Confectionary Creation

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Buttercream Frosting

I recently started a cake decorating class for fun with a couple girls from work.  Not the best idea for the busy month of September but my husband doesn't seem to mind.  The hardest part is frosting the cake without getting crumbs in it.  I will definitely try "crumbing" it first when I have time (putting on a rough layer then sticking it in the refrigerator to solidify then adding a final layer of frosting).  This particular class was about transferring images with piping gel, writing, and borders.  Mine didn't come out half bad, if I do say so myself.

 Pumpkin Cake Recipe

"Butter Cream" Frosting Recipe (not my favorite, but very easy to decorate with)

1 cup vegetable shortening (or half butter and half shortening)
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 tbsp milk or water

Cream shortening in mixer with vanilla.  Gradually add sugar.  Mix in milk and cream until smooth.

No Soup for You...

Cauliflower Soup with Bacon and Croutons

A nice bowl of hot soup on a cold fall day.  This soup is light but savory.  The consistency of the soup is that of a cream-based but minus all the added calories.  The bacon and croutons really help to add great flavor and texture and, besides, bacon just always makes everything better.  Be careful if you puree it in a blender, start slow or the heat will make it explode.  Also, the recipe says you can serve it cold but I definitely prefer a hot soup.

Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Bee abouta 10 minut...

Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers and Easy Fried Rice

A quick and delicious meal that's good enough to serve at a dinner party.  The peanut sauce is so good that I might even put it on my ice cream!  For the sauce, I would either omit or cut the red pepper flakes in half, especially if you have little ones enjoying this delicious treat.  Doubling the sauce also might not be a bad idea; try it once and you'll understand why. 

Peanut Chicken Skewer Recipe



 Easy Fried Rice

Cook several servings of instant (or regular it just takes longer) rice according to package instructions.  Fry 1-2 eggs over-hard and chop into small pieces.  Dice half a green pepper and a few green onions.  Saute onion and pepper in a little olive oil.  Add rice, egg, black pepper, and a few generous splashes of reduced sodium soy sauce.  Fry for several minutes and serve.



Caprese in a Cinche

Quick Caprese Pasta

Who doesn't love the flavors of fresh mozzarella, juicy ripe tomatoes, and garden fresh basil working together in perfect harmony?  I love a good caprese salad, so I decided to turn it in to a pasta dish.  This one is so quick, easy, and light for a dinner after a long day at work.  Just don't step away from the butter while it's cooking or it will really be a brown butter sauce, not in a good way.

Caprese Pasta Recipe- Jen Murphy

1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 clove minced garlic
1 lb cooked pasta (I like campanelle because it's a fun shape but penne or any other will work fine)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (cherry, grape, or roma)
12 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup fresh basil coarsely chopped
Salt and Pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add butter and bring to a bubble.  Add garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes to brown the butter.  Remove from heat.  Add cooked pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.  Toss to coat with butter sauce.

Not Your Average Bruschetta

Bruschetta with Shrimp, Tarragon, and Arugula (Minus the Tarragon..)

The fresh bread that you choose can really make or break this dish.  A nice crusty ciabatta or whole wheat pane Italian bread work great!  I would make garlic bread this way from now on too with the fresh garlic rub.  "I couldn't tell you even if you had a gun to my head where we keep the tarragon
or even what the hell that is", Brad Paisley.  I didn't have fresh tarragon in the house so I omitted it and it came out just fine.  I actually do know that tarragon tastes a lot like licorice (anise), some people may not enjoy the strong flavor it leaves on your palate.  Definitely one that's better the first time and not for left-overs so you get a crunchy delicious bight every time.

Shrimp Ciabatta Recipe

Burgers: Ground beef and so much more!

Burgers a la Pizzaiola

Never have a plain old burger again!  It's so easy to add a few ingredients to transform your beef into a juicy flavorful patty.  This burger is unbelievably moist and is bursting with the flavors of a margarita pizza.  The marscapone topping is a must with fresh basil.  I used a freshly baked ciabatta bread cut into thick slices instead of the sourdough rolls.  This burger is truly a weeknight dinner because I came home from work exhausted and was able to whip it up in no time.

Burger Recipe

Not your Momma's Meatloaf

Turkey Meatloaf w/ Feta and Sun-dried Tomato

Turkey in a meatloaf?  It's absolutely delicious, a little less greasy, but totally packed with flavor.  You won't need the ketchup bottle for this one.  It's also very easy; mix up all of the ingredients and place in a loaf pan.

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

Binner... a hearty breakfast for dinner

Eggs Florentine

If you like eggs benedict you will love these.  My husband made them for dinner because it's a hearty meal.  The flavors of the salty proscuitto, the creamy spinach mixture, and the perfectly poached egg are all soaked up by the nooks and crannies of the english muffins.  I would cut the extra salt out of the spinach mix though.  You can even say you ate your veggies with the added green color of the spinach.


Eggs Florentine Recipe

Chocolatey Goodness for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Or even a midnight snack!

Chocolate Waffles

How sweet it is to come back from a long run and be welcomed by the smell of waffles.  My husband found this recipe because I absolutely love chocolate and my new love for waffles (Funk and Waffles on SU hill in Syracuse is a must try!).  They are so much fun because you can top them with whatever flavors you like: fresh berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, peanut butter topping, etc.  If you have extras (we didn't between the two of us), you can freeze them for a weekday treat instead of the cardboard Eggos. 

Chocolate Waffles Recipe 

 

Easy Microwavable Casserole

Sweet and Sour Shrimp with Noodles

Very easy, healthy and mostly done in the microwave.  My husband whipped this one up in a flash.  Pampered chef likes to put all of their products into the recipes, so ignore that.  For the Pampered Chef Asian Seasoning, he used the substitution note at the bottom of the recipe.  It's not Kung Pow shrimp but it does have quite a kick.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe 

 

Delicious Veggie Dip

Oh so easy... Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This dip is so easy, great for bringing to parties, and can even be microwaved.  You won't have to go to the bar for this app. anymore, just crack open a cold one at home and serve it up in your sweatpants.

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup parmesan cheese (1/2 cup grated and 1/2 cup shredded)
8 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained completely)
6 oz. chopped canned artichokes
1 tsp. garlic powder
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper
Directions:  Mix together all ingredients and place in a glass pie plate or square baking dish.  Bake at 350 uncovered for 20-25 minutes or heat in the microwave for about 5 min.  Serve with pita chips, tortilla chips, toasted baguettes, crackers, etc.