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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Liebster Award Nomination

I received a nomination for the Liebster Award =D. This is the first nomination that my blog has received. The amazing person who nominated is Lyndsey, at The keeper of the goldfish (here is her link
https://keeperofthegoldfish.wordpress.com/)

You should differently check her out she writes about her amazing little man who is under going a bone marrow transplant. She is an inspirational mother with an inspirational son. She shares her experiences in motherhood within her blog and she keeps it real! Its moving, relatable, and has humor in it also. Thank you so much for nominating me Lyndsey! Being nominated is a great honor and means a lot to me. It has also encouraged me to find some really good diamond in the ruff blogs as well!

Nominees if they choose to accept, pay it forward, and support their fellow bloggers. There is 6 rules that need to be completed once they are nominated.

1. Acknowledge the blog who nominated them and display the award
2. Answer the 11 questions that the nominating blogger gives you
3. Give 11 random facts about yourself
4. Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you think are deserving of the award
5. Let the 11 bloggers know you have nominated them via social media
6. Give them 11 questions of the their own to answer


Here are the 11 questions Lyndsey at Keeper Of the Goldfish asked:

·      How long have you been blogging?

Honestly not very long at all, I started my blog on 1/15/15

·      Why did you start blogging?

I have always really wanted to, but didn’t think anyone would view it, but my significant other told me I should start one. So I did and I really enjoy it!

·      What is your favorite blog post you have written?

Probably the one on Crockpots

·      What is your favorite hobby?

Cooking/ Baking

·      What is your number 1 personal goal this year?

To improve the lives of my son and significant other

·      What is one word of advice you would give your younger self?

Choose wisely (I know its two words lol)

·      What is your beverage of choice?

Ruby Red Squirt

·      What is your favorite store? And why?

Walmart! It has a little bit of everything reasonably priced too.

·      What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Being able to share things with people.

·      What is your favorite activity?

Well besides spending time with my son, probably spending time in the kitchen either cooking or baking.

·      What is 1 of your favorite blogs?

 
Here are 11 random facts about me:
  1. I have a soon be 2 year old son.
  2. My favorite season is summer.
  3.  I love videogames, but rarely play them anymore.
  4. I am going to college and my major is psychology.
  5. I work at a fast food place.
  6. I love Pinterest and have a lot of hobbies, like crocheting, sewing, arts and crafts, reading, cooking/ baking, ect.
  7. I am shy meeting new people, but I am super out going after like the first 10 minutes.
  8. I have insomnia. 
  9. My family is the most important thing to me.
  10. I love learning new and interesting things.
  11. I am unsure of myself.
My nominated blogs:

My questions for you are:
  1. What made you interested in blogging
  2. How long have you been blogging?
  3. What is your favorite part about blogging?
  4. What is your favorite post the you have done so far?
  5. What is your number one goal for this year?
  6. What is your favorite hobby?
  7. What is your favorite food?
  8. Where would you like to travel?
  9. What are some of your interests?
  10. What is your favorite store?
  11. What is most important in your life?

Again I would like to thank Lyndsey for nominating me for this award, make sure you check her out at: https://keeperofthegoldfish.wordpress.com/

 

 
 
 

Non Alcoholic Drinks

Here are some nice and refreshing drink options for your non-alcoholic Super Bowl Party guests.

 
Limeade:

Ingredients

 1 cup(s) sugar

 1 1/2 cup(s) fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish (14 to 16 limes total)

Directions

1. Heat sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved, 5 to 6 minutes.

2. Stir together lime juice and 5 cups water in a large pitcher; stir in sugar syrup. Refrigerate until cold (or up 2 days in an airtight container). Garnish each serving with a lime wedge
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/limeade-mslo0510-recipe


Cherry Cream Floats:

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

 24 ounces frozen pitted cherries

 1 cup sugar

Juice of 2 limes

 2 cups seltzer

 1/2 pint heavy cream

 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

 1 quart vanilla or cherry-vanilla ice cream

Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions

1.  In a blender, puree the cherries, sugar and lime juice; strain into a pitcher and add the seltzer. Using an electric mixer, whip together the cream and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. 

