S'more Brownies

Brownies are sooooo good. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't like brownies. Maybe someone who doesn't like chocolate. But then whoever doesn't like chocolate is INSANE!

So for my birthday BBQ I wasn't sure what to make but I knew I wanted something different. After looking in the pantry I decided on S'more Brownies. Why not? Sounds BBQ-ish to me!

Ingredients:
1 box instant brownies (all ingredients required to making box brownies)
1/2 bag of mini marshmallows
1 sleeve of graham crackers
2 cups mini chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray
2. Make box brownies as per directions on the box. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Sprinkle 1 cup mini chocolate chips on top of batter. Bake as per directions on box.
4. Crush graham crackers
5. 5 minutes before brownies are done take out of oven and sprinkle marshmallow, mini chocolate chips, and graham crackers on top. Bake for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and cool on a rack.
7. Cut and serve

These are hands down delish. Best of all super easy to make. I would even say semi-homemade would be appropriate. But who even cares when they are this good? No me! Save room in your tummy cause you will want more than 1 piece of this brownie.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Congo Bar

What do you do when it's May and your NBA team is not one of the final 2 teams? I dunno cause I am a Celtics fan and the husband is a Lakers Fan. Except this season. This season both our teams are out early. This doesn't happen often to us. So in short we are in zombie state. How does a basketball fan drown their sorrows? Dessert!

I found this recipe and have wanted to try it for away. I have never made any "bar" dessert before so this was my first attempt. The closes I have ever gotten is a brownie.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, toasted

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray

3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt

4. Mix melted butter and brown sugar until combined.

5. Add eggs and vanilla mixing well

6. Manually fold the flour mixture with the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. DO NOT OVER MIX

7. Add the chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut to the batter.

8. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan

9. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

10. Remove the bars from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

These came out super yummy. We ate them while watching the Bulls play the Heat with our friend Cheng. Lucky for Cheng his Bulls are still in the finals. The husband and I on the other hand just ate Congo bars.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Spring Sangria

I feel like there is a sangria crazy going around. In the last few months every party I go to there is sangria served. So I decided to join the crazy. I am usually not one to follow crazes. But sangria is just too yummy to resist.

Ingredients:
1 orange
1 lime
6 pieces of fresh pineapple
6 strawberries halved
1 apple
1 cup 7up
1 bottle of white wine (any cheap-o kind will work)

Directions:
1. Slice up orange and line into thin slices. Cut up pineapple, strawberries, and apple.

2. Put all fruit in a big pitcher. Add 7up and wine. Mix and chill in the refrigerator.

This is nice and fruit on a warm spring day. Loved it! However, I enjoyed this while watching some NBA. I guess I am not as classy as I thought. Oops!

Enjoy!

XOXO

MGD Honey Beer Bread

Okay so during football season my husband got a little crazy with the beer for tailgating. You see beer is easy to carry when it's in a box. So every time he would buy a new case to tailgate. However, there seems to always be a few left behind that we would bring back after the game. So now that football season is over I have a whole bunch of random beer. What is a girl to do? MAKE BEER BREAD! Muahahaha! Okay I might be a little crazy but honey beer bread is super yummy.

My parents have never had honey beer bread so since my mom and I decided to play hooky from work I make some honey beer bread and called her up to pick it up.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup wheat flour
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
1 can of MGD (12oz can)
3 tablespoons melted butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a bread pan with generously with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Slowly pour the beer alternating with honey. Mix enough just so everything is incorporated. The less you mix the better. Don't worry about lumps.

4. Bake for 60 minutes. The top should be a nice brown color and tooth pick insert should come out nice and dry.

This bread is such a good snack. I know that sounds weird but once you have tried it you will understand what I mean. I am normally not a MGD kind of girl but this bread is good. My mom tried it and couldn't believe that it was made from beer. My dad called me that night and wanted to do what was really in the bread. BEER! He didn't believe me. But what else is new? That man never believe my cooking ability. Oh well. Snack on!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am one those those people who sleeps with their phone. No joke. You just never know. So when I woke up at 6:15am and check my Facebook someone had posted that it was national chocolate chip day (this was yesterday). Of course my first reaction is "WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME!" So of course this means I must bake chocolate chip cookies! All day at work all I could think about was chocolate chip cookies. So of course as soon as I got home I went straight to making cookies. Sorry workout you will have to wait. Sorry pup not walk today. It's cookie day!

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 oz)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugars until creamy texture. Add in pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over mix! Stir in the chocolate chips.

4. Drop cookie dough with a cookie dough scooper onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes or until slight golden and set. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and cook completely.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

These cookies are so good I don't even know how to describe them. There is something about adding pudding mix that makes the cookies super soft and moist. This recipe is not for people who like their cookies crisp. I normally don't have pudding mix in my pantry but after making these cookies that might change.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Carrot Cupcakes

So this year my uncle came up with this idea to combine birthdays since within 1 week span there are 3 birthdays to celebrate and Mother's Day. Since my uncle is always going on and on about how much he likes carrot cake and how Costco makes the best carrot cake I decided to make carrot cupcakes.

