Mother's Day Funfetti Cupcakes

Since I had a full day planned on Mother's Day I knew I did not have that much time for baking.  If you know me you know that El Hubby gets mad because my sense of time management is bad.  I always think I have more time than I do.  Hence, we were late to Mother's Day brunch because of me. 

Funfetti Cupcakes cooling

In my head I knew I wanted to make cookies for sure, but a holiday is just not right without cake.  So to make my life easier and still satisfy the craving for cake I used a box mix.  I don't think there is really anything wrong with a box cake.  But when there is the option for scratch I will also go with scratch.  You can taste the extra effort in scratch/homemade cooking/baking.

Mother's Day funfetti cupakes

I apologize to critics.  Everything about these cupcakes were store bought.  Box cake mix, frosting, and decorative sparkle icing.  Whatever!  Funfetti is yummy.  Case close. 

I am currently taking a cupcake class at the local adult school.  We are learning to decorate and make cupcakes.  Lets see what I learn.  I think El Hubby is excited because that will mean more baked goods since I need practice.  

Happy Mother's Day!

XOXO

S21

I have been craving some spam musubi and ramen for a awhile.  It's been all I can think about.  Consuming my thoughts at every meal.  There is currently no rice in my house.  No spam.  No ramen noodles.  I desperately need to go to the grocery store.  The last meal that was cooked in my house was BLAT sandwiches.  Okay okay El Hubby made the sandwiches.

Milky Ramen

Oh Tuesdays and Thursday S21 serves authentic Japanese ramen.  This was only my second trip to S21 for ramen.  S21 did not disappoint.  When we arrived there was no one in the restaurant which really makes me sad.  Coming from and growing up in a family of restaurant owners I know how depressing it is to have a empty restaurant.  It's also a reason I try to support local restaurants and shops as much as possible.  Not only are you supporting your community but you are helping the environment too.  (Local means less gas, packaging, etc.)  We were greet right away and seated.  The restaurant was clean and staff friendly. 

My bowl came out pipping hot and the broth was rich with flavor.  I got the milky ramen which comes with chasu pork, egg, fish cake, seaweed, and some other seasoned/pickled vegetables.  (Sorry I am not Japanese enough to know all the names)  I am not a fan in general of chasu pork.  El Hubby seemed to really enjoy it and ate mine too.  So I am sure if you like chasu pork you would like it.  I loved my ramen and it definitely satisfied my craving for ramen. 

Now time to hit the store and satisfy my spam musubi craving!

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

Support local business!

XOXO

Hot Chocolate Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

There is something about hot chocolate cookies that is just so good.  Maybe it's the richness it adds to the cookie.  Or maybe it's how yummy the cookie dough is.  
 

Hot chocolate cookie dough taste amazing ... and I am not even the type that like to eat cookie dough.  The hardest part of this recipe is chilling the cookie dough.  I am a very impatient person.

But I have found that chilling cookie dough for at least 1 hour minimum makes cookies so much richer in flavor.  So if you have the time ... and the patience chill your cookie dough. 

Hot Chocolate Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 3/4 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

1 cup raisins

1 cup 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 raisins and semi chocolate chips

7. Chill dough for about 1 hour

8. Pre heat 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 am working on incorporating local produce into my cooking.  When the new Fresno State market opened I had went and purchased some raisins.  Let me tell you, I will never purchase regular raisins again.  The raisins that I got from the Fresno State market were huge, juicy and sooooo yummy!  There was no sugary white film on the raisin that you can something get with regular store bought raisins.  Buy local friends!  Buy local!

I brought these cookies to Mother's Day dinner with my family and my little cousin JakeEE gobbled one up.  I would say they were a hit. 

Support local business!
XOXO

Banana Walnut Caramel Cookies

This year we switched it up and had a champagne brunch with my husband's family for Mother's Day.  While eating my husband mentioned that the only thing missing was bananas foster.  This got me thinking ... and thinking ... and craving bananas foster.  

