tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050266792949879222024-03-13T08:27:23.961-03:00Real Women EatThis is a blog where 5 real women actually eat real food. We travel incognito to local restraunts, eat their food and critique. An honest, unbiased, (carbs and all) evaluation!
Also, we choose a cookbook a month and are the guinea pigs, cooking, and eating and sampling recipes to give you the truth behind the glossy covers and pretty pictures!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-87758723461121996212016-08-25T14:25:00.003-03:002017-02-05T19:20:14.401-04:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Crock Pot Lasagna with feta and spinach</h2>
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I have never made lasagna in the crock pot before, but now that I have I will be hard pressed to make it any other way. Of course, it doesn't hurt that there is feta cheese in here, which I have a love affair with. I used the no-boil noodles with this recipe and it came out perfect. Now I just have to share this recipe because you need to have it! You really, really do. It's that good. And, you're welcome!</div>
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4 cups (that's the great big size can) tomato sauce</div>
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10-12, (or whatever you can fit in your crock pot) no-boil lasagna noodles</div>
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32 ounces Ricotta cheese (I used regular, but light works great too)</div>
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1 cup crumbled feta cheese</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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Garlic powder - amount; whatever floats your boat. We love garlic so I used 1 tablespoon</div>
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2 teaspoons dried oregano</div>
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1 teaspoon dried parsley</div>
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2 large eggs, lightly beaten</div>
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1 bag of fresh baby spinach leaves</div>
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2 1/2 cups shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese</div>
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3/4 to 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese</div>
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Lightly coat the inside of the crock pot with cooking spray.</div>
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Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in the bottom of pot.</div>
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Arrange a layer of the lasagna noodles over the sauce. </div>
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In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese,feta cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and eggs; mix to thoroughly combine. Add spinach (I trimmed the stems and rolled the leaves in a bundle and then sliced... but that's just me.) Stir again to incorporate the spinach in the mix.</div>
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Spread 1/3 of the mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella and 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese over the ricotta mixture. </div>
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Top with a cup of tomato sauce.</div>
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Repeat these layers until all ingredients have been used up.<br />
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Top with a final layer of lasagna noodles, cover with tomato sauce and sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. </div>
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Turn off and let stand, uncovered for 35-40 minutes to let the liquid be absorbed. </div>
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Prepare to be in love!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-48040962659457292222016-02-03T13:47:00.000-04:002016-02-03T13:47:05.222-04:00Potato Soup with cheats<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Loaded Potato Soup</b></div>
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<i>(with my cheats)</i></div>
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Several years ago (the 1980's to be exact) at a brunch of creative friends, someone made this soup. I was smitten from that day on! Through the years when time was a commodity I was lacking in, I' "tweaked"it just a tad. The original recipe called for baking the potatoes one day, and chilling in the 'frige overnight, then making the soup the next day. Who has time for that anymore? Enter hash browns (the cubed kind) from the frozen foods section at the grocery store. What a game-changer. </div>
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You can make it the "old fashioned" way if you have the time. And when I want to brag on myself, I do. But this way is a great alternative. Oh, and about the bacon... I buy the bag/packages of already cooked, real bacon (NOT Bac~O's!) instead of frying up those strips of bacon. As for how that equals out to be 24 strips of bacon, I use two large-ish bags) I'll let your conscious be your guide...</div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loaded Potato Soup</span></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>(this recipe is doubled)</i></span></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">1 1/3 cup butter</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">14 cups milk</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">1 bag frozen cubed potato hashbrowns</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">8 green onions, sliced</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">24 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled * ( I opted for the pre-packaged bacon pieces) *</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">16 oz. sour cream</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">2 teaspoons salt</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">2/3 tsp black pepper</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Melt butter in large pot, stir in flour. Heat and stir until smooth.</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Gradually whisk in milk. Stir constantly until thickened.</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><br />Add potatoes and onions. Bring to boil, stirring constantly</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir until cheese is melted.</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-58196575268732896972012-05-09T00:01:00.002-03:002015-11-20T14:10:43.348-04:00Crock Pot Post Roast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had this dish a couple nights ago and I thought I'd share. I have had this saved this to my Evernote app for quite some time now and finally decided to make it. Do you have a smart phone? I really like Evernote (by the way, it's not just a smart phone app, you can also access it on the internet, but I really like having it on my phone (it'll sync up between the computer and your phone) because I can just pull out my phone in the grocery store and all the ingredients are right there for me so I can pick up what I need. I don't know if you know this or not, but I'm an app junkie! Are you? (I'd love to know what your faves are!) </div>
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Back to the recipe... (whew!) This is such an easy dish and who doesn't love a crockpot meal, right? I'm thinking we're putting this recipe in the "keeper" file at my house. Here ya go...<br />
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2-5 pound pot roast, any kind</div>
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1 envelope Ranch dressing (dry)</div>
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1 envelope Italian dressing</div>
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1 envelope brown gravy mix</div>
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Potatoes and Carrots</div>
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1 to 1 1/2 cup water</div>
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Cut up the carrots and potatoes however you like 'em. (big chunks, diced...whatever) and place in the Crockpot. Put roast on top of veggies. Sprinkle all 3 packets of mixes on top. Pour the water on top of all and cook on low for 6-10 hours, until tender and veggies are cooked through. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-36058345877806757122011-06-29T16:17:00.000-03:002016-07-19T14:10:28.509-03:00Shrimp Saute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Love Shrimp? This is a super easy one. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IViDSM367TY/Tgt5oHMr90I/AAAAAAAACv8/0u-xGlrSxTs/s1600/SweetJeanette_ShrimpSaute+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="RealWomenEat" border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IViDSM367TY/Tgt5oHMr90I/AAAAAAAACv8/0u-xGlrSxTs/s200/SweetJeanette_ShrimpSaute+%25283%2529.JPG" title="Shrimp Saute" width="200" /></a></div>
Shrimp Saute<br />
1 lb (I used 2!!) shrimp<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
2 TBSP lemon juice<br />
1 tsp parsley flakes<br />
1 tsp chives<br />
1/2 tsp tarragon leaves<br />
1/2 tsp dry mustard<br />
3/4 tsp season all (personally, I think it should be less, but you be the judge)<br />
1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper <br />
1 tsp garlic powder<br />
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Shell and devein the shrimp. <br />
Melt butter in skillet, add lemon juice and seasonings.<br />
Saute shrimp in hot herb butter over medium heat, about 8 minutes, or until pink.<br />
Serve hot and over rice.<br />
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<strong><em>Additional notes:</em></strong> </div>
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I didn't use the Cayenne pepper in this dish last night, and I think I prefer it without now.</div>
If you don't have fresh shrimp, it's perfectly ok to use the (thawed) frozen, pre-cooked kind. Just adjust your times to accommodate..you want to eat shrimp, not rubber. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