Seriously?!? Costco makes the best carrot cake? That is one weird man.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup butter milk
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
1 can crushed pineapple (strain juice out)
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Stiff all dry ingredients

3. Beat eggs, oil, buttermilk, sugar, vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients until combined. Do not over mix!

4. Mix in pineapples, carrots, coconut, and walnuts until combined.

5. Bake for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the cupcakes. (if you are baking a cake bake for about 55 minutes)

6. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes and then move them to a cooling rack.

7. Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting!

This recipe makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

After taking a bite out of a carrot cupcake my uncle says to my mom, "don't eat a cupcake cause it's too sweet for you" then he continues to gobble up his cupcakes. Of course my mom yells "it's not too sweet! I told her to make these". Oh my crazy family! Gotta love them! The best part about baking things that people enjoy is that you don't have to try very hard to pawn off the extras.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip & Toffee Cookies

So I promised to make cookies for this charity event to help kids with math and reading. I wanted something different than the normal chocolate chip cookie. So I whipped these up as a treat for the kids.

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup regular milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup toffee bits (I like the Heath Bar kind)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.

3. In another bowl cream butter and sugars. Whisk in egg and vanilla extract until combined. Next add the peanut butter until combined scrapping down the sides of the bowl.

4. Slowly stir in the dry mixture to the wet mixture until just combined. Next add in the oats and mix until evenly distributed.

5. Add in mini semi sweet chocolate chips, regular milk chocolate chips, and toffee pieces and mix until even distributed.

6. Using a cookie scoop, drop onto a non stick baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 9 minutes or until cookies turn a golden brown. Keep a eye on the cookies because they will be a little darker than normal because of the wheat flour.

7. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5-10 minutes on baking sheet. Then move to cooling racks to cool completely.

These cookies came out really yummy and just chewy enough. All the chips made it super yummy. Oh and the wheat flour and oats made them healthy. Right? Muahahahaha!

But, something happened and the event was canceled. However, no one told me about this. So guess what they did. Some of the volunteers just divided up my cookies and ate them! I guess at least someone got to enjoy them. Wish it were me!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Banana Muffins

This is probably the easiest banana recipe there ever was. It's easy and taste good. Which sometimes is hard to come by. It's one of those where you might have a bare pantry but can still make banana muffins!

Ingredients:
2 bananas
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
3/4 cups of white sugar
1 egg
1 cup of self-rising flour
1/4 cup of walnuts

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking pan with cupcake liners or spray with cooking spray.

2. Mash bananas. Mix mashed bananas with maple syrup, sugar.

3. Mix in egg.

4. Add flour and mix until batter is smooth.

5. Fold in nuts with a spoon. Save some to sprinkle on top of batter.

6. Pour batter in pan. I used a ice cream scooper. Sprinkle remaining nuts. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick tester comes out clean.

Some of my walnuts seemed to have sunk down to the bottom and I probably didn't add enough since I am not really a "nut" kind of person. However, this was still tastey! I think next time I will add more chopped nuts on top and not cupcake liner.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

I am currently obsessed with bananas. I don't know what my deal is. However, the husband and I hardly ever have ripe bananas around because we eat them as snacks or before we workout. I sadly am the person who asks others for ripe bananas. I have even traded my mom green/yellow bananas for brown bananas. I know, I am insane. But there is just so many banana recipes out there and not enough ripe brown bananas.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 bananas, smashed
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a bowl hand mix sugar, oil, egg, milk, bananas, and peanut butter.

3. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4. Combine wet mixture with dry mixture. Do not over mix.

5. Take half of chocolate chips and mix in with the batter. Decorate the other half on top of the batter.

6. Fill muffin pans. Bake for about 16 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean.

These came out super tastey. Oh and the chocolate chips on top of the batter made the muffins look really good. This is a great snack with milk.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Now I always need something sweet and something savory during brunch. I know I am weird. So no brunch would be complete without a breakfast casserole. After all, when you are entertaining what is easier than a casserole?

Ingredients:
1 package frozen hashbrowns
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup diced ham
1/4 cup diced green onions
1 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
Pappy's seasoning

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Mix egg with some Pappy's seasoning salt. I used about 2 shakes. Then I poured the eggs over the hashbrowns and mixed. Then flatten the hashbrowns into a 9x13 pan. Spraying the pan with some cooking spray is helpful for serving. I sprinkled a little bit more Pappy's seasoning. Bake for about 20 minutes or until hashbrowns are golden brown.

3. While hashbrowns are cooking dice up some ham.

4. Slice mushrooms.

5. Crack and beat remaining 7 eggs with milk. Then add mushrooms, ham, green onions, and cheese. Mix until combined.

6. Pour egg mixture on top of hashbrowns and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Slice in squares and serve.

