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

The Granola Goddess

Hello Sweets,

I guess all the productiveness from yesterday made for a sore body today :(  Not to mention the migraine I had was a little ridiculous, lol my poor landlord had to stop by and felt horrible.  I told her it was okay that she stopped by as I knew it was going to be quick, and that I was also going back to bed :p  Thankfully I had leftovers from yesterday, so at least I didn't have to strain to make sure I ate.  Although I haven't eaten any of it yet, but I managed to get a banana and some crackers down so far...yayyy!  I'm going to try eating some soup here soon, so let's think positively lol.

Thankfully I did make something last night after I finished my post :D  Unfortunately I forget that I didn't pick up any eggs yet, so I couldn't make any muffins.  So obviously that made figuring out another recipe a bit of a challenge, until I made a snack that is.  Probably one of my favorite snacks right now is yogurt and granola, it makes me happy lol.  So that got me thinking, why haven't I made my own granola yet?  Clearly I had no good reason, so that made my decision to make some that much easier.  I looked at some recipes to determine whether or not I had everything I needed, and although I didn't have some things I had some other interesting substitutions :)

Canuckette's Granola

Ingredients

6C rolled oats

1/4C dark brown sugar

1/2C olive oil

1/3C honey

2tsp vanilla

1/4C coconut flakes

1/2C raisins

1/2C dried cherries

1C pecans, chopped

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix rolled oats and brown sugar together. 

                          

2)  In a separate bowl; whisk together the oil, honey, and vanilla. 

3)  Pour over dry mixture, stirring well to coat thoroughly.

 

4)  Add in chopped nuts (and seeds if you want) at this point.

 

5)  Spread on a sprayed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.  Stir frequently (every 5 mins) to ensure even baking.  It should be golden brown when done.

 

6)  Add dried fruit and coconut once it's done cooking.

7)  Let cool on baking sheet, then break up any large pieces.  Store in an airtight container.  Stores for 3 weeks.

Not only did my house smell amazing, but it tastes great too!

Not only do you know exactly what goes into it, but it tastes a million times better because it's fresh.  You can also personalize it for everyone in your family :)  Don't like coconut, leave it out!  Big fan of flax seed, add it in!  You could even add in chocolate chips to it if you're a chocoholic.  What ever you do make it your own, that way you'll enjoy eating it.

First thing I'm doing tomorrow is getting some eggs, lol let's face it I'm going to need them.  As long as I do that the sky's the limit tomorrow!  Now to make that limitless list, a little shorter ;)  For the rest of tonight I'll be relaxing and talking to the love of my life, and if my migraine will permit it maybe a little painting too!  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

Happy Birthday to My Little Blog!!

Hello Sweets,

** ~HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY CANUCKETTE'S CREATIONS!!!!~**
It's my birthday and I'll dance if I want to, sing if I want to!!!  But since it's my blogs birthday I won't steal the show lol :p  One year ago today this sweet little blog was born, and I can't believe that it's still going strong and getting stronger every day!  I love that it's helping both me and others, keeps my brain sharp and brings yummy goodness to all my lovely readers :)  Not to mention it has forced me out of my  box in regards to risks I take in the kitchen.  You can't learn  and expand your repertoire by playing safe right?

So I thought it would be fun to reminisce about what I've done it the past year, and where I hope to go in the next year :)  I'll be the first to admit that I've had my fair share of fails this year, the most memorable would have to be the "brick" I baked.  My first attempt at Whole Wheat Honey Loaf was a complete and utter disaster lol, the yeast didn't activate but I thought it had.  So of course after it came out of the oven it was flat and very dense, but I wasn't going to let that detour me!  I gave it a go again the next day and it turned out exactly as it was supposed to :D  Lesson learned, like the post is appropriately named "with baking there is no fail, only lessons to be turned".  Just because something doesn't turn out the way you intend doesn't mean you should give up, always remember that while in the kitchen ;)  Probably the most trouble I've had while on my journey is with activating yeast, it's such a temperamental product that you have to make sure all the aspects are perfect.  If at first you don't succeed, try again, and that is a kitchen motto!  Another lesson I'm taking from this year is never be afraid of a product that you haven't used before.  I had never baked with pumpkin puree before and most thought the cupcakes sounded weird, but boy do they taste good!  For right now let's get to the birthday treat I made for today's blog, and no it's not cake not even a dessert technically but I made it a little sweet ;)  Just like me lol :p

Indian Fry Bread

Ingredients

4C all-purpose flour

1Tbs baking powder

1tsp salt

2Tbs powdered milk

1 1/2C warm water

1C shortening

extra flour for your hands

 

(I used fresh milk instead, just swap the measurements and I used olive oil instead of shortening)

Directions:

1)  Put flour, baking powder, and salt (and powdered milk if you're using it) into a large bowl.  Mix thoroughly.

