Tasty Toast

Ok, Ok. I know what your thinking.

"She's writing a blog post about toast?!"

YES.I.AM

BUT, it's not your typical pop in the toaster and slab a little butter on it, toast.

A different and yummy variation to the classic breakfast food. 

First, we have coconut toast. We have had this in our family for years and it's so yummy!

6 slices of bread

1/2 c. flaked coconut

1/3 c. sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Combine coconut, sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. Spread evenly on bread, place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

Next, we have cinnamon toast. This makes me believe I have been making cinnamon toast wrong all my life. Plus, the 'Pioneer Woman' came up with this recipe, so you know it's yummy.

8 slices of bread

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

dash of nutmeg {optional}

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg, if using. Spread evenly over the slices of bread. Place the slices of bread on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Then, turn the broiler on 'low' and broil until it's bubbly.  

And that's it! Two yummy toast recipes that are fast and easy to make.

Oh, did I mention they are low-calorie and fat-free?

No?

Ok good, because they aren't.

Butterfinger Cookies

This recipe is a happy merriment of peanut butter cookies and butterfinger candy bars.

Oh, so delicious.

Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Can't ask for a better cookie!

Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies - Makes 3 dozen

{Recipe adapted from: Six Sisters' Stuff}

1/2 c butter, softened

1/2 c creamy peanut butter

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c brown sugar

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1 egg

1 t vanilla

1 1/4 c all-purpose flour

8 'fun size' butterfinger candy bars, crushed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter and peanut butter for 30 seconds. Add sugars, baking soda, and powder. Beat until combined, then add in egg and vanilla. Add in flour, then fold in the butterfingers to the mixture. Place by spoonful on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes. Enjoy!

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I made these for my kids in Junior Church, but of course there was quality control by the family. :) I asked Dad how he liked them, his eyes got big and said "Delicious!"

These definitely 'climbed the charts' to one of our favorite cookies. Hope you enjoy them!



Valentine Eats

I try to make {or do} something special for my wonderful family on Valentine's Day. This year it was all about delicious homemade goodies.

It was my very, first time making homemade bagels and they were delicious! These blueberry heart-shaped bagels were happily consumed for breakfast!

We have been working out and trying to eat better so I opted for a healthier dinner and dessert this time.

Baked salmon, quinoa, and roasted green beans were on the menu!

You may be wondering, "Wait, what in the world is quinoa?!" {Pronounced KEEN-wah} Quinoa is a healthier version of rice, basically. It has a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and even iron. Not too popular yet, but I was able to find it a Walmart. So, if your wanting to give it a try hopefully you can easily find it too!

Then, we finished off the evening with some yummy chocolate covered strawberries!

I hope everyone had a love-filled Valentine's Day!

Tasty Thursday

I am constantly trying out new recipes to fit into the weekly menu. {Most, if not all, come from Pinterest} Thankfully, my family is really easy going and willing to try anything!

Here are a few recipes I have made semi-recently and we have loved!

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

{Recipe and photo credit here: Kitchen Treaty}

I made this for our Christmas Party back in December, and it was delicious! Nothing like hot spiced cider to warm you up!

Oven Roasted Potatoes

{Recipe and photo credit here: Plain Chicken}

These are sooo yummy and easy to do! They are packed with lots of yummy flavor and a nice change from a basic potato.

Creamy Avocado Pasta

{Recipe and photo credit here: The Comfort of Cooking}

This is a healthier version of a pasta and oh so good! I would probably reduce the amount of lemon juice used next time I make it {maybe only use half a lemon}, but this was a winner.

Buckeye Brownies

{Recipe and photo credit here: Scraps of Life}

I am a lover of all things chocolate and peanut butter so these were awesome! We liked them better after they chilled in the fridge for a while, but super good.

Chubby Hubby

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know we did! If you haven't had enough sweets yet, here is another one that is A-to the-W-to the-E...awesome! Although, if you are like us and have tons upon tons of cookies, candy, and cakes in the house, you can hang onto this recipe for another time.

I am currently munching on dried mangoes to try and offset all these sweets I've consumed recently. Didn't the doctors tell you that fruit totally cancels all that stuff out?! No? Mine either...total bummer. In my mind, it makes me feel better :)

Ok my peeps...here we go!