This casserole hits the spot. I mean, who can complain about hashbrowns with ham and egg? I know I can't! Oh and this is just ask yummy as a leftover for lunch. The dish that just keeps on giving.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Maple Oat Buttermilk Bread

My mother in law loves bread. She is the person who will eat or try all the bread in the bread basket at a restaurant. Oh and she will take any leftover bread home too. So for Mother's Day brunch I made sure there was enough carbohydrate items for her.

This maple oat buttermilk bread is so yummy you would never know there were oats inside or whole wheat flour.


Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all purpose white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup quick oats

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with vegetable oil spray.

2. Whisk together the white flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the oil until smooth. Whisk in the maple syrup, brown sugar, and buttermilk. Stir in the oats.

4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir to combine. Do not over mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake until the bread is a golden brown. About 1 hour. The edges should pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. A tester inserted in the center should come out clean.

5. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then cool on a rack before slicing.

The bread turned out nicely. I think next time I might bake for a little less time. But with so many dishes going on for Mother's Day kinda got side tracked. Either way it was still yummy with butter or dipped in maple syrup.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Angel Food Cake French Toast

I grew up with a family that always made more than you can eat for the holidays. It's no surprise that now that I am older that is how I cook too. Plus, leftovers are always good for when you are too lazy to cook.

For Mother's Day I decided to make some french toast since I have not made french toast since I was a kid. This recipe is a little different from others since instead of bread you use angel food cake. That's right! I said angel food cake. I am normally not a french toast kind of girl because it's just doesn't seem worth it to load up on all that bread when there are other things to eat. However, this recipe is so light and fluffy that you can eat 1, 2, or maybe 4 pieces! Muahahah!

Ingredients:
1 7-8 inch angel food cake
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking spray
whipped cream
maple syrup
cup up strawberries or any berries

Directions:
1. Turn on electric griddle to 300 degrees

2. Slice the angel food cake into 10 to 12 1-inch wedges.

3. Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla.

4. Soak wedges in egg mixture for 1 minute per side. (If you have fragile slices soak for half teh time and make sure you have plenty of non stick spray)

5. Spray griddle with cooking spray and cook wedges for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown.

6. Serve with whipped cream, maple syrup, and berries.

Makes 4-5 servings.

I think my father in law ate the most pieces during brunch. Which is funny cause he is known not to like "sweet" things.

Enjoy!

XOXO

S'more Brownies

So my mother is really picky with her sweets. As most Asian people will complain that American desserts are too sweet my mother is no different. So this year for her birthday I decided to try to make something she can't complain about. Hence my homemade s'more brownie recipe. Just enough sweetness to satisfy the sweet tooth.


Ingredients:

Crust:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
pinch of salt

Brownie:8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour

Topping:1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3 to 4 cups mini marshmallows
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 8x8 inch pan with non stick cooking spray.

2. Prepare crust: In a bowl, mix butter with graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Press crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

3. Prepare brownie: Place butter and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Melt and stir until completely melted. Add sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate and mix together. Add eggs and beat vigorously until you see a thick and glossy batter. Stir in flour and mix just until incorporated. Pour batter over the baked crust. Bake until top is set and toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.
4. Remove pan from oven. Turn oven to broil. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked brownie. Add a nice thick layer of marshmallows. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top.

5. Place your pan of brownies back into the oven. Toast under the broiler until golden brown. Keep a close eye on it. 1 to 2 minutes should do the trick.

6. Cool for a few minutes in pan before trying to cut. Use a wet and sharp knife when cutting brownies.


This was a hit with my mom. She found the marshmallow topping not too sweet but just enough. Thank goodness cause she is one picky mom.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Simple Yummy Shortbread Cookies

I have been looking for a easy not too sweet cookie recipe for a long time. Coming from a Chinese background family members are always asking for a cookie that is not too sweet. Well I have finally found something to make the old Asian women happy. These shortbread cookies are not only easy to make but super yummy. Just sweet enough to satisfy the sweet craving.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees

2. Cream together butter and sugar.

3. Stir in the flour. You may have to use hands until it all come together.

4. Use 1 tablespoon scoop to measure out the correct amount and place into mini cupcake pan.

5. Press the shortbread into the pan to create a well for the jam when finished baking.

6. Bake for about 15 minutes.

7. When completely cooled place a teaspoon of your favorite jam in the center of the cookies and dust with powdered sugar.

Even my grandparents who are not a fan of dessert loved these. Ah finally!

XOXO

Strawberry Muffins

With the spring here ... and Costco selling trays of strawberries what could be better than strawberry muffins?

Since the holidays are special I try not to repeat dishes for brunch. So since for Christmas brunch I made blueberry muffins I decided to switch it up for Mother's Day with strawberry muffins. They turned out really yummy. This recipe is a keeper. The father in law liked them so much he asked if he could take some of the leftover home.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups cooking oil
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl beat the 3 eggs until thick and lemon color.

