Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Blueberry Muffins

I'm on a major carb kick these days and what's better than a fresh out of the oven blueberry muffin to start your morning?!

D and I both have mention in recent weeks how good a blueberry muffin would be at various points in the day so I figured it was finally time to whip some up. 

Bisquick Blueberry Muffins
2 C Bisquick
1/3 C Sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp vegtable oil
2/3 C Milk
3/4 C Blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl with spoon (do not use a mixer) except blueberries. Once mixture is wet, it will still have small lumps, fold in blueberries.

Place muffin liners in standard size muffin pan. Fill each cup 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 13-18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let since in pan for 2 minutes. Remove and let cool on wire rack.

Monday, March 2, 2009

And I'm back...sort of

I apologize for my long unexplained absence. I have a really good reason I promise. Are you ready? Are you sure? Well okay, here it is:

I'm pregnant.

You know those woman who look amazing at any stage during pregnancy and when you ask them how their pregnancy is going they gush and gush and tell you how amazing and wonderful they feel? Yeah, that's not me. 

Don't get me wrong, I've got it pretty good. I can nap when ever I want and don't have to leave my apartment when I have a craving (or rather my husband doesn't have to leave) since NYC is fabulous in the delivery department. However, I haven't really eaten meat in over a month. Red meat makes me feel ill. Seriously, the site of raw meat of any kind, not so pleasant. I'm getting better about this slowly but surely. I actually wanted hot dogs the other day! Hahaha.

Anyhoo, this is the reason there have been no cooking posts and well no posts at all really. Now that I'm entering my second trimester and starting to feel a little more human I plan on cooking a little more because honestly the only thing I've made since I found out I was pregnant was a from scratch loaf of bread. I guess I'll post that at some point.

The posts may not happen as often, but I'm going to try my best to not let it be months or even weeks between posts! 

Now, off to brave the massive snow fall and find some blueberry muffins!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Online Stationary Show Starts TODAY!!

Please check out the online stationary show I am hosting from Doodle Bugs Paper (see post below!). Enter code LLG at checkout to receive 10% off your order and to make sure your purchase is credited toward my show!!

Happy Shopping!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Honest Scrap Award - Yay Me!

Mrs. Potts over at Experiments in a Galley Kitchen has bestowed upon me the "Honest Scrap" award. Yay. I love an award. To be honest, my other award was getting sort of lonely, I'm glad she has a friend now!
The rules:

1. Chose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

2. Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave them a comment informing them they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

So 10 honest things about myself:

1. I make the bed everyday, even if its 10 minutes before I get in it at night. Sleep just isn't the same to me if I didn't get into a neatly made bed.

2. I'm a terrible driver. I should not have a license. And now that I live in NYC, when I do have to drive, I'm a nervous driver. (P.S. your driving makes me nervous too)

3. I've become very spoiled while living in NYC. Though I think most people who live here are. I'm accustom to having only to walk 20 feet to take my trash out, having a doorman sign for my packages and someone to deliver them to my door, having my dry cleaning picked up and delivered and basically never having to go outside to get food if I don't want too. 

4. I love and hate NYC all at the same time.

5. I pick change up off the street. A penny saved is a penny earned (or something like that).

6. I gave up soda a few years ago but I still long for a Diet Coke every once in a while.

7. I use to tell my husband that when my dog died I wanted to have him stuffed so that he would always be around (no, I'm not kidding, yes, I'm apparently crazy) until we had to put my parents dog to sleep this fall, it completely changed my mind on finding the best taxidermist around. I'll settle for a nice little urn now.

8. I have a very odd sense of humor. The only person that understands it is my father. We crack each other up.

9. Baking is good for the soul. I love to bake.

10. I'm an only child which should explain a lot. :)

Now, for the seven lucky bloggers who I am tagging...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Online Stationary Show

Hi Everyone!!!

I am cordially inviting you to an online stationary show I am hosting from Doodle Bugs Paper. While I know this has nothing to do with food or cooking, Kacey over at Doodle Bugs has some seriously cute stuff that I want to share with all my readers! Plus you get a discount (10%) because you read my blog (You're Welcome.).

Need new address labels? 


How about some notecards?

A personalized stamp (I want one of these bad!)?

Don't forget to check out the sale section too!!

My online show is from January 18th through February 1st. When you check out (during that time) please enter the coupon code "LLG" and your order will go toward my show! Did I mention you'll get 10% off your total order???? Well you will (but you have to enter my coupon code!).

