tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68449035209390987652024-02-20T05:05:07.888-06:00Sweet Sins 2 ShareCome on in, sit back, take a bite.. and enjoy!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-16471805572191040402010-10-18T22:47:00.001-05:002010-10-19T12:10:36.656-05:00WE HAVE MOVED!!We have moved over to <a href="http://sweetsins2share.com/">sweetsins2share.com</a> come and check it out! Leave a comment and tell me what you think.... There is a yummy PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps recipe over there... You know you want to check it out!!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-64388619198815726892010-10-03T18:45:00.000-05:002010-10-03T18:45:05.541-05:00Cupcake Pops... and Bites!<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-48-42_777.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-48-42_777.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Well if you all have never been to <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella's blog</a> then you may have seen these when she was on Martha! Or you may have seen them in her new cook book that is available at<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cake-Pops-Recipes-Irresistible-Hardcover-spiral/dp/B0042GA1QQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1286145097&sr=8-5"> here</a> at Amazon! FYI My birthday is days away and I do not own it yet... *hint hint* Well anyway I have been one of her regular stalkers for years now and I attempted <a href="http://sweetsins2share.blogspot.com/2008/04/cake-balls-round-two.html">cake balls</a> back in the day and I just was not thrilled with the outcome. However, I constantly see the pops and bites posted at Bakerella's site and see others do it and thing, "hey all these people wouldn't make them if they were gross and if they can all make them look so cute and pretty then damn it I can too!!" So it was round three with cake balls but this time bites and pops! I must say... I AM SO PROUD OF THESE LITTLE SUCKERS!!! I can already feel an addiction to make these again and again! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-46-18_845.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-46-18_845.jpg" /></a><br />
I had the perfect excuse to make these too, it is my friend Christie's birthday today and what better gift then a bouquet of cupcake pops! cuter and tastier then flowers!!<br />
<br />
Now I know you guys are going to be a little upset with me because my pictures are not the best quality and I am lacking some on the process but my camera charger has moved out and I cannot seem to find where it has relocated to! If anyone knows there is a reward for anyone who produces it or the information needed to obtain it! That or you can just buy me a Nikon D40 since as I stated earlier that my birthday is in 3 days and it would look so perfect hanging around my neck!! <br />
<br />
So all you need to make these is:<br />
Favorite cake recipe or box mix<br />
Favorite frosting, home made or store bought<br />
Candy melts or almond bark<br />
m&m's and sprinkles for decorating if you want to<br />
<br />
I just used what I had which was a Betty Crocker Devil's Food Cake mix with some fluffy white frosting.<br />
<br />
Once you have the cake made cut it into four sections and crumble it in a big bowl.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0449.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0449.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Now scoop in a couple scoops of your frosting and mix it around until it is the right consistency not too wet but not too crumbly<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_18-27-10_273.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_18-27-10_273.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0451.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0451.jpg" /></a><br />
Now roll the dough into 1.5" balls and place on a piece of wax paper that is on a cookie sheet.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_18-47-41_403.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_18-47-41_403.jpg" /></a><br />
I also bought this candy mold at Hobby Lobby and I placed a few in the mold for the bites I was going to make that were not on a stick. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_18-48-05_782.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_18-48-05_782.jpg" /></a><br />
Now here is where you are going to to get mad... I don't have any photos of the dipping process!! Eekkk but rest assured because Bakerella does so just go <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/chocolate-cupcake-pops/">here</a> and see the steps! I had only two hands and the lighting was terrible so the few pictures I did get of the dipping were more like trying to decode a science project therefore they are not posted!! <br />
All you do is melt your candy melts or almost bark. Dunk the bottom of it in the chocolate or whatever color you want, tap off any excess and turn it upside down on the wax paper. Did the tip of your Lolly pop stick in the chocolate and insert it half way into your ball or cupcake shape. Once dry melt the top color and dip the pop into that color. Then decorate while wet and insert into a Styrofoam block to dry.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_22-42-34_493.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_22-42-34_493.jpg" /></a><br />
For the bites do the same thing just omit the step with the stick!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_22-39-44_247.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_22-39-44_247.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-02_23-26-59_257.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-02_23-26-59_257.jpg" /></a><br />
Yum!! Tastes like a brownie!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-48-31_356.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-48-31_356.jpg" /></a><br />
Once the pops were done and dried I placed a little treat bag over them and tied with a ribbon to give them a finished look. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-44-25_327.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-44-25_327.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-44-10_29.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-44-10_29.jpg" /></a><br />
I also took the bites and put them in a mini liner and then bagged them up too<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-45-40_389.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-45-40_389.jpg" /></a><br />
They are so cute I almost felt bad eating one! But clearly not that bad!<br />
Pardon the photo overload they are just so cute I can't stop taking pictures of them!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-47-30_113.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-47-30_113.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-47-37_793.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-47-37_793.jpg" /></a><br />
Take a bite and enjoy <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=2010-10-03_12-49-49_879.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/2010-10-03_12-49-49_879.jpg" /></a><br />
I just love these and I know you will too!! I am already thinking of some Halloween ideas for how to do them again! I am so glad I gave it another shot. I think it really does just get easier with practice and the key is too not over do on the frosting and test the cake before you roll it so it is the right consistency! Which shouldn't be a problem since it is soooo yummy!!<br />
<br />
Hope you all enjoy!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-80620389539084487522010-09-15T22:02:00.000-05:002010-09-15T22:02:41.621-05:00Taco Salad!<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0385.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0385.jpg" /></a><br />
If you are anything like me then you enjoy a good taco night! I mean who doesn't? It does not require much time or ingredients and it is fantastic! When I was a kid taco bar night (which is what my mom calls it) was my favorite night... well that and cereal night! I know my mom thought she was a bad mom when she would let us eat cereal for dinner but let me tell you some of my best memories are from coco pebbles for dinner night! Any who... I love frying up the taco shells but it is so unhealthy and creates so many more calories I don't do it often! Then I saw a way to cook the tortillas so that they were like a tostada but they are baked and have no added calories! I knew I had to try it out! It is so simple and makes you feel silly for not thinking of it sooner but glad that you now realized this quick and simple trick!<br />
<br />
Start out with some tortillas!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0390.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0390.jpg" /></a><br />
Then get out your cupcake or muffin pan turn it upside down and spray it with pam. Put the tortilla between the cups and push down in the center so they are flat on the bottom and look like a tostada shell! On this first round I tried spraying the tortilla with pam but they got waited down too much and bubbled up too much that I opted to not do that on the others and they turned out better<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0370.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0370.jpg" /></a><br />
Then bake them at 350 for about 12 minutes. You want them to be browned so you know they are going to being crisp. If you like them more chewy you can cook them less but because they are baked it is easier to eat when you leave them crispy!<br />
While they are baking start your taco meat. I like to mix McCormick mild and hot taco seasoning so it is not too hot but not to weak!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0371.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0371.jpg" /></a><br />
I mix the powder with a fork with the water so that I can pour it on the meat and there are no seasoning clumps. It makes for an even mixture in with the meat.<br />
While I was rotating out the shells I was cooking and while the meat was simmering I chopped up the veggies I wanted and grated the cheese for the taco salad.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0376.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0376.jpg" /></a><br />
Once the meat is done and your shells are cooked just assemble your taco salad in whatever way floats for boat!<br />
Start with your empty baked shell<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0377.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0377.jpg" /></a><br />
I then added some beans and thew on some cheese<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0378.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0378.jpg" /></a><br />
I would like you all to know that Hubby came in the kitchen at this point and threw the cheese on and said "BAM! See I can cook too!!" haha but it is so easy and fun it would be a great dinner for kids!<br />
I then added in the meat and the heat from the meat melts the cheese into the beans...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0379.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0379.jpg" /></a><br />
And if you notice yes the shell changed as Hubby stole his shell away to make his own and I had to start over with mine! Then I added on a little sprinkle of cheese tomato and onion<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0381.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0381.jpg" /></a><br />