and if you do try this dish, come back and tell me how you liked it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-77060347670565742172011-05-03T00:56:00.000-03:002011-05-03T00:56:55.118-03:00Confessions of a Sloppy Kitchen CabinetOk, it's true confessions time. I'm going to let you peak into my before/after pics. I was up to here with pans falling out of the cabinet! I had been neglecting this cabinet because due to a death in my husband's family, family commitments of my own, and just running around like a chicken-with-my-head-cut-off lately, this had been ignored. Oh, I still was baking and cooking, and of course cleaning the dishes, but as for putting them away in an organized fashion... well, look for your self<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yhvBy48pao/Tb96hNw8wpI/AAAAAAAACno/VhRbzJJL3cQ/s1600/IMG_5840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yhvBy48pao/Tb96hNw8wpI/AAAAAAAACno/VhRbzJJL3cQ/s320/IMG_5840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVS7ojtLWjA/Tb96lKKc_zI/AAAAAAAACns/XdE_oN9DWG8/s1600/IMG_5841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVS7ojtLWjA/Tb96lKKc_zI/AAAAAAAACns/XdE_oN9DWG8/s320/IMG_5841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Va9kEwXKi1M/Tb96tB__qQI/AAAAAAAACnw/gUIjITFz6UI/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Va9kEwXKi1M/Tb96tB__qQI/AAAAAAAACnw/gUIjITFz6UI/s320/IMG_5843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I must really like you to be showing you this!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">What makes matters worse, that's about all the kitchen cabinet space I have! (well, I have cabinets higher up, but those are for dishes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">First, I had to pull everything out. Thank goodness I have a fairly long counter space (again, that's about all the space I have) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q31QJ_86M3I/Tb97cfFvQjI/AAAAAAAACn0/34LtC70R4bY/s1600/IMG_5844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q31QJ_86M3I/Tb97cfFvQjI/AAAAAAAACn0/34LtC70R4bY/s320/IMG_5844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(and yes, I DO need that many cookie sheets) LOL</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofLI02DnfRs/Tb97lsYgPVI/AAAAAAAACn4/qM4OJ31qAK4/s1600/IMG_5845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofLI02DnfRs/Tb97lsYgPVI/AAAAAAAACn4/qM4OJ31qAK4/s320/IMG_5845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now that it's all out on the counter, I start weeding through things I haven't used, but thought it necessary to buy at one point. Snapped pics of 'em with my iphone and texted some other ladies to ask if they had a use for these things. Got their quick responses and went straight to my car (and put them in batches) in my trunk to deliver. Out of sight, out of mind, ya know.<br />
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Cleaned out the cabinets, wiped 'em down really well and back in they go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WSENIN766js/Tb98Yw4Q-aI/AAAAAAAACn8/Gh00e8dfclY/s1600/IMG_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WSENIN766js/Tb98Yw4Q-aI/AAAAAAAACn8/Gh00e8dfclY/s320/IMG_5850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">There you have it. I feel a bit better now. At least I'm not afraid to open the cabinet doors now. How about you? Do you dare share your kitchen cabinet insides? Leave a comment below. I showed you mine...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-52357120728535923962011-04-27T22:36:00.000-03:002016-07-19T14:09:03.269-03:00SMOTHERED SWISS STEAK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For dinner tonight I made Smothered Swiss Steak. This was nothing less than awesome. (don't be grossed out by the Brussels sprouts on the plate, and don't hate me. I like 'em!)<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Smothered Swiss Steak</span></u></strong></div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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6 cube steaks (about 4 oz each)</div>
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour</div>
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1 tsp pepper</div>
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1-2 TBSP garlic powder</div>
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5 TBSP olive oil</div>
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1 large onion diced</div>
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1 green pepper, diced</div>
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1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes </div>
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1 (12 oz) cola (I used Coke Zero because that's what I had on hand)</div>
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1 TBSP beef bouilon granules</div>
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2 TBSP Heinz ketchup</div>
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1 envelope dry onion gravy mix, or dry onion soup mix. </div>
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Sprinkle salt evenly on both sides of cube steaks. Combine flour, pepper and garlic powder in a gallon size zipper type bag. Shake the steaks in the bag to coat with flour.</div>
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Brown steaks (two at a time) in hot oil - abt. 3-4 minutes on each side. When all steaks are browned, drain drippings reserving 1 TBSP oil in pan.</div>
Saute' onion and bell pepper in drippings for about 7 minutes, or until tender.<br />
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Add diced tomatoes, cola, beef bouilon granules and ketchup. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened (about 5-6 minutes)</div>
Return steaks to the skillet and cook for 55-60 minutes, or until tender. <br />
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I would love to hear back from you if you try this! The cola makes it really tender. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-71169003245373313432010-12-27T15:04:00.000-04:002010-12-27T15:04:24.606-04:00Red Velvet Bon-Bons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TRjgrzZ-2XI/AAAAAAAACZk/ob7OiMiiDCk/s1600/RED+VELVET+BON+BONS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TRjgrzZ-2XI/AAAAAAAACZk/ob7OiMiiDCk/s320/RED+VELVET+BON+BONS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>About 5...(or was it 8??? ) years ago I bought a cook book from QVC all because of these. Red Velvet Bon-Bons. You won't believe how incredibly easy they are! The only "hard" part is dipping all these balls into chocolate, and that's because I hate the tediousness of it. I made them one year for the Christmas Eve get-together my family has. All the family, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and immediate family gather on Christmas Eve for food and games. Ever since, these are "expected" to be there. (Last year I made something different. Boy! You would've thought I had told them there was no Santa this year.<br />
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So, if you've never had, or heard, of Red Velvet BonBons, I'm going to share with you now.<br />
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All you need is <br />
A box of red velvet cake mix (You could make it from scratch, but why?)<br />
Container of cream cheese frosting<br />
Chocolate for dipping I used almond bark and candy melts<br />
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Bake the cake according to package directions. Crumble it up in a large bowl and add the container of frosting. Mush and goosh it all together. (That's the fun part!)<br />
put in the frige to chill (making it easier to handle) a couple of hours<br />
Roll into balls. Don't get OC about this, just make the balls however big you want 'em.<br />
Put the balls onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet and put in freezer for an hour...or two.<br />
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When the chocolate is melted, pop 'em out of the freezer. Dip in the chocolate onto another wax paper lined cookie sheet. (I used a toothpick to spear the balls and dip into the chocolate.<br />
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That's it! Now go and impress!<br />
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<em><strong>NOTE: You can probably notice in the pic that I used milk chocolate on half of 'em, and dark chocolate on the other half.</strong></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-65623870337793949342010-10-04T11:34:00.000-03:002010-10-04T11:34:21.620-03:00New Recipe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TKnlX1CxIYI/AAAAAAAACNY/DiPgXfdDOuc/s1600/SJHeader2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TKnlX1CxIYI/AAAAAAAACNY/DiPgXfdDOuc/s200/SJHeader2.png" width="200" /></a></div>Hey y'all! I just posted a recipe on my other blog "<a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2010/10/super-easy-peanut-butter-carmel-bars.html"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em>Sweet Jeanette</em></strong></span></a>" for these little delights! Come over and get the recipe! You start out with a yellow cake mix! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TKnlOkXphhI/AAAAAAAACNU/Otp3FV4zcNQ/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TKnlOkXphhI/AAAAAAAACNU/Otp3FV4zcNQ/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-28301835688621769652010-09-04T18:30:00.000-03:002010-09-04T18:30:23.081-03:00Peanut Butter Fudge - the easiest!Hey y'all! Sweet Jeanette here. I made some fudge yesterday, tweeted about it it and got questions so I thought I'd share here on Real Women Eat instead of <a href="http://www.sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Sweet Jeanette</span></strong></a>!<br />
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This is so embarrassingly easy that I call it "<em><strong>stupid easy</strong></em>" ! Really, you're not gonna believe it!<br />
