The Foodie BlogRoll February 9, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Baking, Books, Cooking, Food, Purely Amazing, Things that make me happy.1 comment so far
The other day while I was on my lunch break at work I was looking around this amazing site called The Foodie BlogRoll. The Foodie BlogRoll is my food blog finding mecca. It was created in 2007 by Jenn, The Leftover Queen. When she first started her food blog, she looked for a way to network with other food bloggers through a central networking community, but there were none to be found. So she decided to create The Foodie Blogroll. If you have never been there before and you really love food blogs you should check it out. It has thousands of wonderful sites with members spanning the globe. It has contests, a forum, and it is a great way of networking and finding exposure for your food blog.
So on my lunch hour I decided to sign up for a couple of the contests. All you had to do was post a comment. How easy is that? Then a couple of days later I am notified that my blog was selected as this week’s winner for the Foodie Blogroll “Comment to win a copy of the Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day Cookbook” contest! I will happily receive a copy of the “Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day” Cookbook by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois and a package of Organic Hard White Wheat Flour from Bob’s Red Mill.
I have been really wanting to get my hands on a great bread cookbook and it seems that I won one! I have tried a couple of bread recipes, but none that came out perfect. This book will help me produce quick and simple, professional-quality bread in just five minutes a day. You read that right ladies and gents…five minutes. Oh the excitement!!
Recipes included are 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Grain Garlic Knots with Olive Oil and Parsley, Black-and-White Braided Pumpernickel, Rye, Black Pepper Focaccia and Pumpkin Pie Brioche.
The possibilities are endless and I can’t wait to get my hands on this book and start to dig in!
Sausage, Potato and Cheese Waffles February 8, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Cooking, Food, Make someone happy, Photography, Recipes, Things to make.add a comment
There is only one day out of the week that K and I make a “naughty” breakfast – Sunday. All through the week we eat fruit, yogurt, yogurt with granola or a small bowl of cereal. When Sunday comes around we always head into the kitchen for something a bit richer then the norm. Muffins, waffles, pancakes, omelets and the occasional breakfast quiche. So when I came across this recipe in Everyday with Rachael Ray I knew it would have to be made on Sunday. It seems to have all of the naughty things you eat in a breakfast – potatoes, sausage, egg and cheese – all rolled up in a waffle. Batter up!
Sausage, Potato and Cheese Waffles
Adapted from Everyday with Rachael Ray
4 sausage patties (I used Banquets – chopped into small pieces)
1 baking potato (grated & excess water squeezed out)
4 tablespoons butter
1 3/4 flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk (used 2%)
2 large eggs
In a medium skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat, cook potatoes, butter and sausage until butter is melted (approximately 5 minutes). Remov from heat and let cool about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir in the milk and eggs until smooth. Stir in sausage-potato mixture. Using a waffle maker, cook the waffles according to the manufacture’s directions.
Buttery Jam Thumbprints February 7, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Baking, Cooking, Memories, Photography, Recipes, Things that make me happy.4 comments
A couple of months ago I made Buttery Jam Cookies. They were shaped a bit like a tart so I decided to yet again make these cookies, but as a thumbprint cookie. I can’ t tell you how much I love these cookies. When I do make them (only every couple of months) they only last days.
Buttery Jam Thumbprints
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
jam (whichever you would like to use – I used pear, strawberry & raspberry)
Preheat your oven to 350. In a food processor combine the flour, sugar, milk, vanilla, and butter. Pulse until the mixture forms a ball. Place dough on floured board and form into something that resembles a log. Cut the log into pieces (about 24 pieces). Roll each piece of dough in the palm of your hand, place on a floured board and press your thumb into the ball – make a small little well for the jam. Spoon about one tablespoon of jam into each shell, making sure the shells are not too full. Bake for 25 minutes. They will turn golden brown and the jam will be a bit bubbly. After they have cooled dust them with powdered sugar.
Tomato Gorgonzola Sauce with pasta shells February 6, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Cooking, Food, Make someone happy, NaBloPoMo, Photography, Recipes, Things to make.2 comments
This dish has two of my favorite things – cheese and pasta. I had never had Gorgonzola cheese before and when I saw this recipe I just knew that I had to try it. The dish was tasty and incredibly easy and quick to make. Something that I am always looking for in a weekday meal. I hope that you will give it a try!
Tomato Gorgonzola Sauce with pasta shells
3/4 lb pasta shells (medium sized)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup onion (diced)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
2 cans tomatoes (diced with juice – 14 oz. each)
2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup creamy Gorgonzola (crumbled)
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt to taste
Bring pot of boiling water to a boil for the shells. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Heat oil in large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion, pepper and pepper flakes; cook for approximately 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add tomato paste and garlic; saute for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and vinegar. Bring to a boil and cook (uncovered) for 5 minutes or until it has thickened. Add cream, simmer for 1 minute, then stir in cheese, basil, cooked shells and salt. Serve immediately.
Ten Things I’m Really Loving Right Now… February 5, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Just for a laugh, Lists, NaBloPoMo, Purely Amazing, Style, Ten Things I’m Really Loving Right Now, Things I want, Things that make me happy.add a comment
Ten Things I’m Really Loving Right Now…
1. Snowtubing. A new love of mine. I did it over the weekend and it made me feel like a kid again!
2. Happy Hour. Who doesn’t love to meet up with friends after work to have a drink and great conversation?
3. Pasta with cheese. Mmmm…I love a good pasta dish with cheese sprinkled on top and a slice of garlic bread. Perfection for dinner.