Finally I sprinkled it with a little freshly chopped cilantro and some avacado slices! YUM! I am a California girl ok and us Cali folks love us some avacado!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0382.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0382.jpg" /></a><br />
When I was in the ethnic foods isle of Wal-Mart I found these salsas and we tried out the one on the right. We were both a little hesitant of the other! haha but it was very good!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0389.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0389.jpg" /></a><br />
The finished product was so yummy! I broke apart my shell and ate it with the filling and it was the perfect crunchy compliment to all the spicy cheesey tastey insides! This as so fast so delicious and so yummy I know it will become a staple at our house and hopefully yours too!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0384.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0384.jpg" /></a><br />
Have any of you tried this method before? Does anyone have any good tips to share?Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-52366420757825737522010-09-04T17:23:00.000-05:002010-09-04T17:23:22.929-05:00Snicker doodles!<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0342.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0342.jpg" /></a><br />
Just say it with me... Snicker doodles! It is such a fun name to say! I love it! AND I love snicker doodles. They are similar to a sugar cookie only they are so light and and delicious with that cinnamon sugar outside...YUM that is just all there is to it. I have been craving these for a while and the other night I decided that was it, I was going to make them and Hubby was going to eat them! Well, Ok so I ate them too! I found this great recipe that did not call for any cream of tarter (all the recipes I have ever even seen for snicker doodles usually call for this) and since I did not have any I thought this was the perfect recipe to try out. <br />
<br />
<u>Snicker Doodles</u><br />
Ingredients:<br />
*1 1/3 cups AP flour<br />
*1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
*1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
*1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temp<br />
*3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />
*1 large egg<br />
*1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
For the coating<br />
*1/5 cup white sugar<br />
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.<br />
<br />
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt and then set aside.<br />
<br />
In your mixer bowl beat together the butter and sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes.)<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0327.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0327.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Add in your flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0328.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0328.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Shape the dough into a log and cut it into equal pieces.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0329.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0329.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Form little balls from each piece. A 1" ball will make a 2" cookie after baking. Now prepare the coating.<br />
<br />
Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and stir. Easy Peasy! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0330.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0330.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Then roll each cookie thoroughly in the mixture so it have a good coating on it.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0332.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0332.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Place cookie balls on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie gently using the bottom of a glass.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0333.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0333.jpg" /></a><br />
Don't ask what I was thinking when I took this picture and there is a cookie ball blocking me from showing you what is going on! And that is the only shot I got of this process... I am sorry. Hopefully you still get the idea of what I was attempting to show you in my ditz moment!<br />
<br />
Here they are all flatened out<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0340.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0340.jpg" /></a><br />
Bake for 8 minutes. Once removed from oven leave on cookie sheet for an additional 5 minutes to cool.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0344.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0344.jpg" /></a><br />
Remove and store in an air tight container for up to two weeks. HAHA good luck with that! They will never last that long. The recipe makes about 40 2" cookies. <br />
I enjoyed mine with a nice glass of milk!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0355.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0355.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0356.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0356.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
These cookies are so light they are dangerous! You could eat so many! They are so cute and almost bite size. I think they would be great to add to any holiday baking basket or even served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some cinnamon sprinkled on top of the ice cream! They are wonderful and I think you should all run home and bake them then come back and let me know how you liked them!<br />
<br />
Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-73375034576484536032010-09-01T20:37:00.009-05:002010-09-02T22:03:40.471-05:00Shrimp and Penne in Tomato Cream Sauce<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0288.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0288.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Do you ever stumble upon a recipe that you know you are going to love? You know that there is no way on this earth that you won't and you are so excited to make it that it is all you want to talk about or think about until you can actually do it! Well that is how I felt the moment I read this on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/09/cooking_with_my_punk-ass_little_sister_penne_a_la_betsy/">The Pioneer Woman's</a> blog page. It spoke to my little heart and said "you will love me! Take me home and make me your own!" (much the same way that blue and silver zebra print Guess purse did at the Ross the other day! Oh and how glad am I now that I own that treasure? SO GLAD)<br />
Back to the pasta! The Pioneer Woman is a genius that is really all there is to it! You have to make this dish!<br />
So here it is:<br />
<u>Pasta a la Betsy by The Pioneer Woman</u> with my thoughts or comments in <span style="color: red;">RED</span><br />
Ingredients<br />
3/4 pound penne pasta<br />
1lb shrimp<br />
3 tablespoons butter<br />
3 tablespoons olive oil<br />
1 whole onion (small)<br />
2 garlic cloves<br />
1/2 cup of white wine<br />
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce<br />
1 cup heavy cream<br />
parsley, basil, salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Cook the penne pasta until tender-firm, also known as al dente.<br />
<br />
<br />
Peel, de-vein and rinse (under cool water) 1 pound of extra large shrimp.<span style="color: red;"> (or you can just buy it already peeled and de-veined like I did haha)</span> Heat about 1 tbsp. butter and olive oil in a skillet. Add the shrimp and cook for a couple minutes until just opaque. Do not overcook them. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Now, put the cooked shrimp on the cutting board and pull off the tails. Chop the shrimp into bite –sized pieces and set aside. <br />
Here is the shrimp!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=IMG_0273.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0273.jpg" /></a><br />
Finely dice one small onion. Mince two cloves of garlic.<br />
In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally. After the garlic and onions have cooked a bit add your white wine. Let the wine evaporate for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. If you would rather not use wine, you can use low-sodium chicken broth instead (about ½ cup).<span style="color: red;"> (but honestly who would do that?! Trust me and use the wine!)</span><br />
Now add an 8-ounce can of plain tomato sauce. Stir well until combined. Then add 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue stirring. Turn heat down to low and let simmer.<br />
<br />
Now chop your herbs, about a tablespoon of chopped parsley and about the same amount of chopped basil, or if you’re feeling very proper, chiffonaded. <span style="color: red;">(See </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/09/cooking_with_my_punk-ass_little_sister_penne_a_la_betsy/"><span style="color: red;">The Pioneer Woman</span></a><span style="color: red;"> for a more detailed explanation of chiddonade)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Check out that Basil</span><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=IMG_0275.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0275.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=Combo-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/Combo-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Now add your chopped shrimp back into the tomato cream sauce. Give it a stir and add salt and pepper to taste. Throw in your herbs and stir until combined. Finally add your cooked penne pasta and give it a good stir. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0284.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0284.jpg" /></a><br />
Plate and serve!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0292.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0292.jpg" /></a><br />