2.  Scoop the ice cream into small glasses. Pour the homemade cherry soda over to fill, and top with a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/drink-cocktail-recipes/cherry-cream-floats

Since I do not know what type of audience  your non alcoholic drinks are for this was a really hard post but I did find a link that I recommend taking a look at that has so many non alcoholic drinks I am sure you will find something great!
700+ Non Alcoholic drink recipes
I am sorry I didn't post more drink recipes but I hope you can find something good! As always leave comments! Share what you think is good and are going to serve, pictures, ideas anything!
Have a great day!




Friday, January 23, 2015

Super Bowl Party Drinks!

I said yesterday I would put up some recipes of some drinks fitting for the Super Bowl, I hope these come in handy for you!

Tailgating Beer-Tini


Servings: 6

 Ingredients:

·      1 (355 ml) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate  

·      1 (355 ml) can vodka (plain or I've used ruby red absolut)  

·      4 (355 ml) cans beer (better to use a lighter beer like a lager or pilsner)  

Directions:

1.  Let the can of pink lemonade melt down in the fridge (otherwise the beer foams up too much from too much stirring!).

2.   Put all the ingredients in a pitcher, stir (but not too much or it foams!), and serve over ice!
http://www.food.com/recipe/tailgating-beer-tini-318378

 Quick-Kick

Servings 1

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Canadian club whiskey  

4 ounces cola  

1 slice lemon

Directions:

Pour ingredients into a tall glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
http://www.food.com/recipe/quick-kick-289875

The Bloody Halfback

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces vodka  

3 ounces tomato juice  

1 dash lemon juice  

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce  

2-3 drops Tabasco sauce  

1 lime wedge

Directions

Combine ingredients in a tall glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
 
 http://www.food.com/recipe/the-bloody-halfback-284536

Cherry Cola

Serving-1

Ingredients-

1 1/2 ounces cherry vodka  

4 -6 ounces cola  

However many cherries you would like

Directions-

Mix in a highball glass. Fill with ice and add cherries
http://www.food.com/recipe/cherry-cola-298930

 
Sobieski Super Punch Bowl

 8 oz.  Sobieski Vodka

 4 oz.  Cointreau

 5 oz. Orange Juice

 5 oz. Cranberry Juice

 3 oz. Pineapple Juice

 Top with Champagne to taste

 

Herradura Football

2 oz.  Tequila Herradura Silver

 2 tsp. of Sugar

 1 Lemon cut in quarters

Crushed Ice

In an "old fashion" style glass, put two teaspoons of sugar and the lemon - Muddle these ingredients. Add Tequila Herradura and stir to mix.

 

Tullamore Touchdown

 1 oz.  Tullamore Dew

 1/2 oz.  Carolans Irish Cream

 1/2 oz.  Skyy Vodka

Serve in a shot glass!

 

360 Time Out at Half Time 

2 oz.  360 Vodka

 1-1/2 oz. of Pineapple Juice

 1 oz. of Orange Juice

 Splash of Grenadine

Serve over ice in a tall glass.
http://www.bartender.com/NFL/SuperBowl.html

So I did not anticipate this to be so long, but there is still time before the Super Bowl. I will get some non alcoholic drinks posted tomorrow. As always comment, and share things if you would like! Have a great night!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

One big event!

On Sunday, February 1st 2015,the Patriots and the Seahawks wage an all out war! In what is the biggest sporting event in America. We all know what it is, its the Super Bowl! Guaranteed to be a great time, plenty of food, drinks, and company. All cheering on their favorite team, in a pursuit for victory. What a better way to prepare for this exciting event other than to ensure a good line up of good eats?

Here are a couple of awesome Super Bowl themed recipes!

A Super Bowl party just is not complete without buffalo wings!