Here's what you'll need....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just make sure it's equal amounts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put in a bowl and microwave for a few seconds (enough to make soft but not liquify)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stir together. If you find it's not stirring very well, you can nuke a few more seconds...but no more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pour into a pan (I used an 8 x 8 inch silicone pan)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! Before you pour into the pan you can add nuts if you'd like...I didn't in this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I let it sit out on the counter to harden, and then when I couldn't wait any longer, stuck it in the frige. Up to you, how you let it harden. It won't get super-hard though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And y'all, seriously, that's it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TIK6RpyUh3I/AAAAAAAACEc/QB1QVnFMLiI/s1600/IMG_4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TIK6RpyUh3I/AAAAAAAACEc/QB1QVnFMLiI/s320/IMG_4299.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-48378495045361819752010-09-01T13:07:00.000-03:002010-09-01T13:07:58.154-03:00Hey there! I just posted a recipe on my other blog <a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2010/09/milky-way-cake.html"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Sweet Jeanette</span></strong></a>. You've just gotta go over there and get that recipe! You're gonna thank me! It's a <a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2010/09/milky-way-cake.html"><strong><span style="color: #073763;">Milky Way Cake</span></strong></a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TH56NLLdMEI/AAAAAAAACDs/XYtU50zyIKY/s1600/IMG_4290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TH56NLLdMEI/AAAAAAAACDs/XYtU50zyIKY/s320/IMG_4290.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Enjoy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-66755317435416048402010-07-28T15:43:00.000-03:002015-11-26T23:22:13.639-04:00Saturday "Field Trip"This month, instead of doing our <strong><em>Cook-n-Critique</em></strong>© we decided a field trip was in order! <br />
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Our field trip was to Hyde Park in Tampa, FL.<br />
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(Hyde Park Village)</div>
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While there, we slipped inside Williams-Sonoma. Whoopie! They were having a sale in the back. Where do you think we made a bee line towards?! Right, you don't even need three guesses do you? <br />
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And I've been wanting to go to Anthropology for e-ver! Since it was right across the street, we all went in and just had to drool over the cute aprons!<br />
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(of course I was drawn to the cupcake apron!)</div>
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The sales clerk even took our picture with them! <br />
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D-licious had told us about the Greenwise Publix grocery store in Hyde Park and we were excited! You see, this Publix was a two story grocery store! I'm pretty sure it's the ONLY two story grocery store in Hillsborough County (Florida), and we just had to see this! Do you know of any around you?</div>
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I wish I had taken pictures of their prepared foods section! It was so pretty, and they made smoothies, latte's.... I was in heaven! But as you can see, I was enthralled with the "two story-ness" of it all! </div>
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When you park in the garage, you're on the second story anyway. Everything is to convenient. That escalator was so long (maybe it's I've gotten used to the department store elevators, but I'm just sayin'!)</div>
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(yes, they're leaving me)</div>
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Did you wonder how ya get your cart up the escalator after you're done shopping?</div>
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Now, isn't that the coolest thing?!? </div>
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Ok, maybe I just don't get out that much, but I was floored! </div>
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Then..... lunch time! One of my fave places. <br />
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Complimentary muffins are brought to the able (our favorite was the banana nut ones)</div>
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<em>(between you and me, I could've made just as good of a blueberry muffin if I would've opened a box of Jiffy muffin mix - but we'll keep that between us, ok? )</em></div>
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We decided to each order something different so we could all try each other's choices. I'll give my impression, but let the others tell you their thoughts in another post. How's that?</div>
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I had the crabcake salad</div>
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I fell in love with the dressing! I wish I had that recipe!</div>
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oh! and we all had the fried green tomatoes</div>
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I'm not a fan of horseradish so the dipping sauce was the only thing left on this plate! </div>
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The tomatoes could've used some salt, but they were just the right amount of acid. The kind you'd expect from a green tomato!</div>
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Buttercream isn't as adventurous as the rest of us, so she just created her own combo plate of shrimp and crab cake. It was quite tasty!</div>
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Cupcake had this sandwich. I can't remember what it is called, but it was made of grilled scallops.</div>
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D-Licious had a crabcake sandwich</div>
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I really enjoyed it. (smile)</div>
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And, last but not least, Saucy had this grilled portabello and brie sandwich! YUM</div>
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If I had to name a "winner", while D-Licious' crabcake sandwich was really good, Saucy's grilled portabello and brie sandwich was, hands down, my favorite! I would definitely order this the next time I'm there!</div>
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oh, and provided I have a full salt shaker, the fried green tomatoes!</div>
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Well, there you have it. Our "field trip". It was oppressively hot and I thought I'd pass out from the heat while shopping in Hyde Park, it was a fun day with my friends who are also my family! Cupcake said that Hyde Park is really pretty dressed up for Christmas. I think I can see another field trip in December! LOL</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TFB6PkiX4yI/AAAAAAAAB48/Stp0noddrhw/s1600/SJsignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TFB6PkiX4yI/AAAAAAAAB48/Stp0noddrhw/s320/SJsignature.png" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-2882268895304222612010-06-19T16:00:00.006-03:002010-06-19T16:24:42.371-03:00Cupcakes back.....and she made Hamballs!<div><div><div><div><span style="color:#993399;">Whew, I've been a bit absent these past few critiques but all is well and here I am back with hamballs! I picked this recipe because it won 1st place in the Taste of Home contest and I wanted to be the real judge!! First I will say this was an exceptionally easy recipe! They hardest part of it was finding plain ground pork and not already seasoned pork ready to be made into sausage. I used cooked ham and ground it up with my food processor (the new love of my life btw!) and mixed everything together.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#993399;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#993399;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484564206857865826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJwcuPMJLyQVnQBMA-ClgNFQz0zMSkaaGZv_89dUHFIpjFJS70DGSfqDZC_85kIkgc-GT4Fgz11gkg7zDMbDBJxed8St3VHuV25chazy4XuVMU2fAD-BvLbAK3gJcb3vP7PIdPwzN_vSG/s200/hamballs+001.jpg" /></span></div></div><span style="color:#993399;">It is a pretty mushy consistency, not like ground beef meatballs, so I was a bit thrown off. I was also worried because the meat mixture didn't call for any seasoning. I used my handy cookie scoop to make the balls.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484565000646436722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_zsOGWZbo3nB29PO30Vaag7r0Y5v2r1Pm_9MIS7SfXuuU_QuKYSmUPoxhcxHOzgadaaLXD4gzGNmCFpdNwtNQQMklrxlUDteBE5_G9lAXTg4UQjdzn-alglLxlNCEiV8AKDopcRgS0td/s200/hamballs+002.jpg" /></span></div><span style="color:#993399;">The sauce had to be cooked but that only took a few minutes because all you had to do was dissolve the brown sugar. (After tasting the hamballs I figured out why no seasoning....soy sauce! I even used the low sodium type and it was plenty of salt for the hamballs)</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484565810199760082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgMOANDv1z0X2ytz0Ed3AkFrpPfw0rGd_gzWahIlxiP7Hr8pZIcp2lPIC-lr-v6YzOdJiyd_kzQayrDv7w6NdLmLtuepHrvhYjxmiVE4eqPmLv0p4Gw7iRapvjdkYLvtVEPlXjCcvYJIc/s200/hamballs+003.jpg" /><span style="color:#993399;">The rest was a cinch....just pour the sauce over the hamballs and bake. That's pineapple chunks in the sauce if you were wondering. The recipe is for an entree so they suggest serving it with white rice. Personally and the rest of the Real Women agreed, I think this recipe would be awesome as an appetizer instead of an entree. The rice didn't add to the dish and after baking there wasn't enough sauce to really put any on the rice. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484566928980721730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBI5Sp5gL4FbEUEBJV8XTBT0FuVAi4tWxpPoTgx7_BK2rsyPDSJO90gdO_XBhu1aBBGZ8LQF7P8eoBC5Yh__Jf471Ap__Nhyphenhyphenp5lxwKZuvgZYEpxYChCac7d7yQ7_Naidc8q5WuW8Ls48X/s200/hamballs+005.