4. Meeting new people. The kind that you can instantly connect with and wonder why you had never met before. I met so many great people over this weekend. I can’t wait to see where the friendships lead.
5. DIY projects. I found another project that I am dying to work on. Frosted glass doily mirror. Thinking of make a bunch of different mirrors in different shapes and sizes. Now I just have to figure out where I am going to put them!
6. Being in love. Who doesn’t love that?
7. Krista Huot. I desperately want a painting by her. I adore The Poisoned Apple.
8. Candy hearts. They really only come out around this time of the year. They are tasty in that totally fake kind of way.
9. Statement Jewelry. Who doesn’t love a piece that stands out from the rest? Always a conversation starter.
10. The Sartorialist. I could say it a thousand times…I love this site! I wish that I could pull off some of the styles the people who are featured wear. It is my dream to one day dress as half as good as they do.
Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut-White Chocolate Frosting February 4, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Baking, Cooking, Food, Make someone happy, NaBloPoMo, Photography, Recipes.2 comments
Right before my mini vacation this weekend my boss asked if I could make her a coconut cake. Since I was going to be away I told her I would make it on my next day off – Wednesday. When Wednesday came I opted for cupcakes instead of a cake. This way everyone would have a small portion and because cupcakes are always awesome.
Of course K had one before they left the house for work. He said he really loved the frosting except the cake was a bit thick for him. Then he drank some coffee. Scratch that he said…perfect with a cup of coffee.
Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut-White Chocolate Frosting
Adapted from Women’s Day
Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp coconut extract or vanilla extract
3/4 cup light coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
Coconut–White Chocolate Frosting
1 cup (6 oz) white chocolate baking chips
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 brick (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp coconut extract
2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Cupcakes: Heat oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; stir in coconut. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until creamed, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, until blended. Beat in coconut extract. With mixer on low speed, alternately beat in flour mixture and coconut milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, until just blended. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 23 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting: Melt white baking chips in a small glass bowl in microwave as package directs. Beat butter, cream cheese and coconut extract in large bowl with electric mixer until creamed and blended. Beat in melted white chocolate until blended. On low speed, gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar.
Spread 2 Tbsp frosting onto each cupcake; sprinkle tops with toasted coconut.
{Cupcake}
{Up top!}
Time to stop my relaxing and get back to reality. February 3, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Complaining, Just for a laugh, Memories, NaBloPoMo, Photography, Purely Amazing, Things that make me happy.1 comment so far
I had the most amazing weekend. Now I just can’t seem to get back to reality. Ever since this weekend ended K and I haven’t been able to catch up on anything. Three days in snowy hills and sitting by fireplaces has really relaxed us. Maybe too much. K is behind on school work while I can’t seem to get any of the housework, cooking or blogging done. I also realized I signed up for Nablopomo this month and I have already blown it. This morning I wake up to snow outside and yearn for my snowtube and hot chocolate. Hopefully today gets me back in the grove of things.
{A picture I took waiting for the guys to come down the mountain}
A little giggle for today. January 31, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Just for a laugh, Make someone happy, NaBloPoMo, Things that make me happy, Things that make me laugh.add a comment
This makes me laugh every time that I watch it. Enjoy! Wooooooo!
Heart Wreath January 30, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Decor, Etsy Love, NaBloPoMo, Purely Amazing, Shopping, Style, Things that make me happy, Things to do, Things to make.3 comments
Every since I saw this wreath on ItzFitz’s Etsy Shop I have wanted to make it. It is adorable and perfect for our apartment. I am the type that loves to find something new to make and try to figure out just how it was done. If I think I can make it I have to try.
Unfortunately, I had no way of knowing how to make the adorable little hearts that went along with the wreath. I looked and looked in stores but couldn’t find anything that was good enough.
Finally after much looking I found the perfect accompaniment.
The Purl Bee. The Purl Bee is the online journal devoted to beautiful materials and tools for knitting, sewing, quilting, and other crafts. They have a entry where they teach you to make Valentine Pins that will be perfect for my wreath! I can’t wait to get started!
Oooo! Coffee high! January 29, 2010
Posted by delightfullysweet in Food, Just for a laugh, Money, NaBloPoMo, Things that make me happy.1 comment so far
Coffee. It is usually the first thing that people grab in the morning. Who cares about breakfast? Coffee stat! When I drink coffee I need a lot of sugar and milk. The buzz I get off a half of a cup makes my co-workers laugh because I talk a mile a minute and giggle at everything. An hour later I am spent. I am a bad coffee drinker.
Lucky for me I feel that I have found a happy medium. Starbucks has a new ready brew instant coffee. Just add water and go. Instead of water I add a hot chocolate packet (make as directed), half of the coffee packet and a bit of milk. It is surprisingly good! It doesn’t give me as much of a buzz as a regular coffee and it tastes delish! I love Starbucks coffee, but usually only stop in and treat myself every once and a while. I can indulge in a cup of their coffee by brewing it at home – without all of the calories and it is way more affordable. Do try it! Let me know what you think!