3. In a separate bowl mash the strawberries. Add the sugar, mashed strawberries, and oil to the eggs and mix well.

4. In another large bowl sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the berry mixture and mix until just incorporated. Do not over mix.

6. Grease muffin pan.

7. Use ice cream scooper to fill muffin pans.

8. Bake for 22 minutes.

9. Cool for 10-15 minutes before removing bread from pans.

Tip: If the strawberries are too juicy, strain so muffins stay fluffy.

What is funny is I had bought blueberries with every intent to make blueberry muffins. Now what should I do with the blueberries?

XOXO

PB Cup Cozies

My husband loved these cookies so much that he called them husband cookies. I made these for him to bring to a bachelor poker party. The recipe is pretty big so there were some that I kept to eat myself. Any body that likes peanut butter cups must try these. I prefer to call them PB Cup Cozies.

Ingredients:

Reese's peanut butter cups miniatures

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375F. Remove wrappers from PB cups. Spray mini muffin cups with cooking spray.

2. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla until light and fluffy in a large bowl. In a separate bowl stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until well blended. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place one in each prepared muffin cup. Do not flatten.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until puffed and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Immediately press peanut butter cup into each cookie. Let cool in muffin pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully remove from pan and cool completely on wire racks.

Makes about 40 cookies.

You will be tempted to eat the cookies warm. DO NOT DO IT! They are so much better when cooled completely. Totally worth the wait. This is a recipe worth saving.

XOXO

Oven Roasted Red Potatoes

The best starch is potatoes. I don't know anyone that doesn't like potatoes. It's a staple ingredient in a house. So many ways you can make it.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds red potatoes scrubbed and dried
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4-6 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix the oil, garlic, and rosemary. Add the potatoes and toss well. Transfer the potatoes to a shallow baking pan and roast until potatoes are tender when tested with a fork. Serve hot.

This recipe is super easy and a hit.

XOXO

First Slow Cooker Recipe!! Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Okay so a few people I know always brag about how they use a slow cooker to cook dinner and it's so amazing and so easy. Being a Asian woman I have only used my slow cooker to keep food warm. So here I go to try this out. I found a buffalo chicken recipe to try. Now I was convinced this would NOT work. I mean it just sounds too weird to me to not slave over a stove for dinner.

Ingredients:
4 skinless boneless chicken breast
1 bottle buffalo wing sauce
1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix
2 tablespoons butter

Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker. Pour in 3/4 of the wing sauce and the ranch dressing mix. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Once the chicken has cooked add the butter and shred the meat with two forks. Pile the meat onto a roll and remaining buffalo wing sauce to serve. I also added diced tomatoes mixed with shredded lettuce and ranch.

So my husband take a bite. Makes a face. Then tells me "you need to take a bite". I take a bite and almost vomit in my mouth. This is gross. In the sense that it is too spicy (and I never say that) and just a lot of "blah". Then the husband says "if you had served this to me 11 years ago we never would have gotten married". Sad! Needless to say this recipe will never be used in my house again.

All you crazy slow cooker people ... SEND me your recipes!

XOXO

Valentine Cookies ... kinda late but better than never!

So I totally flaked out on making my husbee something special on Valentine's Day. To be fair, I did buy him a custom box of See's Candie so he really has nothing to complain about.

I was craving something sweet last night so I decided to make some cookies. Since I have all these Valentine's Day baking decorations I decided to put them to good use.

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks butter (room temp)
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoon vanilla
3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 oz bag mini chocolate chips
1 bag M&Ms & sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a stand beat the butter and sugars until well beaten. Beat in eggs one at a time and then add vanilla until well combined.

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Alternate dry ingredients and chocolate chips.

DO NOT MIX IN M&MS OR SPRINKLES IN WITH THE BATTER.

I used a whoopie pie pan to make my cookies. Using a ice cream scoop I scooped batter into the whoopie pie pan. Then press M&Ms and sprinkles onto the top of each cookie and bake.

I baked my cookies for 9 minutes each. I like soft cookies. I let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before removing them onto a cooling rack. This recipe made exactly 3 dozen cookies for me.

XOXO

Banana Bread

What happens when you don't eat bananas fast enough. They turn brown! Have no fear! Make banana bread!

Now my husband and I eat a banana a day each so it's pretty rare that we have over ripe bananas in our home. However, this time due to me purposely buying too many we have extra bananas. Whoot whoot!

For the bread:

3 whole ripe bananas

1 tablespoon whole milk

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Streusel topping:
1/2 stick of soften butter

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Make sure to scrape down the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg.

In a small bowl mash the bananas, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a fork. Mix in the milk

In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed butter/sugar mixture and mix until combined. Add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter in prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes.

Prepare the streusel topping by combining the butter, flour, brown sugar in a medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter or fork blend the ingredients. Add a small inch of salt and chopped walnuts and toss. After the 40 minutes remove and sprinkle topping evenly and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes.

Slice and serve with butter or honey.

Bacon & Egg Toast Cups

So my dear friend Leslie sent me the most amazing recipe Friday night and of course I had to try it Saturday morning.