Ingredients
Directions
Place a 6-quart saucepan, with a steamer basket and 1 inch of water in the bottom, over high heat, cover and bring to a boil.
Remove the tips of the wings and discard or save for making stock. Use kitchen shears or a knife to separate the wings at the joint. Place the wings in the steamer basket, cover, reduce the heat to medium and steam 10 minutes. Remove the wings from the basket and carefully pat dry. Lay out the wings on a cooling rack set in a half sheet pan lined with paper towels and place in the refrigerator to dry, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Remove the paper towels on the pan and replace with parchment paper. Roast on the middle rack of the oven, about 20 minutes. Turn the wings over and cook 20 to 30 more minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.
While the chicken is roasting, melt the butter in a small bowl with the garlic. Pour this along with the hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl large enough to hold all of the chicken and stir to combine. Remove the wings from the oven, transfer to the bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve warm.
Photograph by Con Poulos
Total Time:
2 hr 15 min
Prep:
25 min                                    Yield:6 servings
Inactive:
1 hr
Cook:
50 min

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/alton-browns-buffalo-wings-recipe.html
 Loaded Baked Potato Bites: 
 

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Creative cooking - Breakfast

Breakfast, always yummy and perfect for any time. Whether its day or night, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Which speaking of having breakfast for dinner, that's exactly what I did tonight. This is my take on a simple, quick, and really easy breakfast bake. For those days that you just want breakfast for dinner. 
Not only is it really easy and simple to make but it can easily feed a family of four, and you may even have left overs too! 

Ingredients:
-Frozen tator tots
-One pound of your favorite brand of uncooked sausage ( I use the Jimmy Dean Hot style)
-12 eggs (one dozen)
-8oz bag of three cheese shredded cheese (but any type of cheese that you would like would work also)
-1/3 a cup of milk
-Like 1/8 of butter maybe less

Directions:
1. turn on oven to about 420-430ish (or to whatever the tator tot bag says what temperature to cook on). Get the tots in the oven, you don't have to wait til it is preheated (cooking the tator tots is the longest part of the meal). I only use half the bag of tator tots, but depending on the size of your pan and how much you plan on cooking it maybe different (the pan I used was a 8x13)
2. Crack all 12 eggs in a bowl 3. After getting the eggs crack get the sausage in the pan to cook (cook the sausage however you prefer but make sure it is FULLY cooked when added to the other ingredients).
4. Whisk the eggs(to make scrabbled eggs) add the 1/3 cup of milk and 2/8s of the butter into the bowl also (adding those ingredients is how I get really fluffy eggs like to the point of having to brake some of them up and the butter makes it to where they wont stick to the pan. Scramble your eggs.
5. By this time all three components should be cooking, cook your tots til they are crispy. (make sure to watch your eggs and season to taste) once everything is fully cooked take the tots out of the oven layer the sausage and the eggs and then spread the whole bag of cheese on top (I layer it tots, sausage, eggs, cheese but you can layer it anyway you would like).
6. Put it back in the oven and let the cheese melt (2-5 minutes just watch it and let it melt to your liking).

This is the easy version of my breakfast bake (which it is delicious) and the base of other versions that I make.
If you would like to spice it up a little you can always dice up and fry some peppers and/or onions. Maybe add some ham and bacon to it also (or just one or the other). maybe make some homemade potato's instead of tator tots. There is so much you can do with this to custom make it to your liking. I hope you enjoy!

As always I would love to hear your ideas and comments, your recipes ect. Have a great day!





Sunday, January 18, 2015

Some Crockpot recipes and links

Ok so I said yesterday I would put up some crockpot recipes so here are some recipes that I want to try.

I love Asian food, and Asian inspired dishes, so when I found out you can do these types of dishes in the crockpot. I was so excited!


I mean doesn't this look yummy who wouldn't want to make this?
Here's where you can find it
:http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/take-out-fake-out-beef-broccoli-crockpot/



This next recipe is loaded baked potato soup, now I know it just soup but just look at it! The gorgeous coloring and how each ingredient complements each other. It just screams eat me!
                          (and it's super easy too!)
Ingredients
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 cups milk, or more, as needed
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Instructions
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in potatoes and green onions.
  • Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir in cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper, to taste. If the soup is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with green onion, cheese and bacon, if desired. http://damndelicious.net/2013/10/14/loaded-baked-potato-soup/
 
 And for all you Mexican lovers out there here's something for you
 This just looks mouth watering, deliciously good!
 