Look at this! Just look! You know you want to go make it!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0286.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0286.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I am sorry for my lack of posting this sooner, however, last week the Hubby and I ventured on out to my home state of California (or Caleee-for-knee-a as the govenator likes to call it!) The purpose of the trip was not just to go and see the family but to road trip up to Lake Zaca in Los Olivos for my Grandpa' 80th birthday! I thought I would show you guys some pictures of the trip! I am sorry if they are not the best quality I was hanging out the window (or sunroof!) but all photos are courtesy of my new droid x! Love it! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here is the Hubby opening the gate to the lake. It is a private lake. Aww he is so cute!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=hubby.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="301" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/hubby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before you get to the lake you see this sign. I guess here the lake is, is technically a town with population 8!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=zacapopulation.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/zacapopulation.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=Zacasign.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/Zacasign.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the lake from the lodge!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=thelake.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/thelake.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is where we were. This lake is about 40 acres! It is great not too small not too big! Just right!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=aroundthebend.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="302" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/aroundthebend.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also went wine tasting at the private vineyards that shared the same road as the lake. Demetria is he name of the second vineyard we went to. That is where these pictures are from! It is amazing and gorgeous!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at all those rolling hills of grapes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=thevineyard.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/thevineyard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok so the sale tag is not real but a girl can deam!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=thewine.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="304" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/thewine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The list of what we tasted! They should totally let you try the list ove and over again because I mean how do you really know if you like it unless you have 3 different tastes of it? LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=Winetasting.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="304" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/Winetasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">LOOK at my beautiful mother! She is amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=mom.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="299" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/mom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we got a little behind the scenes view... this is the wine lab where they do all the tasting and make the magic happen! That should be my job!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=winelab.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/winelab.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at those barrels!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view%C2%A4t=Winebarrels.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/Winebarrels.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I hope you all enjoy the photos and MAKE THE PASTA! LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Labor day is coming up... does anyone have any last minute summer vacation plans?</div>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-85866207385931143902010-08-19T22:04:00.001-05:002010-08-20T08:29:18.729-05:00Snickers Cupcakes!<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0324.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0324.jpg" /></a><br />
OK So I imagine you are all starting to wonder if I am ever going to bake again with all the dinners that have been posted here lately. Well to answer your question, yes YES I can and to prove it I made these Snickers Cupcakes! I was looking at <a href="http://www.allthingscupcake.com/2010/08/16/50-best-cupcake-recipes/">All Things Cupcake</a> and they did a post about<a href="http://restlesschipotle.com/index.php/2010/08/15/50-best-cupcake-recipes-on-the-internet/"> Restless Chipotle</a> who recently did a post about the top 50 cupcake flavors on the Internet! Well of course I was intrigued and I had to check some out. When I came across <a href="http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/08/snickers-cupcakes.html">Snickers Cupcakes</a> at number 5 I knew this was something that I had to try out it was calling my name! While checking out this site I also stumbled over <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/snickers-cupcakes/">here</a> to My Baking Addiction and saw that there was her version as well! I opted to go with the My Baking Addiction Cake and the frosting from <a href="http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/08/snickers-cupcakes.html">Homemade by Holman</a>. I was very pleased with how these little cuppies turned out! The frosting is sweet but a nice compliment to the very moist and yummy cake! But the best part is the surprise that waits inside!<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Snickers Cupcakes</u></strong><br />
Recipe from <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/snickers-cupcakes/">My Baking Addiction</a><br />
<u><strong>For the cake:</strong></u><br />
<br />
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix<br />
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
1 cup vegetable oil<br />
4 eggs; lightly beaten<br />
1/2 cup warm water<br />
1 teaspoon of vanilla<br />
24-30 frozen Snickers Miniatures<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br />
2. Line (2) 12 cup muffin tins with paper liners.<br />
3. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs, vanilla and water.<br />
4. Evenly divide the batter amongst the prepared pans. {I use a large ice cream scooper it holds 3 tablespoons of batter}.<br />
Here they are ready to have a lovely frozen treat buried inside like treasure!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0294.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0294.jpg" /></a><br />
5. Gently push a frozen Snickers Miniature bar into the center of the batter and smooth the surface making sure to cover the candy bar with batter.<br />
I love this photo! Hee Hee I love when something is hidden inside! It is like a little bonus like a free gift with purchase! Ohhh who doesn't love that? (If you don't I think you are crazy and should seek professional help!)<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0295.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0295.jpg" /></a><br />
The deed is done! You can't even tell there is an amazing chocolate nougat surprise in there ready to be married to a gorgeous chocolate cupcake!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0298.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0298.jpg" /></a><br />
6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. ( Yes it will come out clean even though there is Snickers in the middle! I too doubted this and mine were done at 18 minutes)<br />
7. Cool cupcakes thoroughly on wire rack.<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Frosting:</strong></u> <br />
<br />
by <a href="http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/08/snickers-cupcakes.html">Homemade by Holman</a> <br />
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />
1/4 cup caramel sauce<br />
1/4 cup heavy cream<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1 lb powdered sugar<br />
8 mini Snickers bar and Carmel sauce for garnish<br />
<br />
Beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about two minutes. Add caramel sauce, heavy cream and vanilla and mix to incorporate. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated to reach the right consistency. Increase speed to medium-high and whip about one minute until light and fluffy. Fill a piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes or frost as desired.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=FrostingCombo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/FrostingCombo.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Garnish with chopped Snickers bars and a drizzle of caramel of caramel syrup.<br />
Here they are naked just frosting! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0305.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0305.jpg" /></a><br />
And here with their snickers garnish<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0306.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0306.jpg" /></a><br />
Ta Da!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0321.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0321.jpg" /></a><br />
And here is a look at the center! This is what I am always curious to see. Sorry I had to use the flash I could not get the lighting to work with me at all!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0318.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0318.jpg" /></a><br />
And here is a little closer! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0319.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0319.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Ok so lets get real for a minute... these little suckers are pretty damn good. The frosting is a bit sweet and there were some that almost cringed at it but then kept hoarkig it down. When I asked for feedback and said "SO is the frosting too sweet?" The answer was always "NO. It is sweet but not too sweet it all goes together." I do think that these would be amazing with a Carmel Swiss meringue butter cream and next time I make them that is just what I will use! I think if you like snickers you will love these and they are fun and when someone asks you "what kind of cupcakes are those?" and you respond "snickers cupcakes!" with a proud grin you will see their eyes light up with curiosity!Then you could stalk them and watch them eat it without their knowledge to get what you think is a more real and honest opinion on the goods.... or maybe that is just what I do! LOLSweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-40967562098628862592010-08-17T22:44:00.000-05:002010-08-17T22:44:55.000-05:00Vegetables Napoleon<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0258.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0258.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Nothing says summer time like fresh vegetables all bright and full of color and flavor! Some of my friends have been lucky enough to have amazing gardens (ahh hemm Haley!) and I am so jealous! The heat has killed nearly everything I planted even the flowers! You know it is bad when you leave the house at 7am for work and it is already 81 degrees! Well at least the grocery store has had some good produce even if my green thumb has sun burnt to a golden brown!<br />
<br />
So I decided to make nice light dinner of garlic mozzarella chicken baked potato and vegetables napoleon!<br />
Making vegetables napoleon is very easy. I decided to make mine with a combination of eggplant, zucchini, summer squash and roasted red bell peppers. I think next time I am going to omit the eggplant and use portabello mushrooms instead!<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Vegetables Napoleon</u></strong><br />
Egg Plat<br />
Summer Squash<br />
Zucchini<br />
Red Bell Peppers (roasted)<br />
Mozzarella cheese<br />
Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
Salt & Pepper<br />
<br />
First thing you need is roasted red bell peppers. I used the method of roasting them on my gas stove top. You want to roast them until they are blackened. Move them to a plate to cool.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0247.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0247.jpg" /></a><br />
while they cool place a towel over them so that they continue to roast and keep in all that flavor. Once they are cool to the touch you want to remove all the blacked parts and throw it away. You do not want to rinse them or you will lose all that sweetness that the pepper gets. Just peel it off with your finger tips and it will come off easily. Then slice them up removing the seeds and set to the side.<br />
<br />