When I got home I decided to make cookies ... with a bananas foster theme of course.

Since real bananas get brown and I am not really familiar with them in cookies I decided to use banana pudding mix for my banana flavor.  The cookie dough smelled amazing.  There is just something about banana and caramel that is drool worthy.

Banana Walnut Caramel Cookies

Ingredients:
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (3.5) package instant banana pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup caramel bits
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper
2.  Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
3.  Add pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4.  Whisk together the flours, baking soda, and salt.
5.  Slowly add the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until just incorporated.  DO NOT OVER MIX!
6.  Fold in the caramel bits and walnuts.
7.  Using a cookies scooper, scoop 1 tablespoons cookie dough on prepared baking sheet.
8.  Bake for about 9 minutes or until lightly brown.  Remove and place on cooling rack.

I brought these cookies to Mother's Day dinner with my family.  The cookies were super moist because of the banana pudding mix.  My husband really enjoyed these cookies.  However, we realized that I forgot a key ingredient to bananas foster ... RUM!  So looks like next time I make these cookies I will be substituting rum extract for vanilla extract.  The caramel bits were a little chewy so maybe not so old people friendly or dentist friendly.  Oh well.  Them were sure yummy to eat!

Keep baking for your loved ones!
XOXO

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, soon to be moms, and pet moms. Moms really should be honored more than once a year.

My family likes to do big dinners/meals to celebrate all occasions.  Above was the Mother's Day dessert spread.  Recipes to come!

Bake for the ones you love!
XOXO

Dutch Bros Coffee

I recently experienced Dutch Bros Coffee ... and it was AMAZING!  I had a coffee freeze which is basically a coffee frappuccino.  So much better than Starbucks.  Not that there is anything wrong with Starbucks.  But the coffee flavor was just so much better.  The price was also a lot cheaper than Starbucks.  I love Starbucks but their prices have started to get ridiculous.  I totally need to try other Dutch Bros drinks.

Dutch Bros Coffee
4982 E. Ashlan Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 292-1357

Enjoy life!
XOXO

Aqua Nails Bar

Sometimes you just need to relax.  Take a load off.  Breathe.  We live in a society of fast, multitasking, and taking on way too much.  Sometimes you just need to put your hair down and relax.  One of my favorite ways to relax is getting a pedicure. 

I have been going to Aqua Nails Bar for a while now.  I really like them.  I like being able to walk in without a appointment.  Aqua does manicures and pedicures.  They also do full sets of nails.  It's a good size location and well ventilated so you don't feel like you are breathing in fumes.  I also see a lot of moms and daughters there of all ages.  It's so cute when a little girl goes in with her mom and picks out her own color. 

I have always left happy.  The only downside is you can't put tip on your credit card.  So make sure you have cash for tip.

Aqua Nails Bar
2950 E. Nees Avenue
Fresno, CA 93720
(559) 298-9818

Relax and enjoy Life!

XOXO

Toys toys toys

Here is Khloe the pup and all her toys.  She looks so proud.  Spoiled pup for sure.

My favorite breed is rescued!
XOXO

Karen - Headhunter

My baby cousin, Karen, recently auditioned to be a co-host of a show that Garnier Fructis and Noisey are working on in the summer time.  Two hosts will be selected (a guy and a girl) to travel to different music festivals along side Garnier x Noisey to check out the coolest styles and hairstyles in music. 

Karen Wu - UC Riverside

Please go to headhunter.noisey.com and click on the heart of Karen Wu's audition tape. 

Karen Wu - UC Riverside

Thanks for supporting!
XOXO

Mr Sushi #2

El Hubby and I have been looking for a date night place for a while now. You know, a place where you go and people know you, your drink, your order ... your dessert.  "Where everyone knows your name".  (Dang!  Does anyone know where that phrase is from?  I am old.)