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Overall, we all agreed this was a 5 spoon recipe! I am excited to replace the same old meatballs in sweet n sour sauce with these! I am going to work on a new name though.....hamballs?! Just doesn't sound right to me :)</span>Cupcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09658091053967717847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-79658674969234412812010-06-03T19:55:00.002-03:002010-06-03T20:33:41.157-03:00MUY BIEN/Very goodAhhh where do I start. It has taken me quite some time to be able to write my critique. You see when Cupcake and I left our house on our way to D-Licious house I started feeling pretty icky. I thought I'll be fine. Just let me get with my ladies and laugh and share and eat and I will be fine. Well, so much for wishful thinking. I will say all the food I tried was bueno. With the exception of my dish. It was just so so. Cheddar Chile potatoes. They were very easy to make, well except I was supposed to half the potatoes scoop out the guts, mix it with the sour cream, green chiles, butter and cheddar cheese and put it back into the potato half. Guess what? They ended up looking like mashed potatoes topped with cheese because the potato skins were so soft they caved in and wouldn't hold any shape. Maybe I should have baked them without foil. hmmmm.Oh yeah they needed way more salt than called for. That's the way potatoes are. I didn't get to try Sweet Jeanette's dessert. I was laying down in the back room at that point, but from the conversation the ladies were having, it sounded yummy. I know the other dishes were way better than I give them credit. I want to try them again. Now if I can just get Sweet Jeanette, D-licious, Cupcake and Buttercream to make them again<span style="color:#000000;">. </span><br />So hasta la proxima vez,(until next time)Saucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517624374355109404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-35413431464550201752010-06-03T10:12:00.006-03:002010-06-03T12:30:26.244-03:00One Of My Favorites<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfIwDvpUcI/AAAAAAAABkM/XeEWFj6caac/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfIwDvpUcI/AAAAAAAABkM/XeEWFj6caac/s320/IMG_0214.jpg" /></a></div>Hello There! D-Licious here to report on our last cook n critique. So, did you guess what we would be making with "mayo" in it? I told you that you'd never guess....it's "Cinco de Mayo" or as we called it Festive de Mayo since we didn't actually get together on May 5th.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This month's theme was mexican food. I was super excited because I love it so much. I was looking forward to what each dish would be since I'm used to the usual enchiladas, salsas and the like. We had a variety of foods and I enjoyed each one.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfI3hPv4yI/AAAAAAAABkU/VGrRQdAi8v0/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfI3hPv4yI/AAAAAAAABkU/VGrRQdAi8v0/s320/IMG_0213.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now on to my dish. I got to use my all time favorite cookbook: The All New Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook. If I haven't told you, I LOVE this cookbook. There are so many neat things in it besides recipes. If you don't have a copy, I highly recommend getting one.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJDu94YLI/AAAAAAAABkc/UG-mvFy4qhI/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJDu94YLI/AAAAAAAABkc/UG-mvFy4qhI/s320/IMG_0212.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div>So, I made Smothered Enchiladas. I must admit I have made these many times before but the other ladies were kind enough to let me make it again for them to try. These enchiladas are so tasty and so easy! They're perfect for a quick weeknight meal or even to serve for dinner guests as I have done many times. </div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the recipe:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 pounds ground beef</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJOnI0RmI/AAAAAAAABkk/kiJvvcgpZDc/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJOnI0RmI/AAAAAAAABkk/kiJvvcgpZDc/s200/IMG_0202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 (1 1/4 oz) pkg mild taco seasoning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJW7VgCJI/AAAAAAAABks/BLswuYllMv8/s1600/IMG_0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJW7VgCJI/AAAAAAAABks/BLswuYllMv8/s200/IMG_0204.jpg" width="112" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles, divided</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 (10 1/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJed9V2OI/AAAAAAAABk0/ID2knZwSCj8/s1600/IMG_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJed9V2OI/AAAAAAAABk0/ID2knZwSCj8/s200/IMG_0203.jpg" width="111" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 (16 oz) container sour cream<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJkbycLTI/AAAAAAAABk8/4hnO2QwdB6c/s1600/IMG_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJkbycLTI/AAAAAAAABk8/4hnO2QwdB6c/s200/IMG_0206.jpg" width="112" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">8 (8 inch) tortillas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJqRsitII/AAAAAAAABlE/ja6h2vjzkBw/s1600/IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfJqRsitII/AAAAAAAABlE/ja6h2vjzkBw/s200/IMG_0205.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese<br />
Garnishes: salsa, sour cream, green onion curls, chopped fresh cilantro</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cook ground beef in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix and half of chopped green chiles; set aside. (I usually skip the chiles since my husband doesn't like them. It doesn't affect the flavor at all) Stir together remaining green chiles, soup, and sour cream. Pour half of sour cream mixture into a lightly greased 13-x 9-in baking dish. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKGRo_7eI/AAAAAAAABlM/hOXMCFLhLnk/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKGRo_7eI/AAAAAAAABlM/hOXMCFLhLnk/s200/IMG_0207.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Spoon beef mixture evenly down center of each tortilla; roll up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKQHG6x_I/AAAAAAAABlU/JKyibB60fj4/s1600/IMG_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKQHG6x_I/AAAAAAAABlU/JKyibB60fj4/s200/IMG_0208.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Place tortillas, seam sides down, over sour cream mixture in baking dish; top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKV7_ZunI/AAAAAAAABlc/kER546lIscg/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKV7_ZunI/AAAAAAAABlc/kER546lIscg/s200/IMG_0209.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired. Yield: 8 servings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKcn3hwnI/AAAAAAAABlk/G4tZjT8m6OI/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/TAfKcn3hwnI/AAAAAAAABlk/G4tZjT8m6OI/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">And there you have it. Now what are you waiting for...go try it! I promise you will not be disappointed! Oh, and on a side note, if you love salsa you have to try the salsa recipe on page 45 of this book. It's fantastic! But, you'll have to buy the cookbook! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I would love to hear from you if you try this recipe out and what you think of it. Just post a comment!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Until next time....happy cooking!</div>D-Licioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15240014111733431215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-35531426415420363712010-05-23T21:15:00.001-03:002010-05-25T09:58:05.020-03:00May's COOK-N-CRITIQUE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_m4ZCAIb1I/AAAAAAAABek/WSrcqrSFuo8/s1600/IMG_3723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_m4ZCAIb1I/AAAAAAAABek/WSrcqrSFuo8/s320/IMG_3723.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Welcome to another episode in the series <strong><em>Cook-N-Critique</em></strong>© For May, the group picked Mexican foods.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">The dish I drew was Dessert. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a <em>authentic Mexican dessert</em> when you haven't a clue what <em>authentic Mexican </em>is<em>? LOL</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">But my friend came through for me. I went to the source. The only <em>authentic</em> source I knew. Imelda immediately said "Tres Leches Cake". Great! Now I have a name, I just need to find an actual recipe in an actual cookbook. I'm all about following rules, ya know...not! (giggle) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_m2uC7go8I/AAAAAAAABec/cjtKKCqJ5tk/s1600/TATE+OF+HOME.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_m2uC7go8I/AAAAAAAABec/cjtKKCqJ5tk/s320/TATE+OF+HOME.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have you ever had Tres Leches Cake? (Three Milks) I hadn't so I didn't know what to expect. I used to make a (non-alcoholic) Pina Colada cake and it was on the same order. You poke holes and soak the cake with milk but that one was a heavy consistency. The <em>Tres Leches</em> cake wasn't like that at all. It was very light. The <em>three milks </em>were evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream. Except for the sweetness of the milk, it wasn't "rich" and heavy. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. You know how you're about to taste something and have in your mind how you expect it to taste, then you taste it and it's not at all like you imagined it would be. You are either immediately "wow! This is better than I expected" or you're "oh, hmm... not what I was expecting. Not bad, just not what I was expecting". Well the latter was what was going on in my head. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nBA8rUj7I/AAAAAAAABes/1Tiz08yDcP0/s1600/IMG_3722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nBA8rUj7I/AAAAAAAABes/1Tiz08yDcP0/s320/IMG_3722.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I gave the rest to my niece's husband, who is of Hispanic descent. He called later to tell me it was great. I asked him it if tasted authentic (because I had nothing to gauge it by). He said absolutely! It brought back memories of having Cafe con Leche and Tres Leches when he was younger. I felt better about it...that it did taste authentic, and that he liked it. (he said I could make it for him anytime I felt like it! LOL)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">The "frosting" is whipped cream. I'd never made whipped cream from scratch before, and kind of got caught up in the "stiff peaks" thing... I almost made BUTTER! ROFL!