Now what you want to do is slice the vegetables up and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sat and pepper to taste (you can add any other seasonings that you prefer to bring out the flavor of the vegetables) drizzle some EVOO over the vegetables and until they are all coated with spices and the oil. If you use egg plant it can tend to be thirsty and soak up the oil so be sure the rest of vegetables are well coated and use a little extra if need be.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0251.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0251.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Take your seasoned veggies to the grill and grill for approx 3 to 4 minutes per side. Be sure to spray your grill with some cooking spray to ensure that they do not stick to the grill. What you want is the grill marks on the vegetables. It is ok if they are not all the way cooked as you will be finishing them in the oven. Once they are done remove them from the grill take out your mozzarella cheese and get your bell peppers. On a baking sheet you want to layer the vegetables. and in between some of the layers of eggplant, squash, zucchini and peppers place a little bit of cheese. Not too much but enough to bring it all together and add some flavor. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0253.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0253.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Once you have them all stacked and ready to go you can drizzle a little EVOO on top of them and bake at 350 for 5 to 10 minutes until your cheese is melty and slightly browned.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0256.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0256.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Plate and serve!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0259.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0259.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I definitely think these would be great with portabello mushrooms and I will definitely be making these again!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-55880074342789926292010-08-16T09:24:00.000-05:002010-08-16T09:24:55.704-05:00Broccoli Gratin<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0271.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0271.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
OK people! So if any of you decided to try out the<a href="http://sweetsins2share.blogspot.com/2010/08/croque-monsieur.html"> Croque Monsieur</a> then you are probably wondering "dear lord what am I going to do with all this bechamel sauce?!" Well I am here to tell you exactly what I think you should do with it! You need to make this broccoli gratin! You will definitely be glad that you did! <br />
<br />
<strong><u>Broccoli Gratin</u></strong><br />
2 cups bechamel sauce<br />
1.5 lbs broccoli<br />
8oz sharp cheddar cheese (the better quality the cheese the better the taste!)<br />
Plain bread crumbs for dusting<br />
Parmesan cheese (approx 1/2 cup, you are just using it to sprinkle on)<br />
<br />
First things first, take your cheese out of the fridge an cut it into small cubes. You can grate it if you want but if you don't want to risk losing or knuckle or wasting all that time then cutting it into small cubes will work just as well! Once you get it all cut up nice and small set it off to the side! If it is room temp it will melt easier into your sauce. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 and start to boil some water on the stove. Once you get your broccoli all cut up so you only have the florets (just the tops.) Throw a little bit of salt in the water. Once the sauce comes to a boil throw in your broccoli and set your timer for 2.5 minutes 3 maximum. Trust me on this. You just want the broccoli to get a nice dark green. After three minutes pull it out of the water and drain well. In a sauce pan on the stove heat up your 2 cups of bechamel sauce (if you need the recipe <a href="http://sweetsins2share.blogspot.com/2010/08/croque-monsieur.html">click here</a>) continuing to stir it so you do not burn it. Once your sauce is nice and hot put in the cheese that you cubed. Remove it from the heat and continue to stir until all the cheese melts into your sauce. Once the cheese is all melted into the sauce place your broccoli in a bowl and pour the sauce over the broccoli and coat it all. Once it is all coated pour it into a casserole dish. Dust the top with bread crumbs and then sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=Combo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/Combo.jpg" /></a><br />
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until it looks like this...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0268.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0268.jpg" /></a><br />
I had set out some venison steaks (deer meat that we have from the Hubby's fabulous hunting adventures last winter) and the plan was to have mashed potatoes and broccoli gratin, however, every potato I cut into was black in the middle! And I had just bought them! So I was already in the middle of dinner I decided to improvise with a box of broccoli rice! It turned out so yummy anyway!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0270.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0270.jpg" /></a><br />
It went wonderful with a nice Merlot!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0272.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0272.jpg" /></a><br />
How did I not notice that grain of rice on the steak ruining this shot! LOL Oh well! This is a great dish to make to use the rest of your bechamel sauce and a great change from just plain broccoli! MMM MMM good!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-78357323568712105762010-08-14T22:45:00.000-05:002010-08-14T22:45:10.521-05:00Croque Monsieur<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0237.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0237.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
Hello Hello! <br />
<br />
Lately I have had a serious urge to try some new and exciting recipes... things that excite me and scare me a little. Going outside of my comfort zone and telling my self "you can do it!" pardon the water boy reference! So I decided to make Croque Monsieur, which also entails making Bechamel sauce! Now you might be asking yourself "What in the heck is Croque Monsieur?" Well I am going to tell you. Croque Monsieur is a French open-faced sandwich that is mostly served at bars or cafes as something quick. It is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich. The name is based on the verb croquer (to crunch) and the word monsieur (mister) When you combine that you get a sandwich called "Mr. Crunchy" well any toasted open faced sandwich that gets a Mr. in front of the word Crunchy is definitely something that I want to try I don't know about you! I decided to make my version of this the more elaborate way by coating the bread in a béchamel sauce as I mentioned earlier. Now if you are asking yourself "What the heck is Béchamel sauce?" don't worry because I am going to tell you! Béchamel is a white sauce; milk thickened with butter and flour roux. This sauce is one of the mother sauces of French cuisine and is also used in many Italian dishes. It is also very easy to make which is always fabulous news! <br />
<br />
I made the béchamel sauce first (this recipe that I have for the béchamel is large! I have another recipe, to be posted next, that called for the béchamel sauce so I made the whole batch at once and stored the extra in an airtight container in the fridge for a day before making the other. If you wish to cut this down you should get the same effect in a smaller quantity)<br />
<br />
Now there are many ways to make this sauce and if you want a lot of options just google it! There is the most traditional way of an onion studded with cloves (that is how I will try it next time) but I opted for this simple recipe and it was wonderful.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Béchamel Sauce</u></strong><br />
1-quart whole milk<br />
1/2-cup flour<br />
1/2 cup or 1 stick sweet butter (unsalted butter)<br />
Salt and pepper (You can use white or cayenne. White pepper would be more traditional)<br />
1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme (I had to omit this as there was none at my store and my sauce was still very good)<br />
<br />
First you need to make the roux (pronounced row) Melt the butter on low when the foam disappears that is when it is time to add the flour. Whisk in the flour for 5 minutes until it is a blonde color and starts to bubble a little. This step is done to cook out the starchy taste of the flour and you can take this roux down to a deep brick color for some recipes but you want this to stay a blonde color. Once this has happened then add cold milk. I poured it in slowly while whisking. The key here is to make sure the milk is cold. Add in your spices and simmer for 10 minutes. The sauce will start to thicken. A little note I that once the sauce is at a simmer it will not get any thicker. You need to whisk to be sure that nothing on the bottom is burning but the simmer I really to cook in the flavors and thicken the sauce. The sauce is ready when it will coat the back of a spoon and hold a line. What it means to "hold a line" is that if you wipe your finger across the back of the spoon the line will stay so that you can still see the line it won't be runny and cover your line. I added about 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of ground sea salt, 1/16 teaspoon nutmeg (I would have liked to use fresh ground nutmeg, however, I could not find that anywhere so I used the ground kind I had in my spice rack) The way I understand it is that you don’t want this sauce too over powered with spices because it is the "base" of the recipes it is used in and then you build on that! You can add cheese to it while it is still warm and melt that in. I choose to leave mine without and add it later to each recipe since the two recipes that I was using the sauce for called for different cheeses.<br />
Once I made the sauce I placed it in a container and cooled it in the fridge. A couple hours later when we were closer to being ready to eat I prepared the sandwiches.<br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Croque Monsieur</u></strong><br />
French Bread<br />
Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
Smoked Ham (preferably black Forrest ham not to thinly sliced)<br />
Cheeses (the traditional way is with a Gruyere but that was not available to me so I used Swiss you can use any melty cheese)<br />
Parmesan Cheese<br />
Tomato<br />
Asparagus<br />
You will want to take your French bread loaf (preferably the nice round loaves however the long skinner versions will work as well your slices will just be slightly smaller) cut your slices of bread and place on a baking sheet. Try to keep them the same width so they will all cook in the same amount of time. Lightly coat the bread with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) by drizzling it from above. Once that is done flip the bread over on the sheet so that now the bread with the oil is on the bottom. This is to help make your bread crunchy underneath while it cooks. Brush the tops of your bread slices with your béchamel sauce that you made. Make sure you get the sauce all the way to the edges of the bread to ensure that it does not burn. If the bread is coated to the edges it will not burn. I then placed some smoke cheddar and Swiss combination cheese on top of the sauce. Then you just layer it. I put the Ham on next. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0226.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0226.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> (Ok so that is not entirely true! I forgot the ham and had to add it last because I just knew something looked off! Durr!! I swear!) <br />