Shop early. Shop often. Just make sure you shop between January 18th and February 1!!!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Food and Wine Magazine

Over the Holidays a few friends and I participated in a Holiday Exchange. I always look forward to things like this, we do it a couple times a year and its always such a good time to see what others think you'll enjoy. 

This Christmas my friend A (who apparently knows me oh so well) sent me Kool-Aid (yes, the stuff you drank when you were 5), Bojangles Fry Seasoning and a subscription to Food and Wine magazine.

When I got home from the holidays my first copy was waiting for me. I had heard of the magazine but had never picked up a copy before, my mistake. It's a mecca of knowledge on obviously food and wine. The recipes? Simply AMAZING. You are sure to see a ton of stuff from here in the near future. Click here to check out their website.

Now if only I could learn to photograph food the way they do...

Friday, January 9, 2009

Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits

Who doesn't love a biscuit? Especially if you open it up and add some country ham? Yum. With my sort of southern friends (hey, they all went to school in the south at some point, that counts for something!) all hanging out I had to bring a little southern food to the party. What better way than a ham biscuit?

Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits
Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten
All-purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 1/2 Tsp kosher salt
12 Tbs cold unsalted butter, diced
1/3 C cold buttermilk
1 large egg
1 C grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 egg beaten

Preheat over to 425 degrees. Place 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment. On low, add the butter and mix until the butter is the size of peas.

Combine the buttermilk and egg in a small bowl and beat gently with fork. Add to buttermilk mixture with mixer on low mix until moistened. In a small bowl, mix the cheese with a small handful of flour and to dough in mixer. Mix only to combine.

Place dough on well floured surface, knead lightly. Roll dough out till 1/2 inch thick. Using desired size biscuit cutter cut biscuits and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle tops with sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

To make the biscuits extra special I warmed up a piece of country ham in a skillet and cut it into bite sized pieces to place in the middle of the freshly made biscuits. 

I'm Back

And I'm back. In full swing too. Sorry I've been MIA for so long, but the holidays got the best of me. I was out of town for 15 days and those 15 days involved absolutely no cooking for me what so ever, unless you count my very specific daily Starbucks order, which, you probably don't.

A dear friend J is WAY pregnant and about to pop at the end of the month so I had a few ladies over to hang out with a little food and fun since we won't get to see J for a while.

Stuffed Mushroom (these things are seriously delicious) 
Coutesey of Fresh from Cate's Kitchen, via Annie Eats adapted from allrecipes.com
24 whole fresh mushrooms
1 Tbs oliver oil
2 Tbs minced garlic
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Tsp ground black pepper
1/4 Tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 1/2 Tsp butter
1/3 C bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a 9 x 13 inch pan coat with cooking spray. Clean mushrooms and removed stems, do not discard. Chop stems into fine pieces. In skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and mushroom stems. Cook until mushrooms have given off their moisture and it has evaporated. Set aside to let cool. In same pan, wiped clean, melt butter. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until the bread crumbs are golden brown. When garlic and mushroom mixture is no longer hot, stir in cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Mixture should be very thick. Using a little spoon, fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount of stuffing. Arrange the mushroom caps on prepared pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve hot.

I'm definitely adding these to my repertoire they were seriously good.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Holidays!!

I'm sorry for the lack of cooking/baking related posts, it's the holiday, you understand right?

When mom is around I default to her cooking. I promise new yummy things in the New Year, perhaps before. Till then...

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 22, 2008

I've Been Tagged

My new buddy (really new LOL!) over at Good Mourning, Glory has tagged me! Now I have to tell the blogger world seven (random number - who chose that!) random or weird things about myself and then tag seven other random bloggers. Here goes... Enjoy my weirdness!!

1. Bojangles Supremes Dinner Combo with French Fries and Sweet Tea is my All-Time favorite fast food!

2. I arrive everywhere at least 10 minutes early.

3. I look for "Mole" people when I ride the subway. 

4. I'm left handed (not weird to me, but it is to some!)

5. I love shampoo. I'll try a million kinds then use the same one for a year. Try a million kinds and then use a different one for another year.

6. Haircut - generally equals a good cry, even if its just a trim. Pathetic, I know.

7. Driving a car is my own personal version of hell. I hate it.

Now for those seven lucky bloggers I am passing this on to:


Check out these amazing bloggers and leave them a little note!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Homemade Pizza

Since I decided that I needed a 2 1/2 hour nap at 4pm today, cooking dinner obviously wasn't high on my priority list. D was agreeable to homemade pizza, quick and easy. Actually he loves to make homemade pizza which is great because it means less work for me. We cheated tonight and bought a crust (I did have pizza dough on hand but the thought of rolling it out seemed to much, yes, I am that lazy) but I did cook fresh mushrooms to go on top, that makes up for the store bought crust right? So half pepperoni and full-on mushroom pizza it was. Looks tasty right? If you are looking for a quick, easy and more nutritious that ordering in dinner, give this a try! No real recipe to go along with this since I didn't make the crust from scratch. Just get some sauce, some cheese, and what ever toppings sound good to you!! Bake for 8-10 minutes and you're ready to eat!