 

2)  Mix in warm water and milk to form dough.

 

3)  Cover hands in flour, knead dough by hand until it is soft but not sticky.  Cover with a cloth for 15 minutes.

 

4)  Shape dough into balls 2" across, then flatten by patting and stretching the dough.

 

5)  Melt shortening about an inch in a deep frying pan.  When hot put the dough in, frying one side until golden brown then flip and repeat.

 

 

4)  Serve either as a taco shell for Indian tacos or serve with warm honey.

 

 These are delicious served right away with the warm honey drizzled over top.  My only issue was that I think I needed to flatten and stretch them a little more next time, that way they will be more bubbly for a lack of a better word lol.  What I'm trying to say is that as it fries it will puff up more and create bubble pockets :)  I know that isn't a "typical" birthday type celebration treat, but it was something I never tried before and have been wanting to.  What better day then my little blogs birthday ;) 

So what is in store for Canuckette's Creations this year?  Well for one I'm taking the big leap into a mini business, nothing crazy just enough to occupy my time and to see others smile.  Of course I will be trying new, different, and unique dishes.  If any of y'all wanted to suggest something you'd like to see me try feel free to drop me a line and I will do my best to make it happen :) 

** ~HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY CANUCKETTE'S CREATIONS!!!!~**

A big thank you to my editor, publisher, and love of my life Nathan.  Without you and your loving encouragement this wouldn't even be happening!  I love you, always and forever I promise.  There isn't enough thanks in the world to express how much your support means to me :)  Until next time.....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxoxoxo

A Bruised Little Peach

Hello Sweets,

So it is with great embarrassment to tell y'all that last night I fell down the stairs >_<  Thank you gravity, like I don't have enough wide spread pain as it is *sigh*.  I couldn't even tell you how it happened, I wasn't multitasking or anything.  The only factor that I feel played apart was the fact that all the downstairs lights were off, normally there is a dim light in the kitchen left on but apparently not last night.  Thankfully I have nothing more than some bruised body parts, and well of course my bruised pride.  It really upset me because today I was supposed to have some play time with my nephew, but my sister had to reschedule as well.  Funny how things can sometimes coincide so that everyone is a winner, want to know my prize?  Tomorrow I am going with my sister to chaperon my nephews daycare to the movies, and we're going to see Planes!  As excited as I am to be going to see it I know I won't see most of the movie, as a chaperon I think that's normal.  I love the movie Cars so much that I convinced Nathan to watch it with me, he's a big fan of NASCAR so I knew he'd like it too.  I was super happy when he enjoyed it as much as I did, upon founding out they were making a Planes version it was decided we'd see that too!  With a family of pilots there is no other choice really lol, so thankfully when I'm back in Texas we will go and see it and I'll be able to see it in it's entirety.  When I write tomorrow's post I'll let you know how it goes with all the little ones, maybe even snag a cutie picture of Miguel to share with y'all.

When ever I finish one blog post I immediately start thinking of the next one, I sometimes find the title of the post to be the hardest part (you have to intrigue people after all).  Well as soon as I hit the bottom of the stairs the title hit me almost as hard, peaches bruise easily just like I did *BAM*.  Lol at least I can laugh at it now, last night I had a little bit of a sulk fest but I'm doing better today :)  So I'm sure you know which delicate fruit we're working with today ;)  Peaches have always been one of my favorite fruits, despite it's fuzzy outside they're so sweet and juicy.  I remember as a child trying to eat them with out having juice drip all over my hands and face, still to this day I have not mastered that lol.  However, I have never made a peach pie (only things like cobbler and muffins) or eaten one for that matter.  I know crazy right, well I was about to change that with more mini tarts!

Honey Peach Pie Filling

Ingredients

7 large peaches, peeled and sliced

3/4C honey, melted

4Tbs cornstarch

tiniest pinch of salt

3/8Tsp nutmeg

 

Directions:

1)  Stir all ingredients together.

 

That's all you do, lol really and I apologize for not having a picture of the final filling.  However, I do have something much.......sweeter ;)

 

These tarts have a nice subtle flavor that is sweetened by the honey, and it makes a great dessert after dinner when paired with vanilla ice cream (as my grandparents did).  I actually called my grandparents today to see how they were and if they were enjoying the tarts I left for them.  My grandmother was very thankful that I brought some for them and she is thoroughly enjoying them.  That melts my heart to no end, sometimes we don't think she eats enough but when I cook for them she usually eats more than I do.  There are few things better in life than knowing your family is proud of you but I'll tell you one thing, it still amazes me sometimes when they tell me that they are.

Well we are half way through the tart fillings, and that means it's getting closer to the day I am reunited with the love of my life in Texas.  Frankly it can't come fast enough, to anyone that is not Canadian I'll tell you why.  It's only the middle of August but it feels as though it's October or November, seriously it's super cold.  So I am going to cuddle up in my leopard hoodie footie and snuggle while I watch some Breaking Bad, yea I know I'm completely late to that party but I just got hooked on it a few days ago lol.  Until next time..........................................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxoxo

Needing A Little Me Time?

Hello Sweets,

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, I won't get into mine as it has been full of......turmoil lets say :/ .  I am hoping that writing this post will help shake this feeling again, but with the extreme shoulder pain, migraine, and inner turmoil I fear that may be easier said than done.  None the less I will give you all as much as I can and try and keep it upbeat and happy (ugh this is not going to be easy :().

So as I told you guys yesterday that I'd have something for you today that is pretty unique as it is food but not in the conventional way that I've based my blog on.  As I've told you guys eating has become a huge hurdle for me this week, for example yesterday all I had was 1/2  of a banana muffins (ya the super moist and yummy ones), so I had to start thinking outside the box "so to speak" to using some already ripe produce.  So I put my thinking cap on and thought about what I needed to use and what I could use in this un-hungry time.  For those of you who may not know I live in Canada, and it is damn cold here right now lol and even worse thanks to mister Nemo *fist shake*(storm not the fish lol)!  The one thing that happens to me every year when the climate changes is dry skin which annoys me to no end, but I do love to have facials so............(see where I'm going?)  I found an avocado website to help me with the ingredients (if you have sensitive skin you'll want to try it on a small patch of skin first in case of irritation), I'm going to share the one I choose and loved!  There are other concoctions there too depending on what you are looking for.  I've made face masks from other kitchen ingredients as well, but this is my first avocado adventure.  Oh and I am posting a very vulnerable photo of me wearing the mask so please be kind :)

Avocado & Honey Face Mask (dry skin)

Ingredients

1 avocado, pitted

1/2C honey

Directions:

1)  Mash the avocado in a bowl.

 they're easy to pit, just slice on one side it will open and then use a spoon to remove the meat from the flesh

2)  Add the honey and mix well.

3)  Then apply to your face, avoiding eye area, for about 10 minutes.

not the the best pic (or flattering lol), but you get the jist of it

4)  Remove with warm water, then cleans skin a final time with cold water.

Now it's not the prettiest, or even nicest of feelings but I did this three days ago and the dry skin I did have on my face is still gone!  Success :), now I am not a girly girl by any means but I do love a nice facial, although it is better when someone else is doing the dirty work.  But this is SUPER cheap and easy, and with plenty left over I can do it again in the next week if need be.  I can still remember my very first facial, it was the week before my prom and it left my skin feeling like a babies bottom lol.  Then for a long time I never did them again, that is until a friend and I moved in together.  We would go to Lush, a great store that has all natural beauty products that are amazing, we'd pick up a couple different little containers depending on what are needs were at that time.  Then we would have a girly Saturday or Sunday looking silly, eating pancakes (we made the most crazy, creative, and delicious ones), and laughing.  The best part is we lived with a male friend of ours (yes, we totally were like 3's company...."come and knock on my door" lol sorry had to, plus you probably just sang it in your head), and the first few times we scared the bejesus out of him, but in the end we could recruit him from time to time.