We have been going to Mr. Sushi #2 for a little over a year now.  However, we have just recently started going on Friday nights as "date night".  We really like the place.  The food is good.  Not great.  I like the rolls but have had a bad experience with the ramen.  There are quite a few rolls that contain cream cheese or are fried.  Both of which I find disturbing in a roll.  However, the service is usually great.  Our favorite server is Danielle.  She is awesome.  Danielle is super friendly and helpful.  Not too attentive where you wish they would leave you alone.  But attentive enough were you love her and always want her to be your server. 

If you are looking for a Japanese place to try go ahead and give Mr. Sushi #2 a try.  Ask for Danielle! 

Mr. Sushi #2
1305 N. Willow Avenue, Ste 190
Clovis, CA 93611
(559) 297-8362

Keep cooking and enjoying life!
 XOXO

Green Onion Dip

Does anyone know what sour cream is made of?  I have no idea what sour cream is made out of, but I do know that it is good on Mexican food and makes cakes and breads moist when baking. 

In my efforts of trying to stay healthy I decided to try making green onion dip with Greek yogurt.  Let me tell you, the dip was just as tasty but with extra protein and without the fat.  I have been substituting Greek yogurt in recipes that call for sour cream lately and they have all worked.  This is exciting because no one wants to miss out on onion dip.

No excuse me while I dip my Ruffles chips ... I mean Wheat Thins in this green onion dip.

Keep cooking and enjoying life!
XOXO

Barkbox

Khloe the pup is quite spoiled.  But I am not too bothered by this because since I currently have no human baby, she is my fur baby.  I heart my dog.

I first heard of Barkbox on Instagram.  I was checking out pictures of other border collies when I noticed one dog had a Barkbox.  Of course curious me had to go check it out and do some research.  Turns out Barkbox is a lot like Birchbox or many of the other monthly subscription boxes.  Each month Barkbox mails out a box of goodies to their subscribers containing toys, treats, and/or grooming products. 

So after consulting El Hubby, I signed Khloe up for a Barkbox subscription.  So far Khloe has received 3 Barkboxes and we have been very happy with them.  The products all seem to be made in the USA.  The treats are usually of the organic nature.  Last month there was a treat that both humans and dogs could enjoy.  El Hubby ate it and said it was bland but peanut buttery.  Khloe has loved all the treats that she has received.  However, some of the toys have been hit and miss.  But since my Bestie has just recently adopted a dog, Khloe the pup will be sharing some of her many toys.  Sharing is caring. 

Keep cooking and enjoying life!
XOXO

Spam Breakfast

Ever since our Hawaii trip I feel like El Hubby and I have a new love for Spam.  I never craved Spam before Hawaii. 

Now, every once in a while I crave Spam.  El Hubby is always up for some Spam.  I am so lucky that he likes to cook breakfast.

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO

Breakfast is served!

There are many reasons to love the weekend.  No work.  Sleep in.  Did I mention no work?

Then there are mornings when El Hubby makes breakfast.  That's starting the morning off right.

Keep cooking friends!

XOXO

Banana Toffee Bread

Banana bread is one of those recipes that are very versatile.  You can add all sorts of things to banana bread.

Toffee is so good in banana bread.  It gives banana bread a nice rich flavor.  The right amount will make you think of bananas foster.

Toffee is also a good change to chocolate chips.  Not that chocolate chips are bad but if you are thinking of switching things up then toffee is the way to go.

Banana Toffee Bread

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, soften
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 overripe bananas
2 eggs
4 tablespoons sour cream
3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup toffee pieces

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a mini loaf pan (4 mini loaves)
2.  Beat butter and sugar until creamy.  Should be a nice cream color.
3.  Beat in eggs one at a time.
4.  Add the rest of the ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix!
5.  Mix in toffee pieces.
6.  Pour mixture into prepared mini loaf pan.  Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

This bread is moist and sweet.  Perfect with a cup of coffee or milk.  AND it smells amazing!  I really love cooking and baking my own food.  There is something about choosing your own ingredients and knowing what you are feeding your family that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  

Keeping cooking friends!