I then took tomato slices that I had salted and peppered and placed them on top of the ham. On a few I then put a few pieces of asparagus. Then you top it with some melty grated cheese like Fontina or Swiss. Grate just a tiny bit of fresh Parmesan over the top of the sandwiches. This gives another layer of flavor and you do not need much. <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0232.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0232.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> (see! much better with the ham actually on the sandwhich)<br />
Lightly drizzle the tops with some EVOO and place in the oven at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese I melted and browned and it looks like this! <a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0242.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0242.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0243.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0243.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Jason and I were so thrilled with the way this turned out! I served it with a light salad with some home made ranch dressing and a nice white wine. <a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0233.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0233.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> As well as a nice glass of white wine! And this <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0236.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0236.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />
is one of th best white wines I have ever had and it is usually 10 dollars or under! I also love Toasted Head Chardonay. <a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0241.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> It was so simple yet had the taste of something so sophisticated. It was a pleasure to make and to eat! This is going to be a family staple I am sure! You should defenitly try this out. You can top it with anything! Or just do it simple and tradition cheese and ham. <br />
<br />
Bon appetite!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-66217223262041145422010-08-12T19:46:00.002-05:002010-08-15T22:09:51.673-05:00Chicken Florentine<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0216-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0216-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
One of my best friends Brenda sent me a picture text message the other day of her boyfriend Ian making dinner for her after a long day at work!! When I asked what it was that he was making she said "Chicken Florentine!" And then she added in the best part "and it is low calorie!" Wait what? For a second I thought about replying with "ohhh, well enjoy your cardboard dinner then!" because lets face it we have all tried the low calorie and low fat versions of rich and yummy good recipes because we are drawn in by the lure of "low calories" and "healthy" but you are almost always left a bit disappointed and wondering if you should have just done it the original and yummy way and just spent a couple extra hours in the gym that day! Well I opted to save my pessimism for myself and said "great let me know how it turns out!" Well Brenda just raved about it so I decided I had to try this for myself! OH MY GOSH!!! This chicken was so good SO GOOD! Thank goodness I did not have a insert foot in mouth moment by responding with my first thoughts! (Sorry Bren but it was my initial thoughts!) I think this is a recipe that everyone should keep! It is so easy so delicious and definitely worth it! I decided to serve my chicken on top of some Vermicelli noodles and also made some steamed asparagus to go with it!<br />
I got the copy of the recipe emailed to me but we are trying to find the origin of what book it came out of so I know who to properly credit. Until then here is the recipe...<br />
<br />
<b><u>Chicken Florentine</u></b><br />
serves 4<br />
4 teaspoons Canola Oil<br />
Two 6 ounce bags of baby spinach (about 12 cups)<br />
1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (trimmed)<br />
salt and pepper<br />
1 shallot minced (about 3 tablespoons)<br />
2 Garlic cloves minced<br />
1 tablespoon unbleached AP flour<br />
2 cups low sodium chicken broth<br />
1 1/4 cups water<br />
2 tablespoons of heavy cream<br />
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest<br />
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice<br />
2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)<br />
<br />
Heat broiler and move the rack 5 inches from the heating element<br />
<br />
1. Heat two teaspoons of the oil in a 12 in skillet over medium heat until simmering. Add the spinach, one handful at a time, stirring often. Cook until wilted, abut 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander. Place the colander over a bowl or large measuring cup and press the spinach with a spatula until all the liquid is expelled. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.<br />
<br />
Here is my chicken getting ready to go in the skillet<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0211.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0211.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
2. Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium high heat until smoking. Carefully lay the chicken in the skillet and cook them for 4 to 6 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Transfer chicken to a plate and lightly tent with foil.<br />
<br />
3. Add the shallot and the garlic to the skillet and cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour. Whisk in the broth and water scrapping up any browned bits.<br />
<br />
Here is everything cooking away!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0212.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0212.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
4. Return the chicken breasts along with any accumulated juice to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium low and cook until the thickest part of the chicken breasts reach 160 to 165 with a meat thermometer (about 10 to 15 minutes.) Flipping the breasts half way through. Remove chicken and place it on a plate and lightly tent with foil once again. <br />
<br />
5. Simmer the sauce for another 15 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the cream and lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
This is what I did as I waited for the simmering to happen! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0205.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0205.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
6. Cut the chicken breast cross ways into 1/2 inch thick pieces and arrange in broiler safe 2 quart casserole dish. Scatter the spinach evenly over the chicken and pour the sauce on top of the chicken and spinach. Sprinkle with the cheese on top and broil for about 5 minutes until golden brown and serve.<br />
<br />
The timer went off and here it was! In the oven! Just beautiful!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0214.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0214.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Plate and serve!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0216.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0216.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
340 calories per serving 11 grams of fat; 3 grams of sat fat; 15 carbs; 44grams of protein;4 fiber; 670 sodium mg<br />
<br />
I can't say it enough you must try this recipe.... you know you need a new dinner idea to try and this is going to be it! Once you do it you will thank me!<br />
<br />
Enjoy!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-43224551984698579992010-08-08T18:01:00.003-05:002010-08-08T18:11:42.458-05:00Beer Cake!!Hello Hello!!<br /><br />Last week I had a cake order for a birthday. They told me that they wanted a cake that looked like beer and that the birthday boy had a favorite type of beer and that was "Natural Light" I decided to make a chocolate cake filled with Dulce De Leche and frosted with a vanilla butter cream. Had I not had to tint the icing and make it look like a beer I would have used a chocolate frosting but I think the butter cream complimented the cake very nicely as well! Jason was eating all the pieces that I had trimmed off and claimed that it was amazingly good! I plan on making it in cupcake form with a ganache frosting in the weeks to come!!<br /><br />I used the chocolate cake recipe off the back of the Hershey's coca can! I just made a few changes! I used buttermilk instead of milk and I used strong hot coffee for the boiling water! It got rave reviews from the party goers as well!<br /><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0199.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0199.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0202.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0202.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Please pardon the horrible photos but the day before I had to have this cake done the air conditioning went out in our house! For those of you who do not know Southern Oklahoma has had some lovely hot and humid weather!! I was literally taking it out of the fridge for 10 minutes at a time so it would stop melting as the repair guys were in the attic with my husband trying to fix our AC problem! SOOOO that is why the pictures are not at the best angle. This cake was also huge! It was three 11x15 cakes stacked on top of each other!! I know my decorating skills are still amateur but I have to say I am pretty proud of this creation!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-37740378472092218242010-06-21T20:55:00.005-05:002010-09-09T14:11:12.116-05:00Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes!Well we just competed a huge task!! We put a new patio in, in our backyard and when Jason's brother and Dad came over to help I knew that I needed to make his brother his favorite dessert. However, since we were so busy in the yard and since I didn't have all the ingredients I usually do (I did not want to go to the store as that would leave us a man down and we had lots of work to do.) I busted out a box mix (don't even start with me OK! I know I know but sometimes they are useful, quick, easy and reliable!) I had just gotten a new pan at Walls Bargain Center for a bargain price of $6.99 and I had been dying to use it and my idea was to make personal size Pineapple Upside Down Cakes! This happens to be my brother in laws favorite (mine too!) SO I quickly got to work made my batter so I could get to baking and then back to digging!!<br />
Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0159.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0159.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here is the pan ready for the cake... Gosh after I got the butter and brown sugar and pineapple in there wasn't a whole lot of room for batter and room to rise! Oh well good thing my first go at this is just with a box mix!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0162.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0162.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Hot out of the oven here these cutie cakes are...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0165.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0165.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0167.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0167.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0171.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0171.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Survey says? Yummy cake... perfect for freaks like me that like an equal amount of pineapple to go with each bite of cake! They were so yummy and too cute! I can't wait to use this pan to do my pleasantly pineapple cake (hint hint it will be coming next!)<br />
