Two Goals One Night

Making resolutions is pretty easy - keeping them, not so much. So I am pretty stoked about the fact that I am crossing not one but two (2!!!) monthly goals off the list.

Cook Jeremy a special meal
Make a treat for firemen

The special meal menu was EASY CHILI & CHEESE FRIES...if you want the recipe, email me and I can send your way!




Our very nutritious appetizer...Dean's dip and chips. Nothing says let's get ready to watch some football like Dean's dip and chips. Have you tried this? It is like so good. It's bad...but oh-so-good.




The best part about this chili is that it isn't just meat and cheese. I have the hardest time getting Jeremy to eat tomatoes. It is like getting an ADD kid to sit still. But with this hearty combination, not only does he get a man's meal full of lycopene but he really enjoys eating it. He even will go so far to ask for it. And being the sweetheart that he is, he rarely asks me to DO or MAKE anything! It must mean that he loves it :)




This goal isn't easy. It requires me to plan ahead. I don't want to make his special meal each month consist of a steak and potatoes...not that he'd mind. But I want each menu to be appropriate for the month and consist of one of his favorites. Seeing as how it is January, comfort food is in order. So cheese fries...while the chili is simmering, I threw some bacon on.




Then the fries. yowza that's hot... and yes, I added some canola oil right to the bacon drippings. This is not going to help my #1 resolution.




Check on the chili. Yup, looking good! Chunky, meaty, tasty!




Layered the fries with cheese and the yummy chopped bacon, served it all up on a tray, and WAHLA! A special meal fit for watching this:

Needless to say, he couldn't finish. But I got a big thumbs up! I mean, just look at all the chunky heartiness!




And then came dessert. Dessert for our dear firemen. Firemen who so honorably sacrifice time with their families so that they can risk their lives to keep us from danger. Nothing I could ever make would be enough. So what I try to do is induce a momentary coma-like-state via chocolate to say thanks. The recipe is SUPER easy...and has only three ingredients (which I love!) and requires absolutely no baking. Can this be true? Oh yes, yes it can!




OREO Truffles

These little balls of hypnosis can help anyone forget that they are running into a burning building or firey accident scene or getting clawed by Granny's kitty stuck in that tree. They are absolutely 100% divine. I made the full-fat version and the reduced fat version...just in case a certain firewarrior has their own New Year's resolutions!

And because I know you ALL want to make these, here is the recipe:

MIX together:
3 cups finely chopped Oreo cookies (can substitute reduced fat Oreos)
1 package cream cheese (can sub fat-free cream cheese)

Roll into 1-inch balls - stick in toothpicks for easy dipping - then pop into freezer to harden up.

MELT:
16 oz semi sweet chocolate or 8 oz vanilla/8 oz chocolate
Coat all balls with chocolate - decorate till your heart's content :) Pop back in freezer. Serve cold in uber-cute box.




I figure that everyone has a fantastic easy-peesy-lemon-squeezy recipe out there...and I need five more recipes for five more months of Firemen treats. And I want your best...I want something that will cause seizures, fainting, dizziness, loss of hearing, and intense bravery. My hope is that if I ever have a house fire (probably caused by bacon), the firemen will recognize me as the girl who makes those ridiculously delicious desserts and hurry :) Sound that alarm!

Chocolate Chip Birthday Pie

I know I promised Mario Brothers cupcakes to my brother but remember, I can't cook.

And SURPRISE! I did get to see him for his birthday - only a couple days late - on Tuesday.

So, we trekked the five miles to Mom & Dad's for the birthday celebration. I was on devil egg duty (again) and also dessert duty. So I stole the idea & recipe from fellow blogger, Bakerella.

Many, many thanks to that cook cause it is now part of Jeremy's and Torrey's and Brad's top five treats.



Cole & Braden & Brad




The Chocolate Chip & Pecan cookie Pie



That's alot of candles Brad - Good thing you got big lungs!




We sent Brad home to Tara with the leftovers - hope it made it home! The pie was such a hit with Jeremy that I had to make it for my new brother Torrey. So here is a picture of pie #2.