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's the recipe...If you try it yourself, do come back here and let us all know what you thought!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nCY-ZNHFI/AAAAAAAABe0/HE9988ZKKAY/s1600/IMG_3706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nCY-ZNHFI/AAAAAAAABe0/HE9988ZKKAY/s320/IMG_3706.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4 eggs - separated</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2/3 cup sugar, divided</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2/3 cup cake flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dash salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3/4 cup heavy whipping cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3/4 cup evaporated milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 tsp vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 tsp rum extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TOPPING</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 TBSP sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nC3jDvyFI/AAAAAAAABe8/mqquu7ZCS-o/s1600/IMG_3694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nC3jDvyFI/AAAAAAAABe8/mqquu7ZCS-o/s320/IMG_3694.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDFsFa8II/AAAAAAAABfE/Pd_bcDJiAN0/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDFsFa8II/AAAAAAAABfE/Pd_bcDJiAN0/s320/IMG_3697.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">line a 9 inch spring-for pan with wax paper; grease and flour the paper. Set aside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDSstFRxI/AAAAAAAABfM/PDm_2Ys8LjA/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDSstFRxI/AAAAAAAABfM/PDm_2Ys8LjA/s320/IMG_3707.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in a large bowl, beat the egg yolks for 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup sugar; beat for 3 minutes or until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Fold in flour, a third at a time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDivSEq3I/AAAAAAAABfU/HdeDMLkaAmg/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nDivSEq3I/AAAAAAAABfU/HdeDMLkaAmg/s320/IMG_3709.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In another bowl, and with clean beaters, beat egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high and until stiff peaks form. Stir a third of the whites into the yholk mixture. Fold in remaining whites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nD5NKuDvI/AAAAAAAABfc/kNc_Cq6CO9w/s1600/IMG_3711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S_nD5NKuDvI/AAAAAAAABfc/kNc_Cq6CO9w/s320/IMG_3711.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spread the batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a small bowl, combine cream evaporated milk, condensed milk and extracts. Transfer cake to a serving plate. Poke holes in top of cake ith a skewer. Slowly spoon the milk mixture over top. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For topping, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar, beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-10054319922585474822010-04-27T23:18:00.006-03:002015-11-26T23:23:38.087-04:00D-Licious And Her Knee Caps!Hello again! D-Licious here...<br />
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Well, you are probably wondering what on earth the title of my post could possibly have to do with cooking but, believe it or not, this was the name of my recipe....Knee Caps! I picked this recipe simply because I thought the name was funny. This recipe came out of one of my favorite cookbooks: The Blue Willow Inn Bible of Southern Cooking by Louis and Billie Van Dyke. <br />
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If you don't have this cookbook, I highly recommend purchasing it. Especially if you love traditional southern cooking. And let me throw this in while I'm at it. If you've never been to the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant in Social Circle, Georgia I feel very sorry for you. If you're within five hours of this restaurant, go! If not, plan a trip there. Trust me, it's worth the drive from anywhere you are.</div>
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So, if you're wondering what a knee cap is (as I was), it's simply a dense doughnut with an indentation in the center to which you fill with raspberry (or any flavor you desire) jelly and whipped topping. Sounds yummy, right? I mean, how bad can fried dough really be?! Any time I get the chance to get out my Presto Pro Fry deep fryer I'm a happy girl. All of you "health nuts" out there (and by "nuts" I don't mean crazies...I mean healthy eaters who, by the way, have my utmost admiration and respect!) keep breathing and stay with me. </div>
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This recipe took me several hours to make, including time to let the dough rise. I started around 6:15 am and finished around 9:30 am. I have to say that I was not totally confident this recipe would turn out good when I started.<br />
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I had creamed shortening, sugar and salt together and then added yeast (mixed with water, of course) and whole milk and it looked very unappetizing. Knowing I had no other option, I pressed on. <br />
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After making the dough I cut out my dough with a biscuit cutter and then pressed an indentation in the center of each one with a small glass as I was instructed to do. <br />
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The directions stated to fry these at 400 degrees! I was quite surprised at the extremely high temperature.<br />
I was forced to fry mine at 375 degrees since my deep fryer wouldn't heat up any higher than that. Even that seemed too hot. <br />
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The dough seemed to brown too quickly while a tiny section in the center of some of the "knee caps" were still a tad doughy. One other slight disappointment was that despite doing exactly what I was told to do by making the indentation in the center, I found that it would only puff up during the frying time.<br />
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There were very few that ended up with indentations in them. I will say, that the ones that came out correctly did look very good when the finished product emerged. </div>
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Now on to the most important part...the taste. I had mixed feelings about my knee caps (how strange does that sound?!). I wasn't crazy about how dense they were, but that's my own personal preference. And I definitely did not like tasting the oil that it was cooked in. All in all it was not the worst recipe I've ever made, but not something that will probably make it into my "favorites" folder. </div>
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Great recipe or not, we had such a good time. Everyone's recipes (well, maybe except for one...sorry Cupcake!) were tasty and our hostess was so gracious and generous. The best part of our cook-n-critique's is that I'm blessed to spend time with the girls in my family whom I love dearly. </div>
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Next month's gathering will be at my house and wait until you hear what we're cooking up! I'll give you a hint...it has mayo in it. Hmmmmm.....I bet you'll never guess what it is! Until next time...</div>
D-Licioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15240014111733431215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-76646337507085424172010-04-27T16:14:00.000-03:002010-04-27T16:14:15.994-03:00Cook-N-Critique for AprilThis month our cook-n-critique was a switch. Instead of all of the "real women" going by ONE BOOK, we switched it up and did a theme. Breakfast and Brunch and we got to choose our own cookbook. We still drew the dish out the hat though... I picked savory, but really wanted to do a stuffed french toast so Cupcake switched with me. (<em>She also can be nice when she wants to.)</em><br />
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Do you know I don't own the first cookbook that has such a recipe?!?!? I know, I couldn't believe it either!<br />
I thought I did, but it must've been something I took out of a magazine or something...somewhere. But since the "rules" are that it must be from a cookbook that anyone can get their hands on, (i.e., not out of print, or handed down, or internet only...) I couldn't do it. Soooo... I turned to my <strong><em>Pioneer Woman Cooks</em></strong>, cookbook by Ree Drummond and chose her (famous) cinnamon rolls!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cwx0NOXqI/AAAAAAAABS0/3vkeB3CbruM/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cwx0NOXqI/AAAAAAAABS0/3vkeB3CbruM/s200/IMG_3542.JPG" tt="true" width="150" /></a></div>I blogged about it with the recipe on my other website <a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2010/04/pioner-womans-cinnamon-rolls.html"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong>SweetJeanette</strong></span></a>... Go read it sometime - but not now! (giggle)<br />
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Now, in order to make these lucious beauties I needed to face my fear. If you've been reading this blog long, you might guess what it is...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cwA5rK1-I/AAAAAAAABSs/9Aqo6fItvu8/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cwA5rK1-I/AAAAAAAABSs/9Aqo6fItvu8/s200/1.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, not Fleischmann's.... YEAST! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Maybe it's better stated that yeast doesn't like me. As a young(er) bride, about 30 year ago (I know, I can't believe it either since there's no way I look that old! LOL) I tried to make yeast rolls. These "things" turned out to be nothing more than little flying saucers and I haven't attempted anything with yeast since then...until now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm happy to say, these turned out as they should!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Wanna know how I know???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<em>The trademark of every good Southern cook! LOL</em><br />
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ok, on to our Cook-N-Critique. <br />