<br />
I thought I would show you all the patio with the new furniture since it was the inspiration for the post and since I blabbed about it. If you are anything like me and hate hearing a story and then getting no visuals then you will enjoy these!<br />
<br />
Here is my cheese ball husband the night before when we had dug the patio out and did all the frame work!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0133.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0133.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here is the gang working on the pathway... Hey I was helping too but someone had to document the project<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0174.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0174.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Ta Da!! The best part? The candle chandelier on the umbrella!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0180.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0180.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here it is just one more time (sorry I am just so proud of us)<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0182.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0182.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Well Happy First Day of Summer everyone!! Hope your summer is going well! I also got a great new BBQ cook book at Lowes this weekend... so expect some yummy new recipes that we will be enjoying on that new patio furniture!! (OK OK OK I will stop finding a way to bring up the patio!)<br />
<script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=sweetsins2share&o=1" type="text/javascript">
</script>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-40559985318600036442010-06-05T22:40:00.005-05:002010-09-09T14:09:39.625-05:00Peace Love & Softball CakeWell I am sorry it has been so long since I have posted last!! I got an order two days ago for a 16 year old birthday cake! She wanted three tiers to this cake! I have never done this before but I am always up for a challenge so I said sure! She also wanted this cake to have the theme of "Peace Love and Softball" since she is very into sports and softball. The kicker was that she wanted the cake tie dyed!! So I decided to tie dye the inside of the cake and frost the outside in her favorite color TEAL!! <br />
<br />
Ok so here we go with the pictures...<br />
I separated the batter into 5 bowls to drop in the pan randomly so it will look like tie dye when you cut into it. It looks more like doing Easter eggs then cake baking!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
That is not too blues either... clearly my camera is not up to par (although I already knew this) so my purple looks a bit like a darker blue...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0139.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
Here it is in the pan ready to bake!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0141.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0141.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
All done... only 5 more cakes to go!!<br />
<br />
I did not take any photos during the assembly of the cake because... well to be completely honest I had a melt down twice. I was ready to toss in the rag and vow to never cook again! And at another moment when my husband offered help clearly the look on my face showed that his help was better spent with him back on the couch in the living room!! Well once the frosting (Swiss Meringue Butter Cream- White Chocolate flavor YUM) was on the cake and the supports were in I came back down from my "I hate cake cloud" and remembered why I love cake! and baking! and called said husband back in the room to help me put on the candy melt decorations and make him admire the fact that I did in fact not kill the cake or myself!!<br />
SO here are the pictures from the assembled cake... the lighting is not up to par on that side of the kitchen so I am sorry for the darkness of the photos.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0145.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0145.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0144.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0144.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0142.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0143.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0143.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
On the top I did "peace love softball" she got the idea from a tie dye t-shirt that she has. <br />
<br />
Well I was pretty pleased with the results especially with this being my first round with this massive of a cake. I lined a wooden board with a bright pink vinyl table cloth for the presentation.<br />
<br />
Once the cake was delivered I proceeded to go outside in the backyard and enjoy my new toy! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=hammock.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/hammock.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-72496095964825905112010-03-27T12:31:00.005-05:002010-04-01T09:31:00.364-05:00White chocolate cupcakes!Well I told you all that I made a cupcake version of the birthday cake I had made. It seems that I was so obsessed that I had to make up a reason to make the Swiss Meringue Butter Cream again! If you are looking for the recipe <a href="http://sweetsins2share.blogspot.com/2010/03/sunflower-cupcakes.html">here</a> is the original post!I took a couple pictures of them and I thought I would share them with you here. I have got to say this is the lightest, yet sweet and most wonderful cupcake I have had in a long time! <br /><br />Here are a few pictures for you! <br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0110.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0110.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Some of them I filled with a fresh strawberry or a surprise inside!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=IMG_0115.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0115.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-90225822594752819742010-03-27T11:05:00.005-05:002010-09-09T14:13:00.233-05:00Sunflower cupcakesLast week I got a call for an order for a birthday cake and some cupcakes. I was so excited as I have not had many "official" orders and even though I have not had many I just knew this was going to be great! I have so many recipes I want to try and decoration ideas to test out but I am sure that my butt would be as big as a house if I decided to try one recipe a week! I know what you are thinking "Heather, just give them away" yea ok! That is a great idea in theory but we all know how that would go. Taste of the batter here.... lick of the frosting there... and before you know it your stomach hurts there is frosting from your nose to your chin and you are surrounded by little paper cup holders that have now been torn to shreds all around you. Then you think well I was just going to have one.... Well I try to not even tempt myself by trying to not bake all the time unless I have a purpose or a place to send the goods! SOOO my point being, it was AWESOME to get this order as it gave me cause to try a cake recipe I had wanted to try for so long as well as decorate some cupcakes and try another cake recipe! The only problems was I got the call Wednesday night and they needed the goods by Saturday morning... So that meant I needed to get my ducks in a row Thursday so that Friday after work I could everything baked! I decided that since last Saturday was the first day of spring that I would do some cheerful sunflower decorated cupcakes! For the cake they had requested something with with fresh fruit and it made me think of a recipe I have been dying to try that Cassie from <a href="http://howtoeatacupcake.blogspot.com/">How To Eat A Cupcake</a> made a while ago! The recipe is <a href="http://www.howtoeatacupcake.net/2008/03/daring-bakers-challenge-perfect-party.html">here</a>!!! And let me tell you folks.... this cake got rave reviews. I ended up making a cupcake version of it Monday, but that's another blog! The most amazing part I have got to say is the Swiss Meringue Butter Cream frosting!! I made it the way that Cassie made it with her tweaks from the original. I have watched her make SMBC for years and always wanted to try it out but to be perfectly honest... I was scared!! Yes YES I have admitted it! I was afraid of frosting! NOT ANYMORE KIDS!! I have made this frosting now 3 times. I can't seem to make it without the white chocolate though! That is probably because once I realized how easy it was to quest and conquer the amazing silky smoothness that is the Swiss Meringue Butter Cream I have gone on a bit of a binge! It is like suddenly realizing you like something that you never knew existed. You can't get it out of your head, you think about it all the time, and often realize that anything that you are eating could most definitely be made better by putting this new found magical item on it! I swear I am currently having an affair with Swiss Meringue Butter Cream!! For the cupcakes I made SMBC (without the white chocolate amazingly enough) and tinted it! It was great! I used a cake recipe I found <a href="http://pieceofcakeblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/caramel-cupcakes.html">here</a>. The cake complimented the frosting quite nicely! Of course the touch that made the cupcakes in my opinion is the ladybugs!!!!<br />
SO now lets get to some pictures!<br />
Here is the center of the cupcakes before they bloomed into beautiful yellow sunflowers!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0082.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0082.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Well I have to say I think they look quite good but it just seems like something is missing!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0091.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0091.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Tada!!! Ok how cute are the ladybugs?<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0094.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0094.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here is the birthday cake! I decided to top it with a strawberry garnish and some freshly grated white chocolate. As we can see I cant seem to frost a cake to save my life so thank god I was saved by the wonderful flavor of the cake!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0101.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0101.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0106.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0106.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here it is in the box ready to go!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0109.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0109.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I just have to show you these cupcakes again! I felt so proud and although my pipping skills are lacking you have to start some where and I was pretty happy with the end result!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0093-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0093-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I just don't know how I will ever made baked goods again that do not have Swiss Meringue Butter Cream frosting and ladybugs!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-11149023088953870502010-03-15T19:45:00.014-05:002010-08-19T08:55:18.234-05:00Blueberry Muffins<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0127.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0127.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This Friday I was off of work because my best friend was in town and staying with us for the weekend. Since I was the first to wake up I thought I would surprise everyone (everyone being my husband Jason and Ryan my best friend!) with some homemade muffins and a pot of coffee so we could start the day off with the most important meal of the day! I just happened to have all the ingredients in the house, which I love because when I get a wild hair or a crazy plan for something I just love being able to walk into the pantry and see that I am actually going to be able to make it happen without having to go to 3 different stores to get everything. The only thing I would have preferred would be to have used fresh blueberries instead of canned blueberries, however, my last few trips to the supermarket have lead me to believe that they are not quite in season because there have not been any available. Other then that I think this recipe is great. It is not too rich or over powering and the crumbly topping is the perfect sweet touch.<br />
