Wednesday, September 8, 2010

PW's Blackberry Cobbler

Your eyes do not deceive you!  I am back again!!!

I planned on posting this next week, but after reading Ange's comment from yesterday's pie recipe, I HAD to go ahead and post this today!  Hope you like berries hun!

So you all know Pioneer Woman right?  well if you don't you should!  Her recipes are amazing and her site is too!  

This cobbler is from the one and only Pioneer Woman, and it. is. AMAZING!  
I absolutely adore it!  I make dessert every Saturday and for weeks and weeks this is what Rob wanted every weekend!!!  Not only is it absolutely delicious...but it also couldn't be easier!  Click HERE to go to her tutorial and print the recipe!

Ready to dive in?


Ingredients:
  • 1 stick Butter melted
  • 1-¼ cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Self-Rising Flour
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 and 1/2 bags frozen Blackberries, thawed(I use the store brand!)
  • (PW calls for 2 cups of fresh or frozen, but I like alot of berries, so I use the above measurement)

Step 1:  Mix Flour and 1 cup of Sugar:


Step 2:  Add milk and whisk:



Step 3:  Add your melted butter and mix:


Step 4:  Butter or spray an 8x8 pan and dump in your berries!!!


Step 5:  Pour on the batter:


Step 6:  Add a few more berries to the top (optional):


Step 7:  Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar:
(uhhhh....sorta forgot to take a pic of that!  sorry!)


Step 8:  Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees, or until golden brown!
I want some NOW!!!


I like to scoop it out and serve it while it's still nice and hot with a big old scoop of vanilla icecream:
or ya know...2 scoops!
I was hungry!!!!


This stuff is just so amazing!  It's warm, and gooey on the inside, and the outsides get nice and crisp from the added sugar....just wow!


I hope you all enjoy as much as I do!


{{{HUGS}}}
Christy

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Rich, Decadent and EASY Coconut Cream Pie!!!

Hello All!!!  Long time no see!!!

Boy do I have something special to share with you today!

Ever have a craving for coconut cream pie, but the thought of making it from scratch exhausted you just thinking about it?
Yet, instant pudding and Cool Whip gross you out?

I have the perfect compromise for ya!

Are you ready for this?


Ingredients:
Store Bought Frozen Pie Crust
2 boxes Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding
1 can Coconut Milk (NOT Cream of Coconut!)
1 pint Whipping Cream
Powdered or granulated Sugar
Milk (whole or 2%)
Coconut flavoring
Shredded Sweetened Coconut, I used almost a half cup, but use as little or as much as you want)
a bowl and beaters stashed in the freezer!

Step 1:  Cook 2 packages of Vanilla Cook and Serve pudding, following Directions BUT when you measure out the milk needed, start by using the coconut milk and just add enough regular milk to give you the volume you need.  Once cooked, add 2 teaspoons of coconut flavoring, and stir!  Place in fridge to cool, stirring ever 15 minutes to prevent skin from forming.

Step 2:   Bake empty pie shell, making sure to prick the bottom and sides with a fork to prevent bubbling.  Cool on wire rack.

Step 3:  While pudding and crust is cooling, sprinkle coconut on a foil lined sheet pan and place under a broiler to toast.  WATCH CAREFULLY!  Once it starts getting warm, it goes from snow white to burnt in no time!!!


Step 4:   Beat Whipping Cream and Sugar (to taste...I like it not very sweet, so I use about 2 TB) in chilled bowl, on high, until peaks form.  Stash in Fridge til ready to assemble!

Step 5:  Once your Pudding is totally chilled, add it to your crust.  Top that with your Whipped Cream, and finally sprinkle on your toasted Coconut!


 Almost from scratch taste, with very little effort!!!


This stuff is DIVINE!
Make some today!


Enjoy!
Christy

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

FONDANT SERIES - PART 1

If you have been following along, you know that my Nephew's (Oliver) First birthday is coming up (August 1st) and I am making the cupcakes for the occasion. Oliver's mom's birthday is just a few days before that so they are having a joint birthday party, to which I'm making the cupcakes for that too.

