Late night sweet tooth

So I found another GREAT blog that I'm already addicted to...

 

Cookies and Cups

Isn't that cute?! So I didn't get far into reading the posts (only one) when I found this post about marshmallows! I've never made them but I love them! There's just something about the texture and flavor that's child-like and I remember begging my mom at the store if I could go home with a bag of the colored ones :o)

Well, these aren't colored but they are covered with flavor that probably makes them 100 times better than I thought marshmallows could ever be! Enjoy the commentary by the original blogger!

http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/2011/01/marshmallows-period.html

 

"If you haven't ever made your own marshmallows DO IT NOW!

They are so easy and totally yummy.

Trust me, I am big time scared of the candy thermometer, but you won't mess it up.  I pinky swear."

 recipe adapted from Martha 

4 envelopes unflavored gelatin

3 cups granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups water divided

Spray 9x13 lightly with cooking spray

line the pan with parchment coming up the sides (at least 2 inches) on each end.

Spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray.

 Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Without stirring, continue to cook syrup until mixture registers 238° on a candy thermometer, between 7-9 minutes.

  

While the syrup is boiling pour 3/4 cup water into bowl of stand mixer.  Sprinkle the gelatin on the water and let it sit 5 minutes so gelatin softens.

When sugar syrup comes to a boil slowly pour the  hot syrup into the gelatin.  

 With the whisk attachment on the mixer beat on high for 12 minutes until marshmallow is very stiff.

 Add vanilla and beat for 1 more minute.

Pour marshmallow into prepared pan and spread with a spatula.  It will be VERY sticky!

Let sit for at least 3 hours uncovered.

 When you're ready, sift 1 cup powdered sugar onto work space.

 Remove the marshmallow from pan onto sugared counter.

 Using a VERY SHARP knife cut the marshmallow into squares.

(You might find it helpful to spray knife with cooking spray)

 For plain marshmallow,s sift remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar into a bowl and coat each cut marshmallow with sugar.

Will store airtight for up to a week.

NOW...if you're not about plain marshmallows, let's have some fun...

I combined 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and instead of rolling the cut marshmallows in powdered sugar I rolled them in the cinnamon sugar...YUM!

and these I rolled in a combination of 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

These would be great in hot chocolate...

ok, now I got a little crazy.

I melted some white chocolate and dipped in sprinkles...

 mini chips...

hearts for Valentines :)

Crushed Oreos, because that's completely necessary.

 I heated up some peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds and dipped the marshmallow in...then I dipped it in the white chocolate.  Hell yes I did.

...and finally the genius idea (that was 100% not mine) of dipping the marshmallow in chocolate and then crushed graham crackers for an instant S'more.  High five to whoever thought that up!

 So here you go...a smorgasbord  of marshmallow to help your 2011 get off to a great start.

 I'm pretty sure it's impossible to not be happy when you're eating a marshmallow.

Yep..completely impossible.

Pizza Week

According to my favorite food holiday website (http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Pizza/PizzaRecipes.htm) the second week of January is Pizza Week!

That means I NEED to eat my favorite pizza: 1) BJ's Mediterranean Chicken Pizza, 2)Anything from Mr. Gatti's, or 3) Mine and Scott's favorite local take-out, Wood Fired Pizza

Even better, I just need to take the time and  make homemade pizza - I've actually never have done that...I found this website that looks like it has some great dough recipes.

Late night craving

I hope I'm not the only one who gets late at night cravings...

Usually it's wanting a huge Sonic drink, sometimes a bowl of salty, crunchy pretzels or chips sounds good, and of course I get normal sweet cravings. I'm doing my nightly routine of blogging and came across this picture (Yum!) and recipe - Which makes any craving worse because then I start thinking of how easy or not it would be to make it, then about if I have the ingredients...etc etc...

I hope to get back into a vibe of making time to bake (and cook real food) more often. This recipe is printed off and added to my homemade cookbook, and in line of what I want to make soon!.

Here is the recipe and a great blog! 
Lemon-limoncello filled cupcakes from Brown Eyed Baker

Houston restaurants = Endless

We used to be known as the fattest city in America...well all I have to say is that we like good food! We may have started slimming down, but when you take a closer look into Houston's restaurants, you'll find hidden treasures. 


This top 10 list from Culture Map would be a great list to work off of if you're going to start trying new restaurants:


http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-03-11-where-to-eat-right-now-10-rockin-houston-restaurants/


My personal favorite though is Urbanspoon! You've probably heard of it because of it's known app for almost all phones - But the website is even better!


http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html


Urbanspoon is a place where you give reviews for restaurants, add your favorites, and they even give you Top 10 lists for different categories. It's best if you have the app on your phone because based on your location, it picks places close to you (also based on your selected choices of price range and type of food). Then once you eat there, go back to it on your phone and give a review!


Amazing and pretty convenient if you ask me.


Me and Scott tried telling ourself a long time ago that we would eat at the first place Urbanspoon randomly chose on my phone...however, I don't even think we kept that up after the first place it gave us. Maybe that would be fun to try again...


_

Happy New Year!

I was I would have thought of these amazing NYE cupcakes!

Instead, I didn't make any NYE cupcakes and regret it. So as a result, I've added baking and my blogs to my New Year resolutions! I'm making it a priority to keep both blogs updated. I know, I know...I always say that with practically every other post. But I have had no reason to stay accountable to myself. Now, my reason is because I'm making a goal for myself and I'm posting at least once a week!

I also didn't complete the 12 days of cookies how I said I would. I got a little to busy for having to go to the store every other day and spend hours on end baking. 

I did however, manage to create some ADORABLE baby shower cupcakes for a close friend of mine!

Brynlee will be here in March and she will be arriving in style! Pink and zebra was the theme for her baby shower and it just came together so well! Chelsea (the To-Be aunt and one of my best friends) did a wonderful job decorating and planning for her big sister's arrival. These cupcakes were my personal favorite, Cream Cheese filled Chocolate with regular buttercream frosting - Yum!

Until next time, have a great Monday evening and eat something delicious tonight!

12 Days of...Cookies!

Alot of bloggers and websites are posting 12 days of cookies so my plan is to bake for 12 days before Christmas gets here! That'll be alot of cookies, along with all the other baking goodies I want to make.


For example, Scott just gave me the idea of trying 12 different chocolate chip recipes (seeing as he's not extremely adventurous with food) but it's a great idea so get ready to receive cookies if you see me over the next month!

Majestic Purple

You can NEVER go wrong with purple - It's just so full and easy on the eye. It's definitely my favorite color. I don't really wear it to often, or even own many purple clothes for that matter. And never have I baked or cooked anything purple...besides berry-something-or-another. 

This icing looks heavenly!!...And I will be trying this soon!

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/purple-is-my-favorite-color-so-of.html

Cupcake Vinyard

What?! Cupcakes and wine together?


I've always seen Cupcake wine at HEB and Specs, but I finally have joined their newsletter and have started reading more into the wines. So far this is the first one I will try - Sounds delicious!

Mosel Riesling

Of course I will try to eventually try them all - But for now, if you have tried it or heard about it please share!!

Happy Frappe Day!

WhooHooo I can go get Starbucks without feeling too guilty since it's a holiday - As in spending the money or taking in the calories lol


Today is National Frappe Month and I think I will treat myself to Starbuck's Mocha Frap Light!

The origin behind "Frappe" is - New England term for milkshake, from the French frapper, “to beat.” (http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/desserts/ice-cream-definitions.asp#frappe)

Interesting how it's turned into an icy, coffee drinks over the years. Here's a basic recipe for making your own:

http://www.ehow.com/how_961_make-coffee-frappe.html

Happy Noodle Day!

When I think of noodles I think Ramen Noodle...so I'm changing that thought into how much I love food photography.

Here are a couple of neat photos I found with noodles/pasta, in honor of the carb-loaded, funny shaped food's holiday: