Golden Pillows

Hello Sweets,

I cannot wait until spring is finally here, because my health is just on a roller coaster ride and it is not fun.  I've been having really bad migraines, which then causes dizziness and nausea.  Naturally that means I haven't been in the kitchen much, but I'm changing that tonight!  I'm making my grandfather a special little surprise for his birthday, and I'll share it with y'all tomorrow.

Tonight I am bringing you a sweet and unique treat :)  It's my favorite dessert at El Fenix when I'm in Texas, so much that we'll order extra to bring home for later lol.  Obviously it is a Mexican dessert, and it also very traditional for them.  I'm going to get right in to the recipe tonight, that way I can hopefully beat the migraine before it flares back up.

Sopapillas

Ingredients

1 egg

2/3C milk

1Tbs sugar

1tsp salt

1Tbs baking powder

2C flour

fat for deep frying (I used olive oil)

Directions:
1)  Beat egg with milk.

2)  Add sugar and salt.

3)  Add baking powder to flour.

4)  Add to egg mixture; knead well.  Add additional flour as needed by tablespoonfuls.  Knead until smooth and non sticky; place in bowl.

5)  Cover; let stand for about 10 minutes.

6)  Roll out very thin; cut into 2"-3" strips.

7)  Drop into very hot fat.  Dough puffs quickly into little pillows.

8)  Drain on paper towel. 

9)  Serve hot; plain or with honey or cinnamon sugar.

 

So yummy!!  They turned out exactly as I've had them in restaurants many times before.  Since I made them here, Nathan missed out, but I promised him I would make them when I come home to Texas ;)

Well I was right, the migraine has regrouped and started to intensify :(  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

It's What's On the Inside That Counts

Hello Sweets,

Another day complete, and another painful doctors appointment :(  I really, really, really hate the needles I have to get!  It was so bad today that I was crying so badly that my doctor asked if I needed to take a break, obviously I said yes.  We then proceed to discuss my ongoing battle with my benefit company, and what has become a never ending battle >_<  It always amazes me when the doctors ask me why they are stalling, lol I wish I had a good answer but I don't.  When all the doctors I've seen over the last 3+ years are in agreement about me not being able to go back to work yet because of my health, it's hard to understand why I'm being denied.  Well, other than them being greedy...you know whats.  We both agree on one thing though, nobody in their right mind would go through these awful needles for a dog and pony show!

Last night I resumed a painting I had started months ago, and yes it did help my mood a little.  The reason I had stopped before, was because I was extremely unhappy with the way my "sunset sky" had turned out.  It was blotchy and did not flow well at all, but now it is this beautiful pink, orange, and yellow sunset that compliment each color and blend perfectly.  The reason why I am taking this particular painting so serious, is because it's based off a photo I took while on vacation four years ago.  It was heaven on earth, otherwise known as "Bear Mountain" in New Mexico.  It is in the middle of a national park, but the land belongs to a friend of the family.  Their family has had it for a long time, and have chose to keep it almost off the grid.  We're talking no indoor plumbing or electricity, but when the views are that beautiful you don't need TV, cellphones, or many people for that matter lol.  There were many beautiful views from many different spots on the land, but there was one that I was particularly fond of.  It was right beside our A frame cabin on a little park bench, and it over looked the gorge that the mountains surrounded.  You could actually watch thunderstorms form in a swirling vortex, it was a really cool experience.  Anyways, the sunsets and sunrise were to die for.  Once I am closer to being complete, or when I'm actually done I'll share the final product with y'all :)

I'm very excited for tomorrow, I'm making my grandparents a delicious salmon dinner here at my new place :)  I am still planning all the little details, like the main flavor and side dishes, but it's going to be amazing.  I am making it after all lol.  In preparation for dinner tomorrow I made a delicious dessert to finish off the perfect meal.  I've been wanting to make theses from scratch for a long time, but thought I didn't have the right bake ware.  Then in a Macgyver like moment it hit me, I could make due with something I thought I would never use.  French onion soup bowls!  I don't care for onions so the soups on that list too, lol but I could use them for something even better :)

Molten Chocolate Cakes (via Kraft)

Ingredients

4oz Baker's semi-sweet chocolate

1/2C butter

1C icing sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

6Tbs flour

(I only had unsweetened chocolate, so I added a Tbs of sugar for each oz of chocolate)

 

 Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 425F.  Butter 4 (3/4C) custard or ramekins.  Place on baking sheet and set aside.