I decided I really wanted to give fondant a try. Not having EVER done anything with fondant I was quite a bit intimidated by it. While doing some online research I found an awesome website CAKE JOURNAL. This website run by Louise is so awesome, she has wonderful tutorials with lots of pictures and really took the intimidation of fondant away and gave me hope that it was something that I might be able to do. So this is my fondant journey!

I got the recipe for marshmallow fondant from CAKE JOURNAL and you can find it HERE.

I started off by generously greasing my bowl.



I then added the marshmallows and water



Basically you heat, stir, heat, stir until all melted. Once melted you add about a cup of powdered sugar and stir.



Turn out onto a clean surface with more powdered sugar. Here I added my color and flavor, and then kneaded away until thoroughly mixed and no longer sticky.





I then placed my fondant in some greased saran wrap and placed in the fridge. It says it is best to use it after letting it refridgerate overnight.



I made three batches in blue, purple and green.



I was surprised that it was easy to make, MESSY but easy. I would suggest having someone help you if you can. My mom came over and it was a big help to not have to wash my hands off everytime I needed to add more sugar or coloring & flavor. She also got the saran wraps greased and ready too, it was a big help and made making 3 batches go pretty quickly. I think it took around an hour from start to finish to make all three.

I have a few ideas on how I'm going to use the fondant, but I have to practice first. I plan on doing that tonight and will share my results with you all.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

PICTURE CUPCAKE TOPPERS

These are some cupcake toppers I made that are going to go on the cupcakes for my nephew's first birthday party this weekend. Me and my sister made them and they were really easy to do. I'm going for an animal theme for the cupcakes I'm making, so we cut out animal shapes and put a picture of Ollie on them. I think they turned out cute and can't wait to see them on the cupcakes!





Monday, July 26, 2010

CUPCAKE CRAZY!


(Not my picture, one I found on an image search on google)

Hello, my name is Brooke and I am addicted to cupcakes!

I have a growing cupcake obsession! I love making and eating cupcakes. I have volunteered my services to make cupcakes for both my sisters birthday and her son, Ollie's first birthday coming up. They are having a joint party since their b-day's are only a few days apart.

In addition, I am also going to work with fondant for the first time!! I'm a little nervous and going to do some practicing this week. I'm keeping it simple (I think!) and hoping that they turn out cute. I will update with pics soon!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

PRODUCT WATCH: CRICUT CAKE



I'm sure you all have seen those info-mercials for the Cricut machine that makes doing craft things super easy. Basically you can make all sorts of cool things by using this machine with the cartridges that contain programed designs in them, and the cricut will cut out the shapes, designs, words for you to use on all kinds of craft projects.

Well I just got an email from Michael's about the new CRICUT CAKE machine! How cool is this? This will let you cut out intricate designs from sheets of frosting to add to your cakes, cupcakes, etc! I wish I decorated enough cakes to justify the price for this thing because it is capital C - cool!

Normally priced at $399.00, but Michael's has it for $299 for a special limited time only. Check out all the info with videos HERE.

Does anyone have one of these?

PS CRICUT - if you need someone to review your product I'm your girl! lol (shameless I tell ya!)

Friday, June 4, 2010

EATING OUT: BIG TRUCK TACOS

Going to start a new segment called Eating Out, and it will chronicle any restaurants that I eat out at. So while it won't have any recipe's, it will show lots of pictures of good food.



BIG TRUCK TACOS
530 NW 23rd Street
Oklahoma City, Ok
405-525-TACO



It is located in an old drive-in style restaurant, with lots of outside seating available, parking - not so much.



They also have big trucks (duh!) that go to different places in the city where you can order from.




Wow, was this place hopping! Met my mom and son there for lunch at 1p.m. on a Friday and the line was out the door. Granted the inside of this place isn't just huge, but I think we waited about 15 minutes before we could place our order.




Can you spot the Little in this pic??

After our orders were placed, it didn't take long for our food to get ready, maybe about 7 minutes but no longer than 10.



