Happy New Year!

It's 2012 already?! Maybe it's time that I return from my blogging hiatus.

Recipes to come soon! I promise. :)

The Cookiepedia!

A few weeks ago (okay, probably a month ago…but I was out of town for 2 weeks on business), I got contacted by the good people of Quirk Books.  They asked me if I was interested in receiving a copy of The Cookiepedia, by Stacy Adimando, for review.  Umm…of course, I was!  Being a “cookie enthusiast,” I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to review a new cookie cookbook, now could I?

There are so many things that I love about this cookbook.  First of all, every single recipe is a cookie = awesome!  Secondly, it’s so cute and practical. The pages are spiral bound for ease in turning and propping open to your recipe. Plus, the font is fun, the recipes are clear and they even leave a little space for you to make your own notes on the recipes.

 

Third, there are pictures of every cookie.  I don’t know about you, but I enjoy it when cookbooks have pictures.  It helps when you know what your making is going to turn out looking that good!

 

And lastly, I love this quote within the first few pages!  Ain’t it the truth?

While perusing this cookbook, I came across many cookies that I immediately wanted to make such as the Thin Mints, the Animal Cookies, the Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink-Cookies, the Madaleines, the Lemon Chewies…well alright, I kinda wanted to make them all.  However, I could only pick one, so I picked the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!  I loved these oatmeal cookies cause they were easy to make; plus, they were hearty and deliciously cinnamon-y. 

So, if you’re a baker and cookie lover like me, I’d definitely recommend checking out The Cookiepedia.  I foresee many more cookie posts in the future on my blog.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, from The Cookiepedia

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats or quick cooking oats
• 2/3 cup raisins

Directions

1. Cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for a few minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix a bit more.
2. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.  Pour in the flour mixture an run the mixer motor on low, just to work it in.  Stir in the oats and raisins with a spoon.
3. Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto parchment-paper-lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake from 12 to 14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through baking.  Let cool and enjoy.

Banana Bread

A few weeks ago, I was at Sam's Club browsing the fruit area when I saw a bunch of overripe bananas.  "Those poor bananas," I thought, "Who's going to ever buy those, especially when they are near the perfectly yellow ones?"  Yes, I know it's kinda sad that I think that about over ripe fruit...but nevertheless, I did.  The whole bunch of about 3lbs of bananas was only $1.98!  A total bargain, right?  But what does one do with overripe bananas?  Make banana bread, of course!  And so, the bananas somehow made their way into my cart.

I've made this recipe many times over the past few years and it has become my "go-to" banana bread recipe.  Not only is it simple, I bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry, but it's delicious!  When making this bread, I sometimes use whole wheat flour and sometimes just regular flour, or you can mix and match.  Also, I add spices to my bread, per the modifcations below and it turns out great everytime.  I always get compliments from people saying how moist and flavorful this bread is; plus, numerous requests for the recipe.  So, here you go, my friends.  Make this soon and enjoy it as a snack with coffee or as my personal fave - warmed up with some butter on top for breakfast.  Mmmm!

Enjoy!

Ingredients.

Quality control.

Banana Banana Bread by Food.com
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed very overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Lightly grease 9 x 5 loaf pan
3. In large bowl, combine flour, soda and salt.
4. In separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
5. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended.
6. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten.
7. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.
9. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Homemade Salsa

Hello!  I’m back.  I took a break.  Because I felt like.  Alright, let’s move on.

Chips and salsa are a favorite for Jeremy and me.  We like it as an appetizer, apart of a meal or as a snack.  But why should we always have to resort to store bought salsa?  Though there are many delicious varieties of store bought kind (ex. Trader Joe’s Pineapple Salsa), there is something about homemade salsa that is so good.  Maybe it’s the fact that you can make it as spicy or chunky as you want.  Or maybe it’s because it’s so easy.  My vote is for all of the above!

This recipe is from Jeremy’s sister and brother-in-law and it’s fabulous!  It’s a mix of canned and fresh items, which make it so delicious and as I’ve mentioned…easy!  Plus, I frequently cut the recipe in halve and it still turns out great.  It’s one of those recipes that you can’t mess up.  So, go ahead and make the Carne Asada Burritos that I’ve talked about and this salsa.  Throw in some tortilla chips and you’ll have a wonderful, fiesta.

Enjoy!

Ingredients.

Just add chips!

Delicious Salsa

Printable Copy

Ingredients

• 1 large can crushed tomatoes
• 1 large can diced tomatoes (dice a little more)
• 1 large bunch of cilantro (chopped)
• 3/4 of a large white onion (chopped)
• 2 raw jalapeno peppers (chopped)
• 1 Anaheim chili (fire roasted on stove, until black, then chopped)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Season with garlic salt and black pepper, to taste.
3. Refrigerate left overs.

My New Obsession

If you know me at all, you know that I’m slightly obsessed with peanut butter.  I’ve been know to eat spoonful's out of the jar.  I eat it on apples, on celery sticks, on carrot sticks…actually, I’m pretty sure I’d eat it on just about anything. 

When I first came across this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Picky Palate, I knew I was destined to make it.  It’s main ingredient is peanut butter, with the second ingredient being Oreos.  That’s right, I said it, Oreos.  Followed by the last ingredient, white chocolate chips.  I’m going to give you a moment to imagine the goodness…

Are you drooling yet?  Please.  I beg you.  Stop what you’re doing right now.  Make this peanut butter.  Then, grab a spoon and dig in, while you check out some of Jenny’s other amazing recipes on her blog.

Enjoy!

 

Cookies and Cream Peanut Butter, by Picky Palate

Ingredients

• 10 whole Oreo Cookies (I added a whole roll of Oreos, which I think is about 15…because really, why not?)
• 2 Cups creamy peanut butter (Per Jenny’s recommendation, I used a “natural” pb, since we’re adding so much sweetness)
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Directions

1. Crush Oreos into small pieces and place into a large bowl.  Add 2 cups peanut butter.
2. Place white chips and 2 tablespoons peanut butter into a double boiler and stir until melted OR microwave in 30 second intervals.Add to bowl of Oreos and peanut butter. 
3. Stir just a little so you have a bit of swirls of chocolate throughout.  Place peanut butter into a jar!

Carne Asada Burritos

Hello?  Anyone out there?  Probably not, since I've neglected my blog for the past 2 months, but for reals, I'm back.  Over the past few months, I was traveling for work a lot, which didn't equal a lot of home cooked meals and when I was at home, I was just making my old standbys.  Yeah, yeah, I know , that’s always my excuse.  However, I'm now back in the kitchen, cooking up fabulous eats and treats.  So, lets get going with this one!

In our weekly meal planning, Jeremy said he wanted Carne Asada Burritos.  I immediately thought, "Umm, I'm not even sure what Carne Asada is exactly, besides delicious."  So, to the internet I went.  Specifically, to one of my favorite blogs - For the Love of Cooking.  Pam has a fabulous website with so many delicious recipes!  I've been reading here blog for a long time and I always find awesome stuff on it.

Just recently Pam posted Carne Asada Sandwiches. Um, yum!  Well, since we wanted burritos, all I had to do was make her Carne Asada recipe, add our fixins’ and ta-da, a delicious meal was born. 

Within our burritos, we added pinto beans, cilantro, cheese and grilled onions.  Mmmm, I’m not going to lie…this carne asada is fantastic!  Jeremy and I were both shocked how good it was.  I’m talking restaurant-quality- good here.  You should all make it this week.  Actually, you should all make it tomorrow night,  invite me over for dinner, and then go check out Pam’s blog, so we’ll talk about her recipes, deal?

Enjoy!

Slicing the meat.

Pre-rolled.

Post-rolled.

Quickly being consumed by me!

Carne Asada Marinade

from Pam at For the Love of Cooking
Printable Recipe

• 1 1/2 - 2 lbs of flank steak (I couldn’t find flank, so I used thin sirloin)
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup olive oil (I only used about 1/3)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1-2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 2 limes, juiced
• 4-5 cloves garlic minced

In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine all ingredients with flank steak and mix really well. Let marinate for at least 6 hours - overnight if you can.  When ready, grill to your likeness.

Cake Balls

If you've been around the food/cooking/baking blog community, I'm sure that you're familiar with Bakerella.  Her beautiful treats are works of art and her Cake Pops are especially lovely.  If you're not familiar, go ahead and check out her website, I'll wait...

 

Pretty cute, right?  Did you see the reindeer ones for Christmas?  So, cute!  Why can’t I have that talent?

 

Anyway, I've wanted to make Cake Pops for awhile and finally got around to doing it a few weeks ago.  However, I didn't have any sticks, so mine were Cake Balls.  I followed Bakerella's directions located here and my Cake Balls were a success!  Not only were they easy to make, but boy, were they good.  They reminded me of kind of a Ho-Ho, with their firm coating and soft inside.  One thing to remember though is to make sure your chocolate coating stays warm and melty…otherwise, it will start to thicken up and you’ll have lumpy balls.  Ha!

 

Smooth, pretty balls.

 

Bumpy, ugly balls.

 

Mmmm, Cake Balls!

 

On a side note, when I was making these Cake Balls I could not stop thinking of the Saturday Night Live skit called, "Schweddy Balls."  In fact, I giggled for a good hour while making them (I have a high level of maturity).  You've seen the skit, right?  It's good old Saturday Night Live humor and though slightly inappropriate...it's hilarious!  And just incase you haven't, here it is. 

 

Enjoy the video clip and enjoy these Schweddy Balls...I mean, Cake Balls!

 

Cake Balls by Bakerella

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake) – I used Devil’s Food
• 1 can frosting (16 oz.) – I used Vanilla
• 1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
• wax paper

Directions

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting.
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet.
4. Chill for several hours.
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm.

**See Bakerella’s website for detailed instructions and prettier balls! **