5.  Add tomato and cook for about 2 minutes
6.  Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, garlic salt, ground pepper, and oregano.  Cook for about 15 minutes.
7.  Shred spaghetti squash with a fork.  Add to sauce.
8.  Enjoy!

I am not a fan of sweet dishes that are not dessert.  So I was a little worried about this dish since I have never tasted spaghetti squash.  Turns out there really is not that much flavor in spaghetti squash.  Served with sauce spaghetti squash is a great substitute for noodles.  This dish is pretty versatile and you can pretty much add anything you like in a red pasta sauce.  I am curious how this would taste in a alfredo sauce. 

El Husbee devoured a bowl of this and was quite impressed that it was squash and not noodles.

I think next time I will add some red pepper flakes to give the dish a little kick.

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO

S'mores Bars

Oh my gawd!  These are amazing.  Drool worthy.  I am pretty sure this S'mores Bar is better than smore's itself.

So amazing.  It's very rich so a small piece will be very satisfying.  But I won't stop you from washing 3 pieces down with a huge glass of milk.

S'mores Bar
From Wit & Whistle

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Milk chocolate bars
1 1/2 cup marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light.
3.  Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
4.  In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.
5.  Add dry mixture to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.
6.  Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.
7.  Place chocolate bars over dough.  2 king size Hershey's bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate if necessary to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick.
8.  Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff.
9.  Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff.
10.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until lightly browned.  Cool completely before cutting bars.

Please try to resist from cutting the bars before it cool.  It is worth the wait. 

Let the baking season begin!

XOXO

Happy Veggie Garden

A few weeks ago I  went down South to visit family with my mom.  El Hubby was not worried that I was going without him.  His reason was that I was going with "the vegetarian" and "how much fun" could I get in.  Carnivores can be so harsh.

Well we did have lots of Chinese food while in LA but not all was vegetarian.  But we did have a lot of vegetarian food. 

We ate at a vegetarian restaurant called Happy Veggie Garden.   Chinese people make pretty good vegetarian food.  I think I like Chinese vegetarian food the best because most items are hot and not in the salad category.

We ordered a lot of dishes but the one that stands out for me is the beef noodle soup.  Now if you have had spicy beef noodle soup you know what I am talking about.  No, there was no beef in the dish.  But the flavoring was pretty good that you might THINK it was made from beef.  Pretty amazing if you ask me. I think even El Hubby would approve.

Happy Veggie Garden also has some other amazing dishes like orange chicken.  Instead of fried pieces of chicken it is made from fried button mushroom.  Taste just as good and orange chicken without the chicken!

The food also comes with either rice porridge or buns.  Or you can always choose steamed rice too. 

Happy Veggie Garden
1015 S. Nogales Street, Ste 127
Roland Heights, CA 91748
(616) 810-2298

Khloe the pup really likes El Hubby's stinky fee.  I caught her playing with her pineapple on top of El Hubby's slippers.  Weird. 

Keep eating vegetables!

XOXO

McDonald's S'more Pie

The best part of camping is making s'mores by the camp fire.  I remember camping with my family when I was younger and enjoying ghost stories while eating s'mores. 

Now that I am married to a husband that does not camp I have not enjoyed s'mores in a long time.  Unless you count making them in the microwave.  Which I don't count. 

McDonald's came out with a s'mores pie.  Of course I tried it.  Duh!  This thing is pretty good.  However it is very rich in flavor.  Realistically I think I can only eat half.  El Hubby and I shared it.  The s'mores pie is basically chocolate and marshmallow wrapped in a graham cracker pie crust.  For fast food, I say this is pretty good.

I am probably bias but I think Khloe the pup is the cutest.  I am such a proud fur mama and until I have a kid she will continue to be spoiled.  Took a pick of her sleeping away.  It looks like she is smiling in her sleep. 

Keep making and finding good food to eat!

XOXO

S21

One of my favorite things to eat is noodles.  The best kind of noodles are either handmade or ramen.  When I heard there was a Japanese restaurant making ramen I knew I had to go.

I got the pork ramen and it was delicious.  The broth had a lot of flavor and the ramen was cooked well.  The pork was very tender.  My only complaint was that my ramen was served with half a egg and I would prefer a whole egg.  Otherwise it was perfect.  The portion is also very big.

S21 is a little place.  I really liked the restaurant because now a days it is hard to find a place with no TV or loud music.  El Hubby and I were able to enjoy a nice dinner and conversation.  The service was a little slow.  It looked like there was only 1 server the night we went but he was very nice and helpful.  The ramen took a while to arrive but it is for sure worth the wait.  El Hubby and I had order some sushi so it all worked out.  Ramen is not served everyday.  Ramen is only served on Tuesday and Wednesday for dinner.  I will for sure being going back to S21.

S21 Sushi & Sake Bar
5754 N. First Street
Fresno, CA 93710
(559) 438-7100

Khloe the pup can have a very serious face when she wants to.  She is usually all smiles but occasionally she will stare you down.  Watch out!

Keep eating good food friends!

XOXO

McDonald's Dipped Cone

McDonald's keeps coming up with new things.  Some good some not so good. 

The new dipped cone is very good.  McDonald's vanilla soft serve ice cream has always been yummy.  But dipped in chocolate is always better!  Also for $1.29 I am pretty sure no one can beat that price. 

This is how I caught El Hubby and Khloe the pup watching TV together.  These two always amaze me. 

Keep cool friends!

XOXO

Grilled Pork Chops

We are now full blown into summer.  With the super hot weather what better way than to grill to keep the house cool.  Grilling also means less pots and pans to wash which is fine by me. 

A simple dinner of rice, veggies, and meat.  I like to mix brown and white rice and cook it with a little olive oil.  the rice comes out amazing.  Uh if I am too lazy to cook inside of course I would use frozen veggies. 

Grilled Pork Chops

Ingredient:
4-5 slice of pork
Italian dressing

Directions:

1. Marinade pork in Italian dressing (best if over night)
2.  Pass meat to El Hubby to grill

Muahahaha.  What a awesome dinner.  Okay okay I am guessing you grill the pork for about 7-10 minutes each side at around 375 degree F.  But don't quote me on that.  I solely rely on El Hubby for all my grilling needs.  Who do I look like?  Girl meets girl?  No. 

When Khloe the pup is serious she is serious.  

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO

Penne with Chicken, Broccoli, and Sundried Tomatoes

Most of the time when I don't know what to make for dinner I resort to making pasta.

El Hubby:  What's for dinner?
Me:  I don't know.  Pasta?
El Hubby:  I don't really feel like pasta
Me:  Well I don't feel like making dinner.
El Hubby:  Pasta sounds good.

Okay okay this exact conversation did not happen but some sort of it has happened.  I would say "poor husband" but the likelihood of me not feeding his is usually quite small.

Pasta has been on my brain ever since I say my cousin in Taiwan post her Facebook about eating pasta.  Ever since then I have had pasta on the brain.  I wanted something simple to make.  Of course I had not gone to the grocery store in days.  So I went through my stack of "recipes to try" and luckily found this.  And luckily I had all the ingredients.  Oh at least I made it work.
  

Penne with Chicken, Broccoli, and Sundried Tomatoes
Adapted from Smells Like Home

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb chicken, boneless, skinless, trimmed, sliced thin
1 onion, small
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 bottle Alfredo sauce
salt and pepper
1 lb broccoli, florets only
12 oz penne pasta

Directions:
1.  Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until just smoking.  Salt and pepper chicken.  Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned but not fully cooked, about 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl.
2.  Lower the heat to medium and add 1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil to the skillet.  When the olive oil is shimmering add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes.  Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3.  Stir in a bottle of Alfredo sauce.  
4.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions.  Add broccoli in 3 minutes before pasta is done.  Drain pasta and broccoli.  Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. 
5.  Add the chicken to the sauce.  Cook chicken until done, about 2 minutes. 
6.  Add pasta and broccoli to sauce.  Toss to combine.  Stir in pasta water until you get desired consistency in sauce. 
7.  Serve hot!

This pasta came out amazing.  It is for sure going into the recipe binder.  Oh and let me tell you, the leftovers were even better.

I don't know about other pet owners but I talk to my pup.  This is her face when I talk to her.  Most of the time I think she thinks I am crazy.  Which I am.  Crazy in love with my fur baby.

Get ready for spring and fruits and baking with those fruits!

XOXO

Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies

What is better than a chocolate chip cookie?  NOTHING!  Okay wait ... how about a chocolate chip cookie with toffee in it?  Oh yeah!



These cookies are amazing.  Just amazing.  They are chewy and light.  Yet packed with flavor.  My picky Asian mother ate 2 in one setting.  That says a lot. 



Any dough that calls for melted butter instead of soft butter is my friend.  Come on!  Who has the patience to wait for butter to soften.  Melt that sucker and lets make some cookies!



I have come to the conclusion that cookie batter that is made with melted butter instead of soften butter really should be refrigerated before baking.  It just gives it more umph.  You know what I mean?  Of course you now what I mean.  

Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies
Adapted from The Baker Chick

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup + 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, cooled
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped toffee

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2.  Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium bowl; set aside.
3.  Mix butter and sugars until thoroughly combined.
4.  Beat in egg, yolk and vanilla until combined
5.  Add dry mixture and beat until just combined
6.  Stir in chocolate chips and toffee
7.  Refrigerate cookie dough for about 1 hr (more is even better)
8.  Use a cookie scooper to scoop cookies.  Bake for about 11 minutes.
9.  Cool on cookies sheet until able to lift without breaking.  Cool on wire rack.

These cookies have been moved to the top of my cookie list.   I will be making these again for sure.

Khloe the pup is always up for a adventure.   She always has her eye out for when she gets to go somewhere.  And oh man she is always excited.

Keep feeding your friends and family good food. 

XOXO

PB&J Marshmallow Oreo Stuffed Cookies

Let me start out saying these cookies are the mama jama of cookies.   There's peanut butter.  There is marshmallow.  There is M&Ms.  And if all that was not enough ... stuffed inside is a berry burst oreo.  Take that normal little cookie! 

However, I am suppose to making cookies for math tutoring that contains not nuts, gluten free, etc.  Clearly I did a epic fail. 

These cookies are so big you have to make them in a muffin tin! 

WARNING!  These cookies are not for the faint at heart.  They are rich.  Rich in flavor and content.  Please eat with care and preferably with a big glass of milk. 

 I hope Kraft never stops making mallow bits.  These things are awesome!  Got get some at your local Target store if you have not already done so.  If you don't bake you can at least enjoy them in your hot chocolate. 

PB&J Marshmallow Oreo Stuffed Cookies
Adapted from: Recipes from Kevin & Amanda

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Jet Puffed Mallow Bits
1 bag milk chocolate M&Ms
1 pkg Berry Burst Ice Cream Oreos

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray a standard size muffin pan with cooking spray.
2.  Beat peanut butter, butter, and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes)
3.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Beat until well combined.
4.  Whisk together flours, baking powder, and salt.
5.  Add dry mixture to wet mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.  Stir in marshmallow bits.
6.  Add 5-6 M&Ms to bottom of prepared muffin pan.
7.  Add a scoop of cookie dough, one Oreo, another scoop of cookie dough and press down to flatten.  Top with 5-6 more M&Ms.
8.  Bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes or until the edges of the cookies just start to turn brown.

 These cookies were amazing!  However, I could only eat 1.  The husband however has been chowing down on them.  Oh and then he has a co worker who ate 2 and then took 3 home to his family.  Ah I love people who love my baking. 

 Seriously I think I need to start entering Kong balls in our financial budget.  The pup loves them.  They are everywhere in my home.  My favorite is driving away and seeing a ball that has escaped the front gate onto the porch. 

 Keep baking and eating good food!
XOXO

Bacon Cheese Beer Bread

Ever since my friend Leslie introduced me to beer bread I have been in love.  There is just something about it that makes you want to keep eating.  Oh and beer bread is always so simple to make.

This bread is savory and great with chili, soup or pasta.  I served this bacon cheese beer bread with meatloaf and it was a big hit with El Hubby.

Bacon Cheese Beer Bread
Adapted from:  The Slow Roasted Italian

Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup shredded cheese
1 12 ounce bottle of beer
4 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray bread pan with cooking spray and set aside
2.  In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar with a whisk.  Make a well in the center.  Add bacon, about 3/4 of cheese and full beer into the well
3.  Stir mixture with a spoon until combined
4.  Pour mixture into prepared bread pan.  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon melted butter.  Bake for 30 minutes
5.  Remove from oven and drizzle remaining melted butter over the top
6.  Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until browned on top and loaf thumps when you tap the top
7.  Remove to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. 

This bread was super yummy.  The cheese I used was a mixture of colby and cheddar and the beer I used was MGD.  Nothing too fancy but the bread turned out well.  El Hubby and I enjoyed the bread with some meatloaf.  This bread was also very good by itself.  We toasted it for breakfast and it was just as yummy.

I am starting to feel that my fur baby is quite spoiled. 

Maybe even spoiled rotten sometimes. 

Lately she has started this thing where she wakes me up in the middle of the night to pet her.  The pup will jump on the bed and repeatedly stick her head under my hand until I wake up.  Then she turns on her back and wiggles until I start to pet her.  El Hubby says I have spoiled her rotten.  Sad!

Continue to eat good food and play with your fur babies.

