Neopolitan Bundt Cake

I wanted to do something different for dessert so I kept thinking throughout the day about what I could make and finally it came to me.  Cake.  I love cake so this is not shocking news that cake popped into my head.  But, how to make it different?  Unique?  I have seen neopolitan cakes before while searching recipes, so I decided to try one of my own.  Now, I would love to say that I made my own cake batter...I had the recipe picked out, ready to go and then completely ran out of enough time to gather all of my ingredients and still be done in time to get the daycare kiddos up from nap, etc, etc.  And there was this last, lonely box of cake mix downstairs in the pantry.  Which happened to be a white mix.  SOOOOO...yeah, I cheated that step.   I'm sorry.  I really am. If it helps at all, the cake turned out beautifully but didn't have that "homemade" cake taste.  I was mad at myself for not taking the extra steps for such a pretty dessert, but I do feel better that I've confessed and will do better the next time!

I did divide the prepared batter into thirds - one was left as prepared, and to one I added about 1/4 cup of strawberry preserves, and to the last one I added about 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips and 2 T of cocoa powder.   I layered the batters in a greased bundt pan and baked at 350 for about 45 minutes.

I wanted to add a special topping, so instead of a sugar glaze, I decided on a chocolate glaze with more mini chips added.  I used about 1/2 c of powdered sugar, 1 T cocoa powder and 2-3T of milk.  I mixed it until smooth and added the chips.  I drizzled it over the cake and then scattered a few more chips on top.  It was hard to resist dipping a finger into the glaze as it set.

Dinner didn't happen as planned because of a slight medical emergency (we're all fine and it wasn't a traumatic emergency, just required urgent care) so I was glad that I did at least have dessert made.  The Neopolitan cake made a nice dessert with the take out pizza that ended up replacing our planned Shrimp Fried Rice.  But we were all together enjoying it, and that's what mattered most!!

Simplicity

I am feeling very settled in lately. Do you know what I mean?  It seems like I'm always writing about thankfulness, love, family and all of that good stuff.  :)  It's a great problem to have - this whole being comfortable in my own skin thing.  Monday nights are scheduled rest days in the marathon plan, so no running, no biking, nothing even remotely related to fitness happened at my house.  What did happen?  Loaded Baked Potato Soup with French Bread for dinner and Peanut Butter Pudding Pie for dessert.  Say it with me...aaahhhh.  Comfort food at it's finest - in a word - Simplicity. 

It was a bit chilly outside, so being able to relax on the couch with the hubby, enjoying some conversation and soup and each others company was so relaxing.  It was better than any date at the finest restaurant.  (You hear that dear?  Now you know!)  The soup was perfect - creamy but with a little tanginess from the Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese and the bread was perfect for cleaning up the leftovers in the bowl.

And dessert?  Oh my gosh, do not get me started....  Well, okay, you twisted my arm.  It was like a Reese's cup in a pie!  I have never made my own from scratch chocolate pudding before, so I was a little concerned but with no good reason because it was perfect!  I used a peanut butter cookie dough for the crust and then spooned the pudding, still warm, on top and then popped it in the fridge.  The pudding soaked in just enough that it lent a creaminess to the crust and it was better than I would have imagined.  It's all I can do to not get a slice out of the fridge RIGHT NOW. 

Sometimes, it really is the most simple things that can bring us the greatest rewards in life.  Case in point....my lunch today.  Leftover bread topped with double creme brie and dried cherries and popped it the oven at 400 until the brie just started to run.  I end all my ramblings with a picture of the most perfect bite on a dreary day...

Oh, you want recipes?  Well, okay...

Loaded Baked Potato soup (Made in Crockpot)

6 largish white potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cloves garlic, minced,  or 2 t minced garlic
1 medium white onion chopped fine
2-4 strips of chopped, cooked turkey bacon (real bacon will work too but add it at the end not as cooking)
2 T chives, dried or fresh chopped
1/4 cup butter
2 T salt
1 cup skim milk
1 cup light cream
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, with about 1 cup more for adding to top of each bowl

Put the first 8 ingredients in the crockpot and put on medium for 6-7 hours.  When done smash potatoes (you can keep in the crock pot) and add the remainder of the ingredients.  Let heat through about 20 minutes before serving.  Add cheese and additional chives and bacon if desired before serving.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie

Peanut Butter Cookie Crust ( adapted from cooks.com)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars thoroughly. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Press mixture into a 9 inch pie plate and bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes.  Watch the sides because they will brown quicker than the center, but you want the center to be just slightly underdone.  When it comes out, it will be puffy in the center but it should deflate on its own.  You can use a spatula to gently "help it along" if you like.