<strong><em>Buttercream </em></strong>hosted the <em>Breakfast and Brunch</em> Cook-N-Critique. We were greated with a sign ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cyNnEWoNI/AAAAAAAABTM/tDIEkKH64QM/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cyNnEWoNI/AAAAAAAABTM/tDIEkKH64QM/s320/IMG_3560.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ok, the secret is out....Buttercream is really Becky! LOL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cypOpjR8I/AAAAAAAABTU/hZzAZ3Idatw/s1600/IMG_3544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9cypOpjR8I/AAAAAAAABTU/hZzAZ3Idatw/s320/IMG_3544.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doesn't this look festive?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She won (if there was such an award) the award for the best gifts! She really outdid any previous hostess' favors! Just look ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9czzUWIAvI/AAAAAAAABTk/lGxq-c64vG0/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9czzUWIAvI/AAAAAAAABTk/lGxq-c64vG0/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Underneath was a cutting board. The cutting boards were our placemats! We had lemons and tomatoes. Starting from the left to the right, we had in the cute flower pot, a scrub brush, candle, soap, a silicone do-hickey for pulling hot pans out of the oven, or handling hot pots, and to the far right... a head massager!!! Cupcake demonstrated it and said she tingled! <strong>and the neatest zester! (We all went ga-ga over this!) </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c1S7SVMiI/AAAAAAAABT0/QyLSWYDXGvQ/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c1S7SVMiI/AAAAAAAABT0/QyLSWYDXGvQ/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c0l0I2Z3I/AAAAAAAABTs/u03NDsmzVLc/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c0l0I2Z3I/AAAAAAAABTs/u03NDsmzVLc/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you see the glasses? There were two, a juice glass and regular....Those were our favors too!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and she served a wonderful banana slush punch! Yum-O!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buttercream is my sister, so get a load of MY placecard she prepared...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c1qcbF_xI/AAAAAAAABT8/9cQ7ceAbHWA/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c1qcbF_xI/AAAAAAAABT8/9cQ7ceAbHWA/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that's just wrong! Wrong, I say!</div>You know that RealWomen are my cousins and an aunt. Well, we had another cousin that day. My brother-in-law is a mechanic and was going to take a look at this cousin's car so we just invited said cousin in to eat with us and be our "honorary real woman" for the day....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c2qlzVr9I/AAAAAAAABUE/NefnWEOIElE/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c2qlzVr9I/AAAAAAAABUE/NefnWEOIElE/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry Kenny! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We stuck poor Ken on a stool, but he did help us critique the dishes and was a big help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c27sEsQqI/AAAAAAAABUM/mtqWYM7Jc8w/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c27sEsQqI/AAAAAAAABUM/mtqWYM7Jc8w/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll post more pictures in the actual "Critique" part of our Cook-n-Critique for April.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So until later, enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c3fzyV4RI/AAAAAAAABUU/ZBF5oZtJcW4/s1600/SJsignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9c3fzyV4RI/AAAAAAAABUU/ZBF5oZtJcW4/s320/SJsignature.png" tt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-8878785577115820542010-04-23T17:46:00.007-03:002010-04-23T18:07:04.402-03:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx58udqCeGJWDLjYqQecV6wQpOpFqu5_DYvwcXx2XqjC8HG7bcMBYEDNmup7mZOHJnGFNeCZpydBMPevMqSbrz1GfDSVoq777lfW_p5vKK6L9UNrYKwvA5eFI7eB4HdWrPAr36p6-TI3iB/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463440409552479570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx58udqCeGJWDLjYqQecV6wQpOpFqu5_DYvwcXx2XqjC8HG7bcMBYEDNmup7mZOHJnGFNeCZpydBMPevMqSbrz1GfDSVoq777lfW_p5vKK6L9UNrYKwvA5eFI7eB4HdWrPAr36p6-TI3iB/s200/004.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStp10iSD-ld_ugnqb_Am-YJ-noOfHeh4YK197dEUVLZvvPxRn3d6ufi5eHAazKAEnb7HEYakLmBxSWjXvBzUChO-hLMcD68rINkHbF-gSPcAe8ofTGCtXMmjN9FOUpaH9lEKjIH9qFVPH/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463440193054765154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStp10iSD-ld_ugnqb_Am-YJ-noOfHeh4YK197dEUVLZvvPxRn3d6ufi5eHAazKAEnb7HEYakLmBxSWjXvBzUChO-hLMcD68rINkHbF-gSPcAe8ofTGCtXMmjN9FOUpaH9lEKjIH9qFVPH/s200/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53hl5fPwxVGS_L5unTziLVb7pAk1jtG9Zx3Vj4mOqEbV2lkeE82ii5eiYWPCq5ZWLGEPq4FHfUjDfPWUJjhSnsV54cym_a0SDJ46WYGz9r8DL4Ov-buxx5c3I-63Pi-ZcuXPgT5GHB1qX/s1600/tea+prep+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463439628381267778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53hl5fPwxVGS_L5unTziLVb7pAk1jtG9Zx3Vj4mOqEbV2lkeE82ii5eiYWPCq5ZWLGEPq4FHfUjDfPWUJjhSnsV54cym_a0SDJ46WYGz9r8DL4Ov-buxx5c3I-63Pi-ZcuXPgT5GHB1qX/s320/tea+prep+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh6-5BTvXZqSSLoP54epWbHnfVtMu5owsyYPIsBJIgZIV3EhTY0BFpM4oU8Io4m2f1sAusAXfxxfoCxl1LSUxGRkTqHHDZP9meEwobIqzEpa-f5cN20vEoBlf9HkwNYG0XPFzpAp8ZL1y/s1600/tea+prep+004.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463439424388589474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh6-5BTvXZqSSLoP54epWbHnfVtMu5owsyYPIsBJIgZIV3EhTY0BFpM4oU8Io4m2f1sAusAXfxxfoCxl1LSUxGRkTqHHDZP9meEwobIqzEpa-f5cN20vEoBlf9HkwNYG0XPFzpAp8ZL1y/s320/tea+prep+004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HoL28XiB3g7Ze4O6YyXBuVQzA8o0NiQvruQuw0i25OnDMQskiSvsQV_t7SLpN9sy31RLThz0r6azTt-gTnaDXiyUVpYbHnom0UqncyQeatlPcvLrC0tuOBbkDjnhQsXf9lmm5SzCLb2O/s1600/tea+prep+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463439236783342802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HoL28XiB3g7Ze4O6YyXBuVQzA8o0NiQvruQuw0i25OnDMQskiSvsQV_t7SLpN9sy31RLThz0r6azTt-gTnaDXiyUVpYbHnom0UqncyQeatlPcvLrC0tuOBbkDjnhQsXf9lmm5SzCLb2O/s320/tea+prep+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rF6t12O-ZkMcodT32LEIsCpjv01qP_pERvSLhlrvIy6JkwBzUKRms9_tbhGuT_FvblrswJlpP1y2RXsumFkniLMQuicYEbSnxXoYgKrxd3pGVOh4rLloirxzooIrGOV8ig0HnquERMjO/s1600/tea+prep+001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463439084945534978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rF6t12O-ZkMcodT32LEIsCpjv01qP_pERvSLhlrvIy6JkwBzUKRms9_tbhGuT_FvblrswJlpP1y2RXsumFkniLMQuicYEbSnxXoYgKrxd3pGVOh4rLloirxzooIrGOV8ig0HnquERMjO/s320/tea+prep+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><div><strong><em><font color="#6600cc">Well hello there,</font></em></strong></div><br /><br /><br />
<br /><div><strong><em><font color="#6600cc">Guess what? It's time for another critique. Yeah, someone else is doing alot of cooking. I am looking forward to seeing Sweet Jeanette, Buttercream, and D-licious. I am looking forward to cooking with Cupcake. We have alot of fun in the kitchen. </font></em></strong></div>
<br /><div><strong><em><font color="#6600cc">Cupcake and I had loads of fun last week getting ready for our Spring Tea. We had some extra ladies with us this time. So much fun. So much food. Sweet Jeanette and D-licious provided so good eats that complimented what we had prepared. I have a few pics of Cupcake and I using our culinary skills. LOL! Take a look.</font></em></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Saucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517624374355109404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-11826992962376268852010-04-13T19:37:00.003-03:002010-04-13T19:56:05.230-03:00Spring TeaOOPS How did that picture get in there?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLl87swqwD-FHAdIIv8jhvUH_XLPr5NHuKECDLVi9BClEWvI_lX7bze4rEBK3iPb9lGpRcq9DyL4FMMkwoV182IN6an7b6w8i9bXNKkCiPEKTxX7-6iToKoZ0sDTVB8iK9pS3Yt1JzpWW/s1600/mixed+pics+006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459759115528334914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLl87swqwD-FHAdIIv8jhvUH_XLPr5NHuKECDLVi9BClEWvI_lX7bze4rEBK3iPb9lGpRcq9DyL4FMMkwoV182IN6an7b6w8i9bXNKkCiPEKTxX7-6iToKoZ0sDTVB8iK9pS3Yt1JzpWW/s320/mixed+pics+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ffff33;">,</span></em></strong></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Hi ya'll, Well it isn't quite time for our next cook n critique, but I wanted to let you know we get together other times too! Cupcake and I (Saucy) are having a spring tea this Sat. April 17th. We gave these invite bags out at our last critique. Guess what is inside? Yes, there is an invitation. Cupcake got really busy and hot glued some flowers to combs and has asked the ladies to put them in their hair. They are mandatory. No, flowers in your hair, no entrance. Of course we will wear some too. Can't wait to get some pictures of that. Anywho, hope you will check us out to find out how our tea went and be prepared for our next critique Apr. 24. This time Buttercream will be our hostess. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS9wYIqpvD0RFAD-f1t-KQpjQfKUZHQG2RB68VVorbX4-9rqD3xd_UBOkG-9vCIbv7xJcQTMps28eKEefcEMgLtqLseMZ0yHgfse172_wbjC4XLowjrynx94m7ZImh2dxEz9OKmn2zBzg/s1600/mixed+pics+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459755536182775426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS9wYIqpvD0RFAD-f1t-KQpjQfKUZHQG2RB68VVorbX4-9rqD3xd_UBOkG-9vCIbv7xJcQTMps28eKEefcEMgLtqLseMZ0yHgfse172_wbjC4XLowjrynx94m7ZImh2dxEz9OKmn2zBzg/s320/mixed+pics+003.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div>Saucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517624374355109404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-18038253007991709722010-04-09T18:35:00.000-03:002010-04-09T18:35:34.110-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7-cxHKVcLI/AAAAAAAABME/fAd1gfdH3-c/s1600/addonP+apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7-cxHKVcLI/AAAAAAAABME/fAd1gfdH3-c/s200/addonP+apron.jpg" width="168" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Hey! Ya know what? We really love comments. </em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong><em>I mean it! </em></strong></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong><em>We really do!