Thursday, June 30, 2011

4th July Strawberries w/ Linky

**UPDATE** Sorry my friends! I had wrong html code for linky, but its all fixed now. So sorry about the confusion!
This is the perfect treat to bring to a BBQ! Very simple as well.

4th JULY STRAWBERRIES


You need:
Strawberries
White chocolate
Blue colored sugar or sprinkles

The rest is very simple to figure out...dip strawberries in chocolate then sprinkles. I'm sure a variety of sprinkles would work! I like the look of the red-white-blue. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

We are the land of the free, because of the brave.

  

Do you have a 4th July favorite? Crafts, food, decorations--anything goes as long as its red-white-blue... Link it up here! 
I'll feature my favorites on Monday, July 4th


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


I'm lookin forward to the 4th of July festivities! This picture was taken at sunset on the "Missouri Showboat" that we went on a few weeks back. Best flag picture I've ever taken!


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Blog Hops....

   


Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Shark Cupcakes

Last week was VBS [Vacation Bible School] for my kiddos. They had a wonderful time! I helped out in the crafts area and had a lot of fun too. Volunteers were need to bring in snacks and food and such for the volunteers. So I said I'd bring in cupcakes. Yup, another chance to express my creativity! Not to mention they were a huge hit and didn't last but and hour. That is always a great ego booster!

SHARK CUPCAKES


Again, I just used a delicious box cake mix for the cupcakes (yellow butter cake). White frosting with blue food coloring for the frosting "waves." White chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate for the "waves," "sea shell" and "shark fin." And then I used a powdered donuts (use a spoon to make the "bite" mark) for the life preserver and red food gel for the strips. Graham cracker crumbs for the "sand."


Be creative with it! I really enjoyed making these. I'm sure there is a more "professional" way to create these, but I didn't have a lot of time and it was just for fun.



Anyone notice my little detail of the colored paper cups? Blue for the water and yellow for the land! I know, crazy. But thats me!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Daring Bakers Challenge: Baklava

Erica of Erica’s Edibles was our host for the Daring Baker’s June challenge. Erica challenged us to be truly DARING by making homemade phyllo dough and then to use that homemade dough to make Baklava.

I've made Baklava before, so this challenge wasn't really my thing to repeat. Oh it was spectacular in every bite--but that was the issue. I. Ate. Every. Bite. And I have/had nothing coming up to take it to. I'm trying to loose weight. Not gain it. I understand the challenge and appreciate every part!


He is my past posted recipe for Baklava.


DARING BAKERS CHALLENGE
BAKLAVA



1 (16oz) package fillo dough
1 lb (16oz) chopped pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13-inch pan.

Chop pecans then toss with cinnamon. Set aside.

Unroll 1 package fillo dough (or phyllo, depends on brand). Cover with dampened cloth to keep from drying out so quickly as you work. Place 2 sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered.

Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with 2 sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go.

Top layer should be 8 sheet deep (buttered between every 2)

Using a sharp knife, cut squares (or diamond shapes) all the way to the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 50 minutes until the baklava is golden and crisp.

Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.


Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. Leave uncovered (it will get soggy if it is wrapped up)


Grilled Asparagus

This is such an easy recipe! I like doing this when we're grilling a steak or other things. The grill is on, so why not use it to its full potential? I was at my parents house, and they have the really fancy Weber grill, so I really enjoyed cooking these steaks and asparagus.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS


1 bundle of thick asparagus [I like the thin ones, but for the grill, the thick ones work better]
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper

Rinse off asparagus and pat dry. Cut off the ends [if you know the snap method, do so here]. Toss the asparagus in olive oil and the s&p. Lay them out on the grill, and cook (lid closed) for 10 minutes (rotating after 5 min) along with your steaks.


Now all I need now is a fancy Weber grill. =) Enjoy!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

"Grill Cupcake Kit" WINNER!





[I used random.org to pick a winner]
CONGRATS to Maryanne @ craftymommydiva.blogspot.com/ for winning the cupcake kit! Please contact me within 24 hours with your information!