...................................................................................

I made some 'chubby hubby' truffles a few weeks back, a delicious spin on a peanut butter ball.

I am a lover of all things chocolate and peanut butter. If you are too, you are gonna love these!

{Warning: Side effects include (but are not limited too) a chubby hubby, a chubby wifey, and chubby kiddos. Consider yourself warned.} 

Chubby Hubby Truffles

{Photo and recipe credit--Brown Eyed Baker}

 Makes: about 18 truffles

1½ cups pretzel pieces

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

Pinch salt

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

1. Put the pretzel pieces into a resealable plastic bag and crush into very small bits (a rolling pin works great for this).

2. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and salt. Stir until all of the ingredients are completely blended and smooth. Add the pretzel bits to the peanut butter mixture and mix thoroughly. Add the powdered sugar and mix until completely combined.

3. Line a small baking sheet with wax paper. Using a small cookie scoop, or about 2 teaspoons worth of peanut butter mixture, gently shape into a ball with your fingertips. Place the ball on the wax paper-lined cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining peanut butter mixture. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.

4. When ready to dip the truffles, microwave the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening together in a small bowl at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth.

5. Working one at a time, dip one peanut butter-pretzel ball into the melted chocolate and use a fork to roll it around, ensuring that it is completely coated with chocolate. Let any extra chocolate drip off and place back on the wax paper-lined sheet. Repeat with all of the peanut butter-pretzel balls.

6. Return the baking sheet to the refrigerator and again chill for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with a drizzle of melted peanut butter and crushed pretzels, if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Totally worth it

Recently, I have been turned on to the great phenomenon of freezing fruit, when you have them in abundance. We live all around orchards, so when harvest time comes for the fruit the prices go way down. {Or, if you are blessed like we were this year, have several friends with peach trees and receive tons of peaches for fuh-ree!} 

When we froze many bags of peaches several months ago, we had one {or two} very peachy days, but it's totally worth all the effort. (You can see the post after those 'peachy days' here >>>> Peaches, peaches, and more peaches )

Freezing fruit = Money & Time Saved

And tonight, we are reaping the rewards of all that hard work!

{Peach Almond Crisp Recipe}

Cupcake Challenge: The winner is.....

{If you missed the cupcake challenge post, you will definitely want to go check it out before proceeding! Here's the link -- Cupcake Fever}  

Kali made a yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake

I made a Mocha Toffee Carmel Cupcake

The faithful judges--minus our Pastor who came down sick last minute.

Cody and Melissa took their job very seriously.... :)

You see, it's very difficult to judge a cupcake challenge. Oh, the burdens we have to bear.....

Alright, no more waiting!

And the winner is.....

*drum roll please*

MOCHA TOFFEE CARMEL CUPCAKE!!!

Whoop Whoop! I won!! 

They were both so yummy! In the end, all it came down to was more of the judges preferring the mocha toffee flavor combo.

This was a lot of fun for Kali and I to do, we are already looking forward to our next bake-off! 

Until next time.... 



Cupcake fever

My family and I really enjoy the show "DC Cupcakes" on Netflix. Ever heard of it?

It's about two sisters who ditch their corporate jobs and start a cupcake bakery together in DC. They make so many delicious looking cupcakes that it basically makes you gain 5 lbs just watching the show.

Looking at all these cupcakes has given me a 'cupcake fever' and it must be cured by the only way I know possible. 

Make cupcakes

A week ago, I made some really delicious eggnog cupcakes for a fellowship at church. Both eggnog lovers and eggnog haters loved these! Eggnog.spices.cream.cheese.frosting. Can I get an amen?!

{Recipe found here}

We watched an episode where the sisters had a cupcake bake-off, letting others judge whose cupcake was the best. This sparked an idea in me, since I am now looking for any excuse to make cupcakes.

Me + Kali = Cupcake Bake-Off

Rules:

You are not allowed to use a tried and true recipe, both using new recipes

NO box cake mix

Judges are not allowed to know who made what cupcake, to ensure no bias decisions

We have friends coming over later this week for this cupcake bake-off, to be our judges. This will be deliciously interesting.

Be sure to check back later this week to see the results and what cupcakes we made!