While it's cooling you can make the pudding that will set so nicely down into that well.

Chocolate Pudding ( adapted from Smitten Kitten)


1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups skim milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 t vanilla

Smitten Kitten's recipe is almost identical except I used a lesser quality chocolate chips because it's what I had on hand, and I used skim milk and it was rich enough for us.  I never have whole milk in the house or I may have tried a half and half approach.  I also didn't use a double boiler.  Instead...

I mixed the first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan and brought to a semi boil, whisking pretty much the entire time.  It took about 10 minutes to get thick, and when it did, I removed it from the heat and added the chips and vanilla.  I spooned enough into the pie well to bring it up the crust and then refrigerated the whole pie together (my crust was almost completely cooled before adding the pudding)

And I even had enough pudding leftover to spoon into 3 little dishes.  It was super creamy and smooth.  I loved it, and was so happy that I never again need those little boxes of pudding!!  Give it a try, it was easy and fast and I know what every ingredient is.  :)

Carne Asada Cheese Tacos with Chayote Stirfry

Watching Food Network together is something that the hubby and I both enjoy.  It gives us new ideas for the menu and I enjoy seeing what types of new foods I can incorporate into our household.  This morning, we were watching Mexican Made Easy and she made the most amazing creation - tacos out of cheese.  No tortilla, no shell of any kind - just fried, folded over cheese.  Oh my gosh.  Seriously, I did not know that possible.  But it looked like something we would love.  And we loved the idea so much that I scrapped the Cuban Paninis off of the dinner menu and made these instead. 

I'm sure that fried cheese with strips of marinated beef at the core is not super healthy, so I did decide to boil some chayote squash, slice them thin and stirfry them with some peppers, onions, and fajita seasonings.  They could have also replaced the beef on the taco for a vegetarian entree.  As a side dish, they were the perfect balance for the heaviness of the taco. 

The recipe I followed is from Food Network and I really didn't change anything.  I did use a different cut of meat but I don't think that affected the outcome.  Frying the cheese was the most intimidating part but how can this be wrong?

 

Also, on the same episode, she made a Chia Limeade.  Just for fun, we decided to make that as well to go with our dinner...very refreshing! 

It was a fun meal to prepare and was pretty easy too.  We were so glad we tuned into the show this morning because it made for a pretty tasty dinner!

Birdseed Muffins

Getting ready to Run!

For some reason, when this recipe came to me, I instantly thought of birdseed so the name stuck.  I am always on the search for something to use while running or biking that gives me energy, but isn't processed at all.  I've not been blessed with a digestive system that allows for energy gels, supplements, etc so it all comes down to real food.  Which is a blessing and a curse - I'm not fond of the chemicals in those things anyway but I need more than the occasional almond or Larabar sometimes. When I saw a lonely bag of sunflower seeds in the pantry, bought on a whim from the bulk foods section, I knew I was on to something!

Ingredients:
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups ap flour
2 packets instant oatmeal, I used Better Oats maple and brown sugar flavor
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup roasted and hulled sunflower seeds
1 scoop milled chia seeds
1 T flax seeds
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt

Extra roasted sunflower seeds for top of muffin if desired

Heat oven to 400.

Combine wet ingredients in bowl and mix well.  Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl and blend well.  Combine dry and wet mixtures and mix just until moistened.

Spoon batter into greased or paper lined muffin tin.  Sprinkle tops with reserved sunflower seeds if desired.  Bake for 15-17 minutes or until tops are brown.

Much better than an energy gel!

I was a little nervous about how they'd come out - I guess I was worried they'd be too dry or too overwhelmed by the seeds and grains.  But my fears were unfounded.  They were a perfect texture - not too dry to tuck away into my pack for a hike or too health food like to have as a Saturday morning breakfast.  So, it was a win-win - packed with protein in a tasty morsel.  I think it would be a fun recipe with kids too - they'd love the idea of cooking with "birdseed!"

This post has been added to Foodie Friends Friday...go check it out!