2)  Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl on HIGH for 1 minute.  Stir with a whisk until chocolate is completely melted.

 

 

3)   Add icing sugar (and sugar if needed); mix well.

 

 

4)  Blend in the whole eggs and egg yolks.

 

5)  Stir in flour.

 

 

6)  Pour into prepared cups.  Bake for 13-14 minutes, or until the sides are firm but the centers are still soft.

 

 

7)  Let stand for 1 minute.  Carefully run a small knife around the edges of cakes to loosen.  Invert cakes onto dessert plates, and remove cups.  Cut in half, serve warm with cool whip or icing sugar.

 

** You can also make them in muffin cups with the paper liners, bake for 10 minutes.**

It is a decadent cake, with a warm gooey center.  This is one of my favorite types of cakes, and now that I know how simple and easy it is to make this will be a regular occurrence at any family meals :)  I still can't believe how simple it is, but I am glad that I gave it a try and succeeded!

Now I've got some research to do, as I want tomorrows dinner to be deliciously perfect.  I'm also wanting to wash my floors tonight too.  Guess I better get my butt in gear :p  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

My Funny Valentine

Hello Sweets,

I have again been a bad blogger :(.  I haven't been writing at all, or baking for that matter and this makes me sad!  Then last night I realized something, baking and cooking makes me happy so I best get my butt back into the kitchen.  So that is what I did, I even went as far as to schedule a dinner for my grandparents :)  The other reason I haven't been writing as much is because I've been painting, and I am loving it!!  When I'm feeling down or grumpy, I pull out one of the paintings I'm working on and just dive in.  I never realized that I had such a passion for it until I went to Painting with a Twist, and it just stumbled into my everyday life. I honestly didn't think I had the artistic capabilities, but I guess I was being too judgmental.  I have accumulated a few supplies; I have a bunch of paints (acrylic only, for now) and a full range of brushes.  I even have a few different canvases, all in different sizes, and even a cute little paint pallet.  There are only two things I am lacking, the first is a full size easel (I have a mini one lol) and the second is a stool so I can paint near my window with natural light.  I am slowly gaining more confidence, and not being so hard on myself.  The latter is harder than it should be lol, but all in all I am enjoying every minute of it.  I am particularly proud of the current project I'm working on, once it's complete I will share with y'all too!

Since I didn't post on Valentines day I thought today would be perfect.  Unfortunately Nathan and I could not be together this year :(, but as he always says "our Valentines hasn't happened yet, not until we're together".  He did send me a lovely bouquet of flowers, well they would have been if the delivery company was competent :(  The delivery got all messed up, then I couldn't pick them up like I was supposed to.  By the time I actually had them, they were wilted and died a few days later :(  Of course Nathan felt awful (even though it wasn't his fault), but thankfully they not only fully reimbursed him but offered him a free replacement bouquet :D  He hasn't ordered them yet, but I am super excited to get some purdy flowers.  I ended up spending quality time with my grandparents, I gave my grandmother a valentine with word search book and that made her happy.  My grandfather however, was more difficult to figure out what he'd like.  So I did what I do best, I baked him a treat!  Of course I sent enough over so my grandmother could enjoy them too ;)

Ultimate Chocolate Brownies (via Hershey's)

Ingredients

(brownie)

3/4C cocoa

1/2tsp baking soda

2/3C butter, melted and divided

1/2C boiling water

2C sugar

2 eggs

1 1/3C flour

1tsp vanilla

1/4tsp salt

1C semi sweet chocolate chips

 

(frosting)

6Tbs butter, softened

2 2/3C powdered sugar

1/2C cocoa

1/3C milk

1tsp vanilla

 

Directions:

1)  Heat the oven to 350F.  Grease 13"x 9"x2" baking pan or 2 8" square baking pans.