My New Look

What do y'all think? Would love some feedback.

Fabulous Giveaway for the Kitchen Happy People

If you love all things kitchen like me head over to Ravings of a Mad Housewife right now to enter her fabulous giveaway. She (and Homer Laughlin China Company) are giving away 4 4-piece place settings of Feistaware! GO. Pick your colors and leave her a comment on her blog to enter. If you win, I want half, I mean you DID hear about it from me. :)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Challenge 3: Mushrooms

Challenge #3: Mushrooms! I'm so excited. I have to admit though when I tossed out my 3 choices to my pals L and C (stop by their blogs, Small Kitchen Big Taste and Kitchen Concoction) I offered up ricotta, mushrooms and wine. Yeah, I totally wanted to try this recipe so I purposely picked ingredients in it! They didn't seem to mind though (wait, have I told them this? Hmmm I have now LOL).

I've been a little obsessed with wanting to make gnocchi ever since my cooking school experience and then Bon Appetit arrives in my mailbox with this recipe? Fate I tell you.

Ricotta Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Marjoram

Gnocchi
1 Pound fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 Large egg
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp butter, melted
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Tsp salt
Pinch of ground black pepper

Sauce
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 pound assorted wild mushrooms, cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch pieces
4 Green onions, white and pale green parts finely chopped, dark green parts thinly sliced
1/4 C dry white wine
1/2 C (or more) low-salt chicken broth
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese plus additional for sprinkling
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp fresh marjoram leaves

To Make the Gnocchi - Place ricotta in strainer set over medium bowl. Chill until ricotta has texture of wet clay, about one hour.

Mix ricotta, 1/2 C flour, egg, and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, adding more flour by the tablespoonfuls until dough is slightly sticky (don't add too much!!!!) Cover and chill 30 minutes.

Sprinkle rimmed baking sheet generously with flour. Transfer dough to lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 equal pieces. Using hands, roll 1 piece on floured surface into 3/4 inch-wide log. Cut log into 1 inch pieces. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover gnocchi with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour (can be make a day ahead but doesn't keep much more than 1 day).

To Make the Sauce - Heat olive oil in large skillet over high heat. Add mushrooms; saute until they begin to brown, about 4 minutes. Add chopped white and pale green parts of the green onion. Saute 1 minute. Add wine; stir until almost all liquid is absorbed. Add 1/2 C chicken broth. Stir until sauce is slightly thickened.



Working in two batches, add gnocchi to large pot of boiling salted water, stirring to prevent sticking. Boil until gnocchi rise to surface of water, the continue boiling until cooked through, 1-2 minutes longer. Using slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to skillet with mushrooms. Add sliced dark green parts of green onions.


Re-warm mushrooms with gnocchi and green onions over medium heat, adding more broth by 1/4 C full if dry. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cheese, butter, and marjoram, stir until cheese and butter melt. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Delicious! 

Friday, December 5, 2008

Favorite Things Swap

My package arrived!!! I have been eagerly awaiting its arrival, pretty much annoying my doorman each day by asking if I had received any packages. Well, no more. IT'S HERE! And its fabulous! Really fabulous.

My swap partner Kyley outdid herself (she certainly outdid what I sent her and now I feel slack!). She sent so many goodies! And can we just talk about how cute she wrapped everything? Fantastic.

I mean she wrapped everything is zebra print fabric!! Let me just tell you my dog saw the fabric and started growling which is just hilarious. 

I'm completely in awe of her creativeness (is that even a word?). And LOVE what she sent. It is so funny to me that complete strangers can have so much in common. I mean seriously. Some of her favorite things are also mine. 

The stationary? Too cute. The pens? Perfect. Chicken cookie cutter? I LOVE to bake.  A Butterfinger, Jolly Ranchers and microwave popcorn? Who doesn't love those things? Oh not to mention she sent me the book The Shack, which is such a great book!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Kyley for all the fantastic goodies. And a huge thanks to Mamarazzi for hosting the Favorite Things Swap. I can't wait to participate in your next event!!