'May the cupcakes be with you.'

That's a little plug-in for all you Star Wars fans.  

Tastes like the Holidays

My day started verrrry early this morning...*yawwwn* 

A hot cup of an eggnog chai latte was just what was needed and it helped wake me up. :) {That, and a very happy/giggly little boy!}



Happy Wednesday everyone!

Give 'em a try

Thanks to Pinterest, it seems like I am always trying out a new recipe.

Some GREAT, some not so great.

Who here likes to change things up a bit with the weekly menu?

I know I do!

I have found several recipes recently that I am swooning over!

{Korean Beef}

I am a lover of Asian food, so you should be able to see why I love this dish. It's quick, simple, cheap (it's made with ground beef), and deeelicious! Also, I double the sauce recipe which gives more flava to the rice underneath.

{Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach}

Sausage. Cheese. Pasta. Sneaking the good-for-you-vegetable in. Mmm!

Need I say more?!

{Peach Freezer Jam}

This is the very same jam as mentioned in this post. First time making freezer jam, after lots of raves over the stuff. It's really good and super easy!

{The best-ever Chocolate Chip Cookies}

As you can see, these cookies 'claimed' to be the best-eva. After having a horrifying experience with another CCC 'claiming' to be delish, I was a little skeptical. I have an absolutely-wonderful Oatmeal CCC that we adore, but I wanted to try some without the oatmeal for a change. Letmetellyou. These were AWESOME! They fit the bill of the best-ever and are now my favorite CCC recipe. Oh, did I mention they have a secret ingredient?!  *insert mysterious smile*

On another note, why oh why does pinterest intermix delicious looking food pins with weight loss pins?! Do you want me to feel horrible about myself?

Totally me.

Peaches, peaches, and more peaches

3 boxes of peaches + 2 peachy days =

19 quart bags of peaches

18 jars of peach freezer jam

12 individual cups of peaches for smoothies

21 quart jars of canned peaches

Peaches, peaches, and (you guessed it!) PEACHES!!

I'm finding peaches under my fingernails

Peach particles stuck on my arm

The worst part is, I look like I've been hit with a box of peaches

It's going to be a peachy year.



Ooey Gooey Deliciousness

Raise your hand if you love ooey gooey desserts....

Awesome!

Then you are gonna adore this recipe.

I made this today and it's a perfect blend of chocolate, oatmeal, and coconut. It's kinda like my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, but the lazy easy version because it's in a bar form :)

I added coconut and reduced the sugar a bit, because I'm weird like that.

I will definitely be one of those moms who sneak things like zucchini into their kids brownies.

Mmmkay, here we go.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars--adapted from Tasty Kitchen

2 sticks butter, melted

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

1 c sugar

1 c brown sugar

2 c flour

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

2 c quick cooking oats

2 c chocolate chips

1 c coconut

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix together butter, vanilla, eggs, and sugars. Then, add the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. After that is all mixed together well, add the oats, chocolate chips, and coconut. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and spread evenly in pan. Cook for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

If you can stand it, try to let them cool before you cut into them. If you don't, they will be really gooey.

Story Time: While I was typing the 'x' for the 9x13 pan, I was reminded of something many years ago. So, there was this forward email that was sent to me at my inbox (back when forwarding was the new thing). It was one of those, "Mark all these statements with an 'x' if you have done them before. Then forward this to 3,581 people. If you don't, you don't love Jesus." Or another good one was, "If you don't forward this to x amount of people your crush will not look at you this week."

Oh brother

Anyways, so I was filling out the forward and was like, "Wait, I don't have an X button!!" True. Story. I was searching that keyboard for the 'x' button and couldn't find it for a bit. You can imagine the shame I felt when I found it.

Yes, I am blonde

No, I am not stupid

The End.

Green Breakfast Smoothie

Alright my peeps

I have another awesome, fantastic, delicious, and GREEN recipe for ya'll.

I don't know about you but we have been having some awesome, sun-shiny days in May! 

Summer is right around the corner and the sun is finally starting to peek its way through all those WA clouds. Producing, gorgeous 70-80 + weather!

In the summer, I am all about smoothies, popsicles, ice cream, and fruit. I could probably live off of those foods in the summer. My body would say otherwise.