XOXO

Diner Meatloaf Muffins

I am always trying to think of things to make for dinner that is fast.  After all, who really wants to wait over 1 hour for dinner to cook? Wait time really kills me.

Okay I will be honest.  I am not a fan of meatloaf.  I don't know what it is.  But then most of the time I am not a fan of a slab of meat.  Must be really weird for most people.  Oh well.  However, my husband is a fan of meatloaf.  So as the wonderful wifey that I am I make meatloaf for him.

Now if I have to eat meatloaf it better be fun.  I had seen this recipe to make meatloaf using a muffin pan to reduce time.  Ha!  What a fabulous idea!  Plus, then dinner can be cute.  Of course I decorated the meatloaf with mash potato and bacon to make them look like cupcakes.  I am weird.  I don't apologize. 

Diner Meatloaf Muffins
Adapted from From Dahlias to Doxies

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup Club crackers (about 20), finely crushed
2 tablespoons mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 eggs
cooking spray

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F.
2.  Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.  Add the onion, carrot, garlic and oregano to the pan and saute a couple minutes.  Set veggies aside to cool.
3.  In a large bowl, combine beef, ketchup, crackers, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and pepper.  Add the cooled veggie mixture and eggs; mix together well.
4.  Coat muffin pan with cooking spray.  Use a ice cream scooper to scoop meat mixture into muffin pan.  Top each muffin with BBQ sauce.  Bake for about 25 minutes.

I love that there are veggies in this meatloaf.  Somehow it makes me feel like I am serving something healthy.  This was fairly easy to make.  Ingredients were all items that should be easily found in the pantry.  You can even substitute any kind of crackers.  However, Club crackers are nice and buttery and ohhhhhhh sooooooo good.  Use them if you have them.  Making the meatloaf into little cupcakes really made me happy.

On Saturdays that El Hubby and I feel like giving ourselves a special treat we walk to a near by breakfast restaurant and eat outside with the pup.  Those are my favorite breakfast times.  It's nice and relaxing eating outside on a nice day.  Sadly usually people do not opt to eat outside in Fresno.  It's quite sad.  Cause in other towns such as San Francisco it is quite common.  But I guess that means move room for my little family.  The pup loves going to Country Waffle.  She loves when people walk by and ask to pet her.  But mostly she loves when she gets eggs.  Oh and we are good pet owners who bring the pup's own bowl and stuff.  (don't want to make some people cringe by letting the pup eat off human plates)  However the last 2 times that my little family went our favorite waitress has not been there.  She is always so nice, pets the pup and makes sure we have water to give to the pup.  My little family needs to start looking for another breakfast place near by because apparently all the other waitress are not too keen in serving people outside even though they have a patio.  El Hubby heard one of the waitresses say "well they better leave a big tip".  Now coming from a family of restaurant owners and having been a waitress at one time in my life before leaving a tip is very important to me cause I remember a time living off of tips.  However, I would never say it out load.  Plus, we never leave a mess and always clean up after ourselves.  Whatever!  Rude people make me angry and sad.  So the hunt for a new breakfast place has begun.  Hopefully I will find a place in walking distance that will let my little family eat outside. 

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

There is no better combination than peanut butter and chocolate.  I am pretty sure no one would disagree with me.  If you do ... YOU ARE INSANE!

Of course once again I have ripe bananas in my kitchen so of course I have to make something with bananas.  Of course my pup in laying in the sun in my kitchen waiting to be spoiled so I have to bring out the peanut butter.  So ... what does a girl do?  She makes peanut butter banana chocolate chip bread!

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
Adapted from Lauren's Latest

Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 egg
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 325F.
2.  Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, sugar, and brown sugar.
3.  Create a well in the center and pour in vegetable oil, peanut butter, egg, bananas, and vanilla extract.  Mix until just combined.
4.  Stir in chocolate chips.
5.  Grease a mini loaf pan.
6.  Divide evenly between loaf pans and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
7.  Cool 5 minutes in pan and remove to cooling racks.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

These were delish!   And since I used a ice cream scooper to scoop the batter into the pans my mini loafs were easy to break in half to share or double fist.  I need to make these more often.  Maybe next time I will sprinkle some oats on top to make it look healthier.  Muahahaha!

The pup got her spoon full of peanut butter so she is a happy camper and ready to play.  I swear she should do Kong ball commercials.  I for sure buy enough of those balls to keep the company in business. 