Recipe Cards

Hello friends! I've been working pretty hard on making recipe cards for my dishes! Instead of scrolling back through to see if a recipe has a card or not, here is a list of the ones I've made already. Most of my future recipes will have "recipe cards" in the actual post.

I might even add another page  of a permanent ongoing list of the recipe cards. If there is a recipe you would like to see a card for (and its not listed), please let me know so I can make one! Any suggestions?

Right now I've just picked out some of my favorite ones. I'll be working a lot in the next few weeks on getting all the recipes on cards.

Wine & Mint Lamb Chops click HERE
Nanny's Banana Pudding click HERE
Blue Cheese Crusted Fillet Mignon click HERE
Garlic Mashed Potatoes click HERE
Loaded Baked Potato Salad click HERE

I would love feedback on this subject matter so please express your opinions!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Last day to enter the 200 Followers GIVEAWAY!

Today is the last day to enter! 


A BBQ GRILL CUPCAKE KIT!
Kit Includes:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix
  • Foil Cupcake wrappers
  • Black Icing
  • Bag of Hot Tamales
  • Bag of Mike-n-Ikes
  • Bag of Caramels with cream centers
  • Orange Sprinkles
  • Toothpicks
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
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Friday, June 24, 2011

Flash-Back Friday [FBF] #5

I LOVED this "old" one! If you like treating yourself to Fillet Mignon, try this recipe--mashed potatoes and ALL!

BLUE CHEESE CRUSTED FILLET MIGNON
W/ PORT WINE SAUCE


The garlic mashed potatoes were iiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnncredible!!

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FLASH BACK LINKY is up again! With my co-host Micha from Cookin' Mimi

 

Follow Cookin' for my Captain and Cookin Mimi  on GFC [Google Friend Connect], grab our FBF button and then Link away!
  • Use your permalink which is the link in your browser’s address bar.
  • Link back to Cookin’ for My Captain, Cookin’ Mimi or both if you’d like.
  • Please only 1 or 2 entries.
  • Visit and comment on the other entries. Spread some comment love.
  • By entering your link on one blog it will show up on both.



2 Days left to enter!
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Don't forget to enter your name DAILY!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Chicken you won't Believe

Yes, that is the name. It got that name from me telling my husband yeeeeeeeeeaaaaarrrrrrrs ago when I first made it "Hunny, you are NOT gonna believe this Chicken" And the rest is history. It remains in our top 5 all time chicken recipes! He was so happy to see I made this for dinner--he said it was too long since last time. So here it is!

CHICKEN YOU WON'T BELIEVE
Click HERE for printable recipe

4 boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons cream cheese

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Pat dry the chicken with paper towel. Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on one side. Then roll it up and use a toothpick to secure in place. Repeat with each chicken breast.

Place rolled up chicken in a greased glass pan. Spread the dijon mustard over each chicken. Then heavily sprinkle with brown sugar. [not pictured--sprinkle with chopped pecans to add extra crunch]

Cook, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, basting often with juices. Serve warm.

Click HERE for printable recipe
 
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Don't forget to enter your name DAILY!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Look at my garden grow! "Husky Cherry Tomatoes"
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Blog Hops....

   
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Don't forget to enter your name DAILY!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Floral Cookies

I saw these at Stone Gable Blog and had to try them myself.

FLORAL SHORTBREAD COOKIES


1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter,
room temp
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 egg white
2 tablespoons water
Pesticide free Pansies or violas

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix together the flour, sugar, butter and vanilla until formed into a ball. Place between 2 sheets of wax paper and roll out until 1/4 inch (or a bit thinner) thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until tops are slightly browned and center is done.

Wash and pat dry the flowers. Mix together the egg white and water. Put a little of the egg wash on baked cookie, then place flower, and brush the top with more egg wash. Repeat until all are done. Place back into the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes or until egg wash looks dry on top of cookies. If the flowers curl, just pat them back down, carefully, with your finger.