BUT!!! Cooking dinner isn't the only thing you can do with a crockpot. You can also make different types of drinks, breads, dressings, yogurts, and desserts with it as well!
 



Drinks like these 10 Slow Cooker Drink Recipes              
                   

                                                                                       
                                                                      Or... this~ Apple-pie Moonshine 






Seriously guys there is so many cool things that you can do with this amazing cooking device.
Here's a list of some other that has some more crockpot recipes on it... and even still I can't even begin to cover them all!
                   1. Fiesta Chicken bowl
                   2.Lasagna Soup
                   3.20 Paleo Crock pot recipes
                   4.31 days of slow cooker recipes
                   5.A year of Slow cooking 365 recipes
                   6.29 Awesome super bowl snacks
                   7.21 surprising things you can make with your crockpot
                   8.10 family friendly slow cooker recipes
                   9.50 delicious slow cooker recipes
                             and a how to on bread
                  10.how to make bread in a crock pot
As always please feel free to share! ^-^ leave comments, ideas, thoughts, question, recipes, things you cook ect. I would love to hear from you all. Have a great day!
 
                

Saturday, January 17, 2015

The wonderful invention of crock pots

So crock pots have got to be one of the easiest and versatile forms of cooking. Giving results of very yummy dishes with very little effort in time and preparation.
Got a busy day ahead of you? No problem just take some of this, a touch of that, a pinch of something else , turn it on low and voila six to eight hours later  dinner is served.
  
 
Another thing that makes crock pots so cool is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes. You can even find them in different colors and designs. The different sizes are perfect for catering to large families or small families which makes it very covenant for cooking.
There is so many different meals that can be made with these things its unreal! Not only that but if you enjoy feeding your freezer and making freezer meals these babies work like a charm.
Like always please feel free to leave opinions, ideas and recipes, have a great day!
 
 ( I will have some crock pot recipes and freezer meal tips up by tomorrow)

Friday, January 16, 2015

Cherry Cordial Valentines Day Cupcakes

So here is another tasty treat perfect for Valentines day. I love the Idea of filling the inside of the cupcake with cherry pie filling.

Cherry Cordial Cupcakes-
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
 
The cupcake version of a traditional Valentine's Day candy - the cherry cordial! Dark chocolate cake filled with dark chocolate ganache, cordial cream and topped with sweet cherries. Enjoy!
Serves: 18-24 cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 and ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 and ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 and ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ⅔ cup of boiling water
Dark Chocolate Ganache Filling:
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
Cordial Cream Filling:
  • ½ cup confectioners sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry syrup (optional)
Cherry Filling
  • 1 can cherry pie filling
Instructions
Cupcakes:
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Prepare two 12-cup cupcake tins with paper liners. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of your electric mixer whisk together your dry ingredients.
  4. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla and beat on medium/low speed for 2 minutes.
  5. Stir in boiling water by hand.
  6. Fill cupcake papers ½ to ⅔ full, and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Do not overbake.
  7. Remove from pans immediately and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
Ganache filling:
  1. In a small glass bowl, heat cream and corn syrup in microwave until steaming hot but not boiling, about 60 seconds.
  2. Pour chopped chocolate into hot cream, and allow to sit for 60 seconds.
  3. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  4. Refrigerate ganache for 24 hours or until thickened (optional)
Cordial cream:
  1. Combine milk, cherry syrup and confectioners sugar in a small bowl, and stir until well combined and smooth.
Assembly:
  1. Cut a 1-inch deep well out of the top of each cupcake. You can use a small cookie cutter or a sharp paring knife.
  2. Sprinkle confectioners sugar over the top of each cupcake.
  3. Spoon or pipe a dallop of cooled ganache into each well.
  4. Spoon a generous spoonful of cordial cream over the chocolate.
  5. Spoon 1-3 cherries and glaze on the top of each well.
  6. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, refrigerated if possible.
  7. Enjoy!
Notes
Prep time excludes ganache chill time.
I found this post from Lemon Sugar, here is the link: LemonSugars cherry cordial cupcakes

