Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Homemade Decadence and Two Other Favorite New Cookbooks


Some women buy jewelry, expensive shoes, or designer clothes. Me? I like to buy cookbooks. I read them like novels, absorbing every word off of every page, and wondering how the food tastes.

Homemade Decadence is a gorgeous book by one of my favorite food bloggers, Joy Wilson. Her website, Joy The Baker, is amazing. The photos are stunning, and the recipes are completely doable for the home cook.

Last year I made her Chocolate Bundt Cake, and I can honestly say it was the best cake I have ever made. My family loved it too, and it didn't last long.

This new cookbook is just as fabulous as Joy The Baker website, and if you like to bake, do yourself a favor and buy this book. Yum!!


I've been an Ina Garten fan since her very first book was published. I have all of her books, and I love each one for it's gorgeous simplicity, and focus on creating delicious food.

 Make It Ahead lets you prep or make and freeze meals to save time in the kitchen. Many foods can be made ahead of time, and this saves me so much stress when I'm trying to get multiple dishes on the table at the same time. And it really does make party planning and giving easier.

With dishes like French Chicken Pot Pies, Spinach & Ricotta Noodle Pudding, and Tri-Berry Crumbles, you'll see how easy it is to make recipes ahead of time, and save yourself from kitchen stress.


I don't usually buy diet or low-calorie cookbooks. But the cover of The Skinny Taste Cookbook caught my eye, and I just had to take a peak inside.

There were plenty of more gorgeous photos, but more importantly, great and delicious recipes. Gina Homolka takes recipes we all enjoy and slims the calories off of them without taking away any of the taste.

Dishes like Skinny Chicken Parmesan are only 174 calories. I'm a big chicken parmesan fan, and my daughter made this and it was delicious. I was so impressed that I can't wait to get in the kitchen and start cooking Gina's recipes.

She is also the blogger behind the Skinnytaste website, which is filled with delicious low-calorie recipes, including 45 crockpot recipes.

I'm very excited to start cooking from my new cookbooks and sharing the recipes and finished dishes here. Yummy!!

Patricia
Share:

Friday, January 16, 2015

Celebrate Friends and Family This Valentine's Day With Red Velvet Donuts

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RedVelvetLove #CollectiveBias


I know Valentine's Day is usually thought of as a time for romantic love, but I think everyone should have the chance to be included in the day. I remember when my five kids were growing up, it was always so exciting for them when they received their Valentines and treats at school.

Times haven't changed much, and I get to see that same giddiness and excitement as my grandkids share Valentine's Day with their friends at school and in the neighborhood. And since I'm a grandmother who likes to bake, it's the perfect day for me to bake treats for my family and friends to show I love them.

I've been a red velvet fan for many years, and so I thought that Red Velvet Donuts topped with
M&M's® Red Velvet chocolate candies would be a delicious treat to share. M&M's®  has been a part of every holiday for as long as I can remember, and I love how they now make so many great flavors for the seasons and holidays.


I have a lot of fun doing little things for my grandchildren. I have four, three boys and one girl, and they get a kick out of me making them treats and giving them little presents on Valentine's Day.

Besides buying them Valentines, I'll be putting together a bag of treats, including the M&M's® Red Velvet flavored candies. Have you tried these?? Oh my, they are so good, and really do taste like red velvet.


I used to think that the only way to make a good donut was to fry them in hot oil. That all changed when I bought a donut pan and can now make a batch whenever I want to. It's so easy!!

Our next-door neighbors are a wonderful older couple whose children live far away and rarely seem to visit. I'm blessed to have my children all around me, and I can't even imagine how lonely this couple must feel.

During the holidays I started sending over food and desserts, and they were so very thankful for the attention. So on Valentine's Day morning, I'm going to whip up a batch of these Red Velvet Donuts and take them over. I don't know who it will make happier, me or them.


If you've never made a red velvet batter before, it can be a little startling. It really is red to start out, and the amount of food coloring you put in can make a difference.

This is an easy batter to put together that includes buttermilk. This recipe makes about ten donuts, but you can easily double it if you are making donuts for a large amount of people.


After the donuts have baked and cooled, dip them in a powdered sugar glaze. I like to dip them twice since the glaze can be a little transparent. This can be a bit of a messy job, so make sure you have something underneath the cooling rack to catch the glaze drips.

These are such a great color, and I love that red velvet taste. Yum!!


Sprinkling the tops of the donuts with the crushed red velvet M&M's®  makes these donuts taste fabulous. Being such a red velvet fan, I've tasted a lot of it, and let me tell you, this combo is terrific!

I think I'll be heading back to Walmart to pick up a few more bags just so I can make these donuts all through the year, and not just for Valentine's Day.

I crushed up the M&M's®  with my rolling pin, but you could do it in the food processor if you like.



Recipe for Valentine's Day Red Velvet Donuts

Ingredients: 

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup buttermilk + 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (or more if needed)
1 cup of crushed red velvet flavored M&M's®

For glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking powder, then mix with a spoon. Add in buttermilk and egg, mixing to combine. Stir in butter. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar together, then add in vanilla. Add the mixture to the doughnut batter, then stir in red food coloring. Using a pastry bag or spoon  fill each doughnut mold 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 7-8 minutes, thne let cool for 5 minutes before removing. Transfer to wire rack. Dip each donut into glaze, and sprinkle with crushed candy.
To make the glaze, in a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients until smooth, add another tablespoon of milk as needed.