<br />
Blueberry Muffins<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
1 1/2 cups of flour<br />
<br />
3/4 cup white sugar<br />
<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
<br />
2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
<br />
1/3 cup vegetable oil<br />
<br />
1 egg<br />
<br />
1/3 cup of milk<br />
<br />
1 cup of fresh blueberries (I used canned and they turned out great!)<br />
<br />
Crumb Topping Ingredients:<br />
<br />
1/2 cup white sugar<br />
<br />
1/3 cup flour<br />
<br />
1/4 cup of butter cubed<br />
<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.<br />
<br />
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and then enough milk to fill the cup. Pour this mixture from the measuring up in with the flour mixture.<br />
<br />
3. Fold in the blueberries<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0061.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0061.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Fill the muffin cups right to the top.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0066.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0066.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I only had a cupcake pan and not a muffin pan so I decided to fill some to the top to get huge muffins and some smaller so that there would be a variety of sizes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Sprinkle on crumb topping mixture. To make crumb topping: mix together ingredients and sprinkle over the muffins before baking.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0069.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0069.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until done. Mine were done at 20 minutes but I also used a cupcake pan versus a muffin pan.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0070.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0070.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0080.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0080.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Look at that crumb topping.... Ryan came in the kitchen just moments before the muffins came out of the oven and we ate them warm. It was great!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #33ccff;">UPDATE: I was cruising around on <a href="http://www.pieceofcakeblog.blogspot.com/">Piece of Cake</a> and saw that she too has made these muffins!! She agreed they are wonderful! And really... lets face it she is like a goddess when it comes to writing or baking! So if she says something then consider it BIBLE! Live it, learn it... LOVE IT!</span><br />
<br />
UPDATE: These are photos of them made with fresh blue berries... They were fantastic!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0126.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0126.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0125.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0125.jpg" /></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-68669978595356238882010-02-02T21:02:00.004-06:002010-02-02T21:35:37.320-06:00Salisbury SteakFor me when I think of comfort food I think of something yummy that fills you up and makes you think of home, or Grandma's kitchen! This is definitely one of those dinners that goes on this list! This is my second time making this dish and it is so easy and delicious so I thought I should blog this and share with all of you!<br /><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0020.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy<br />By Sandra Lee<br /><br />Ingredients<br />- 1 pound ground beef<br />- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup (I used 98% fat free healthy request by Campbell's)<br />- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs<br />- 1 egg lightly beaten<br />- 1/2 cup frozen chopped onions (I used fresh onions)<br />- 1 Teaspoon steak seasoning (recommended Montreal)<br />- 1 Tablespoon canola oil<br />- 2 Tablespoons butter<br />- 1/4 cognac (I omitted this as I did not have any)<br />- 1 (8 ounce) package of sliced fresh mushrooms<br />- 2 cups low sodium beef broth ( used one cup beef broth and 1 cup water to cut down on the salt)<br />- 1 (1.2 ounce) packet brown gravy mix<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />In a large bowl combine beef, 1/4 of the can of cream of mushroom soup (save the rest for later), bread crumbs, egg, onions, an steak seasoning. Mix it thoroughly and shape into oval patties.<br /><br />Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties on both sides and then transfer to a plate for later.<br /><br />Add the remaining butter and the cognac (remove from the heat when adding cognac if you choose to use it) saute the mushrooms for 7 to 8 minutes. Add the beef stock and whisk in gravy mix until smooth. Stir in the remaining mushroom soup.<br /><br />Return patties to skillet and spoon gravy over top. Cover the pan and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.<br /><br />I choose to serve my steaks with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes with fresh green beans and shallots! I put the gravy on the potatoes too!! It was so delicious!!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0002.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the meat all mixed up.<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0004.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the patties ready to be browned!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0005.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are my mushrooms sauteing away!!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the gravy mixture ready to pour over the steaks<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0012.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the green beans... Yum! so good!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here are my famous mashed potatoes...<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0014.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here are my attempts at photography...<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0017.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I had dinner served on a plate and ready to eat when Jason got home from work ( I know barf! I am such the little 50's wife at times!) And to my surprise when he walked in the door he had these...<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=IMG_0022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/IMG_0022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Aww shucks! How sweet is that!! LOL ok you can all barf now...<br /><br />Well I hope you all have a wonderful night!<br /><br />Sinfully yours,<br /><br />HeatherSweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-1296666766251661592010-01-24T17:18:00.003-06:002010-01-24T17:55:15.133-06:00Valentine's Day Cookies!I woke up this morning to these beautiful flowers from Jason! They are beautiful and almost tiger stripped. <br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After I got these it really put in me in the mood to make some Valentine's sugar cookies...<br />So that is what I did... And I made some racy ones that were panties!! For the man in my life who loves him some booty! I made the booty cookie!!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />So Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I plan to make some Valentine's cupcakes as well!!<br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=ValentinesDayCookies001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ValentinesDayCookies001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-36176080319884557232009-12-13T18:14:00.004-06:002010-08-19T08:56:30.820-05:00The Christmas Baking Has BegunWell every year I say that I am going to do a wonderful baked good tin to go along with Christmas cards for my co-workers and friends, and can you believe it that every year I never follow through! I will do one batch here and there but nothing like the vision that I create in my head! I told myself I would actually do it this year and I intend to!! My plan is to do a couple different cookie for the next few days and then I can put together tins and freeze any left overs for Santa and Christmas day!<br />
<br />
I started out with a recipe I found in Taste of Home Cookies & Bars magazine I picked up on our last Lowes trip.<br />
<br />
Double Drizzle Pecan Cookies<br />
1/2 cup butter softened<br />
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour<br />
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1-1/4 cups chopped toasted pecans<br />
Carmel Drizzle<br />
1/2 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar<br />
Chocolate Drizzle<br />
1 ounce semi sweet chocolate<br />
1 tablespoon butter<br />
<br />
1. In a large bowl cream the butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.<br />
<br />
2. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in pecans. Place on ungreased sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. <br />
<br />
3. in a small saucepan bring brown sugar and cream to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in confectioners sugar. Immediately drizzle over cooled cookies<br />
<br />
4. In a mall microwave-safe bowl melt the chocolate and butter, stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies and let stand until set. Store in air tight container.<br />
<br />