Go home and make the pie - it is super easy and great with vanilla ice-cream :)

Birthday Cupcakes

In the past week, I missed my brother's and my new mother-in-law's birthdays. DOH! It was quite by accident (way to start out being a good new wife Katie!). I realize that that is quite a loss in terms of cards, gifts, money soooo I decided the only way to make up for it was to send...

pictures of cupcakes. Here is what I would have made you for your birthday Brad!

If only I knew how to cook.

These Super Mario Brothers cupcakes hail from the kitchen of Hello Naomi. Her flickr photostream is an amazing display of confection heaven.

And to you mom - I would (in my fantasyland) create a rose cupcake for a rose.

These beautiful desserts would be a sweet birthday treat for my sweet new mom! They were dreamed up by Angie Dudley of the Bakerella blog. Fantastic imigination on this woman!

Happy Birthday you two - I love you!

What would Jesus do?

Jesus would totally eat this bread.

Christmas was especially fun this year - mostly because everything I could ever want was still listed on our Bed, Bath & Beyond registry so we didn't have to brainstorm when the looming question was asked, "so what would you like for Christmas?". I recommend registries for all people whether you are getting married or not (that or blogs with wishlists).







So naturally Jeremy and I were thrilled when his Dad and Vicki bought us this:

Jeremy was more thrilled than me. Of course I want an old-fashioned ice cream maker but here are my reasons why I am dreading using this gizmo.

1. I don't know how to make ice cream.


2. Any ice cream will be compared to Jeremy's dad's ice cream - which is amazing.


3. Ice cream can not be made in small quantities and has a short shelf life: read - I will gain 8 lbs instantly.


4. It takes all day and you have to plan in advance...which I stink at.

SO...here's the kicker...I, with a little BOWER POWER...will attempt at suppressing my fears, living dangerously, and make ice cream. Cappuccino-Toffee Crunch Ice cream to be exact.

Here is the recipe that I found that sounds super yummy. Of course - I will not serve to underage ice cream eaters.

Or maybe I am being too ambitious...darn it, I am, aren't I?!?

Panini Jubilee

Last night we made some mouth-watering paninis. They were absolutely delicious!

We loaded those suckers with grilled chicken, pesto, sundried tomatoes, mayo and mozzarella. But when it came time to press, melt, and toast...I was not prepared as I could have been.

Maybe if I had some new kitchen toys, the sandwich making would have been a little more enjoyable. These panini makers are im-PRESS-ive!

Emerilware Cast Iron Presses $25 each

Wolfgang Puck - Panini Maker $85

Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press $90

Breville Ikon Panini Press $100

Waring Commercial Panini Maker/Toasting Grill $560

(for the hardcore sandwich makers)

Bakeware Blues

This past week Jeremy and I went on a mini-vacay...well sortof. It was a work mission trip with the youth at our church. Being a mission trip - it was a dream come true!

Let me give you a little taste of what it was like...

WA BAM!

I was one of the three female leaders and I was really excited to be there. There will be more to come in a later post about how GORGEOUS the island is.

Unfortunately there was one night that was a little rough on us all. When the going gets tough, Katie gets baking! Ever since we got our oven, it has been a source of emotional relief for me. So here is some really cute bakeware - things that can put a bit of frosting on any situation!

Williams-Sonoma Garden Patch Cakelet Pan $24.99 (check out the video!)

Williams-Sonoma Railway Cake Pan $34.00 (definite wishlist item to make for my Cole-baby!)

Williams-Sonoma The Great Cupcake Pan $35.00 (this cupcake is 6" high!!!)

Bed Bath & Beyond Indulgence Cookie Cutter 100-piece set $9.99

Bed Bath & Beyond Wilton Silly Feet Baking Cups $9.99

Chefs X and O Silicone Molds $24.99 (how cute for V-day!)

Chefs Christmas Tree Cake Pan $14.99

Chefs Mini Cheesecake Pan $24.99 (this would be perfect for showers)

Williams-Sonoma Backyard Bugs Cakelet Pan $34.00

Williams-Sonoma Heritage Bundt Pan $32.00 (don't really know how to make a Bundt but this cake reminds me of the Sydney Opera House so I can dig it!)

William Sonoma Circus Cookie Cutters $19.95

Now go get the blues so you can use these super cute wish list items! Believe me it will help - and if it doesn't, then you can send the goodies to me :)