You can find M&M's® Red Velvet flavor at your local Walmart. These are a special Valentine's Day variety, so be sure to pick some up soon so that you don't miss out.

Valentine's Day isn't just for couples, but it's a chance to show friends and family that every kind of love should be celebrated.

Do you have fun and favorite ways that you celebrate Valentine's Day? Maybe a special recipe or a sweet tradition? Leave me a comment and share it with me. I would love to know.


Patricia
Share:

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Cream Of Tomato Soup Recipe #Fall #Soups


When I was growing up, canned tomato soup was a staple in our house. We had it for lunch all the time, and I pretty much assumed that was the way all tomato soups would taste. But that is definitely not true, and I think homemade soup always tastes better than canned.

I adapted this Cream of Tomato Soup recipe from Martha Stewart, and it's so delicious. It's one of my go-to recipes that I use when I want to make a soup that I know will turn out great, and my family and friends will enjoy.

And if you add a green salad, some garlic or cornbread, you have a delicious and easy dinner. A soup dinner is one of my favorite meals to put together during fall and winter. There is just something so cozy about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove when it chilly and rainy outside.

Like most of the soups I make, this recipe could be doubled, and the other half put into the freezer for another day. It's great to come home after a long day and know you have a delicious, already made soup that you can heat up for dinner.


Recipe for Cream of Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 (14 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
sour cream for topping


Directions:

  1. Melt butter in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic (if using), stirring constantly, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.

  2. Add tomatoes, their juices, and stock. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

  3. Working in batches, transfer tomato mixture to a blender, or food processor. Puree tomato mixture (if using a blender, cover the lid with a kitchen towel while machine is running).

  4. Return soup to a clean pot and set over low heat. Whisk in cream, season with salt and pepper, top with sour cream. Serve immediately.
Makes 6 servings.



Patricia
Share:

Friday, January 9, 2015

Recipe For Mini Vannila Cupcakes


I have made and certainly eaten my fair share of treats this holiday season. But they're all gone now, and my family and I needed something sweet to eat.

Though I am a big chocolate lover, I also like vanilla a lot. These vanilla cupcakes are packed with a delicate vanilla flavor. I made them in mini size because my grandchildren like that size, and I think they look cute.

Williams-Sonoma is my favorite cooking store that I go to when I want to buy long-lasting quality kitchenware. I feel the same way about their recipes, that they are great quality, and I can depend on them to deliver something I will like. This is a Williams-Sonoma recipe, for both the cupcakes, and the buttercream frosting.

The frosting can be tinted, and these cupcakes can be made adorable for a little girl's birthday party, baby shower, and more. And they are absolutely yummy!


Recipe for Vanilla Cupcakes and Frosting

Ingredients for cupcakes:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 whole egg plus 1 egg white, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  •  6 tablespoons sanding sugar

  • Directions:


    Preheat an oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners, or a 24 mini pan.

    In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the egg and egg white one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, beating until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat just until no traces of flour remain, about 30 seconds; do not overbeat.

    Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until the cupcakes are lightly golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes for standard size, or 10 to 12 for mini size. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
     
     
    Recipe for Buttercream Frosting

    Ingredients:

  • 6 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 4 1/2 Tbs. milk, plus more, if needed
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  •  
    Directions:


    Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

    In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the confectioners¿ sugar, butter, the 4 1/2 Tbs. milk, the vanilla and salt and beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
    Frost cupcakes with frosting and sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using.
     
    Makes 24 mini cupcakes, or 12 regular size cupcakes.
     
    Patricia
    Share:

    Wednesday, January 7, 2015

    RSVP For The #24HourEsterC Twitter Party

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its Advertiser. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and should not be construed as medical advice. #24HourEsterC #CollectiveBias


    #24HourEsterC-Twitter-Party-1-14-15

    Photo Credit: WhatRoseKnows
     
    Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know we do, and we’re excited to host a party about putting your best foot forward into the new year!  On Wednesday, January 14 at 11:00am ET, please join us for the #24HourEsterC Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing new year goals, sharing our best tips for success and giving you a chance to win prizes!

    Join me and RSVP for the #24HourEsterC Twitter Party on SoFabChats!



    DATE: Wednesday, January 14

    TIME:  11:00 am ET

    PRIZES: 5 – (1) $100 Walmart Gift Cards

    EARLY BIRD PRIZE: 1 – $50 Walmart Gift Card

    HOSTS: @blueviolet, @FrugalFamTree, @AFrugalFriend, @Lizz_Porter & @tsue1136

    SPECIAL GUEST: @OfficialEsterC

    RULES: #24HourEsterC Twitter Party Official Rules

    RSVP & PARTY GRID: #24HourEsterC Twitter Party Page




     
    TIP:  How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

    TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!

    TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!

    TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!

    TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that option checked when you RSVP for the party!
    TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!

    TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChats Twitter Party Calendar to find more fun parties to attend!

    Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!


    These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


    Patricia
    Share:
    © Frugal Family Tree | All rights reserved.
    Blogger Template Designed by pipdig