Ingredients:
Bacon
slice bread
cheese
eggs
salt & pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. Spray muffin pan with Pam and set aside.

Bake 12 slices of bacon for 10 minutes on a cookie sheet. Don't over cook bacon because they will be cooked in the oven again later. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and dab out as much oil as possible (or if your waistline can afford the extra weight leave the oil).

Cut circles out of sliced bread to fit the bottom of muffin pan.

Wrap a slice of bacon around a bread round and place in muffin pan. It should look like a cup. Repeat. Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese in the center of each piece of bread. Crack one egg over each piece of bread. Be careful not to break egg yolk. You may not want to use all the egg white. This can be saved to make some scrabble egg (which I feed to my dog. Oops I am that dog owner).

Bake until eggs are cooked through to your liking. I baked mine for about 15 minutes. The bacon egg cups should pop right out of the muffin pan. If not, use a knife around the edges.

I apologize for the bad picture. These bacon cups were just too yummy and where almost eaten before I realized a picture had not been taken. The husband loved them so much that he requested they be made for Christmas brunch.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Poppy Seed Apple Salad

So this salad has become one of my favorite salads to serve at dinner time. This is also the salad I made for Thanksgiving dinner. It's super easy and super yummy!


1 apple
1/2 head of lettuce
1 small tomato
candied walnuts
poppy seed dressing

So ... chop up some lettuce. Cut some apple and tomatoes in cubes. Toss everything with some poppy seed dressing and top with a hand full of candied walnuts and serve. Could this be any easier? I think not!

XOXO

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies

I have been cleaning my pantry and realize that I have some raisins and a overstock of mini chocolate chips. So of course the first thing I think of is cookies!

2 sticks butter at room temperature
1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg and milk and mix until combined.

In another bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix dry ingredients with a whisk. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in the oats, raisins, and mini chocolate chips.

I use a ice cream scooper to scoop out my batter onto the baking sheets. Space the batter about 1 inch apart.

Bake cookies for about 11 minutes. Let them cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

I used a small ice cream scooper so my cookies came out bite size. Perfect for snacking.

I really enjoyed these cookies and I normally am not a fan of oatmeal raisin cookies. I am sure the chocolate chips helped.

XOXO

Turkey Chili over Tater Tots

So with the weather outside dropping what is more warming than chili. What's better than chili? Cheese and tater tots. Combine everything and you have a fantastic dinner.

Now the chili I make is beyond easy. Totally semi-homemade here cause after all I am a working house wife.

Chili:

Chili Mix

2 cloves garlic

1 lb ground turkey meat

1 diced onion

3 diced jalapeno peppers (add more or less to your spice level)

1 can pinto beans

1 can diced tomato

Toppings:

shredded cheese

green onions

sour cream

tater tots

Bake tater tots as directed.

Mince the garlic and put it in a hot oil. Brown the turkey meat in the oil. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the jalapeno peppers, pinto beans, and tomato. Simmer for about 10 minutes on how heat.

Serve the chili over the tater tots and throw on your favorite toppings.

This has become one of my husband's favorite dinners. Of course a salad is pretty necessary in order to get some veggies. But who cares about veggies in the winter when you can eater hearty chili? Ah, just throw some more green onions on and hit the treadmill tomorrow.

XOXO

Pumpkin Snicker Doodle Cookies

With the holiday season here everyone has pumpkin on the brain. Or at least I do. I am so excited to share this recipe because I have gotten such great feedback about it from my taste testers.

Cookies:

2 sticks of butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Rolling Sugar:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and pumpkin puree and beat well. Mix in egg and vanilla. Make sure to scrap down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients.

Whisk flour, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Add dry ingredients a little at a time to wet mixture.

Cover dough and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough becomes slightly firm.

Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix rolling sugar in a small bowl.

Remove cookie dough from refrigerator. Use a cookie scoop or a large spoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and make sure they are coated really well. Place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Use a fork dipped in rolling sugar to flatten the balls.

Bake at 350F for 10 minutes or until they are slightly firm to the touch. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

This recipe is for about 3 dozen cookies.

I normally love snicker doodle cookies and this is a great spin to them.

XOXO

Honey Beer Bread

What's yummier on a cold night watching a Harry Potter marathon than some honey beer bread?


I have had this recipe for a while and have never had a chance to make it. It was super easy and I will for sure be making this again.

3 cups of all purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp honey
1 can or bottle beer (12 oz)
3 tbsp butter (melted)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bread pan with the melted butter. Save the rest for later.

In a bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

A great trick for the honey is to microwave it. I microwaved it for about 15 seconds to make it easier to work with.

Add the honey and beer to the dry mixture. Mix enough just so everything is incorporated. Don't worry about lumps.

Bake for 60 minutes. The top should be a nice brown color and a tooth pick insert should come out nice and dry.

This bread was so yummy that I am for sure going to make it again. It kinda has the same consistency as a biscuit.