Remove from oven and let them completely cool on wire rack.



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Don't forget to enter your name DAILY!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Parsley Logs

Parsley has been growing like its on crack...faster than weeds. I saw this method quite a while ago from A Way to Garden --it gives a detailed tutorial as well on how to make the logs. There is also the "parsley pesto cube" method. I prefer the logs, because I mostly used parsley not so finely chopped. However, because my parsley is on something, I might try the pesto cubs later this summer.

PRESERVING PARSLEY

Trim your parsley plant, starting on the outside edge, trimming the thicker stems. Thin ones are new growth and will be ready to "harvest" in another month.



Clean the parsley REALLY GOOD. I had a little slug on one of my stems, so I doubled and tripled cleaned. Then, dry thoroughly. Use a "salad spinner" to get the majority of the water, then go to paper towels.


One by one, remove the stems from the parsley leaves. Believe me, they don't taste good. Now you have a huge pile of leaves!


Dab them with another paper towel, just to make sure there isn't moisture. Put all the leaves in a Ziploc bag.


Squeeze all the leaves to the bottom portion on the bag, pushing down, removing the air from the bag. If you have one of those cool air-lock thingy, I bet they would work great!


Then roll it up and date the bag so you don't forget when you made it.


When its frozen, you can pull it out and cut of a bit of it and whooooola! Fresh PARSLEY ready at your fingertips!
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Don't forget to enter your name DAILY!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

FB & 200 Followers GIVEAWAY!

First with the good news--I've created a page on FaceBook for Cookin' for my Captain! Thank you to all my friends and fans who have giving me the courage to take it to the next level.  My facebook platform is on the left column if you would like to take a look!
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Thanks AGAIN to everyone! I honestly never thought I would make it this far in such a short time. I really appreciate each and every one of you and all the lovely comments! I wanted to do this sooner, but had no idea what to do until now.

I'm giving away.....

A BBQ GRILL CUPCAKE KIT!
Kit Includes:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix
  • Foil Cupcake wrappers
  • Black Icing
  • Bag of Hot Tamales
  • Bag of Mike-n-Ikes
  • Bag of Caramels with cream centers
  • Orange Sprinkles
  • Toothpicks
Enter your name and email once...DAILY! Giveaway is now open and will close on Saturday night (June 25th) at 11:59pm Central Time Zone. Entries available to the US only (sorry, it's only because of the shipping!)

Don't forget to submit your name and email every day! Winner will be chosen at random and will be posted on June 26, 2011.  Goodluck!

    Friday, June 17, 2011

    Flash-Back Friday [FBF] #4

    Today is Stewarts Root Beer Day! Saw these in the store, had to get them. Gonna make some root beer floats!


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     BREADED CHICKEN & AVOCADO


    *SHOCKING* I know, this picture is horrible! Kinda shows how much I've "improved" since starting blogging! I made this the other day [forgot about the picture] it will remain one of our TOP FAVORITES of all time. Especially when the avocado is in season. *YUMMM*

    Last week, this was one from MeiJo's JOY Blog.

    Konnyaku Jelly!

     Can't wait to try this one out! Molds are so simple to do-- I don't know why I haven't tried that before! I also have never tried Agar Agar powder--this is the perfect recipe to try it out on!


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    FLASH BACK LINKY is up again! With my co-host Micha from Cookin' Mimi

     

    Follow Cookin' for my Captain and Cookin Mimi  on GFC [Google Friend Connect], grab our FBF button and then Link away!
    • Use your permalink which is the link in your browser’s address bar.
    • Link back to Cookin’ for My Captain, Cookin’ Mimi or both if you’d like.
    • Please only 1 or 2 entries.
    • Visit and comment on the other entries. Spread some comment love.
    • By entering your link on one blog it will show up on both.

    Thursday, June 16, 2011

    "Grate" Gift for Dad

    I was going to wait until Sunday to post this, but I've had so many friends ask me how I made them and wanted more details! So here it is!