A little while back my friend Rebecca blogged about a delicious, green smoothie that she absolutely loved! From knowing her, I knew our taste buds linked closely together in our love of food.

Plus, I already had a deep, in dwelling love for this drink

With the warm weather, it seemed like the perfect time to make this homemade version.

This is what we start with

1 c. cranberry juice

1/2 c frozen peaches (fresh is good too)

1 apple

1 banana

1/2 c vanilla yogurt

1 c spinach

1 c kale

1 spoonful of orange juice concentrate

Blend all these ingredients together and its as easy as that!

I'm telling you, if you can stand to wait a little, pop it into the fridge to get it chilled before consuming. It is so much better cold.

It makes a super breakfast, filled with fruit and vegetables or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up!

Oh and one more thing

Please, oh puh-lease

For the love of all things smoothie, drink it with a straw.

Why?

Because everything tastes better with a straw  :)

What's for Dinner

I am recently a meatloaf convert.

Before I was converted, when someone would mentioned meatloaf for dinner the first word to come to my mind.

Blah.

Who would want to have ground beef all squished up with some other mystery ingredients, then shoved into a pan? That was where brownies, cakes, and other delicious things were to be baked in, not meatloaf. (ick)It was not my idea of a delicious dinner.

A couple months ago, we tried a new meatloaf recipe.

Yippee!! *spoken very sarcastically*

That probably would have been my reply.

Before I was converted.

The said recipe was for 'mini meatloaf', big deal, they are mini. It's still the eary meatloaf.

Even then, I gave them a shot

{photo credit}

Wowzers

No really

WOWZERS

You know that feeling you get when you taste something truly delicious? A contended sigh, humming.....whatever it is for you. Well, I had it.

Some may say its like butter sliding down hot toast. Well, that's besides the point.

This has quickly become one of my favorite meals. Mini meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and fresh green beans! Mmm Hmm

[Have I ever mentioned how much I love, LOVE fresh green beans?! That is a whole 'nother post for another day.]

Since I am the primary cooker (chef, maker-of-dinners??) for the family, I like to squeeze this into the menu at least once a month or so. Oh and believe me, no one, I mean, NO ONE complains when they see it on the table for dinner.

Tonight, no joke, everyone came into the kitchen before dinner was ready, because of the sheer deliciousness of the smell of those little delights.

Umkay

I won't make you wait any longer.

I can see you sitting at the computer/laptop/phone, drool slowly dripping from your mouth.


The.best.ever mini meatloaf


1 egg
1/2 c milk
1 c cheese
1/2 c oats
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t onion powder
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t salt
1 lb ground beef
ketchup, mustard, white sugar


Preheat your oven to 350 and lightly grease your muffin pan

Combine all the ingredients, except for the ketchup, mustard, and white sugar. I kinda cheat on this part, usually the method for meatloaf is that you mix it with your hands and all that jazz. I use the kitchenaide,
so.much.easier.

Divide your meat mixture into the muffin pan. Then mix together a heap of ketchup, a tad of mustard, and a spoon of sugar. There is really no perfect way to do this part, so do not worry you will ruin it. Divide your ketchup mixture on top of the mini's evenly.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, then enjoy!!



If you are as unsure of meatloaf as I was, or even are wanting to try a new recipe, you have got to give it a try!

I dare you to be a meatloaf convert.

Granola

Just as promised, I want to share with you all the delicious granola recipe I have found!

Earlier this week, I was thinking how delicious granola on yogurt sounded. Mmm! So, on pinterest I went to find a good recipe.

Side note: Pinterest is a great place to go for crafting ideas, recipes, and everything in between!

There was one recipe I based my granola off of, yet I kinda tweaked it a little to our tastes. :)

You can find the original recipe here.

For my first batch, I did 1/2 c. of maple syrup (no honey) and added cinnamon to the mix. Also, for both the batches, I used sliced almonds instead of pecans. It turned out wonderfully and got rave reviews from the fam. The only thing I would do next time is add some more maple syrup (maybe 1 c. instead of 1/2) to make more of those delicious clusters! The maple and cinnamon give it a very warm and yummy taste, plain or on top of yogurt, this is delicious!