2)  Combine cocoa and baking soda in a large bowl; stir in 1/3C butter.

 

3)  Add boiling water; stir until mixture thickens.

 

4)  Blend in sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3C butter.

 

5)  Add flour, vanilla, and salt; blend well.

 

6)  Add chocolate chips.  

 

7)  Pour into prepared pan(s).  Bake for 35-40 minutes for the rectangular pan, and 30-35 minutes for the square pans.  Or until the brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.

 

8)  While brownies are baking, prepare the frosting.  Beat butter in medium bowl.

 

9)  Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency.  Additional milk may be needed.

 

 

10)  Stir in vanilla.  Makes about 2C.

 

 11)  Cool brownies completely in pan.  Frost with prepared butter cream.  Garnish with additional chocolate chips, if desired.  Cut into squares.

I may have taste tested it lol

 I thought I would try to be fun and cute by cutting out valentine themed brownies.  This was easier said then done lol, I don't think this particular recipe is solid enough.  However, I will share what I attempted lol :p

A penguin, because they only have one mate for life.  So frickin' adorable lol

Two hearts, lol that needs some additional shaping.

 This recipe, although may not be solid enough for cookie cutters, it is very yummy.  They're very moist, and deliciously sinful with chocolate.  I don't normally care for anything overly chocolatey, but these are so delicious that I may have ate more than one.  Okay, okay more than two :(  It's not my fault, I was sad because I was without my soul mate on a day meant to celebrate love.  Although as I'm writing this I realize that Nathan and I don't need one day, because he try to celebrate each other and our relationship all the time.  I know I'm cheesy, lol but y'all love me and therefore my cheesiness ;)

Tomorrow I've got a non dessert recipe to share with y'all, but something savory and equally delicious!  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo 

Not Quite a Cake, Yet Not Quite Pudding

Hello Sweets,

Well tomorrow is the day I get my keys!!!  I am doing as much packing as possible tonight so I feel as though it's not such a daunting task, but the mandatory naps aren't helping.  I just woke up from one and am feeling quite groggy, so I figured I write a post to help wake my brain up before I do anything else.  As much as I am looking forward to moving, the stress of the final days is getting to me lol.  I just hate the packing part lol.  Oh well, it has to be done right?  On the plus side, I found this super soft and super awesome bath mat.  Do statements like that mean that I've become old?  I am finding that new household objects are super fun for me, lol yea I am old.

So today we are delving right into chocolate!  Are you a "chocoholic"?  If so then you've picked the perfect day to stop by my little blog :)  I'm not a chocoholic, but if it's the right dessert I will be all over it.  This dessert is the quintessential chocolate craving quencher, if you really want chocolate and can't wait to get it, then this is the recipe for you.  Let's get to the good stuff, so I can get back to packing *yawn*

Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake

Ingredients

(cake)

3/4C flour

1/2C sugar

1/2C unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2tsp baking powder

2/3C milk

1tsp vanilla

2Tbs vegetable oil

(topping)

2/3C packed brown sugar

1/4C mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4C cocoa

1 1/4C hot water

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  In a 2qt casserole dish, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder.

 

2)  Add milk, oil, and vanilla.  Stir until well mixed.

 

3)  In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips.

 

4)  Sprinkle over cake batter.  DO NOT STIR.

 

5)  Pour hot water over top.  Again, do not stir.