The Rancher - 3.25
Slow-braised brisket with sautéed mushrooms and onions,
HQ potatoes and escabeche (pickled relish)


The Prairie Dog - 5.99
All beef dog stuffed with cheddar cheese, wrapped in bacon,
and topped with Bison Picadillo, queso fresco, and green onion


5th Amendment - 3.25
We’re sorry…we plead the 5th we’re not at liberty to tell
you- trust us!


Everything was awesome! The prices were great, food was great, service was great. You even get a cool plastic cup that you can take home with you (at least I HOPE I was supposed to take that home!). Would definitely recommend this place and will be back again.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

RUBIO'S FISH TACOS



Don't let the name Fish Tacos scare you away from this, ok! The ingredient list isn't what you find on a regular taco, so please give it a read through before making any snap decisions.

Rubio's is a restaurant found mainly in the west, in I think about 4 or 5 states. There isn't one here in Oklahoma, but luckily my momma was a rolling stone and has done quite a bit of traveling in her time. She is where I first learned of these yummy tacos and I am addicted. It is probably good that there isn't a Rubio's near me!


RUBIO'S FISH TACOS

12 Cod or favorite whitefish
-fillets (1-1/2 oz ea.)
12 Tortillas, corn, as
-thick/fresh as possible

--------------BEER BATTER----------------
1 c Flour
1 c Beer
Garlic powder, pepper to
-taste

--------------WHITE SAUCE-----------------
1/2 c Mayonnaise
1/2 c Yogurt

------------------SALSA----------------------
1 Garlic clove, peeled and
-minced
6 Tomatoes, ripe, peeled,
-seeded and diced
1/2 Onion, minced
2 tb Cilantro leaves, chopped,
-stems removed
2 Jalapeno chilies, seeded and
-chopped
1 1/2 ts Salt
1/4 ts Pepper
Oil for deep frying

-----------------GARNISH------------------
1 Head cabbage, green,
-shredded
1 Lime, cut into wedges


*DIRECTIONS *

Mix flour with favorite spices such as garlic powder, red or black ground pepper. Stir the flour mixture into the beer and mix until well blended. Wash fish by dipping in cold, lightly salted water or water with a little bit of lemon juice added. Be sure fish is completely dry before dipping into batter.

Prepare salsa; reserve.

Put the vegetable oil into a deep skillet and bring to 375F. Place fish in a single layer--do not let pieces touch each other. Cook fish until batter is crispy and golden brown.

Heat corn tortillas lightly in a skillet or Mexican comal until they are soft and hot.

To assemble, on each tortilla layer the fish fillet, white sauce, salsa and cabbage. Top it off with a squeeze of lime. Fold tortilla over to serve.











(CLICK HERE for the post on my Mom's nails pictured above.)

How many have had a fish taco before? Anyone here had an authentic Rubio's Fish Taco? How many will give this a try?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

IRON SKILLET CHEESE BREAD


Tell me that picture didn't just make you melt right then and there in your chair?? Just imagine actually tasting it!! I made this over the weekend. I used my favorite pizza dough recipe and just doubled it so that we would have a pizza and cheese bread. I also just got this really cool (and heavy) iron skillet from my Mom for my birthday that I was dying to use.

Below is the basic pizza dough recipe I use. What is awesome is you don't have to let the rise you can use it right away or if you have time, you can let it rise. So it is great to use on weeknights when there isn't always extra time to wait on something like bread dough rising.


Ingredients

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon white sugar
* 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions

1. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.
2. Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.


When I make this I like to melt butter and add garlic powder to it and brush it all on the dough, it adds a really great flavor.





After making the bread dough, I pressed it in the bottom of my iron skillet. Sprinkling a little cornmeal in the bottom will give the dough something to grab on to and stick and not keep shrinking back.



Next I layered on two kinds of cheese, mozzarella and colby. I sprinkled the top with garlic salt and pepper. I think this baked for about 15-20 minutes.



Look at this right here! Looks like a pillow of cheese!




Cut into bars and serve warm!


One thing I would have done differently that I didn't do this time, was I think I should have greased my iron skillet, stuck some butter in the bottom or something to crisp up the bottom a little. Next time . . . .