And please check out Walking on Sunshine...my gateway to Foodie Friends!  :)

Ooey Gooey Squares of Yumminess

 

Ha!  Top that doozy of a name.  Seriously, though, these were about as easy as anything to make and pretty tasty.    I was still in a panna cotta coma, not really wanting to accept any other dessert but hubby really wasn't up to more milk.  :( 
So, I scrounged through the cupboard and came up with this.  Not too bad for about 5 minutes of work and 20 minutes of waiting, 30 if you actually save your tongue from 3rd degree burns and allow the caramel to cool out of the oven. 


Ingredients:
1 cup of brown sugar, divided in half
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups of ap flour
1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.

Blend flour and 1/2 cup of brown sugar in large bowl.  Add the peanut butter and once it is well incorporated into the dry mix, add the egg.  Press this mixture into a 8' X 8' pan. 

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and add brown sugar.  Bring to a full boil and boil for one minute.  Remove from heat, add pecans and vanilla and spread over flour mixture. 

Bake for 20 minutes, and remove from oven.  Sprinkle chips over hot mixture while cooling. Wait 10 minutes before cutting.  (You may have to hide the pan at this point!  But be careful, the caramel is HOT!)

Enjoy!   We certainly did and they are officially on the "make again" list!!

First attempt at Panna Cotta and I'm hooked.

Oh my goodness.  I really had no idea what I was in for when I decided that I, once and for all, had to try to make Panna Cotta.  I've never eaten it, never made it, and never seen it outside pictures on other blogs but it just had to be done.  And, I am so glad I did.  The texture was so creamy, so custard-like that it was unlike anything else I've ever made.  Heavenly is the best word I have to describe it. 

I found a recipe on Allrecipes last night, and even though it was my first time, I changed it.  I'm reckless like that.  It just seemed like an extraordinary amount of cream for one recipe.  So, I read the comments and decided to chance it and cut the cream in half with milk.  Guess what?  Perfectly fine.  No complaints here! 

So, here's my recipe:

1/3 cup skim milk
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 t vanilla extract

Mix gelatin and 1/3 cup of skim milk together and set aside in separate bowl.  Bring cream, sugar and milk to a full boil over medium high heat.  Stir often and supervise well because it will boil high quickly.  Once boiling, add gelatin and milk mixture and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. 

Remove from heat, add the vanilla and put into small bowls or ramekins. It should make 6 dishes.  Cool uncovered, and then put plastic wrap over them to prevent skin from forming on the top and refrigerate until set.  This should take 4-6 hours, or overnight is best. 

I served mine with fresh blackberries and blackberry sauce but I imagine there are endless possibilities to consider.  I am ready to start really experimenting with flavor combinations...but first, maybe I'll just have another Panna Cotta.  I'm just glad the recipe makes 6 and there's only 4 of us in the family.  Someone has to be the taste tester after all.

Hot Chocolate Muffins in a Mug

I have been dreaming of these for several days...just wondering how to get them just as I'd imagined.  And I think I did it.  Even though it's January, the weather here in Pennsylvania has been unseasonably warm.  So, hot chocolate lovers like my family take every cooler evening that comes along as a chance to indulge.  So, I thought how great it would be to have a treat the gave the flavors of hot chocolate but didn't require the cold weather.

I started with a fairly basic recipe:

2 cups flour
1 T baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter or canola (or some other flavorless) oil

Preheat oven to 350 F

Once all of that was blended, but not overmixed, I separated the batters.  One batter had 2 T of unsweetened cocoa and 1 cup of miniature marshmallows added to it, and the other batter had 1/2 cup of miniature chocolate chips added.  I greased 6 medium sized mugs and layered the batters in each mug to about 2/3 of the way full.  I put them on baking sheet and cooked for about 20 minutes.  Watch to be sure they don't overcook because of the marshmallows which could burn easily.

Once out of the oven, I set them aside to cool.  I popped one out of the mug just to show the layered effect and how delicious the muffin hidden inside each mug really looks!

All that was really left to do was eat one.  Hard work, but I guess if I have to, I will just to be able to share my muffin with all of you.  What a treat it was.  I had to make a cup of coffee to really enjoy my midmorning treat.  The kiddos loved them, I mean, really, who wouldn't??  Really, it was a super easy muffin to make, and I bet it would make a great treat around Christmas time in a pretty mug with the recipe attached and tied with a bow.  Hmmm...gotta keep that idea around for next year.

Happy Monday everybody!