Pink streamers. Popcorn.Pink lemonade. Balloons (to decorate with AND to send away with each guest). Pink Cupcakes (see previous post). A bunch of girls. Bill it as a midweek/midday play date. Request pink attire. Craft & game. Mild summer day. Mix well for two hours. Enjoy!
Speaking of gatherings, I’m newly into this magazine.
2011-04-20 Cheesecake 003.web, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
Spring break. Relaxing. Visiting. Turning to recipes and sites I’ve never sampled. Monday we made Flourless Chocolate Cake. On Wednesday…this loveliness, and today a gorgeous Yellow Cake for nephew’s birthday this weekend!
Click links for recipes.
The key for me is uncomplicated and delicious. Isn’t that what everything should be?
2011-02-06 Coffee Cake , originally uploaded by jdl2005.
I remember a coffee cake from my seventh grade home economics class. I had to have it over the weekend, found an image that fit,and I can again thank Martha for a winning recipe! (I skimped on the butter and added wheat flour, again) Oh, and she has an entire gallery of coffee cakes!
2010-08-28 NYC.Saturday Night 026.web, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
Last Saturday night: Husband and I found a great Mexican restaurant steeped in the tequila tasting trend. My drink: Reposada Tequila, orangerie, lime, agave nectar and grapefruit bitters. It was a seriously earthy margarita. Meaning deep. Meaning it’s probably good that I am not bar hopping during this particular alcohol fad.
The Smoothie, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
Feeding a picky eater? I have been making this frozen strawberry/o.j/banana based smoothie to my daughter for a few years now. Today’s version contains all of the above plus steamed cauliflower, ground almonds and flax seeds, a slice of cantaloupe, and 2 cubes each of pureed white beans and pureed sweet potato! When I add spinach or broccoli, I make sure to serve in an opaque cup.
2010-03-12-Whole Wheat Fluffy Buns.web, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
This is a take on the classic Baking Powder Biscuit from The New York Times Cookbook. I made the “Drop Biscuit” variation and replaced 1.5 cups of the flour with whole wheat flour. I am fixated on making everything more healthy these days.
2 cups sifted flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup milk
1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. With two knives cut butter into flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl until mixture has the texture of coarse cornmeal.
3. Stir dough lightly until just blended and drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.(or use a silpat)
4. Bake 12 to 15 minuted or until golden
Makes 16 2 inch biscuits
Banana & Zucchini Bread, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
This is a great snack for kids; you can hide lots of healthy stuff in it.
Juliet’s Banana & Zucchini Bread
Preheat oven to 350. Parchment lined loaf pan
(I shred zucchini in a food processor, and then blend bananas with metal blade to make a smooth puree.)
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup canola oil
3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
1 capful vanilla
Optional – ½ cup chopped nuts
1. In large bowl combine all ingredients.
2. With wooden spoon,mix until smooth.
3. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake 50- 60 minutes, til toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Remove pan from oven, cool 15 mins, turn out onto plate
Chili and Cornbread, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
Today was a little bit ho hum until we started to roll out some yummy food this afternoon.
Some of my recipes will be rough – such as this. We didn’t have much in the house so I did some digging once I decided on making Chili. All of the spices are dry- make sure to have them in the oil for sauteing so the flavors permeate.
Saute in good olive oil 1 Onion chopped up, 4 Cloves Garlic, Uncooked Turkey burger from Freezer, 1 tablespoon Chili powder, 1/2 tsp Cumin, 1/2 tsp Salt free all natural “Mexican Spice” blend, 1 teaspoon Thyme, 1 teaspoon Oregano, 1 tablespoon dry parsley. Let onions get soft and turkey browned. Alter seasonings to taste.
Add can of tomatoes (I pureed them), one big carrot diced, handful of frozen corn that remained, and a bunch of red kidney beans. Oh, and half cup of red wine that was leftover!
Cook til carrots are tender, or longer to thicken.
WHOLE WHEAT CORNBREAD:
I follow the basic cornbread recipe on the side of the container but use whole wheat flour, half the sugar, and Red Mill egg replacer. It’s not delicate like the corn bread that tastes like cake, but we love it.
2009-09-05.S’mores, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
A twist on the classic. We had mini chips and mini marshmallows…we made the sandwiches and individually wrapped them in foil. Halfway through dinner we put the packages on the grill with the lid on but turned off and still warm from cooking. Scrumptious.
2009-06-17.Rosetta’s Cakes, originally uploaded by jdl2005.
Whole Wheat Chocolate Cupcakes
I first made these for Rob’s birthday but this time I lightened them up. They were delicious for a few days. Frost with your favorite icing. Added perk: no cholesterol
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Mix all together and fill a dozen or so muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