A liitle thinking

So after a little thinking, I have decided to expand this blog from just recipes to cooking topics, discussion and other food related topics.
So I personally am a major pinterest fanatic. I can seriously spend hours on that site! Which brings up my main point,  DIY freezer meals. They seem to be making a largely liked appearance, well at least on pinterest anyways. I myself love the idea of DYI freezer meals, but I would love to hear what everyone else has to say on the matter of feeding the freezer.

OK so here is what I've been able to compile so far:

PROS:

  • Easy for those busy nights or the days were you just don't want to cook.
  • Buy bulk, make bulk, have food for as many meals as you decided to cook and freeze, as a result.
  • It seems to save a great deal of money
  • As healthy as you want to make it, you control what goes in. Instead of buying frozen food from the store and get all those nasty additives.
  • You don't even have to cook in bulk/ prepare in bulk. On the days you do cook just make enough for you and your family for that meal, and one for your freezer. You will slowly be able to grow your own frozen meal collection.
CONS:
  • Don't want to cook in bulk (enough for like 10- meals at a time).
  • Possibility of freezer burn.
  • May take too much time.
  • Don't like to cook all that much.
  • Sounds gross
Now I know some of my pros and coins contradict each other but since I love the idea of freezer meals, I was trying not to be biased.

Well I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, maybe you can share some of your freezer meal techniques and recipes if you would like.
I hope you all have a great day! ^_^
- signed.simplyme

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Valentines Day Theme- White Chocolate Raspberry no-bake cheese cake

Ok so here is another Valentines day sweet that could put a perfect ending on that perfect dinner.

This is a White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle No Bake Cheesecake:
(Can be used for any occasion but in my opinion I feel it fits the Valentines day theme quite nicely.)
Ingredients
  • Chocolate Crust
  • 1 ½ cups Oreo crumbs, I used 2 row of Oreos, removed the cream in the center
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melt
Easy Truffle
  • 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • - OR to make this easy, substitute the truffle for 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake
  • 4 – 8 ounce cream cheese
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 container Cool Whip
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips, melted
  • 2 boxes Jell-O White Chocolate Instant Pudding
  • ½ cup raspberry preserves
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 2 pints fresh raspberries
  • ¼ cup chocolate candy melts, melted
Directions
Chocolate Crust
In a food processor add Oreos and grind until they resemble coarse crumbs. Pour 1 ½ cups of crumbs into medium mixing bowl, add melted butter and mix together until it starts to stick together. Press into the bottom of cheesecake or 9x13 pan. Set in the fridge until ready to use.
Truffles
Combine sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium heat, stir together until melted. Spread out in to a ¼ layer on a plate, stick in the fridge and let it harden. 45 minutes -1 hour. Break into small chunks, or small pea sized pieces. Set aside.
Cheesecake
In a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, melt white chocolate in microwave for 1 minute, stir until completely melted, you may need to stick it back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl or your KitchenAid mixer beat together cream cheese, butter, both instant pudding boxes and sugar. Until well combined and creamy, then mix in the Cool Whip. Gradually add in the the cooled in melted white chocolate and chocolate chips or truffles chunks. Until well combined. Add ½ of the cream cheese mixture on top of the crust and spread evenly. Then drizzle, ¼ cup of raspberry preserves over the cheesecake. I do this by sticking the preserves in a small sandwich Ziplock, cut off the tip, then draw lines using ½ of the preserves. Add the other ½ of the cheesecake on top of the raspberry preserves. Using the remainder of the raspberry preserves, drizzle over cheesecake. Top with 2 pints of fresh raspberries, drizzle with chocolate and set in fridge 1-2 hours until set. I did this for 1 hour, and it was set but ideally 2 hours is best.

I found this information at:
http://www.adashofsanity.com/2014/08/white-chocolate-raspberry-truffle-bake-cheesecake/