Princess Cupcakes

Cupcakes fit for a 3 year old princess.  Just had to share these beautiful cupcakes made by a friend for a birthday party this past weekend.  Pink frosting on chocolate and vanilla cake with handmade chocolate crowns on the top.  Gorgeous.  And delicious.

Homemade Granola

I was lucky enough to receive the new Sunset Cookbook for Christmas and one of the first things I wanted to make after looking though it for hours was granola.  Try this Del's Grand Canyon Granola.
Loaded with oats, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds and I substituted dried cranberries for raisins.

Can't wait for breakfast!

Menu Planning

It's mid January and time for some comfort food.

Sunday - Meatloaf, Twice Baked Potatoes and Curried Cauliflower
Monday - Meatloaf Sandwiches and Sweet Potato Fries, baked
Tuesday - Chicken, Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup and Spinach Salad
Wednesday - Grilled Golden Gate Sandwiches and Tomato or Butternut Squash Soup
Thursday - Grilled Pork Loin, Oven Roasted Potatoes
Friday - Pizza Night

Menu Planning First Monday of 2011

Welcome 2011.  What do you have in store for us?  Can't wait to find out.
It is back to school, back to a regular work week, baseball practice, board meetings and the general chaos that is our everyday life.  Not complaining though.
So here's what I am planning.

Monday:  Chicken Pot Pie Casserole...using oven roasted chicken from Sunday dinner
Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs with salad
Wednesday:  Wild Rice and Chicken Mushroom Soup...recipe I've used before from Back of the House Cooking School
Thursday: Steak Fajitas
Friday: Meatloaf, Twice Baked Potatoes and Baked Beans + Pork Roast in the Crock Pot for BBQ Pulled Pork for the weekend

What are you in the mood to cook this week?

Happy New Year - Welcome 2011

New Year's Eve Dinner...spur of the moment purchase of fresh Dungeness Crab combined with Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Soup, Bread and Devil's Food Cupcakes for dessert.  Yum.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Soup is easy. 

1/2 cup each, diced broccoli and cauliflower, you can use frozen or fresh

1 cup chicken broth

Combine the broth and veggies in a medium sauce pan, heat to simmer, allow to steam veggies

Toss with scant 1/4 cup of flour, combine and cook for about a minute

Add 2 - 3 cups milk depending on how many servings you need, heat to simmering

Add 1 cup diced melting cheese (Velvetta style)

Salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Menu Planning

After a series of indulgent meals for the past week - it is back to basics.

Monday: Taco Night
Tuesday: Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: BBQ Ribs in the Crock Pot
Thursday: Chili
Friday: New Year's Eve party at a friend's house...taking appetizers...think I will pick something out of one of the new cookbooks I received for Christmas.  :)

The tree

Christmas Tree Permit from the Forest Service - $10.  Days of snow before the hunt -  7.  Feet of snow on the ground - 5.  Snowmobiling in to the deep powder with friends to find the perfect Silver Tip - Priceless.