XOXO

Coconut Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

It's been a long time since I last blogged.  I know that one of my new years resolutions was to blog more this year.  However, I have been busy and have not had any time to bake.  Which also means not much to blog about.

I have been trying to eat right because I put on quite a few extra pounds over the winter.  This means keeping the house stocked with green bananas.  Green bananas are a healthy snack and also great before a workout.  However, brown or ripe bananas are full of sugar and not so great when on a diet.  

So what do you do with ripe bananas?  YOU MAKE BANANA BREAD!  Okay no banana bread because it takes too long to bake.  What does that mean?  MAKE MUFFINS!

Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:
3 large very ripe bananas
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded coconut, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray muffin pan with vegetable oil
2.  Mix bananas, sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
3.  Add eggs one at a time.
4.  Mix in vegetable oil until well combined. 
5.  Whisk cinnamon, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl.
6.  Mix in dry ingredients with banana mixture.  Do not over mix.
7.  Add coconut and chocolate chips by hand.
8.  Use a ice cream scooper to scoop batter into greased muffin pans.
9.  Sprinkle additional coconut on top
10.  Bake for about 21 minutes.
11.  Remove from oven and cool on rack for about 10 minutes.
12.  Remove muffins from pan and cool completely.

This muffin hit the spot.  So satisfying I ate it as my dessert.  This is a recipe that one should keep in their recipe box/binder.  It's fast and easy to make.  

Khloe the pup is patiently waiting for spring/summer.  This week we have gone on 3 walks so far and that makes everyone happy.  

Keeping cooking friends!

XOXO

Funeral Sandwich

There are so many recipes on Pinterest that I want to try that my "recipes I want to try" board is huge.  I feel like a recipe hoarder on Pinterst.  BUT ... I love that site!

El Husbee and I decided to watch UFC 157 over the weekend.  I really wanted to watch the first UFC women's fight and sometimes it's just more comfortable to watch at home instead of at a restaurant or party.  So we ordered the PPV on Saturday.  And let me tell you, Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey did not disappoint.  UFC 157 was all in all pretty good.  I am glad we decided to order the fight.

I have had a lot of pizza lately and did not want another pizza meal for the fight.  I have pinned the funeral sandwich recipe for a while now and decided to try it since it was just El Husbee and me for dinner.  Which meals if the recipe turned out to be a complete fail no harm done.

Funeral Sandwich
Adapted from Sunday Baker

Ingredients:
1 package of King's Hawaiian Rolls
1/2-1 lb deli turkey meat
sliced pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup butter melted
3 tablespoons Worcheshire sauce
2 tablespoon mustard
2 tablespoon brown sugar
dash of garlic powder

Directions:
1.  Cut the rolls in half and line the bottom of a baking pan with the bottoms of the rolls.
2.  Layer the turkey slices, then cheese and place the top half back on.
3.  Mix together butter, Worcheshire sauce, mustard, brown sugar and garlic powder in a small bowl.  Spoon sauce over each bun.  Cover and marinade for 4-24 hours.
4.  Preheat oven to 350F degrees.  Bake for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until cheese melts and bun tops are nicely golden

The sandwiches came out nice and golden brown.  El Husbee said he liked the sandwiches and ate quite a few.  I had mixed feelings about the sandwiches.  I am not a fan of sweet things unless they are dessert.  These sandwiches were a little too sweet for my taste.  But judging how many El Husbee ate I would say the average person would like these.

Try new things friends!

XOXO

Aloha Stadium

Who does not like stadium food?  Not me!  I love stadium food.  Probably because the fat girl in me loves junk food.  Visiting new stadiums is always fun.  However, visiting stadiums with unique food is awesome!

The Aloha Stadium is a lot smaller than I had imagined.  For some reason I always imagined the Aloha Stadium to be HUGE!  Maybe because when you watch any game that is played in Hawaii there is always tons of fans.  Hawaii fans mean business.  The stadium is pretty normal size.   I think if feels smaller because the stadium seats are not raised from the ground but start out ground level.  So it gives the illusion that the stadium is small.  However, the Aloha stadium does not lack in the food department. 

One of the cool things the Aloha Stadium has is fried won tons.  These won tons are filled with spinach and artichoke.  So yummy!

Fresh grilled corn before a game really hits the spot.  I love when you get grilled corn and there are a TON of choices to top it off with.  El Hubby and I got our corn with butter, garlic salt, and paprika.  We were not feeling that adventurous that day.  However, I was excited to wash down my treats with a strawberry icee. 

Yay to stadium food!

Aloha Stadium
99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 480-2750

Start working out friends cause summer is right around the corner!

XOXO

Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market

While on our Hawaii trip we were lucky that our hotel was located pretty much across the International Market.  There are lots of little shops, food court, and on Thursdays a farmer's market that sells fresh fruit.

While in Waikiki, El Hubby and I used our Urbanspoon and Yelp apps a lot.  One of the places that we found was the Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market located inside the International Market Place Food Court. 

El Hubby got a garlic shrimp and fried calamari steak plate while I got a fish and chip plate.  For being located in a food court the Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market was very good.  El Hubby ate all his plate.  My fish and chips were pretty good too.  The fish was cod and fried perfectly.  The batter was tastey and the fish was not dry at all.

The night we ate at the food court there were hula girls (and when I mean hula girls I mean cute middle aged ladies) teaching the crowd how to hula dance.  It was pretty entertaining. 

Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market
International Market Place Food Court
2330 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-2529

Visit places and try new food!

XOXO

Marukame Udon

I love noodles.  Growing up in a Chinese household where my family made homemade noodles was a real treat.  I also think that is where my love of noodles developed.  There is just so much you can do with noodles.  You can serve them with or without broth.  You can serve them hot or cold.  So many choices.  However, Asian noodles are my favorite.

 While in Hawaii El Hubby and I had the chance to try Marukame Udon.  The first time I saw Marukame Udon it was packed.  The inside was full, people where getting food, and the line wrapped around the front twice.  El Hubby looked at me and said "No, next time".  So then we planned on going super early for lunch one day.  I want to say we were there at 11am and there was still a line.  Oh don't you worry.  I made El Hubby wait in line.  There was also a lot of Japanese tourists in line.  Hey, if Japanese people are in line for udon it's got to be good, right?

So the restaurant makes it's own udon noodles.  How cool is that.  So much better than store bought!  It was exciting watching udon being rolled out and cut.

I have never had fresh udon made to order.  So being able to watch noodles being made, cooked, and then served was pretty cool for me.  There was different stations.  One guy rolled the dough flat and cut the noodles.  Then another would boil the noodles until they were cooked.  Then a cook would ask what kind of broth you would like and would pour it steaming hot onto the udon.  Then a nice cook would ask if you wanted tempera topping and/or green onions on top.  You better believe I wanted toppings.  Then there was a bar full of different tempera.  I was like a kid in a candy store. 

The service is basically cafeteria service style.  

Both El Hubby and I got udon with a soft boiled egg and topping.  There was lots of different tempura available.  Shrimp, calamari, mushroom, onion straws, asparagus, eggplant, chicken, broccoli, etc.  Then there was also different kinds of musubi.  

El Hubby and I loved the udon so much we ate at Marukame Udon again on our last night in Hawaii for dinner.

It's tough being married to a food blogger.  This is El Hubby refusing to wait for me to take pictures. This place is small and the wait can be long.  But it's totally worth it.  Prices for being located in Waikiki Beach is super cheap too. 

Marukame Udon
2310 Kuhio Avenue
Honolulu, HI 936815
(808) 931-6000

Work out and exercise because there is lots of good food out there to eat!

XOXO