Wordless Wednesday

 

Almond-Coconut Macaroons.

 

 

I love coconut. These macaroons are easy to make, and don’t require a ton of ingredients. They are sweet, gooey and delicious!

Almond-Coconut Macaroons

recipe from Martha Stewart Living (April 2009)

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup whole almonds chopped (I use sliced almonds)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together sugar and egg white in a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Scoop into a mound and place 2 inches apart. Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. * Important!! Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to wire cooling rack. Let cool completely! There a little gooey at first, but if you let them cool completely, they’ll set up just fine!

I hope that you enjoy these as much as I do!! Let me know what you think!

Lauren

Wordless Wednesday

 

Broccoli Bacon Salad.

 

So good. Quick and easy too!!

With company coming for dinner tonight, I needed a side dish and I needed it quick! Fresh Broccoli, crispy bacon….. Yum. (I thought about adding some blue cheese to the mix…..???!!!!)

Broccoli Bacon Salad

3 or 4 heads Broccoli (florets)

1 pound of bacon

1 medium red onion

1 cup Mayonnaise

1/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp vinegar

Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble. Cut florets into bite side pieces. Dice red onion. Wisk mayo, sugar and vinegar until combined.Add to broccoli, bacon and onion, toss until coated. Enjoy!

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter M&M Bars

 

Recipe from ‘Not Rachel Ray’ find it Here.

So Easy, and so good! Chewy, peanut buttery, dense awesomeness.

 

3/4 cup peanut butter (I used creamy)
2 large eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick, for example)
1 bag of M&Ms

1. Preheat oven to 325*F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine peanut butter and eggs until well mixed and smooth.

3. Add in brown sugar and stir until combined.

4. Stir in baking mix until moistened
5. Fold in M&Ms.

  

6. Spread mixture in greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!

Potato Pancakes

 

 

Every weekend my grandfather will request a certain food from me. They usually tend to be something he hasn’t had in quite some time, or something my grandmother used to make. While I know that I will always fall short of the amazing cooking my grandmother was capable of, I still try to bring him what he wants.

For his birthday he requested potato pancakes. I was told tales of nostalgia related to eating these little potato fritters. Him and my grandmother would always  stop at the same little restaurant on their way home from a typical visit to Sayre or Elmira. They would always order potato pancakes and drown them in sweet, sweet maple syrup while enjoying a bond that only an awesome marriage can bring.

While they may not be the healthiest  food to indulge in… they are soooo delish! This recipe is mega easy too!

Potato Pancakes

recipe from myrecipes.com

2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and rinsed

1 onion (8 oz.), peeled and halved, or 1/4 cup sliced green onions

2 large eggs, beaten to blend 

3 tablespoons potato starch or all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

About 2 cups vegetable oil

with a  food processor, shred potatoes, Shred onion and add to bowl (if using green onion, reserve). Let stand for 30 minutes.

Drain potato mixture; wipe bowl clean. With your hands, squeeze excess water from a large handful of the potato mixture, then pile it on a clean kitchen towel. Enclose potatoes tightly in towel and twist it to wring out remaining moisture. Repeat to dry all potatoes, using fresh towels if need. Return potatoes to bowl.

Add eggs, potato and onion, salt, and pepper (and green onions, if using) to bowl and mix well.

 

Pour 1/2 inch oil into a deep frying pan (with sides at least 2 in. tall) over medium-high heat. When  oil get hot enough to fry, scoop 1/3 cup of the potato mixture into one hand, then turn it onto a wide spatula. Flatten mixture into a pancake about 1/2 inch thick. Gently slide each cake from spatula into hot oil, 3 to 4 pancakes per batch (do not crowd pan). Cook until edges of pancakes are crisp and well browned and undersides are golden brown (lift with spatula to check), about 3 minutes. Turn and cook until remaining sides are golden brown, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly… serve hot!

While some may enjoy syrup with the pancakes, I love to smother mine in sour cream or applesauce!! Enjoy!

“That's when the chocolate hit the peanut butter.”

quote by Perry Kamel

 

A coworker of mine recently asked me to try this recipe. After seeing the link, and the fabulous pictures, I HAD to try it. It really looks like heaven. God bless It’s creator, and thank you for sharing this with the world!!!

 

Ultimate Pretzel Crusted Peanut Butter Cookie Candy Brownie Bars

Original recipe from blog.babygizmo.com created by Hollie Schultz.

Click here to visit her site!

