In the Kitchen

Be Still My Sweet Tooth

by Stacy on October 7, 2011

The Kitchen Aid Mixer Giveaway is over and I am still in awe at how many of you took the time to enter. Thank You. There were 5,701!!! giveaway submissions and lucky number 1,201, Jessica, was randomly chosen as our winner. She received her mixer on Wednesday and I am thrilled that she is someone who will truly appreciate it. I’m betting her 5 kids will be pretty happy too!

As for me, I believe I have gained five pounds just sifting through your entries. Oh My Goodness, do you ladies know how to bake! You will have to give me some pointers because baking is one area in the kitchen, I don’t feel I have mastered just yet.

Maybe with all of the AH-Mazing dessert ideas I have, I will finally be able to conquer my baking fears. Want to see some of these droolworthy desserts I keep talking about? Oh, OK … I’ll stop talking and show you the good stuff.

I could probably do a years worth of posts on your comments alone, who knows — maybe I will? But for today, here’s a few that caught my eye:

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

Source: joythebaker.com via Cat on Pinterest

Individual Peanut Butter Pies entered by Nicola

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Source: tastebook.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Source: recipegirl.com via Kim on Pinterest

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Source: une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com via Allie on Pinterest

Triple Chocolate Pound Cake

Source: nancycreative.wordpress.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

See what I mean? … wiping drool away … I’ve had visions of these goodies and oh so many more since the giveaway started. I just barely scratched the surface of what you guys sent in. What do you think? Should we keep talking sweets and featuring recipes you guys submitted? Let me know, I’m all ears!

Lots of fun stuff coming up on the blog, you won’t want to miss a thing!

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My new favorite dessert

by Stacy on June 28, 2011

I call it, the White Chocolate Summer Berry Tart.

And it’s one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make! It’s pretty healthy and low calorie, and the kids can almost make it themselves. Plus it tastes fantastic! And all around winner in my book. Oh yeah, and it looks nice too, so it’s a great choice for picnics & BBQs this summer.

Oh enough of me trying to sell it to you. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think.

White Chocolate Summer Berry Tart

Serves 8

- store bought German style tart (find these near the angel food cakes)
- 2 packs of Instant Sugar Free White Chocolate Pudding
- 4 cups of milk
- berries of your choice (we used blueberries, blackberries, raspberries & strawberries)
- a few chocolate chips
- Whip Cream (I used RediWhip, b/c someone told me it was better for you)

Ok now for the easy part, make pudding according to directions (2 boxes = 4 cups of milk) and let sit for 5 minutes. Take the tart out of the package, fill with pudding. Sprinkle with berries (slice larger berries like strawberries and blackberries) Insert chocolate chips into the hull of raspberries for a special treat.

Take photos, slice and serve with a dollop of whip cream on top. Enjoy!

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What I can’t stop eating

by Stacy on February 21, 2011

Lunch has really been looking up around these parts the last few weeks thanks to a sweet friend of mine. You know the type, the one who whenever you hear they’re cooking for a party or that they might be bringing an item to a certain get together, you just FIND a way to be there. Well, that’s my friend Jun.

We knew she had talent way back in the day, but I was so incredibly proud of her when she packed her things and followed her dreams across the Atlantic to fancy cooking school (a dream we share by the way). Not that she ever needed to. I mean, I’ve never met a dish of hers I didn’t like, from French Toast to Sushi Rolls to downhome Ribs & Mac N Cheese or the Cheesecake, oh the cheesecake – mmmm.

Lucky for you, I like to share. Now Jun can be “that” friend to you too.

I’m in love with her asian take on the typical tuna sandwich. Let me tell you, there’s nothing typical about this version (sesame seeds and sriracha sauce).

I must have tried it 10 times already, I’d share the recipe but I’d rather you stop by her little house on the beach and tell her I said Hi! It won’t take you long till you’re as hooked on her as I am.

Recipe found here: Asian Tuna Salad

Love you Sweet Jun

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Cranberry Apple Fruit Salad

by Stacy on January 12, 2011

I mentioned I was working on a lot of new things for myself this year. Balance, being one of them. I hate to admit that after a year of doing fairly well, I threw it all to the wind after our family vacation in September. After that, our meals just became horribly unbalanced. You know the ones – too many carbs, not enough veggies.

I’m out to change all that and get us back to a happy medium of protein, carbs, fruits and veggies and I would just love to share this process with you. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see me start to feature recipes we’ve tried, meal plans we’re actually using and some fun stuff that you will hopefully find well, … helpful.

I would love to hear about what your family is doing right in these regards and even areas where you still have room for improvement. I’m a helper by nature, so if I can help you out at the same time I’m helping myself, my chances for success will increase ten fold. Seriously, hit me with you best shot. Kids not eating meat or veggies, husband who is diabetic or gluten intolerant. Don’t worry, I can take it.

Ok, skipping ahead here. Another word I’m focusing on this year is, Courage. I’m hoping to gather up as much of that as possible and maybe even publish a few of my own personal recipes too. Seems I am a bit shy about some things, food photography being one of them. Still, I have a great arsenal of tried and trues and figure I should help but them in your arsenal too.

Until then though … here’s a fun recipe I made with the kiddos. Baby steps folks, baby steps.

I saw the recipe just before Christmas, Cranberry Apple Fruit Salad and knew I had to try it. I had never even eaten a real cranberry, but the colors were so gorgeous and that little fella of mine loves to whip up just about anything in the kitchen so this seemed like a winner.

I was right. It was devine.

Just look at all that color. And as if Apples & Cranberries weren’t enticing enough …

There were Marshmallows!!! plus Pecans & Vanilla Yogurt. Yes, I realize I punctuated early, but I said marshmallows people, marshmallows!!! (There I did it again just for good measure)

Sure, it was great as is. But we like to “Parfait” around these parts (I bought the .99 cent glasses and everything), so I layered in some Multigrain Cheerios added a dollop of whip cream and called it breakfast – complete with a side of Cranberry Pomegranate juice.

[Insert Obligatory Kid Smiling Photo]

Balanced? Maybe? … I see dairy, fruit, nuts & other – oh, and I added whole grains! Maybe not? Depends on your definition of the word balanced .. but it was delish and fun for everyone. and that’s all that really counts right?

Check out the full recipe here

Psst, dont forget to tell me about your personal struggles or achievements with feeding your family a balanced diet.

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Caramel Apple Breakfast Bars

by Stacy on August 12, 2010

adapted from recipe by Trainer Momma

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cup applesauce
3/4 cup caramel bits
3/4 cup chopped peacans
1 cup mini marshmallows

Mix it all together and pour it in a 9×13 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes (or until the knife comes out clean)

The original recipe was for Whole Wheat Applesauce cake. It appeared in my reader one morning and I jumped up to make a batch right away. I was stoked for something wholesome and simple and new to feed the kids in the morning, but alals I was out of chocolate chips. I ended up creating my own very different version and noticed later it had all the ingredients of a caramel apple. I’d love to try using bits of real or dried apple in this as well.

You can add just about anything to this mix to make your own version of breakfast bars – we’ve since tried peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, raisins, and craisins. The perfect accompaniment to a berry smoothie in the morning and they held up so well I think I’ll make some to take with us on a VERY LONG road trip I’ll be telling you about real soon.

The base of this recipe was so tasty I’m going to try making some banana bread out of it too.

The kids & I baked this together so it is a very kid-friendly recipe and just in time for back to school. Oh yeah & speaking of back to school, I’m guest posting over at Simply Modern Mom today with a ton of ideas on what to pack for school lunches. I hope you’ll head over and check it out, it’s my first guest post and I’m a little nervous.

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