I think I must be hungry...

I found a few really interesting websites in my pursuit of learning more about food styling. Here, you can check out what others are snapping pictures of, and snag the recipes! OH MY!

Food Gawker

Taste Spotting

I'm always in need of inspiration, and who says I have to try the recipes first. Maybe you can beat me to it?

Here is what I've got in mind:

MONSTER COOKIES

OREO STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped when I saw these bad boys. Talk about death by sugar! (OR obesity... whichever kicks in first. haha!) When one cookie is no longer enough....

MACARONS

I've seen these, and they are such a pretty treat. But I'm afraid... maybe I will conquer that fear, so that I will know what these taste like. I am so curious.

APPLE PIE STREUSEL MUFFINS

I'm just drooling over these pictures! This is when you are thankful that you haven't made them yet. One thing at a time, or I'd be stuffing my face right now! haha...

Making the Dough

Ben claims he makes the "dough", and I make the bread. "Well, guess what Mister! I make both!" haha... but I don't mind at all because I was given the gift of a Bosch
It absolutely changed my life. In the past, I have attempted to make bread by hand. Its a work out. And the results were so-so. Nothing I'd tell my mom about. (he he.) But I was given this Bosch, and a great bread recipe from my mom. Those two things combined changed my whole perspective on making bread. (That and the grinder, and whole wheat I'm using. Wow.)

So, if you want to have a delicious loaf of bread that would make Great Harvest jealous, go buy a Bosch, a grinder, and some hard white wheat. When you do, come back here, and use this recipe. You will be so proud of yourself.

Before I share the recipe, there are some important things you must know to save yourself some stress. (And avoid the mistakes that I made.)

1. Your Bosch is designed to make two loaves of bread. If you only have one bread pan, go buy another, and avoid the mistake of trying to mix just one loaf in the Bosch.

2. To get 8 cups of whole wheat flour, grind 6 cups of wheat.

3. Follow the recipe closely when it says to add a cup of flour. It is added just a few cups at a time, and you don't want to miss one, or you will have sticky dough.

Now, the recipe:

Whole Wheat Bread

3 c. hot water
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1 1/2 T. vinegar
2 1/2 T. yeast
2 1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. gluten flour
8 c. wheat flour

Put water, gluten flour, oil, then honey into the mixer. (In this order, you use only one measuring cup!) Add yeast, vinegar, and 4 cups of wheat flour. Turn on machine to 1. When mixed, turn speed to 2. Add 2 cups of flour as it is running. Add salt. Add 1 cup of flour. For the last 1 cup of flour add 1/3 c. at a time. Stop when dough cleans from the side of the bowl.

Let machine run 10 minutes to knead the dough. Divide dough in half. Form a loaf with your hand. Grease pans. Pound/push dough into the loaf pan to remove bubbles. Raise until 1/2" above the pan. (About 30 minutes) Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (If using a dark or nonstick pan, reduce temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 35 minutes) Immediately remove from the pan.

And try and see if you can wait till it cools before you cut off a slice. ; )

Apple Pie Pancakes

I have to start by saying that this was one of my own original creations. The idea came to me when I was trying to figure out how to make pancakes healthier. There is no nutritional value in butter and syrup! I had to put something else on top. After eating them a few times, I've decided how I really like them. So here is a recipe for you!

Apple Pie Pancakes

Start with your favorite pancake recipe. Mine is one that I found on the side of the powdered buttermilk can. (Sa Co Cultured Buttermilk Blend found in the baking section of the store)

You also need:

1-2 containers of applesauce (4 oz.)- buy the unsweetened. You will feel healthier, and you'll be sweetening it up anyway... just wait.

AND

Cinnamon & Sugar- If you need to mix it up yourself, a good ratio is 1 T. of sugar: 1 tsp. cinnamon

AND

Whipped Cream - Do yourself a favor and buy the Reddi Whip. It is so much better. Expensive, but amazing.


So... Start by making your pancakes:

4 Tbsp. SACO Buttermilk Blend
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

NOTE: If you don't have powdered butter milk, omit the 4 T. of buttermilk blend, and 1 c. water, and replace it with 1 cup of real buttermilk, or sour milk (Milk and lemon juice)

Sift dry ingredients together into a mixing bowl. Add beaten egg, water and oil. Beat just until batter is smooth. Do not overbeat! Drop from a spoon onto a hot griddle and cook until top is full of tiny bubbles and the underside is brown. Turn and brown on the other side.
Makes 10 4-inch pancakes

After you make your pancakes

Take a 1/2 cup container of applesauce and remove the lid (because its not microwaveable) Microwave the applesauce for 20-30 seconds. Spoon desired amount of applesauce onto the top of your pancakes. Sprinkle with Cinnamon & Sugar, and top with whipped cream.