</em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong><em>So, if you're reading this, please tell us you're there!</em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Let us know we're not just talking to ourselves, ok? You know what it's like, you're walking alongside a friend at the mall and you're talking to her and turn around and she's not there, but there's this guy standing there looking at you like you've ran out of your medication.... You feel so... so.... well, just talk to us, ok? (giggle)</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">We really do love hearing from you! Got any suggestions? Let us hear it!</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Thanks bunches and bunches!</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Sweet Jeanette</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-32625247732203658272010-04-02T19:42:00.002-03:002010-04-02T21:07:19.204-03:00Cuisinart FunFirst of all I want to thank the lovely ladies (Cupcake, D-licious, Buttercream and Sweet Jeanette) that made our Cook-N-Critique so special. I love, love, love, these ladies. What a fun day. Guess what I still have all my fingers. Yep, I didn't lose a one using the cuisinart. I'm glad I didn't have yeast and have to use the cuisinart. That would have been too scary. Can you imagine chocolate being tooooooooooo chocolate. On top of that the crust was well, I don't know exactly what it was. The directions weren't very clear about how to handle a prebaked piecrust. I'm not sure I baked it long enough but it baked as long as the recipe called for. Maybe it was the parchment lined baking sheet that was under the pie plate. I didn't let it cool completely before I put the filling in it to bake. Ok, back to the chocolate. The recipe called for 1 cup of coarsely grated semi sweet chocolate. Now how coarse is coarse? I wish the recipe had said 2 ounces or 4 ounces. I used 6 ounces. Way to much. Anywho, I don't think I will use that recipe again. Oh by the way the crust recipe made 2 crusts. I used the second crust on top of the Chicken Pot Pie I made the other day and it turned out really good. Flaky and all. So maybe I need to practice making a prebaked crust. Hmmmmmmmmm that's a thought.<br />Enough about my CHOCOLATE PIE. We sure had some good eats. We started our feast with our blessing (isn't God good?) then moved to the food table. I was last in line and by the time I started putting food on my plate I started hearing yummms and lip smacking etc. The cake, muffins and bread were the sources of the tastebud euphoria. It is hard to stop eating and think about what you did or didn't like about your recipe. Food is so distracting. Good food that is.<br />We have another special critique planned for April.Saucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517624374355109404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-46639226244278090572010-03-30T20:25:00.004-03:002010-04-24T14:21:18.223-03:00Ahh how sweet it was!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MlZ1qK1iI/AAAAAAAABQU/mEpbOp5NW6s/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MlZ1qK1iI/AAAAAAAABQU/mEpbOp5NW6s/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6600cc;">So I was under some pressure this week playing hostess okay so yes I had some help from Saucy(my mom) but here is a little info about Cupcake...I like things to be perfect and I like to control! But I do both with the grace and style of a good southern girl! Now the fact that I like perfection made this weeks critique more of a challenge. Baking is far from perfect. One degree off in that oven and everything sinks or burns or both! </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9Mjy01DosI/AAAAAAAABP0/1yxSSYjZiXE/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9Mjy01DosI/AAAAAAAABP0/1yxSSYjZiXE/s200/IMG_3373.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6600cc;">While looking for muffin recipes in the cookbook I was stuck between two. </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">Praline and cream pecan muffins and Zucchini, citrus and honey muffins (which I called Citrus and Honey muffins until everyone had taken thier first bite...I didn't want the Zucchini to scare anyone off!). So being the overachiever I am, I baked both! First thing I noticed about this section of the book.....nowhere does she explain muffin pan sizes. Don't think this is important....well when she says it makes 14 muffins (ive never seen a 14 cup muffin pan by the way) I figured it meant standard size, well no I was wrong. The Zucchini, Citrus and Honey muffins made 12 standard and 6 Jumbo size muffins and the Pralines and Cream muffins called for a "standard or large" pan, well which one? I ended up making 12 Jumbo muffins and had batter left over! </span></div><br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">The taste however made me forget this oversight. I don't want to brag but my muffins were yummy! I will say that the Pralines and Cream muffins were about 500 steps too many but it was nice that all the steps could be done in the food processor. The flavor was good and very sweet but a bit heavy for the spring weather. I think this would be great with a cup of hot tea, bundled under a blanket during the winter. However the Zucchini muffins were so light and fresh they were a great accompinament to the beautiful spring day! D-licious even told a little fib to her veggie-phobic husband that the green in the muffin was just lime zest...he ate it and loved it! It is definately going into my must do again recipe list! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">Now all the other women worked so hard I want to make sure I discuss their lovely dishes. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MjktLjRqI/AAAAAAAABPs/NaJ46ZR1H0k/s1600/IMG_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MjktLjRqI/AAAAAAAABPs/NaJ46ZR1H0k/s200/IMG_3371.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">Sweet Jeanettes cookies weren't my favorite, I did think they lacked flavor. I had actually tried to make these cookies before but couldn't find dried strawberries so I tried to dry them myself in the oven (well google said I could dry them that way!) and they didn't turn out very good. There just isn't enough flavor. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9Mka0JFE-I/AAAAAAAABP8/3G-Yz-uLkEU/s1600/bread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9Mka0JFE-I/AAAAAAAABP8/3G-Yz-uLkEU/s200/bread.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #6600cc;">D-licious' two breads (and yes I do believe I could live my life on nothing but good bread!) were great and ho-hum. The Double - Garlic Foccacia was divine. My mouth was so happy I didn't know what to do with myself. Please I beg you to get over your yeast fear and make this bread (lucky for me I can just call up D-licious and have her make it for me!). It was super flavorful and as one Woman remarked "it has garlic treasures inside". The Chunky Cheese Bread was a bust in my opinion. Too salty on top of the bread and no flavor inside. In fact you could almost taste the yeast. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MkmWAQrqI/AAAAAAAABQE/-6ML4ZsCcmo/s1600/IMG_3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MkmWAQrqI/AAAAAAAABQE/-6ML4ZsCcmo/s200/IMG_3379.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">Saucy's French Silk Pie wasn't that great either. Well actually I took two bites and said "more bread please". Thats right, I passed on chocolate! The pie had a weird texture and the crust was strange ( I will let Saucy fill you in on her complaints about measurements etc...). And if it were possible (which I didn't think it was) the pie had too strong a chocolate taste! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MlJUwoteI/AAAAAAAABQM/JlfaFjv9WYk/s1600/becky_cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MlJUwoteI/AAAAAAAABQM/JlfaFjv9WYk/s200/becky_cake.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #6600cc;">The group did finish up with a winner, Buttercream's Hummingbird Carrot Cake. Wow, this cake was excellent and so very moist. I am not a big fan of banana but the flavor in this cake kept me craving more! And with all the fruits and veggies in the cake who can pass it up, it's practically like eating a salad!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">So overall this book had its good and bad moments. Seriously, a cookie sheet with parchment paper under everything? But the foccacia, muffins and that cake made my heart sing! So as a group we decided that this cookbook deserves.....3 spoons! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MofZ2MYgI/AAAAAAAABQc/HcQ4F0iCRwo/s1600/3_SPOONS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S9MofZ2MYgI/AAAAAAAABQc/HcQ4F0iCRwo/s200/3_SPOONS.