Here is the dough balls... rolled in pecans then pressed down slightly<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=balls2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/balls2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here are the naked cookies after baking and cooling...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=004.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/004.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Heating the carmel topping on the stove<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/007.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The cookies with the carmel topping drizzled over them...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=008.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/008.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And the finished product... cookies with chocolate and carmel topping!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/010.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=009.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/009.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Tada... the first cookies for the tins are complete! Stay tuned, more to come!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-988770549485534602009-10-25T20:24:00.005-05:002010-09-09T14:13:57.594-05:00Jack-O-Lantern Cuppies!<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies006-1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
As I was driving home the other day I got this great idea for a Halloween cupcake that I had never seen before. I got the idea of carving a cupcake just like you would a pumpkin! Fill the pumpkin with yellow frosting a.k.a the candle light! and then draw the face on the front. So I decided to try it out. I grabbed a box yellow cake mix and added some food coloring to get an orange color. I then cut into the top to carve out the center. I filled it with yellow icing and then put the top on. I placed a piece of pretzel in for the stem and then proceeded to draw on the jack-o-lantern face! <br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies001.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies001.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Now not every single one turned out like my vision I must say! So I experimented with the decorating just for fun! I also added some orange sparkles to the tops of some of the jack-o-lanterns and that gave them that extra something that they seemed to be missing!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies007.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies006.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies016.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies016.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies017.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies017.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies009-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies009-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=jack-o-lanterncuppies013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/jack-o-lanterncuppies013.jpg" /></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-64481137612481853442009-10-18T21:43:00.002-05:002010-09-09T14:16:06.678-05:00Hamburger Cupcakes... Yes I too made them!Well when I came across the hamburger cupcakes on Bakerella and Flicker I just knew that I had to try them out. They are so cute and fun! So I decided to do just that! I just used cake mix and a brownie mix as it was quick and easy!<br />
<br />
I started by making the brownies and letting them cool. While the brownies were cooling I made the cupcakes. Once the cupcakes had cooled I cut them open and started to make the hamburgers! I used green frosting for the lettuce and then red and yellow for the ketchup and mustard.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies003.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies003.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies004.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies004.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
After I had the burgers made I did slightly tap a cloth with water on it on the top of the cupcake and shake on some sesame seeds<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies007.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies008.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies008.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I then took Bakerella's idea and made sugar cookie french french fries to complete the dessert!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies012-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies012-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies011.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I took the extra brownie bits and cut them into bite size pieces and served them on a plate. The extra cup cakes I frosted and put out on a plate. I planned to just use the extra frosting and make them Halloween-ish however I feel they look more like Marti graw! haha OH WELL!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies010.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Maximus begged me to let him help but he had to sit this one out! He was not thrilled about it either! LOL<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies001.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies001.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Here they are just one more time!! Soooo Cute!! Thanks for the idea Bakerella!!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=HamburgerCuppies013-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/HamburgerCuppies013-1.jpg" /></a>Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-44597386122559712822009-10-05T13:02:00.002-05:002009-10-05T13:09:57.909-05:00OMGOMG... I just had to change my about me from "Hi I'm 25 years old to... Hi I'm 27 years old" EEEKKKKK OK OK so I do not turn the big 2 7 till tomorrow but I thought I would just prep ahead of time.<br /><br />This is just insane. I know I had taken a break from the blogging for about a year but it seriously felt as if it was 6 months! How does the time fly so fast the older we get? My Mom always said that when I was growing up but I just figured she was old and didn't know what she was talking about! (sorry mom!) But the older I get I realize that my Mom was right about... like EVERYTHING she used to preach to me that went in one ear and out the other!<br /><br />Oh the things we learn as we grow! I love you Mom! Thank you for being my mom and having me! I know I have been freaking out about this birthday but I am just glad that I have you and glad that I have a birthday at all. YOU ARE THE BEST!<br /><br />(Ok... sorry for the mom love shout out... but it's my birthday... so be nice :))Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-35399225396357589412009-10-04T21:03:00.006-05:002009-10-08T09:05:43.395-05:00I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts!<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=coconuts.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/coconuts.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />hahahaha... so we cracked open a coconut this morning and all I could think about was that song... there they are a standing in a row. Big ones small ones... some as big as your HEAD!<br /><br />Ohhh it made us laugh so I thought it might make you laugh...<br /><br />I got a fun idea of something to bake this weekend from Bakerella and from some Tastespotting images I saw... So be excited!!Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-70932205760288425792009-10-04T17:21:00.002-05:002010-08-19T08:53:33.299-05:00Stuffed Jalapenos!Well I know this post is LONG over due! Be kind to me all... Sometimes life just gets to be soooo over whelming and finding the time to blog is hard. Not to mention having the cord to my camera being lost for about 6 months... SO I took these pics with my phone so bare with me on the quality! I know that summer is coming to an end but fall is still a great time to BBQ and this is a wonderful starter item that can easily be done on the grill or in the oven!!<br />
<br />
Jason and I are just addicted to these starters that sometimes this what we have for the whole meal because we fill up on these babies!<br />
<br />
Stuffed Jalepenos<br />
Jalepenos<br />
Cream cheese (not the whipped kind... trust me that stuff just bakes right out and disapears)<br />
Bacon<br />
<br />
So the first step is the most work and the worst! I do not know if it is the oil from the peppers or what but when I cut these open I gag my throat burns my skin burns and itches everywhere it is like an alergic reaction. I mean it could be... who knows... so back the my point! The first step is to cut the pepper open and gut them ( take out allt he seeds) Now I have tried this numerous ways but I think doing a half pepper works the best. So as you can see in the pic below I have gutted the pepper and filled the half pepper with cream cheese and am now preparing to wrap it in bacon!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=putonthebacon-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/putonthebacon-1.jpg" /></a><br />
Again as I said please forgive the quality! I do have the camera cord (it's some where around here....right?) so these pictures were taken a little while ago so yes they are grainy and bad lol<br />
<br />
next step is to place a toothpick in the pepper to hold the bacon in place so that when the pepper cooks the bacon holds the lovely cheese filling in.<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=placedontherack.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/placedontherack.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I decided to bake these. I placed a cookie sheet down then wrapped it in foil. I then placed a rack that you use to cool cookies on and put the peppers on the rack... this way while they cook the fat that drains off will go below and peppers will not sit in it. When they are done you just let the grease cool on the foil, take the foil off and throw it out! It makes clean up a breeze!<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=ontherack.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/ontherack.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I also decided to bake because you get much more even cooking. With the grill you have to have a lot of time to watch so that the bacon does not start to burn or cook faster then pepper is cooking. If the pepper is not cooked enough it does not get soft and it can be sooo spicy that sme people can't handle eating it. Once the bacon is done and going to have a crispyness to it take them out and serve!! The hardest part is going to be waiting for these to cool long enough before you start to eat them!! Trust me it is worth the waiting cause burning your tounge is the pitts!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view&current=finale.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/finale.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Ta Da!! There they are... with the big bowl of pineapple we were eating as well in the background! So I have missed you all (I mean I hope I still have readers....YIKES)<br />
<br />
I hope everyone is doing well and with fall around the corner it is the prefect time to bake! SO be prepared for all the sweet treats to come.<br />
<br />
Sinfully yours,<br />
<br />
HeatherSweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844903520939098765.post-26586035458616956742008-06-16T10:52:00.004-05:002008-06-16T11:03:23.024-05:00Tastespotting...I went to look at <a href="WWW.TASTESPOTTING.COM">tastespotting</a> this morning... as I do most morning... and this is what I saw...<br /><br /><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/?action=view¤t=tsgoodbye.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/MissJonesy/tsgoodbye.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I am so sad.... what is going on??? I feel so incomplete not knowing the full story... will anyone else start something in it's place??<br /><br />If someone knows something please let me know!!!<br /><br />:O(Sweet Sinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856771862604623637noreply@blogger.com9