It will make your mouth smile to think you are having pie for breakfast!

I don't have any pictures, but the next time I make them (very soon... ) I will take a picture. I ate them too fast this morning to even think about taking a picture.

Um... Alicia... You there?

YES!?! I'm here! I promise. I have made so many treats I want to poke both of my eyes out! I was hoping now that the Elders live with us, that the treats would disappear and that I wouldn't be tempted to eat them! BUT I'M EATING THEM... and my scale is off by 3 lbs all of the sudden. Uh oh... haha...

What did I make?

Rice Pudding
Carrot Cake (A Healthy Version!)
Coffee Cake (Well, "Breakfast Cake")
Homemade Oreos
Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

If any of those sound the least bit interesting, I should post the recipes. They were all very delicious. I didn't take pictures because my camera was hiding from me (in the car!!!). Its getting harder to take pictures when I have a son that just loves the camera!

And while I am at it, I will put out a little word for one of the best websites:

Our Best Bites

They have a recipe for Brazilian Lemonade and it is amazing. Some times its nice to have a fun nonalcoholic drink!

If I try any more of their recipes I will post the results. But you can just tell when you find a good egg. That website has got it all. Plus they even have a new cookbook. Which I will someday buy. After we buy the Round Up to kill all the weeds outside! haha...

Krispie Peanut Butter Brownies

First, I must recognize the Brown Eyed Baker for introducing me to this recipe. One day, I was browsing her very neatly categorized blog. And as I was perusing the brownie category, this delicious treat caught my eye.

The Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

I knew just what to do. I MADE THEM! And I have not regretted that decision. They are super easy to make, and I think kids would get a huge kick out of helping out. (Can't ask Jacob, cause he didn't help, but someday!)

So, I took a quick short cut, and I whipped up a box of Pillsbury brownies, according to the box directions. As soon as they are done, you top them with the marshmallows and you bake for 3 minutes, until they puff.

Just like a cloud... of sugar... above chocolate...

Then this sits off to the side, while you melt some chocolate and peanut butter together. When that is all melted, you stir in some rice krispies and get them all nicely coated.

Take a taste. I won't tell.

Then you let this sit for 3 minutes. Follow up by pouring this on top of the marshmallow layer. I thought this would be tricky, but the marshmallows hold up really well. If you want to make them look seasonal, you can poke a few candy corn on the top. (Love my cheater short cut to make all things seasonal? Candy corn.)

When that is all smooth and pretty, put them in the fridge until thoroughly chilled. I think I let them chill for 2 or 3 hours, before I had to pull them out and plate them, out of nessesity and a shortage in time. But they were ready to go. It is easier to cut them when they are chilled through.

And there they are. The best decision you will make in your life. (HA... definitely not. But a good decision none the less.)

And the winner is....

To those 4 of you who voted on my poll (yes, the 5th one was me.. he he...) YOU MADE MY DAY! The winner, was pumpkin in a cookie! I can't blame you. I picked all of the above! I can almost never get enough pumpkin this time of year.

Gobble... Gobble....

Well, now that it is too late for you all to make a treat for Thanksgiving, I will unveil my delicious Thanksgiving treat! (haha... am I just behind on life or what?) My plan this year was for these cute turkey sugar cookies. Thus Exhibit A.

EXHIBIT A:

How cute are those?! Well, they turned out to be a bit not so cute, when I realized I had to do a lot more work than I wanted to. I get lazy, what can I say.

So, then I see, Exhibit B.

EXHIBIT B:

How easy is that? Plop on some candy corn and call it good. That is when I came up with these little guys... If you would, Exhibit C.

EXHIBIT C:

Not so bad. I didn't have to buy anything I didn't already have. Which was a major point for me! Score! Looking back I wish that I had used chocolate frosting, but I've never made a chocolate frosting that I have liked. I think its just me. Any way, guess how many I made...

This many! And did you notice I got lazy, and just frosted some. The recipe made 50 cookies. I used a recipe from Better Home and Gardens cook book. Just a plain jane sugar cookie dough. Not sure if its my favorite one, yet.


And the big mess I made in my tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny kitchen. haha... Any one want to lick the beaters? Well, come over!!

And you want to know what I am dying to make next year. (Please, please let it happen!) This dude! He rocks my world.


I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and remembered all the wonderful people and blessings that you are thankful, and blessed to have.

Stay tuned, I've got a great brownie coming up next.

oops.... almost forgot these... in order of appearance.

Its Turkey Time Cookies

Turkey Cookie Treats

Turkey Cheese Ball