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div>Cupcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09658091053967717847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-17899049293139261482010-03-30T17:35:00.004-03:002010-04-01T20:50:54.529-03:00One Out Of TwoD-Licious here again to update you on my recipes at the last Real Women Eat Cook-n-Critique. What a beautiful day we had for our get together. Cupcake and Saucy did such a beautiful table decor as you can see in the pictures. They even gave us each a set of recipe cards. These ladies, who happen to be my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, always know how to make you feel welcome and special. <div><br /></div><div>Now on to my recipes. I had a hard time deciding between two recipes so I did them both. I wasn't sure if this was because I was very brave or very ignorant since my "theme" was yeast. I know so many women are afraid of it. I used to be one of them. I have learned that yeast is nothing to be scared of. It's just another ingredient. My first recipe was called Chunky Cheese Bread. I made this recipe because the writer puts in the heading below the recipe: "Bold to say but I believe true: This recipe alone is worth the price of the book". Well, that made me very interested in trying it out. After the dough was ready I was instructed to roll it up into a jellyroll. Okay, I think to myself, I can do this. I've made cinnamon rolls many times and this sounds familiar. Then I was to cut the jellyroll into thick slices. No problem. Then it said to cut them again in half, basically into odd-sized chunks. I'm sure some of you think this is no big deal. What I didn't tell you was that the dough had been covered with cheddar cheese before it was rolled up. Well, if you haven't figured out my problem by now I'll tell you. Cheese everywhere! I had pressed it into the dough before rolling like the recipe asked me to do, but it didn't help. I had to literally scoop up cheese from my (Clean!) countertop and put it back into the ball of dough and then pinch each chunk to ensure I didn't loose the cheese. What a pain! Another problem I had was that I had quite a bit of dough left over. It wasn't enough to make a whole third loaf, but I threw it into another loaf pan just to bake. For me, it was too "yeasty" tasting. No other flavors really other than a very salty crust (it called for seasoned or garlic salt; I used seasoned). My husband came home as I was about to leave for Cupcake and Saucy's house and was quite happy when I told him that he and my father-in-law could eat the third loaf. He took two large pieces which I found out later ended up being tossed. He was so relieved to find out that we weren't fans of this bread either since they had secretly tossed it over the fence so as not to hurt my feelings. The baking time on this bread was also a little off. It said to leave it in for 35 to 40 minutes. I took mine out at 28 minutes. Sadly, this recipe will not make it to my recipe folder.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next recipe was Double Garlic Fougasse. I have always wanted to make a focaccia bread and I am totally in love with garlic so I had to try this out. It was fantastic! It was so yummy and garlicky! There were a lot of steps to follow in this recipe, but well worth the effort. The only negative thing I can say would be that the top was done well before the inside was completely baked so I had to add foil for the last 10 minutes. All in all, a great recipe. It will definitely find it's way to my dinner table again. In fact, I know that Saucy and Cupcake have already made a batch of this bread to go with their spaghetti dinner. This recipe is definitely a winner.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had such a great time getting together again and trying out our recipes. If you've got 1 spare day a month, you really ought to get some girlfriends or family members together and each cook or bake and get together and eat. You will have the most fun and make many happy memories. </div><div><br /></div>D-Licioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15240014111733431215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-38294048762679418852010-03-29T22:52:00.001-03:002010-03-29T22:56:50.410-03:00Cook-N-Critique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Jeanette here ...</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FQXpmQ0GI/AAAAAAAABFU/e-NsGbrB7Yo/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FQXpmQ0GI/AAAAAAAABFU/e-NsGbrB7Yo/s320/IMG_3123.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong>Remember these books from last month? Did you guess which we'd choose?</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We chose <em>A Passion for Baking</em> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FROs8RGfI/AAAAAAAABFc/RpGC0qX7Ht4/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FROs8RGfI/AAAAAAAABFc/RpGC0qX7Ht4/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The hostesses for this Cook-N-Critique were Saucy and Cupcake (mother and daughter team who happen to be my aunt and cousin!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>We planned to have our "eat - n- critique" on the porch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FR77QqxxI/AAAAAAAABFk/f2dGpjHxwCU/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FR77QqxxI/AAAAAAAABFk/f2dGpjHxwCU/s320/IMG_3357.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">See... there's even a "clue" as to what it is.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FSK9JaHLI/AAAAAAAABF0/iHx0sFNXFKQ/s1600/IMG_3358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FSK9JaHLI/AAAAAAAABF0/iHx0sFNXFKQ/s320/IMG_3358.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">But it was felt that it was way too windy (good old Florida! LOL) for our eating outside. So Saucy and Cupcake worked double time and made the inside beautiful for us.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FSdHqWtQI/AAAAAAAABGE/UeNgfhy6KLs/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FSdHqWtQI/AAAAAAAABGE/UeNgfhy6KLs/s320/IMG_3366.JPG" /></a><strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: black;">(I just love wisteria</span>!!!)</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FTgTlhgLI/AAAAAAAABGU/gUft74Qzgxs/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FTgTlhgLI/AAAAAAAABGU/gUft74Qzgxs/s200/IMG_3361.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FTZddFz2I/AAAAAAAABGM/YL3JkG90h34/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FTZddFz2I/AAAAAAAABGM/YL3JkG90h34/s200/IMG_3364.JPG" width="200" /></a>(isn't that pretty?)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">and now for the "spread" (YUM)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FUEbvRGeI/AAAAAAAABGc/4QOkphkmUIs/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FUEbvRGeI/AAAAAAAABGc/4QOkphkmUIs/s320/IMG_3374.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'll let everyone tell their own individual stories on what they made. As you know in a previous post Cupcake and D-Licious couldn't decide on one recipe so they made two. Oh my, I'm so glad they did they were great...especially those muffins, or were they cupcakes??? (Oops! I just told you what Cupcake made). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I made Strawberries and Cream Cookies</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FVB8bx4uI/AAAAAAAABGk/WPhMjzhsWJ4/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-zHwuDysDXQ/S7FVB8bx4uI/AAAAAAAABGk/WPhMjzhsWJ4/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'll post the recipe later this week for you. It's a shortbread cookie that uses dried strawberries, white chocolate and cream. I don't know why cream got top billing over white chocolate because the recipe only called for ONE TABLESPOON of whipping cream but I'm not the author so....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">The book said you could order the dried strawberries on line from <a href="http://nutsonline.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>nutsonline.com</strong></span></a> but I just knew I had seen them at the health foods store in town so I went there. They had these dehydrated snack berries. I couldn't quite visualize how many bags would made 3/4 cup so I bought three - at 5.00 and change for one bag, that's an expensive batch of cookies with the strawberries alone! I should've went to nutsonline.com! LOL</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, the recipe said to bake for 40-50 minutes. Holy Cow!!! Are you kidding me? I set the timer for 25 minutes and they were d-o-n-e, done! (Ya pre-heat at 325 degrees and when you put the cookies in the oven you immediately turn it down to 300 but still, 25 minutes was plenty of time, perhaps 20 minutes would've been better. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">There was the general concensus of a "pattern" from this author. She loved double pans and parchment paper. I had to use a double cookie sheet and then parchment paper on top of that. Now, I can see using parchment paper with cookies, but B<em>uttercream</em> made a cake (oops! I just told you what another person made!) and she had to use a cookie sheet, parchment paper on top of that and then her parchment-lined cake pan on top of the parchment lined cookie sheet. Hmmmm.. Can someone tell me (honestly, I really am interested in an answer) why all that? We kind of felt like it was "overkill", but who knows.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">During the making of these cookies, I kept having this nagging feeling maybe I should add some strawberry flavoring, but because we must be true to the letter of the recipe so we can give the best evaluation we can, I didn't do it. (I still wish I had!). These cookies were "ok", but if it has the name strawberry in it, I want it bursting with strawberry flavor. Again, maybe it was a simple case of ordering those dried berries from nuts on line! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">I told the group, I was glad I drew cookies because every 9/11 I take cookies to the firestation and am always looking for a "wow" cookie. This wasn't it. First, it didn't make all that many (it said makes 2-3 dozen...uh-uh. MAYBE 2, but definitely not 3 with the size cookie cutter it called for. Second, dried strawberries aren't readily on hand I found out. Third, for the steps necessary in this cookie recipe, I would expect a better "wow" factor. Oh, and fourth, my finished cookie didn't look like the picture! LOL!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"> I give it one spoon.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005026679294987922.post-15798630644329869962010-03-24T17:42:00.003-03:002010-03-24T18:00:21.882-03:003 MORE DAYSHello Saucy here just reminding everyone about our next critique. I am so excited. Cupcake and D-licious couldn't make up their minds which recipe to prepare sooooooooooooo they are both making two dishes. D-licious said she had to fix the recipe the author said is so good it is worth the price of the book and the other recipe just sounded so yummy she couldn't pass it up. Now Cupcake's recipes are yummy sounding too. The first recipe Cupcake is preparing she chose because the author of the book says she gets the most requests to prepare this dish. The second recipe she chose because it is full of some of her favorite things. Hmmmmmmmmmm what could those be? Now me I am the old lady of the group so I am only preparing one dish. Can't wait to use the Cuisinart. Sweet Jeanette and Becky haven't hinted at what recipes the chose but I bet they will be great. You will have to check back to find out. I have a feeling we will be satisfied with this cookbook. <br />Bye for now.Saucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517624374355109404noreply@blogger.com0