 

6)  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top looks cooked.  Serve warm.

yummy!

chocolaty gooey goodness

  

This dessert is so hard to explain, as it's not quite pudding but it's not quite cake either.  What it is, is a warm, gooey, chocolaty plate of heaven.  I love chocolate lava cakes, but this will do in its place any day!  The fun part is when you serve a piece, because under the cake section is the gooey puddingness (totally just made up my own word lol).  This is something that will definitely be made again, as it was such a great hit.  Nathan sure did love it :)

Now it's time to get back to the fun stuff; packing lol.  Maybe beforehand I will bake up a treat, lol probably shouldn't, but I wanna lol.  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

I Feel Like Chicken Tonight, Chicken Tonight!!

Hello Sweets,

Well I am officially back on Canadian soil :(, which is precisely why I didn't have a post for y'all yesterday.  Since I got an extra night with Nathan we spent a lot of time talking and enjoying our final night together :)  When I finally made it back to my home I had to run to the grocery store, because let's face it a girls gotta eat ;)  Since I am finally back on a somewhat normal schedule, I figured I would share a yummy treat with my lovely readers.  I have to say it feels really good to be writing again, I guess every once in a while a writer has to take a step back to put things into perspective.

As I am writing this post, I realize I have just dated myself lol.  The title of this post is from a catchy little jingle from the 1990's, even though the brand (Chicken Tonight) is still around you don't ever see their commercials.  The inspiration for the title came to me literally while looking at the pictures for tonight's post, I love when things just fall into place with little to no effort :)  A few months back Nathan came up to visit me for a few days, and we planned to go visit my mom and her husband.  Since we had an early flight the next morning, a red eye what fun lol, they offered for us to sleep at their house.  This lovely act of kindness would easily shave an hour off our drive to the airport, and with a red eye an extra hour of sleep is soooo worth it.  My mom makes pretty amazing chicken wings, but I haven't had them since I was younger and that was when she used to fry them.  Now she bakes them in the oven, they're crispy and not overly greasy.  What more can you ask for in a chicken wing?

Mommas Chicken Wings

Ingredients

Chicken wings (as many as you need)

Butter (you have to use it sparingly), melted

Ketchup (I used both regular and spicy)

Hot sauce, I used two types to kick it up a notch (use the spice level you're comfortable with)

Flour

pinch of salt

dash of pepper

dash of seasoning salt

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 400F.  In a large Ziploc bag, add the dry ingredients.  Use enough flour to completely coat every chicken wing, I used more than necessary so I didn't have to re-adjust the spices.  Shake until wings are completely coated, shake off any excess before placing on baking sheet.

 

2)  Place chicken wings on a tinfoil lined (I forgot to do that and they stuck a bit) baking sheet, bake until crispy (oops forgot to write the time down :/ )

 

3)  While chicken is cooking, melt butter (not too much or the sauce will just slide off).  Add enough ketchup to thicken the sauce, then add your hot sauce.  Taste test the sauce as you go, making adjustments until you reach you desired flavor.

 

 

4)  Once the chicken wings are crispy, gently toss them in your sauce.  Serve immediately, you can even dress it up with carrots and celery.

 

These were so simple to make, and they tasted better than the ones you get at the bar!  Well at least that is what I took from Nathan gobbling them up lol.  I am actually excited to expand to new and different flavors, I am very partial to honey garlic or anything with a sweet heat kick to it.  The only way you get good at flavor combinations is by trail and error, so if at first you don't succeed.... well you know the rest.  Basically what I'm trying to say is just go for it, and follow your taste buds.

I should take a moment to thank my momma for not only sharing her recipe with me, but also for teaching me how to cook with my senses and not a recipe ;)  I know this post isn't a sweet treat, but you know me I like to mix it up.  However, tomorrow's post is going right back to the sweets so get ready for something delicious and holiday appropriate!  Yes I know the main holidays are over, but I'm back logged :p  So consider the next few posts like a time machine, "once this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious s%*t!".  If you like Marty McFly, you'll know what I'm talking about ;)  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo