Thoughts of a Grasshopper

Have you ever had the Chantilly cake from Whole Foods?  It is so good!  It is also spendy.  For the smaller cake you spend $30 and the larger cake is $46.  I went in search for a cake recipe online and I found one.  The rub is, I have no clue where I found the recipe because I copied it and didn't make note of the site.  If I go to my Pinterest, I have several pinned . . . because I was on a hunt. I will say that I'm not sure if the cake itself is true to the Chantilly cake.  I had a copycat cake recently that was light but it was from a mix.  This cake is from scratch.  I need to make another and either buy a piece of cake for $3.49 from Whole Foods to compare it or go to my friend who is a connoisseur of Chantilly cake and get her feedback.  Honestly, the latter would be more fun! Cake 15 oz. flour 1.5 oz. cornstarch 1/8 oz.  (~3/4t) salt 1/2 oz.  (~1T) baking powder 11 oz. sugar 8 oz. butter 7 oz. egg whites, ab...

This was the best!!  I doubled the recipe because of all the people at our house and they LOVED it!  It is a Taste of Home recipe, give it a try.  The recipe can be found here . I do believe you will enjoy this as much as we did!

Perhaps it is pride that I need you to know this is an end piece.  The filling was fuller in the middle but I didn't put it all the way to each edge knowing as it rolled up it would squish out.  That said, there was still enough filling that it was enjoyable to eat.  I usually cut off the ends before serving to be sure that it looks as appealing to the eye as possible. I made this dessert for a Christmas party.  The ends I had cut off were all I had since what I took to the party was eaten.  My kids, while they enjoyed it, wished it was sweeter.  This is why I like it because this is a season of sweetness and it was nice to not be overwhelmed by it. Gingerbread Cake Roll Cake: Cooking spray Parchment paper Shortening 2/3C Cake flour 1-1/2t Cinnamon 1-1/2t ground Ginger 1/2t Baking powder 1/4t Salt 1/4t ground Cloves 1/4t ground Allspice 4 large Eggs, separated 1/2C Sugar 3T Molasses 3T Butter, melted 1t Vanilla 1/3C Powdered sugar ...

It has been a while since I shared a recipe.  This recipe came from a sweet friend in Albuquerque.  I really like this soup and recently made  a double batch to take to a potluck.  I ended up using what little soup was left in a turkey chili. You start of by draining whole tomatoes, reserving the juice and roasting them in the oven.  I give the tomatoes a squeeze to get out as much liquid as possible. Sprinkle on some brown sugar and chopped onion and pop it in the oven. When it cools down enough to touch, chop up the tomatoes and put it in the crockpot.  I have to say clean-up is a lot easier if you do it straight away and don't let the foil sit.  The sugar and juices carmelize and if it goes under the foil the foil will stick to the sheet.  Your better off to chop of the tomatoes and get the foil off as soon as possible. I forgot to snap a picture when it was piping hot and ready to be taken.  This is what was left in the crock p...

I've had this to share for a couple of months and didn't remember until today.  My husband made us this berry treat on a Sunday night a couple of months ago.  I think it would be a nice addition to a brunch, afternoon tea or a baby shower.  It was light, refreshing, and not overly sweet.  The pastry itself could have used a little more time in the oven to brown up, but what he did works too.  :) Berry Tarts 1 pkg. refrigerated pie pastry 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 1/4C confectioners' sugar 1/4t almond extract 2C blueberries 2C raspberries 1/4C slice almonds toasted (*he omitted this for the kids) Preheat oven to 400.  On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry sheets.  Roll each to 1/8" thickness.  Cut with a 3" cookie cutter to make 8 circles or shapes.  Transfer to ungreased baking sheets; prick holes in pastries with a fork.  Bake 8-10 min. or until golden brown.  Remove from pans to wire ra...

This year I made a special little treat for Valentine's Day.  The recipe came from the Cooking with Paula Deen  magazine and is very similar to the fudge cake that has been popular for 20+ years with sour cream and a box of pudding.  The difference is flavors of the cake and pudding and no chocolate chips added to the mix. The recipe calls for 24 cupcakes from each mix.  I just did 12 and then put the rest of the batter in an 8" round cake pan and baked it.  I used the left-over filling between the 2 layers. Velvet Cake Stacks Filling: 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1 (7 oz.) jar fluff 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed Pink Velvet Batter: 1 box white cake mix 1 (3.3 oz.) pkg white chocolate instant pudding 4 large eggs 1C sour cream 1/2C oil 1/2C water 6 drops red food coloring Red Velvet Batter: 1 box red velvet cake mix 1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. cheesecake instant pudding 4 large eggs 1C sour cream 1/2C oi...

This is my favorite blueberry muffin recipe.  I like it because the batter is thick enough that the blueberries don't sink to the bottom before they are baked.  The other thing I like is that it isn't too sweet.  So many blueberry muffin recipes I've tried taste more like a dessert than something you would have at breakfast. Check out the berries in this muffin . . . Blueberry Streusel Muffins 1/4C butter, softened 1/3C sugar 1 egg 1t vanilla 2-1/3C flour 4t baking powder 1/2t salt 1C milk 1-1/2C blueberries Streusel 1/2C sugar 1/3C flour 1/2t cinnamon 1/4C butter In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg and vanilla; mix well.   Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.  Fold in blueberries. Fill 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle o...

Now that we are in place that actually experiences cold weather, I am happy to make soups, stews and chili.  We actually had a couple of pipes freeze one night a week or so ago.  I had been running the taps at night but I fell asleep in the family room and never made it to bed.  My husband didn't think about it when he went.  Oddly, I expected it that the frozen pipes would have been in the storage room but it was the pipes running above the ceiling in the downstairs kitchen.  Our house has 2 kitchens, but only 1 stove.  I use that kitchen as my stamping/sewing room. I digress . . . I haven't made this chili in at least 5 years.  The last time I made it we lived in New Mexico and I came across the recipe in a Southern Living magazine.  I called my husband at work around lunch time and told him we were having this chili, salad and bread for dinner.  It worked, he made the effort to get home at a reasonable time. :) Smoky Chicken Chi...

I came across a recipe recently that was glorified Rice Krispie Treats.  They would have been glorified for me because they were chocolate.  They used the plain Rice Krispies but chocolate was added.  Rice Krispie Treats are okay, but you'll never hear me say, "Hey, you know what would be good right now?  Rice Krispie Treats."  I think of kids when I think of them and that is exactly why I would have been making them.  My kids would have liked them. I called my mother the other day to ask her a question regarding the characteristics desired as a wife, mother, etc.  I mentioned her mother in the conversation and how she always thought well of everyone no matter what they said or did.  My mom then asked, "What do you think my mother would say to your question?"   When it came time to use the mini marshmallows, I had my grandmother on my mind and ended up using them to make her Mississippi Mud Cake.  Yum!  Normally it is mad...

I made moussaka for dinner last night.  The recipe comes from a dear friend who is quite the cook.  A lot of years ago, she taught several of us how to make spanakopita, tzatziki and she had prepared moussaka and shared the recipe with us.  I made it in ABQ but it wasn't a hit with my family.  I thought the kids have matured with their tastes and I would give it a go again.  My husband doesn't remember it the first time around and tells me he must have been TDY.  I have one kid that doesn't eat red meat, of the three left, the twins liked it and my son didn't give it a fair try.  A recipe I enjoy but it will sit and be dusted off again in a few years. Moussaka sliced potatoes, fried (enough for single layer) 2 large eggplants, peeled and cut into 1/2" slices 2 lbs. ground beef 1C chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce 3/4C dry red wine 2T snipped parsley (or 1T dried) 1t salt 1/4t dried oregano, crushed 1/4t cin...

I found this gem of an idea on Pinterest and thought it would be a perfect little thank you for all of the teachers and leaders that work with the kids in Primary at church.  I included Scout leaders and Activity Day Leaders, which meant that I needed 36. I set out on a hunt for these cute, little 4 oz. jars.  A couple of months ago I saw a lot of them but now it was hard to find it.  After several unsuccessful trips, I ended up going 30 minutes away to another store that showed they had enough cases in stock.  Super easy to make and well received. For 8 jars, you will need:      1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened      10 pkgs. (2 oz. ea.) caramel dipping sauce      2 Skor bars or a bag of Heath toffee bits      8 apples      8 (1/2C or 4 oz.) Mason or Ball jars Mix the cream cheese with 2 of the dips.  Divide it between the 8 jars.  Clean the rim after it you smoosh i...

Lemon Chex Buddies is on the left and Puppy Chow is on the right.  One of the twins requested Puppy Chow, which made me think of the Lemon Chex Buddies I saw on Pinterest.  Can you believe it, I actually made something I pinned.  I think my percentage must be .073% on that end and it is the recipes that give me any percentage at all. I liked the Lemon Chex Buddies but I must admit Puppy Chow wins hands down in this house.  The Lemon Chex Buddies are light and have good flavor.  They actually reminded me of a Girl Scout cookie they used to make.  If you want to give it a try, you can find the recipe here . Puppy Chow   1 box (12 oz.) Crispix 1C peanut butter 1 pkg. (12 oz.) chocolate chips 1 stick butter 2-3C powdered sugar Melt the peanut butter, chocolate chips and butter in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.  Gently stir in cereal until well coated.  Place powdered sugar in a large plastic bag.  Pour cereal mix...

For 20 years Family Circle has had a "Presidential Bake-Off" on an election year with a First Lady cookie contest.  They say that 4 out of 5 times, the cookie that won ended up in the White House.  The exception being the last contest where Cindy McCain's cookie won but obviously John McCain didn't win the election.  Here we are in 2012 and the bake-off is between Michelle Obama and Ann Romney. I thought it would be fun to see which cookies friends and family preferred.  I won't spoil it for you in case you choose to try yourself.  If you want to know which cookie belongs to whom, ask me or check out the August 2012 issue of Family Circle. White and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie 2-1/4C flour 1t baking soda 1t salt 1C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 stick Crisco butter-flavored solid vegetable shortening 3/4C sugar 3/4C brown sugar 1t vanilla 1C each white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and mint chocolate chips (or Andes ...

It has been a while since I shared a recipe and this is a good one!  I usually make these to include on my Christmas cookie tray that we give friends.  This year I never got around to making cookie trays and planned to do something for Valentine's day.  That didn't happen either.  However, my son helped to make some because he wanted to give a tin to his girlfriend that night. Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies 2-1/3C flour 1t baking powder 1/2t salt 1/2t cinnamon 1C sugar 3/4C butter, softened 2 eggs 1/2t almond extract 1 pkg. (12 oz.) chocolate morsels 6T raspberry jam or preserves Confectioners' sugar In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside.  In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until creamy.  Beat in eggs and almond extract.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Divide dough in half.  Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm. Preheat oven to 350.  On a lightly floured board, ...

It has been a while since my last post. I took a break from stamping, sort of. I usually have my Christmas cards out and being received Dec. 1st. This year the out of town cards were 2 weeks later than usual and the local cards were 3 weeks late. Some local friends may have received their card after Christmas *shudders*. Any stamping I did in December was because I was still making cards to mail off. I ended up mailing off around 124. There were still people on our list to mail a card to, but they will be getting a Valentine card instead. I spent the last month enjoying family, the festivities of Christmas, reading, cooking/baking, digi scrapping, working on scout "stuff" with my son and his friends, and enjoying life in general. I went through another spell of trying out recipes that I thought would be good or someone I knew would like. Some weren't so thrilling to my kids and one that was I didn't get a picture of. Guess I'll have to make it again soon so I...