The husband loved it and requested it be made with chili next time. Who knew bread could be this easy? It also made the house smell incredibly good.

Thank you Leslie Berroya for forwarding this recipe to me!

XOXO

Shrimp & Pork Chow Fun

I have come to the conclusion that Chinese food is yummy because it takes so much more time to make than other foods. There is so much prep time to make Chinese food.

Last night I made chow fun. Chow Fun is pretty much as Cantonese as I get. Good thing my poor Cantonese husband is American born and knows no better.


1/2 pound of Pork (I will be quite honest I have no idea how much pork I really used)
12 shrimp
chow fun noodles
3 cloves garlic minced
oil
1 onion sliced
1/4 pound bean sprouts
green onions
soy sauce
salt

I sliced the pork into strips and then marinated it in the garlic and about 1/4 cup soy sauce. Cook the pork in oil with the onions until the pork starts to turn brown. A good amount of oil needs to be added which will later help in cooking the chow fun noodles. Then add the shrimp and a tablespoon of salt. Once the onions start to turn translucent add the chow fun noodles. Once the chow fun noodles start to become soft in the pan add your green onions.

Now the husband and I love spicy food so I added about 1 tablespoon of Chinese hot chili.

I high recommend using a wok to cook this or a very big pan. I love woks cause they are big and great for Chinese dishes or cooking pasta in sauce.

This dish turned out great for me. Husband ate 3 bowls. What a successful dinner.

XOXO

Spicy Beef Noodles

My cousin has been posting pictures on all these noodles places that he has been going to lately. All these pictures inspired me to make some noodles of my own.


I made a chicken broth with chicken bouillon. Sorry I did not have anything to make beef broth. So 3 cups boiling water to 3 tablespoon chicken bouillon, 1/4 cup soil sauce, and 2 tablespoon Chinese chili sauce. Now 2 tablespoon Chinese chili sauce is pretty spicy for the average person. You can tone it up or down to your taste. Then I added 3 carrots to the pot.

Next is I thinly cubed some beef. I used a non fatty part of beef. Next time i think I will pick something with more fat. I threw the beef in a pan with 3 cloves of minced garlic, a chunk of ginger sliced, and oil. The ginger is to not make the beef taste so "meaty". Hopefully that makes sense. Now this is not to cook the beef. Just to put a nice sear of flavor on it. Once the sides are brown throw the beef into your broth pot. Cook for 30 or so minutes to make the beef tender. Note: fatty beef means not only more flavor but a more tender beef too.

Boil up some Chinese noodles and serve with some green onions. I like a lot of green onions cause I think it makes it taste super yummy.

Such a yummy meal on a cold night. Oh and left overs are awesome cause you just keep making noodles until the broth is gone. (Maybe throw in some extra carrots into the broth too)

XOXO

Spicy Fried Shrimp Sandwich

So coming up with what to eat for dinner is always a struggle. You want to have variety but racking your brain while at work can be frustrating too.

Yesterday afternoon I came up with this idea ... and then executed it for dinner!

So first I made a egg mixture with 2 eggs, salt, fresh ground pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce. Soaked 18 shrimps in the egg mixture.

Then I made a dry mixture with 1/2 cup self rising flour, 1/4 cup corn meal, fresh group pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Put some oil in a pan and lets get frying! So take the shrimp out of the egg mixture and cover it with the dry mixture. I did each shrimp at a time but next time I am going to dump the dry mixture and shrimp into a bag and shake. It will save a lot of time. So I fried the shrimp and let them dry on some paper towels.

Next I made a little cayenne pepper and mayo sauce and what I mean by that is I just put some cayenne pepper into some mayo. Toast my sandwich roll, spread the cayenne mayo, put 6 shrimp onto each roll, lettuce, and some diced shrimp.


Man was dinner good! The husband ate 2 sandwiches! Dinner success and all done in 30 minutes. Whoot whoot!

XOXO

10th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk

I am so excited to take Khloe to the 10th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk. It will be a great place for us to socialize her with other dogs. I wish I had heard about this earlier so I could sign up for the 5k run. Hopefully next year Khloe and I will register to run the 5k. If you haven't heard about the event check out out the website.

Oh and to top it off Clayton Clark is the MC for the event.

XOXO

http://www.valleyanimal.org/wigglewaggle2010.html

Lemon Cupcakes

So a friend of mine has a lemon tree and gave me some lemons. What happens when you give a cupcake fanatic lemons? You get lemon cupcakes! I followed a really simple lemon cake recipe I found online. You know me, easy means good.

Now since I had real lemons you get zest!

The batter. Which was super easy to make.

My little lemon cupcakes look so cute naked. But lets be honest, who likes a naked cupcake?

Lemon cream cheese frosting! Super yummy! The recipe is super simple. Just a package of cream cheese, some lemon juice, lemon zest, and powered sugar.

I have come to the conclusion that real fruit and imitation makes a big difference. There is definitely more of a fresh taste to fresh fruit.