The second batch I did today was a little different from the basic recipe, but generally the same idea. I added craisins to the mix this time and added more sticky liquid for more clusters! Tasty!

Honey Craisin Granola

2 c. oats

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. honey

1/4 c. syrup

1 c. coconut

3 T. cooking oil

1 t. vanilla

3/4 c sliced almonds

1 c. craisins

Mix all the ingredients, except the craisins. Pour it into a baking sheet at cook on 300* for 27 minutes. Cool for a little bit, then toss in the craisins!

*Tip*--To keep from any of the granola from browning, its a good idea to stir the mixture half-way in the baking process.

For the craisin granola I did a half batch (above recipe is the half batch) and this is what I got...

Just so you know how much it makes ;)

Let me know if you all try it! My family and I are lovin' the granola on yogurt, in the mornings for breakfast. Healthy and delicious!

P.S. I have changed a few things on my blog, switching things up a bit. Adding, subtracting, and altering....whatcha think?

Breakfast Cookies

Our family loves these breakfast cookies! The smoky bacon, the crunchy cornflakes, and the sweet raisins...Mmmmm!!

[Photo Credit: Taste of Home]

Breakfast Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen

1/2 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 t. baking soda

10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

2 c. cornflakes

1/2 raisins

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in bacon, cornflakes and raisins.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfulls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Helpful Hint: Be sure you cook the bacon ahead of time and let it cool before adding it to your dough. If not, your "hot" bacon will cause the dough to soften, thus producing flat cookies.

New Recipes

Red Velvet Swirl Brownies

I'm taking these with us to Oregon for a family camping trip, but of course I had to taste test them first! They are sooo good! They might not survive the trip tomorrow :)

Symphony Brownies

(Be generous with that Toffee and Almond Symphony Bar....oh so good)

[Photo credit: My Baking Addiction]

Spicy Chicken and Pepper Jack Pizza

(Be generous with the cheese, comments I had from this is "more cheese and maybe some garlic", overall it was delicious!)

[Photo credit: My Baking Addiction]

What's for Dinner

A little while ago I bought The Pioneer Woman Cookbook. I love it! I don't think I have made anything of her's that I don't like love! Here's what I made for dinner, from the cookbook of course :o)

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf



Twice Baked Potates

{Photos done by the Pioneer Woman}

Cobb Salad

Now, if that doesn't doesn't look delicious to you, something is wrong, dreadfully wrong.

Ingredients:

Lettuce (you can use whatever kind you like best, my fav is Romaine)

Bacon

Chicken

(I cooked the bacon first then put the chicken in the same pan, used some of the fat of the bacon to cook with the chicken to add some delicious flavor. Mmmmm.....you gotta try it!) 

Hard-boiled Eggs

Feta Cheese (Garlic & Herb is what I used)

Avocado (Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE avocado?!)

Tomatoes

Drizzle a little vinaigrette, if desired

OH MY!!

I'm tellin' you, its good! It's perfect for a make-ahead lunch or dinner, cook everything before and just let it sit in the fridge until your ready! Let me know if you try it!!

Deals and Deliciousness

Slowly but surely I am trying to add things to my "hope chest", which right now is my closet. :o) (I seriously need some kind of bin or something) Anyways, about a month or so ago I found an orange tablecloth on clearance and picked one up for myself, then today I found a red tablecloth on major clearance too!! Woo Hoo!! I think I'm set on tablecloths, but I just couldn't pass up those great deals!

Orange Tablecloth:

Regular- $9.00

Sale- $1.00

Red Tablecloth:

Regular- $9.00

Sale- $0.75

Total: $1.75

I love great deals!!!!

I also made a couple things today that were really delicious! First was a Strawberry Orange Smoothie. One word.....Y.U.M! SO simple and SO delicious!! Spring is here people!!

Next was Orange Almond Biscotti, whether its being dipped in coffee, milk, or even eaten by itself, these are just plain delicious...

If ya'll want the biscotti recipe, just let me know and I will post it on here shortly.....

And yes....I am what you call a foodie.....I can't deny it..... I get a star gazed, weak in the knees, flowery type feelings at times, but its not caused by a man..... *smile* I guess us single women need something right?! All I can say is praise the Lord for a good metabolism!!