Sunday, February 27, 2011

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

the secret ingredient in this recipe?


yep. yogurt. plain lowfat yogurt.
adding yogurt (or sour cream) to a plain old cake mix
makes for a deliciously soft cake.
or cupcakes for this matter.

slice some fresh berries and push into the raw batter before baking


and after just a few minutes in a warm oven, they'll look something like this:


pulse some fresh strawberries, and beat with softened butter
and lots and lots and lots of sugar


for a gorgeously sugary pink frosting


dip in melted chocolate


xox -enjoy!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Homemade Pizza

some pillsbury pizza dough, mushrooms, peppers, onions, 
garlic, balsamic vinegar, and cheese 
make a pretttttty good (and quick) pizza.

while your crust is pre-baking for 10 minutes,
cook your veggies in a pan with some balsamic vinegar


spread cheese on the warm crust, and top with cooked vegetables
return to the oven until crispy golden brown


join with a small salad


and a cold beer


-enjoy!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Valentine Menu

this year for valentines day 
we made stuffed pork chops and a delicious chocolate raspberry cake.


in the stuffed pork chops were these funny looking things


oyster mushrooms,
weird looking,
strange texture,
great flavor.


dessert was this:


chocolate cake, with chocolate whipped cream frosting.
top with fresh raspberries for some valentines day prettiness.
quick, easy & delicious!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Happy Valentines Day

...a day late.
so what. i have this adorable cake to make up for it.
i wish i could say that i made this....it would have been the cutest
valentine baking project. instead you'll have to wait until later this week to see
what i whipped up this weekend.

Tumblr_lfi082tu7d1qd0tbt_large
[here]

Monday, February 14, 2011

Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies

everyone loves chocolate chip cookies.
but lately ive been a little bored with the classic chocolate chip.
so this time around i added a few extras,
and they turned out deliciously!

i followed my go to recipe found on the back of nestle tollhouse chocolate chips
but this time i added some toasted coconut and sliced almonds

bake and enjoy with a little milk.


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese

there are a few things about super bowl sunday that i should preface this post with

1. i dont care even a little bit about either of the teams that played this year
2. super bowl sunday should consist of beer, friends, 
sweatpants, naps, good food, and a warm fire
3. i firmly believe that calories dont count on a day like today

these are the reasons i spent a few solid hours in the kitchen today

while my dad cooked up some bacon wrapped shrimp 
and spicy italian sausage stuffed pepperdos, I made cheeseburger mac & cheese

ingredients
5 slices thick-cut bacon
1/4 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup all-purpose flour
One 14-ounce can vegetable broth
3 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoon good-quality chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
4 cups (1 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups dried elbow macaroni, cooked 


cut the bacon and cook in a dutch oven over medium heat until crisp
remove to paper towels & drain




 add the onion, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
add the garlic and continue cooking until onion is soft and lightly browned
add the flour and mix well. cook for 2 minutes
add the broth and bring to a simmer, stirring often
add the milk, chili powder, pepper, and mustard
return the soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally, cook for 3 minutes
add the cheese and bacon, cook about 4 minutes




stir in macaroni and return to a simmer




Monday, February 7, 2011

Two Years

when there are no words...
know that the silences are carrying the
thoughts and prayers of all who love you.
-dawn dais

KMH
5.20.85-2.7.09

seven hundred and thirty days

thinking of you today, 
as if today is like every other;
but its not.

today we can't say "last year..." 
today is plural. 
today...
today we are two years closer to seeing you again

i miss you.
i love you. as always.