Mmmm ... the frosting was super yummy. I think next time I might add a package of vanilla pudding to the batter to make it more moist. But over all the lemon cupcakes were a hit with the husband and co-workers. Yay!

XOXO

Icing Shots: Good or disgusting?

Photo from Cupcakes Take the Cake

Apparently some bakeries are trying to make icing shots a new craze. I do not think this is a good idea and my friends at Cupcakes Take the Cake agree with me. Why would you only eat frosting when you can have a whole cupcake. Now isn't the whole point of having a cupcake is to indulge a little and not have a huge slice of cake? (Wait they are cute too!)

Photo from Cupcakes Take the Cake

I know we all try to find ways to cheat on our diet, but trust me skipping the cake and just eating frosting is not the way to go. Plus, my friends at Cupcakes Take the Cake "you wouldn't go to a ice cream shop and leave with just hot fudge".

So do you think? Is this tasty treat good or disgusting?

XOXO

St. Patrick's Day Lollicakes

Since the fun green day is right around the corner I decided to blog about these super cute lollicakes by Lollicake Bake Shop. This is a Chocolate Guiness Stout Lollicake. Now I am not usually a Guiness drinker but this sounds like a must try. Beer ... good ... lollicake ... good .... why not a beer lollicake.

XOXO

Simple Frosting

Bobbie Lloyd of New York's Magnolia Bakery shows us how to frost a cupcake. She makes it look so simple. I need to work on my frosting skills.

XOXO

Cupcake Pebbles

Now cereal is awesome. You can have it for all 3 meals. Heck! That's what a lot of college students do.

Now I have been informed of a new product that I am dying to try.

I have read articles about this new cereal from Post and rumor has it this is fantastic.

Looks like little sprinkles. Yum! So I went to my local Target to find this so I can make my own judgement. Sadly Targt did not carry it. I am so sad. If anyone has tried this please let me know.

XOXO

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/02/cupcake-pebbles.html

Red Velvet Cake w/ cream cheese frosting

What's almost as good as a Thanksgiving dinner? A Thanksgiving themed lollicake! Shown above is a red velvet with cream cheese frosting lollicake with green, brown, and pumpkin sprinkles.

This was my first attempt at making lollicakes. It was a lot harder than I had imagined. The coating is where I need more perfection. I need to figure out how to make it more smooth. But not bad for my first try at the yummy treat.

Happy holidays!

XOXO

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

So lately I have been obsessed with lip gloss/ lip treatments. With the weather changing from summer/fall/winter so fast here the Valley my skin & lips need some extra help to stay smooth. Fresh's Sugar lip treatment is a must have. It keeps my lips nice and soft. Bonus, Sugar is made with yummy ingredients like ... Sugar! If you haven't tried this product it's a must have. Head to your nearest Sephora and load up on this yummy goodness.

If you hurry Sephora is currently running a gift package for $28 dollars that includes a fulls size Sugar Lip treatment & a small sugar lotion with a gold clutch. Can we say Xmas gift?

XOXO
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

DuWop translucent lip treatment

My new favorite lip treatment is DuWop's icedteas translucent lip treatment in white peach. Awesome way to keep your lips totally kissable and the smell of white peach is delish. Who can resist?

XOXO
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Relationship Mistakes

So I am normally what my husband calls "a man hater". He gets this because I enjoy music by Pink and other artists who sometimes sing hateful songs against men. But lately I have been hearing a lot of complaints from single ladies about how good men are hard to find (yes, I will admit that the area that we live in does contain many dead beats). Let me first set the record straight that yes men make many relationship mistakes and majority of men do not remember anything important in a relationship that a woman may deem important. However, with that said ... I do need to admit that it is not always the mans fault.

::cringe:: Sorry ladies but I said it. Sometimes us women make relationship mistakes that cause us to be single.

Below are common mistakes that women make. PS. I did get some help from a article that I have provided the link.

1. Thinking you will never get over him. You will. Dwelling on what could have been is not healthy. Go out and live your life. You will get over him.

2. Spying. This can qualify as many things that women do. Checking your man text messages in a "no no". When I say checking text messages I do mean incoming messages and out going messages. Reading emails in a "no no". You should never read his messages and then ask what what they mean and who they are from for every female. Stalking out at places that you know he goes is a "no no". Going to his work is a "no no". Oh and last but not least driving by his house to see if he is home is a "no no". Don't be psycho ladies.

3. Thinking your man does and should be interested in everything you do, think, or say. Yes, you should have some common things. But there has got to be something that you like that he doesn't or that he likes that you don't. That's what makes things interesting.
Key note: please do not take up a hobby because you man likes it. For instant, if you have no interest in Country music but your new hubby loves Garth Brooks DO NOT all of a sudden own every Garth Brooks song on your ipod and rock out to it in your car. It is okay if you are genuinely interested in something that your hubby likes that you never knew about. But if you have always hated country music don't all of a sudden front like you love it. Be your own person ladies. You want a man who loves you for who you are ... not who you think he wants.

4. Displacing. If you are mad because he does not put the toilet seat down then tell him you are mad because he doesn't put the toilet seat down. However, don't change it into something about how he feels about you or your relationship.

5. Expecting too much. Relationships are not like the movies. Nothing is perfect. Think about the most perfect couple you know and I am willing to bet that they have relationship issues too. Love is not like a fairly tale your mother read to you about before bed or what Disney has told you. You have good days and bad and just how you handle them that makes everything okay.

6. Stagnating. You can't just sit there and wonder why you don't have a boyfriend. No one is going to come and find you. Get yourself out there!

7. Slacking. A lot of people like to say a relationship is when 2 people come 50-50 and compromise. I believe that a truly good relationship is when 2 people both come 100-100. Relationships are not easy and if anyone tells you they are then they are wrong. Every great couple will tell you that they work hard to make their relationship work. Sitting there and just listing all the reasons why your partner sucks gets nothing accomplished.

8. Isolating. Oh ladies so many of you do this. Yes, you have fallen in love ... and then you forget about everything else. Dropping your friends when you fall in love is not healthy. Friend help define who you are and are your rock when you are down.
Side note: Ladies every wonder how you go from being in the great "honeymoon" stage and then all of a sudden he doesn't want to hang out anymore? The he breaks up with you and you don't know why? It's because you are always around! He fell in love with you for a reason. But all of a sudden all you do is hang out with him. Remember you are combining two lives not ditching yours and joining his.

9. Fantasizing. Ladies, you life with not be complete when you find a man. No man can fix all your problems. You will some day find a man who will be your partner in life. But he will not magically fix everything wrong with your life.

10. Using the silent treatment. Men are not mind readers. As much as we would like to think they know what they did wrong ... they don't. Yes, men really are that dumb. Yes, they really don't know. No, most of them really aren't lying when they say they don't know what is wrong. Just tell him what's wrong.

11. Denying. Problems do not go away. If something is wrong just say so. If you let things fester soon every little thing wil get on your nerves. Pretending you do not have a problem is even worse. If you keep pretending soon others will notice that something is wrong. You don't want to be that couple.

12. Standing along. In a healthly relationship you lean on each other. Sometime you will be his rock and sometimes he will be yours. That is what is healthy. If he constantly saving you and you are never there for him then there will be a problem. Balance ladies. Superman is a myth and even he had bad days.

13. Over analyzing. Women think way too much (and men try not to think at all). Wondering why he text instead of calling. Wondering why he only called 2 twice today instead of 3 times. Wondering why he cancelled on getting ice cream when he loves ice cream. Wondering why he picked up on the 4th ring when he always picks up on the 2nd ring. Oh my gaaawd! Most men just do things. They really don't think so you really shouldn't either.

14. Trying to reinvent the relationship wheel. YOU are NOT the exception. YOU can NOT change him. If it seems too good to be true then it probably is. Never think "well maybe I am the exception" because you are not. If you think you might be you will probably be in for a heartache.

If you have not watch "He's just not into you" or read the book ... you should.

To my single ladies ... you guys will be fine. Take a deep breath. Find yourself and when you do you will also find the man who will be your partner in life because if you don't know who you are how will someone else.

XOXO

http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/gettingstarted/9959/14-relationship-mistakes-we-wish-wed-stop-making/

PS. My credential is on my ring finger on my left hand.

Target is going green ... oh and green in your pocket too!

Now I know everyone is a fan of Target. In our home we call it the $99 store cause you never leave without at least spending $99.

Monday Target announced that starting Nov 1st they will be starting a new bag program. You will receive a 5 cent discount for every reusable bag you bring to bag your items in. That is awesome! This not only saves the environment but it puts money in our pockets. Oh and lets not forget that Target saves money too. Target bags are one of the most popular bags for people to keep and use as grocery bags because they better quality.

Kudos to the Bullseye for taking the first step to going green. So remember shoppers Nov 1st start bringing your reusable bags to Target!

XOXO

OnStar ... It's expensive but damn it's useful when you really need it

Now you always watch the OnStar commerical and think "yeah yeah yeah". But how many people get to say "it really works"? Well some Visalia people do!

Apparently OnStar made the Visalia Police's job just way too easy. A carjacker decided to take a new Chevy Tahoe at gunpoint at a apartment after making the people give them their wallets. Minutes later because of OnStar Visalia Police was able to track down the carjacker. OnStar disabled the car so that the carjacker could not accelerate. The police ended up catching the carjacked on foot when he fell into a pool. They arrested him soaking wet.

OnStar 1 Carjacker 0

XOXO

Fresh Concealer

So I totally have to do a product plug. This weekend I tried the concealer from Fresh for the first time and now I am in love. This is a must have in your make up bag. Have you ever wondered how girls party like crazy the night before and then wake up beautiful? They use this product!! Fantastic for under eyes.

Kudos to Fresh for keeping up girls looking fresh!

XOXO