    I want to give credit to where I saw this idea, because I didn't think of it on my own. Family Fun, The Cupcake Blog, Polka-Dot Apron ....I have seen it on a few other personal blogs as well. Just trying to give credit to whom it belongs.  

    FATHER'S DAY CUPCAKES
     "Grate Gift for Dad"


    Bake chocolate cupcakes however you like. I use box mix to keep it on the simple side.

    What candy you need:
    Hot Tamales
    Caramel with cream centers
    Orange colors sugar sprinkles
    Mike-n-Ikes

    Other supplies:
    Black frosting
    White frosting (to mix a little with black to make gray frosting)
    Decorating tips and bags
    Knife (to cut candy pieces)
    Toothpicks

    First sprinkle the cupcakes with the orange sugar sprinkles (burning embers!). Then pipe with the gray frosting the grill over the orange sprinkles. I used just a little orange, and as things started to pile up, its not as noticeable. I would use a lot more next time. The rest is up to you.


    Shape the caramel with cream center into meat "shapes"--like a pork chop, or a t-bone, or fillet Mignon...you get the point. Since the caramels where so think, I cut them horizontally so I could get 2 chops from 1. Use the hot tamales for the "hot dogs." Don't forget to put on the "grill marks" using the black frosting and a toothpick.


    These are my favorite little puppies. Kabobs! Use the hot tamales for the "sausage" part, then cut up yellow and green mike-n-ikes for the "pineapple" and "bell peppers" part of the kabob. You can get creative with other things for the kabobs, but I had to use what I could find. Again, add "grill marks" for more detail.


    Be creative on what you put on which cupcakes. Keep a variety to make them each unique!


    I LOVE how they all look together as a group. Makes me smile. And my husband has already snatched one!


    Hope you enjoy! I don't mind anyone using my pictures, however, please give credit to me (for the photo) and to Family Fun (for the idea).

    "Grate" Gift for Dad

    I was going to wait until Sunday to post this, but I've had so many friends ask me how I made them and wanted more details! So here it is!

    I want to give credit to where I saw this idea, because I didn't think of it on my own. Family Fun, The Cupcake Blog, Polka-Dot Apron ....I have seen it on a few other personal blogs as well. Just trying to give credit to whom it belongs.  

    FATHER'S DAY CUPCAKES
     "Grate Gift for Dad"


    Bake chocolate cupcakes however you like. I use box mix to keep it on the simple side.

    What candy you need:
    Hot Tamales
    Caramel with cream centers
    Orange colors sugar sprinkles
    Mike-n-Ikes

    Other supplies:
    Black frosting
    White frosting (to mix a little with black to make gray frosting)
    Decorating tips and bags
    Knife (to cut candy pieces)
    Toothpicks

    First sprinkle the cupcakes with the orange sugar sprinkles (burning embers!). Then pipe with the gray frosting the grill over the orange sprinkles. I used just a little orange, and as things started to pile up, its not as noticeable. I would use a lot more next time. The rest is up to you.


    Shape the caramel with cream center into meat "shapes"--like a pork chop, or a t-bone, or fillet Mignon...you get the point. Since the caramels where so think, I cut them horizontally so I could get 2 chops from 1. Use the hot tamales for the "hot dogs." Don't forget to put on the "grill marks" using the black frosting and a toothpick.


    These are my favorite little puppies. Kabobs! Use the hot tamales for the "sausage" part, then cut up yellow and green mike-n-ikes for the "pineapple" and "bell peppers" part of the kabob. You can get creative with other things for the kabobs, but I had to use what I could find. Again, add "grill marks" for more detail.


    Be creative on what you put on which cupcakes. Keep a variety to make them each unique!


    I LOVE how they all look together as a group. Makes me smile. And my husband has already snatched one!


    Hope you enjoy! I don't mind anyone using my pictures, however, please give credit to me (for the photo) and to Family Fun (for the idea).
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