Keep baking and playing with your fur babies!
XOXO

Better-than-sex Cake

Last weekend was a crazy weekend.  There was the Tzu Chi new year blessing event, meeting the brother in law's girlfriend for the first time, and last but not least Super Bowl Sunday.  Like I said, jammed packed!

The new year blessing was a success.  Around 200 people attended the event not including the volunteers that ran the event.  Thankfully I did not forget any of my sign language that I had to perform.  Man did I practice for that thing and am so glad it is over.  I am not artistic at all when it comes to artsy stuff like drawling and sign language.  But I survived!  Survived without embarrassing myself or my loved ones!

My mom was in charge of providing breakfast for the set up crew in the morning.  So what does she do?  She has me bake.  I am such a good daughter!  Actually not so good daughter cause the cake I decided to make was better-than-sex cake.  I found this recipe online and marked it as a must try.  I mean come on.  With a name like better-than-sex cake who wouldn't want to try it.  Of course I had to call it something else at Tzu Chi.  I guess better-than-kissing cake.

I ended up making this cake for Super Bowl Sunday too to bring to my cousin's party.  I think after hearing the name of the cake it makes people want to try it more.

Better-than-sex Cake

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding (4oz)
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F and grease a bundt pan
2.  Mix cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water.  Mix well.
3.  Stir in chocolate chips.
4.  Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5.  Allow to cool in pan for about 15 minutes.  Turn cake out and let cool before eating.

This cake was amazing.  Super moist.  But I guess that is expected from a cake that has pudding mix and sour cream.  Oh and so easy to make!  I love semi-homemade recipes.  They are easy yet still have that homemade touch.

So is this cake better than sex?  Well know one said it wasn't.  Try it for yourself and let me know!

Keep on baking!
XOXO

Oatmeal Banana Bread

I try to bring some baked goodies for every Tzu Chi event I go to.  Sometimes what I bring is healthy and sometimes not so healthy.  It all just depends on my mood and what is currently on the top of my "recipes to try" pile. 

I had a oatmeal banana bread recipe that I have not had a chance to try yet.  Perfect! 

I brought this bread to a meeting.  Judging by the empty plate I will say it was a hit.  This bread is perfect for the people who do not like things too sweet.

Oatmeal Banana Bread

Ingredients:
3 bananas, very ripe
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup wheat flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350F.
2.  Mix mashed bananas, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla extract.
3.  Mix four, oats, cinnamon, baking soda and stir until combined.  Add to banana mixture.
4.  Stir in raisins.
5.  Pour batter into a greased mini loaf pan.
6.  Bake for about 37 minutes.

You can add chocolate chips if you like but since I was going with the healthy theme I stuck with raisins.

My crazy pup and husband keep me quite busy.  These two seem to always be up to no good.  It's either playing fetch inside the house or jumping on furniture these two are always up to something.  What can a girl do?

Keep baking friends!
XOXO

Rocky Road Cookies

So Kraft came out with these marshmallows called Mallow Bits.  In short, they are basically the marshmallows that are dehydrated in hot coco mixes.  Or that least that's how I would describe them.  They are sold in a bottle kinda like ice cream toppings.  I found mine at Target.  They were just randomly on a end cap.  I saw vanilla and peppermint.  I got the vanilla one cause peppermint sounded too Christmas-y.

So what do I think of when I think of marshmallows?!?  Rocky road ice cream!  Okay whatever.  Don't ask me why but that's what I thought of when I saw these marshmallows.  So I decided to take a stab at making some rocky road cookies. 

Rocky Road Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

4 ounces hot chocolate mix (not sugar free)

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sliced almonds

1 cup super mini marshmallows (Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits)

1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, cocoa mix, salt, and baking soda together

2. Cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes)

3. add eggs 1 at a time.

4. Add vanilla

5. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined. DO NOT OVER MIX

6. Fold in the almonds, marshmallow bits and semi chocolate chips

7. Chill dough for about 1 hour (very important)

8. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

9. Use a cookie dough scooper and drop about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

10. Bake them 1 sheet at a time for about 9 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

I love that these cookies came out so moist and chewy.  However, next time I do think I will use regular size chocolate chips in stead of the mini ones.  Maybe even switch out the semi sweet to milk chocolate.  The husband made a comment that the cookies were not chocolaty enough.  Man he is a cookie snob now. 

I feel like I am constantly washing the TV blankets.  Now I know why.  Apparently the pup snuggles in them.  How can one get mad at this cute little fur ball?

 With the weather being so chilly lately I can't even blame the pup for snuggling in some blankets.  Her face when she wakes up cause her mean momma flashes a camera at her. I love this dog.

Keep on baking!
XOXO