 

2 ½ cups crushed butter pretzels

1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)

5 tbsp sugar

Peanut Butter Cookie Mix and  the ingredients the mix calls for

Brownie Mix (13×9 family size box)  and  the ingredients the mix calls for

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (about 12-16 or so of the snack size)

Crush the pretzels in a food processor . On the recommendation of this recipes creator, Hollie Schultz, I used “Synder Butter Pretzels”. Mix the melted butter, sugar and pretzel crumbs. Press into lightly greased 13×9 pan. Set aside.

 

Mix the peanut butter cookie dough according to package. Spread evenly over pretzel crust.

Layer peanut butter cups! (this was the most tedious part… unwrapping all the peanut butter cups!)

  

Prepare brownie batter according to package. Pour over peanut butter cups, spread evenly.

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Have a huge glass of milk on hand and prepare for the chocolate to hit the peanut butter!!!!

….. and me with no teeth.

 

Ah, my grandpa. He’s half deaf, miserable as hell, smokes too much and keeps the heat on 100 degrees. Man, I love him.

I am struggling to find the words that accurately describe how much this man means to me. He’s been there for me in times no one else was. Offering all he had to help. Frustration builds when I see someone so giving, receiving so little from others. I ‘m not referring to tangible things. Just love, attention, and a visit once in a while. After my grandma passed, the visits stopped. Why is it that when one half dies, the other half seems to be forgotten? I myself have neglected my him at times,  and am trying hard now to right that wrong. Even if it means spending each weekend in the kitchen trying to mimic my grandmothers amazing cooking, because he’s craving good food. (Today he’ll be receiving potato pancakes, lasagna, chicken cutlets, and some Ava sized hugs!)

Today we celebrate his 88th birthday. He hasn’t changed a bit. He doesn’t listen to the doctors. He eats badly, and complains too much. But you know what? I think it’s working for him, and I’m glad that he’s still here. I’ll love him anyway.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Lady Bugs and Spice Cake

 

A few years back I had made the decision to humor my sweet Ava in almost whatever she had an idea to do. One day she had informed me that it was her baby doll Max’s birthday and she would like to have a party for him. A few days later, the cake was baked, balloons were blown up, and party hats were on.

Today, I am told, is Lady Bugs birthday, she is 3 years old. As I had hoped that she wouldn’t remember Max’s party, she did. So, the cake is in the oven, the balloons are waiting for all of my hot air, and the party hats are on deck. Yay.

Applesauce Spice Cake

recipe adapted form Duncan Hines Spice cake mix package

1 pkg Duncan Hines Spice cake mix

3 eggs

1 1/4 cup applesauce (or one can apple pie filling)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour cake pan.

Combine mix, oli, eggs, and applesauce. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Pour into pan and bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean!

Happy Birthday Lady Bug!!!

                         

Blowing out her candles! (which were really matches because mom couldn’t find the candles! lol!)

                           

Don’t forget the guests!

Yeah, I know. Just go with it.

 

So I am the worlds crappiest blogger. I hardly ever blog,and when I do, It’s the random-est thing ever. It’s how I roll I guess.

On that note, I can catch you up some. The big thing going on now? Weight Watchers. I jumped back onto that wagon and have been riding it since January 3rd. I have lost a total of 7.8 pounds (I’m gonna go ahead and call it 8 lbs) I My first goal is to get to 170. I weighed 170 when I had gotten pregnant with A bird, and haven’t seen it since. Next, I’d like to get below 170, into the 160’s. Then, I’ll go on from there. It sucks most days. I’d love to just completely down a loaf of garlic bread, and wash it down with some Ben and Jerry’s. But, I can’t.

Ava has informed me that when she grows up she would like to open a restaurant. She will name it Briakka Rye (pronounced Bree-okka rye) and serve mac and cheese, noodles, “the square cookies with powdered sugar from the Princess and the Frog” (a.k.a. Beignets) and ice cream with a cherry on top. I told her she had an excellent idea, and will do anything to help her make it happen.

In the matter of cooking, I have a  few recipes I plan on trying out, such as, chicken spinach and noodle casserole. I’ve never been big on casseroles, but one can change,eh? Also found some cookie recipes that are teasing my senses a bit!

I have recently taken Beginner Knitting classes. I learned how to cast on, knit, pearl, bind off, and most importantly, fix my mistakes. My numerous, numerous mistakes. I’ve just begun scarf # 2 and will learn to knit a hat starting the 21st. My ultimate goal is to learn how to knit socks! Who doesn’t love a good pair of hand made socks? A crazy person, that’s who!! lol!

And I’m spent. I think that all covers it all. Thanks for listening!

Wordless Wednesday