Wednesday, September 30, 2009

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES AND - CUPCAKES PAPER HOLDER - PROJECT NR.2


... and this is all you need to make these lovely paper cupcakes holder. Doilies, scissors and scotch tape.



Tuesday, September 29, 2009

PUMPKIN SPICE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING AND MAKE YOUR OWN "PAPER CUPCAKES HOLDER" PROJECT

Inspired by Judy, a very talented and creative young lady, Judy in Her Natural Habitat: The Kitchen ,who recently posted her project about how to make your own cupcake wrappers, here it's my first attempt to make my own. Judy, if you see this please don't laugh!!! (hehehe...)
Obviously I did not paid enough attention regarding the instructions and the result is not satisfying. I need more practice and of course some precis measurements is a must. For more information and instructions please visit Judy.

By the time I completed my one and only cupcake holder, these nasty ants invaded my kitchen and... my cupcakes...You can buy this "ants" from "Party America" or even $ 1 Store.








I will be back with more and better looking (I hope) cupcake holders. It's a fun project.
Thanks Judy!

LEMON POPPY SEED CUPCAKES WITH LEMON ICING

INGREDIENTS FOR CUPCAKES:
1-2/3 cups flour,
1 cup sugar,
1 tbsp.poppy seed,
2 tsp.baking powder,
1/2 tsp.baking soda,
1/4 tsp.salt,
3/4 cup oil,
2 eggs,
1/3 cup milk,
1/4 cup lemon juice,
1 tsp.graded lemon zest,
1 tsp.lemon extract,
1/2 tsp.vanilla extract;

INGREDIENTS FOR LEMON ICING:
1-1/2 cups powder sugar,
2 tbsp.lemon juice (or orange juice),
1 tsp.graded lemon zest (or orange zest);

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar,poppy seed, baking powder,baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
Combine oil, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon extract and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir until smooth.
Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake for 17 to 19 minutes or until cupcakes are lightly golden.
Cool in pan or rack 5 minutes. Remove and cool completely before icing.

Decorate with lemon or orange peel.


ENJOY!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

VEGETABLE MEATLOAF

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 pound ground beef,
  • 2 slice bread, torn into small pieces,
  • 2 eggs, beaten,
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot,
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion,
  • 1 cup finely chopped green pepper,
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery,
  • 1 teaspoon salt,
  • 1 teaspoon each pepper and garlic powder, 2 cans (14 oz.) crushed tomato with basil;

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl combine all the ingredients (minus tomatoes)Place meat and vegetable mixture into a 8 in./8in. baking dish; top with crushed tomatoes, a dash of salt and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake for 45 minutes at 375 F. Serve with mashed potato and additional tomato and garlic sauce.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

BELL PEPPER AND GARLIC SALAD








After deep frying the peppers, add minced garlic, salt and vinegar to taste. Let cool. Store in tightly sealed jars in the refrigerator until serving time.

FRUITY WAFFLE BOWLS

INGREDIENTS:
4-6 waffle bowls,
1 pk. vanilla instant pudding,
1-1/2 cups cold milk,
assorted fresh fruits,
cool whip topping for garnish;
Prepare vanilla pudding according to the instructions on the box. Spoon vanilla pudding half way into the waffle bowls. Top with your selected fresh fruits and garnish with cool whip. Refrigerate until serving time.


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

BANANA BREAD - FOOD NET WORK RECIPE-


Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a round cake pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Monday, September 14, 2009

SUNDAY GRILL

Rib eye, fresh Italian sausages, breakfast sausages, smoked sausages...and more!!!
Baked beans, potato salad, green salad and garlic bread (not pictured) was served as side dish.
Chocolate cake, cheese danish, grapes, watermelon and assorted ice cream for dessert completed our Sunday get together meal. We had lots of fun!!!