Well my lovelies, that did "busy" my mind for a little while but now that I'm starting to stray I'm going to end the post knowing it's fun, informative, and even gave me a small smile from time to time.  Oh, before I go I want to share with all of you the face that had me smiling for a good 45 minutes today (and I really needed the change of emotion :( ).

 

This is Callie, and she reminds me sooo much of my old dog Roxy when she was a pup!

She loved me, and now I need to figure out how to keep her lol jk

Until next time....................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

A "Corny" Sweet Success!

Hello Sweets,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and spent today relaxing on the final day of the weekend :(  My weekend was not too bad, health wasn't a complete blockade (yay for small triumphs lol) and I went right back into the kitchen to create some things I've been  envisioning in my head for what seems like days now.  Now the one thing that my weekend did lack was sleep, and I don't mean only got a few hours or was restless, but actually have only gotten about 7 hours since Thursday night O_O.  Needless to say that today I am a goofy, giggling, zombie just trying to push on through with hopes of a full night sleep tonight (fingers crossed).  Now I am sure you're all wondering why I didn't have a cat nap this afternoon, and the reason is because I made plans to see my grandparents and hate breaking promises to them.  We needed to have a little quality catch up :)  Then when I got home I had to create my final recipe of the "chili" chapters (damn should have thought of that with the first post, lol oh well), and now it's dinner time and I'm afraid that if I fall asleep now I'll awake in the middle of the night lol.

So I am sure you've all been speculating on what the final chapter is, and I've got a pretty good idea that the title may have cemented your guesses :).  If you guessed cornbread you're the grand prize winner...........of the guessing game lol your big prize is my thanks and a smile!  Now I've eaten chili all my life, cornbread however is fairly new to me as it is not common at all where I am from, but that doesn't mean I had never tried it, but when I had it for the first time at Nathan's house I really fell in love with that starchy little devil.  Contrary to what I've had at home, Texas cornbread is moist, sweeter, and has great texture (drools).  When Nathan's dad made chili for us right before I went home, I offered to make some from scratch (they use a box, fore shame!) but he was worried it wouldn't be sweet enough, so in the words of Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother - TV series) "Challenge Accepted!".  From then on I've had this burning determination to find the perfect recipe for scrumptious cornbread, and then I stumbled upon a fabulous little web site (obviously a fellow kitchen creator) called A Sweet Pea Chef (love the title too) and there was the start of my great cornbread :)  So I drew inspiration from her recipe and made a few "Canuckette adjustments", to make exactly what I was looking for.  And now I'm going to share it with all of you!

Canuckette's Sweet Cornbread (inspired from A Sweet Pea Chef)

Ingredients

1C all-purpose flour

1C cornmeal, yellow

1/2C granulated sugar

2 1/2Tsp baking powder

1 Tbs brown sugar, dark and heaping

1 Tsp salt

1 egg

1C half and half (the lightest you can find, mine was 50% less fat than original)

1/3C vegetable oil

1/2C creamed corn

3Tbs honey, melted (give or take)

Directions:
1)  Preheat the oven to 400F, and grease (I used coconut oil, so no flour was needed) either a 9" round cake pan or a 12 cup muffin tin.

2)  Combine all dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, both sugars, baking powder, and salt) in to a large bowl and set aside.

3)  In a separate smaller bowl, combine all the wet ingredients (egg, cream, oil, creamed corn but not the honey).

   

crazy looking layers lol

4)  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly, but be careful not to over mix.  Drizzle the melted honey over top of the batter, doing your best to evenly distribute.

 

 

This was when I decided to add the honey for a little bit of sweetness on top :)

  

5)  Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

   

yummers!!

I'm so glad I foraged down this road, specifically because I am not sure how much more I can improve on this recipe, it's honestly that good!  Normally I don't like to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT lol.  If you love or even like cornbread then you definitely need to try this recipe, and if you aren't sure if you will like it try this recipe because it's the best I've come across yet!

Well I can barely keep my eyes open as I  finish up this post lol.  That last paragraph took me almost 15 minutes to write because my mind was trying to shut down lol, so it looks like I may be going down for a cat nap after all, and hopefully not all night.  Make sure to come back tomorrow for a simple and refreshing way to forget we are in the middle of winter (if only for a moment).  Until next time..................................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo