Food Holiday!

I almost forgot! Today (well yesterday now...wow I need to have some time management) is National Crepes Day!


Since tonight was filled with southern goodies, I'll make crepes (for my first time BTW) tomorrow night and post some pics.


I'm thinking classic Nutella with bananas..?!? Mmm I can hardly wait.

Southern Dinner, Fancied Up

So I discovered a blog last night (and have lost too many hours in my life already...oops) BUT I did however, manage to cook a fun, filling, and fantastically delicious southern meal tonight thanks to those lost hours!

I didn't get around to taking pictures so I'm borrowing the original ones from the original chef and photographer over at How Sweet Blog.

For starters, I made Cheesy Sweet Potato Crisps - I need to work on them a little, but for my first time they weren't too bad.

For our main meal, I made Mashed Potato Pancakes and Parmesan Ranch Chicken Fingers, and OH MY GOSH, they were both delicious!

First off, for those who know my mom, you know she can cook. So, not only does she play a huge part in my love for food, but she always helps me in the kitchen (not that I cook every night, but when I'm there, she's right there with me!) With that said, she was genius and decided to add some garlic and green onions to the mashed potato pancakes. Can we just say, this recipe could win awards!

The chicken fingers were my favorite of the night (putting aside dessert of course). All I can say about these, is MAKE THEM! The dry ranch mix completes the flavor, and since they are baked and not fried, they aren't greasy and filling like most chicken fingers (or any southern meal for that matter).

I have to admit though, we didn't shy away from the fact that we saved a few cals by baking these...so my mom whipped up some of her delicious homemade white gravy :o)  It was so worth it.

We also had fresh green beans as a second side, but there's no special recipe or pretty pictures for that, sorry.

And to complete this overly delicious, flavorful meal, I kept dessert simple by making brownies. Oh, but not just any brownies, I made Oooey Gooey Fudgey Brownies. And boy are these oooey and gooey! I have a tendency to be impatient while dessert is cooling, and always cut into the baked good WAY before it's ready to be cut...maybe I'm a chocoholic...besides the point though. Anyways, I cut into these about 30 seconds after they came out of the oven. Honestly, bad idea. They were so oooey and gooey that they didn't even stay together as a square to be enjoyed. So I tied my hands behind my back...or made my self useful elsewhere, and cut these babies after they were completely cooled down. And again, so worth it! They are still so moist that they could probably sit out for days and still be just as moist!

I don't believe any picture could do these brownies justice. When they came out of the oven, the smelled good of course, but they didn't look like anything that would knock some socks off. So, along with everything else I made tonight, give these brownies a try! They are SO EASY and quick to assemble, and again, so ooey and gooey that you just might eat two or three and not remember :o)

National Cheese Lover's Day

Mmm cheese is like comfort food to me - Anytime I have a craving, cheese does it. There are endless possibilities for cheese since it's usually used an ingredient but it's just as delicious when eaten straight off a block.

Here are just a FEW of my cheesy favorites: 

Pepperjack - Straight up

Mac and cheese - From Velveeta to Gourmet, any of it is good as long as it's not powdered cheese. Gross.

Chile con Queso - Come on, I live in Texas and it's good on everything!

Fried cheese - These are actually Spanky's fried cheese (Lubbock, TX) And they are the biggest, thickest, and gooeyest fried cheese you'll ever eat!

Cheesecake - Definitely used as an ingredient but this dessert can't be left off this list! Plain, with a topping, or with a swirl of flavor...doesn't matter!

Last but not least, Cheetos - This is my favorite chip and by far one of my favorite snacks of all time. It reminds me of my childhood but I still want them with every sandwich I have - I act as if they are going to stop producing them :o)

Go treat yourself to some cheese today! And if you can't eat it or don't like cheese - You're missing out, no matter what you may think  :o)

Cupcake Valentine Cards

Cupcakes Take the Cake found some cute Valentine's Cards!

Check out these adorable cupcake themed Valentine's Day cards from cardstore.com:

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

These sweet cards range in price from $1.49 to $2.14 and can be personalized with your own text at no extra cost.

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!